Those who graduated from the BK Academy received fundamental knowledge about the bank’s services and its operations. Exceptional performers in their studies will have the opportunity for immediate employment at the Bank of Kigali. On the other hand, the 25 existing employees of the Bank of Kigali were equipped with skills enabling them to work efficiently with modern technology and to prepare them for future leadership roles in financial institutions.
Umutoneshwa Sacrée Luminaire, the top scorer among the BK Academy graduates, expressed how the training provided by the Bank of Kigali had transformed theoretical knowledge into practical insights. She emphasized that the knowledge gained will not only benefit her but also contribute to the collective success of the Bank of Kigali. “There are many things I’ve revisited during this training, but when you see how they work in the real world, not just on paper, you gain a deeper understanding. My intention is to collaborate with my colleagues at the Bank of Kigali so that everyone realizes that this bank is for everyone.”
Tuyiringire Jean Pierre, the Director of Technology at the Bank of Kigali, who also completed the training alongside the employees, emphasized the importance of working together to prioritize customer preferences over the bank’s preferences. He stated, “The key takeaway from this training is that we must work in harmony to ensure that the customer’s needs take precedence when we introduce a product.”
Dr. Diane Karusisi, the CEO of the Bank of Kigali, delivered a message to all the program’s graduates, highlighting that their contributions are not limited to the bank’s development but extend to the broader development of the country. She emphasized that the bank sees exceptional potential in its employees and pledged to support them in leading fulfilling lives while utilizing the knowledge they’ve acquired to advance financial institutions. She conveyed, “When you come to work, have a clear objective in mind. We’re not just building the Bank of Kigali; we’re working together to build a better country that we all aspire to see.”
Dr. Karusisi also stressed that the Bank of Kigali values the unique potential within its employees and will invest in their growth, enabling them to contribute to the development of financial institutions. This annual training program by the Bank of Kigali is designed to continually enhance the knowledge of those expected to play a crucial role in maintaining Rwanda’s status as a hub for financial institutions, not only within Africa but globally.
Its mission, rooted in Agenda 2063, aims to unite Africa under a shared cultural identity and common values, focusing on empowering African law students through exposure and knowledge. One of the most eagerly anticipated events on their calendar is the annual African Law Students’ Conference.
The African Law Students’ Annual Conference, organized by FALAS, stands as a pivotal event that encapsulates the hopes and aspirations of African law students for a more unified and empowered Africa. This annual gathering is not just a conference; it’s a dynamic platform for legal empowerment conferences, discussions on international engagement policies, and the exchange of insights that are propelling Africa forward.
In September 2021, FALAS inaugurated the International African Law Conference for Young African Leaders in Law in Accra, Ghana. Eminent speakers and delegates from various African countries graced this event, creating a dynamic forum for dialogue and cooperation.
The 2021 conference, held at the University of Professional Studies in Accra, Ghana, was themed “Redefining Law and Governance in Africa, Legal Education, Justice Systems & Formidable Institutions in Perspective.”
Distinguished legal personalities, including Professor PLO Lumumba and the Deputy Attorney General of Ghana, Ms. Diana Asonaba Dapaah, shared their insights on legal matters of significance.
Panel discussions at the conference emphasized the need to integrate law schools on the continent to facilitate student-oriented exchange programs. This approach led to successful partnerships between law student unions, such as the one between Makerere Law Society in Uganda and the University of The Gambia Law Students’ Association.
Inspired by the resounding success of the 2021 conference, FALAS organized the second annual African Law Students’ Conference, “The African Law Students’ Annual Conference 2022,” which took place at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. The 2022 conference continued the focus on empowering the youth and bringing about systemic changes through legal empowerment. The contributions of young African legal minds were recognized as influential forces in shaping contemporary jurisprudence.
Now, as we look to the future, the stage is set for the most awaited event of the year – the 2023 FALAS Annual Conference, scheduled in Rwanda.
The conference theme, “Upholding the Rule of Law in Africa: A Sine Qua Non to Equality, Social Justice, and Optimizing the Implementation of AFCFTA – The Role of FALAS,” underscores the urgency of promoting legal approaches to sustainability in Africa. It aims to foster equality, social justice, and leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) for continental growth.
