The new branch launched yesterday brought the bank’s nationwide footprint to 15 branches.
The Managing Director of Equity Bank Rwanda, Hannington Namara explained that the new branch will facilitate clients in the area to access services easily.
“We have opened the 15th branch today following a study that stressed need to set up a branch here to serve varied customers who would travel to get services in other parts of the city,” he said.
Namara reiterated the bank’s commitment to maintain top notch services to customers.
“Even as the Bank continues to grow, we are committed to offering Rwandans a great customer experience with a variety of tailor-made products that speak to their financial needs,” he affirmed.
Apart from enjoying access to the banking hall which shall be open six days a week, both retail customers and businesses will have access to a well-equipped and well- staffed branch helping them to save and borrow.
Béatrice Mukagatare, the first client to open an account at the newly launched branch thanked the bank for bringing services closer to clients.
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 and is supported by 1503 agents, 1074 merchants and a network of 21 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.
Under the partnership, MTN Rwanda has pledged to support two agribusinesses from HeHe’s Made in Rwanda incubation program. The agribusinesses AvoCare and SanCoffee will each receive Rwf 3 million to accelerate their e-Commerce growth.
The funds will aid the agribusinesses in marketing their products online on international markets as well as developing their own business e-Commerce storefronts. This, in turn, will attract more customers thus increasing their sales.
Currently, AvoCare and SanCoffee, among others, are undergoing a six-month intensive Digital Marketing course under the three-year Made in Rwanda incubation program. This incubation program aims to help SMEs grow their e-Commerce platforms and equip them with digital marketing tools.
Speaking at the event to handover cheques to beneficiaries, Mark Nkurunziza, MTN Rwanda Chief Finance Officer said: “We are pleased to partner with HeHe on this initiative to support SMEs in the agricultural sector to swiftly make that digital shift to selling their products on an e-Commerce platform. We have witnessed the impact Covid-19 has had on businesses and our economy in general, therefore it is imperative that businesses rake this step towards digitalization as part of their post Covid-19 recovery strategy.”
Also, in attendance was HeHe CEO Clarisse Iribagiza who commended the fruitful partnership.
“The Made in Rwanda e-Commerce Incubation Program was conceived with the vision to optimize agriculture supply chain from production to consumption, mitigating post-harvest losses and improving the likelihood of the majority of Rwandans. In August of 2020, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, we launched the program with partners such as MTN Rwanda to support agribusinesses leverage the power of digital platforms to access new markers and grow their business.”
MTN Rwanda’s Shared Value Initiatives are projects under the umbrella of Corporate Social Responsibility focused in four key areas, namely Education, Communih/ & Health, Economic Empowerment and Government priorities. In 2020, with the aim to economically empower, MTN contributed Rwf100 million to the Government run Economic Recovery Fund to support SMEs recuperate from the impact of Covid-19.
Additionally, over the past two years, MTN under the Connect Women in Business program, have supported 12 women cooperatives in the agrobusiness sector to get off the ground and grow.
{{About MTN Rwanda}}
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.
{{About Hehe}}
HeHe is a leading technology company that develops innovative technologies that enable businesses to optimize their operations and reach more customers anywhere and on the go. HeHe serves over 2 million users across Africa, facilitating business to offer their products and services on-demand and guaranteeing great customer experience to the lash-mile.
The two sectors were placed under lockdown after registering upsurge in new COVID-19 cases.
The statement signed by the Minister of Local Government, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi dated Tuesday 1st June 2021 reads that lockdown has been lifted in the two sectors effective 2nd June 2021.
The Ministry urged the general public to continue adhering to COVID-19 preventive measures and reminded them that movements in Karongi district are prohibited from 7pm to 4am.
“Grass root leaders are urged to follow up compliance with these guidelines,” reads the statement in part.
The Presidency has via Twitter handle revealed that discussions took place at Village Urugwiro but didn’t point out areas of discussions.
Senator James ‘Jim’ Mountain Inhofe, 86, who led the delegation has been representing Oklahoma State since 1994.
In 2018, he presented President Kagame’s outstanding achievements including the liberation struggle to stop Genocide to US Senate. Inhofe is also known for his interest in African affairs.
At the time, Inhofe said that he has friendship with many leaders on African continent including Head of States and Prime Ministers noting that there are special reasons pushing him to dedicate time to talk about one particular individual who is President ‘Paul Kagame’.
He started with the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi that took lives of over 1 million victims who were heinously killed within 100 days.
Senator Inhofe said that UN troops deployed in the country abandoned victims while the international community remained silent including Bill Clinton who was leading America at the time.
