Category: Opinion

The World Bank has opened a new Global Center on Conflict, Security and Development to make its financial support and expertise work better for poor and vulnerable people living in fragile countries.

It estimates that more than 1.5 billion people living in countries afflicted by repeated cycles of conflict and violence.

The center will also help to establish a stronger community of practice and knowledge-sharing across the worldwide network of practitioners who work on development issues confronting fragile and conflict-affected countries.

The Bank says that more than 30 countries, mostly in Africa, have been or are affected by conflicts and that its new center in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, will allow the Bank to provide their communities with more flexible, transparent help.

At its opening ceremony in Nairobi, attended by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Finance, government ministers, UN and development agencies, and NGOs active in post-conflict development, the Bank said the world is now witnessing a number of countries that are navigating their way out of war and conflict.

Sierra Leone, Liberia, Timor Leste, and Bosnia by resuming education, health, and other key social services, and creating stable, elected governments which in turn have drawn development support and local and foreign investors.

However, according to the Bank, millions of people across Africa, South Asia, and other regions still face perilous, isolated, lives in war-torn situations.

“Political and criminal violence should not be the chains that shackle people for life. We know violence knows no borders. We know the impact of violence can last generations,” said Dr. Caroline Anstey, the World Bank’s Managing Director for Operations, who officially opened the center.

“Our challenge is to provide more support and make development work more effectively in fragile and often violent places. Not to do so would be abandoning our development mission.”

Anstey noted that the Bank had mobilized more than 690 staff to work in fragile countries across the globe, and had provided more than US$5.9 billion in zero-interest in reconstruction support to these countries since 2000 from the World Bank’s fund for the poorest countries, the International Development Association (IDA), and the Bank-administered State-and Peace-Building Fund, which fosters peace-building in fragile and conflict countries.

The Nairobi center, which will operate out of the headquarters of Africa’s leading affordable housing NGO, Shelter Afrique, will also unveil a new online and face-to-face knowledge web portal called The Hive to connect practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and networks of people and organizations working on violence, conflict, and fragility around the world.

ENDS

Rwanda which now produces 15% of the world’s pyrethrum has now become one of Rwanda’s potential business prospects, a business that Rwanda not only profits from economically but also greatly benefits local farmers.

Pyrethrum is a small white flower that is found in many gardens, along the streets and on our kitchen window sills, A natural, flowered pesticide that is currently on very high demand on the global market.

But this flower can only be grown purely with almost 70% to 80% of it active ingredients in only four countries worldwide, Kenya, Australia, Tanzania and lastly Rwanda.

SOPYRWA, Rwanda’s only pyrethrum refinery industry that had nearly collapsed is now being revived. When Horizon Group took over SOPYRWA in 2008, the refinery was running at only 6% of installed capacity, Last year, while the global market share surged from 6% to 15%, and export revenues increased by 380%, the pyrethrum flower production increased from 209 to 700 megatons.

The increase in the production of the pyrethrum contributed to the household incomes of over 8,000 farmers and increased land under pyrethrum cultivation.

Kenya which had dominated the production of the pyrethrum flower for the last decade, producing at least 70% of the worlds trade, has collapsed due to mishandling and delayed payments to farmers which caused a massive drop in the production hence leaving Rwanda a huge advantage, with not only it’s ideal weather climate with its volcanic soil which is perfect for the flower nutrients, but also with its increase in business environment

Now SOPYRWA is focusing on re-building, with Rwanda having one of the richest volcanic soil, it has the potential to produce some of the world’s best pyrethrum, SOPYRWA’S aim is to increase the flower pyrethrum up to 20% of the global market, by working with private cooperatives whom deal directly with the famers whom make up at least 15,000 plus their families, framers will receive higher prices, a stronger seeds and most beneficial is immediate payment.

Working with a UK based global partnerships and Rwandan government backing; SOPYRWA is developing additional products for the local region.

World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick has announced today he would step down in June 30th, this year which will be the end of a five-year term.

It is believed that his term, the transformed Bank played a historic role during the global economic crisis, using record replenishments to provide more than $247 billion to help developing countries boost growth and overcome poverty.

“I’m honored to have led such a world class institution with so many talented and exceptional people. Together we have focused on supporting developing countries to navigate crises and adjust to global economic shifts,” Zoellick said.

