The firm reports that Rwanda has overtaken Tanzania and Kenya to offer the cheapest rates in the region comprising eight member states.
Data published by the firm shows that residents of Rwanda are paying a monthly average of $43.22 for broadband internet this year, down from $60.96 last year. This translates to a 29.1% year-on-year drop in the prices.
Conversely, Tanzania, which previously topped the affordability chart, has seen a slight increase in average costs, now at $43.44 per month. Meanwhile, Kenya’s broadband prices have dipped slightly from $49.13 to $47.73 per month.
This shift in internet rates reflects a competitive landscape where consumer prices are directly shaped by market forces and regional rivalry.
Rwanda has in recent years adopted advanced technologies and infrastructure improvements that reduce internet costs. Both public and private investments in fiber optic networks and innovations in mobile internet technology have contributed to lower prices. The government has also encouraged competition among service providers, which often leads to lower costs for consumers.
The cost of broadband internet remains high in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), averaging $304.57 and $170.97, respectively.
In Uganda, the average cost of broadband internet is $52.59, whereas in Somalia, it is slightly higher at $54.58.
Meanwhile, residents of Sudan continue to pay the lowest monthly broadband internet rates globally, at $2.40, despite the country’s infrastructure limitations.
“Despite poor telecommunications infrastructure and improving take-up of mobile broadband services, where available, fixed-line broadband remains cheap in Sudan, if not particularly affordable by the general population,” Cable said.
Other countries on the top 10 list include Argentina ($5.17), Belarus ($7.03), Ukraine ($7.35), Egypt ($8.31), Romania ($8.60), Vietnam ($8.72), and Kazakhstan ($9.08).
The top three performers from the Rwanda Series grand finale will secure their spots to compete in the regional NCBA Golf Series grand finale at Muthaiga Golf Club in Kenya.
Marking a significant milestone for both NCBA Group and Rwanda’s golfing community, the series underscores the bank’s commitment to supporting sports development and contributing to the nation’s economic growth.
“We are thrilled to introduce the NCBA Golf Series, a testament to our dedication to Rwanda’s sports progress,” said Diana Mukunde, the Head of Corporate Banking at NCBA Rwanda.
Golf as a sport, is a unifying activity that bridges diverse communities through shared play, promoting physical health and mental well-being. It offers cardiovascular benefits, stress relief, and fosters social interactions across various demographics.
“Golf is more than a sport; it’s a platform for networking, community building, and economic advancement. We are thrilled to have NCBA supporting the game and spreading it to those who don’t know about it,” said Marcel Byusa, the President of Kigali Golf Club.
The series provides a unique opportunity for NCBA to enhance brand visibility and customer engagement while positioning itself as a key player in the local business and sporting communities.
“Beyond sports and business, golf embodies health, wellness, etiquette, and discipline. We are proud to have this partnership that will take golf to the next level in Rwanda and the region,” affirmed Andrew Kulayije, Captain of Kigali Golf Club.
Building on the success of its golf series in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, NCBA aims to replicate the game’s development in Rwanda.
As the fastest-growing subsidiary in the region, NCBA Rwanda’s participation in the series highlights its commitment to expanding its footprint and fostering community engagement.
Sports sponsorship is central to NCBA Group’s sustainability vision, aligning with its goal of driving economic and social progress. By positioning the golf series as an annual event on Rwanda’s sporting calendar, NCBA aims to make a lasting impact on the country’s golfing landscape.
Tebogo won Botswana’s first-ever Olympic gold medal by finishing first in the men’s 200-meter race on Thursday night. The 21-year-old also made history as the first African to win the 200-meter sprint at the Olympics.
“President of the Republic of Botswana, hereby declares to the nation, that he has found it a fitting tribute to Mr. Letsile Tebogo, “Botswana’s Sensation”, to grant Batswana and residents an afternoon day-off, on this very day, Friday the 9th August, 2024,” a statement from the Office of the President reads in part.
The Botswana Head of State noted that Tebogo’s impressive performance deserves a special pause to recognize his triumph in a unique way.