“It stopped because of one man who is Paul Kagame along with a group of Rwanda refugees from Uganda whose parents fled the country’s mass violence three decades before,” he said.
He explained that there were two choices after stopping Genocide including revenge or forgiveness and reconciliation but ‘he chose the last option’ for Rwandans to have a common future.
During his recent visit to Rwanda, he commended Rwanda’s cleanliness, registered development in terms of infrastructure, growing of tea, coffee, security and steadfast economy.
Senator Inhofe explained that Kagame has changed Africans’ mindsets to foreigners not because he doesn’t want to work with them but encouraging them to develop home grown solution towards achieving self-reliance.
Inhofe visited Rwanda at different times and held talks with President Kagame.
The taxi-moto was recovered on May 30, from two suspected thieves, who were also arrested.
The acting District Police Commander for Musanze, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Speciose Kayitesi identified the arrested prime suspects as Alexandre Tuyizere and Florence Nabana.
In the evening of May 29, at about 7pm, Bizimana, who was transporting a passenger, was ambushed by a group of people as he arrived at what was allegedly the final destination of the passenger in Cyuve Sector, Karwasa Cell.
The group of thieves assaulted Bizimana before stealing his motorcycle and mobile phone.
CIP Kayitesi said that during the attack, Bizimana and some residents who had come for his rescue, managed to identify one of the members of the Tuyizere.
“With information on one of the prime suspects, Police tracked down Tuyizere and arrested him on May 30, Gacaca Sector, Karwasa in Kavumu Village.
Tuyizere later led Police officers to the house of Florence Nabana in the same area, where they recovered the motorcyle and the latter also taken into custody,” CIP Kayitesi said.
She added that the search for other members of the criminal group is still under way.
Tuyizere and Nabana have been handed over to RIB at Cyuve station.
Article 166 of the law determining offenses and penalties in general states that any person convicted of theft is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than two years and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf2 million, community service in a period of six months or only one of these penalties.
The penalty for theft doubles if: theft is carried out during the night or by more than one person.
Under article 168, if theft is carried out with violence or threats, the penalty is an imprisonment for a term of not less than five (5) years and not more than seven (7) years and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million and not more than Rwf5 million.
The statement released last night shows that 60 people have caught the virus out of 4382 sample tests while 167 recovered.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 27 023 people have been tested positive of whom 25 850 recovered, 816 are active cases, three are critically ill while 357 have succumbed to the virus.
The Ministry has reported that 188,768 people have received the second vaccine shot including 21,082 inoculated yesterday.
A total of 350,000 people have been received vaccines 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.
IGP Dr. Kainja and his delegation are in Rwanda since Sunday for a five-day bilateral visit aimed at strengthening cross-border cooperation between Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Malawi Police Service (MPS) as defined in the Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions.
IGP Dr. Kainja and his delegation were received at PTS Gishali by the Commandant of the School, Commissioner of Police (CP) Robert Niyonshuti.
Through a presentation, the Commandant gave them an overview of PTS, its wings, and various courses offered.
“PTS was established to equip Police officers with skills, knowledge and the right attitude required of a professional Police officer and to offer quality services to people living in Rwanda but also in other countries through peacekeeping operations,” said CP Niyonshuti.
IGP Dr. Kainja and his delegation also toured various wings of the School as well as the range ground and the Formed Police Units (FPU) Training base camp.
PTS Gishari is one of three RNP schools. It shelters Cadet and Basic Police Course wings, Peace Support pre-deployment Training Centre, Gishari Integrated Polytechnic (GIP) as well as Police Logistics school.
It also conducts other specialized courses in areas of gender based violence and road traffic, refresher courses among others.
In his remark, IGP Kainja lauded the capabilities and training programmes of the School, some of which he said will be included in their training curriculum back home.
“This Police School has made tremendous progress in policing programmes,” IGP Dr. Kainja said.
He added: “We are impressed by the excellent, quality, and school performance. This indicates the advanced capability in public order maintenance and advanced response to criminals and terrorism. We wish some of our officers will be sent here to join your next trainings.”
Bank of Kigali Plc. has entered into a strategic partnership with Sheer Logic Management Consultants (SLMC), a specialized company providing Human Resources consultancy and training services to a diverse set of industries and economic sectors; both private and public.
The partnership with Sheer Logic Management Consultants involves outsourcing part of Bank of Kigali front line services in a bid to improve productivity and efficiency; therefore, offering a better experience to its customers. Additionally, partnering with SLMC will support the transformation journey the bank has embarked on to digitize its services.
