IGIHE

Category: News

  • MTN Cuts Blackberry Fees by 40%

    {{MTN Rwanda has chopped blackberry fees by 40%.
    According to a MTN Rwanda statement, “We attributed this reduction to our continued support of Rwanda government’s policies to create and promote mainstream technology in Vision 2020, which policies by purpose, rank among the most ambitious in Africa”.}}

    We also attribute this to our support of government’s ambitious plan to create Rwanda as a major regional ICT hub.

    MTN Rwanda recognizes the fact that all these ambitious plans can only be fruitful if all Rwandans have affordable, access to ICTs.

    It is against this background that we announce reduction of fees on BlackBerry service by 40 percent effective Monday 22nd October 2012.

    We believe that the smartphone has today proved to be a tremendous technological advancement and we believe their services should be more affordable to all Rwandans.

    Please note that the prices of the Blackberry packages have been reduced as following:

    1. BIS (Blackberry absolute) monthly price is reduced from Rwf20,000 to Rwf12,000 and the new activation code will be *347*12,000#.

    2. BIS (Blackberry absolute) weekly price is reduced from Rwf6,000 to Rwf4,000 and the new activation code will be *347*4,000#.

    3. BES monthly price is reduced from Rwf20,000 to Rwf12,000 and the new activation code will be*347*12,000#.

    4. BES weekly price is reduced from Rwf6,000 to 4,000Rwf and the new activation code will be *347*4,000#.

    5. BIS (Blackberry absolute) + BES monthly is reduced from Rwf25,000 to Rwf15,000 and the new activation code will be *347*15,000# while BIS (Blackberry absolute) + BES weekly is reduced from Rwf7,000 to Rwf5,000 and the new activation code will be *347*5,000#.

  • Rwanda is Leading Model in Mineral Tagging

    {{The Deputy Director General of Geology and Mines Dr Michael Biryabarema has said Rwanda is the leading country in the region in its implementation of Mineral traceability and Mineral tagging system.}}

    Biryabarema was addressing a conference in Kigali held to discuss an oversight of the Easter African Community project on the framework to develop extractive and Mineral processing industries in EAC partner states.

    Hon. Bazivamo Christophe of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) slamed those who accuse Rwanda of embezzling Minerals in neighboring countries noting that Rwanda possess several minerals and has a high Mining potential which can contribute to the social economic development of the country.

    He said that Members of EALA at the meeting would be able to witness what Rwanda has achieved and how they can use Rwanda’s example to improve Mining sector in their respective countries

    Mahmoud Salem of Rwanda Mining Investment Forum commended the significant progress in Rwanda’s Mining sector noting that other regional countries should learn from its success.

    He added that the forum brought together investors from China, Egypt, USA, South Africa, Austria, Russia and Canada.

    Currently Rwanda has 130 Mining companies and cooperatives operating on 500 Mining sites countrywide.

    However, Dr Michael said there is possibility of getting additional Mineral potential on Rwandan territory.

    By 2012, Rwanda is spending € 2 Million for Mineral exploration and this shows the commitment to improve the sector.

    Rwanda has recorded steady increase of mineral production during last year where about US$ 164 Million was generated.

  • Oil in Lake Kivu: Rwanda Says Three Stages to Go

    {{The Deputy Director General of Mines and Geology in Rwanda Natural Resources Authority Dr.Michael Biryabarema revealed that though the observation showed that there is petroleum potential in Lake Kivu; there are three stages to go in order to find out whether there is crude oil in the Lake.}}

    Those stages include detailed seismic study, possible drilling on exploration and drilling a number of wells to assess whether there is petroleum.

    “The possibility of hydrocarbon accumulation exists, particularly in the deep consolidated sediment in the East Basin” Biryabarema said
    “…of course potential does not mean petroleum…..we hope the exploration will provide good data” He noted

    The search for petroleum potential is being conducted by Vanoil Ltd since October, 2007

    The analysis of satellite picture and data collected by Vanoil Company showed that there were 57 definitive possibilities of oil silks in water which is possibly related to petroleum occurrence.

