Category: Opinion

Homart group inaugurates 84 new apartments to enhance housing in Kigali

Located in the city center, Greenland Plaza is situated in the Nyarugenge District, Muhima Sector.

Xiao Ben, the investor and owner of Homart Group, revealed that his company continues to invest in residential housing, noting that since his arrival in Rwanda in 2009, he has increasingly invested due to the country’s security, cleanliness, and good governance.

Over the past years, his company has invested more than $200million (close to Frw300billion) in various projects, including the construction of factories like Kigali Ceramics and Kigali Plastics, as well as residential buildings such as Phoenix Plaza, Rose Garden, and Elizabeth Golf apartment , all of which have already been sold.

In 2021, construction began on Greenland Plaza, a project that started during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, Xiao explained that they were determined to see it through as promised to their clients.

Greenland Plaza has two phases each with 84 units, in total 168 units out of 168 units, 130 were already sold out. The apartments include one, two and three-bedroom units.

The Greenland project has successfully completed Phase 1, which is currently operational. Construction for Phase 2 is underway, with plans for it to be functional in the near future. Additionally, Phase 3 is set to begin construction soon, marking the continued progress and expansion of the development.

Xiao confirmed that many investors, particularly from China, choose to invest in and purchase properties in Rwanda due to the country’s safety and rapid development. He said, “I have lived in over 27 African countries, but I chose to invest in Rwanda because it is a country with a promising future.”

Simon Lee, the CEO of Homart Group, thanked their partners and customers, stating that the trust they have from clients helps the company achieve its goals.

“The housing sector in Rwanda is growing every day, and we expect to see more developments. Our partners, coming from over 40 countries, show the confidence they have in Rwanda’s housing market,” he said.

He emphasized that investing in Rwanda is a unique opportunity that should not be missed, adding that purchasing an apartment at Greenland Plaza is an excellent choice, as the apartments are modern, well-equipped, and offer 24-hour security.

One of the buyers at Greenland Plaza, Philbert Bimenyimana, who won a car as a prize, expressed his happiness with the reward, highlighting that it showed how Homart Group values its customers and that their efforts are yielding positive results.

Marie Solange Muhirwa, the Director of Planning in Kigali, thanked Homart Group for its investment in various development projects that benefit the country, assuring them of continued collaboration in future endeavors.

Homart Group has become a prominent player in construction, with projects in ten African countries, including Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Malawi, Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

March 25, 2025
Leadership guru Christian Sellars shares how Rwandan managers can turn Gen Z into an asset (Video)

Speaking on Sanny Ntayombya’s “Long Form” podcast, Sellars shared insights from his global career and recent research in Rwanda. He offered a roadmap for leaders to harness the potential of this new generation while addressing entrenched habits holding the country back.

Sellars, who has led teams across Australia, Asia, the U.S., and Switzerland, founded T.E.S. to distill decades of leadership lessons into practical tools.

In Rwanda, he has worked with 33 leaders across the banking, construction, and health sectors, surveying 200 peers and reports. His findings reveal that Rwandan leaders excel in people-oriented skills like achievement, self-actualization, humanism, and affiliation, surpassing global averages.

“These leaders are well above the world averages,” he said, attributing this to “a level of awareness of others and a consciousness of what needs to be done.”

He, however, noted that some leaders’ reluctance to take risks could hinder the government’s broader agenda to transform Rwanda into a regional economic powerhouse.

Sellars observed that Gen Z—a generation he describes as opinionated, emotionally intelligent, and eager for happiness—has much to offer. According to him, Unlike their predecessors, who were shaped by fear and survival, these young Rwandans enter the workforce with security and ambition.

“They’re probably the first generation to have that since God knows when,” Sanny interjected, noting their contrast with leaders “trained by trauma.”

Sellars sees opportunity here, but it demands adaptation. “They get bored quickly,” he said. “If you don’t challenge them, they’ll check out or leave.”

So, how can Rwandan leaders turn Gen Z into an asset? “Delegate effectively,” Sellars advised.

