As per figures released by the National Institute of Statistics (NISR), the service sector remained the main contributor with 48% of GDP followed by agriculture with 23% and industry with 21% of DGP while the remaining 7% is attributed to net tax on products.
Rwanda and the rest of the world continued to experience COVID-19 effects in 2021.
According to NISR, the economy was affected by several measures taken to limit spread of the pandemic, leading to negative GDP growth, in the second, third and fourth quarters in 2020. However, economic recovery measures were put in place leading the GDP to grow by 3.5% and 20.6% in Q1 and Q3 in 2021 respectively.
In the third quarter of 2021, the GDP grew by 10.1 percent compared to the same quarter in 2020.
NISR shows that most economic activities have recovered to pre-Covid-19 levels except few such as hotels and restaurants, transport activities, administrative and support services.
On the third quarter, the agriculture sector grew by 6%, industry by 12% while services grew by 11%.
In agriculture, food crops grew by 6% due to a good harvest of agricultural season B and C of 2021. The production of export crops increased by 2% due to an increase of 4.7% in the production of coffee and 9.1% in the production of tea.
In industry, construction activities increased by 15%, manufacturing activities grew by 7% due to a 6% in the increase in the production of processed foods and 32% increase in manufacturing of non-metallic products. Mining and quarrying increased by 30%.
In service sector, transport grew by 19%, hotels and restaurants grew by 62% following a decrease of 55% in the third quarter of 2020. Education activities grew by 140% compared to the same quarter of 2020 where schools were partially closed.
Financial services activities grew by 11%, information and telecommunication services grew by 14% while human health and social work activities increased by 5%.
The Smart Education Project aims to improve Rwanda’s education ICT infrastructure by building an education platform system and establishing a dedicated networks system, provide a solid foundation for digital teaching, education resources sharing, and teaching methods innovation and the education level improvement for Rwandan citizens.
Speaking after the signing of the framework agreement, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana said: “This support will contribute to Rwanda’s National Transformation Strategy with a particular focus on building a knowledge-based economy through providing quality education for all”.
Commenting on the development, the Ambassador of the Peoples’ Republic of China to Rwanda, Mr. Rao Hongwei said: “As Rwanda continues to place ICT at the center of education, China is more than happy to be part and offer our concrete help. I firmly believe that the Smart Education Project will contribute to the betterment of digital infrastructure in Rwanda’s education sector and provide a solid foundation for teaching and learning based on data and information. It will create a strong impetus to the development of education in a quality and balanced way, to the cultivation of talents, and ultimately to Rwanda’s social economic development”.
The Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Education is embarking on promotion of digital learning by increasing the number of schools connected to affordable internet connectivity and setting up a cost effective education content sharing system through “Smart Education”.
The project scope will focus on three main areas. These are dedicated education network, education data center as well smart campus and school network. The Project will connect 63 universities and higher learning institutions, and 1,437 schools from pre-primary to secondary and TVET schools.
China continues to be a strong development partner to Rwanda through continued support and cooperation in major sectors of the economy namely Transport, Agriculture, Health, Education and construction of Office buildings, among others.
The CPD training programs are being offered in primary and secondary schools in 17 districts across Rwanda through VVOB’s five-year program: Leading, Teaching and Learning Together (2017-2021), which is being implemented in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation’s Leaders in Teaching initiative.
The graduates are part of the second, third and fourth cohort out of four planned in the CPD certification and diploma courses offered by the University of Rwanda – College of Education (UR-CE) with VVOB’s support. VVOB and UR-CE together have delivered these certificate and diploma courses for system and school-based leaders and have provided opportunities for school leaders to encourage one another in supportive Professional Learning Communities (PLCs).
“We congratulate the 2500+ graduates that completed the CPD Diploma and certificate courses. This graduation represents a milestone in the professional careers of our district, sector and school leaders, who are now equipped to fulfil their key roles in improving the quality of teaching and learning in schools,” said Marianne Kiggundu, Country Programmes Manager for VVOB in Rwanda.
The graduates include Head Teachers, Deputy Head Teachers, District Directors and Officers of Education, Sector Education Inspectors, Teacher Training College (TTC) Tutors, School-Based Mentors, and School Subject Leaders for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
A diploma course in Effective School Leadership has equipped Head Teachers and Deputy Head Teachers with the competencies to fulfil their roles as school leaders.
A certificate course in Educational Mentorship and Coaching has provided School-Based Mentors and School Subject Leaders in STEM with effective tools and skills to facilitate professional development activities in schools.
