The Accords were signed by Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Ali Ibrahim on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and by Rwanda Space Agency CEO Francis Ngabo on behalf of the Republic of Rwanda.
President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Monica Medina, and U.S. National Space Council Executive Secretary Chirag Parikh gave remarks at the event.
The Artemis Accords represent a bold, multilateral vision for the future of space exploration. Launched by the State Department and NASA together with eight nations in 2020, the Artemis Accords advance bilateral and multilateral space cooperation between signatories, expanding knowledge of the universe and benefiting the whole world.
Signatories commit to principles to guide their civil space activities, including the public release of scientific data, responsible debris mitigation, registration of space objects, and the establishment and implementation of interoperability standards.
The Accords now boast 23 signatories, spanning every corner of the globe and representing a diverse set of space interests and capabilities.
Through signing the Artemis Accords, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Poland, Romania, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States have demonstrated their commitment to the peaceful, responsible, and sustainable use of outer space and are leading the global conversation on the future of space exploration.
President Kagame congratulated NASA for the successful Artemis One mission under the tremendous leadership of Administrator Bill Nelson.
Artemis I is the first in a series of increasingly complex missions that will enable human exploration to the Moon and Mars.
The Head of State said that the return to earth of NASA’s Orion spacecraft mis a step closer to sending astronauts back to the Moon, a half century after Apllo-17.
According to Kagame, “Rwanda could not be more pleased to participate in this accord. Space technologies are increasingly becoming a critical tool for sustainable development, which is why Rwanda Space Agency was established two years ago to establish a space research and development centre’.
He highlighted that Rwanda is happy to work with key US industry partners such as E-Space and Atlas Space Corporation.
“E-Space has opened an office in Kigali, Rwanda and will be offering their innovative, satellite-based internet of things technology in Rwanda. We are also happy to be hosting Globalstar satellite ground station an Atlas’ antenna in Rwanda, will contribute to lunar mission control. As we shoot for the stars, let us ensure that the exploration of outer space benefits all of mankind for generations to come,” said Kagame.
According to Col Francis Ngabo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Rwandan Space Agency, “Enabling shared opportunities for peaceful space explorations will benefit humanity through the discovery of solutions for cutting-edge space technologies, advances in medicine, protection of the planet and environment, creation of scientific and technical jobs and scientific breakthroughs from exploring the unknown. Even though Rwanda is currently focused on the downstream space segment, we are keeping an open mind on the upstream and want to be a part of advocating for responsible use of outer space.”
According to Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator, “the Artemis Accord is all about what we should do peacefully in space, signalling the intention to help each other out, standardization of instruments so we can come to each other aids when there is a problem.”
Rwanda is one of the few East African countries with a national space program.
In March 2021, the law establishing the national space program was passed by Rwanda’s Chamber of Deputies aimed at coordination of Rwanda’s space sector activities geared towards securing communication, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) as well as purchasing and playing a custodian role of national spatial data and imagery.
As provided by the law establishing Rwanda Space Agency, some of its responsibilities include advising the Government on creating and developing national and international space policies to implement the national and international space policies and strategies.
Rwanda Space Agency is also responsible for providing geospatial services for development activities in various domains such as agriculture, urban planning, emergency response & weather forecasts, and the coordination of national efforts related to building a knowledge base in space and related technologies through conducting formal and hands-on training.
Premier Ngirente delivered the remarks as he officiated the opening of the second International Public Health Conference in Africa (CPHIA2022) at Kigali Convention Center.
The conference running from 13th to 15th December 2022, will bring together researchers, policy makers and stakeholders from the health sector.
Rwanda is hosting the second edition following the first one held virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions.
This year’s conference held in-person will serve as a platform for discussions on lessons learnt from the pandemic and how to build a resilient health system in Africa.
As he officiated the opening ceremony, Dr. Ngirente said a lot have been achieved in the health sector but stressed the need for countries to take appropriate actions to protect and care for the health of citizens.
He highlighted that resilient health practices must have systems able to detect and respond effectively to outbreaks.
Premier Ngirente said that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaps in global health systems including inadequate emergency preparedness, access to vaccine and technologies, and insufficient well-trained personnel of the health sector.
“This stressed the need to prioritize and invest more in national health programs,” he said.