“Set clear expectations upfront, not late-stage control. Move people across functions. A cameraman in marketing brings fresh visuals, while a marketer in sales crafts better messaging.”

He emphasized accepting failure without punishment. “Magic happens between silos, but it requires risk,” he said.

For a generation that doesn’t defer to authority—“they don’t call you sir, they don’t title emails properly”— he emphasizes that leaders must let go of their egos.

“The most effective leaders are incredibly hard to offend,” he said.

This shift, Sellars argues, could also ease another Rwandan leadership trap, which he describes as overworking.

“The most senior people are working 12-hour days, most of the weekend,” he said. “My hope is that the message I’m sharing is: You are doing a great job—slow down. Those extra 20 hours destroy more value than they create.”

His own sabbatical story drives this point home. After leaving his Australian team for three months, he returned to find them delivering their best performance yet.

“You created a team that was independent and brilliant,” his boss told him, giving him the highest rating of his career.

Sellars’ recent research highlights Rwanda’s strengths and weaknesses. While aggressive styles like competition and opposition, common in the U.S. and Australia, are less prevalent in Rwanda, he notes that passivity remains a persistent challenge.

“The most effective leaders in Rwanda are the ones investing heavily in helping their people succeed,” he said.

Sellars tested his ideas at leadership retreats in Nyamuhazi last year, and he believes they worked. Leaders opened up about their struggles, and one even reported that her team performs better now that she’s stopped micromanaging.

Looking ahead, Sellars connects Rwanda’s future to its leaders and how they tap into Gen Z’s potential.

“Build a space where they can grow, even if they’re not ready to do it themselves,” Sellars advised.

The leadership guru believes Gen Z’s tech skills and confidence can thrive if leaders guide them the right way.

Watch the full interview below:

March 25, 2025
Is there a looming Genocide in the DRC?

There is currently hope for peace talks after the Congolese government finally agreed to dialogue with M23 and neighbouring Rwanda through Angola’s mediation.

But peace talks only make sense if the actual causes of the 30-year war are finally uncovered and eliminated. Otherwise the fighting will flare up again immediately.

Misjudgements prevent solutions

It is a misjudgement on the part of many media outlets, politicians and Christian aid organisations that M23 is concerned with securing mineral resources in Eastern Congo or Rwanda is concerned with conquering territory.

This falls far too short and prevents a solution just as much as the German government’s blatantly wrong decision to stop development aid for neighbouring Rwanda.

More than 400 journalists, lawyers, researchers and university professors from all over the world have recently written an open letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. They complain that the misinterpretation of the conflict is exacerbating tensions and fueling hate speech.

They call on the United Nations not to make the same tragic misjudgement as during the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda in 1994, when the UN withdrew its UNAMIR troops despite clear signs of a looming genocide.

As a result, an average of 10,000 defenceless Tutsis were slaughtered every day for 100 days. Now, according to the letter, the one-sided focus on the M23 and Rwanda ignores the atrocities committed in broad daylight against Banyamulenge (Congolese Tutsi).

The Rwandan community in Germany has also written a letter to Development Minister Svenja Schulze (SPD) stating that such punitive measures undermine African-led initiatives and encourage the Congolese government in its pursuit of a military rather than a diplomatic solution.

Where the causes lie

Many causes of conflict go back to the Berlin Conference in 1894/95, when Africa was divided up between the superpowers regardless of ethnic groups, and the Western territory of Rwanda, which was much larger at the time, was carved up between Belgium and Germany.

The Banyamulenge, among others, are still suffering today. They live mainly in the east of today’s Congo, but like the Tutsi in Rwanda (in former times), they are labelled as ‘intruders’ and murdered.

‘As early as 2021, Genocide Watch raised the alarm that a ‘slow genocide’ has been taking place against the Banyamulenge since 2017, unnoticed by the international press.

In 2022, researchers Felix Ndahinda and Aggee Shyaka Mugabe documented in detail in the renowned ‘Journal of Genocide Research’ how hate speech against the Banyamulenge, among others, is shared thousands of times on social media.

