The monthly community work event was attended by guests who are in Rwanda for the Basketball Africa League (BAL) finals, which are scheduled to take place on Saturday. The finals will feature a face-off between AS Douanes from Senegal and Al Ahly from Egypt.
During the community work event, President Kagame familiarized the participating guests with the long-standing tradition of Umuganda in Rwanda.
Umuganda serves as a platform to unite people for various community development initiatives, such as promoting hygiene, planting trees, and improving infrastructure among others.
President Kagame expressed his gratitude to the guests for joining Rwandans in their community work efforts, emphasizing the significance of collective action for the betterment of society.
During his time in Rwanda from 26-29 May 2023, Pauleta and his delegation, including four French media, will explore and immerse themselves in Rwanda’s vibrant culture and captivating tourist attractions.
Pedro Pauleta, a former Portugal and Paris Saint-Germain FC striker, is one of PSG’s all-time leading scorers and a fan favourite.
While in Rwanda, Pauleta will also visit the PSG Academy in Rwanda located at the Huye District, Southern Province and join a training session with academy players. The PSG Academy trains future talents and encourages young Rwandans to pursue football as a professional career. Pedro will be joined in Huye by Nadia Benmokhtar, Head of Paris Saint-Germain Academy & Esport (International).
During his stay in Rwanda, the PSG legend will learn about Rwanda’s history and enjoy iconic attractions and experiences, including: Kigali Genocide Memorial, Basketball Africa League Final at the BK Arena, PSG Academy in Rwanda- Huye District, Southern Province, Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Culinary and art experiences
Through the Visit Rwanda campaign, the Rwanda Development Board is working with Paris Saint-Germain to showcase the country as a premier tourism and investment destination in Africa and promote Rwandan tea and coffee. Rwanda and Paris Saint-Germain recently extended their partnership until 2025 after a fruitful initial three-year collaboration.
{{About Visit Rwanda}}
Visit Rwanda is the tourism and marketing initiative of the Rwanda Development Board, a government body responsible for fast-tracking Rwanda’s economic development by enabling private sector growth. Visit Rwanda works with local conservation, tourism, and development partners to create and market tourism experiences that benefit tourists, local communities as well as wildlife and ecosystems.
The campaign that is slated to last two months, will be rewarding twenty-five (25) customers a week of which fifteen (15) will be existing customers who actively participate by borrowing and saving within the campaign, and ten (10) will be new customers who opt-in to MoKash and demonstrate the highest frequency of savings. Additionally, there will be monthly cash prizes awarded at the end of each month. The customer with the highest frequency of savings and borrowing will receive various cash prizes of up to three million Rwandan Francs (Rwf 3,000,000). Furthermore, at the close of the campaign, the customer with the highest frequency of savings and borrowing will walk away with a grand prize of five million Rwandan Francs (Rwf 5,000,000).
Essentially, TubiriMo campaign is based on the concept that the more you save and borrow the more chances you have of winning.
Chantal Kagame, Mobile Money Rwanda Limited Chief Executive Officer highlighted “We are excited to kick off this TubiriMo campaign, offering our customers and even those who hope to join, exciting prizes to those who save and borrow with MoKash. TubiriMo is a call to action to make it happen. Whether it’s a business you’ve been meaning to start but have been short of capital or if there’s a plot of land you’ve been eyeing, you can make it happen by saving or borrowing with MoKash. Essentially, this campaign is underlined by our overarching mission to empower our customers with affordable and accessible loans as well as saving solutions that enable them to achieve their goals.”
Winners will be called on a weekly and monthly basis by MoMo Rwanda through this line 07840000000.
Lina M. Higiro, NCBA Bank Rwanda Chief Executive Officer also highlighting “We are thrilled to launch this ground-breaking campaign, ‘TubiriMO’, which aims to empower individuals and businesses alike to unlock their full potential through MoKash. With TubiriMO, we are providing our customers with an incredible opportunity to turn their aspirations into reality. Join us on a journey of financial empowerment and stand a chance to win big. Through affordable loans and innovative savings solutions, we are committed to empowering our customers and enabling them to achieve their goals. Let MoKash be your catalyst for success.”