At the same time, a certificate course in Educational Mentorship and Coaching is also offered to District Directors and Officers of Education, as well as the Sector Education Inspectors to equip them with the competencies to coach school leaders effectively, and to initiate and sustain professional learning communities of school leaders.
The training programs have boosted the confidence and skills of education actors and nurtured more positive attitudes.
School leaders feel more capable of effectively leading their schools, and School-Based Mentors, STEM Subject Leaders, and Sector Education Inspectors have more confidence in their coaching and mentoring skills.
“My participation in the CPD Programme equipped me with skills to collaborate more with teachers to ensure that students learn better,” Françoise Mukagatete, deputy head teacher at G.S Kabere Kamonyi district.
“The course I attended has changed how I support STEM teachers. Before, I lacked the skills. Before, mentoring and coaching wasn’t done properly, and we did not know how it should be done. Now, due to the training, we know what it is, how to do it and, as a result, we see improved quality of teaching,” said STEM School Subject Leader at G.S Nyinawimana, Gicumbi district.
Ultimately, the goal of the Leading, Teaching and Learning Together (LTLT) program and the Leaders in Teaching initiative was to improve learning outcomes in basic education through enhanced school leadership and teaching so young people have opportunities to find work or create their own businesses.
“Teachers are at the heart of the education system and ensuring their professional development is how we make sure that our students are educated with up-to-date methods,” says Rica Rwigamba, Rwanda Country Head of the Mastercard Foundation.
The LTLT program ran from January 2017 until December 2021, covering all primary schools in six districts and all secondary schools in 14 districts.
{{By the end of 2021:}}
• 809 Head teachers, 545 of Deputy Head teachers and 20 district officials have been trained on Effective School Leadership.
• 228 Sector Education Inspectors, 1,253 School-Based Mentors, and 1,522 STEM School Subject Leaders and Math School Subject Leaders have been trained in Educational Mentorship and Coaching.
• In primary education, the program also trained 48 of Teacher Training College tutors in Educational Mentorship and Coaching with a specific focus on induction programs for new teachers.
• The majority of the sectors have now formed Professional Learning Communities and every targeted school now organizes at least two Communities of Practice (CoP) sessions per year.
Commenting on the development, Dr. Alphonse Uworwabayeho, senior lecturer at UR-CE and LTLT programme coordinator said: “I am proud and privileged to say that the UR-CE/VVOB programme left behind a lasting impression. The academic staff who were involved in this programme are now more knowledgeable and better equipped in their respective responsibilities. Before this programme was introduced, there was no continuous professional development programmes in our college. It is VVOB which initiated it and we are very grateful for that.”
Through these improved CPD support systems, thousands of other teachers and students have been reached indirectly. To learn more about the impact of the LTLT program in Rwanda, download our endline evaluation report.
{{About VVOB}}
VVOB – education for development is an international non-profit organisation with over 35 years of experience in quality education. Through capacity development, VVOB provides support to ministries of education in Africa, Asia and South America to improve (initial) professional development of teachers and school leaders in early childhood, primary, general secondary, and technical and vocational education.
For more information on VVOB, please visit: www.vvob.org
{{About the University of Rwanda UR-CE}}
The University of Rwanda-College of Education (UR-CE) is a specialized institution in teacher education with academic, assessment and certification of all teachers at secondary school level.
For more information on UR-CE, please visit: https://ce.ur.ac.rw/
{{About the Mastercard Foundation}}
The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. It is one of the largest, private foundations in the world with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. The Foundation was created by Mastercard in 2006 as an independent organization with its own Board of Directors and management. For more information on the Foundation, please visit: www.mastercardfdn.org
The certification cements the Bank’s commitment to prioritising customer safety and satisfaction. ISO 20000 is proof that the Bank’s service management system is robust enough in the delivery of all IT-related services and is also aligned with its current and future needs.
In his remarks while receiving the certification, Equity Banks Managing Director, Hannington Namara noted that the recognition from the BSI was a testament to the Bank’s investment in IT systems and infrastructure to meet and exceed the ever-changing needs of the customer.
“Technology is the backbone of the services we deliver, and this is why we strive to achieve global standards when it comes to the systems, we deploy to serve the needs of our customers in an increasingly digital world. This ISO 20000 certification assures our customers that we have in place appropriate governance to safeguard customer privacy and security,” said Namara.
Other goals for ISO 20000 on service management include protecting revenue flow into the business by providing stable IT services, meeting the Bank’s obligations to stakeholders, including its customers, regulators, shareholders and suppliers, and lastly making IT a business enabler.
While ensuring the Bank has better defined and better-aligned services, increased visibility and control, the service management system also provides a structured framework for setting IT service management objectives, processes, and outlines responsibilities for key stakeholders.
