Author: John Mbaraga

In an interview President Kagame had with Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), he mentioned that smartphones that will be offered to poor families will assist them in accessing government services without having to go through or be assisted by a third party. “The initiative will ease the access to government services for families that could not otherwise have that privilege. In a modern connected world where every information is available online, the challenge ensures that even poor families are not left in the dark.”

“I was informed earlier this morning that at least 37,000 smartphones have been distributed. It is a remarkable beginning.”
President Kagame said that smartphones that will be given away will allow farmers to obtain information about where they can sell their products and how to improve yield through better agricultural techniques.”

He added that in order to ease the access to internet services, plans have been set to provide internet packages for that particular group of people at a cheaper price. “It would not be logical to provide smartphones and forget that poor people cannot afford internet. We have thought about that too. The smartphones will come in handy not only to the people they will be handed to but also to their families who otherwise had no access to online information.”

“It is the exact same thing for electricity. Providing electricity is one thing and facilitating its access for poor families is another. This could be a life-changing moment for them.”

President Kagame recently announced via his Twitter his pledge of 1500 smartphones for the ‘Connect Rwanda’ challenge and thanked his family for their contribution as well. “Thank you to my family for accepting my challenge to play your part to Connect Rwanda and donating Mara Phones. Jeannette donated 27 and my children: Ivan, 23, Ange Kagame and Bertrand:15,Ian, 15, Brian, with money saved from his internship, 5 and Jeannette’s niece,Nana, still in university, 3.”

At the launch of Mara Phones plant in October 2019, President Kagame said that only 15% of Rwandans can afford smartphones but that the country aspires to connect all its 2.88 million households.

Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) reported that in general, 9.5 million Rwandans (78.8%) use mobile phones.

Apart from banks, there are other institutions in Rwanda that promote online money transfer including Airtel Rwanda, Mobicash Rwanda Ltd, MTN Rwanda RSwitch Ltd, Visa Rwanda Ltd and Bank of Kigali IKOFI.

Online money transfer made it easier to send money anywhere across the country and abroad without the need to travel or send it through the post at the risk of the money never reaching the recipient. Not only does it prevent the loss of money mid-transfer, it is also a solution to the economy of the Central Bank of Rwanda that can easily track the flow of money within the country and can cut on the expenses incurred in making new banknotes and coins that range between Rwf 1.5 billion and Rwf 2 billion every year.

The Central Bank Governor, John Rwangombwa told IGIHE that with different awareness campaigns about online money transfer, people understand more how life-changing it can be. “Online money transfer started in Rwanda earlier in 2011, but only 0.3% of the country’s economy. Today, it has skyrocketed to 34.6% and we intend to reach 80% by 2024. There is a need for a collective effort in educating people about the benefits of online money transfer and sharing that technology so that it can benefit a larger portion of the Rwandan population.”

The 2018/2019 Central Bank of Rwanda report shows that online money transfer has reached 34.63% as of July 2019 from 30% in 2018. A typical example can be observed on POS machines which use increased to 41.4% on a 10,000-population sample from 30% in 2018.

Remarkable achievements

The Central Bank of Rwanda report 2018/2019 also shows a comparison in online money transfer between July 2018 and July 2019 where the use of POS machines increased by 39% from 2198 purchased to 3046.

Virtual POSs, Near Field Communication, and Mobile POS online transfer methods, have been introduced to contributing to a 32% increase in POS machines use from 12, 959 units in July 2018 to 17,048 units in July 2019.

The number of times POS machines have been used increased by 40% reaching 2.2 million times, leading to an increase in money transfer of 18% and facilitating the transfer of up to Rwf 10 billion. The number of ATM machines increased by only 2% from 382 to 390.

The number of times ATM machines were used increased by 2% reaching 9.7 million times mainly due to the Central Bank of Rwanda and the government’s effort in promoting cashless transfers. The amount of money withdrawn on ATM machines increased by 4% reaching Rwf 551 billion.

Last year, the amount of money transferred online increased by 32% from Rwf 1563 billion to Rwf 2058 billion while the number of mobile banking users increased by 52% reaching 192,145. The number of internet banking users increased by 13% reaching 79,079 in July 2019.

The value of the money that was transferred using mobile banking increased by 46% from Rwf 43 billion in July 2018 to Rwf 63 billion, in July 2019.

