In 2019, the Government of Rwanda and Qatar Airways have signed partnership agreements that saw the latter investing in the construction of Bugesera International Airport (BIA) estimated to cost $1.3 billion at completion.
The agreement spells out that Qatar will own 60% shares of the airport while the Government of Rwanda will own the remaining 40%.
The acquisition of 60% shares went hand in hand with revised master plan to expand the airport and upgrade it to international standards.
The airport will have the capacity of receiving 7 million passengers on annual basis against 4.5 million of the initial master plan.
Recently on 17th May 2021, the Minister of Infrastructure (MININFRA), Claver Gatete told the media that COVID-19 occasioned delays but highlighted that construction activities are currently on track.
“We faced challenges related to COVID-19 whereby limited number of workers was allowed to prevent spread of the virus. As of today, construction activities are on good progress. The remaining task is to fast track the project’s implementation. Despite the fact that we are working during COVID-19, we are hopeful to complete activities next year, whatever the delays,” he said.
Minister Gatete explained that construction activities have reached nearly 40%.
“The master plan which stalled activities is available. Constructions activities are carried out in framework of the master plan. That is why we are optimistic that to fast track progress of the project,” he noted.
Developing runaways and other infrastructure required for an airplane to use the land is underway while construction of terminals will begin in the next two months.
Minister Gatete said that 13-km road to the airport is among other infrastructures set to be developed in Bugesera district.
Bugesera International Airport will be seated on 2500 hectares.
On Wednesday, May 19, officers of Rwanda Protection Unit (PSU) and Formed Police Units-One (FPU-1) serving under the UN Multidimentional Integration Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA), received their second jab.
PSU1-6 contingent of 140 officers, was deployed last week under the rotation arrangement.
They are largely charged with ensuring security of top CAR officials including the Prime Minister and other government and international VIPs.
The other two FPU contingents serving under MINUSCA, have 140 officers each.
Meanwhile, in South Sudan, officers of Rwanda FPU 1 and 3, are expected to get their second jab this Thursday, May 20.
The two contingents are composed of 240 and 160 Police officers, respectively.
All officers of Rwanda FPU 2 deployed in Juba, South Sudan received their second shot, recently.
The statement released last night shows that 80 people have caught the virus while no one recovered.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 26 424 people have been tested positive of whom 24 808 recovered, 1268 are active cases while 348 have succumbed to the virus.
New cases were found in Huye: 6, Karongi: 38, Nyamagabe:9, Ngororero: 7, Nyaruguru: 7, Kigali: 4, Rubavu: 4, Ruhango: 2, Rutsiro: 2, Rusizi: 1 and Nyamasheke: 1.
Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.
Their actions are contrary to the government directives measures meant to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
Bars and social gatherings are among services that are still prohibited as one of the measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Police and local authorities found the group at about 8pm drinking in the bar belonging to one Wellars Urayeneza, 47, located in Ngoma Village, Ngoma Cell of Ngoma Sector.
The Mayor of Huye District, Ange Sebutege warned residents against such violations.
He observed that Covid-19 cases are still high in the Southern region, which should be a concern by everyone to heed the government safety guidelines.
The Southern region Police spokesperson Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire said that the violators were arrested following a tip-off by concerned area residents.
“Police received calls from some area residents that there are people drinking in the bar of Urayeneza. We conducted an operation and found 27 people inside drinking and they had no masks, neither did the bar have hand washing facilities. They were also close to each other and it was time when everyone should be home,” said SP Kanamugire.
The curfew starts at 8pm in Huye District.
He warned against such behaviours and practices, which can lead to further spread of Covid-19.
Commenting on the development; Marianne Kiggundu, VVOB Country Programmes Manager explained that the provision of these laptops to primary and secondary education schools will support teachers and school leaders to actively participate in important CPD programmes offered by the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) and the University of Rwanda College of Education (URCE).
“Participation in these programmes has shown positive effects on school leadership practices, creating an environment for quality teaching and learning to take place,” she said.
