The celebration that took place under the theme; ‘Women of Rwanda, keep up the good work and let’s build Rwanda we want and deserve”, served as a platform to reflect on the achievements registered so far, the challenges and the way forward in regard to women empowerment in Rwanda and The Netherlands.
In his speech during the celebrations, Rwanda’s Ambassador to The Kingdom of the Netherlands, Jean Pierre Karabaranga emphasized Rwanda’s achievements in the last 24 years, especially in empowering women.
In his remarks, Amb. Karabaranga quoted President Kagame’s message on March 8th, 2018 where he designated Women as a cornerstone of prosperity for the society.
“It is no accident that the renewal of Rwanda was also accompanied by significant upgrades in the status, roles, and responsibilities of women. The same is true in nearly every country where gender equality has been taken seriously. Women are a cornerstone of prosperity for society as a whole. Even in situations of conflict, they are in a position to make unique contributions to peace and stability”, President Kagame said.
Rwanda was ranked 4th worldwide in the World Economic Gender Gap Report 2017; a report that ranks countries on their ability to close the gender gap in four fundamental areas: economic participation and opportunity, education, health and survival, and political empowerment.
Here below is a Joint Communiqué on the Occasion of President Kagame’s Official visit to Uganda
1. At the invitation of His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, paid a one-day Official Visit to Uganda on March 25, 2018. His Excellency President Paul Kagame was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and East African Community and other Senior Government Officials.
2. The two Heads of State held Official Talks at State House, Entebbe in a cordial and friendly atmosphere on a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues.
3. Their Excellencies noted the existing bonds of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries and reiterated their commitment to strengthen them further. In this regard, they reviewed cooperation particularly in the sectors of railway and air transport as well as electricity interconnection.
4. The two Heads of States observed that the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) between the two countries provides a good mechanism for discussing matters of mutual interest and strengthening cooperation. They therefore directed their Ministers responsible for Foreign Affairs to convene the next JPC within three months.
5. His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni congratulated His Excellency President Paul Kagame, the Government and people of Rwanda on the successful hosting of the historic African Union Extra Ordinary Summit in Kigali on March 21, 2018 during which the Agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area as well as the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons were signed.
6. The two Heads of State reiterated their commitment to the economic integration of Africa, accelerating industrialization, development of regional and continental infrastructure to improve the livelihoods of the peoples of Africa. His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni commended His Excellency President Paul Kagame, in his capacity as current Chair of the African Union, for his leadership.
7. His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni expressed his appreciation to His Excellency President Paul Kagame for honouring his invitation and for the fruitful discussions they held. His Excellency President Paul Kagame, on his part, expressed his appreciation to His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Government and people of the Republic of Uganda for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to him and his delegation during the visit.
8. His Excellency President Paul Kagame extended an invitation to His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni to pay a State Visit to the Republic of Rwanda. The invitation was gladly accepted and the dates will be agreed upon through diplomatic channels.
Unveiled in Brussels yesterday, the new Belgian Icon will represent Belgium on the carrier’s aircraft A320 named Aerosmurf as part of the Brussels Airlines fleet until 2023.
Seven months on with 1415 submitted ideas since the start of the Belgian Icon contest, Brussels Airlines’ fifth iconic plane has finally got ready to carry out its Belgian colours around Europe and beyond with the Smurfs design by the Italian Marta Mascellani but chosen by the public.
“The Smurfs, who celebrate their 60th birthday this year, are one of Belgium’s most loved comic characters and are sure to be the perfect flying ambassadors for Belgium. As from tomorrow, Aerosmurf will bring the world to Belgium and the best of Belgium to the world, just like the four other Belgian Icons,” reads Brussels Airlines’ statement released on Saturday.
The name Aerosmurf is the title of a Smurfs comic album which tells the story of a little Smurf whose dream is to fly. The little Smurf tried several ideas but none of them work until he builds a plane. Since then, the little Smurf is known as Aerosmurf.