“The decision to outsource the management of Bank of Kigali front line services to Sheer Logic Management Consultants followed a thorough process and is in line with best practices in the industry. This partnership will allow us to better serve our customers and deliver more value to our shareholders” said Dr. Diane Karusisi, Bank of Kigali CEO.
Sheer Logic Management Consultants has been providing Human Resources consultancy, staff outsourcing, recruitment and training services in East and Central Africa for over 20 years. Bank of Kigali will leverage SLMC expertise to train, motivate and increase employee performance.
{{About Bank of Kigali Plc.}}
Bank of Kigali Plc. is the largest commercial bank in Rwanda, by total assets. In 2017, Global Credit Ratings affirmed Bank of Kigali’s long-term and short-term national scale ratings of AA-(RW) and A1+(RW) respectively with a stable outlook.
The Bank has won several back-to-back international and regional banking awards from EuroMoney, The Banker, Global Finance Magazine, and EMEA Finance. Bank of Kigali has been recently awarded “Best Bank in Rwanda 2021” by Global Finance.
A renowned boutique management consulting firm with a strong presence in the East African region, Sheer Logic Management Consultants prides in having the coveted prize for the leading talent sourcing firm in Kenya (2019/20) according to Global Brands International. Incorporated in 1997, it has presence in Kenya, Mombasa, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.
The veteran academic will be the most senior representative of the university group in the region and will have oversight of its activities across Africa, including policy development, research, enterprise and innovation, and alumni engagement, among others.
Prof. Lwakabamba will drive business development in the region, using his vast experience, knowledge and network of contacts. He will build collaborative relationships and partnerships to assist long-term knowledge transfer.
The Africa Hub will serve as a base for Coventry University Group in the region, enabling new relationships and strengthening established ones.
Located at Kigali Heights, next to the Kigali Convention Centre, the Hub is part of the university group’s plan to develop a sustainable network of multi-faceted overseas offices. Coventry University Group’s ambition is to have a presence near to its stakeholders in key regions and follows the success of the Singapore and Dubai hubs.
Prof Lwakabamba earned his BSc and doctoral degrees in engineering in the United Kingdom and has held senior positions in higher education in Tanzania and Rwanda. He has also served in the cabinet of the Rwandan government, first as minister of infrastructure and then as minister of education.
Commenting on his appointment, Prof. Lwakabamba said: “ I am delighted to join Coventry University, which is one of the most entrepreneurial universities I know. For me, it is exciting to be part of an institution with great potential to make a difference for our African economies.”
Professor Mohamed Loutfi, the Vice-Chancellor’s Envoy, Coventry University Group said that Prof. Lwakabamba brings long-standing experience to build further relations within the region.
“We are excited to welcome Prof Silas Lwakabamba as the inaugural managing director of the Africa Hub. He is an exceptional leader, with a distinguished track-record in sub-Saharan countries. His wealth of experience, extensive network of strategic contacts, and profile as a highly respected thought leader will certainly add to Coventry University Group’s understanding and building of further relations within the Sub-Saharan Africa region,” he stressed.
Coventry University Group is focused on creating a global reputation as one of the world’s leading education providers and has achieved success as a leading recruiter of international students. Increasingly, through partnerships and directly, the university group is delivering education internationally. Its network of international hubs will support this work, helping to develop, oversee and manage all of the university group’s activity in their region.
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved US$84.22 million in loans and grants to electrify nearly 80,000 rural households in south Rwanda. The project will advance the country’s goal of universal electrification and benefit small businesses and youth.
The funds comprise a loan of US$36.77 million from the Bank Group’s African Development Fund and a US$47.45 million ADF grant. The approval was made on 26 May.
The Transmission System Reinforcement and Last Mile Connectivity project will provide first-time electricity connection to 77,470 households to the grid, entailing the construction of 595 km of medium voltage distribution lines and 1,620 km of low voltage distribution networks in six southern Rwanda districts. The project will also see the upgrade, rehabilitation and extension of 1,720 km of low voltage network, and distribution of transformers in secondary cities with high load.
The project is expected to improve power supply reliability and stability across the country, expand electricity access and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by enabling access to clean energy. The project is also expected to bolster education by extending students access to light for study, and benefit small and medium enterprises while enhancing job creation for youth.
The statement released yesterday shows that the project is part of the Rwanda Universal Energy Access Program (RUEAP), which seeks among other goals, to achieve universal access to electricity by 2024. It is also aligned with the country’s long-term development framework, Vision 2050.
The project also draws from two of the Bank’s High-5 strategic priorities: Light Up and Power Africa and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa.
