The performance was mainly driven agriculture, industry sector and services which contributed 25%, 21% and 47% respectively while the net direct taxes accounted for 7%.
Figures released on Thursday 16th March 2023, show that agriculture grew by 2%, industry by 5% while services grew by 12%.
Besides, hotel and restaurants grew by 87%, financial services grew by 10%, information and communication by 20%, education by 17%, transport by 22% while wholesale and retail services increased by 14%.
As per figures from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), Rwanda registered GDP growth by 7.9% in the first quarter of 2022, 7.5% in the second, 10% in the third and 7.3% in the fourth quarter.
The annual growth was estimated at 8.2% in 2022 compared to 2021.
Generally, the agricultural produce dropped by 1% while agricultural exports decreased by 4%.
In the industry sector, mining and quarry exploration registered 15% growth and 11% increase in manufacturing output.
The output of the food processing industry increased by 13 percent, the output of the clothing and footwear processing industry increased by 21 percent, and the output of the metal processing industry increased by 7 percent.
NISR has revealed that the output would have increased further but it was not possible owing to the decline in construction activities which decreased by 6 percent.
According to the Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana, the published figures are a general indicator of overall activities carried out during the year.
The casket carrying his body was taken to the cemetery after a requiem mass celebrated at Regina Pacis Parish in Remera.
It was attended by his family, friends, senior RDF Military Officers and Generals among others.
The condolence message from President Paul Kagame and Commander in Chief (C-in-C) of RDF to the family of the late Gen Marcel Gatsinzi was read in Kinyarwanda by Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Albert Murasira. He said that it was an extremely sad moment for the family, RDF and the country.
He commended late Gen Gatsinzi for his commendable service and exemplary achievements while serving the country in different capacities.
Children of late Gen Gatsinzi attested that their father always encouraged them to be fond of the nation.
“He continued to encourage us to work for the country and contribute to its development. I voice my sincere appreciation to top military officers present here and President of the Republic. Despite the passing of our father, we are aware that we are in a large family. We shall follow his footsteps and assure that we won’t disappoint you,” said Daniel Gatsinzi.
“If he was able to stay with us at this moment, he would say ‘thank you and I love you’. We also thank you and love you from the bottom of our hearts,” added the son of late Gen Gatsinzi.
Gen (Rtd) Marcel Gatsinzi breathed the last on Monday 6th March 2023. He succumbed to natural at a hospital in Belgium where he was receiving treatment.
Gen Marcel Gatsinzi served in various leadership roles for the army and the country including serving as Rwanda’s Minister of Defence from 2002 to 2010, and as the Minister of Disaster Preparedness and Refugee Affairs from 2010 to 2013.
Gen Marcel Gatsinzi was born in Muhima, Nyarugenge District in 1948.
He attended Primary School at Sainte Famille and pursued secondary education at Saint André where he studied Latin and Science courses.
He later joined the military at the age of 20.
Gatsinzi spent two years undergoing military training at “Ecole Supérieure d’Officiers Militaires (ESM)” where he graduated with the rank of Lieutenant in 1970.
He served as an instructor, and attended different professional training in Belgium between 1971 and 1976 at “Institut Royale Supérieure de Défense”.
During the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Gtsinzi was at the rank of Colonel and was the commander of Non-Commissioned Officers School in Ngoma Commune, current Huye District.
Following the shooting down of former President Juvénal Habyarimana’s airplane on 6th April 1994, Gen Gatsinzi was named Defence Chief Staff replacing Gen Maj Augustin Nsabimana who died with Habyarimana.
He assumed the duties for ten days before dismissal by the then interim government and was replaced by Col Augustin Bizimungu.
By the time RPA soldiers captured Kigali, Gatsinzi had the rank of Brigadier General and was living in Kigeme camp along with other soldiers.
He left the camp for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through Rusizi.
Gatsinzi stayed in DRC for one month before returning to Rwanda where he joined RDF. Upon joining the army, he was given the rank of Colonel.
Gatsinzi served as the Deputy Army Chief of Staff, Commander of Military Police and Headed the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).
He held the rank of Major General at the time.