    In collaboration with Syracuse University, Vanoil has already acquired 643 km of 2D seismic data and this was completed on March 16, 1012.

    The objective of that 2D seismic shooting was to identify the seals and potential source and reservoir rocks in Lake Kivu which will further indicate the possible presence of a petroleum system.

    The first phase of 2D seismic shooting was a reconnaissance survey using low energy source and if the results followed by 3D seismic to penetrate deeper into the basin.

    Since 2008, more has been done to determine whether there may be a petroleum deposit under Lake Kivu.

    The preliminary magnetic and gravity exploration results indicated a sedimentary basin of 2-3, 5 km thickness in the northern and central part of Lake Kivu, and according to this is usually a good indication in a location of petroleum occurrence potential.

  • Kagame addresses World Energy Forum 2012 in Dubai

    {{President Kagame attended today the third World Energy Forum hosted in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.}}

    Held in line with the 2012 United Nationals theme of “clean, safe and sustainable energy for all, the meeting began with the signing of the World Heads of the World Energy Day Proclamation establishing October 22nd as a day to raise awareness about energy issues and stimulate political will to support sustainable energy.

    With over 1.3 billion people yet to have access to electricity, this year’s theme is a call on world leaders to ensure equitable access to energy.

    In Africa, only a quarter of the population has access to electricity making both the region with the most pressing needs but also the highest potential for energy production.

    It is with an emphasis on the direct relationship between access to energy and socio-economic development that President Kagame began his address this morning.

    Along with attending Heads of States including President Joyce Banda President of Malawi, President of Madagascar, Prime Minister of Grenada Tillman Thomas, Prime Minister of Djibouti Dileita Mohamed Dileita and President Akil Akilov of Tajikistan, President Kagame called for the kind of global commitment that has made the Millenium Development Goals a success.

    “It has become clear that when the world acknowledges that there is a problem and acts to resolve it, the outcome is impressive,” President Kagame said.

    “We need to address imbalances of energy between developed and developing countries and raise level of consumption and utilization…the world community should treat access to energy as a basic right essential in the development process.”President Kagame added.

    Similarly, President Joyce Banda of Malawi told those present “access to sustainable energy is the difference between survival and prosperity.”

    President Kagame focused on practical solutions to address the energy shortage in Africa and Rwanda. His first proposal was the establishment of a globally accepted and respected consumption benchmark per capita.

    “This would reduce waste, increase efficiency and cut costs enabling wide access to developing countries,” President Kagame explained. Another practical solution was the need to establish a regulatory mechanism that can “curb or eliminate wasteful unsustainable consumption.

    A common point among all speakers was the need to increase investment in innovative infrastructure that have the potential of closing the gap in energy access.

    In this field, Africa has shown increased growth with a current 30% of $257 billion invested in the energy sector in Africa. However, as growing need on the ground show, the potential has yet to match the reality.

    As President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti explained: “Africa suffers from a deficit of infrastructure and accounts for only 15% of world population and 3% of world trade…changing model of growth is an issue of survival for Africa.”

    “Renewable energy will contribute to poverty alleviation,”President Ismail Omar Guelleh added.

    Joining all the leaders, President Kagame emphasized the need for investment to focus on technologies- particularly those easily available locally that can lead to a more efficient use of energy.

    Held for the first time outside the United Nations, this year’s World Energy Forum brought together over two thousands delegates from across the world including heads of states, members of civil society and private sector.

    Over the next two days, the delegates are expected to share lessons and continue the conversation on the need practical measures and innovations to meet the energy challenge currently experienced worldwide.

    The discussions planned include a renewed debate on nuclear energy, sharing on technological innovations, energy as an investment opportunity and the effect of climate change on energy policies.

  • South Sudan to Build Highway to Kenya

    {{South Sudan’s minister of Roads and Bridges, Gier Chuang Aluong, has announced the government’s plan to connect South Sudan and the neighbouring Kenya with a highway in order to boost economic activities between the two sisterly nations.}}

    The highway, he told the press on Saturday, will connect Juba, the new country’s capital, and Nadipal on the countries’ common border.