As part of its ongoing Leading, Teaching and Learning Together programme (LTLT), VVOB, in partnership with the Rwanda Basic Education Board and the University of Rwanda College of Education URCE, has been providing CPD services to district directors of education, sector education inspectors, headteachers, deputy headteachers, school-based mentors, and STEM school subject leaders through blended learning in CPD programmes and networks.
The CPD training programmes have been running in primary schools in four districts in the Eastern Province and two districts in the Western Province since 2017 with support from DGD. In secondary education, the CPD programmes are being offered in 14 districts as part of the Mastercard Foundation’s Leaders in Teaching initiative. In Kayonza, laptops will be used by secondary education STEM and ICT teachers to start after-school coding clubs with their learners, as part of the Scratc²h pilot project and in partnership with the Rwanda Basic Education Board and Rwanda Polytechnic (via Rwanda Coding Academy) supported by Belgium through the Wehubit programme and being implemented by Enabel.
“I am very excited about receiving these laptops. At the school, we had only one laptop to be shared among all colleagues and we would have to borrow laptops from friends to be able to participate to online learning programmes. As a school we would also rent two or three computers once a year to make our work easier. These laptops are really a game changer to increase our ICT skills and enable us to study online whenever needed.” said Ayinkamiye Louise, head teacher at G.S Kagano in Musanze district.
With further support from the Mastercard Foundation and the Belgian Government through the Directorate-General for Development Cooperation (DGD), VVOB aims to build the capacity of district and sector officials in the remaining 16 districts on effective school leadership, mentoring, and coaching and to ensure teachers and school leaders have the required ICT skills to participate in online learning.
“Teachers are the axis on which education turns,” said Rica Rwigamba, Rwanda Country Head at the Mastercard Foundation.
“It is critical that they receive the support they deserve to grow professionally and deliver quality learning. This work by VVOB will bring that support closer and make it more accessible,” she added.
“The desired quality of education can only be achieved if all education stakeholders are on board. Teachers and headteachers who have the ability to inspire students need to be kept top of mind and appropriately supported. We believe these computers will enable teachers to participate in online trainings and to progress with the digital world of education,” said Dr. Nelson Mbarushimana, Director General, Rwanda Basic Education Board.
{{About VVOB}}
VVOB – education for development is an international non-profit organisation with over 35 years of experience in quality education. Through capacity development, VVOB provides support to ministries of education in Africa, Asia and South America to improve (initial) professional development of teachers and school leaders in early childhood, primary, general secondary, and technical and vocational education.
For more information on VVOB, please visit: www.vvob.org
{{About Enabel}}
Enabel is the Belgian development agency, implementing the Belgian international development policy. Under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Enabel carries out public service assignments in Belgium and abroad. With its partners, Enabel manages approximately 200 projects in view of improving public service delivery to citizens as well as the living conditions of populations, primarily on the African continent.
Rwanda is among the three largest beneficiaries of Belgian development cooperation.
For more information about Enabel, please visit: www.enabel.be
{{About the Mastercard Foundation}}
The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. It is one of the largest, private foundations in the world with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. The Foundation was created by Mastercard in 2006 as an independent organization with its own Board of Directors and management.
For more details, please visit https://mastercardfdn.org/
AUDA-NEPAD launched the 100,000 MSMEs Programme to accelerate African economic transformation, provide the needed skills, and build resilience against the economic shock triggered by the global pandemic. The ‘100 000 MSMEs’ initiative seeks to build the capacity of 1,000,000 enterprises in Africa through entrepreneurial and business training to improve access to finance and new markets while establishing networks for support and incubation to bolster their success.
“Across the globe, MSMEs are the biggest and the best engine of innovation, social transformation and economic development and growth. AUDA-NEPAD is deeply convinced that Africa structural transformation will be driven by youth and women led businesses and innovations,” said Amine Idriss Adoum AUDA-NEPAD, Director of Programme Delivery & Coordination Directorate.