This extends to the highest government circles. For example, Justin Bitakwira, a Member of Parliament and personal friend of President Felix Tshisekedi, who held various ministerial positions, declared that every Tutsi is a ‘born criminal’.

He asked whether the God who created the Tutsis was the same God who created the Congolese. The fighters of the FDLR, who are taking action against the Banyamulenge and Rwanda, also justified their terror with texts from the Old Testament and prophecies that God is fighting for them and that they will liberate Rwanda.

The statutes of the terrorist organization state, ‘All members of the FDLR must believe in, respect and fear God.’ Since they were founded in 2000, they have celebrated church services before their massacres and mass rapes.

The UN Special Envoy for Genocide Prevention, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, declared in 2022 that she was ‘deeply concerned’ that the current violence was a ‘warning signal’ that ‘hatred and violence are spilling over into genocide on a grand scale’.

Many investigations have revealed systematic persecution, destruction of homes, cattle theft, torture, rape and murder of Banyamulenge.

The goals of M23 and Rwanda

The M23 sees itself, also in view of the failure of the UN mission MONUSCO, as a protection force for the threatened minority, including Banyamulenge and other Kinyarwanda-speaking groups.

Experts such as Hans Romkema, who has been researching the Great Lakes since 1996, call the argument that it is about mineral resources “not valid”. A few million dollars would not compensate Rwanda for the impending damage to its image.

Instead, the country and the militia wanted to protect themselves from the FDLR militias that had emerged from genocides. The statement by aid organisations that Rwanda is “boycotting peace negotiations” is false.

While the African heads of government, including the Rwandan president, were discussing the security situation in eastern DRC at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Congolese President Tshisekedi was calling for sanctions against Rwanda at the Munich Security Conference. Instead of seeking a regional solution, he was spreading hate speech.

Romkema names three basic problems that need to be solved: Firstly, Congo lacks stable governance and an army that serves the country and not one person or party. Secondly, there are no equal rights for Congo’s Tutsi, who are discriminated against as foreign invaders. And lastly, ending the FDLR rebellion.

Most of our media outlets are failing once again and will have to apologise publicly once again, as some did after 1994. Because they have failed to focus attention on the decades of hate propaganda and the signs of a genocide against the Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese.

Added to this is the failure of our government, which is sanctioning Rwanda instead of the real perpetrators of this crisis who are President Tshisekedi and his co-rulers and the FDLR rebels.

M23, A rebel group that wants to protect the Kinyarwanda-speaking minorities in the Congo and demands more say in the east of the Congo. These minorities include the Banyamulenge.

The DRC government is scapegoating these minorities for current developments. The M23 named themselves after 23 March 2009, when the government broke the agreement with the M23’s predecessor organisation, the CNDP.

The Author has been for years, researching about the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda and is a committed supporter of the survivors.

March 25, 2025
10 young Rwandan agripreneurs compete for multi-million grants in Heifer’s AYuTe Africa challenge

The finalists were shortlisted from a pool of more than 500 applicants and will be competing for a share of 50 million Rwanda Francs in grants, along with mentorship and business development opportunities.

Launched in 2023 as part of Heifer International’s AYuTe Africa NextGen initiative, the challenge identifies and supports young Rwandan agritech entrepreneurs developing scalable solutions to benefit smallholder farmers.

This year’s competition seeks to empower the next generation of agritech leaders by equipping them with financial support and expert guidance.

The Bootcamp serves as a critical stage in the competition, allowing the ten finalists to refine their ideas and engage with industry experts.

Participants are eager to leverage the platform to expand their businesses and increase their impact on Rwanda’s agricultural sector.

“I’m here at Bootcamp because I want to see how we can scale our idea to have a bigger impact across the country. We aim to grow our business from a small to a major player in the sector,” said Kayitare Gisa Patrick of Eco Green House.

Another finalist, Sabina Mari Rose from Green Energy Technology, expressed enthusiasm about the mentorship opportunities: “During this Bootcamp, I hope to learn from the mentors and coaches, refine my idea, and network with fellow entrepreneurs.”

