The company attributed the profit to the growth in beer volume, which increased by 5.9%, driven by higher sales of Amstel, Heineken, and Turbo King.
Soft drinks volume also increased by 31.6% versus the previous year, due to the full reopening of the market, events, and the revamping of the non-alcoholic beverages route to consumers.
In total, Bralirwa generated revenues worth Rwf157.6 billion, a 27.6% increase compared to the previous year’s Rwf123 billion.
The company produced 2,318,000hl of beverages in 2022, compared to 2,076,000hl in 2021. Bralirwa’s capital expenditure in 2022 also increased to Rwf29.4 billion, up from Rwf10.4 billion in 2021.
The impressive financial results demonstrate Bralirwa’s continued growth and success in the Rwandan market.
The company has been able to capitalize on the reopening of the market and events, as well as its efforts to revamp its non-alcoholic beverages route to consumers.
The company’s investment in capital and product portfolio expansion positions it well for long-term success in the Rwandan beverage market.
Overall, Bralirwa’s impressive financial results demonstrate the company’s continued growth and success in the Rwandan market, as well as its ability to adapt and grow in a challenging market.
Masaka Hospital was built in 2013 on the funding of the People’s Republic of China.
The government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Health is implementing the renovation and expansion of Masaka district hospital project under the financing of the Chinese Government.
Masaka District hospital is set to be expanded, renovated and be used to house the current Kigali University Teaching Hospital (CHUK).
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Thursday 30th March 2023.
Despite the groundbreaking ceremony held today, Construction works that have been going on for two months are being undertaken by Chinese firm, Shanghai Construction Group Co. Ltd.
The project is expected to cost Rwf85 billion upon completion.
The project implementation agreement was signed on 6th April 2020, by the Government of Rwanda represented by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, (MINECOFIN), Ministry of Health and Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) whereas the Chinese Government was represented by the Agency for International Economic Cooperation and the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China.
The project expected to be completed by July 2025, includes the scale up of the hospital capacity to receive 2,000 patients per day whereas the number of beds will be increased to 837.
CHUK hospitalizes around 400 patients.
The hospital shall also include the outpatient and emergency building with the emergency, pediatric and infectious departments in the building.
Some technological tools shall also be introduced in the renovated health facility, which includes the Air compressor room, Oxygen Generator Station, radiology department, blood bank and laboratory department, central sterile supply department, ultrasound and functional examination rooms among others.
Premier Ngirente has expressed his gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for partnering with the government of Rwanda on this vital project. He noted that the two countries have a strong foundation, and this project is yet another testament to their excellent relations.
Dr. Ngirente highlighted the significance of the hospital’s renovation and expansion, saying that it will further enhance the capacity to provide advanced healthcare services to the citizens of Rwanda. “Infrastructures like this one are a great contribution to our vision, to develop specialties, subspecialities and train much needed health professionals in a short time,” he remarked.
The Prime Minister also pointed out that similar efforts are being deployed in other projects for different national referral hospitals such as King Faisal Hospital, Kanombe Hospital, and others.
He added that the Masaka Hospital project complements other strategic health services in the catchment area, including IRCAD Africa, the Heart Center, and other projects that will significantly transform lives and the city into a major health hub. “This is our target,” he emphasized.
Dr. Ngirente once again expressed his gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for partnering with Rwanda in undertaking this important project.
“I hope we shall convene here soon for the inauguration of the hospital,” he said,
eliciting applause from the attendees. The groundbreaking ceremony was a significant milestone in the development of healthcare infrastructure in Rwanda, and all present looked forward to the completion of the project.
The Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda, Wang Xuekun extended his congratulations to the Government of Rwanda and its people on the commencement of the project.
Amb. Wang highlighted the significance of the project, stating that it is one of the largest China-aided projects in Rwanda, to which President Xi Jinping and President Paul Kagame have attached great importance.
He added that the project marks a milestone in health infrastructure cooperation between the two countries.