AUDA-NEPAD and the Ecobank Group announced their collaboration in May 2020 and agreed to tackle three main pillars in supporting MSMEs in coming out of the devastating economic impact of COVID-19: namely, MSME Academy, MSME Finance and MSME Marketplace. The MSME Academy was launched in August 2020 in 8 countries. Both institutions will now proceed to launch the MSME Finance pillar in the same countries, namely Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Togo. A total sum of $ 2.0million will be extended in the form of working capital to beneficiaries who meet the set criteria across the eight (8) countries in this first phase.
“After an unprecedented year in 2020, the impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt across African economies with an increased and urgent need to support MSMEs Businesses which are the backbone of our economies. As a financial institution, we reaffirm our commitment to support the ‘100,000 MSMEs’ initiative. Following the successful launch of the MSME Academy, we are now going ahead with the financing component. We look forward to celebrating the businesses who will successfully go through this training program and who will meet the criteria for financial support” said Josephine Anan-Ankomah, Ecobank Group Executive Commercial Banking.
The financing programme seeks to expand the reach of 100,000 MSMEs initiative to youth across the continent and enable linkages into the wider entrepreneurship ecosystem that benefit the youth after training; generate relevant data on MSMEs to enhance evidence-based policy recommendations to AU decision bodies as well as facilitate engagement with ecosystem partners such as financiers and links to trade and markets.
It will also enable bottom-up engagement with youth and women entrepreneurs to ensure that youth and gender development policies benefit from their voice and participation as citizens of the continent.
MSME can register through the provided link: https://ecobank.com/rw/commercial-banking/msmefinancing
Registrations close on 21 May 2021.
{{About AUDA-NEPAD}}
The African Union Development Agency-NEPAD is the development agency of the African Union, coordinating and executing priority regional and continental development projects to promote regional integration towards the accelerated realization of Agenda 2063 – Africa’s vision and action plan. We are mandated to strengthen capacity of Member States and regional bodies.
{{About Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (‘ETI’ or ‘The Group’) }}
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (‘ETI’) is the parent company of the Ecobank Group, the leading independent pan-African banking group. The Ecobank Group employs over 14,000 people and serves about 28 million customers in the consumer, commercial and corporate banking sectors across 33 African countries. The Group has a banking license in France and representative offices in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Johannesburg, South Africa; Beijing, China; London, the UK and Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
The Group offers a full suite of banking products, services and solutions including bank and deposit accounts, loans, cash management, advisory, trade, securities, wealth, and asset management. ETI is listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchanges in Lagos, the Ghana Stock Exchange in Accra, and the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières in Abidjan.
For further information please visit www.ecobank.com
“This evening, President Kagame received members of the Duclert Commission along with Gen. Jean Varret, Gen. Éric de Stabenrath, Col. René Galinié and Amb. Yannick Gérard, former French officials involved in Rwanda between 1990-1994, for a candid discussion about history and memory,” the Presidency has tweeted.
Gen Jean Varret who was part of officers that meet with Kagame served as the head of France-Rwanda military cooperation mission from October 1990 to April 1993.
Brig Gen Éric de Stabenrath was heading the Opération Turquoise (a French-led military intervention in Rwanda) in 1994 in former Gikongoro Prefecture while Colonel René Galinié was the Defense Attaché to the Embassy of France in Rwanda and head of military cooperation mission (July 1991-April 1994).
During his stay in Rwanda, Gen Varret informed his country about Genocide plan that was underway. Since then, he was gradually excluded from coordination that official information was later exchanged directly between the Presidency of Mitterand and subordinates until he resigned. He was replaced by Gen Jean-Pierre Huchon who was at the rank of Colonel at the time.
Recently on 26th March 2021, the expert commission comprised of French historians commissioned by Macron released ‘Duclert’ report which revealed that France bears “heavy and overwhelming responsibilities” over tragic history that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi which took lives of over 1 million victims.
As Duclert report was released, Gen Varret said that it will provide ground for truth on France’s role during Genocide against Tutsi.
During an exclusive interview with France 24 recently, Kagame said that he wanted to meet with these former army officers to discuss history of what happened in Rwanda particularly findings of Duclert report and Muse report released by Rwanda.
Rwanda and France have embarked on a new chapter to revitalize wavered relations over the role France is accused to have played during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
The recently released Duclert report is considered a big step forward to revitalized relations.