Beyond the financial grants, AYuTe Africa Challenge Rwanda provides participants with business development training, networking opportunities, and a pathway to compete at the regional level. This holistic support framework ensures that young innovators can transform their ideas into sustainable ventures.

Verena Ruzibuka, Country Director of Heifer Rwanda, emphasized the challenge’s importance in agricultural transformation.

“At Heifer Rwanda, we believe that young innovators can play a key role in transforming the agriculture sector in Rwanda.. This Bootcamp is not just a competition; it is about equipping the next generation with the skills, knowledge, and support to drive meaningful change,” she said.

We are excited to see the innovative ideas that will emerge and how they will contribute to a more resilient and prosperous agricultural future for Rwanda,” she added.

The AYuTe Africa Challenge aligns with national efforts to encourage youth participation in agriculture. While the sector employs over 60% of Rwanda’s workforce, young people’s engagement remains limited. By providing a platform for agritech and social enterprise development, the competition inspires more young Rwandans to explore agriculture as a viable career path.

With the competition heating up, all eyes are on the top ten agripreneurs as they refine their innovations and prepare to compete for the top prizes. The winners will not only receive financial backing but also critical support to scale their businesses, ultimately benefiting smallholder farmers and strengthening Rwanda’s agricultural sector.

March 24, 2025
Defence funding mismanagement leaves South African troops vulnerable

In the 2023-24 financial year, the Department of Defence squandered R3.33 billion (approx. Frw260.33billion) in unauthorized spending, R977.5 million (Frw76billion) in irregular spending and R50.9 million in fruitless spending. The overall 2024-25 budget was R51.1 billion, with the final tally being R55.8 billion (almost Frw4.4trillion).

And all the SANDF has to show for it is 18 dead South Africans, since they were ill-fatedly deployed in the DRC. As of now, thousands of troops are trapped in Goma and there is no clear plan yet on how to get them out.

In 2013, former president Jacob Zuma used the SANDF to guard the business interests of the ANC and his allies in the Central African Republic (CAR) by deploying troops to Bangui, the capital.

Thirteen soldiers died and 27 were wounded. Again, they were woefully underequipped, ill-prepared and under-trained. In CAR and the DRC, South African soldiers live in unhealthy conditions and squalor, guarding interests of a corrupt regime.

In 2014, it was deemed that 62% of SANDF facilities and housing were in unacceptable condition. Of this, 4% were deemed hazardous and 2% needed to be demolished.

Squatters occupied military facilities and maintenance was not happening as corruption stole money needed for repairs. Reportedly, soldiers in the DRC ran out of ammunition and even food, with supply lines effectively non-existent.

The air force has repeatedly struggled with fuel availability due to underfunding. This is while billions just disappear. If there is any inherent obligation of any government, it is to ensure that the military is capable of defending its country.

But as it stands, if South Africa was attacked, the SANDF would be able to do nothing. Mozambique is facing violent unrest, while the northern region of its neighbours is controlled by violent, fundamentalist insurgents poised on brutal conquest.

In 2021, violent protesters brought KwaZulu-Natal to its knees. There is an ever-pressing threat of insurgency and collapse within the country.

And as the global system of peace and stability continues to crumble, giving way to conquest by the mighty over the weak, it is becoming more apparent that South African needs a functional military.

The mistake wasn’t going into the DRC. The mistake was not training its troops. The mistake was not allocating the billions set aside for military matters to actual military matters.

Instead, the money was used to furnish the lavish lifestyles of politicians, fund corruption, or just spent inefficiently. For South Africa to guarantee its survival, there needs to be a strict audit of military funding. From top to bottom, the military hierarchy needs to be reassessed.

March 20, 2025
War, wasted billions, lost territory and the inevitable collapse of Tshisekedi’s strategy

His government, backed by a patchwork of forces including the Congolese army, FDLR Genocidal militia, Burundian troops, European mercenaries, the SADC military force, and even MONUSCO peacekeepers, has suffered defeat after defeat.