    Aluong further explained the importance of the project, saying it will be “economically viable” and boost economic activities as it will allow commodities to be ferried from the Kenyan port of Mombasa into South Sudan in big volumes over a short period.

    Currently South Sudan is a consumer country which exports almost nothing to the outside world besides the oil and imports almost every commodity including agricultural products and livestock for meat from the neighbouring countries.

    Aluong said the plan will be supported jointly with the World Bank and the Kenyan government, saying a meeting has already been held by the three bodies to implement the project.

    The highway project, which he said will be implemented in 2013, will be the second all-weather asphalted highway after the over 100 kilometres Juba-Nimule road, which was the first highway in South Sudan inaugurated last month.

  • Fidel Castro Attacks ‘Lies’ About His Health

    {{Cuba’s revolutionary former leader Fidel Castro has written a strongly-worded article condemning persistent rumours that he is on his death bed.}}

    The 86-year-old attacked international media “lies”, and published photos of himself in Cuba’s state media.

    He said he was in good health, and could not even remember the last time he had a headache.

    Venezuelan politician Elias Jaua said on Sunday he had a five-hour meeting with Mr Castro the previous day.

    He presented a photo of the encounter, and said the former Cuban leader was “very well, very lucid”.

    The last images of Mr Castro to be made public had been from March, when the Cuban ex-leader briefly met Pope Benedict during the pontiff’s visit to the Communist island.

    Mr Castro’s long absence from the public stage had fuelled rumours on social media sites that his health had deteriorated, or that he may even have died.

    “Although a lot of people in the world are taken in by the organs of information, almost all of which are in the hands of the privileged and the rich that publish these stupidities, people are increasingly believing less and less in them,” Mr Castro said in his article.

    He went on to say that he was keeping himself busy writing and studying, but had decided to step back from public life “because it certainly is not my role to occupy the pages of our newspaper”.

    He finished off by saying: “I don’t even remember what a headache is. To show what liars they are, I’m offering these photos to accompany this article.”

    A series of photos, taken by his son Alex, show him outside wearing a cowboy hat and a checked shirt. In some photos, he is reading Friday’s copy of the Communist Party newspaper Granma.

    Fidel Castro led Cuba after the revolution in 1959, first as prime minister (1959-1976) and later as president.

    In 2006, surgery took Fidel Castro out of public view. His brother Raul became acting president.

    In February 2008, Fidel Castro officially handed over power to Raul who has been leading the country since then.

  • Site Visits to Ashoka Fellows

    {{Ashoka, a civil society organization that identifies and supports the largest network of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs, will be hosting a “Social Entrepreneurship Safari” during Rwanda’s Global Entrepreneurship Week, from 12 to 18 November 2012. }}

    Ashoka’s Social Entrepreneurship Safari will include site visits with business, civil society and government leaders in Rwanda to four transformational social entrepreneurs Ashoka has identified in Rwanda—two of whom have already joined the global network of Ashoka Fellows.

    The systems-changing solutions these men and women have developed address some of Rwanda’s most urgent social problems in four important fields— health and nutrition, women’s empowerment, dairy quality assurance and agriculture.

    {{Julie Carney}} (Ashoka Fellow) tackles the problem of malnutrition in Rwanda by leveraging synergies between two sectors that have traditionally operated independently of each other—agriculture and healthcare.

    Her organization, Gardens for Health, is transforming healthcare centers so that they are able to provide agricultural extension services and psychosocial support to mothers affected by malnutrition, in addition to medical services.

    {{Felicite Rwemarika}} (Ashoka Fellow) is engaging women in Rwanda in the typically male-dominated sport of football as a way to enable them to gain full social and economic citizenship.

    By participating in sports, they are making a statement about what women can and will insist on doing to improve their lives and develop their communities.

    Through her organization, Association of Kigali Women in Sports (AKWOS), Felicite has also influenced policy and structural reform in government to further entrench sports for women and girls in and outside of formal education institutions.

    She is now focused on turning the teams of women into farming cooperatives so they can start engaging in group agri-business.