“The President underscores, recognises and acknowledges Letsile’s performance and achievement as markedly outstanding, and deserving of the nation to pause and celebrate him in a most unique, appropriate and responsible manner, that will be etched in the annals of the history of the Republic,” the statement adds.
Tebogo delivered a stunning performance at the Paris Olympics despite being deeply affected by the death of his mother, his number one fan, in May.
President Masisi applauded Tebogo for the great victory and extended a special tribute to the athlete’s late mother.
“His Excellency President Masisi, wishes to state that, on behalf of all of the citizenry, he applauds Letsile and gives thanks unceasingly to his late mother.”
Tebogo’s victory sent the world into a frenzy as he finished ahead of a talented field, including Americans Kenny Bednarek, Noah Lyles, and Erriyon Knighton.
Tebogo led from start to finish, winning in 19.46 seconds — the fourth-fastest time in history, but 0.15 seconds slower than Lyles’ top time.
Tebogo dedicated his victory to his late mother. After the race, he held up his spikes to the cameras, revealing a message that displayed her date of birth, and dedicated his win to her.
“It’s basically me carrying her through every stride that I take inside the field,” Tebogo told journalists.
“To take her with me, it gives me a lot of motivation. She’s watching up there, and she’s really, really happy.”
Paul Intwari, an engineer working with ETS Construction Company in Kigali, told IGIHE during a recent interview that farmers in various parts of the country are increasingly adopting solar-powered pumps.
Intwari is one of the experts helping farmers adopt new farming techniques by designing and installing solar-powered pump systems. He primarily works with farmers engaged in irrigation farming.
“We start by designing the system and support the farmers through installation and training on how to use it,” Intwari said.
IGIHE caught up with Intwari at the 17th Rwanda Agriculture Show, where ETS Company is showcasing various tools and machines that farmers can use to take their farming to a new level.
A civil engineer by training, the 31-year-old revealed that most of the farmers buying their equipment are engaged in fruit, vegetable, and bean farming.
According to him, most of the farmers embracing solar-powered pumps have done so due to the low maintenance costs. While the initial cost of purchasing a solar system is high, it is relatively inexpensive to maintain in the long run compared to fuel-powered pumps.
“We recommend that clients use solar because it has minimal maintenance costs. Additionally, the pumps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions,” he said.
To meet the growing demand for solar-powered pumps, ETS Construction Company has partnered with Lorentz, a Germany-based company renowned for manufacturing a wide range of solar pumps.
“We offer various types of pumps. We have small pumps suited for small-scale farmers involved in livestock and irrigation, as well as larger pumps that can serve over 10 hectares, including submersible pumps,” the engineer explained.
The prices for a complete kit comprising a solar panel, pump, and its accessories, including pipes, start from Rwf2 million. Advanced pump systems suitable for large-scale commercial farming range between Rwf100 million and Rwf120 million.
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Claude Rugirangoga, an irrigation engineer with Open Construction and Related Services Ltd, said that subsidies offered by the government have significantly contributed to the uptake of solar-powered pumps.
The government has been actively promoting solar energy and sustainable agricultural practices, including providing subsidies and financial support for solar-powered technologies.
Rugirangoga noted that the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), in collaboration with development partners, supports farmers with up to 75% financing to purchase solar kits.
“Farmers interested in the subsidy are required to visit their sector offices and fill out forms to apply for it. If approved, they pay only 25% of the cost for the kits, while the government covers the remaining amount,” Rugirangoga explained.
The grants are also available to farmers seeking to buy tractors to improve their farming. Farmers can access up to 70% financing, according to Didier Nahayo, the Commercial Director at Rwanda Motor.
Rugirangoga, like Intwari, agrees that farming with solar-powered pumps is more profitable compared to petrol or diesel-powered pumps.
“Solar pumps are cost-effective as you make a one-time payment when buying,” he said.
However, he observed that the main disadvantage of the pumps is the limited number of technicians available.