The agreements were signed on Monday 17th May 2021 by EAC Secretary General, Hon (Dr.) Peter Mathuki and Regine Hess, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Republic of Tanzanian and the EAC.
Amb. Hess, who paid a courtesy call on the Secretary General at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, congratulated the Dr. Mathuki on his assumption of office as new Secretary General at the end of April.
On the occasion of their first meeting, Amb. Hess and Dr. Mathuki signed two government agreements on development cooperation. The Agreements are the legal basis for the implementation of projects in the areas of health, water resource management and digital skills, worth 65 million US Dollars (EUR 53.8 million).
In the health sector, the continued cooperation with the Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization & Health Supply Chain Management, located at the University of Rwanda in Kigali (17 million Dollars), will allow the centre to expand its expertise and reputation, especially in the areas of digitalization in health supply chain management, cold-chain management and quality control / drug safety.
Also under the health sector is the release of additional funds (30 Million Dollars) for the EAC’s immunization programme with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance that will contribute to reducing child morbidity and mortality in the region. The funds will finance the procurement of at least four different types of vaccines (Pentavalent, Rotavirus, Pneumococcal and Measles second dose), to be made available for routine immunization and immunization campaigns for children in all six Partner States of the East African Community.
The Integrated Water Resource Management Programme, which was successfully launched in mid-February 2020 and is implemented by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), an EAC institution, will be stocked up (by 12 million Dollars) to finance additional measures to improve water quality and availability through strategic and sustainable management of the Lake Victoria Basin.
In order to strengthen digital skills and innovation in East Africa, the Secretariat and Germany further agreed on the implementation of the project “Digital Skills for an Innovative East African Industry” (dSkills@EA) that builds on the results of the project “Centre of Excellence for ICT in East Africa” (CENIT@EA). The new phase (USD 6 million) strengthens digital skills of especially young women and men from all six EAC Partner States to strengthen their employability and innovation capacities.
Based on a strong industry-academia partnership and regional collaboration, dSkills@EA together with the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) will promote innovative digital solutions for the region’s economic development through the Master programme “Embedded and Mobile Systems”, trainings and innovation transfer and entrepreneurship.
Ambassador Hess underscored Germany’s commitment to remain one of the leading partners to the region.
“We can look back to over 20 years of successful cooperation with the EAC Secretariat. We are committed to continue this cooperation in key areas such as health, trade and economic infrastructure; and technical and vocational education and training under your new leadership of the EAC Secretariat, Hon. Secretary General Mathuki,” said Amb. Hess.
She expressed her appreciation, that the cooperation particularly supports the youth in the region, adding that the younger generation in East Africa would benefit from the programmes.
With a view to the current Covid-19 pandemic, that also hit hard Eastern Africa, Ambassador Hess promised that Germany will commit additional funds of up to US$6.6 million for pandemic preparedness and response in 2021, to be implemented through existing EAC-German programmes on pandemic preparedness, economic integration and digital skills.
On his part, Dr. Mathuki thanked Germany for her continued support to the EAC integration process stretching back to 1999 when the Community was established.
“The EAC and the Federal Republic of Germany have enjoyed a long-standing partnership since the EAC inception. Over the last 22 years, commitments from the German government amounting to over 516.88 million Euros to programmes and projects aimed at advancing EAC integration, specifically focusing on economic and social integration,” said Dr. Mathuki.
“The signing today of the two government agreements on development cooperation amounting to 65 million US Dollars (EUR 53.8 million) demonstrates the commitment of the Federal Republic of Germany to support the EAC Integration. It is my intention to continue strengthening this partnership,” he added.
Dr. Mathuki informed the German envoy that the Covid-19 pandemic had devastated economies in East Africa over the past one year and thanked Germany for her support combating the deadly virus.
The Secretary General said that the EAC was well on course with the implementation of the Customs Union, Common Market, Monetary Union and the Political Federation.
“In establishing the Monetary Union, we will borrow a lot from the EU especially on how it set up the Eurozone and its experience with a single currency. We intend to benchmark with the best as far as the Monetary Union is concerned,” said Dr. Mathuki.