“To design our fifth Belgian Icon, we wanted to ask the public who they wish to see flying through the skies as an ambassador for Belgium. That’s why we launched a contest last year to which everyone with a heart for Belgium, every enthusiast and every designer, could participate by sending in their idea or plane design. And we received an overwhelming amount of ideas, from fries to the saxophone,” says Tanguy Cartuyvels, VP Marketing at Brussels Airlines.
{{Aerosmurf design
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The designers of studio Peyo adapted Marta’s design to fit the round fuselage of an aircraft. The result is a plane with 19 smurfs, passengers as well as crew, interacting with each other. In the cockpit, we find Smurfette as the captain and Papa Smurf as co-pilot. The design contains Belgian details, representing the many other ideas that were submitted during the contest.
On the left hand side, Harmony Smurf is playing the Belgian national anthem on the saxophone – a Belgian invention – together with another smurf who is playing the harmonica, referring to the famous Belgian musician Toots Thielemans. On the crew smurf’s trolley, we find a miniature Atomium.
On the right side of the plane, a crew smurf is serving Belgian fries and waffles to the smurf passengers. Aerosmurf also has two secret passengers, Gargamel and Azrael, trying to escape through a hatch in the belly of the plane, a treat for plane spotters since they are only visible during takeoff and landing.
For passengers flying with Aerosmurf, the experience continues inside. Little smurf footsteps on the carpet are leading the Aerosmurf guests to their seats, while a Smurfs video and adapted boarding music complete the Smurfs experience.
Led by airbrush specialist André Eisele, 14 artists worked 14 days non-stop to paint the eleven meters high and 37.56 meters long design on the plane by hand. They used 28 colours, 420 littres of paint, 24,000 meters of masking tape and 4,500 m² masking paper.
As the winner of the contest, Marta Mascellani followed the plane’s creation process behind the scenes. She stood front row at the revealing of the aircraft yesterday and the Aerosmurf is taking Marta home to Milan today with, in the cockpit, her brother Lorenzo who is a pilot at Brussels Airlines.
“It is amazing to see how they really made my design come alive. Drawing is a passion of mine and seeing my design on a plane that will fly around Europe is a wonderful way to share that passion with the world,” said Marta Mascellani, designer of Aerosmurf
{{Belgian Icons series
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As the fifth Belgian Icon, Aerosmurf joins Rackham, Magritte, Trident and Amare in the Belgian Icons series. To carry out the best of Belgium to the world, Brussels Airlines decided to dedicate a plane named Rackham to Tintin in 2015. With Aerosmurf the company launches a possible successor for Rackham as one of the most photographed planes in the world.
Two years later Magritte followed together with Trident, dedicated to the Belgian national soccer team, Red Devils. In 2017 Brussels Airlines and Tomorrowland created Amare, a tribute to the iconic Belgian music festival.
The talks between the two leaders are expected to ease tension between Rwanda and Uganda; considering the frosty relations between the two neighbors in the recent past.
Some of the dignitaries present in the meeting were Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and East African Community, Louise Mushikiwabo; Secretary General at the national intelligence and security services (NISS), Maj. Gen. Joseph Nzabamwita; Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Frank Mugambage and Principal Private Secretary to the President, Lt. Col. Patrick Karuretwa.
The visit comes a few days after a historic signing of the African Free Trade Area pact in Kigali, an event that President Museveni skipped and was represented by Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa.
The two governments have at different times accused each of other of supporting dissidents from the other country and espionage, among others.
Although in a recent press conference, Foreign Affairs Minister, Louise Mushikiwabo, said that the problems between Rwanda and Uganda were being addressed in the interest of citizens of both countries.
“We cannot mistreat Ugandans, they are our relatives, we share a lot; we share history, we share blood. Many Ugandans are our relatives. To us that is very important.” she said.