In 2004, Gatsinzi was promoted to General and became the first soldier to rise to to the rank.
He served as the Minister of Defence between 2022 and 2010.
In October 2013, Gen Gatsinzi was sent to retirement along with five other generals.
The Head of State was delivering remarks on Thursday 16th March 2023 at the 73rd Congress of the World’s Football Governing Body (FIFA) held at BK Arena.
Kagame thanked FIFA for having selected Rwanda as a host of the congress bringing together 211 member associations.
“This is a great honour because you could have chosen to go elsewhere,” he said.
Kagame stated that, through the leadership of Infantino, the World Cup presented opportunities for increased participation of African.
“I first got to know Gianni around eight years ago when he was campaigning to lead FIFA. I was convinced by his values and by his vision for the positive role that football can play in society. He was the leader FIFA needed at that moment and everything I have seen from that time until now assures me that he deserves to continue to lead this organization,” he said.
“Under the new FIFA World Cup format, the slots available for African teams will almost double, creating even more engagement and visibility on our continent. What is important is the plan to continue developing and anchoring football in Africa,” added Kagame.
The President maintained that the African Cup of Nationals is not a little tournament stressing that the difference between a successful player in Africa and Europe has nothing to do with talent.
“Often, the difference between a successful player in Africa and Europe is not talent. It is the lack of quality infrastructure, training and support,” he underscored.
Kagame stressed the need for collaboration between federations and associations to reach common objectives quickly and observed that today’s world needs sports that unites people.
“What the world needs is to see more of the positive spirit of sportsmanship in pour politics rather than bringing political divisions into sports. […] We need to keep bad politics out of sports,” he stated.
Kagame pointed out an example alluding to the way criticisms increased when Qatar was selected to host the World Cup 2022 until it ended successfully.
“As we saw last year, in the constant hypocritical criticisms at the World Cup; instead of asking why is it being held there, first ask why not?” he wondered.
“Unless we are talking about a kind of entitlement that only some of us on this globe deserve to enjoy. It is about keeping some people in their place but that kind of attitude should have been left far behind in history by now,” added Kagame.
The Head of State also said that athletes have rights to object to what personally affects them and their communities.
“They certainly do. Politics in sports reflects the problems that society faces. When fans throw bananas at African football players or taunt a female referee; that is because of a negative social environment that feeds those wrong behaviours.
We need to work together to ensure that the game is inclusive and respectful of everyone,” he stated.
On 2nd October 2010, Qatar was selected as a host for World Cup 2022.
On 5th May 2011, the former FIFA Vice President, Jack Warner made revelations that the process involved corruption.
It was reported that Qatar offered US$1.5 million bribe to the African Confederation Cup (CAF), which was led by Issa Hayatou at the time to vote for its Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid.
On 25th September 2013, The Guardian reported that many workers from Nepal faced mistreatment in the country under what was termed as a form of ‘slavery’.
On 18th November 2013, Amnesty International released a report pointing out problems of workers receiving peanuts yet they are employed in multibillion construction projects.
In 2014, The Observer reported that 400 migrants from Nepal died during contraction works in Qatar since it was selected to host the World Cup in 2010.
In February 2021, The Guardian reported that 6,500 migrants during construction of a stadium. Figures had been provided by embassies.
Qatar claimed that the figures were false because some of those people succumbed to natural cause with no connection to projects related to preparations for the World Cup 2022.
Sources confirming correct figures indicated that only 3 out of 37 employees hired to build a stadium died doing related works between 2014 and 2020.
As for other countries that hosted the World Cup, South Africa (2010), Brazil (2014) and Russia (2018) registered two, eight and 21 deaths respectively.
Apparently, the critics were disappointed to see Qatar hosting the World Cup given that such incidents are put in shoulders of construction companies in Europe instead of blaming the country.
Qatar said that 30,000 foreigners were hired during the construction of stadiums.
He was elected on Thursday 16th March 2023 during the 73rd FIFA Congress at BK Arena in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
Rwanda becomes the first African country to host a congress coinciding with elections of FIFA Congress.
The Swiss-Italian,53, has been leading FIFA since 2016. He was elected for the second term in 2019.