The numbers are staggering. Nearly three times the size of Belgium has fallen under M23’s control. Over four billion dollars have been spent on military operations.

More than seven thousand troops and militia fighters aligned with the government have been killed. After all this, Tshisekedi is now doing what he swore he never would. He is talking to the M23.

From the beginning, Tshisekedi miscalculated his moves. He placed all his hopes on a miracle military solution that never existed. He ignored peace efforts, dismissed negotiations, and instead built a coalition of foreign forces to fight M23.

But no amount of weapons, troops, or alliances could compensate for the fundamental weakness of the Congolese army. The forces he relied on were riddled with corruption, poor training, and a complete lack of leadership.

He believed Burundian troops would turn the tide. They did not. He trusted South Africans would make a difference. They did not. He sought European mercenaries, MONUSCO, and now SADC forces. None of them succeeded.

Instead, his military strategy collapsed spectacularly. Despite being better equipped than ever, the Congolese army remains disorganized, unreliable, and incapable of holding territory. M23, with far fewer fighters, has outmaneuvered, outgunned, and outstrategized his coalition at every turn.

For years, Tshisekedi refused to engage in serious peace talks. Instead, he tried to rally international support against Rwanda, using lobbyists to push Western nations, particularly the United States, to back his anti-M23 campaign.

Recently, he even tried to recruit Chad into the conflict, offering mineral deals in exchange for military support. But with battlefield realities becoming impossible to ignore, he now has no choice but to negotiate. The big question is whether these talks can be trusted.

Tshisekedi has spent three years avoiding peace efforts and branding M23 as terrorists unworthy of dialogue. Now, suddenly, he is at the table. His history suggests this may not be a genuine effort for peace but rather a tactic to buy time. It could be just another pause before yet another military gamble.

The cost of a lost war

After three years of war, Tshisekedi is back to where he started, but at a much higher cost. Massive territorial losses have put key areas under M23’s control and the DRC army’s incompetence is now globally recognized.

Billions of dollars that could have been used to rebuild the country have instead been wasted on a losing war. Tens of thousands of people have died, including government troops, militia fighters, and innocent civilians. The government now enters negotiations from a position of complete weakness.

Had Tshisekedi pursued diplomacy from the beginning, much of this destruction could have been avoided. Instead, he chose war, believing in an impossible victory that never came.

Now, with his back against the wall, he must negotiate. The real question is whether he will do so with sincerity or if this is just another chapter in a cycle of failed leadership, false promises, and endless conflicts.

March 17, 2025
The heroism of women: A tribute to their strength and sacrifices

This, she said, was because everything I needed in life was owned by people. So, if I had people, I would get whatever I wanted.

At just 11 years of age, I couldn’t fully understand the weight of her words, but over time, I came to realize it wasn’t about the number of people around you but the quality of the relationships you build.

I am grateful that having followed her advice, I’ve always been able to connect with people easily, build strong connections, and foster long-lasting friendships.

Over time, I have come to understand women as the source of life. They give birth to us, they nurture and raise us. This is simply because women are naturally patient, persistent, courageous, and remarkable managers. They are the pillars of development in families, nations and continents.

If women can give birth and raise the soldiers who defend us, then surely they can be great soldiers themselves. Women are more than capable of becoming colonels, generals, and leading battles.

If they give birth to famous individuals and raise gifted people, they can excel in any field. Be it as singers, dancers, designers, pastors, or leaders.

As we celebrate International Women’s month, it’s crucial that we recognize their heroism and the sacrifices they make for all of us. Women are not only life-givers, but they are the ones who shape homes into families. They carry the weight of pregnancy, which is nothing short of a battlefield.

Pregnancy is not a pleasant experience. It’s a journey that lasts nine months, carrying immense physical and emotional risks. Women spend these months walking through life with another developing human being in the womb.

While pregnancy is a battlefield, the delivery process itself is a thin line between life and death. Many women tragically lose their lives during childbirth, while others lose their babies after that gestation period.