The meeting is a follow up on the Addis Ababa talks of February, whose aim, included to find a solution to the tensions between the two countries.
According to a statement released by the African Union Commission, President Paul Kagame announced the support in Kigali yesterday during a meeting, with President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, the Chairperson of the Commission, and the Executive Secretary of the G5 Sahel, Maman Sidiko.
The meeting took place on sidelines of the Extraordinary Summit on the Continental Free Trade Area which took place on Wednesday.
“The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, wishes to commend President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Chairperson of the African Union, for his country’s contribution of one million US dollars in support of the operationalisation of the G5 Sahel joint force,” the statement reads.
Mahamat stressed that the contribution is a strong expression of solidarity with the G5 Sahel countries in their fight against terrorism and organized crime.
Also, Rwanda pledged to provide in-kind support.
The statement says that the financial contribution will be immediately available.
“The Chairperson of the Commission seizes this opportunity to appeal to member states to extend support to the G5 countries,” reads the statement.
The Sahel region is facing political instability involving a combination of rebellions, jihadist insurgencies, coups d’état, protest movements and illegal trafficking.
Nyirasafari was speaking yesterday to the Committee on Social Affairs and Human Rights and Petitions in the Senate.
In August 2016, Catholic Church banned all artificial contraceptives in affiliated health facilities saying that they negatively impact lives of users. However they urged for natural family planning control measures.
Nyirasafari said that Churches should understand that family planning is in the benefit of the country, and, whoever sees it to the contrary is not building the nation.
Senator Jean Damascène Ntawukuriryayo said the government has the power to change mindsets of the Catholic Church.
“These are partners who should change mindsets, the government should discuss with them so that they will understand the problem,” he said.
Speaking to the media, Nyirasafari urged Catholic Church community to choose ways which are better for them as the government encourages citizens to have children they are able to take care of.
Dubbed ‘Young Africa Works’, the project has two initiatives which are ‘Hanga Ahazaza’ with $50 million to promote economic opportunities, businesses and tourism, and ‘Leaders in Teaching’ which aims at teachers’ capacity building.
Speaking at the launch of the five-year project, MasterCard Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Reeta Roy said that the initiatives are the beginning of organization’s new strategy focused on youth employment.
“There has never been a more consequential time to come of age in Africa. Young people today are growing up with better access to education, health, technology and opportunities undreamed of by their grandparents and parents. It’s amazing to behold,” she said.
“A job is about so much more than money. It’s about dignity. When people have the dignity of work, they are invested in the future,” she added.
Speaking at the launch of the project, Prime Minister, Dr. Eduard Ngirente said that the new Pan-African strategy marks a new partnership between the Government of Rwanda and MasterCard Foundation.
“I am honored privileged to witness the launch of this new MasterCard Foundation Strategy. As it has been explained, this strategy has two significant initiatives: {To develop tourism and hospitality industry, and to improve quality of secondary education.} The initiatives are in line with Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation which was launched last year,” he said.
“In this National Strategy that aims at taking Rwanda beyond high income to high living standards by 2050, tourism and improved quality of education are among key priorities,” he added.
He said Rwandan Government appreciated the new initiative which is also aligned with the Africa’s broader transformation agenda as planned in the Africa Agenda 2063.
He promised Rwanda’s support to ensure the new partnership will remain strong and fruitful.
With $50 million Hanga Ahazaza Initiative, 30,000 people in tourism will be trained in ICT, good services delivery and access to finance services by small businesses.
The Leaders in Teaching Initiative will help to train teachers and school head teachers and over 250 students from secondary school will benefit from the initiative through Smart Classroom Programme.
Ms. Kyte was in Kigali for the three-day Sustainable Energy Forum for East Africa 2018 that kicked off on Monday.
In an exclusive interview with IGIHE on Tuesday, Kyte hailed the East African (EA) countries’ efforts towards providing universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy to their populations as set out in goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that must be achieved by the year 2030.