The 17th Rwanda Agriculture Show kicked off at Mulindi/Gasabo Showground on July 31, 2024. The exhibition will close on August 9, 2024.
The show provides farmers and companies with an opportunity to showcase their products and services, while also facilitating extensive networking opportunities.
Many people attend the expos to connect with industry experts, explore the latest technologies and innovations, and engage in meaningful discussions that could lead to new collaborations and business ventures.
“I am here to learn the best farming practices from big farmers,” Francois Bizimana, a pig farmer from Musanze, revealed.
In a public notice issued on Thursday, July 8, 2024, the Board said the suspension follows reports of illegal mining and trading of the commodity.
The Board also cited cases of social unrest and conflict as the reason for the suspension which takes effect immediately.
“Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) hereby informs the general public and all mineral exporters of the immediate suspension of beryllium exportation until further notice,” the Board announced.
During the suspension period, the Board said it would conduct a comprehensive review of the reported cases of illegal activities and implement improved export procedures to streamline the beryllium business.
“In accordance with Law nº 072/2024 of 26/06/2024 on mining and quarry operations, specifically Articles 64 and 65, all mineral exporters are strictly required to purchase minerals only from licensed mining companies,” RMB added.
Beryllium is a silver-grey metallic element that occurs naturally in several minerals. It has primarily been identified in the Ngororero District of the Western Province.
The commodity has a wide range of applications across various industries. Its lightweight and high strength make it an ideal material for manufacturing aircraft components, missiles, and satellites in aerospace and defense applications.
The electronics industry also benefits from beryllium’s properties, as it is used in electronic devices due to its high thermal and electrical conductivity.
Other minerals found in Rwanda include tin, coltan, tungsten, and gold, making the mining sector a key component of its export economy. Mineral export earnings have more than tripled over the last seven years, rising from $373 million in 2017 to over $1.1 billion in 2023.
Walz was recently unveiled as the running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris, who is seeking to succeed President Joe Biden in the elections slated for November 4, 2024.
While Walz’s nomination for the second-highest office in U.S. politics caught many by surprise, he stated on Tuesday that his transition from the classroom to politics was well thought out.
Walz explained that after many years as a teacher, his high school students encouraged him to run for elective office.
“It was my students; they encouraged me to run for office,” Walz said, adding, “Don’t ever underestimate teachers.”
The phrase “Don’t underestimate teachers” is profound given Walz’s accomplishments in the classroom.
Notably, Walz led a project analyzing the genocide of European Jews during World War II, guiding his students to use data to predict regions at risk of such atrocities.
Using cutting-edge mapping data from 1993, Walz’s students accurately predicted the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which claimed the lives of over a million people the following year.
In a past interview with Times, Walz recalled developing an interest in studying the Holocaust more deeply while teaching geography at Alliance High School in Nebraska. He assigned his class a project to investigate the conditions leading to mass murder.
Walz said his goal was to ensure that historical events were more than just memorized facts.
“The Holocaust is often taught purely as a historical event, an anomaly, a moment in time,” he said.
“Students understood what had happened, that it was terrible, and that the people who did this were monsters.”
In a separate interview with NPR in 2008, Walz recounted how his class correctly predicted the Genocide against the Tutsi due to the growing ethnic tensions in Rwanda at the time.
“One of the things that stood out to [the students] was the long-standing division along ethnic lines, with one group receiving favoritism during colonial times, and the resulting tension in a struggling economy,” he revealed.
The Genocide against the Tutsi was perpetrated by the Hutu-led regime of Juvénal Habyarimana years after ethnic tensions that were fueled by Belgian colonial power, which was believed to have favored the Tutsis.
Travis Hoffman, a former student who participated in the project, described the study as “different and unusual.”
“The biggest part was just the freedom to explore things. No matter how abnormal or far-fetched an idea might sound, you could form an opinion,” Hoffman told Times 15 years after the project.
Lanae Merwin, another former student, found the report about the genocide happening in Rwanda “terribly chilling,” but not entirely surprising.