    {{David Mupenzi}} is boosting the productivity and competitiveness of Rwanda’s dairy sector by establishing the architecture for the promotion and application of regionally and nationally recognized quality standards of milk.

    His company, Dairy Quality Assurance Limited, has a lab based in Kigali that is providing milk testing services for collection centers and farmers at an incredibly low price that is less than 10% of the going market rate.

    {{Nicholas Hitimana}} is creating a new agricultural value chain in Rwanda that will be more competitive and based on sound social and environmental principles.

    Through his company, Ikirezi, Nicholas has introduced a new, though indigenous, type of cash crop to commercial farming in Rwanda—essential oils, such as geranium, patchouli and lemon grass. These generate more revenue and are less expensive to transport than colonial cash crops.

    He is also teaching organic farming so farmers can earn a price premium. Since 2006, Ikirezi has worked with 300 farmers and plans to work with an additional 1,200 in the next three to five years.

    “The objective of Ashoka’s Social Entrepreneurship Safari is to create an opportunity for people and institutions interested in social entrepreneurship to see great examples in action as well as to meet, interact with and learn from Rwanda’s most inspiring and visionary systems-changing social entrepreneurs,” said Nassir Katuramu, the Venture Program Manager at Ashoka in East Africa.

    Ashoka has elected and supported more than 3,000 social entrepreneurs in more than 70 countries to date.

    To learn more about Ashoka, watch the video below or visit our website at ashoka.org/eastafrica.

  • Ngororero Residents want Satinsyi Bridge Fixed

    {{The collapse of a major Bridge connecting sectors in Ngororero and Nyabihu districts has been a cause of concern among residents in the area.}}

    Residents say they are carried on peoples backs to cross river Satinsyi.

    The sick have to be carried across the river because the ambulance can access some areas across.

    The affected residents include those of Ngororero sector, Matyazo Sector and other parts of districts of Nyabihu and Musanze.

    School students are also finding it difficult to cross over the river to attend their studies.

    Residents want the Bridge fixed and seeking compensation caused by the collapse of the bridge which led to destruction of houses nearby.

  • M23 to Resume Fighting

    {{Uganda has requested M23 rebels in DRC not to resume fighting.

    The rebels had last week threatened to resume fighting against the DRC army.}}

    Okello Oryem, Uganda’s State minister for Foreign Affairs said, “I would urge the M23 to remain calm and collected because the peace process is still going. Let them cease fire as President Yoweri Museveni had told them.”

    The rebels stopped fighting in August after President Museveni met them in Kampala and told them to talk with the Kinshasa government.

    However, the leader of M23, Bishop Runiga Lugerero, told a press conference at the weeekend in Bunagana that Congolese President Joseph Kabila was not willing to talk peace.

    The rebel commander said his group was also opposed to the deployment of an international neutral force proposed after a series of meetings between leaders of countries which form the International Conference for Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) chaired by President Museveni.

  • Hong Kong Seizes $3.4m ivory From East Africa

    {{Hong Kong authorities have confiscated two shipping containers from Tanzania and Kenya loaded with jumbo tusks worth $3.4 million (about Sh5.4billion).}}

    This incident involving ivory weighing more than 3,628kg, could affect the country’s attempt to release into the international market its huge stock.

    Hong Kong customs officials as saying the containers arrived from Tanzania and Kenya. The agency seized a total of 1,209 pieces of ivory tusks and three pounds of ornaments from the two containers.

    The Hong Kong Customs department was kept on alert after a tip-off from Guangdong officials in China. On October 16, Hong Kong officers inspected a container from Tanzania purporting to contain plastic scrap and found $1.7 million worth of ivory.

    A day later, a second container from Kenya was seized with ivory valued at $1.7 million, according to Hong Kong Customs.

    Seven people, including one Hong Kong resident, have been arrested by Chinese authorities in connection with the cases, said a customs spokeswoman.

    Hong Kong is viewed as a transit point for the illegal ivory trade, feeding into increasing demands in China, according to an article published this week.

    Elephants are being killed in Africa at an alarming rate as international demand for ivory soars. Much of the demand comes from increasingly affluent Asian countries, particularly China and Thailand.