From October 23 to October 27, 2023, the Hotel La Parisse in Rwanda will be buzzing with activity. Moot courts, panel discussions, tours, lectures, and more are on the agenda. Law students from every corner of Africa will converge in Rwanda to learn, exchange, and collaborate with their peers and practitioners in the field. Renowned speakers from different countries, including Ambassador Dr. Malik Nadeem Abid, the Secretary-General of the International Human Rights Commission, New York, United Nations, will be in attendance to share their insights and expertise.
The 2023 FALAS Annual Conference promises to be a groundbreaking event, exploring new ideas, inspiring collaboration, and celebrating Africa’s rich legal heritage. It’s an opportunity to be part of something greater, to contribute to the advancement of the legal profession in Africa, and to shape the future of the continent.
FALAS is not merely an organization; it’s a movement, and this conference is a testament to their dedication to a brighter legal future in Africa.
According to the New Times, this marks a major step in promoting innovation and convenience in the country’s financial landscape. The launch underscores the bank’s unwavering dedication to providing accessible financial services and establishing itself as a pioneer in customer-focused banking solutions.
This groundbreaking service allows both retail customers and sole proprietors of businesses in Rwanda and beyond to easily open accounts from the comfort of their homes or workplaces through a user-friendly process available on the bank’s website. By embracing this initiative, I&M Bank is adapting to the changing dynamics of the banking industry, ensuring an elevated level of convenience for its valued customers while seamlessly onboarding them onto all digital banking channels.
I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc has a history of embracing innovation, including the introduction of WhatsApp Banking in Rwanda, which provides customers with the convenience of banking at their fingertips. Benjamin Mutimura, CEO of I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc, commented on this latest innovation, saying, “At I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc, we are resolute in our commitment to remain at the forefront of innovation, continually improving our services to provide unparalleled satisfaction to our customers.”
Mutimura added, “At I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc, we believe in staying ahead of the curve and consistently enhancing our services to better serve our customers. Our online account opening service is a testament to our dedication to innovation and customer convenience. We take immense pride in leading these transformative changes and will continue to push the boundaries of what is achievable in the banking industry.”
The introduction of the online account opening service is part of I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc’s broader strategy to make banking more accessible and customer-friendly. The traditional account opening process, often perceived as time-consuming, has now been replaced by an intuitive online platform that guides customers through the necessary steps to open an account, all within minutes.
I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc is making substantial progress towards the future of banking, positioning the bank as an industry trailblazer with a commitment to technological advancement, customer satisfaction, and staying ahead of the curve. The bank continues to set new standards for the banking sector in Rwanda.
Established in 1963, I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc holds the distinction of being the oldest bank in Rwanda. Over the years, it has evolved into one of the industry’s prominent players with a strong presence across the nation. Offering a comprehensive portfolio of personal, business, institutional, and corporate banking products at various locations, I&M Bank Rwanda caters to a diverse range of customer needs.
As of this Thursday, United Nations reports indicate that more than 1,300 Israelis have lost their lives, while over 3,000 Palestinians have perished.
This conflict is taking place against the backdrop of ongoing construction efforts to rebuild damaged infrastructure, particularly in Gaza.
This war has reignited international divisions, despite over 70 years of unresolved conflict between Israel-Palestine, and more than 130 international resolutions from the UN aimed at addressing the issue.
At the outset of the conflict, various countries expressed their positions based on their perspectives on the problem and their diplomatic relations with Israel and Palestine.
Rwanda, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, denounced the Hamas attack, and called for a resolution to the tensions between the two sides.
Rwanda and Israel maintain strong bilateral relations, with embassies in both countries, which are reinforced by reciprocal visits from their leaders.
However, Rwanda has historically been cautious in addressing the Israel-Palestine issue. For example, in 2017, when the United States moved its embassy to Jerusalem, Rwanda remained silent regarding that decision.
Kenya is another country that issued a statement following the Hamas attack. President William Ruto expressed strong condemnation of the attack on civilians via his ‘X’ Twitter account and affirmed his country’s support for Israel.
Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni also condemned the attack, emphasizing that the ideal solution is the existence of two states, Palestine and Israel, as confirmed by the UN resolutions in 1947.
Uganda’s relations with Israel have seen ups and downs, notably during the rule of President Idi Amin, who expelled Israelis in 1972. Currently, Israel doesn’t have an embassy in Uganda, and its interests in the country are overseen through its embassy in Kenya.
Among those abducted by Hamas from Israel were two students with Tanzanian citizenship. In response to the attack, Tanzania issued a statement expressing solidarity with both Israelis and Palestinians who lost their lives and condemning violence.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) also condemned the Hamas attack on Israel and expressed solidarity with the Israeli people. Congo has an embassy in Tel Aviv, while it’s considering the possibility of opening an embassy in Kinshasa.