“The Bank has recognized that we live in a world of multiple poles of growth where traditional concepts of the Third World are now outdated and where developing countries have a key role to play as growth drivers and responsible stakeholders. At the same time, we’ve scaled up our support to poor people, countries, and communities and shown that the Bank can be an indispensable innovator, catalyst, and driver of a modernized multilateralism,” He added.

“I’m very pleased that when the world needed the Bank to step up, our shareholders responded with expanded resources and support for key reforms that made us quicker, more effective and more open,” Zoellick added.

“The Bank is now strong, healthy and well positioned for new challenges, and so it is a natural time for me to move on and support new leadership.”

Achievements

Provided a record $247 billion of support in the key areas of infrastructure, the private sector, agriculture, trade finance, social safety nets, education, health, and the environment.

The first general capital increase for the Bank in over 20 years, with over half the new capital from developing countries; and a record $90 billion raised for IDA, the World Bank’s fund for the poorest, against a very challenging backdrop of donor austerity.

Putting Food First: Alerted the world to the forthcoming food crisis, and helped marshal new resources and tools to address it. World Bank agriculture lending increased to $6 billion per year.

Created a new IFC (private sector) Asset Management Company to channel sovereign wealth funds and pension resources (to date $3 billion) to the private sector in Africa and other emerging markets.

Zoellick said that through June 30 he will stay 100% focused on being Bank President and will continue to drive policy and programs at a heightened tempo.

For example, in late February, he will help unveil a joint groundbreaking World Bank-China study on the future structure of China’s growth model, drawing lessons for other middle-income countries.

ENDS

The Bank of Kigali (BK) Board of Directors announced the 2011 full year financial highlights.

The announcement was made today at Serena Hotel,Kigali saying that the bank’s net income of 2011 full year financial highlights comes up to 8.2 billion Rwandese Francs (us$13.6 million) A total of 33% increase since 2011.

BK’s total assets grew by 47.4% making it a total of 291.3 billion Rwandese francs at the end of December 2011.

BK has for over the last three years maintained its credit rating becoming the second domestic company to be listed in the Rwandan stock exchange.

Since 2009 its recognition has only grown in stature, its recognitions shown through it awards ranging from, “Best Bank in Rwanda” by Emeafinance and the Bank of the year award by the Banker in 2011.

The BK board of directors has formulated recommendation on the dividend policy in accordance with the law, as well as for the preparation of the AGM, where the AGM will adopt the dividend policy calling for the payout of 50% of the banks audited IFRS-based income of 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Under tax law in Rwanda, dividends paid on ordinary shares which are listed on the Rwandan stock exchange are subject to withholding tax of
5 % for resident taxpayers of Rwanda and the East African community.

The forward looking statements and future expectations include but are not limited to; the general market, technological developments, competitive pressures, macroeconomic government policies, financial and credit worthiness of their customers as well as many other contributing factors.

The date set for the AGM formally known as the Annual General Meeting will be held on the 27th of April 2012 which also coincides with the investor’s day.

Some of the banks management’s key targets for 2012will be; return on average equity, total assets growth, gross loans by 2012 and its new branches that will be opened in 2012.

With the increase in the percentage since 2011, the banks key targets will be used in order to ensure it maintains profitable growth while still maintaining its’ leading position in the Rwandan market.

The presentation team consisted of the managing manager James Gatera and the chief operation officer Lawson Naibo made it clear that their presentation contains statements from the unaudited IFRS financial highlights of 2011 that constitute and relate to the implementation of strategic initiatives as well as the banks financial performance as well as its business developments.

Gatera stated “ we are pleased to have been able to create shareholder value of over 6,000 shareholder by generating earnings per share of 12.29 Rwandese francs in 2011”, “ we relish the challenge of achieving the key management targets set for 2012 by the board of directors.

Lado Gurgenidze, chairman finished by saying “Having completed the budget planning cycle for 2012, we look forward to continued success of the management team in delivering profitable growth”.

The bank which had opened over 11 new branches in 2011 now has 12 branches.

If you want to study in the US or England, of course you will find that it’s complicated! After all, you are leaving the education system you are familiar with and trying to show that you deserve to attend university in a different country.

However, if you have the qualifications for the programs below, these are the best ways to attend an international university on a scholarship. For now, here is information on two opportunities at the master’s degree level, and one more at the undergraduate level!