She, however, noted that EA’s 25% energy access is still among the lowest in the world because it started from a low base and urged the EA countries to set aggressive targets and to move at the highest speed to ensure that energy access goal is achieved earlier because it is a precondition for other goals to be achieved by 2030.
Kyte said there isn’t any reason the region cannot achieve the goal considering its energy resources and technical potentials, calling for contribution of all stakeholders including governments, development partners, private sector, civil society and every citizen.
{ {{Below are interview’s excerpts:
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{{IGIHE: How do you perceive the state of renewable energy in the East African region and Rwanda in particular compared to other parts of the world?}}
{{Kyte:}} There is good news and bad news for East Africa. The good news is that there is abundant renewable energy in the region: hydropower, geothermal, solar, wind, everything. There has been incredible innovation in East Africa particularly in helping low income people participate in economy. So the advance of using business models with renewable energy started in East Africa to inspire the world. The other part of the good news is that the East African countries are making incredible progress including in renewable energy sector in closing energy access gaps.
The bad news is that there is still a very long way to go. East Africa started the journey from a low base. It is still one of the parts of the world where energy access gap is the largest. We are not yet where we need to be, we need to move at big speed and scale to achieve the sustainable development goal 7. By energy access gap, I’m talking about one billion people in the world who do not have access to electricity, three billion people worldwide who don’t have access to the technology and fuels to cook cleanly.
The goal is to achieve universal energy access by 2030. In East Africa, the access is at 25%; so we have got a long way to go. It is however important to note that having energy access is important, but it is more important of what you can do with it.
{{What are the issues impeding effective development and use of renewable energy in this region and Rwanda in particular?
}}
When we think of sustainable energy, we think of three things happening at the same time. Energy system must be more efficient; so we have to use less power to do things. Secondly, we have universal access, everybody should have access. Thirdly, the energy mix should be cleaner; so there is need for more renewable energy.
In this forum, we are talking about what the East African governments can do to set more aggressive targets for energy efficiency and to improve the regulations and standards across the region. If East Africa has the same standards, that creates a bigger market for the private sector. Secondly, we are talking about what works for attracting investors in renewable energy for both the grid and off-grid. Thirdly, there is a lot of conversation about off-grid energy systems providing cheaper access to those people who do not have access. People in isolated areas, it is more likely that they will get affordable and reliable power from off-grid solutions like mini-grid or solar home systems.
Underpinning those three things is finance. Is finance available? Are the local banks lending enough into energy sector in particular to off-grid? Are the financial institutions supporting this sector enough? What can governments do? All this is being discussed.
{{What do you think of Rwanda’s higher focus on off-grid to achieve energy access by 2024?
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First of all, Rwanda has made incredible progress. When I first came to Rwanda (in 2008), people were talking aspirationally about Methane Gas from Kivu, about hydros on paper, about extending the grid, solar was an aspiration. Rwanda has now come a long way in a very short time. About grid or off grid, the leading countries in the world think about energy systems in an integrated way. So, there is no either or. There must be the grid, it must be as smart as possible, has to be efficient with no transmission losses, it has to be clean. And there must be mini-grids, solar, etc. So the consumer will choose what is better for them, but all must be made efficient and affordable. If the price is coming down, people can choose either grid or off-grid.
{{What do you think can make energy affordable to the most vulnerable people in East Africa?
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We are lucky that the energy technology has dropped in prices, at least by 75% in the last seven years. Prices of batteries for solar home systems have also dropped by 75%. There are many projects spreading solar home systems to rural communities here in Rwanda and government can step in with development partners to help set the prices affordable to the most vulnerable. We are even now looking at how we can provide renewable energy to displaced people, to refugee camps in countries like Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania because they host very large numbers of displaced people, the most vulnerable people in society.