In 1973, when the DR Congo was known as Zaire under Mobutu Sese Seko’s leadership, relations between the Congo and Israel were strong. At that time, Israel had positive relations with the South African government, which was accused of oppressing black people. Additionally, the 1967 war resulted in Israel’s occupation of Gaza, which was previously under Egyptian control.
Burundi, a neighboring country of Rwanda, has not made any official statements about the conflict between Hamas and Israel. Both countries lack embassies in each other’s territories but have regional representatives. In the past, Burundi indicated its lack of support for certain international decisions, such as the 2017 United Nations vote against moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.
There is a growing concern that the Israel-Hamas conflict may escalate further, as both sides have support from multiple countries, potentially threatening global stability. This region, home to significant reserves of oil, gas, and other valuable resources, plays a vital role in the global economy.
From further improving connectivity to supporting an open world economy, Xi unveiled eight major steps to bring Belt and Road cooperation to a new stage of higher-quality and higher-level development in a keynote speech at the opening of a high-profile forum.
Xi vowed to speed up high-quality development of China-Europe Railway Express and, together with other parties, build a new logistics corridor across the Eurasian continent linked by direct railway and road transportation.
China will enter into free trade agreements and investment protection treaties with more countries and remove all restrictions on foreign investment access in the manufacturing sector, Xi said.
Both signature projects and “small yet smart” livelihood programs will be promoted with more financing support. Two Chinese policy banks will each set up a 350 billion yuan (48.75 billion U.S. dollars) financing window, and an additional 80 billion yuan will be injected into the Silk Road Fund, according to Xi.
The president also pledged more commitment into green development, scientific and technological innovation, people-to-people exchanges, integrity-based Belt and Road cooperation, and the institutional building for international Belt and Road cooperation.
The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held on Tuesday and Wednesday was the most significant celebration for the 10th anniversary of the BRI.
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Attendees of the opening ceremony spoke highly of Xi’s speech.
“It was an inspiring speech. It delivered clear messages on the future of the Belt and Road cooperation and how China’s robust economic growth will benefit the world as well as foreign investors like us,” said Atakan Bozkurt, chief executive officer of Burger King China.
“President Xi’s vision is appreciated by so many people in the world,” said Vito Rosario Petrocelli, president of Italy BRICS Institute. “The BRI is the best initiative to make the Global South better and can give a lot of opportunities to developing countries and play a very big role in protecting the environment.”
Ismail Hakki Musa, ambassador of Türkiye to China, said few imagined that the BRI would have such influence and force to transform the world in economic, infrastructure and development areas. “Today everyone is aware of the fact that this is an unprecedented achievement.”
Xi consecutively proposed building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road in 2013. The pairing later came to be known as the BRI.
Over the past 10 years, the BRI has evolved from ideas into actions and from a vision into reality.
Speeding trains and trucks have become trade symbols in the new era, just like camel caravans in the past. Hydro stations and wind plants have helped in removing the development bottleneck for developing countries. Brand new airports, harbors, and industrial parks have brought fresh momentum to regional growth.
By promoting the Belt and Road cooperation, China is pursuing modernization not for itself, but for all developing countries through joint efforts.
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“Global modernization should be pursued to enhance peaceful development and mutually beneficial cooperation and bring prosperity to all,” Xi said.
So far, more than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations have signed Belt and Road cooperation agreements, with the initiative extending from the Eurasian continent to Africa and Latin America.
Jiri Paroubek, former prime minister of the Czech Republic, said the Belt and Road will help many countries of the developing world to increase their development, and also the living standards of the people.
The BRI transcends differences between civilizations, cultures, social systems, and stages of development, and has opened up a new path for exchanges among countries, and established a new framework for international cooperation, Xi said.
Looking back at the past decade, Xi said the achievements demonstrate that the Belt and Road cooperation is on the right side of history. “It represents the advancing of our times, and it is the right path forward.”
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“China can only do well when the world is doing well. When China does well, the world will get even better,” Xi said, noting that China, opening its door even wider to the world, has become a main trading partner of more than 140 countries and regions and a primary source of investment for more countries.
Xi said that win-win cooperation is the sure way to success in launching major initiatives that benefit all, and that the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit is the most important source of strength for Belt and Road cooperation.
