Category: News

{{Ecobank Rwanda ltd, a member of the Ecobank Group, the leading pan-African banking network with a presence in 35 countries, has rolled out a CHIP technology for all its Visa Debit card products. }}

The CHIP card offers high level security due to an embedded microprocessor that will enable customers carry out transactions at ATMs and Point of Sale (POS) in a more secure way.

The microprocessor enhances security against the use of skimmed or stolen account data, a trend that is gaining ground with ATM fraud cases in the world market.

Statistics show that there is an increasing option of using debit and credit cards as a preferred means of settling payments around the world, currently we have over 290,000 cards with which 75,257 are international cards in our market.

Commenting on the new product, Ecobank Rwanda Ltd Managing Director Gilles Guerard said, “We never stop to improve the security of our customer’s funds and one of the major challenges facing the card industry is theft and fraud cases involving cards as a result of limited security features.”

“With our new Chip technology, we will be able to fight such cases through various card usage restrictions such as Personal Identification Number (PIN) authentication for POS transactions and data authentication to protect against counterfeit.”

“This development is a further step to our commitment to provide our customers with innovative and secure solutions for their ever changing needs,” he added. Ecobank Group has embarked on this project across its 33 countries where it operates in line with its strategy of ensuring convenience, accessibility and reliability for all its products.

Ecobank has been at the forefront of creating innovative financial solutions and delivering customer value through its extensive range of unique and diversified products with tailor-made high quality service propositions for its customers.

{{The Rwanda National Police (RNP) on 16th July launched a two month supervisory course for regional senior officers that is aimed at acquainting participants with necessary skills and knowledge to enhance their professionalism and management competences in work performance.}}

According to ACP Felix Namuhoranye, the Commandant of National Police Academy (NPA) that will be conducting this course, the main purpose is to provide participants with a package required for police officers to successfully play a supervisory role in the challenging contemporary policing environment.

Participants to this course are 30 senior police officers, all coming from South Sudan, Somalia, Burundi and Rwanda.

The police supervisory course is one of the courses provided by NPA with the aim of enabling the police officers to effectively and efficiently carry out the duties of commanding police stations and district police units.

For this time, participants to the course will include foreigners.

“We have invited foreign police officers to learn from us so that they can organize such course in their countries’’, Namuhoranye says, ‘’the course will also increase their skills in preventing, detecting and investigating transnational organized crimes’’.

The Minister of Internal Security, Mussa Fazil Harerimana said course participants will have what is required locally and internationally to prevent crimes as criminality has no borders.

He added that emerging crimes requires trainings and other related courses for prevention.

The NPA commandant is optimistic that the working experience and cultural diversity of course participants will contribute to sharing of different skills and knowledge.

{{Ecobank Transitional Incorporated (“Ecobank” or “the Group”) has been named “Best Bank in Africa” by the leading international finance magazine, Euromoney, for the second consecutive year.}}

The awards were presented last week at the 2012 Euromoney Awards for Excellence Dinner in London.

Regarded as the flagship awards for financial services globally, the Euromoney Awards for Excellence are now in their 22nd consecutive year. This year’s awards process, which began in April, attracted over 600 submissions from the world’s banks and brokerage houses.

In deciding on the award winners, Euromoney’s dedicated research team and awards panel rated all the submissions on both quantitative and qualitative factors, such as KPIs, financial ratios and innovation, over the past 12 months.

Commenting on Ecobank’s achievements, Euromoney’s Editor, Clive Horwood, observed:

“The African continent’s original pan-African group is now the largest financial institution in Africa by geographical outreach, operating in 33 countries.The quality of the management, strategic outlook and growing profitability stand Ecobank in good stead.”

Moreover, “it is close to holding assets of USD20 billion, thus reaching a level where economies of scale will kick in and boost efficiency and cross-selling of products and services.”

Arnold Ekpe, Ecobank’s Group CEO noted, “we are honored to be recognized again in these prestigious international awards. 2011 was a transformational year for Ecobank, thanks to major acquisitions in Ghana and Nigeria and strong organic growth across our Middle African footprint.”

“We are actively managing this growth, continuously enhancing our technology platform and risk management framework. I believe that Ecobank is now positioned rapidly to become the undisputed number one bank in Middle Africa.”

{{12 Rwandan Police officers serving under the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) were decorated with the United Nations Medal and certificates on July 12, 2012 in recognition of their outstanding and exemplary performance in capacity building for the South Sudan National Police Service.}}

The RNP contingent commander in UNMISS, Chief Superintendent Francis Nkwaya thanked his colleagues for their exemplary service and dedication to UNMISS He encouraged them to even perform better.

