Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

Agriculture remains the backbone of Rwanda’s economy, and the Bank of Kigali is playing a crucial role in supporting its modernization. By providing financing solutions to innovative enterprises like Kivu Choice, BK is helping to enhance food production and affordability.

The aquaculture sector, in particular, holds immense potential to provide sustainable, nutritious foods to Rwandans while creating jobs and supporting rural livelihoods. This partnership will enable Kivu Choice to expand its production capacity and make nutritious fish products more accessible to communities across the country.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Diane Karusisi, CEO of the Bank of Kigali described the partnership as a transformative step for Rwanda’s agricultural sector.

“By supporting innovative businesses in aquaculture, we are helping to ensure affordable, sustainable nutritious foods for our people while also driving rural development. At Bank of Kigali, we believe that investing in agriculture is not just about growing food—it’s about fostering inclusive economic growth and building resilience in the communities that depend on it,” she stated.

Kamran Ahmad, Founder and CEO of Kivu Choice, emphasized the importance of the partnership for their mission.

“Our partnership with BK will allow us to significantly expand our equipment and infrastructure capacity so that we can continue to scale at pace to serve more of the market. We’re grateful for the opportunity to work closely together to tackle food and nutrition security; this investment takes us one step closer to making our products accessible and affordable across the entire country,” he noted.

In addition to expanding production capacity for Kivu Choice, this partnership also aims at financing the whole value chain to ensure the wider aquaculture industry benefits from it.

With 350 employees growing to 1,200 in 3 years, over 200 suppliers, and 3000 traders, this partnership will also target supplier and trader financing.

As part of its strategic focus on agricultural financing, Bank of Kigali continues to develop tailored financial solutions that support the sector’s modernization and resilience. From providing accessible financing to agribusinesses to offering customized financial products for farmers, BK ensures that the agriculture industry receives the necessary support to thrive.

{{About Bank of Kigali Plc}}

Established in 1966, Bank of Kigali is Rwanda’s largest financial institution. As a leading commercial bank, it provides a wide range of services, including digital banking, to over 500,000 customers through an extensive branch network and digital platforms. BK is committed to fostering innovation and economic growth through targeted financial solutions for individuals, SMEs, and corporations.

{{About Kivu Choice Ltd}}

Kivu Choice is a vertically integrated Aquaculture company based in Rwanda with associated feed mill, hatchery, cage production, distribution, and sales outlets. Founded in 2021, and now producing over 500 thousand fish meals a month, the company is positioning itself as Africa’s fastest growing fish farm, with a mission to democratize access to animal protein by radically increasing affordability and supply across the region.

The Rwandan Presidency confirmed the development through its X account, noting that both leaders also “exchanged on various strategies to help enhance disease prevention as well as building increased capacity for manufacturing of vaccines and medical kits on the continent.”

Dr. Kaseya is in Rwanda where he is attending the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) business forum, branded ‘Biashara Africa.’

During his visit, he reassured the nation of Africa CDC’s commitment to supporting Rwanda in its fight against the Marburg virus.

In addition to his meeting with President Kagame, Dr. Kaseya also held discussions with Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, commending the government’s proactive approach to controlling the outbreak.

He expressed optimism that the virus would be contained soon, given the ongoing efforts.

Rwanda reported its first case of the Marburg virus on September 27, 2024. As of October 11, 58 people have been infected, with 15 having recovered. No new cases have been reported in the last two days.

Authorities have urged Rwandans to continue following preventive measures, such as avoiding close contact with symptomatic individuals and practicing proper hygiene.

In response to the outbreak, the government has also rolled out a vaccination program targeting high-risk individuals, with 346 doses administered so far.

The Marburg virus disease presents symptoms such as severe headaches, weakness, fever, watery diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Anyone experiencing these symptoms or observing them in others is encouraged to report to health authorities immediately.

Beyond addressing the current outbreak, Rwanda remains committed to long-term solutions for pandemic preparedness.

The BioNTech vaccine manufacturing plant, which began its first phase in Kigali in December 2023, is part of these efforts.

Once fully operational, the plant is expected to produce 50 million vaccine doses annually, significantly boosting the continent’s capacity for disease prevention.

During the liberation war, Dr. Karemera was on the frontlines as a doctor, treating wounded soldiers.

His contributions continued post-war, as he became Rwanda’s first Minister of Health after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

In this role, he made bold decisions, including permanently banning doctors from practicing in Rwanda if they were found guilty of serious offenses. His tenure was marked by a steadfast commitment to restoring integrity and trust within the health sector.

A long-time member of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), Dr. Karemera spent 40 years in exile before returning to his homeland.

He frequently spoke about the driving forces behind the RPF’s victory, emphasizing their deep love for Rwanda and their determination to dismantle the oppressive regime.

Reflecting on the RPF’s success, he once stated, “Our strong will, commitment, and determination to uproot dictatorship in our country gave us strength to defeat the enemy.”

As Minister of Education, Dr. Karemera’s leadership was equally uncompromising. He focused on improving the quality of education and addressing issues of negligence by both teachers and students.

Under his watch, numerous school head teachers were dismissed for poor performance, and students involved in cheating faced severe disciplinary measures, including expulsion or suspension, some lasting up to three years.

In one of his most impactful decisions, Dr. Karemera ordered the annulment and recall of certain high school diplomas, citing irregularities in their issuance.

The burial of 11 identified bodies of Goma residents killed after the ferry “MV MERDI” capsized on Lake Kivu a week ago took place at the Makao cemetery. At least 87 people were killed last Thursday after the ferry capsized near the port of Kituku, according to a provincial government report that did not specify the number of people on board.