“Ideological confrontation, geopolitical rivalry and bloc politics are not a choice for us. What we stand against are unilateral sanctions, economic coercion and decoupling and supply chain disruption,” said the Chinese president.
“Today the world needs a common and collective approach to tackle the tremendous challenges we all have, and I think the BRI puts everyone in connection,” said Miguel Moratinos, high representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations.
The meeting, held on Oct. 17-19, brought together more than 2,500 delegates, including political leaders, government officials, experts, representatives from the United Nations and the African Union, as well as dozens of technology companies and start-ups, among others, from across Africa and the world.
“The rollout and deployment of 5G is expected to contribute to the growth of Africa by creating jobs and improving incomes. The ecosystem surrounding the 5G economy is much more powerful than any other technology that preceded it in the realm of digital communications,” Amir Abdelazim, a partner expert with Detecon Consulting, said in an interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of MWC2023 on Thursday.
He added that African countries should put in significant efforts to ensure the rapid deployment of 5G networks, unlocking unprecedented opportunities for innovation and economic development on the continent. “It is remarkable to see how startups in Africa are working to find innovative solutions that can catalyze the rollout of 5G.”
Elizabeth Migwalla, vice president of international government affairs for Qualcomm, told Xinhua that the 5G standard is designed to enable new services and use cases across all sectors of the economy.
“It is the capabilities of 5G that make this transformation possible. When properly deployed and used, every sector of the economy can benefit from 5G, spanning from education and health to governance and transportation in Africa,” she added.
While addressing the 5G session on the sidelines of the MWC2023, Li Tao, president of Huawei Southern Africa Wireless Business, emphasized that 5G technology has substantial potential to drive economic growth in Africa.
He noted that Huawei plays a crucial role in delivering 5G technology to the African continent. “5G can stimulate and promote the 5G industry further by enhancing various aspects, such as devices, ecosystem, and network.”
The momentum for 5G is growing in Africa. However, the initial focus for 5G deployment is on urban areas and industrial locations, where there is a greater need for the technology, according to Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa’s latest report by Global System for Mobile Communications, a global organization that unifies the mobile ecosystem.
The initiative is a role model for inclusion and international cooperation that keeps with the UN agenda, Tavares said in a recent interview with Xinhua, hailing the BRI as “an excellent opportunity for Africa to industrialize and develop.”
The initiative is fundamental for African development and China’s support for African countries with its own experience in the area of industrial policies and strategies will help the continent achieve its development goals faster, he said.
Emphasizing the initiative has helped African countries find innovative solutions to their own problems, the representative said, “I like very much the idea and this is an inspiration we can get from China.”
“We are still discussing policy on industrialization, policy on digitalization, policy on quality, policy on environment and sustainability as the world is undergoing rapid and profound changes,” Tavares said.
With the initiative “on our side,” he added, progress and goals will be achieved.
Citing the Kribi Deep Seaport in Cameroon as an example, Tavares said it has played a crucial role in bolstering infrastructure development, employment, trade and investment in Cameroon.
The construction of the first phase of the project in 2018 stimulated Cameroon’s economy and provided relief for the harbor at Douala port, the country’s most populous city, and the second phase is in progress and will help improve the efficiency of the port and enable Cameroon to become a maritime hub in Central and West Africa upon its completion.
The UN agency “intends to have a role in the creation of an economic zone or maybe an industrial park around Kribi and BRI will be facilitating,” he added.
Tavares also praised China’s transfer of skills as vital, saying that “enterprises from China are doing more than development.”
“Belt and Road is another way to work together, another way to do something regarding many countries, not only bilateral and this is what the United Nations in general is promoting, multilateralism,” Tavares said.
The airline said in a press release that Thursday’s inaugural flight came after it secured approvals from aviation authorities in Uganda and Nigeria. “Uganda Airlines will operate flights to Nigeria three times a week, on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays, using its state-of-the-art 258-seat Airbus A330-800neo aircraft.”
Jenifer Bamuturaki, the airline’s chief executive officer, said the flight schedule is arranged to provide as much connectivity as possible to other destinations with minimal waiting times.
“Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy while Uganda’s central location on the continent makes it the ideal connection hub between East, West, North and Southern Africa,” Bamuturaki was quoted by the press release as saying. “The direct flights will yield significant time savings for our guests who will be terminating their journeys in Uganda and those who may wish to travel onward within our network to Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, Mombasa, Juba, Bujumbura, Kinshasa, Dubai, Mogadishu or Johannesburg and Mumbai.”