MoKash is a suite of banking products that are offered to MTN Mobile Money customers to enhance the MTN Mobile Money value proposition. Saving increases chances of being eligible for a loan or higher limits. Customers also earn an interest of seven per cent per annum (7% pa) and have access to credit at an affordable fee of nine per cent (9%) of the amount borrowed. To-date, the product has over 3.6 million MTN mobile money subscribers and has disbursed over Rwf 110Bn in short-term micro-loans, Rwf7.8Bn in retail deposits and Rwf 9.2Bn in outstanding loans.
{{About Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd}}
Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd is MTN Rwanda’s FinTech subsidiary, established on 27th April 2021 to provide and manage Mobile Money services in Rwanda. The company has about 4.5 milllion subscribers over 65,000 Mobile Money agents and over 230,000 MoMoPay merchants across the country.
The penetration of Mobile Money has seen a continuous rise with the enhancement of existing offerings such as MoMoPay, MoMo eTicketing as a digital user-friendly ticketing solution, Tap&Go payments for bus services, Bill Payments, International & regional Remittances, Bulk Payments, Electricity purchase, Payment of Government services, Bank Push & Pull, MoKash Loans & Savings, and more.
Supply chain disruptions partly caused by COVID-19 and the Ukraine crisis have made it difficult for African farmers who feed the population on the continent to have enough access to inputs such as fertilizer, it said.
“But the continent cannot continue to be defined by these shocks. We must focus on developing and strengthening the entire value chain of agriculture to ensure food security,” noted the statement.
“The current and future effects of climate change are a wake-up call for Africa to reorient its agriculture development agenda. Many best practices that have transformed the African agriculture sector are available to learn from and scale up,” it added.
The statement also called for interventions, including country-specific technologies, climate-smart technologies, and diversifying farming systems to ensure a robust agriculture sector to withstand internal and external shocks.
Organized by the African Continental Free Trade Area secretariat and the UONGOZI Institute, the two-day forum, under the theme of “Promoting intra-African trade to unlock agricultural potential in Africa,” brought together former and current African leaders to discuss and exchange ideas on ways to address pertinent challenges facing Africa.
“We call on all pensioners of the armed forces, including officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers and all those who are able to carry arms, to go to the nearest military base to get armed,” Yassin Ibrahim Yassin said in a statement, adding that the move was intended to enable those people to defend themselves.
The statement stressed the Sudanese Army’s commitment to the humanitarian truce based on the moral responsibility to protect civilians and humanitarian aid, and accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of continuing its violations of the truce.
The statement described the clashes with the RSF as a “cities war” which has no time limits, stressing the Sudanese Army’s ability to defeat the remnants of the rebel force.
Earlier in the day, Saudi Arabia and the United States announced that Sudan’s warring parties are complying better with a seven-day cease-fire agreement signed on May 20 in the Saudi port city of Jeddah.
According to the agreement, which was brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States and entered into force on Monday, the warring parties shall guarantee civilians’ freedom of movement throughout the country and protect them from violence, harassment, recruitment, or other abuses, as well as refrain from any violations of international human rights law. The parties shall also provide security guarantees for safe and unhindered access for humanitarian agencies.
In its latest update on the situation in Sudan on Wednesday, the International Organization for Migration said that the conflict in Sudan has forced more than 1.36 million people to flee their homes, including nearly 320,000 who have escaped to neighboring countries.
Sudan has been witnessing deadly armed clashes between the Sudanese Army and the RSF in the capital Khartoum and other areas since April 15.
Commissioner of Police (CP) Bruce Munyambo, representing the RNP leadership, emphasized the significance of the training in reinforcing the force’s peacekeeping efforts. He highlighted the fruitful partnership between UNITAR and RNP, emphasizing that Rwanda National Police aims to contribute to peacekeeping missions for the betterment of the region and beyond.
