Upon arrival in Rwanda on Saturday 24th July 2021, the medical kits were received by the Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije.
Dr. Ngamije revealed that received equipment come in handy to complement Rwanda’s efforts to fight against COVID-19.
“Receiving such equipment complements existing efforts towards buying vaccines, other equipment and human capital development. It is a way of concerting efforts to defeat the pandemic,” he said.
Commenting on the donation of medical supplies, the Ambassador of UAE in Rwanda, Hazza Alqahtani said that his country partners with Rwanda be it in good or bad times.
“Rwanda was among the first countries to receive medical aid from the UAE to combat Covid-19. In June 2020, the UAE sent to Rwanda a plane carrying four tonnes of medical supplies to help over 4,000 healthcare workers to contain the spread of the pandemic. In February 2021, the UAE sent a plane carrying 7.8 tonnes of medical aid in support of the Rwandan government’s efforts to fight Covid-19, ” he told Khaleej Times.
Al Qahtani has reiterated his country’s commitment to continue walking with Rwanda particularly during this period of uncertainty brought by COVID-19 pandemic.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus patient on 14th March 2020. So far, the country records over 16,000 active cases, 71 people are critically ill while 727 have succumbed to the virus.
A total of 425,387 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program on 5th March 2021.
The virtual official launch of 5th year anniversary celebrations took place on Friday 23rd July 2021.
MTN Rwanda’s Yolo is a platform dedicated to the Youth of Rwanda, that has evolved over the last five years from a voice and data proposition only, to now offering social media bundles, combo packs, a loyalty program dubbed ‘Yolo Star’, as well as sponsored key events such as Miss Rwanda 2021 and the Kigali Summer Festival in 2019.
Speaking during the virtual launch; Yaw Ankoma Agyapong, MTN Rwanda Chief Consumer and Digital Officer explained that the telecom is much concerned about the platform dedicated to the youth.
“The Youth form most of the Rwandan population and are the future. It is only right that we dedicate a special platform to them as we continue to inspire and encourage them to be great in whichever field, they find themselves in. This year, as the Yolo platform turns 5, we celebrate under the theme #IremereWubahwe, which denotes the need for the youth to create in whatever area they wish to, be it in the arts or sciences,” he said.
As part of the celebration for young entrepreneurs, MTN Rwanda has also
planned mentorship webinars that will be taking place from August until October 2021, where industry experts will share knowledge in their respective fields.
The recently spotlighted entrepreneurs selected through Level Up Your Biz and MTN Rwanda’s Yolo Hackathon will also get a chance to interact and share their experiences with the Youth of Rwanda.
Yolo’s 5th anniversary will consist of giveaways, webinars and virtual parties (Club Yolo) organized until the end of the year. Various youth talents will also be given a platform to share their stories as means to motivate and encourage their peers.
Agyapong has urged the youth to not only enjoy the Yolo platform and various offers made available, ‘but to ensure they take away some key learnings that they can add to their journey as they venture into various sectors while building a brighter Rwanda’.
{{About MTN Rwandacell}}
MTN Rwandacell PLC (MTN Rwanda) is the market leader in mobile telecommunications in Rwanda. Since 1998, we have continuously invested in expanding and modernising our footprint and are the country’s No 1 network.
MTN Rwanda offers various innovative services to consumers and enterprises, including personalised voice, data, home and fixed connectivity solutions. The company is also the front runner in Mobile Financial Services in Rwanda delivered through its FinTech subsidiary, Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd.
The project consisting of a village with 15 modern homes, is currently on track under the watchful eye of Imara Properties Rwanda, a joint venture by former school colleagues who later became business partners and aligned their resources with the ‘impressive development of Rwanda.’
David Benazeraf, a French entrepreneur who is the CEO and Co-founder of Imara Properties Rwanda has told IGIHE that the idea to start a joint company had not surfaced until he was invited multiple times by his colleagues to come and learn about Rwanda from within.
Considering the existing conducive business environment, he was lured to the country and the decision to create a company in Rwanda was ‘no-brainer’.
The three colleagues from Rwanda namely; Serge Kamuhinda, the CEO of Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda; architect, Aimé Bakata Nkunzi and Alain Ngirinshuti, currently serving in the top management of Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) are shareholders of the company.