Way to go

Governor Rwangombwa says there is still a long way to go in achieving total cashless transfers in Rwanda but given that a large proportion of the Rwandan population is youth, it will be easily achievable.

Using online money transfer entails a lot of benefits including safety and fewer risks of fraud and theft while it would be hard to recover physical money.

It also helps business owners to control the flow of their expenses and income, tax payment, in buying electricity and TV subscription to mention a few, from the comfort of their homes.

Among the obstacles to the completion of a cashless economy are that some mobile and online banking applications are not compatible with each other.

There is also the issue that the economy of Rwanda has built its foundation on physical money transfer that it becomes harder to change mentalities. Many business owners in rural areas are still clinging to the traditional transfer methods leading to a 1% loss in the country’s GDP. Other obstacles include that some areas of the country are off-grid or have no cell towers yet and therefore cannot use POS machines yet.

High transfer fees also figure among the issues, online money transfers face.

Governor Rwangombwa says that in 2017, MTN Rwanda introduced a new form of mobile payment where business owners acquire a number and buyers can pay through mobile money using it, with no charges whatsoever.

He added that there is hope that Rwanda will eventually reach the 80% goal in online money transfer use through continuous education and through the introduction of improved technology.

Kagame made the comments today as he addressed participants of the 10th edition of Rwanda Day in Bonn alongside thousands of Rwandans. He was along with First Lady Jeannette Kagame.

Kagame highlighted that Rwanda’s path for transformation is clear noting that what is left to do is up to Rwandans without waiting for someone else.

“In the last 25 years, the challenges decreased, it is not the same as it was in the last 25 years. This is proof that our transformation real. The ones who were trying to hurt our country, it becomes more and more difficult for them as the years go by. They are still trying to do it to this day,” he said.

Kagame reminded participants that goods thing about Rwanda Day is that it brings Rwandans together noting that Rwanda is a country building itself from the very bottom, where our already non-existent country was destroyed.

Commenting on those who wish harm to Rwanda, the President emphasized that they will not be able to succeed today, what they failed to do in the past.

“I am not saying this to be boastful, or to dissuade those with plans to destroy our country. I am saying it because it is the truth. When you look at every aspect of our economy and the transformation of the country, you will find that every year, Rwanda makes progress in every sector of our economy,” he noted.

Kagame compared Rwanda to a plane often faced with the winds that push it backward but with its own strength to push through even when going against the current. The President observed that Rwandans are a replacement of the winds pushing the country forward.

“But we also have winds that push us forward. That is each of you. You are the ones pushing Rwanda in the right direction. We need to keep increasing our efforts to not only reach our goals but to also move even faster,” he told Rwanda Day participants.

Kagame underscored that what Rwanda Day aims to do is to ensure that those outside Rwanda and those in Rwanda work together to speed up Rwanda’s transformation and ‘achieve our goals as fast as we can’.

This edition of Rwanda Day was held under the theme “Rwanda25: Owning our Future”. Participants discussed Rwanda’s socio-economic progress and propose solutions to current and future challenges.

Over the last editions, Rwanda Day has brought together more than 35,000 Rwandans and Friends of Rwanda living in Europe, the US and other parts of the World.

This year’s Rwanda Day focused on three key topics; Ndi Umunyarwanda and Our Identity Journey, Rwanda Works! The Land of a million possibilities and opportunities, and Positioning Rwanda in today’s globalised world.

Participants had the opportunity to hear from different professionals and Rwandans who recently returned home.

Rwanda Day is the country’s biggest event held outside its borders, and one of the major factors that have kept Rwandans living abroad connected to the country and brought investors from various sectors. Rwanda Day was previously held in the following cities: Brussels, Chicago, Paris, Boston, London, Toronto, Atlanta, Dallas, Amsterdam, San Francisco, Ghent, and now Bonn in Germany.

Participants will discuss Rwanda’s socio-economic progress and propose solutions to current and future challenges.

Over the last editions, Rwanda Day has brought together more than 35,000 Rwandans and Friends of Rwanda living in Europe, the US and other parts of the World. This year’s Rwanda Day will focus on three key topics; Ndi Umunyarwanda and Our Identity Journey, Rwanda Works! The Land of a million possibilities and opportunities, and Positioning Rwanda in today’s globalized world.