Secondly, Dr. Ngirente stressed the need to put in place health systems that not only ensure universal, essential access to health services but also that provide quality health services.
“It is important to keep in mind the positive correlation between the health of our citizens and economic growth. To build a better future for our continent requires establishing strong and resilient health systems across the continent. Third, as we pursue recovery, it is high time Africa leverages existing opportunities in efforts to building resilient systems,” he said.
He pointed out an example of the COVID-19 pandemic which disrupted the global supply chain, prompting Rwanda to start manufacturing own personal protective equipment and related products.
“This clearly demonstrated the huge untapped opportunity in our domestic manufacturing. Tapping opportunities also requires enabling a conducive research and development environment. I invite researchers and innovators to build on a new evidence-based solutions that I am certain will be shared during this conference,” noted Dr. Ngirente.
He also reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to contribute and support the advancement of innovative public health initiatives across the continent.
Dr. Ahmed Ogwell, the Acting Director at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has said that it is the first time Africa hosts such a conference in-person noting that it is taking place in the right place and time.
He stressed the need to develop partnerships based on African priorities.
“It is time for a new way of doing things on the African continent so that we can achieve our health security agenda. Our vision of that different way of doing things is a new public health order, a vision that takes Africa from always following others to […] a continent that develops its own internal capacity, establishes own priorities, seeks indigenous solutions and uses domestic resource’s to initiate action,” he said.
As he delivered remarks virtually, the Director General of World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for partnerships and preparedness to strengthen response to future pandemics and epidemics.
The RSF-supported program will advance the authorities’ efforts to build resilience to climate change by improving the transparency and accountability in the planning, execution, reporting, and oversight of budget resources dedicated to addressing climate change. The program will include facilitating green public investment, creating further fiscal space, mitigating financial risks, and strengthening public debt dynamics and prospective balance-of-payments stability.
According to IMF, disbursements to Rwanda under the RSF will be contingent on the conclusion of relevant reviews under a new 36-month Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI) approved today and implementation of scheduled reform measures agreed as part of the RSF arrangement, which establishes Rwanda’s broad economic reform goals. The new PCI [1] for Rwanda replaces an instrument approved on June 28, 2019 (see [{{Press Release No.19/258 }}->https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2019/06/29/pr19258-rwanda-imf-executive-board-concludes-2019-article-iv-consultation-request-three-year-pci] ).
Program performance under the 2019 PCI has been relatively strong with all quantitative and standard continuous targets through end-June 2022 met, and all but one of the reform targets through end-September 2022 completed.
A statement from IMF further reads that the new PCI will continue to support Rwanda’s macroeconomic policies and reforms, with a greater emphasis on policies to ensure macroeconomic stability and reforms to mitigate pandemic scars and to build socioeconomic resilience to shocks and insure against downside risks.
Following the Executive Board’s discussion, Mr. Bo Li, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair of the Board, issued the following statement:
“Rwanda has become the first African and low-income country to benefit from the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), a recognition of the country’s commitment to strengthen its resilience to climate change.
The Rwandan authorities implemented a sizable policy package to protect the most vulnerable against multiple shocks, while steering the economy to protect macroeconomic stability and advance their reform agenda under the Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI). However, global headwinds are slowing economic activity amid high unemployment, elevated inflationary pressures and limited fiscal space, compounding the challenges from pandemic scars and climate-related events.
The authorities’ economic program under the new PCI is focused on policies to ensure macroeconomic stability, foster economic growth, and enhance socioeconomic resilience. Timely adoption of domestic revenue mobilization measures envisaged under their medium-term revenue strategy and the launching of a spending rationalization strategy will be critical for the credibility of the envisaged fiscal consolidation and to safeguard debt sustainability. The authorities should continue strengthening capacity to manage fiscal risks and adopt more effective and transparent public financial and investment management practices.
More decisive monetary tightening by the National Bank of Rwanda (NBR) is needed to contain inflationary pressures, while ensuring greater exchange rate flexibility remains key for external stability. Continued monitoring of the financial sector to ensure risks remain contained while deepening financial markets and promoting financial inclusion is also important.
The authorities’ commitment to building socioeconomic resilience through adaptive social safety nets, human capital investments, and economic diversification policies and climate resilience reforms is commendable.