See the attachments at the end of this article for full information on each of the first two scholarships — and remember, if you don’t yet fully qualify for these scholarships, there are things you can do over time to improve and apply as a qualified student which we will discuss in a future column.

1) Master’s degree scholarships – United States – Fulbright Junior Staff Development Program.

Funded by the United States government, the Fulbright Scholarship program is the best way for foreign students to get a master’s degree in the US, if they qualify. In 2011, Fulbright sent 10 Rwandans to the US to get master’s degrees.

These professionals include 5 English professors at various Rwandan univerisities, and 5 professionals from a variety of sectors who have great ideas for projects that will contribute to the development of Rwanda.

Key requirements include: good professional experience (at least 2 years), complete application and successful interview

TOEFL and GRE scores are also required.
For more information (and to see the application instructions for English professors): contact the US embassy library or public affairs section
Applications are due in March 2012. See a link to this year’s Call for Applications at the end of this page.

2) Master’s degree scholarships – England – Rwanda Cambridge Scholarship
A new opportunity offered by the University of Cambridge and the Ministry of Education for the first time in 2011, this scholarship is open to any Rwandan who meets its high standards.

The first group of applications were due in December 2011, so look for the next application to be due in late 2012, with students starting at Cambridge in mid-2013!
See the end of this page for the 2011 announcement.

3) Undergraduate scholarships – United States – Apply to universities in the US as a qualified student
In the US, it’s the individual universities that give scholarships, depending on their budgets and on how many scholarships they can afford.

This will be the focus of a full column in the future, but if you are an outstanding secondary school student, you should know that it is possible to apply to US universities as a regular candidate.

If the school agrees that you are qualified and accepts you, then they will give you a scholarship according to their policies – and at the best schools in the US, these scholarships are often guaranteed, even for international students.

To win admission and scholarships to the best US schools, you will need:

– great secondary school grades from S-3 to S-6 (ideally you should be in the top 3 of your class)
– great national exam results for A-levels
– excellent spoken and written English, backed up by a score of more than 600 on the TOEFL exam
– high SAT scores, if possible more than 1800 out of 2400
– a record of activities at school and in your community that shows that you will be a good community member in the US

In practice, it is difficult for even the best students to achieve all of this by the end of S-6, so you may want to apply for a transition year program, which will give you one more year of school and help you show you are a qualified candidate to apply to the US.

Currently, Bridge2Rwanda Scholars is the only program in the country offering this kind of program, but we are going to put as much of this program as possible on Igihe.com so that students all over Rwanda can begin to prepare to apply to the US even when they are still in secondary school!

So what are 3 universities in the US that currently say they will meet international students’ full financial need if they accept them? Harvard, Johns Hopkins and Dartmouth – but there are many more schools in this category, if you have the scores, grades and English to apply as a qualified candidate.

For more information on Bridge2Rwanda Scholars, please see:
http://en.igihe.com/spip.php?article1705

Want more information on this or another subject related to international education? Ask us a question in the comments section!

Contact the Bridge2Rwanda International Training Centre. We are located on the first floor of Telecom House, or you can write us at joris [at] bridge2rwanda.org.

http://www.cambridgetrusts.org/documents/en/Rwa/Rwanda_Cambridge_Scholarship_information_sheet_April_2011.pdf

Link for Fulbright 2012

http://www.google.com/search?q=Rwanda+Fulbright+2012&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari

Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning(MINECOFIN) is scheduled to present a survey on poverty levels carried out in conjunction with the National Institute of Statistics Rwanda (NISR).

The presentation of the new survey will update the public and development partners about the progress of government’s first phase of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) ending this year.

The survey which will be launched by MINECOFIN at the ceremony to be attended by present Paul Kagame, will represent the international benchmarks for measuring poverty.

It has indicated that poverty has dropped by 11.8 percent since 2006 which also indicates six times reduction rate as compared to the rate between the year 2000 to 2006, according to the third Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey.

The findings which were reviewed by a panel of international experts and supported by all key donors, indicate that over 200,000 households, equivalent to one million people, have emerged from poverty since 2006.

It also indicates that 45 percent of the 10.7 million population are still under the poverty line as compared to 57 percent five years ago.