This edition has a special feature called the “Career Corner”; a career speed-dating event that offers activities to young professionals within the Rwanda Community Abroad. They will have the opportunity to hear from different professionals and Rwandans who recently returned home. They will also benefit from a demonstration of how the Kora Job Portal works and matchups with representatives from companies searching for talents.

These companies include the Bank of Kigali, I&M Bank, Carnegie Mellon University-Africa, Babyl, Cogebanque, Rwandair, the Business Development Fund, Bridge 2 Rwanda, Study in Rwanda, Westerwell, Garden Fresh, BBOX, Andela, Mara Phones, Irembo and Davis College Rwanda Akilah Campus and more.

Rwanda Day is the country’s biggest event held outside its borders, and one of the major factors that have kept Rwandans living abroad connected to the country and brought investors from various sectors. Rwanda Day has been held in the following cities: Brussels, Chicago, Paris, Boston, London, Toronto, Atlanta, Dallas, Amsterdam, San Francisco, Ghent, and now Bonn in Germany.

This 10th edition marked the end of the Moroccan co-presidency with the Dutch partners, but with regard to the performance and achievements of Morocco, the members of the GCTF voted in March 2019 in favor of the re-election of Morocco for a 3rd term with Canada, for the 2020-2022 period.

This new decision clearly reflects the renewed confidence and esteem that the Kingdom enjoys as a key partner in the fight against terrorism, both within this Forum and on the international level.

Under the enlightened leadership of H.M King Mohammed VI, the Kingdom has developed an expertise and a unique and globally recognized experience and approach for its efficiency, based on economic, political, religious and social reforms, including those relating to the fight against social exclusion and instability.

Morocco’s multifaceted commitment has made it an indispensable active partner in counterterrorism efforts, as well as a vehicle for stability through its active contribution to the global and regional capacity-building efforts.

During this important meeting, the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Morocco delivered an important speech, focused on four fundamental messages:

The absolute necessity of maintaining a strong commitment in the fight against terrorism;
Countering terrorism in Africa;

The importance of sustaining the GCTF’s role as a trailblazer and continuing to support the implementation of its deliverables;

The need to lean on the legacy of the Dutsh-Moroccan Co-Chairmanship and to remain committed to serving the GCTF’s goals and objectives;

Regarding the fight against terrorism in Africa, in particular, the Minister recalled that:
Africa experienced record levels of violence in 2018. Countries of the Sahel recorded a number of victims four times higher in 2018 compared to 2012.

Between November 2018 and March 2019 the increase in number of civilian victims varied from 300% to up to 7 000% in some Sahel countries, compared to the same period during the previous year.

During the first six months of 2019, the continent has been the theater to more than two hundred (200) terrorist attacks, resulting in more than five thousand (5000) victims amongst civilian populations and security forces.

In addition, while in 2010 there was only one terrorist group in the Sahel, today there is more than 12 operating in the region.

The alarming rise of violent extremism in Africa could lead to another global wave of terror, seriously jeopardizing not only the future of the continent but also international stability, given that our security is one and indivisible.

In order to prevent such occurrence, there is an urgent need to pay a strategic attention to understanding and addressing the factors leading to the proliferation of terrorist groups in Africa;

The need to support the development of the right security skills that match the evolution of the threat;

The GCTF has a fundamental role to play in adding value to the efforts already undertaken at the international and regional level.

On the other hand, the Minister pointed out that Morocco and the Netherlands have, over the last four years, been careful to lead the Forum with pragmatism and determination, setting as priorities the consolidation of the Forum’s proactive approach and mobilizing efforts to create solutions to emerging threats.

During the last four years, 18 framework documents have been developed and 9 new initiatives have been launched on key themes in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, such as borders security, fight against the spread of online extremism, the protection of vulnerable sites, the nexus between transnational organized crime and terrorism, the fight against manifestations of terrorism of national origin, etc…

In four years, The GCTF has organized nearly 65 meetings and has collaborated with more than one hundred countries, international and regional non-member organizations, including the UN with which a mutually beneficial relationship has been developed and strengthened, through active and effective cooperation with concrete and strategic content to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, particularly in East and West Africa.

Morocco and the Netherlands have carried out a structural review of the GCTF which has allowed the Forum to evolve while preserving its achievements in terms of flexibility, balance and openness, through the rationalization of its Working Groups and the enlargement of the regions covered by its Regional Working Groups.