The RSF arrangement, underpinned by a strong reform package will help advance Rwanda’s efforts to build climate resilience. The reforms under the RSF are expected to strengthen and institutionalize monitoring and reporting of climate-related spending, integrate climate risks into fiscal planning, improve the sensitivity of public investment management to climate-related issues, strengthen climate-related risk management for financial institutions, and strengthen the disaster risk reduction and management. The RSF is also expected to catalyze further climate finance from official and private sectors.”
He has been detained since 24th October 2022 awaiting bail hearing.
The man once left Rwanda for the United States (US) where he announced his involvement in politics and started working with dissidents including Father Thomas Nahimana.
Gakire served as the Managing Director of Ishema news outlet which also ran a YouTube channel’ ISHEMA TV’.
Some dissidents from abroad have been reporting his disappearance and claimed that they failed to trace his whereabouts in New York where he lived.
The refugees gathered in crowds today early morning for a march sounding alarms with spoken words and banners denouncing the killings targeting Tutsi communities in DRC and calling for the end of silence of the country and international community.
It has been few days since the United Nations (UN) warned of Genocide against Tutsis forming a community of Kinyarwanda-speaking people in DRC.
The UN raised the alarm following hate speeches and violence against Kinyarwanda-speaking people.
The situation exacerbated after M23 rebel group resumed fighting with Congolese Army (FARDC) over the country’s failure to implement peace accords signed in 2013.
Rwandophones make up 5% of the entire Congolese population. They mainly reside in eastern Congo in South and North Kivu provinces.
History shows that these citizens found themselves in DRC following border delimitations set out in Berlin Conference held in 1884 to discuss the partitioning of Africa.
Rwanda accommodates over 75,000 Congolese refugees of whom the majority has lived in the country for more than 25 years.
The ABH Prize Competition held for the fourth consecutive time this year, is a philanthropic initiative sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy.
The 10 entrepreneurs were selected from over 21,000 applications across all 54 African nations after six months’ rigorous evaluation by over 230 judges.
They hail from eight African countries including Cameron, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania. Their start-ups have been drawn from a wide variety of industries including agriculture, consulting, energy, environmental protection, healthcare, information & communication technology (ICT), and retail.
These outstanding entrepreneurs share a common trait of having a deep commitment to creating a positive impact on their communities, such as empowering disadvantaged groups, increasing access to digital commerce for businesses in Africa and leveraging technology to improve agricultural efficiency for small-holder farmers.
All finalists won a share of the competition’s US$1.5 million grant. Elia Timotheo, Founder and CEO of East Africa Fruits Co. emerged the overall winner and walked away with US$300,000.
Tesh Mbaabu, Co-Founder and CEO of Marketforce Technologies (Kenya) and Nadia Gamal El Din, Founder and CEO of Rahet Bally (Egypt) won the second and third place respectively and received a prize share of US$250,000 and US$150,000.
Each of the finalists other than the top three received US$100,000 in prize funding, and an additional US$10,000 will be allocated to each of the top ten finalists for immersive training program(s) and community gathering activities.
The remaining seven entrepreneurs include Cameroonian Flavien Kouatcha Simo, Managing Partner of Save Our Agriculture Sarl; Egyptian Amena Elsaie, Co-Founder of Helm Consulting; Ethiopian Amadou Daffe, CEO/Co-Founder of Gebeya Inc. Addis Ababa; Ghanaian Prince Agbata, Co-founder and CEO of Coliba Waste Management Services Limited; South African Shona Mcdonald, Founder and Executive Director of Shonaquip Social Enterprise; South African Elmarie Pereira, Chief Operations Executive, Co- Founder & Acting CEO of Memeza Shout (PTY) Ltd and Rwandan Francine Munyaneza, Founder of MUNYAX ECO.
Rwanda has been participating in ABH each year since its inception in 2019 and has highly benefited as 4 entrepreneurs from Rwanda have so far emerged among top 10 winners for the year 2019, 2021 and 2022 respectively. Overall, to date, Rwanda has won a total grant of over US$385,000 (equivalent to over 406 million Rwandan Francs).
IGIHE has sat with Rwandan Munyaneza to tell us more about what this continent-wide competition has been like, how she made it to the top, her innovation which is solving a major continental problem in the energy sector and what her win means to her business.