Following his unopposed re-election, Infantino thanked all supporters and pledged continued contribution to the development of football across the world.
“Let me simply thank all of you. Those who love me, you are many, and the few who hate me, I love you all. Being FIFA president is a big honour and privilege but also a huge responsibility,” he said.
“I’m truly humbled and touched by your support, and I simply promise you that I will continue serving FIFA, serving football all over the world, serving all 211 Member Associations of FIFA. Leadership is obviously about listening and learning, and I think I am learning every day,” added Infantino.
He urged member associations to count on his commitment and collaboration to develop football.
“Leadership is also about acting, and I’m certainly there to act so you can continue to trust on my commitment, and the only thing I am asking you is to continue working hard together to unite the world with football,” said Infantino.
Since 2016, Infantino made several reforms to restore the image of football that had been mired by corruption scandal for the past 20 years.
The scandal also led to the resignation of former FIFA President Sepp Blatter in 2015.
Among others, Infantino has helped the body to achieve financial self-sufficiency and increased the budget to support member associations.
Particularly, Infantino has announced FIFA’s projected income of US$11billion in this tenure, compared with US$7.5bn in the last four-year cycle between 2019 and 2022.
Infantino is also reputed for giving opportunity to countries with less advanced football by increasing teams expected to participate in the World Cup 2026 from 32 to 48.
The disclosure was made by Wang Di, the Director of the Department of West Asian and North African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China during a recent press conference.
He said that his country is ready to assist in solving conflicts in different countries including tensions between Rwanda and DRC.
Wang Di was responding to a question on the country’s mediation efforts to end tensions between countries in conflicts particularly on the African continent.
He said that his country will make possible efforts to restore trust between both countries in case one of concerned parties demands intervention.
“China is always ready to be a good and reliable mediator. For any issues around the world, China’s position is that we support dialogue and consultations. For all issues, we are ready to play a constructive role as soon as the conflicting parties demand intervention. China is ready to contribute to resolving those issues,” noted Wang Di.
He however explained that China cannot intervene in tensions between Rwanda and Congo without call for support.
Wang Di highlighted dialogue is the best option to solve clashes instead of military action.
Rwanda and DRC have been experiencing strained relations related to reciprocal accusations.
Congo accuses Rwanda of backing M23 rebel groups during a fighting against Congolese Army (FARDC).
Rwanda has repeatedly rejected the claim and blamed the neighbouring country of working with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a terrorist group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi which harbours intentions to threaten its security.
To calm the tensions, dialogues have been initiated on the mediation of different countries including Angola, France and Qatar.
The ceremony took place on Wednesday 15th March 2023. The sporting facility which previously carried the name of Kigali Stadium has been inaugurated after undergoing renovation.
The official inauguration was also characterized by a football match between veterans as part of events on agenda of the 73rd FIFA Congress held in Kigali.
Renovation works that began on 4th January 2023 include replacement of turf on the pitch and roof, renovation of the dressing room and spraying new paints on different sections among others.
The stadium was renamed as after the death of Brazilian football legend, Pele who died last year.
Speaking at the event, President Kagame thanked Gianni Infantino for being part of the event and providing the opportunity bringing together delegates at the launch of Kigali Pelé Stadium.
He said that the life of Pelé is an inspiration for many people with aspirations to do great things.
“Pelé brought the whole world together, a man from humble beginnings who rose to the level of excellence. That is an inspiration to many in the world with such backgrounds. That gives them hope that they can do things that bring them to the same level,” noted Kagame.
He said that the stadium is a facility where young women and men will come together to play and draw inspiration from Pelé.
Gianni Infantino said that the event was a great occasion that saw representatives from across the world convening in Kigali. The stadium is located in Nyamirambo.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento Pelé is Brazilian footballer whose extraordinary talent and unmatched achievements made him a global icon.
Widely considered the greatest footballer of all time, Pele is the only player to win the World Cup three times, having lifted the sport’s most prestigious trophy in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
His celebrated career included 732 goals in 792 games for club and country.
Pelé died at the age of 82 on 29th December 2023 succumbing to natural cause.