The Ambassador praised the strong friendship between China and Rwanda that has existed for more than half a century, despite the vast geographic distance between the two countries.
He noted that since the exchange of visits between the two presidents in 2017 and 2018, fruitful cooperation in various fields has been significantly expanded.
Health is a priority direction of their cooperation, and China has already dispatched 22 medical teams and more than 270 Chinese doctors to Rwanda since 1982.
Amb. Wang expressed his appreciation to President Kagame, Prime Minister Ngirente, and other Rwandan leaders for their care and attention.
He also thanked the relevant departments and Chinese companies, including Shanghai Construction Group, for their strong support, kind cooperation, and hard work in making the project possible. Among others, he expressed confidence that they would deliver a quality project to the Government and People of Rwanda in a timely manner.
Amb. Wang also reaffirmed China’s commitment to working with Rwanda to promote the well-being of its people, and to support the development of Rwanda.
He expressed his belief that with their joint efforts, the cooperation in health will make even greater achievements, benefiting both countries and peoples. Amb. Wang wished the project a success and hoped that the cooperation and relation between China and Rwanda would get closer and lead to more tangible results.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana also commended China for being a close partner in the development of Rwanda’s health sector.
According to released figures, the number of vehicles involved in road accidents has significantly increased in recent years.
In 2020, there were 6,351 accidents but the number increased to 14,591 accidents, and reached a new record in 2022 with 17,179 accidents.
This constant increase in the number of accidents is a hindrance to the profitability of the insurance sector, as pointed out by the Governor of BNR, John Rwangongwa.
This situation is mainly due to the high number of accidents involving motorcycles, which now exceed those involving cars, according to the Vice Governor of BNR, Soraya Hakuziyaremye.
However, despite these challenges, the Vice Governor emphasized that other aspects of the insurance sector were stable and profitable.
It is clear that authorities need to take measures to reduce the number of road accidents in Rwanda. These measures could include awareness campaigns, stricter speed controls, and tougher actions against reckless drivers.
In the meantime, insurance companies in the country will have to deal with these high costs, which could impact insurance premiums and insurer profits.
The EAC’s sub-regional single currency project is still ongoing, but progress has been sluggish. During their recent meeting in Bujumbura, Burundi, the central bank governors discussed this critical issue.
They disclosed that the sub-regional single currency project, in the form of a monetary union, should be implemented in 2024 based on an ad-hoc schedule that extends to 2031.
John Rwangomba, the Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, has told members of press that the governors were exploring alternative ways to use currency convertibility within the EAC. They are studying a process to enhance effective money transfers between central banks.
However, as the Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda explained, establishing the single currency project is taking time due to various reasons at the EAC level.
Before member countries can unite to establish a single currency, certain measures must be taken, such as economic integration.
During his visit on 29th March 2023, the was received by the Rwanbatt-1 Contingent Commander, Lt Col Gilbert Ndayisabye, Contingent Commander Rwanda Aviation Unit, Lt Col Dan Musafiri and Staff Officers.
He was briefed on current security situation in South Sudan and nature of operating environment before he got to interact with troops.
Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi conveyed a message from Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and Commander-in- Chief of the Rwanda Defence Force and the entire RDF leadership thanking them for fulfilling their tasks, discipline and professionalism portrayed while in mission area.
He further briefed them on current security situation in Rwanda and current relations between Rwanda and neighbouring countries.
Maj Gen V Nyakarundi urged the force to maintain discipline and remain determined in accomplishing their daily tasks.
Currently, Rwanda deploys three contingents under the UN mandate in different parts of South Sudan and an Aviation Unit (RAU).
According to Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence, they were warmly received by the commander of the Rwandan Security Forces Joint Task Force, Maj Gen E Nkubito, who briefed them on the current security situation in the area of responsibility of the joint Mozambique and Rwandan Security Forces.
Amb. Antonino Maggiore praised the outstanding collaboration between the joint forces in their efforts to pacify Cabo Delgado province.