Within just three months; the rural, nearly abandoned plot at Rebero hill has been cleared, ready to proceed with further construction activities.
Once completed, David Benazeraf who spends most of his time at the site has expressed optimism that the housing project will be among architectural marvels of Kigali City.
“Three months ago, this land was rural. People were growing vegetables and you could see banana trees around. We are very glad to see urbanization ongoing and take pride to be part of the development of Kigali,” he said.
The village, which will be the first of its kind in Kigali, will comprise of 15 homes, each with its unique and private garden. Buildings will be in two main categories namely; a detached house, which is a stand-alone residential structure that does not share outside walls, and a semi-detached house which is a single-family home that shares one common wall with another.
Detached homes will be 170 square kilometers (sqm), comprising four wide bedrooms, three bathrooms, two kitchens, parking with the capacity to accommodate two cars and a staggering 280 to 360 sqm garden.
In fact, all detached homes have been sold out, as well as two thirds of the whole project.
Semi-detached units will be built on 136 sqm, and will have two or three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two kitchens, parking to accommodate two cars, and 180 to 270 sqm gardens.
The village sits at one of the best locations in Kigali, as residents will have all-time tremendous views of the hilly, yet glittering Kigali, and the flat, well-greened area of the rapidly developing Bugesera district.
According to David Benazeraf, the project is a big success in no smaller part, not only considering its location but also appealing designs that have impressed potential dwellers.
“When you look at the project, it is very unique. We have many apartments across the city and tried to come up with something different. Besides, there are standalone houses with garden, which is among other things luring customers”, he said.
Mr. Benazeraf has bet to complete the project by next year, and the soaring demand might push the company to enlarge the project.
“Of course we didn’t come to Rwanda for just one project, so we are hoping to do different projects, not necessarily the same [as Isange Estate]. We will give it a little bit of time […] we are looking to other projects that will contribute to the urban development of Kigali.”
Rwanda, especially the capital city, is in dire need of new and urban residential apartments to accommodate its rapidly growing population, which is expected to hit 14 million in the next four years and 22 million in 2050.
This stresses the need to draw attention to the country’s small land area and develop affordable homes to attract the growing middle class residents.
Rwanda plans to build at least 150,000 new residential houses annually for the next 15 years to cope with the growing population.
These machines are expected to increase the capacity to diagnose and treat COVID-19 patients rapidly during this time when Africa is faced with the new wave of the pandemic.
Deb MacLean, the Deputy Chief of Mission at US embassy in Rwanda who also serves as Charge d’Affaire explained that the donation is a fruit of cordial relations between both countries.
“USA and Rwanda are great partners in the health sector. Working together, helps us to save many people’s lives every day,” she said.
The five mobile x-ray machines will be used at five hospitals including Kinyinya, Kibungo, Kinihira, Ruhengeri and the University Teaching Hospital of Butare (CHUB).
Apart from COVID-19 diagnosis, the machine will also help to diagnose other respiratory diseases and assist critically ill patients in the right time.
These machines are funded by the US Department of Defense and comes through the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the United States Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster Assistance, and Civic Aid (US OHDACA).
The donation was coordinated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (U.S. CDC), which has played a leading role in supporting Rwanda’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to COVID-19.
The donation is part of the more than Rwf17 billion that the United States has invested in Rwanda’s COVID-19 response since March 2020.
This support includes the construction of hand-washing stations across Rwanda; support for public communications; staff and vehicles to support contact tracing; laboratory diagnostic equipment and supplies; support for training of frontline workers; medical equipment including ventilators, patient monitors, hospital beds, intensive care units, mobile X-ray machines, video laryngoscopes, and pulse oximeters; and infection prevention and control supplies such as biohazard bags, alcohol, soap, and personal protective equipment.
The decision takes effect from 17th till 26th of July 2021 when Rwandans expect new guidelines.
Following the imposition of lockdown, the Ministry of Health conducted mass testing in different parts of the country to know the status of the pandemic.
Since then, Kigali City continued to be the major hotspot where 3965 positive cases equivalent to 3.7% have been found out of 107 106 sample tests.