The advance of technology makes it possible for the most vulnerable people to have access to power for, first, lighting and charging phones, then, to add appliances like television, refrigerators, etc; all this is thought about as a step towards economic prosperity and how to cook cleanly in a sustainable way. Here in Rwanda, you have got people who are innovating business models the rest of the world is looking at. For example, pellets for cooking. So, here in Rwanda, some of the things the world thinks can be solutions are happening, so it makes East Africa quite special.
About prices, it is good to understand what people can pay, to understand the market, understand what people will use energy for. Traditionally elsewhere in Africa, the focus was on subsidising the utility to make it very cheap perhaps cheaper than what can make the energy sustainable, only going for grid but without any support to off-grid. It is up to governments to balance grid and off-grid to give people access, not just rolling out the grid. It is about how the government approaches the problem because if energy is not affordable, people will not use it.
There is another issue; this is not an issue in Rwanda but it is an issue in other countries in East Africa: the social cost of dirty energy. Countries may not count the cost to their health systems, costs on people with respiratory diseases because of dirty energy. The good thing with renewable energy is that it does not pose those risks; it does not affect the way people breathe. So, by cutting off those costs, renewable energy becomes much cheaper.
{{What do you find as available potentials and opportunities that regional countries can exploit to develop their energy sector?
}}
EAC as a bloc can create a big market if members come together and will make it easier to achieve their goals. Governments should educate local financial institutions on supporting energy sector. The region has great solar capacity, great wind capacity, great geothermal capacity, hydro capacity and potential bio-fuels, the region has everything.
{{What should the regional governments do to provide affordable and sustainable energy to their populations?}}
For the families in the lowest income boundaries, it is the state’s responsibility to make sure the access to energy is established because that access will help with the family’s health, in the children’s education, etc; it is in the state’s interests. The poorest segment in the society can receive some assistance in paying electricity bills to maintain access; they can get subsidised on healthcare, meals, clean cook stoves and fuels.
{{Which role can private sector, civil society and each citizen play in the process?
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First of all, this region is ahead of many regions in the world in creativity and innovation, in private sector and civil society organisations (CSO) activities. So, you have got plenty of innovations providing energy services. The role of CSO is to keep government honest, to demand clean, affordable and reliable energy; to demand that the area is clean. Private sector needs a regulatory environment that allows investment to flow domestically from foreigners; good regulatory regime without changing tariffs; good subsidies, procurement regimes, etc. Private sector has to sell good products and government must ensure that the consumer is protected. When the three are together, there is no reason this region cannot meet its targets.
We believe that governments should set the targets for themselves to achieve universal energy access goal before 2030 because if you don’t meet the target, that means you don’t have healthcare, your education systems are not working well. So, we think countries should set targets to achieve energy access early because it is a precondition for the other goals to be achieved.
{{As the UN SG’s Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All, what’s your message to the region?
}}
My message is that there a lot of good things happening in the region, a lot of things that are working but we are not there yet; we need speed, we don’t need anyone behind. This region has the resource, has technical capacity to ensure that it doesn’t leave anyone behind. I now encourage everybody to check their ambition, to ensure that their ambition is high enough because I don’t think there is any reason this region cannot catch up and overtake the rest of the world.
Kagame who is also the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) was speaking this Wednesday while opening the 10th Extraordinary Summit of the African Union.
The Summit aimed at signing the agreement establishing Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Today’s agenda is to adopt the Agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area, as well as the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, and the Kigali Declaration, which expresses our unity in moving our continent forward,” Kagame said.
Taken together, these are surely to be counted among the most consequential actions that this Assembly has ever taken, he said.
The Continental Free Trade Area process was led by Niger President, Mahamadou Issoufou.
Kagame reminded that the Continental Free Trade Area is the culmination of a vision set forth nearly 40 years ago in the Lagos Plan of Action, adopted by Heads of State in 1980.
The undertaking, he said led directly to the Abuja Treaty establishing the African Economic Community in 1991.