This meeting resulted in the adoption of four new framework documents on:
• The role of women in the fight against violent extremism;
• Fight against threats related to the use of drone systems by terrorists;
• The use of administrative measures in the context of the fight against terrorism;
• The establishment and management of watch lists to detect and respond to terrorist movements.

During this meeting, the Memorandum of New York on the Good Practices for Interference of Movements of Foreign Terrorists has been adopted. The meeting was also launched with the American, Jordanian, Swiss and Nigerian partners of two new initiatives on Maritime Security and Terrorist Displacement, and the response to the Criminal Justice Terrorism, the Transnational Organized Crime and the International Crimes.

It should be recalled that the GCTF, a platform co-chaired by Morocco and Canada, is composed of 30 members in addition to states and partner organizations, including the UN. The Forum regularly brings together policymakers and experts in the areas of counter-terrorism. Its activities revolve around five working groups related to the fight against violent extremism, combatants, criminal justice and the rule of law, the strengthening of rights in West Africa and the strengthening of capacities in West and East Africa.

Busasamana Sector executive secretary, Epimaque Uwimana told IGIHE that the executive was arrested in the act by security personnel.

“It is true. Yesterday, the executive secretary went to meet Epimaque Hakizimana in Gasiza centre who gave him Rwf20,000. Because the police were nearby, they asked what he was giving him the money for, to which the executive said he didn’t know,” he said.

He added that Hakizimana was asked what he gave the executive money for, and responded that they had agreed on the money to allow him make local brews.

The executive secretary suspected of soliciting bribes is in police custody at Busasamana Police Station.

According to a study conducted by Transparency International Rwanda in 2016, Rubavu District local government was found to be the most corrupt at a ranking of 22.7%.

The forth article of the law against corruption stipulates that anyone who requests or offers, in any way, something, to himself or to any other person or agrees to it in order to do or not do something in their duties or to perform his or her duties in order to do or not do so, commits a crime.

When convicted by court, he or she is sentenced to a term of more than five years but not more than seven years and a fine of Rwandan Francs from about 3 to 5 percent of the total amount of gains they requested or received.

They appeared in Kagitumba marshland, Matimba Sector, Nyagatare District where about 350 hectares have been damaged.

Army worm infests cereals such as corn, sorghum, and beans among others.

Last year, the pests heavily damaged residents’ crops across the country.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources reported that 15,699 hectares were damaged, representing 24.7% of all the land on which corn, sorghum and soybeans were cultivated.

There are concerns that the pests that started from Nyagatare District may spread across the country.

Nyagatare District vice mayor in charge of economic affairs, Steven Rurangwa said that if nothing is done to avert them, pests will negatively impact food security.

“We have no food insecurity today, but we fear that 22,778 hectares of the district could be affected, which would be bad news for farmers,” he said.

When this infestation started last year, the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) took the lead in the eradication of the pest by ensuring rapid delivery of required insecticides.

Joseph Higiro, the officer in charge of fighting pests and diseases at Rwanda agriculture Board (RAB) asked farmers to follow the instructions of the system of crop rotation which lessens armyworm attack.

The expo kicked off on Monday November 5, in Shanghai, opened by Chinese President Xi JinPing. It welcomed around 3,000 companies from 130 countries. It offers them a platform to link with potential buyers from the world’s second largest economy.

Twahirwa said that as a matter of fact, Chinese are very willing and interested to buy African products and they don’t want to buy just a few of them; they want them in bulks.

“What I noticed is that Chinese were very interested and willing to buy products made from Africa and they consider my product as innovation because they are not accustomed to chilly oil. Usually, they do not buy few things; they buy in big quantities,” he said.

According to how he saw the situation in the expo, Twahirwa realised that Chinese do not intend to buy chilly oil only but are also looking for dry African bidi, sauce, among many other African products.

“I have noticed that all the people here would like to distribute our products, and they are willing to buy everything here. They have money, and trust African products,” he added.

When opening the exhibition, Mr Xi said that “CIIE is a major initiative by China to proactively open up its market to the world”.

Here are some of the interesting items that are being featured at CIIE.

1.FLYING CAR

Slovakian company AeroMobil’s first flying car, the 1.4-tonne electric-hybrid 4.0 STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing Aircraft), is making its Asia debut in Shanghai this week.

The vehicle can travel both on land and in air, and can transform from car to flight mode in under three minutes.