In general, 4.5% of these cases were found in Kicukiro district, 3.8% in Gasabo and 2.5% in Nyarugenge district.
The State Minister in Charge of Primary Healthcare at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Tharcisse Mpunga has told IGIHE that 10-day lockdown is not enough to know the status of the pandemic.
“We are taking as many as possible sample tests in different parts identified as major hotspots for COVID-19 infections. Besides, the 10-day lockdown is not enough. It should take at least 21 days taking into consideration the incubation period and days of sickness until recovery. We cannot disregard the fact that people infected before the lockdown may recover within 10 days but there might be active cases confirmed after imposition of lockdown,” he said.
“At least three weeks should be considered before lifting lockdown because all cases are not confirmed in one day. That is when you can rest assured whether movements and new cases have reduced at a desired extent,” added Dr. Mpunga.
In case the 10-day lockdown is not extended, Dr. Mpunga explained that the Government might reopen some activities that could not wreak the havoc.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus patient on 14th March 2020. Since then, 62 328 people have been tested positive of whom 44 739 recovered, 16 871 are active cases, 71 are critically ill while 718 have succumbed to the virus.
A total of 423,182 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation programme on 5th March 2021.
Since the lockdown was imposed on 17th July 2021, there has been no significant progress in reducing new COVID-19 cases and deaths.
One day before the decision went into effect; Rwanda recorded 927 new cases, 10 deaths and 732 recoveries.
On the first day of the lockdown; the country registered 1997 new cases, 12 deaths and 976 recoveries.
The country also registered increased cases on 18th July where 2773 positive cases were confirmed, while 11 succumbed to the virus.
According to the Director General of Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, these figures give a clear image on status of the pandemic and help the country to identify areas of priorities.
RBC reveals that new tests are conducted within designated timeframe to gauge the situation and confirm whether previously tested patients have recovered.
On Friday 23rd July 2021, RBC conducted the second mass testing of COVID-19 in cells identified as major hotspots where 953 people tested positive.
The majority of new cases were found in 25 cells of Gasabo district, 16 cells from Kicukiro and more 4 cells from Nyarugenge district.
The Ministry of Health reveals that new measures to be implemented after the 10-day lockdown will take into consideration the feedback from recently carried out mass tests in Kigali City and other districts put under lockdown.
Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.
The statement released last night shows that 953 people have caught the virus while 815 recovered.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus patient on 14th March 2020. Since then, 62 328 people have been tested positive of whom 44 739 recovered, 16 871 are active cases, 71 are critically ill while 718 have succumbed to the virus.
A total of 423,182 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation programme on 5th March 2021.
Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.
Jeannette Muhawenimana, 25, was arrested at about 7pm in Bisesero Village, Kiremera Cell, Kanzenze Sector where she was waiting for a cargo vehicle to Kigali.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that Police had earlier received information about Muhawenimana’s plan to traffic the narcotics to Kigali.
“Earlier information provided by some members of the public, indicated that Muhawenimana, who is suspected to be a drug dealer, had a new consignment of cannabis, which she was trying to traffic to Kigali from Rubavu,” CIP Karekezi said.
“Police officers tracked her to Bisesero Village, Kiremera Cell, Kanzenze Sector, where she was waiting for a cargo truck to transport a sack of irish potatoes to Kigali. When officers poured the potatoes, they recovered over 500 pellets of cannabis, she was immediately taken into custody and handed over to RIB at Kanama station,” he added.
She disclosed that she got the narcotics from another supplier, who trafficked them into Rwanda from DRC and that she had a client in Kigali whom she was going to supply.
It is the second time that Muhawenimana has been arrested in drug related crimes.
CIP Karekezi lauded the impact of community policing through information sharing, which facilitates to identify and arrest drug dealers and break supply chains.
Cannabis is classified as a “very severe narcotic drug” in Rwanda
Under article 263 of the law 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.
Upon conviction for “very severe narcotics,” the offender faces between 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine of up to Rwf30 million.
The training was conducted by Rwanda National Police (RNP) in partnership with the Italian Police Carabinieri. Trainees were drawn from Traffic and Road Safety (TRS) department, VIP Protection Unit and Police Disciplinary Unit (DPU).
