Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

This project was developed in collaboration with Rwandan polytechnic students, the FIA, and the Rwanda Automobile Club.

The event, held on Thursday December 12, 2024 at Kigali Convention Centre also saw the presence of President Paul Kagame and the President of the International Automobile Federation (FIA).

Harvey’s visit coincides with the ongoing General Assembly of the FIA, which will conclude on Friday, December 13, 2024. This marks his second visit to Kigali, following his first trip in November 2024.

During that earlier visit, Harvey engaged in discussions with President Kagame on potential investment opportunities in Rwanda’s events and entertainment sectors.

At the time, Harvey took to social media to share his admiration for Rwanda and President Kagame, saying, “We had the pleasure of sitting and meeting His Excellency my brother President Paul Kagame. I was truly inspired by his strength and humility. A testament to Rwanda’s resilience and acts of forgiveness.”

Known for his work on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Family Feud, Celebrity Family Feud, and his long-running role as the host of Miss Universe, Harvey’s career spans decades.

From his stand-up comedy days in the 1980s to his rise in the 2000s with The Original Kings of Comedy, he has become one of America’s most beloved personalities.

The two-day conference that started on Thursday, December 12, was organized by the International Centre for Tax and Development (ICTD) in partnership with Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) under the theme: “Towards a digital tax administration: Lessons learnt and directions for reform.”

Tax experts delved on adopting artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their systems.

Antoine Sebera, the Government Chief Innovation Officer at the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), emphasized the transformative role of AI highlighting Africa’s rapid digital transformation, with governments leveraging technology to bridge economic disparities, foster inclusion, and enhance public administration by streamlining bureaucratic processes and building trust.

In Rwanda, significant progress has been made in digital governance, with all essential government services now accessible online. The country aims to achieve universal access to e-government services by 2029.

Despite the advancements, Sebera said challenges persist in leveraging technology for tax administration. He observed that fragmented and incomplete data hinder accurate tracking and assessment of digital transactions, necessitating secure data-sharing mechanisms and interoperability. Additionally, deploying advanced tools for monitoring, analyzing, and enforcing tax compliance, he said, requires technological expertise and infrastructure.

“Building capacity in data analytics, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity is essential in overcoming these obstacles. Particularly, AI has a very big potential to revolutionize digital tax administration and governance in low-income countries,” Sebera said.

“AI can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of tax systems. For example, AI-driven tools can help identify patterns of tax evasion, optimize resource allocation and provide real-time support to the taxpayers,” he added.

He called for international partnerships with organizations and the private sector to address challenges hindering digitalization progress.

Sebera stressed that ethical and regulatory concerns, such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and accountability, should not be overlooked.

“Developing countries must establish robust legal frameworks and ethical guidelines to govern the use of AI in public administration. Infrastructure challenges, including reliable internet access, electricity, high-performance computing servers, and data centers must be addressed.

Rwanda has made significant progress in digitalizing its tax administration. Notable milestones include the introduction of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) ++ system in 2004, later upgraded to ASYCUDA World in 2012, which halved customs clearance times and saved $6.8 million annually in trade costs, according to the TradeMark East Africa. ASYCUDA is a computerized customs management system that covers most foreign trade procedures.

In 2011, Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) launched the E-Tax system to revolutionize tax filing and payments, reducing errors and administrative burdens. The 2013 introduction of Electronic Billing Machines (EBMs) enhanced VAT compliance and curbed tax evasion. The EBM2 system upgraded in 2017 provide real-time data capture and improved fraud prevention.

“Between 2017 and 2022, VAT collection increased by 61%, and income tax collection has surged by 95%. In 2021, income tax overtook PAYE as the second largest revenue contributor, driven by the use of EBM in every taxable activity, a policy initiated in 2020,” said the RRA Commissioner General, Ronald Niwenshuti.

Studies conducted by RRA and the Tax Administration Research Centre further demonstrate the impact of digital reforms. For example, VAT increased by 5.4% in tax-to-GDP ratio, and EBM2 adoption led to a 12% rise in VAT collection among new users. Firms using EBM-supported goods achieved an average revenue increase of $33,400 compared to non-users.

These advancements reflect Rwanda’s progress toward self-reliance, the RRA CG said. Today, domestic revenue fund over 54% of the national budget, up from 51.2% the previous year. “This aligns with national strategies such as Vision 2020, Vision 2050, and the National Strategy for Transformation,” Niwenshuti added.

Giulia Mascagni, the Executive Director of the International Centre for Tax and Development (ICTD), commended Rwanda’s leadership in digital tax transformation.

She highlighted the 10-year collaboration between ICTD and Rwanda, which has facilitated data sharing for rigorous research, policy analysis, and evaluation, contributing to improved revenue collection and taxpayer services.

Mascagni emphasized the importance of digitization in tax administration, which enabled the ICTD to explore emerging trends in digital financial services, mobile money, and their implications for tax administration.

“This conference is an opportunity to learn from one another and lay the foundation for the next decade of progress in digitizing tax administration and government services,” Mascagni concluded.

During the two-day conference, panelists will explore key elements related to Other data management and governance, digital inclusion, digital public infrastructure, improving data quality and integrity, digital payments, data exchange systems; and underscored the need for robust tax ecosystems that foster fairness and innovation.

The ICTD is a global research body on tax and development, particularly in low-income countries, providing governments with robust evidence to help them design and implement more effective and equitable tax systems.

The Head of State made these remarks during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Chief Justice, Domitilla Mukantaganzwa, and Deputy Chief Justice, Alphonse Hitiyaremye.

“Hoarding and misusing public resources that should serve the interests of Rwandans must end, and there is no better way to stop this than through justice,” President Kagame emphasized.

