MADE IN RWANDA – Africa Blockchain Incubation Program is an initiative of Africa Blockchain Institute, with the aim of grooming the African Blockchain StartUps.
Starting with Rwanda with the theme “MADE IN RWANDA,” to spark creativity and ideas implementation around Distributed Ledger Technologies, currently missing or insufficiently present in the Local Innovation and Entrepreneurship Landscape.
The Africa Blockchain Institute initiated the Africa Blockchain Incubation Program in order to accelerate Blockchain growth continental wide, there by extending our impact to more young innovators, and entrepreneurs willing to jointly build distributed technologies-based ventures.
Since February 2021, the institution has been working closely with four (4) Businesses, by integrating Blockchain Technology into their operations.
First is a company focusing on Digital Identity, helping organizations to manage the registry of visitors in the wake of the pandemic. Secondly, another company is focusing on supply chain, where they can be able to monitor the export trade of the agricultural product, to other countries and continents.
There is also a company focusing on e-Commerce, rejuvenating the sector with interesting offers, and offering customers diverse payment options. Lastly, is the Smart Agric Project, which aims to increase productivity of vegetables through an embedded irrigation system.
This is first of its kind, as there has not been home grown Blockchain Businesses in Rwanda prior to date.
The Incubation Program is sponsored by MakerDAO Foundation.
Different partners involved in the program’s success include the Ministry of ICT & Innovation, Rwanda Information Society Authority, Black Women Blockchain Council, Tech London Blockchain Advocates, Pan African Tech Foundation, and Rwanda Blockchain Association.
According to Africa Blockchain Institute, the DEMO Day will conclude the program by providing these startups the opportunity to pitch their business to investors, experts, and the Blockchain community.
“We hope that by showcasing what our amazing entrepreneurs have achieved in a few short months, will encourage other exceptional individuals to take the plunge and launch their own Blockchain business too, creating a stronger, more vibrant decentralize industry and startup community,” said Kayode Babarinde, the Executive Director of Africa Blockchain Institute.
“We hope our Demo Day encourages other ambitious entrepreneurs bursting with ideas to launch and grow global businesses that will go on to create more jobs, boost the economy, strengthen global connections, and put Rwanda on the map as a country of booming innovation and startup success. While this event is all about the founders, we have invited an incredible speakers, and panelists, to join us, in celebrating this moment with great insights on Blockchain Investments in Rwanda,” he added.
Individuals can register to join the DEMO Day through the following link: http://bit.ly/abipdemoday
Rotary Clubs intervene in the provision of safe water, promoting quality education, prevention of pandemics, eradication of poverty, environment protection, striving for durable peace and promoting citizens’ livelihoods.
Rotary Club is classified into three categories including Interact Club made of children members in the age bracket between 12 and 18, Rotaract Club bringing together members from the university in the age bracket between 18 and 25 while people aged beyond 25 are classified in the category of Rotary Club.
All these groups were represented during the event.
The Deputy Governor- of Rotary Club International District 9150, Jeannette Rugera has said that holding commemoration events is critical in a sense that it helps to reflect on history and leave a lesson to the youth.
“It is time to reflect on what happened and bring the youth to learn Rwanda’s and Genocide history. It is an occasion to remind Rwandans and the global community that it is our collective responsibility to prevent reoccurrence and resist people denying and trivializing Genocide. The youth should also take the front lead to distance themselves from people luring them into such destructive acts,” she noted.
Rugera explained that Rotary Club holds different talks featuring historians so as to give the youth chance to learn from history and collaboratively brainstorm on best ways to prevent Genocide ideology.
As part of ongoing capacity building initiatives, Rotary Club also provides scholarship to university graduates to attend peace restoration and conflict management courses
Rugera urged the youth to uphold peace, strive for unity and stand against whatever tends to drag them into ethnic discrimination.
The President of Rotaract Club SFB Kigali, Murungi Mariam has also highlighted that learning from history helps to know the truth and requested colleagues to speak with one voice and resist propagandists misinterpreting history.
Rotary Club International was established 116 years ago. It is currently comprised of 1.2 million members from 200 countries.