Those who survive and become mothers emerge as nothing short of heroes, having faced challenges that most cannot even imagine.

As we celebrate women this month, we must remember the sacrifices they make for us to exist. Our mothers pay the price for our lives, our wives pay the price for our children, and our daughters pay the price for future generations.

Women die so that we can live. They eat and drink even when they don’t feel like it, just so we are nourished. They sleep not because they feel tired, but to ensure we rest. Their sacrifices are priceless, and their love is endless. They are the foundation of our existence, the driving force behind our progress, and the source of our success.

As men, we ought to recognize and advocate for the little things they need. Simple things like allowing them to take a few days off for their monthly cycles, or easing their working conditions by allowing them to work from home during painful periods. These small actions would have a profound impact on their lives.

And to the ladies, you can be anything you want in this world. You may be the first, but certainly not the last.
If Vigdís Finnbogadóttir and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became presidents, if Isabel Perón and Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe became vice presidents, if Benazir Bhutto and Sirimavo Bandaranaike became prime ministers, if Sandra Day O’Connor and Aloysie Cyanzayire led the Supreme Court, then you can.

If Agathe Uwilingiyimana and Malala Yousafzai became heroes, if Nyirarwinyana Ndabaga and Loretta Perfectus Walsh became soldiers and warriors, if Meron Rugazora and Harriet Quimby became pilots” then you, too, can achieve anything.

These remarkable women, and countless others, should be the symbols of strength and courage. Women should be celebrated, not just on a single day, but all the time.

The author is a Pan-Africanist and poet

March 10, 2025
Rwanda’s consumer prices rose by 6.3% in February, new report shows

The rise in prices was primarily driven by increases in transport, food, and hospitality costs.

The report highlights that urban inflation, which is the headline index for monetary policy, saw a notable uptick, reflecting the ongoing economic dynamics.

“Urban CPI increased by 6.3 percent on an annual basis (February 2025 compared to February 2024) and by 0.7 percent on a monthly basis (February 2025 to January 2025),” the report states.

Among the key contributors to the inflation surge were transport costs, which rose by 17.4% year-on-year, and restaurant and hotel prices, which climbed by 11.6%.

The price of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 4.5%, while housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels saw a 2.9% rise.

Rural areas, however, experienced a milder price increase, with rural CPI rising by 2.2% annually and 1% on a monthly basis. This resulted in an overall national inflation rate of 3.8% year-on-year.

The NISR compiles Rwanda’s CPI using price data from over 1,622 products across the country, tracking inflation trends that impact households and businesses.

With inflationary pressures persisting, policymakers and businesses will be closely monitoring economic trends in the coming months.

March 10, 2025
China-Africa cooperation energizes joint pursuit of modernization

This gateway to West Africa highlights Beijing’s deepening economic engagement with the continent, a dynamic partnership that is reshaping Africa’s trade and logistics landscape.

Through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Africa’s infrastructure has taken on a new look, allowing the continent to connect ever closer with the arteries of global commerce.

At the heart of the BRI are five pillars: policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people exchanges.

These principles align with Africa’s own modernization aspirations. The vision has of late been reaffirmed at China’s annual “two sessions,” where Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated Beijing’s commitment to supporting Africa’s self-reliance and economic empowerment.

“China and Africa are always good friends, good partners, and good brothers with a shared future,” Wang stressed at a press conference. “There will be no global modernization without African modernization, and Africa’s stability and development are vital to the future of humanity.”

China has backed its words with action. Since 2000, Chinese financing and expertise have driven a remarkable infrastructure boom across Africa: more than 10,000 km of railway, 100,000 km of roads and 100 ports, in addition to bridges, power plants and industrial zones.

The Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation last September reaffirmed both sides’ commitment to modernization, offering African nations new pathways to economic transformation.

This partnership is rooted in a long history of diplomatic and economic collaboration. From China’s tradition of making Africa the first overseas visit of its foreign minister each year to its advocacy for the African Union’s inclusion in the G20, Beijing has consistently treated Africa as an equal stakeholder in global affairs.