The development emerged from a report released by RDB during the recent Invest Rwanda Forum indicating the country’s top 100 investment opportunities.
Construction, manufacturing and agriculture were identified among top investment opportunities.
It has been two years since a Ministerial Order was gazetted in June 2021, providing a framework for responsible and secure cultivation, processing, distribution and use of cannabis in the country.
Figures show that cannabis production is projected to increase and generate US$197.7 billion in 2028 from US$28.3 raked in 2021.
The report reads that ‘this represents a significant opportunity that can be further explored by Rwanda’.
Overall, investment worth Rwf19 billion is needed but might increase depending on demand at the local and global market.
Key products with potential medical cannabis include industrial hemp, edible products as well as cannabis oils.
RDB indicates that cannabis is among highly profitable crops where US$10 million can be generated from a hectare. The amount is way higher than the US$300,000 that can be raked from a hectare of flowers.
The United States, Canada and Europe are the biggest potential markets for cannabis to be produced in Rwanda.
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In March 2022, the Government of Rwanda announced that it had designated 134 hectares for cultivation of cannabis.
It is expected that RDB will work with government institutions including Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA), Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA) and Rwanda National Police to ensure compliance with safety guidelines during the production of cannabis.
The CEO of RDB, Clare Akamanzi recently told APA News that, there will be no way that cannabis can leak out of the farm to go to the domestic market or to the wrong users.
“The crops will be in a designated place, and there will be very strong measures, whether it is CCTV cameras, watch towers, street lights, and human security. So it is going to be extremely secure,” she said.
Apart from medicinal and research purposes, Cannabis is classified as a very severe narcotic drug in Rwanda.
Anyone convicted for dealing in severe narcotic drugs faces a sentence of between 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine of between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million, under article 263 of the law determining offences and penalties in general.
The two leaders were conferred the award during CAF President’s Outstanding Achievements Award Ceremony on the sidelines of the 73rd Congress of the World’s Football Governing Body (FIFA) taking place in Kigali.
The event took place at Kigali Serena Hotel on Tuesday 14th March 2023.
It was attended by President Kagame, representative of King Mohammed VI and Minister of National Education and Sports Chakib Benmoussa, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Presidents from a number of Confederations, Football Presidents from the 54 CAF Member Associations and CAF Executive Committee members.
A number of top African legends were in attendance including Black Stars’ Asamoah Gyan, Cameroonian legend in women’s football Gaelle Enganamouit, South African record-breaking women footballer Portia Modise and compatriot Amanda Dlamini, Senegal’s Khalilou Fadiga, DR Congo’s Herita Ilunga, Indomitable Lion’s Pierre Webo, former South Africa captain Lucas Radebe, Ghana’s Kwadwo Asamoah, Nigeria’s Super Falcons legend Perpetua Nkwocha.
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino said that the awards are bestowed to the two leaders as outstanding personalities for their incredible contribution to the development of football.
The award for the King of Morocco was received by Minister Chakib Benmoussa
who revealed that his country will partner with Spain to host the World Cup in 2030.
President Kagame expressed deepest thanks for the award which is among things people receive unexpectedly.
The Head of State said that football was among things that played a significant role in the country’s history even during the Liberation Struggle.
“This country for which you are honourable guests has had its history. We have been able to draw a lot of lessons from that history. One of the things that helped us to go through those extremely challenging circumstances was football,” he noted.
Kagame explained that few months before the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, there was a lot of fighting and sectarianism where sports, particularly football was ‘one of the things that people clung to that kept bringing them together.
“I remember when we had ceased fire, and the fighting parties had ceased to do that, one of the things that were immediately thought about was football,” he noted.
The President observed that progress has been done for the development of football in Rwanda but insisted that there are still areas of improvements.
He however expressed optimism that Rwanda will do more on the support of FIFA and CAF.
“We are still not yet where we want to be but with your presence here, the efforts and promises made through CAF and FIFA an fall friends around, we should be very soon where we want to be and we are following in the footsteps of these other brothers and sisters of our Africa who already making it to that high level of global standing,” said Kagame.