CP Munyambo reiterated the importance of maintaining a competent, disciplined, skilled, and professional police force through regular training. He emphasized that this commitment aligns with the objective of achieving full operational capacity in mission areas. The CP reminded the trainees that the course has enhanced their capacity in peacekeeping operations training, urging them to effectively apply the skills acquired.
Eliane Maisonneuve, one of the UNITAR trainers, expressed gratitude to the trainees for their active participation throughout the course and acknowledged the support provided by the RNP leadership. She emphasized the continual learning process for trainers, highlighting the importance of learning from one another as facilitators.
Reflecting on the course, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Eugine Mushayija highlighted the diverse methodologies and modules that contributed to shaping them into effective trainers. ACP Mushayija expressed confidence in the skills acquired during the training and pledged to apply them in their respective training schools and programs.
Through the successful completion of the UNITAR course, Rwanda National Police continues to enhance its peacekeeping capacity, ensuring the development of competent trainers capable of meeting international standards in multinational peacekeeping operations.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres laid a wreath at the Peacekeepers Memorial in honor of the more than 4,200 UN peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948.
Moments later, he presided over a ceremony in the General Assembly Hall at which Dag Hammarskjold Medals were awarded posthumously to 103 military, police and civilian peacekeepers who lost their lives serving under the UN flag in 2022.
In remarks at the ceremony, Guterres said that for civilians caught in conflict, UN blue helmets who support security, stability and the rule of law in host countries are seen as “a beacon of hope and protection.”
“They represent the beating heart of the United Nations’ commitment to peace,” he said. “By bringing peacekeepers together from around the world, peacekeeping has also become an inspiring symbol of multilateralism in action.”
Thursday’s ceremonies were staged to observe the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, which falls on May 29, and to mark the 75th anniversary of UN peacekeeping.
The first UN peacekeeping mission was established in May 1948, when the UN Security Council authorized the deployment of a small number of UN military observers to the Middle East to form the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization to monitor the Armistice Agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbors.
According to a UN press release, more than 2 million peacekeepers from 125 countries have since served in 71 operations around the world. Today, 87,000 women and men are serving in 12 conflict zones across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Guterres pointed out that peacekeepers face a daunting array of rising global tensions and divides, and “are increasingly working in places where there is no peace to keep.”
“Despite all obstacles, our personnel persevere, risking their own lives in service of others,” said the UN chief. “I pay tribute to their service and sacrifice, which inspire our work every day.”
He expressed the commitment that the United Nations will do its utmost to support the peacekeepers, including improving their safety and security and the effectiveness of peacekeeping.
Guterres also presented the 2022 Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award to Captain Cecilia Erzuah, a military officer from Ghana who served with the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei.
Created in 2016, the award recognizes the dedication and effort of an individual peacekeeper in promoting the principles of UN Security Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.
The resolution is a reminder that there can be no lasting peace without involving women at every step, Guterres said, noting that many negotiating teams and peace processes today are totally dominated by men.
“It’s up to all of us — governments, communities and local officials — to ensure that women play their full part, including as leaders, in building and maintaining peace,” he said.
Teachers and students from the Macau University of Science and Technology,
I’ve received your letter. From between the lines of what you said in your letter, I could feel your enthusiasm and sense of responsibility to devote to the country’s development of science and technology and building the country’s strength in aerospace. I was very delighted to hear about the successful launch of the “Macao Science 1” space exploration satellites in which you have put your efforts, and I would like to extend warm congratulations!
In recent years, the deepening scientific and technological cooperation between Macao and the mainland in areas such as aerospace has achieved commendable results. Efforts to make China a global leader in science and technology and to advance Chinese modernization have opened up broader prospects for universities in Macao as well as local scientific and technological personnel. I hope you will continue to carry forward the fine tradition of loving both the motherland and Macao, integrate your own development into the overall development of the country, actively take part in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and help with Macao’s efforts to appropriately diversify its economy so as to make new contributions to the successful practice of “one country, two systems” in Macao.