Lagos becomes Uganda Airlines’ 13th destination following the launch of direct flights to Mumbai, India, on Oct. 7.
The one-day symposium, organized by the College of Liberal Arts at Chongqing Normal University and the Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda, brought together Rwandan government officials and scholars, as well as education experts from Rwanda, China and the East African region.
Speaking at the event, Florien Nsanganwimana, principal of the University of Rwanda’s College of Education, said that the symposium is a testament to the enduring partnership between Chongqing Normal University and the University of Rwanda.
“The purpose of this symposium is to take Chinese language education in Rwanda to the next level because we are committed to raising the bar in Chinese language education,” Nsanganwimana said. “We aim to make Chinese language education more accessible to a broader audience in Rwanda and the East African region.”
Nsanganwimana highlighted the event signifies the remarkable journey that has been undertaken in promoting Chinese language education and cultural exchange.
“As we deliberate on the development of Chinese language education in Rwanda and the broader East African region, let us not only celebrate our achievements but also look ahead to the exciting opportunities and challenges that await us. Together, we can continue to bridge cultures and foster mutual understanding,” he said.
Shui Qiang, deputy director of the College of Liberal Arts at Chongqing Normal University, said via video link at the event that the College of Liberal Arts looks forward to providing more support and assistance for the development of Chinese language education in East Africa.
“We are willing to share resources and experiences in the field of international Chinese language education with East African countries, jointly promoting cooperation and exchange in language, culture, and education,” Shui said.
He made the remarks after presenting credentials to President Paul Kagame on Wednesday 18th October 2023 pledging to enhance the excellent relationships that exist between Botswana and Rwanda.
“As you know, Rwanda has embarked on a remarkable journey and stands as a model of exemplary leadership. Through challenging times, it has evolved into a beacon of hope and prosperity not only for the people of Rwanda. This journey represents a remarkable transition towards a future filled with hope and high expectations,” he exclaimed.
He also commended Rwanda for its innovative and effective policies in subsistence farming, setting remarkable examples not only for the entire African continent but also for developing countries worldwide.
In the same manner, Sesinyi appreciated Rwanda’s leadership which is known for democracy, good governance and planning, stating that the nation is not only a ‘doer of marvellous things, but also a pace nation’.
“I feel empowered and enabled to continue to enhance the excellent relationships that exist between our two countries. We have excellent relations at several levels which include a joint permanent commission of corporation – an instrumental platform through which we expect to coordinate all the activities that mutually benefit our people,” he explained.
Kagame also received letters of credentials of envoys from the United States of America (USA), Spain, Malaysia, Czech Republic and Netherlands.
Speaking to the media after presenting his credentials, Eric Williams Kneedler, the ambassador of USA explained the three main areas of focus he presented to the Kagame.
These include; education of Rwandan students in America and vice-versa, expanding the economic and commercial linkages between the US and Rwanda and syncing and aligning partners with Rwanda’s National Strategy for Information (NSIT1) and NST2, in addition to other initiatives in the areas of health, environment, economic empowerment, among others.
Joan Jacobje Jantina, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Rwanda expressed great honour for presenting her credentials to Kagame reckoning on the good relationship and cooperation the two countries have which dates many years back.
Committing to work together with the government of Rwanda, Joan hinted on some of the areas that Netherlands intends to cooperate on with Rwanda like the green economic cooperation, private sector development, all which align with Rwanda’s transformation agenda.
“Our partnership has grown stronger and stronger and it is based on mutual trust and confidence and I’m strongly believe that this confidence is also reflected in the decision of his excellency the president and the government of rwanda to open a mission in Prague in our capital,” said Nicol Adamcova, the ambassador Czech republic after presenting her credentials to Kagame.
Earlier this year, the Government of Rwanda built a mission in Prague, the capital of Czech Republic a thing Adamcova says is proof for the two nations partnership that dates back to 1994.
She further stressed Czech’s will to strengthen partnerships with Rwanda in the health sector, advanced technologies, digitalization, and trade missions.
On the other hand, the Ambassador of Malaysia- Ruzaimi Bin Mohamad expressed the need to improve economic cooperation between Malaysia and Rwanda, as both countries were greatly affected by COVID-19.
In August this year, Kagame received twelve credentials from envoys from South Korea, Pakistan, Ethiopia and Iran, among others.