“You are ambassadors of Rwanda and you should always endeavor to lift your Country’s flag high in the areas where you are deployed” Nkwaya said.

The UNMISS Police Commissioner Dr. Fred Yiga thanked the Rwandan officers for their professionalism, commitment and dedication in achieving the UNMISS mandate.

“This medal award is not a routine exercise. You have earned the medals and you should therefore wear them with pride” Commissioner Yiga said.

“South Sudan National Police Service is a nascent institution and your knowledge of post conflict policing will be added value to the development of the Police. Always ensure that you promote your country’s image in execution of your duties” Yiga added.

The colorful ceremony was graced by the presence of Brigadier General Andrew Kagame, the Rwanda Military Contingent Commander in UNMISS.

The medal award ceremony that was celebrated in Juba at the Rwanda Military Contingent base was attended by the UNMISS Police Chief of staff, senior Police and military officers and friends of Rwanda.

{{The US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton convoy was hit with tomatoes during her first visit to Egypt on Sunday since the election of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi.}}

A tomato struck an Egyptian official in the face, and shoes and a water bottle landed near the armoured cars carrying Clinton’s delegation in the port city of Alexandria after she gave a speech on democratic rights.

A senior U.S. official said neither Clinton nor her vehicle, which was around the corner from the incident, were hit by the projectiles, which were thrown as U.S. officials and reporters walked to the motorcade after her speech.

Protesters chanted “Monica, Monica,” a reference to the extra-marital affair conducted by Clinton’s husband, former President Bill Clinton, while in the White House. Others earlier chanted “leave, Clinton” an Egyptian security official said.

Egypt is gripped by political uncertainty as two major forces, the military and the Muslim Brotherhood, engage in a power struggle over the future of a country that remains without a permanent constitution, parliament or government.

On Saturday night, protesters outside Clinton’s luxury hotel in Cairo chanted anti-Islamist slogans, accusing the United States of backing the Muslim Brotherhood’s rise to power.

In her speech at the newly re-opened U.S. consulate in Alexandria, Clinton rejected suggestions that the United States, which had long supported former Mubarak, was backing one faction or another in Egypt following his ouster last year.

“I want to be clear that the United States is not in the business, in Egypt, of choosing winners and losers, even if we could, which of course we cannot,” Clinton said.

{{In Burundi, Friday, a private community hospital was formally opened by the First Vice-President of Burundi, Terence Sinunguruza in the municipality of Kayogoro in Makamba province (south).}}

Sinunguruza welcomed the initiative which he said will contribute remarkably to the improvement of health of the population of the town and the surrounding Kayogoro.

The Kayogoro hospital was built with funds from membership of the association -Garukirubutunzi Kayogoro created in 2004. This association has 46 members.

Of the 12 units planned, six have already been constructed.

The facility will offer various services including gynecology, pediatrics, internal medicine, surgery, radiography, ultrasound, ophthalmology, dentistry, medical laboratory and hospital pharmacy.

All construction is estimated to cost a sum amounting to over FBu 2 Billion.
One of the initiators of the project, Dr. Astère Ndayizeye indicates that Kayogoro Community Hospital will be operational by early August.

{{Police is holding Claudine Niyomufasha 28, for attempting to bribe a Police officer with Frw 50,000.
The arrest took place in Nyarugenge district on Thursday. }}

The incident took place in Rwezamenyo cell, Nyamirambo sector when Niyomufasha attempted to bribe a Police officer with Frw 50,000 to release her husband Eric Mazimpaka 35, who is detained at Nyamirambo Police station for selling a narcotic commonly known as mugo (heroine).

According to Nyamirambo Police sources, After Niyomufasha knew of her husband’s arrest, she sent a young boy to the case officer requesting her to accept money and release Mazimpaka.

The Police officer agreed to meet Niyomufasha but arrested her when she attempted to bribe her.

Police sources indicate that it was not the first time that Mazimpaka is arrested for selling mugo.

Police Spokesperson Superintendent Theos Badege cautioned people who still think they can bribe Police officers and get away with it.

{{The 19th African Union Summit (15-16 July 2012) has denounced the Sudan-South Sudan conflict and other hot spots in the continent.

AU Commission chairman Jean Ping said such conflicts, ‘are no longer acceptable.’}}

Its hence during the same summit that leaders of Sudan and South Sudan, met and held talks for the first time on Saturday since the two states went into a deadly border war which left several people dead and forced thousands to flee.

“The two presidents have agreed and instructed their negotiating teams to expedite negotiations and develop bold decisions in key areas as well as to reach agreements in all issues,” South Sudan chief negotiator Pagan Amum told reporters after the private encounter.