He also lauded their provision of social services, including medical assistance to local residents and pledged to advocate for NGOs to provide additional humanitarian aid to the people who are returning to their homes.
As per reports by USA newspapers, the incident which occurred on Thursday, March 30th, claimed the lives of nine people who were participating in the training exercise at the time of the accident.
The victims’ identities had not yet been disclosed, by press time, pending notification of their families.
The military authorities have confirmed that their planes were responsible for the collision, and an investigation has been launched to determine the precise circumstances surrounding the accident.
The tragic incident has shocked the nation, and the military community is mourning the loss of their comrades.
At the same event, the Chinese medical team and Rwandan doctors also held a virtual meeting on anesthesiology with doctors from the People’s Hospital in northern China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to share ideas and best practices on administering anesthesia and managing pain during surgical procedures.
The free clinic provided much-needed medical care to those who may not have had access to it otherwise. Hundreds of local patients turned up for the free clinic, where they received medical care, including blood pressure checks, glucose and cholesterol screenings, as well as consultations with healthcare professionals on their health concerns.
“We celebrated China Anesthesia Week with the goal of educating the local people in Rwanda on different types of anesthesia and how to manage pain, particularly for mothers in labor and those undergoing surgery. This will help them effectively minimize pain on a large scale,” Zhao Shangjun, chief of the Chinese medical team, told Xinhua in an interview.
He said the free clinic was attended by local patients who had medical checkups to determine their overall health and identify potential risks for diseases they may not be aware of.
“Our healthcare professionals were available to answer questions about health, painless delivery, and anesthesiology to help our patients receive the best care possible,” added Zhao.
He also said the anesthesia week was celebrated to educate local doctors on pain management techniques and painless delivery options for pregnant mothers.
According to him, the Chinese medical team is determined to help Rwandan doctors know various anesthesiology techniques.
“I came here for medical treatment and noticed the free exercise of measuring blood pressure among patients. Since I have chronic high blood pressure, I decided to take measurements. It’s a great initiative that has enabled us to know our health status,” Gisele Cyubahiro, one of the patients who attended the free clinic, told Xinhua.
“The free clinic has been a great opportunity for specialist doctors like the Chinese medical team to help us understand our health status,” she said.
Speaking to Xinhua at the event, Lambert Nzivugira, an anesthetist and physicist at Masaka Hospital, said the free clinic and the anesthesia week are a great opportunity for the local doctors to learn more about Chinese medical technology.
“Today, we are participating in an activity organized by the Chinese medical team to celebrate China Anesthesia Week. As local doctors working with the Chinese, we are also celebrating the week by conducting a free clinic that offers consultations to patients,” Nzivugira said. “We greatly appreciate the partnership between the two sides. The Chinese medical team has been very helpful in many ways, they are our friends, and we work together in a good working environment, sharing skills through daily work and training.”
Through the partnership, the local doctors have learned many things in their careers, acquired knowledge and skills, and the patients are pleased with activities like the free consultations provided, said Nzivugira.
Over the years, Chinese doctors have treated local people, relieved their illnesses, exchanged ideas with Rwandan counterparts, and disseminated experience and technology.
As a demand-side solution, it can complement supply-side approaches including improved regulation and consumer protection which ensure that investors are protected, well-informed, and treated fairly. It may also be used as a means of encouraging formal savings for those excluded from financial services.
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN), through the Capital Market Authority (CMA) in close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MINAFFET), started a new public education and awareness program targeting the Rwandan communities living abroad to consider saving and investment opportunities available back home through the Rwandan capital markets.
So far, Rwandans living in 30 diplomatic missions from across Africa, Europe, America, Asia, and the Pacific are being reached out progressively through this particular campaign.
These sessions are being conducted virtually under the theme: “Promoting the savings and investment culture through the Rwandan capital market within the Rwandan community living abroad.” and among facilitators include the Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE), Rwanda National Investment Trust (RNIT), BK Capital and stock brokerage firms.