“We continue to be guided by the foundational principles and detailed implementation roadmap that were laid down in those instruments,” he said.
Kagame said that among the most important guidelines is the pre-eminent role of Regional Economic Communities. He said they have been the model and the engine for Africa’s economic integration and they will continue to be.
He reminded that trade agreements cover many complex details. Behind the scenes, Commission staff, ministers, and technical experts put in countless days and nights of hard work. “This effort has paid off and we thank you,”
“What is at stake is the dignity and well-being of Africa’s farmers, workers, and entrepreneurs, particularly women and youth,” he noted.
Kagame said that the promise of free trade and free movement is prosperity for all Africans as they are prioritising the production of value-added goods and services that are “Made in Africa”.
“The advantages we gain by creating one African market will also benefit our trading partners around the world, and that is a good thing. At the same time, we will be in a better position to leverage our growing strength and unity to secure Africa’s rightful interests in the international arena,” Kagame told different Heads of States in the summit.
He noted that the act is not just a signing ceremony as deliberations are critically important along charting the next steps on continent’s journey towards the Africa we want.
At the summit different Heads of States and Governments signed and ratified the agreement.
CBA came as the 16th commercial bank on the local market and becomes the 11th owned foreign-owned bank in Rwanda.
At the end of 2016, CBA had got approval to operate in Rwanda as a micro-finance bank.
With headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya and 56 years of experience in financial sector, the bank operates in East African countries including Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda. It also operates in Ivory Coast. The bank’s total asset is $2.5 billion as by December 2017.
While launching the bank’s activities in Rwanda on Monday, CBA Group Managing Director, Desterio A. Oyatsi expressed great optimism on Rwandan market, as a country that has significantly economically developed and raised the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 7.2% from 2000 to 2017.
“That is why we observed long-term economic stability and we decided to invest in Rwanda. Until today, we have invested $9.5 million in Rwanda and will increase as we continue to expand our activities,” he said.
He said that the bank targets to use ICT services for all clients, with the ambition to dominate every market of the country they operate from.
In November 2012, CBA in partnership with Safaricom introduced M-Shwari, a programme which facilitated many clients in terms of saving and credit services in Kenya. The similar programme dubbed M-Pawa was introduced in Tanzania in partnership with Vodacom. Also the same programme was introduced in Ivory Coast.
“In 2016, we partnered with MTN in Uganda and launched MoKash which currently has over three million subscribers. In February last year, we extended our partnership with MTN and launched MoKash in Rwanda. We have reached a remarkable progress as we have 700,000 subscribers,” Oyatsi explained.
He said that they are committed to partner with Rwanda to achieve her goals. CBA investment in the country is in line with their targets to become the leading financial institution in Africa.
Central Bank Governor, John Rwangombwa said that there are opportunities on Rwandan market as there are a number of people who do not access bank services.
“CBA entered the market when the country committed to take financial services closer to people. As the 2016 financial scope shows, 89% of populations have access to financial services, 68% embraced reliable financial services, but, only 26% means 1.5 million people use bank services,” he explained.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Amb. Claver Gatete said that the commencement of CBA in Rwanda is a significant milestone in country’s financial sector.
“This event is also of great significance in the integration of the East African Community,” he said.
He said that the Government of Rwanda adopted Vision 2020 with the ultimate goal of transforming the country into a middle- income nation.
“In light of global shocks characterized by volatile commodity prices and financial market volatility resulting in massive capital outflows Africa needs strong and sound financial institutions to achieve its development agenda. The role of a developed financial sector towards economic growth and development is vital. The financial sector mobilizes savings and allocates credit across other sectors that are needed by private sector player,” he explained.
He said a developed financial sector provides not only payment services, but also enables firms and households to cope with economic uncertainties by hedging, pooling, sharing and pricing risks.
The event was also attended by Kenya’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Monica Juma who is in Rwanda for the African Union Summit.