Every year, Rwanda commemorates the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, a period that spans for 100 days during which over 1 million victims were killed for their innate personality.
It is a time to reflect on dark history that characterized the country, learn from it to prevent reoccurrence, comfort Genocide survivors and help them to lead decent life.
It is in this context that Kigali Serena Hotel, on Saturday 8th May 2021, donated five cows to Genocide survivors including two women and three men residing in Nyabugogo cell, Kigali sector.
Despite the fact that hotels are among other businesses affected by COVID-19 pandemic, the General Manager of Kigali Serena Hotel, Daniel Sambai explained that the gesture is part of their responsibilities to support survivors especially during these difficult times.
“We thought about donating cows because we wanted to do something different from what we did in the previous years. By donating a cow, you are helping someone to become a farmer and get milk. When the cow produces offspring, they are passed to other families that it ends up creating a long chain. That is why we wanted to provide this kind of support that lasts long,” he said.
Erick Mugesera, Kigali Serena Hotel Human Resources Manager explained that they organize charitable activities every year to build hope to Genocide survivors.
“This gesture conveys a message to Genocide survivors that they are not alone. We are together in good and difficult times. It also leaves a message to propagandists denying and trivializing Genocide against Tutsi. We are showing them that there is hope for a better future and call upon the global community to stand against such destructive mindsets,” he said.
Léonard Ndacyayisenga, one of beneficiaries thanked donors and promised to take good care of received cow.
“I would like to express my gratitude to Kigali Serena Hotel for giving us cows because a cow is a symbol of love and prosperity. I am very happy for the donation and promise to take good care of it,” he said.
The representative of Genocide survivors in Kigali sector, Pie Hitimana has explained that beneficiaries will enjoy transformed livelihoods and get milk easily.
“I thank Serena Hotel on behalf of Genocide survivors in Kigali sector. As Genocide survivors, we also pledge to continue walking with Rwandans along the resilience journey and consolidate gains,” he noted.
The Executive Secretary of Nyarugenge district, Emmy Ngabonziza also extolled Kigali Serena Hotel for supporting development initiatives and requested beneficiaries to keep these cows properly so that they can be passed to fellows.
“You have been with us all the times. I would like to assure you that Genocide survivors will take care of received cows, make profitable businesses and pass heifers to colleagues,” he said.
Last year, Kigali Serena Hotel donated food items to 150 families in Kinyinya sector including of Genocide survivors, military veterans and the community of Rwandans evicted from Tanzania.
Of these families, 14 are from Kigoma sector, 34 are from Bukomeye cell in Mukura sector while 16 received decent shelters in Mara cell, Ruhashya sector.
These houses constructed within ten months of the fiscal year 2020/2021; are equipped with basic furniture, sanitary items, kitchen utensils, beddings, chairs, tables and cupboard among others.
Huye district has via Twitter handle announced that 14 families have already settled in newly constructed houses while the remaining houses will be inaugurated soon.
“Activities to construct houses for 34 families in Bukomeye cell, Mukura sector near completion. Beneficiaries will settle in after installing basic furniture,” reads the tweet.
Speaking at the inauguration of newly constructed houses in Kigoma sector recently, some survivors explained that their livelihoods are set to be transformed.
Patricie Mukarurinda, 51, said that she had an old house in poor conditions that she was obliged to move to Eastern Province where she did casual work to get rental fees.
“I went to Kibungo in September 2017. I January I learnt that they are building houses for us and was surprised again recently when the executive secretary called me to come and chose a house randomly,” she revealed.
Mukarurinda is a mother of three. He thanked the leadership for providing decent shelter and pledged to take good care of it.
“I will properly take care of the house and replace broken glasses without requirement for further support,” she noted.
The President of IBUKA, organization umbrella of Genocide survivors in Huye district, Théodate Siboyintore has said that failure to get decent shelters is among other challenges facing some Genocide survivors noting they will gradually support them within available means.
“There are still problems related to Genocide consequences like trauma and unhealed wounds. Inadequate shelters and old houses also worsens survivors’ hard life but we provide decent shelters gradually as we get means starting from those with most pressing needs,” he explained.
Each of these houses of two-in-one units was completed at Rwf 12.7 million.