“I believe that if the laws and justice system we have are properly implemented, they can help us address these issues. […] We still have a long way to go but we are determined to get there, and as quickly as possible,” he added.

The President also acknowledged that the country’s setbacks stem from poor practices, stating, “If we unite to fight them, we can put an end to them, and our country will progress.”

The President reflected on Rwanda’s painful history of injustice, much of it shaped by divisive political dynamics that led to the loss of many lives.

Rwanda’s experienced dark past where over a million people were killed 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. This genocide resulted from decades of oppression and divisive politics, forcing many Rwandans into exile.

However, 30 years after the Genocide, Rwanda has risen from the ashes, transforming into a prosperous and resilient nation that serves as a beacon of hope and a role model for many countries worldwide.

Despite these remarkable strides, there are still individuals who harbor genocidal ideologies and continue to spread hate, and there have been reports of survivors of the Genocide being targeted and killed.

President Kagame emphasized that the path forward must be guided by the strict application of justice and the rule of law.

“There should be no substitute for justice, but where justice fails, other actions must follow,” he warned, reinforcing that the law must be the ultimate guide.

He also addressed those who continue to undermine the country’s progress, stressing the need for a collective effort to maintain peace and stability.

“There are still people who want to take us back to the past,” Kagame said, urging that those who attempt to reverse Rwanda’s progress be held accountable through justice.

The President called on leaders, especially in the judiciary, to continue building on the country’s achievements and to take further steps toward creating a more just and prosperous Rwanda.

After taking the oath of office, Mukantaganzwa thanked President Kagame for the trust placed in her and pledged to diligently fulfill her duties, working towards delivering fair and timely justice to Rwandans.

She reflected on the judicial reforms implemented after the Genocide against the Tutsi and emphasized the need for further improvements to ensure more efficient services.

Mukantaganzwa also vowed to build on the achievements of her predecessors, consolidate gains, and promote accountability and integrity as core values to uphold.

For over a decade, EAC member states have agreed on the need to implement a common currency to boost regional economic integration.

The initial target for launching the currency was set for 2024, but the timeline has now been extended by an additional seven years.

Speaking before parliamentarians recently, Rwangombwa highlighted the challenges surrounding the creation of the EAC currency, particularly the unresolved issue of where the EAC Central Bank should be based.

He noted that this disagreement has been a key factor in the delay, pushing the projected launch of the currency to 2031.

“There are several unresolved issues that need to be addressed, and one of the main challenges is that the member states have not yet agreed on the location of the East African Central Bank’s headquarters. However, we are hopeful that the establishment of the currency by 2031 will contribute positively to regional integration,” Rwangombwa explained.

A recent assessment placed Tanzania as the leading candidate to host the EAC Central Bank, with a score of 82.4%. Burundi followed with 78.1%, and Kenya scored 77.3%.

However, several countries in the region, including Kenya and Uganda, have expressed dissatisfaction with the report, claiming that the evaluation process lacked transparency.

Reflecting on the escalating violence and uncertainty following the fall of the Assad regime, the Pope urged the international community to seek a political solution that would bring lasting unity to the country without further exacerbating divisions.

During his weekly General Audience, held on the eve of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pope Francis spoke about the critical moment Syria is facing in its history.

According to Vatican News, he emphasized the importance of a resolution that would ensure the country’s stability and prevent additional conflict. The Pope also prayed for the people of Syria, hoping that they would soon be able to live in peace and security in their homeland.

In light of Syria’s shifting political landscape, particularly the rise of new leadership following the collapse of the Assad regime, Pope Francis entrusted the nation to the intercession of the Virgin Mary.

He prayed that Mary’s guidance would help Syrians move forward in peace, while also fostering greater cooperation and mutual respect among the country’s diverse religious communities, which include Sunni and Shia Muslims, as well as Christians.

As the situation in Syria continues to evolve, with the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) gaining ground, Pope Francis called for global prayers not only for Syria but also for peace in other regions affected by conflict, including Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, and Myanmar.

He urged the world to unite in prayer, hoping that a path to peace could be found and that stability might return to these troubled areas.

During a press briefing in Geneva on Wednesday, four Special Rapporteurs to the UN Human Rights Council called for greater international accountability for Israel’s actions, which they argue include excessive violence, humanitarian blockades, and the expansion of settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Margaret Satterthwaite, the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, condemned U.S. efforts to undermine the International Criminal Court through “unacceptable” threats, emphasizing that international justice must be applied fairly and without bias. “It’s time to end this double standard,” she stated.

Francesca Albanese, the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Palestine, highlighted the ongoing human rights violations, citing the high number of civilian casualties and attacks on UN personnel as examples of Israel’s systemic violations.

She also criticized the lack of action from the international community, which she believes has allowed Israel to operate with little consequence. “There are never sanctions on Israel,” Albanese remarked.

“Judicial processes are either ignored or circumvented, trade continues, and diplomatic ties remain intact. Member States seem paralyzed or awestruck, many of them still normalizing the occupation.”

Ben Saul, who specializes in human rights and counterterrorism, condemned Israel’s use of counterterrorism rhetoric to justify violence against Palestinians, noting the persistent dehumanization of Palestinians over the past year.

He called for thorough investigations into these actions and the end of impunity, pointing out that Israel’s actions have largely gone unchallenged by powerful states with the ability to influence change. He specifically called out the U.S. for not using its leverage as a key military supplier to Israel to address these violations.

Finally, George Katrougalos, a Special Rapporteur on promoting a just and equitable international order, warned that the continued lack of accountability for Israel’s actions risks creating a global system where some nations are immune to repercussions for violating international law.