The ferry broke into three pieces and is currently at a depth of about 198 meters in Lake Kivu, said Jean Romuald Lipopo, vice-governor of the province, who was present at the funeral, noting that the methane gas in Lake Kivu has hampered search efforts.

The ferry, coming from Minova in the province of South Kivu, sank hundreds of meters from the port after failing to withstand the speed of a violent wave, according to sources at the port of Kituku. Local sources reported a “significant overload” of the ferry.

The land route between Goma and Minova has been cut off for months due to hostilities between armed groups and the DRC military. Cases of shipwrecks are frequently recorded on Lake Kivu due to strong winds and overloading.

After leaving street vending, these women formed three cooperative groups—Inkingi Rugando, Tugane Heza, and Terimbere Mutegarugori—to improve their livelihoods.

Together, they saved money to build a small market in Rugando.

On Wednesday, October 9, 2024, Rotary Club Kigali Seniors handed over the Frw2.8 million donation to support the women’s development efforts.

Aimable Rumongi, the president of the Rotary Club Kigali Seniors, shared that they were inspired by the women’s initiative and decided to offer financial support to help them expand their businesses.

“We decided to support these women after learning about their determination to leave street vending behind. Initially, we thought of covering their community-based health insurance, but later decided it would be better to support their business ideas, allowing them to become self-reliant and pay for their own health insurance,” said Rumongi.

He added, “These women currently sell fruits, vegetables, and charcoal, and they even have ambitions of importing goods from Dubai. Beyond this donation, we will continue offering guidance to ensure they manage their businesses effectively.”

Ayinkamiye Judithe, who leads two of the women’s groups, expressed gratitude for the donation, noting that it will significantly increase their capital.

“This support will make a real difference. Previously, members received small amounts of money from our savings due to limited funds. Now, with this contribution, each member will receive more substantial amounts to grow their businesses and improve their livelihoods,” she said.

The women, who invested Frw7 million to build their market in Rugando, faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely impacted their operations. The Rotary Club’s support is expected to play a crucial role in reviving their businesses.

Bernard Bayasese, Executive Administrator of Gasabo District, praised the Rotary Club’s generosity, emphasizing the importance of community support in fostering development.

“I appreciate Rotary for helping these mothers. Progress comes from lifting one another up and aligns with the government’s policy of finding homegrown solutions,” he said. He also encouraged the women to continue working in groups, as it increases their chances of receiving assistance.

Rotary Rwanda consists of 12 clubs, including Rotary Club Kigali Seniors and others such as Rotary Club Kigali, Rotary Club Butare, and Rotary Club Kigali Mont Jali.

Rotary International is a non-profit organization engaged in charitable work globally, focusing on supporting vulnerable communities, providing access to clean water, fighting epidemic diseases, and contributing to social welfare initiatives.

Speaking at the African Continental Free Trade Area Business Forum held in the Rwandan capital of Kigali, Kaseya emphasized the need for Africa to produce its own vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics.

“We are tired. Every time there is an outbreak, we go into panic mode, and we have to start begging the world for vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics. It was the case with mpox, it was the case before with COVID-19, and it is still the case with Marburg,” Kaseya said, calling for decisive action to manufacture medical countermeasures within the continent.

His remarks came amid the ongoing Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak in Rwanda, where 58 confirmed cases, including 13 deaths, have been reported, according to the latest data released by the Rwandan Ministry of Health on Tuesday.

Despite Rwanda’s robust response to the outbreak, Kaseya criticized the recent travel advisory issued by the United States, which urges its citizens to reconsider travel to Rwanda due to the virus.

“The Level 3 status issued by the United States regarding the Marburg outbreak in Rwanda is unfair and unacceptable, especially for a country that is doing more than any of us. This decision is not evidence-based. I am impressed by Rwanda’s efforts in containing the Marburg outbreak. There is nothing more that can be done that Rwanda is not already doing,” he said.

Kaseya praised Rwanda’s management of the Marburg outbreak, saying, “Rwanda is making us proud as Africans. Rwanda is a model for all of us on how to manage these kinds of outbreaks.”

MVD is a highly virulent disease that causes hemorrhagic fever, with a fatality rate of up to 88 percent. It belongs to the same family of viruses that causes Ebola virus disease, according to the World Health Organization. MVD symptoms include high fever, severe headaches, and malaise, typically developing within seven days of infection.

Since the beginning of this month, Police reports, nine drivers and taxi-moto operators have been arrested for attempting to bribe Police officers.

The nine suspected had no driver’s license, roadworthy certificate, insurance; others were driving or riding under the influence of alcohol and other violations that affect the traffic flow.

The RNP spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Boniface Rutikanga, said that fighting bribery is part of the ongoing national Gerayo Amahoro road safety campaign to prevent any practices that can be the source of accidents and loss of lives.

“Road safety means maximum respect for traffic rules and regulations, including having all the required traffic related documents and being in the right state of mind for you to drive or ride. This also includes fighting criminal practices like offering or receiving bribes, which influence motorists to operate recklessly leading to fatal accidents. The nine suspects were arrested as part of the strengthened operations against bribery,” ACP Rutikanga said.

The spokesperson reiterated the need to fight all forms of corruption. “The operations against corruption involves arresting those who give and receive bribes. We urge motorists to also report any Police officer, who solicit bribes by calling the Police toll-free line 997 or other known Police communication channels.”

He advised that offering a bribe when caught in traffic violations turns it into a crime punishable by law.

Article 4 of the Law on Fighting Against Corruption specifies that any person, who offers, solicits, accepts or receives, by any means, an illegal benefit for himself/herself or another person in order to render or omit a service under his or her mandate, commits an offense

Upon conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term of more than five years but not more than seven years, with a fine of three to five times the value of the illegal benefit solicited or received.