Also present at the function were the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Ngoga; EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Eng. Steven Mlote; and the Executive Secretary of the Inter-University Council of East Africa, Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona.
IGIHE has learnt from credible sources that Macron will hold the maiden visit Rwanda on 27th and 28th May 2021.
Upon arrival in Rwanda, Macron is expected to visit Kigali Genocide Memorial and officiate the launch of French Cultural Center.
Macron’s visit will be the first in East Africa.
The Centre will be located near Kigali Convention Center, Kimihurura Sector, Gasabo District. The center was initially expected to be inaugurated in 2020 but construction activities delayed and were completed in April 2021 due to COVID-19.
The former French Cultural Center building used to be called ‘Centre D’Echanges Culturels Franco-Rwandais’ and was located in Kiyovu, nearby the city center’s main roundabout.
It was closed in 2014 by Kigali City Officials because the structure was not in line with the new City Master Plan.
The centre had a library and other activities including French language teaching; Culture-based training and concerts among others.
Since 2014, the cultural center office was in France’s Embassy in Rwanda, where its activities like entertainment and book reading were held in Kigali Public Library and the Goethe Institut in Nyarugenge District.
Macron comes to Rwanda at a time when both countries have embarked on a new chapter to revitalize wavered relations over the role France is accused to have played during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Rwanda, France relations have been on good progress since Macron took office in 2017.
The latter has demonstrated willingness to change France, Africa foreign policy and building strong relations with partners unlike his predecessor, François Hollande.
Recently on 26th March 2021, the expert commission comprised of French historians commissioned by Macron released ‘Duclert’ report which revealed that France bears “heavy and overwhelming responsibilities” over tragic history that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi which took lives of over 1 million victims.
The report was presented two years, after the delegation of 13 historians started reviewing archives on France, Rwanda relations between 1990 and 1994.
The report blames the then French President, François Mitterrand, for a “failure” of policy towards Rwanda in 1994. The findings were made public after years of French official secrecy over links to the Government led by Juvenal Habyarimana.
President Macron appointed the 15-member commission two years ago, giving them access to presidential, diplomatic, military and intelligence archives.
Among the archives are those of Mitterrand, who had close ties to former Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana.
Rwanda, France diplomatic relations date back in 1962 after obtaining Independence.
If he comes to Rwanda, Macron will be the second French President landing in the country of thousand hills after the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Nicolas Sarkozy is the only France President who visited Rwanda on 25th February 2010 following the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
The outreach programme started on Monday, May 17, in IDP camp 3 in Juba targeting mainly the camp management committee and the youth.
Dr. Joseph Ndamiye Rugazura, the Chief Medical Officer for FPU-3 enlightened the participants on Coronavirus, the current global status, causes, how it is transmitted, symptoms and the available prevention measures.
The theory and practical session involved the hygiene and health guidelines on preventing the spread of the pandemic. They were also showed how to wash hands and wear masks.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), South Sudan has registered 10, 652 COVID-19 cases as of May 17, with 10462 recoveries and 115 related fatalities. A total of 5,459 vaccine doses have been administered.
Globally, over 162 million cases have been registered and over 3.3 related deaths, according to WHO.
Dr. Ndamiye reminded them that although there is a vaccine, individual responsibility and observance of the recommended health guidelines are key to preventing infection and transmission.
He highlighted staying at home, social distancing, washing your hands as many times as possible with clean water and soap, always covering the mouth and nose with a mask one leaves home, covering cough and sneeze, cleaning and frequently disinfecting touched objects and surfaces daily as the currently available prevention measures.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jeannette Masozera, FPU-3 contingent commander, who also attended the awareness, said the campaign is aimed at supporting the South Sudan efforts against the pandemic particular through prevention.
“Health is part of safety as well as peacekeeping; you provide peace to a healthy and safer community. So, this is part of our peacekeeping duties to ensure that people understanding the pandemic, change their attitude and mindset, and take positive actions,” said SSP Masozera.
The sensitized group, she said, will also take the lead in spreading the message to make safety measures a tradition in their IDP camp.