{{About Equity Bank Rwanda}}
Equity Bank Rwanda began its operations in 2011 and is registered as a commercial bank by the National Bank of Rwanda. The Bank has its Head Office located in Kigali, with a foot-print of 15 branches and is supported by 3173 agents, 1861 merchants and a network of 22 ATMs.
Equity Bank Rwanda is a subsidiary of Equity Group Holdings Plc, a financial services company listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Uganda Securities Exchange, and Rwanda Stock Exchange. In addition to Equity Bank Rwanda, the Group has banking subsidiaries in, Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, DRC, and a Commercial Representative Office in Ethiopia. It has other subsidiaries in investment banking, insurance, telecom, fintech and social impact investments.
Equity Group is the largest bank in the region in assets of Kshs 1.12 trillion (USD 11.2 billion). It is also the biggest bank in deposits, market capitalization of USD 2billion and with a customer base of over 15 million customers. The Group has a footprint of 337 branches, 58,756 Agents, 34,941 Merchants, 691 ATMs and an extensive adoption of digital banking channel.
The Banker Top 1000 World Banks 2021 ranked Equity Bank 754 overall in its global ranking, 62nd in soundness (Capital Assets to Assets ratio), 55th in terms of Profits on Capital and 20th on Return on Assets. The Banker’s Top 100 African Banks 2020 placed the Bank in position 7 overall among the top 10 Banks in Africa, 5th place on soundness, position 9 on growth performance, 8th on return on risk and position 6th in terms of profitability and on leverage category.
In the same year, Moody’s gave the Bank a global rating of B2 with a negative outlook same as the sovereign rating of the Kenyan government due to the Bank’s strong brand recognition, solid liquidity buffers and resilient funding profile, established domestic franchise and extensive adoption of digital and alternative distribution channels. Equity Group Holdings Plc is regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya.
The Western region Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, said that Ngendahayo was arrested red handed attempting to sneak the bundle of narcotics into the country from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“Ngendahayo was arrested at about 9pm when security officers on patrol saw him with a sack and stopped him. After searching his luggage they found it contained cannabis weighing 31kgs,” said CIP Karekezi.
He warned drug dealers that the majority of the tricks they use have been unearthed and the existing working relations with the public has eased the information flow on dealers.
The suspect and exhibits were handed over to RIB at Bugeshi station for further investigation.
Art 3 of the Ministerial order nº 001/moh/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorisation classifies cannabis in the category of “very severe narcotics.”
Article 263 of the law No. 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offences and penalties in general states that any person who, unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, commits an offence.
In case of “very severe narcotic drugs” the offender is liable to between 20 years and life imprisonment and a fine of between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.
The Hydroponic System is a system of growing crops without soil, often called soilless farming. In hydroponic farming and hydroponic systems, the soil is replaced with nutrient-rich water.
YEAN in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation is conducting a pilot phase on a soilless farming-hydroponic farming system that is believed to be more efficient and productive on a small land.
The CEO of YEAN, Etienne Niyigaba has told IGIHE that this farming system helps farmers to yield big on a small area with a sustainable investment.
“Every committed farmer with enough or a small budget can make it depending on exploited land size. Besides, it is very promising for high yields,” he said.
“We work with the Mastercard Foundation for the pilot phase of this project in Rwanda, implementing capacity building programs among the youth equipping them with the necessary skills to embrace the farming system. Creating innovations in agriculture should go hand in hand with job creation and venturing into market-oriented agriculture,” Niyigaba observed.
As he explained, they are currently working together on the “Rwanda Hydroponic Project” to promote the hydroponic technology that could provide opportunities for job creation, climate change adaptation, and food security for the Rwandan youth.”
Cecile Niyireba, an agronomist at YEAN, has said that working with the institution has improved her skills in advanced practices of soilless farming shared with other farmers.
“We also trained the youth on best ways to yield high on a small land,” she noted.
A student at the University of Lay Adventists of Kigali (UNILAK), Gentille Uwimbabazi pledged to make good use of acquired skills.
“We have been familiar with crops grown on soil but the new farming system is very unique and interesting. As a university student who benefitted from the training, I have developed interest in applying the farming method because it has proven to be successful and produces high yields,” she revealed.
Dioscore Shikama, the CEO of Food Bundles, a company that supplies agricultural produce explained that buyers are delighted with the quality and natural taste of food products obtained from such farming systems.
Through this project, YEAN and Uruhimbi Kageyo Cooperative (UKC) built demonstration fields where farmers are acquainted with best techniques in horticulture and the growing of fodder. So far, the project has trained 50 youth of whom 70% are female.