She also shared the key lessons Rwandan and African entrepreneurs can learn from the ABH initiative and how she plans to spend the grant.
{{Excerpts:}}
{{1. Kindly tell us briefly about your project?}}
{{Francine Munyaneza: }} My projects are diverse and I can’t talk about them without mentioning MUNYAX ECO because this is where all are being implemented!
So, MUNYAX ECO is a promising company specialized in solar energy where we provide affordable green energy solutions such us: PV systems, SWH, SSL, SHS, Solar pumping, Solar cold chains (freezers & cold room), plus energy consultancy services (like energy auditing) while fostering women empowerment and leadership.
Our slogan is: Save Energy, Save Money, Save the Planet!
{{2. Which lessons have you learnt from participation in the Africa’s Business Heroes Prize Competition?}}
The first lesson I have learnt from the Africa’s Business Heroes prize competition is that technology holds the future. Whatever solution you are providing, for you to be competitive, your project needs to be very scalable. It has to be adapted to this century’s dynamicity and lifestyle.
Another lesson is that African entrepreneurs are doing great works in their respective fields, some of them are widely known and others only locally known due to limited financial means, but still the brains are sharp with strong desire to contribute to the overall development of our continent.
{{3. To what efforts do you attribute the selection among top ten winners of the 2022 Africa’s Business Heroes Prize Competition?}}
-* To personal determination and desire to contribute on the development of my country & Africa in general,
-* To the clear vision; business model; and impact of the company,
-* To Team work spirit (strong, experienced, enthusiast, and dedicated team members _ board members, employees, and business partners)
-* The correct and sincere explanation of my business during preliminary selections (pitches)_presentation skills,
{{4. Your company targets to solve Rwanda’s energy challenges in rural and urban areas by providing solar equipment made and tested in Africa. What are your long-term goals and how far have you gone with attaining the same?}}
{{My long-term goals to this matter lay within other big and exciting projects in pipeline! }}
-* MUNYAX ECO is planning to extend its activities in Africa.
-* I have an ambitious project of starting a manufacturing firm starting with Solar Water Heater (SWH) Systems. This project is going to include the existing recycling department (we currently make furniture and building materials from old/defected products). This will reduce importation expenses (shipment & clearance cost, waiting time, other risks) to enhance the affordability of our products.
-* The Second project is about opening a gender sensitive training centre. This project will train skillful employees to the previous one!
{{Where we are on this point:}} There is no time MUNYAX Eco has been operating without interns/apprentice. We always offer to the youth (especially young women) apprenticeships and internships opportunities to sharpen their practical skills.
{{5. What has been the impact of your project to the community, particularly, Rwandans?}}
I might have mentioned some of the impacts briefly, let me elaborate!
-* Munyax eco is contributing to the achievement of most of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
-* More households (Rwandan) are getting access to clean and affordable energy solutions _SDG 7,
-* Job creation (income generating of course to reduce poverty) and most of the employees are Rwandans part of the community _ I must highlight that for new job or field activities which do not require special skills, we always employ locals (many cases on cold room and SHS), _SDG 1 and 8,
-* Gender inclusion though women empowerment (those are Rwandan women, who are basic foundation of the community) _SDG 5
-* Contribution in quality education (Munyax Eco has provided lighting and SWH to different schools (eg: Juru Primary school, Kibihekane TVET, St.Joseph Nyamirambo, etc _SDG 4
-* By providing PV system, SWH, and filtered drinking water to 2 health centres (Gahanga and Gitarama), we contributed to both _SDG 3, most of the patients and employees at those health centres lives in nearby community.
-* Our solar pumping solution contribute to agriculture productivity to beat hunger when it’s done for irrigation _SDG 2, and contribute to the supply of safe drinking water where water is being pumped from wheel and filtered for consumption _SDG 6 (partenering also with Water Access’ kiosks in Rwanda).
-* Our partnership with Solaris Kit, IPRC and SOS Rwanda is also providing skills to young Rwandans as we already have 4 interns from both last institutions _SDG 17,
-* Reduced Co2 emission (5000 tons per yesr) by providing environmentally
-* friendly energy solutions which is a contribution to climate action _SDG 13.
{{6. What can other entrepreneurs especially Rwandans learn from your project? }}
-* I would advise other Rwandan entrepreneurs to believe in themselves first.