The course covered various aspects of traffic including acceleration, deceleration and emergency breaking; techniques to be used in case of fall from the motorbike, control in emergency, and search techniques.
The Deputy Inspector General in charge of Administration and Personnel, DIGP Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza, while speaking at the closing of the training, said that the course is paramount to RNP in developing and enhancing knowledge and skills of motorbike riders.
The event was also attended by Brigadier General Stefano Dragani, the Carabinieri Liaison Officer to Rwanda.
DIGP Ujeneza said that the course strengthens the existing relations between RNP and Carabinieri.
“Rwanda is committed to be an attractive destination for international association meetings, and one of the enabling pillars is to ensure a secure and safe environment for all; protection of people and their property is one of the key responsibilities of RNP, including ensuring road security,” DIGP Ujeneza said.
She added that prevention of road accidents require training of road traffic personnel, construction of adequate infrastructure and sensitization of road users, the framework in which this course was initiated.
She urged the trainees to fully utilize the knowledge and skills acquired.
Brigadier General Stefano Dragani, lauded the courage and discipline exhibited by the trainees during the course.
He pledged further courses to improve the capabilities of Police officers in their daily policing tasks.
Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Aloys Mutagire and CPL Peruth Mukandayisenga are among the trainees, who completed the course.
“I have gained vast skills such as passing through corners in high speed, emergency breaking, VIP protection and demonstrations during ceremonies,” said AIP Mutagire.
Prior to this course, Cpl Mukandayisenga never imagined being a professional motorbike rider.
“I am now a professional rider and able to ride a motorbike under different circumstances to execute my duties,” said Cpl Mukandayisenga.
Freehold land title refers to a property title by which the owner of the land owns it for perpetuity. In other words, freehold land title ownership has no limit in time for the landowner and its beneficiaries.
Ujiri has received the land in consideration of special circumstances of strategic national interests pursuant to the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 2003 revised in 2015 and the law no 27/2021 of 10/06/2021 governing land in Rwanda in its article 6.
The Presidential Order approving the freehold title to Ujiri was published in the Official Gazette of 19th July 2021after proposal by the Minister of Environment and approval by the Cabinet Meeting of 12th June 2021.
The land in plot n° UPI 1/02/13/04/972 with surface of two point four hectares (2.4 Ha) is located in Amahoro village, Rukiri II cell, Remera sector, Gasabo district in the City of Kigali.
The Presidential Order granting the land reads that Ujiri must use the land for which the freehold title is granted to serve the purpose of its allocation in conformity with the agreement signed with the Government of Rwanda and the business plan approved by competent authority, land use laws and other documents determined in accordance with relevant laws.
In case of non-compliance, the Government of Rwanda has the right to cancel freehold title for the land in accordance with relevant laws.
IGIHE has learnt that Ujiri shall use and exploit the land for setting up Ujiri Court chain of community centers to provide Boutique Hotel, community Courts, food courts, merchandise outlets, basketball and tennis courts services.
Ujili, 51, is a close friend of Rwanda who contributed to the establishment of Kigali Arena following discussions with President Paul Kagame as they watched NBA All-Star Game in Toronto, Canada.
Giants of Africa (GOA) is a basketball camp founded by Masai Ujiri as a platform to explore and nurture basketball talent among African youth.
It started in 2003 in Nigeria but in 2014 Ujiri took it outside of the country.
The renovation of the basketball court at Club Rafiki, Nyamirambo, launched on August 8, 2017 and camps to promote youth’s basketball talent since 2015 are among fruits of Ujiri’s contribution to the development of basketball in Rwanda and the African continent.
In February 2020, Kagame and Ujiri announced the Giants of Africa festival that was expected to take place in Kigali, August 2020, bringing together 11 countries.
At the time, Kagame thanked Masai Ujiri for his work with Giants of Africa and said that the camp is crucial in developing the talents of African youth.
Masai Ujiri also thanked the president for his role in the development of Africa and the way he puts into action everything he pledges, including the building of Kigali Arena.
“I thank President Kagame for his amazing work and for accepting that this camp takes place here. Africans must win because we are the winners.”
