More small and medium businesses in Rwanda are moving websites, applications and data to the cloud instead of buying their own servers. Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud are two of the largest platforms. Both are reliable and secure, and both can serve an SME well. The right choice depends on what you want to run, the skills of your team and how you control costs.
What the Cloud Gives an SME
- No large upfront spending on servers; you pay for what you use.
- Resources that grow or shrink with your business.
- Data centres with strong physical security and power protection.
- Built-in backup, monitoring and security tools.
- Access to services such as databases, analytics and AI without building them yourself.
AWS and Google Cloud Compared
Range of services
AWS has the widest range of services and the largest user community, which makes it easy to find guides, tools and skilled people. Google Cloud offers a focused set of services and is strong in data analytics, machine learning and Kubernetes.
Ease of use
For a small team, Google Cloud’s console and simpler project structure can be easier to learn. AWS offers more options, which brings flexibility but also more to understand.
Pricing
Both charge by usage and offer discounts for committed use. Google Cloud applies some discounts automatically for sustained use. On both platforms, the biggest savings come from choosing the right size of resources and switching off what you do not use.
Data location
Neither platform has a data centre inside Rwanda. Both have regions in South Africa and in Europe. Check Rwanda’s data protection law and any sector rules from your regulator before deciding where personal or financial data is stored.
Productivity tools
If your team already uses Google Workspace, Google Cloud fits naturally. If you use Microsoft 365, either platform works well alongside it.
How to Decide
- List the systems you want to move and their requirements
- Check data protection and regulatory rules for your sector
- Compare monthly costs for your real workloads, not list prices
- Consider the skills of your team and your support partner
- Start with one workload, then expand
How Junubia Host Can Help
From our office in Kigali, Junubia Host helps SMEs in Rwanda plan cloud moves, compare costs and choose the right platform. We also offer hybrid options such as Sangfor HCI for systems that must stay on site, secure them with Fortinet, and set up Microsoft 365. Read more about our IT solutions in Rwanda.
Get Advice for Your Business
Book a free IT assessment and we will help you decide what to move to the cloud and where. You can also reach us on WhatsApp: +211 924 786 666 (South Sudan) or +255 768 404 666 (Tanzania and Rwanda).
Written by Dut Majak, CEO and Founder of Junubia Host Co Ltd. Dut leads Junubia’s work with banks, government institutions, NGOs and businesses across South Sudan, Tanzania and Rwanda.