Initiatives such as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative have further reinforced this engagement.

As cooperation deepens, it is rewriting traditional development paradigms. When China launched Algeria’s first satellite, it empowered the country’s remote education network.

Chinese photovoltaic technology is helping Africa construct a green energy corridor. These projects signal a shift from the traditional North-South development model to one that emphasizes South-South knowledge exchange.

The partnership is mutually enriching. China’s increasing demand for agricultural imports has spurred Kenyan flower growers to adopt advanced cultivation techniques, while African ecological wisdom has influenced China’s rural revitalization efforts.

This two-way exchange highlights the dynamism of China-Africa cooperation and its potential to redefine modernization across the Global South.

Western critics have accused Beijing of debt-trap diplomacy and neocolonial motives, but numerous African policymakers beg to differ. As one local media outlet put it, “We do not have to choose between the West and China. We use the tools China offers to craft Africa’s own solutions.”

Standing at Abidjan’s newly constructed container terminal, one can see Chinese-built cranes hoist Africa-grown cocoa beans onto ships bound for global markets. This is not a scene of dependence but of mutual progress, a story of two partners advancing together in a shared pursuit of prosperity.

March 9, 2025
MTN Rwanda in partnership with Inkomoko announce winners of the 4th edition of Level Up Your Biz Initiative

This year’s Level Up Your Biz edition empowered 40 MTN Agents with essential business skills to enhance their operations. Among them, 10 MTN Agents stood out with the most outstanding solutions to real distribution channel challenges, with the top three winners securing the highest recognition.

Mapula Bodibe, CSI Chairperson and MTN Rwanda Chief Executive Officer highlighted that, beyond providing communication and internet services, the initiative aligns with the telecom’s committment to contributing to Rwanda’s Vision 2050 of becoming a high-income country, .

“By equipping our agents with the necessary training, we empower them to become job creators, driving economic growth and transforming their lives. Inclusion is at the heart of what we do, and we believe that by working together, we can build a future that benefits all Rwandans,” she said.

Bayigana Alexis from Gasabo District clinched first place, winning Rwf 5 million in float, while Dusabimana Adelphine from Rulindo District secured second place with Rwf 3.5 million in float. Tuyishime Baraka from Nyamasheke District earned third place, receiving Rwf 2.5 million in float.

Beyond their cash prizes, the top three winners will also benefit from a revamp of their current working environment, further enhancing their business operations. The remaining seven MTN agents were each awarded Rwf 500,000 in float, reinforcing MTN Rwanda’s commitment to supporting and uplifting its agents.

“At Inkomoko we believe Solutions can be found here. The solutions to many challenges will be found by entrepreneurs on this continent. We are tremendously proud of the 10 agents from the pool of 5,000 who made it out. Our biggest wish is that your businesses will reach a new level and thrive and that this program will change your life,” said Helle Dahl Rasmussen, Business Growth Director, Inkomoko Rwanda.

MTN Rwanda is encouraging organizations across the country to join efforts in advancing Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation, playing an active role in driving sustainable development and achieving the Vision 2050 goal of becoming a high-income nation.

By creating jobs, the people of Rwanda are empowered with economic opportunities that improve their livelihoods, enhance financial inclusion, and drive innovation. This collective effort not only strengthens local businesses and industries but also contributes to a more resilient and self-sustaining economy, paving the way for long-term national prosperity.

About MTN Rwandacell

MTN Rwandacell Plc (MTN Rwanda) is the market leader in mobile telecommunications in Rwanda. Since 1998, it has continuously invested in expanding and modernising its network and leading digital solutions for Rwanda’s progress.

The telecom offers various services to subscribers, including innovative propositions such as personalised voice and data offers for individuals and corporates with a clear vision to lead the delivery of a bold, new digital world to customers with a belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life.

About Inkomoko

Inkomoko is a consulting firm that supports micro and small enterprises across Africa so that they can grow to create jobs, improve livelihoods, and create thriving communities. It started its work in Rwanda eleven years ago and has now opened offices in Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Chad.

March 5, 2025