2. WORLD’S SMALLEST HEART PACEMAKER

United States medical technology firm Medtronic is bringing what it claims to be the world’s smallest heart pacemaker to the CIIE. The wireless Micra Transcatheter Pacing System (TPS) is less than 10 per cent the size of traditional pacemakers.

It is delivered through a catheter and implanted directly into the heart without the need for any surgery or chest incisions.

The Micra TPS was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2016.

3. ITALIAN-MADE HELICOPTERS

Priced at 200 million yuan (S$39.9 million), Leonardo Helicopter’s AW189 is one of the most expensive exhibits at the CIIE. Italian firm Leonardo Helicopter has brought three of its helicopter models to Shanghai. The AW189, a high-performance, 8.6-tonne twin-engine helicopter, is one of the three helicopter models that the Italian firm hope will appeal to China’s jet-setting tycoons and businessmen.

It can be used not just in commercial passenger transport, but also search and rescue missions and offshore oil-exploration operations.

Leonardo also plans to establish a helicopter training centre and a final assembly workshop in China, reported Xinhua news agency.

4. NEW LOGISTICS TECHNOLOGIES

Logistics is one of China’s core industries, and American conglomerate Honeywell looks to leverage that growing demand in its second-biggest market, after the United States.

Honeywell, which has about 13,000 employees in 30 cities in China, is set to debut its new connected supply chain solution Connected Freight at the CIIE.

Connected Freight can provide real-time information about the location and condition of critical freight while in transit.

Using this system, shippers and logistics companies will be able to monitor shipments of high-value and perishable goods, which could help prevent costly damage and loss, Honeywell Global High Growth Regions’ president Shane Tedjarati told Xinhua.

5. ECO-FRIENDLY CARS

China’s citizens are increasingly concerned about pollution in their cities, and electric cars are seen as a way to reduce emissions.

China is the world leader in sales of new-energy vehicles, and the sale of these vehicles is projected to be on an upward trend.

In line with the Chinese market’s interest in low-emission vehicles, Finnish multinational corporation UPM’s Biofore concept car will make its first appearance in China at the CIIE.

Created with renewable and recyclable materials and innovations from the forest industry, the car weighs 1.1kg and costs around 30,000 euros (S$47,000).
The Biofore concept car runs on renewable diesel, and emits 80 per cent less greenhouse gases than those that run on fossil fuel.

6. BIO-TOILETS

Singaporean biotech firm Westcom Technology is introducing its bio-toilets that can turn waste into fertiliser in 24 hours.

Each set of bio-toilet costs $2,000, and does not require water, electricity and complicated piping to operate.

7. DIAMOND-CRUSTED SHOES

Luxury company Genavant, co-founded by renowned shoe designer Jimmy Choo and his godson Reggie Hung, is showcasing a pair of 30 million yuan (S$5.9 million) heels.

Created by Choo and Hung, the shoes feature 400 to 500 pink and white diamonds graded by the Gemological Institute of America and will be displayed alongside other bejewelled shoes.

8. FOLDABLE PRESBYOPIC GLASSES

Italian eyewear brand Nannini is bringing its revolutionary, ultra-thin glasses to the Chinese market. The reading glasses have rotatable nose bridges and can be folded and kept in a case 1.0mm thick, which means that they could be stashed in a jacket pocket easily.

The glasses, which are made in Modena, Italy, were recently on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

9. MAORI FOOD PRODUCE

The HUI Maori Collective, comprising of 11 companies, looks to bring Maori-produced food and beverage products to China. The range of products include fruit bars, wine and Manuka honey.

New Zealand’s Minister for Maori development Nanaia Mahuta said that for the very first time, Maori exporters can enter into the modern world of e-commerce in ways that will derive benefits for New Zealand’s international status as a trading nation, CGTN reported.

10. PREMIUM KENYAN COFFEE

East African coffee chain Java House, which is based in Nairobi, Kenya, will be brewing its premium coffee at the CIIE. It is one of several African firms hoping to expand into the Chinese market, and has signed a distribution agreement with Shanghai-based logistics company Greechain International Ltd.

The coffee market in China has flourished in recent years, with the total coffee consumption in China growing at an average annual rate of 16 per cent in the last decade, outpacing the world average of two per cent, according to figures from the International Coffee Organisation.

The company has earmarked its Chinese foray to bolster its growth amidst the weakening competitiveness of the coffee industry in Africa, China Daily reported.