Agriculture accounts for 31 percent of Rwanda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and remains the main source of income for the majority of Rwandans occupying 70% of the labor. The youth constituting the majority of Rwanda’s population are strongly encouraged to tap into opportunities available in the sector to spur their economic growth and contribute to national development.
{{About the Mastercard Foundation}}
The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work.
It is one of the largest, private foundations in the world with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. The Foundation was created by Mastercard in 2006 as an independent organization with its own Board of Directors and management. For more information on the Foundation, please visit: www.mastercardfdn.org
They visited the Campaign Against Genocide Museum at the parliamentary building in Kimihurura and the National Heroes’ Mausoleum in Remera, both in Gasabo District.
At the Campaign Against Genocide Museum, they were given a deep understanding on the liberation struggle and the fight against the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
They were explained on how the Genocide was planned, organized and executed by the then ruling government and the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) struggle to stop it between April 7 and July 4, to liberate the country.
One of the students, Inspector of Police(IP) Heldion Ndayisabye said that he benefited crucial information from the visit.
“I learnt the impact of the national leadership to the life of country and its people. We have seen how the RPF decision saved many lives. It is a journey that shows the role of the youth and the citizens in general in protecting such achievements,” said IP Ndayisabye.
Sub-Inspector of Police, Mercy Sungani Chimata, one of the two Police officers who joined the course at NPC from Malawi said that it is educative to have visited the campaign Against Genocide Museum to understand the difference between good and bad leadership.
At the National Heroes’ Mausoleum, the Police students laid wreaths in honour of national heroes.
He was accused of abusing power and being a matchmaker in bribery scandal.
Dr. Munyakazi was not presented as the court read the ruling on Wednesday 15th December 2021.
He is co-accused with Abdu Gahima, a local businessman and owner of Good Harvest School, a private school located in the Kicukiro District.
Nyarugenge Intermediate Court had sentenced Dr. Munyakazi for ten years and slapped him Rwf10 million fine on 16th October 2021 while Gahima was given five-year sentence and slapped Rwf2 million fine.
The ruling read on Wednesday saw the sentence handed to Munyakazi reduced by half.
Among others, the court rejected Gahima’s appeal and maintained his five-year jail term while the fine was reduced to Rwf 1.5 million.
Nshimiyimana was arrested in Muhima Sector of Nyarugenge District following the foul-play detected by the camera system and related investigations, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rene Irere, the spokesperson for Traffic and Road Safety (TRS) department said.
“The suspect was arrested after it was established that he changed his vehicle registration numbers from RAE 710F to RAE 718P. He used a marker pen to change figure 0 to 8 and modified letter F to become P. This was an intentional criminal practice to attempt to conceal the plate numbers from being detected by the cameras and fined for speeding,” said SSP Irene.
According to SSP Irere, Nshimiyimana committed the alleged criminal act on November 27, when he drove from Rubavu District to Kigali.
“A long Rubavu-Kigali route, he was captured 10 times by the cameras for speeding. Let motorists know that these are hi-tech cameras which facilitate to detect such criminal practices and to identify suspects to face the law,” SSP Irere warned.
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.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five (5) years but not more than seven (7) years and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.
Maj Gen Chume was accompanied by other Generals including Maj Gen M Nposso, the Head of Civil Military Cooperation and Brig Gen Niba, Head of Intelligence under the Ministry of Defence.
Upon arrival on 14th December 2021, he was welcomed by Rwanda Security Forces-Joint Task Force Comd Maj Gen Innocent Kabandana at JTF HQ accompanied by Brig Gen Pascal Muhizi, the Task Force BG Comd.
The Minister and his delegation were briefed on the current operations by Rwanda Security Forces (RSF) in the Area of Operations in Cabo Delgado.
Majj Gen Chume said the purpose of his visit was to thank RSF and other forces in the theatre operations for their contribution to the overall success in Joint Operations while he was Army Commander.
He further pledged continued commitment to enable the RSF to accomplish its mission.
Chume also appreciated the work done in Cabo Delgado by the RSF-Officers and Men, and thanked them for supporting Mozambique to fight the terrorists.
He stressed that the collaboration between Rwanda Security Forces and Forças Armadas de Defensa de Moçambique (FADM) was excellent.
Rwandan troops were deployed to Cabo Delgado Province on the request of the Government of Mozambique which sought assistance to quell insurgents that had captured the northern part of the country.
So far, Rwandan troops in collaboration with Mozambicans and SADC forces have repulsed the insurgents that had occupied the area for more than four years.