Also to be launched today is the fourth Demographic and Health Survey (DHS4) which indicates that infant and maternal mortality rates have declined by 41 and 35 percent respectively.

The survey further indicates double growth in secondary school enrolment – among other achievements since 2006; all attributed to home-grown solutions with programmes such as Mutuelle de Sante, Nine-Year Basic Education and Once Cow per Family programmes playing a vital role.

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African countries are losing billions of dollars in potential trade earnings every year due to high trade barriers with neighboring countries, a new World Bank report has indicated.

The report has indicated that it is easier for Africa to trade with the rest of the world than within itself.

However African leaders are now calling for a continental free trade area by 2017 to boost trade within the continent.

According to the new report De-Fragmenting Africa: Deepening Regional Trade Integration in Goods and Services regional fragmentation could become even more costly for the continent with new World Bank forecasts suggesting that economic slowdown in the Eurozone could shave Africa’s growth by up to 1.3 percentage points this year.

As the authors write, “while uncertainty surrounds the global economy and stagnation is likely to continue in traditional markets in Europe and North America, enormous opportunities for cross-border trade within Africa in food products, basic manufactures and services remain unexploited.”

The reports says this situation deprives the continent of new sources of economic growth, new jobs, and sharply falling poverty, factors which accompanied significant trade integration in East Asia and other regions.

The cross-border production networks that have spurred economic dynamism in other regions, especially East Asia, have yet to materialize in Africa.

“It is clear that Africa is not reaching its potential for regional trade, despite the fact that its benefits are enormous—they create larger markets, help countries diversify their economies, reduce costs, improve productivity and help reduce poverty.” says Obiageli Oby Ezekwesili, The World Bank’s Vice President for Africa, and a former Nigerian Minister of Extractive Industries.

“Yet trade and non-trade barriers remain significant and fall most heavily and disproportionately on poor traders, most of whom are women. African leaders must now back aspiration with action and work together to align the policies, institutions and investments needed to unblock these barriers and to create a dynamic regional market on a scale worthy of Africa’s one billion people and its roughly $2 trillion economy.”

The report says that until the onset of the financial crisis, most sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries grew rapidly and often at much higher rates than the world average.

Economic growth in these countries was robust and driven by the boom in commodity prices, which led to very high growth in export values, especially for minerals, to new fast-growing markets such as India and China.

While exports have grown strongly over the last decade, and the region’s trade has recovered well from the global crisis, the impact on unemployment and poverty has been disappointing in many countries.

Unemployment remains around 24 percent in South Africa. In Tanzania, extreme income-poverty appears to have remained broadly constant at around 35 percent of the population.

This shows that export growth has typically been fueled by a small number of mineral and primary products with limited impacts on the wider economy and that formal sectors remain small in many countries.

As a result, the report suggests that Africa will have to diversify its exports from depending solely on precious metals and other commodities and encourage more people to trade goods and professional services in accounting, law, education, healthcare, among others.

The region’s large number of young people also calls for significant numbers of new jobs, intensive trade, and growth.

“Imagine the benefits of allowing African doctors, nurses, teacher, engineers and lawyers to practice anywhere in the continent, but responsibility for making this happen lies with countries first and foremost,” says Marcelo Giugale, the World Bank’s Africa Director for Poverty Reduction and Economic Management.

“The final prize is clear: helping Africans trade goods and services with each other. Few contributions carry more development power than that.”

Changes needed

Improving cross-border trade, especially by small poor traders, many of whom are women, by simplifying border procedures, limiting the number of agencies at the border and increasing the professionalism of officials, supporting traders associations, improving the flow of information on market opportunities, and assisting in the spread of new technologies such as cross-border mobile banking that improve access to finance.

Removing a range of non-tariff barriers to trade, such as restrictive rules of origin, import and export bans, and onerous and costly import and export licensing procedures.

Reforming regulations and immigration rules that limit the substantial potential for cross-border trade and investment in services.

To escape the current straightjacket of trade fragmentation, the report says that African leaders, most of whom will attend this week’s regional integration summit in Ethiopia hosted by the African Union, need to pursue changes in three key areas.

World Bank intends to increase investment in the regional integration as a way for sustainable growth in the new Africa strategy launched 2011.

The bank is expected to increase the investment by US$5.7 billion July 2012 from US$2.1 billion in 2008 and US$4.2 billion in July 2011.

ENDS