“It was a good meeting,” he further told reporters who gathered outside the meeting room where they met at the Sheraton on Saturday evening.

The two presidents participated at a meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) chaired by the Ivorian president Alassane Ouattara.

Bashir and Kiir joined the meeting room one after another finding themselves in the same room for the first time since last Mars.

During the AUSPC meeting the two presidents emphasised in their speeches on their respective concerns.

Bashir underscored the security concern and the need to speed up the operationalization of the buffer zone saying there was no reason to contest Sudan’s current border because it served to give South Sudan its independence.

Kiir on the other side focused on the issue of oil transportation saying Juba wants clear commitment to not divert South Sudan production, and asked for international guarantees. He also stressed on the need to reach a quick solution over Abyei issue.

The delegation of the two countries have already agreed earlier this month to hold talks on all the outstanding issues as Juba reassured Khartoum on the implementation of the demilitarized zone and the presence of Darfur rebels in South Sudan.

The Sudanese delegation also agreed with the mediation on the resumption of talks with the SPLM-North rebels over South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

The chief negotiator also pointed out that the two parties have an opportunity to conclude a “fair deal” and to end hostilities.

{{President Paul Kagame was in Addis Ababa on Sunday to participate in the 19th Session of the AU Assembly taking place from 15-16 July 2012 under the theme “Boosting Intra African Trade.”}}

President Kagame was received at Addis Ababa Airport by Amin Abdulkadir Ethiopian Minister of Culture and Tourism along with Rwandas Foreign Affairs Minister Louise Mushikiwabo and Ambassador Joseph Nsengimana.

With only 10-12% of intra African trade in comparison with 40% of intra North American trade or 63% of intra Western European trade, members of the African Union gathered in Addis to build upon the commitment of all nations to achieve integration, economic growth and development.

On the agenda of the 19th Session of the AU Assembly new elections for the Chairman of the African Union Commission. The two candidates running for elections included Madam Dlamini Zuma and Jean Ping.

According to Minister Mushikiwabo, “Rwanda has expressed its support for Jean Ping as candidate for the African Union Chairmanship although we have worked closely with the highly qualified Madam Dlamini Zuma during her time as foreign minister of South Africa.

Rwanda values the principle of a large country not taking the top job in the AU.”

The opening session was marked by speeches from Mr. Jean Ping, the newly elected Senegalese President Macky Sall and representative from Palestine and guest of honor His Royal Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait.

Reflecting the spirit of the founders of the African Union, President Macky Sall told the audience that Africa has all it needs to succeed and that its strength lays in its unity.

Preceding the voting session, President Kagame held a bilateral meeting with DRC President Joseph Kabila before attending the meeting of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region chaired by Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni.

The 11 heads of states are expected to reaffirm their commitment to the recommendations made by ICGLR foreign ministers earlier this week.

The latter committed to a renewed focus on strong and decisive action against the FDLR who remain a threat to Rwanda as well as to Rwandophone and other comunities in Eastern DRC; and to reinforcing the surveillance on the border between Rwanda and the DRC, supervised by a mutually-agreed third-party.

The leaders also proposed a summit to look into to the root causes of conflict in the DRC.

{{During an annual retreat at Kivu Serena Hotel, The Institute of the Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR) embarked on the knowledge towards enhancing the ‘profession’ as the main contributor to national development.}}

“Accountability, transparency and robust public financial management practice draws from the contribution of the accountancy profession,” observed Peter Rutaremara ICPAR president.

He added, “we are not looking at accountability itself, but also how the profession can protect and bring a robust economy. I hope participants here are the very responsible people and even decision makers, meaning all the ideas shared within this seminar can be implemented easily.”

Felicien Muvunyi, Chief Finance Officer of Cristal Ventures Told IGIHE, “Having such seminars helps strengthen accounting profession in Rwanda because we want people who are professionally qualified. The topics being covered here will not only help Accountants but even Business Managers.”

The institution also signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with all members in the East Africa that allow them move and work freely in the sister countries.

According to them, the integration efforts among the East Africa Countries will provide surmountable ingredients for the respective residents to demand more in terms of Public Accountability.

The session also sought to equip players with sufficient emphasis and influence while linking Public Accountability to; Economic Development, Public Accountability, Public Financial Management Reforms, and Link Between Reforms and Economic Development.

Robert Kamoga Tebasuulwa a Senior Accountant from the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda recommended quick attitude towards Rwandans CPA qualifications.

“Rwanda’s ICPAR is still young but the number of qualified CPA is increasing steadily.”

During the seminar, negotiations were made for the institution to work with the office of the Auditor General in order to overcome and reduce challenges in the many of the public departments’ reports.