With the continued development of the capital market industry, some Rwandan companies have started enjoying the benefit of considering the Rwandan capital market as a venue to raise long-term funding for their businesses. The ongoing education and awareness programme will, among others, contribute to increased participation of the Rwandan investor base in different available capital market products.
Magnifique Migisha, the Coordinator of the ongoing public education and awareness programme at the Rwanda’s Capital Market Authority, stressed that the capital market helps to tap into savings from Rwandans living abroad communities looking for local investment opportunities, and it is the best place for them to invest in the future.
“When you buy a share of stock, you are actually buying ownership into a living company. Over time, these companies will release more products, gain more customers, increase earnings, acquire other companies, and grow,” explained Migisha.
Migisha added that “We encourage the Rwandan community living abroad to embrace the savings and investment culture by growing the country’s economy through participating in long-term investments through the Rwandan capital markets.
CMA has committed to running education and awareness campaigns motivating the Rwandans living abroad to save and invest through Rwanda’s capital market, whereby the public education initiatives are meant to bridge the financial literacy gap to facilitate an interactive and educative forum to enable them to start saving and investing through the local capital market.”
The National Strategy for Transformation (NST1) puts emphasis on increasing domestic savings and positioning Rwanda as a hub for financial services while promoting investments through financial sector development.
Sandrine Maziyateke Uwimbabazi, Director of Rwanda Community Abroad (RCA) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MINAFFET) noted that “The Rwandan Community Abroad (RCA) Department facilitates in encouraging all Rwandans living abroad to contribute to program implementation through MINAFFET by liaising with embassies and High Commission and RCA associations representatives.”
“The Government of Rwanda realized the important role that the Rwandan Community Abroad (RCA) can play in the development of the country. Besides the well-known role of remittances, they can act as a catalyst in bringing innovation, creating businesses, trade, and Investment as well as skills and knowledge transfer which can be an added value to the national economy,” stressed Uwimbabazi.
She added that “It is fundamental and important for the Ministry to engage and organize sustainable strategic programs and mechanisms to facilitate our RCA who are willing to contribute to their homeland in the social economic transformation journey. This focus is usually recognized on economic contributions, however, there is also increasing evidence of non-economic contributions to image building, good governance, knowledge transfers, and capacity building.”
Eric Sangwa who resides in New Zealand and participated in this campaign, noted, “We are so glad to learn a lot about Rwanda’s capital market through this campaign. Investing in the Rwandan market helps to maintain connections and ties to our mother country.”
He added, “Investing in the Rwandan capital market can provide diaspora communities with a way to support economic development in their home countries, as well as a way to potentially earn financial returns on their investments.”
The private domestic savings rate is projected to increase from 12.1% in 2017 to 23.9% by 2024.
The introduction of innovative savings mobilization schemes is one of the enablers to achieve the anticipated target. Currently, there are two collective investment schemes: “RNIT Iterambere Fund” operated by Rwandan National Investment Trust (RNIT), and “Aguka Unit Trust Fund” operated by BK Capital.
He was arrested in Rugenda I village, Rubona cell by traffic officers, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) René Irere, the spokesperson for traffic and road safety department, said.
“The forged driver’s license indicated that he had category A for a motorcycle and B for a vehicle. However, traffic officers realized that the photo on his license and that on the the national identity card were not matching, but again, when we checked in the system, we found that it was not registered, leading to his immediate arrest over forgery,” SSP Irere said.
Article 276 of the law determining offences and penalties in general states that any person, who in any manner, forges or alters documents by forged signature or fingerprint, falsifying documents or signatures or impersonation, forging agreements, its provisions, obligations, or discharged obligations, commits an offence.
Any person who, with fraudulent intention, produces a false written document, causes to write false statements or produces a conflicting declaration, is considered to commit the offence of forgery.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years but not more than seven years and a fine of not less than Frw3 million and not more than Frw5 million or only one of these penalties.
“These are continuous operations to enforce traffic rules and regulations and to particularly arrest anyone holding a forged road traffic related document,” SSP warned.