-* Align your business with local and global agenda/policies,
-* Always remember why they started their ventures and let the purpose drive them,
-* Stay updated, information is the key!
-* Think out of the box, look beyond their current struggles, take risks worth taking.
-* You must have a qualified team & constantly give them opportunity to grow (eg: trainings)
-* Learn from others (advanced business advisors or fellow business owners),
-* Build partnerships that would add value or expand your business (In innovation, scalability or technology)
{{7. How do you intend to spend the ABH prize share to make Munyax Eco more meaningful to communities surrounding your operations? }}
The ABH prize share is mainly going to be used in cold chain technology, and we believe to become a success given the fact that we provide solar cold rooms and solar freezers on reasonable lease agreement.
New cold rooms will create new job opportunities for locals during construction and operation later, local farmers will benefit by storing they production while waiting for buyers which reduce post-harvest losses.
{{8. What message do you have for budding and existing entrepreneurs across Rwanda and in the region who have not yet participated in this competition? }}
I would tell them that knocking on a door doesn’t cost anything but if you don’t do it, you may never get in!
ABH is a big and powerful competition for African entrepreneurs. There is no condition about business stage; age limit; gender or any other thing. The most important thing is your business model, it’s scalability and impact.
Please try your chance, follow ABH website to get updates regarding next competitions.
You never know how life-changing this competition can be, a break through window that lead you to an open platform where growth opportunities are shared amongst those who manage to make it to the top 10 finals, living alone the prize.
It’s possible. If I did it, If Munyax did it, you can do it too!
In the afternoon of Monday 12th December 2022, Kagame is expected to grace the official opening of the summit which brings together leaders to discuss development cooperation as a catalyst for using local, national and global resources in the best possible way for the fastest and most sustainable impact to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) to be achieved by 2030.
Running from 12th to 14th December, the summit also attracts ministers and decision-makers on development co-operation policies and programs, civil society leaders, CEOs of the private sector, and other key actors from trade unions, foundations, multilateral development banks, local and regional governments, parliamentarians, and academia.
Kagame is expected to deliver keynote address to participants including the President of Switzerland, Ignazio Cassis; President of Moldova, Maia Sandu of Moldova and Deputy UN Secretary General, Amina J Mohammed.
Before the summit, Kagame attended a breakfast hosted by President Cassis on the sidelines of the summit.
The summit is organized by Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC).
Formed in 2012, GPEDC is an association of governments and organisations that seek to improve practices of international development.
It brings together about 161 countries and 56 major organisations concerned with development.
His resignation was approved during senators’ plenary sitting on Friday 9th December 2022.
The senators who approved his decision by 25 votes also declared the office of the Senate President vacant.
On December 8, 2022, Dr. Iyamuremye addressed a letter to the President of the Republic and the Senators informing them of his resignation citing health reasons.
The letter reads that his current health state requires him to take time off to continue his treatment without compromising his duties.
The Organic Law determining the functioning of the Senate, in its articles 20, 82, 83, 84 and 85, provides for the resignation of the President of Senate and a Senator.
Dr. Iyamuremye’s position will remain vacant for the next 30 days pending the election of the next occupant.
However, Espérance Nyirasafari, the Senate Vice-President in charge of Legislation and Government Oversight who also presided over the plenary sitting, will take over during the transition.
Dr. Iyamuremye was among senators appointed by the President of the Republic.The same process will be applied to name his successor.
Meanwhile, elections will be mandatory to select the new Senate President.
{{Dr. Iyamurenye expresses gratitude }}
Dr. Iyamurenye thanked his colleagues at the Senate Bureau for accepting his resignation.
He told the Senators that he had been suffering from a non-contagious disease and other ailments for quite some time.
“Rwandans say that he who needs to get well from an illness brags about it, but there is always discretion,” he said.
“As a politician, I will not hide from you that I have been suffering from a non-contagious disease for a while and related problems,” added Dr. Iyamuremye.
Dr. Iyamurenye said that the doctors at King Faisal Hospital and Kanombe Hospital took care of him and continue to treat him.
“You elected me to take the Senate to greater heights not to assume duties while in bed and unable to climb these stairs,” he noted.