“We’d discussed it in class, and it was happening. Though you don’t want a prediction like that to come true,” Merwin said.
In 2008, Walz criticized the international community’s failure to act and stop the killings in Rwanda.
“If we understood this was a possibility, surely someone else did too,” Walz said. “The need to act was stronger afterward when people realized it had happened.”
He also criticized his former congressional colleagues for their lack of knowledge about global geography.
“You have to understand what causes genocide to prevent it from happening again,” Walz said, adding that he received “blank stares” from House Armed Services Committee members when he mentioned the Durand Line, the disputed border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Former President Bill Clinton, who was in office during the Genocide against the Tutsi, admitted in his first visit to Rwanda four years later that the international community bore responsibility for the tragedy.
“The international community, together with nations in Africa, must bear its share of responsibility for this tragedy as well. We did not act quickly enough after the killing began.
“We should not have allowed the refugee camps to become a safe haven for the killers. We did not immediately call these crimes by their rightful name: genocide. We cannot change the past, but we can and must do everything in our power to help you build a future without fear, and full of hope,” Clinton said at Kigali International Airport in 1998.
The incident occurred a few minutes past 7 AM. However, the kitchen staff and others in the building managed to extinguish the fire before it caused significant damage.
One of the individuals IGIHE spoke to indicated that the fire started from cooking oil, which quickly spread.
“We immediately began extinguishing it using the fire extinguishers inside the building. We managed to put it out before it could cause significant damage, but it was challenging,” the source revealed.
When you visit the 2000 Hotel building, you’ll notice that operations have continued as usual, except on the fifth floor, where there the fire broke out.
Aside from the damage caused to the kitchen equipment and the ceiling where the fire started, no significant damage was reported on the hotel during the incident.
Irembo is showcasing its world-class, all-in-one service management platform and payment solution as it aims to expand the value these tools provide across different regions around the world.
The company is also presenting its impressive achievements in business growth, strategic partnerships, and exciting future plans at the expo, which is scheduled to close on August 15, 2024.
In the recent past, Irembo has established significant strategic partnerships to broaden its service offerings and reach new markets.
One major collaboration is the partnership with Old Mutual Rwanda, which aims to create an easy-to-use online platform where people can explore and purchase insurance products without the need for in-person consultations.
According to the management, the collaboration with the insurer represents Irembo’s significant move into the private sector, which focuses on providing digitized insurance services.
“Irembo’s partnerships, like the one with Old Mutual Rwanda, are crucial in our mission to expand and diversify our services,” said Noella Dushime, Director of Business Development at Irembo.
“These collaborations allow us to offer more comprehensive solutions to our users, aligning with our vision of a digitally inclusive Rwanda.”
The company is renowned for building and maintaining the Rwandan government’s one-stop service portal.
By digitising essential services, Irembo supports the government’s goals of enhancing efficiency, transparency, and convenience for citizens. The platform’s easy access to a wide range of services helps create a more efficient and inclusive society.
Looking ahead, Irembo plans to integrate cutting-edge technologies to further improve service delivery. These advancements aim to provide users with more streamlined, effective, and secure access to services, solidifying Irembo’s position as a leader in digital transformation.
As part of its expansion strategy, Irembo is exploring opportunities to enter neighbouring countries, introducing its innovative solutions to new markets and contributing to regional growth.
At Expo 2024, the company will be connecting with other exhibitors to demonstrate how IremboPay works and to onboard new clients.
In a statement released on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, RURA Director General Evariste Rugigana said petrol will retail at Rwf1,629 per litre, down from Rwf1,663, while diesel will remain at Rwf1,652 per litre.
The new fuel prices will come into effect from 7:00 PM on August 7, 2024, for two months.
“These adjustments are based on recent fluctuations in international petroleum product prices,” Rugigana explained.
This marks the second time in a row the price of petrol has decreased since April when RURA reviewed the prices of fuel upwards.
Before the review of the prices in April, a litre of petrol cost Rwf 1,637 while diesel cost Rwf 1,632.