GITEX Africa 2023, now the largest tech and start-up show in the African continent, will make its highly anticipated debut from 31 May-2 June, with the final preparations underway across ten halls and 45,000sqm of exhibition space in a purpose-built super venue at Place Bab Jdid, Bd Al Yarmouk in the Red City of Marrakech. It will welcome 900 big tech companies, government entities, start-ups and participants from more than 100 countries, while attracting tens of thousands of attendees from all over the world.
GITEX Africa is the largest business event launch of any industry in the Middle East and Africa in recent years, and is affiliated with GITEX Global in Dubai, the world’s largest tech and start-up show, rated by global tech executives as the world’s best global tech event.
Held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, GITEX Africa is hosted by the Digital Development Agency (ADD), under the authority of the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform.
Addressing media at the show’s official preview press conference today was H.E Dr Ghita Mezzour, Minister of the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform; Sidi Mohammed Drissi Melyani, the General Director of ADD; and Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, GITEX Africa’s organiser.
In attendance were GITEX Africa’s official institutional partners the ANRT (Moroccan National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency), AMDIE (Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency), ONMT (Moroccan National Tourist Office), ONDA (National Airports Office), Royal Air Maroc, and ONCF (Moroccan National Railway Office).
“The Kingdom of Morocco is proud to host GITEX Africa under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him,” said H.E. Dr Mezzour. “We’re witnessing a historic event, the first ever edition of GITEX Africa, and the largest tech networking and learning business event in the African continent.
“GITEX Africa will be an opportunity for Moroccan and African start-ups owners and young programmers to get in touch with regional and global investors and business incubators. An opportunity as well to networking with actors in both public and private sectors.”
Mr. Sidi Mohammed Drissi Melyani, the General Director of ADD, added that hosting GITEX Africa underlines Morocco’s commitment to work alongside the private and public sector to accelerate Africa’s digital infrastructure development while promoting cross-continental e-governance policies that improve digital transparency, openness and process integration: “The Kingdom of Morocco as well as the whole African continent is so honoured to host the first edition of GITEX Africa Morocco, which will take place in Marrakech from May 31st to June 2nd, 2023,” said Mr. Melyani.
“This big event, organised under the high patronage of his Majesty the King Mohammed VI, is an important opportunity to value the efforts deployed by all the Moroccan stakeholders in the field of digital development. It is also a platform of networking between exhibitors, investors, researchers and tech operators around innovative solutions and digital transformation. This first edition will definitely contribute to enhance digital transition in Africa as a future innovation hub, led by its young talents and competitive start-ups.”
{{Magnifying Africa’s collective digital innovation ambitions and achievements}}
GITEX Africa’s impressive scale in its debut edition reflects the ambitions of Africa’s digital movement, with cross-continental initiatives such as Smart Africa’s vision to create a single digital market in Africa by 2030 propelling the continent to the forefront of the global digital economy.
“For too long, the world’s second largest continent has been under-stated and overlooked for its profound digital opportunities and aspirations,” commented Ms. LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International.
“At GITEX Africa, our mission is to curate an event that will serve the purpose of the African community in accessing business development, investment and learning opportunities. We focus on empowering the new generation of tech and creative talents to augment the culture of entrepreneurship and provide a single occasion that shall bring together the public and private sector leaderships to build tangible meaningful outcomes.”
That GITEX Africa hoisted the sold-out sign fuelling further expansion months before its grand opening is testament to the world’s confidence and optimism in the African digital opportunity, amplified by figures that underline the aspirations of African countries in their quest for digital excellence.
Africa’s vibrant start-up ecosystem also continues to grab headlines with the creation of seven unicorns over the last few years while according to analysts Briter Bridges, African start-ups raised a total of US$5.4 billion across 900-plus deals in 2022.