The Head of State congratulated Morocco for its performance which reached semi-finals of the last FIFA World Cup in Doha, Qatar.
Morocco lost to Croatia 2-1 in the fight for third place in the World Cup.
“Africa has talent, there’s no doubt about that. But our best players should not always need to move abroad to unleash their full potential. We should work towards making sure that what takes them out there, can be achieved while here. That is why the work being done in Africa by CAF and FIFA is so important,” said Kagame.
“Morocco at the World Cup was a good example of what is possible. So, we should be able to emulate that and it should inspire us to do better, all of us who play and like football. Citizens of our countries are inevitably part of this and we want to make them feel happy and also benefit from that,” he added.
President Kagame receives the award at a time when the 73rd FIFA Congress is taking place in Kigali City. During the congress, FIFA President Gianni Infantino will be elected to extend presidency on 16th March 2023.
The votes were held on Sunday following votes held in Manama, Bahrain at the 146th IPU General Assembly.
As proceedings of the assembly began, Congolese Parliamentarian, André Mbata Mangu made a request to include the call for Rwanda to stop backing M23, stop aggression, occupation and massive human rights violations in DRC emergency item in the Assembly agenda.
Before the voting process began, Senator Esperance Nyirasafari who led Rwanda’s delegation attending the IPU assembly was given floor for comments.
She explained that the concerns raised by Mbata are baseless claims aimed at covering the weakness of his country to solving its problems.
Nyirasafari further told parliamentarians that DR Congo is home to over 120 armed groups threatening security in the region.
She highlighted that DRC should take responsibility to solve internal problems that mired the country due to bad leadership instead of being stuck in blame games and putting them on the shoulders of Rwanda.
Nyirasafari urged DR Congo to stop spreading hate speeches and killings targeting Kinyarwanda-speaking communities in the country, particularly of Tutsi ethnicity.
She underscored that the country should consider political solution instead of military action.
The United Nations (UN) experts recently indicated that DRC work with armed groups including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) during the ongoing fighting against M23.
DRC formed the coalition despite being fully aware that the group was formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi which claims lives of over 1 million victims.
Nyirasafari disclosed that durable peace cannot be achieved in the region yet DRC is not willing to decimate FDLR which also poses threat to Rwanda’s security.
She further clarified that Rwanda supports regional mechanisms to achieve sustainable peace noting that the country cannot remain silent when its security concerns are overlooked.
The remarks were followed by votes where 705 voted against the request, 88 supported it while 700 abstained.
The results saw the request which required endorsement by three thirds of voters rejected.
The IPU Assembly runs from 11th to 15th March 2023.
The first batch comprised of six ‘BionTainers’ arrived at Kigali International Airport where they were received by government officials and diplomats accredited to Rwanda from Germany, France and the European Union.
The facility being set up in Rwanda will bank on mRNA technology to manufacture vaccines for COVID-19, Malaria and Tuberculosis.
In a message posted on his Twitter handle, President Kagame expressed delight for the progress made to manufacture vaccines locally.
“Historic milestone today as the first BioNTech Group BioNTainers arrived in Rwanda, exactly 3 years since the first case of Covid-19 was detected in our country. This system will allow end-to-end mRNA vaccine production in Africa for the first time,” he tweeted.
The Head of State thanked the team from Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech), particularly Uğur Şahin, Özlem Türeci, Sierk Pötting and other partners for their support that led to this milestone possible.
On Monday evening, Kagame received BioNTech Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Sierk Pötting; Dr. Thomas Gersdorf, BioNTech Chief of Staff and the Chairman of Kenup Foundation, Holm Keller.
The vaccine manufacturing facility is expected to begin operations towards the end of 2023.
Construction activities are overseen by BioNTech, a next generation immunotherapy company pioneering novel therapies for cancer and other serious diseases.
It is mostly renowned for the production of COVID-19 vaccine in collaboration with Pfizer.
Rwanda is the first African country to host such facility using mRNA technology.
Upon arrival of the shipment, Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana said that reaching the milestone is a fruit of good leadership and developed partnership between Rwanda and other countries.
He explained that the project is relevant for the country to bring solutions expected to tackle emerging diseases.
