Rwanda's government has announced plans to provide high-speed 4G internet to almost its entire population within three years after striking a deal with South Korea's biggest telecoms provider.

Experts hailed the venture as the first truly comprehensive 4G service in Africa as President Paul Kagame seeks to underline his credentials as a digital visionary.

Rwanda has laid more than 1,865 miles (3,000km) of fibre optic cable since 2009 but only about 8.3% of the population currently has access to the internet.

On Monday, the government said KT Corp of South Korea would inject about $140m (£90m) into a joint venture company that will create a 4G LTE broadband network for 95% of citizens. Debt and vendor financing will also be required.

Jean Philbert Nsengimana, the country's youth and ICT minister, said: "This agreement with KT marks a major milestone in Rwanda's drive to become a modern, knowledge-based economy – and by expanding our information infrastructure, we will create jobs, support social progress and propel economic growth."

Clare Akamanzi, chief executive of the Rwanda Development Board, added: "Rwanda's citizens and businesses must have access to the tools that will enable them to seize the opportunities of the digital age – and none is more important than fast, reliable and accessible broadband.

"We are pleased to partner with KT in this unique initiative to make available high-speed broadband to all Rwandans."

The government invited mobile network operators to invest in the project and offer retail access to 4G LTE wireless broadband services to the country's 12m people.

Nearly 20 years after the genocide, the tiny state hopes to become an ICT pioneer in east Africa, although it is still seeking a major investor. Kagame and other ministers are enthusiastic users of Twitter.

Arthur Goldstuck, a tech analyst and head of the World Wide Worx research organisation in Johannesburg, said: "For a long time Rwanda has been in the lead in terms of the priority it places on technology and the internet. Paul Kagame sees himself as a digital visionary."

Up to a dozen countries in Africa – including Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda – operate 4G in one form or another, Goldstuck added, but Rwanda "will be the first to have this comprehensive approach". He also praised the laying of 1,865 miles of fibre optic cable as an impressive achievement.

However, he warned: "The concern is always whether it's ego driven rather than meeting the developmental needs of the country. The jury is still out on whether it will benefit individuals as has been claimed."

It is estimated that 95% broadband penetration will translate into a 10 – 13% boost in GDP growth. The Rwandan economy grew by 9.4% in the 2011-12 fiscal year.

According to Internet World Stats, Africa still has the world's lowest internet penetration rate at 15.6%.