The influx of global interest will see GITEX Africa 2023 host more than 400 disruptive start-ups from 30 countries, including 200 international award-winning start-ups and 11 unicorns eager to share their achievements and access the promising African innovation hub.
All will have the opportunity to connect with 250 investors from 34 countries with US$200 billion worth of assets under management. As the ultimate start-up incubator and magnet for flourishing VC funds, GITEX Africa will deliver a structured and carefully curated scouting platform for these investors, of which 70 percent are coming from outside of Africa.
Added Ms. LohMirmand: “GITEX integrates Africa strategically into the hyper-connected tech ecosystem across 100 countries. It now firmly plugs Africa into the global entrepreneurial innovation economy boasting of resources imperative for the region to dynamize its digital transformation mission.”
{{Accelerating the Moroccan digital development strategy }}
GITEX Africa 2023 will also accentuate the progress of Morocco’s digital development strategy, strengthening its position among the top three African countries with the best ICT infrastructure, and underlining its status as having one of the continent’s most advanced telecommunications markets.
According to analysts IDC, Morocco’s IT market, comprising hardware, software and IT services, is expected to reach a value of US$1.7 billion in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 4.3 percent to reach US$1.9 billion in 2026. In 2023, growth is expected to be driven by enterprise and service provider spending in the North African country as organisations increasingly look to adopt hybrid cloud as a step towards their digital transformation initiatives.
{{World’s best minds gather at Africa’s most impactful leadership conference agenda}}
Africa’s most impactful leadership conference programme will meanwhile gather 250-plus speakers from 50 countries to share valuable exchanges and insights with a curious business audience motivated to draw on international experience applied to an African-centric context.
The GITEX Africa Digital Summit will lead ten conference tracks comprising 140-plus hours of mind-stretching content exploring the most pertinent transformational topics advancing Africa’s digital agenda, from generative AI and digital cities, or Fintech and agritech, to healthcare, energy, innovation, sustainable development goals, and a spotlight on the world’s most exciting start-up ecosystem.
GITEX Africa 2023 is open from 11:30am to 6:00pm on 31st May, and from 10:00am to 6:00pm on the 1st and 2nd June. Admission is for trade professionals only with a special invitation for students aged 16 years and older on day three.
The first day of the event, known as “Take Care,” focused on demonstrating the hotel’s value of caring for its associates. This value is central to Marriott’s philosophy: when associates are taken care of, they, in turn, take care of the guests, leading to guest satisfaction and loyalty.
During this significant occasion for Marriott, the Cluster General Manager, Mr. Matthias Widor, and the Cluster Director of Human Resources, Ms. Nicole Ingabire Munyangabe, kicked off the event.
Mr. Matthias Widor expressed his gratitude to the associates, reflecting on the past year’s accomplishments and the hotel’s growth. He mentioned notable achievements such as the opening of the Four Points by Sheraton, hosting the CHOGM in June 2022, surpassing expectations after the pandemic, and hosting the 73rd FIFA Congress in March of this year. He credited the dedication and passion of the associates for making all these achievements possible.
Mr. Widor expressed his pride in being part of the winning team and extended his heartfelt thanks to everyone, emphasizing his love for Rwanda and the warm welcome he and his family have received.
The Cluster Director of Human Resources, Ms. Nicole Ingabire Munyangabe, spoke about the AAW (Associates Appreciation Week) and the exciting plans for the enjoyable week ahead.
She conveyed her wishes for a happy AAW and expressed excitement in celebrating and acknowledging the associates for their hard work and positive energy that drive the success of the business.
Ms. Munyangabe emphasized that the associates are integral to the operation of the hotels and conveyed a big thank you to them for their contributions.
{{Day 1: Take Care}}
{ {{The general manager together with the heads of departments shared a special lunch with associates at both Hotels prepared by them to show their skills in traditional cuisine.}} }