Dr. Iyamurenye thanked the President of the Republic for the trust he has given him in various responsibilities and thanked the senators who have been working with him until today.
Senator Nyirasafari thanked him for his contribution to the development of the Senate.
{{Colleagues’ appreciation}}
Senator Umuhire Adrie praised Dr. Iyamurenye for the way he worked closely with others and his advises to colleagues.
Senator Umuhire said that Dr. Iyamurenye’s reason for sickness was clear, whished him quick recovery.
Senator Alvera Mukabaramba also thanked him as a close colleague in the administration of the Senate Bureau.
“I thank him for the experience he has shown in leading all the committees of the Senate. We wish you quick recovery, and may God help you,” she said.
Senator Juvenal Nkusi extolled Dr. Iyamurenye’s decision, saying it was in the interest of the country and the institution he was leading.
“He is a man who knows how to make decisions and knows the right time to take them. He is also patriotic,” he affirmed.
Senator Lambert Dushimimana said: “He led us well combining his parenting skills and expertise. I think that his fatherly advice and experience have helped us a lot in our duties. We will continue to follow his advice.”
FDLR is a terrorist group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The report shows that insecurity remains a great concern in eastern DRC mainly in Ituri and northern Kivu that have been war-torn zones for 18 months.
It indicates that ADF continues to expand its activities in northern Kivu and attacks to civilians in the areas of Beni, Lubero and southern Ituri.
Apart from ADF, UN experts said that Mai Mai group also continues to destabilize citizens in Lubero.
From April 2022 to 5th November 2022, the report shows that ADF was involved in attacks that claimed lives of over 370 civilians.
In Ituri, CODECO armed group also continues to expand its bases, plot attacks to FARDC and civilians.
The report indicates that MONUSCO supported FARDC to fight M23 but ended to no avail. The failure saw other armed groups from Pinga joining the coalition to fight M23.
These include Nduma défense du Congo-Rénové (NDC-R) led by Guidon Mwisa Shimirai and Nyatura Abazungu, CMC/FDP led by Dominique Ndaruhutse alias “Domi” among others.
FDLR is also part of the armed groups where it was represented by Col Silencieux and Col Potifaro in a meeting held in Pinda. FARDC was represented by Col Salomon Tokolonga.
Leaders of these armed groups agreed on bringing together 600 fighters to support FARDC. It is reported that their fighters were deployed in Bambu, Rugari and Rumangabo in July.
Witnesses who attended the meeting told UN experts that FARDC provides weapons to these armed groups including FDLR noting that the support continues in October 2022 as the fighting with M23 resumed.
The report also indicated that hate speeches and violence against Kinyarwanda-speaking people increased. Such acts are said to have been fueled, mainly by politicians, government officials and security personnel.
The report also accused FARDC of collaboration with armed groups, illegal mining in collaboration with foreign companies operating in Northern Kivu Province.
It is released at a time when DRC continues to overlook the threat to regional security caused by FDLR. The country says that the terrorist group was largely defeated where ‘remnants are thieves stealing sweet potatoes for survival’.
However, FDLR recently said that it still exists and commended Congolese President Tshisekedi for his recent utterance who confirmed that he wants to help Rwandans topple their leadership.
FDLR welcomed the statement noting that it shares the same enemy with DRC.
The country’s circular economy action plan was unveiled during the World Circular Economy Forum which closed Wednesday in the capital Kigali.
The action plan targets key interventions which will be implemented in waste management and adoption of clean production technologies over the next 14 years, said Dismas Karuranga, an official from the Rwandan Ministry of Environment.
Key highlights of the plan include prioritizing renewable over non-renewable materials, developing a national regulation that would facilitate the separation of waste according to the category to reduce the cost of recycling, and establishing waste collection and transfer centers in every town to facilitate appropriate waste treatment.
Karuranga called for partnerships and collaboration among the public and private sectors, saying “no single company can achieve a circular economy alone.”
Rwanda remains committed to fostering socio-economic transformation while also conserving and protecting our environment, said Rwandan Minister of Environment Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya.
She said reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions, halting biodiversity loss, and shifting to genuine recycling will guarantee a greener future.
During the forum, business leaders, policymakers, and economic experts from Africa and around the world presented solutions to achieve a circular economy and explored new business opportunities the shift could present.