Born in 1970, Masai Ujiri is a Nigerian-Canadian professional basketball executive and former player and is the president of basketball operations of the Toronto Raptors in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
After a modest playing career, Ujiri became a scout in 2002, first for the Orlando Magic and then the Denver Nuggets. In 2008, he joined the backroom staff of the Toronto Raptors.
Ujiri returned to the Nuggets in 2010 as general manager and executive vice president of basketball operations, and helped turn the team’s fortunes around, returning them to the playoffs. As a result, he was named the NBA Executive of the Year in 2013. The following season, Ujiri returned to the Raptors as General Manager.
In the summer of 2016, Ujiri relinquished his title as General Manager to Jeff Weltman and accepted the position of president of basketball operations.
As president, Ujiri worked to usher in a period of sustained success, helping the team win its first NBA championship in 2019.
SMEs have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with its attendant lockdowns and disruptions to supply chains, plummeting sales, lost revenue and operational challenges. In response to feedback from our customers, Ecobank through its Commercial Banking Segment is helping business owners close the digital skills gap within their chosen fields and improve the digital capabilities of their employees.
Josephine Anan-Ankomah, Group Executive, Commercial Banking for the Ecobank Group has said that businesses need to leverage digital skills to thrive and reiterated the bank’s commitment to support the cause.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has turbocharged the shift towards digital. It is essential that businesses adapt so that they are able to compete effectively in today’s rapidly changing landscape. Ecobank’s Commercial Banking is committed to supporting SMEs across our pan-African footprint. Through this partnership with Microsoft, LinkedIn, GitHub and Ecobank Academy we are offering training to equip business owners and their employees with the digital skills that they need to stay connected to their customers. We are intent on ensuring that our SME customers remain relevant, grow and succeed in the post COVID-19 era,” she noted.
SMEs are invited to register for the upcoming webinar taking place on July 26.
The Global Skilling initiative program is available on an online portal where SMEs can register, and start their learning journey for any of the 10 in-demand skill sets (Customer Services; Digital Marketing; Financial Analysis; Graphic Design; IT Support/Help Desk; Project Management; Sales; Data Analysis; IT Administration; And Software Development).
They can complete the virtual programme at their own pace and at times that work best for them. The programme runs until 31st of December 2021.
Ibrahim Youssry, Regional General Manager, Middle East and Africa – Multi market region at Microsoft also expressed readiness to build digital talent pipelines.
“We are committed to building digital talent pipelines to support the workforce of the future, and our Global Skilling Initiative is an important part of this process. But beyond the future workforce, digital talent will also support more local innovation, as developers and entrepreneurs are empowered to create locally relevant solutions that best address the challenges and needs of African countries. Startups and SMEs play a critical role in innovation, economic growth and job creation, and expanded access to digital skills is one of the key steps needed to foster a successful economic recovery,” he said.
The Global Skilling Initiative is just another example of how Ecobank wants to help SMEs reach their full potential and play a vital role in driving Africa’s economic resurgence.
{{Other support initiatives for SMEs include:}}
•The Ecobank Marketplace eCommerce solution for businesses to grow their sales on digital marketplaces
•And the Ellevate programme to provide women-led/owned/focused businesses with loans, cash management solutions, training and mentoring opportunities.
{{About Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (‘ETI’ or ‘The Group’) }}
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (‘ETI’) is the parent company of the Ecobank Group, the leading independent pan-African banking group. The Ecobank Group employs over 14,000 people and serves about 29 million customers in the consumer, commercial and corporate banking sectors across 33 African countries.
The Group has a banking license in France and representative offices in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Johannesburg, South Africa; Beijing, China; London, the UK and Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. The Group offers a full suite of banking products, services and solutions including bank and deposit accounts, loans, cash management, advisory, trade, securities, wealth and asset management. ETI is listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchanges in Lagos, the Ghana Stock Exchange in Accra, and the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières in Abidjan.
For further information please visit www.ecobank.com
{{About Microsoft}}
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
For more information, news and insights from Microsoft, please visit Microsoft’s global and regional news center via http://news.microsoft.com and Middle East & Africa News Center (microsoft.com)
