The program has been ongoing since 2012, following an agreement signed between Rwanda and Israel’s AgroStudies Center and Kinneret Academic College. It is part of a larger program done by Mashav, the Israel’s Agency for International Cooperation, in 25 countries worldwide.
The young graduates sent on Monday 15th November 2021, will be equipped with hands-on skills in different areas including greenhouse farming, aquaculture (fishery), poultry, breeding and production, poultry vaccination and dairy farms.
According to the Ambassador of Israel in Rwanda, Dr. Ron Adam; the program is part of the many Mashav initiatives.
“Capacity building has always been key in our development cooperation around the world. We hope that the hands-on skills that these graduates are going to gain in Israel will benefit them, and Rwanda, by bringing and implementing the modern agricultural practices. They are the future agents of change for the agriculture transformation in Rwanda,” he said.
As it has been the case for the last two years, the Embassy of Israel in Rwanda will strive to work together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources and RDB to facilitate the first steps of the alumni, which include facilitating them to form cooperatives and establish small and medium-sized businesses in modern agriculture.
Commenting on the training program, Jean Claude Musabyimana, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources said that its benefits are evident.
“We thank the State of Israel for this opportunity given to Rwandan graduates. Over the years, this program has yielded positive results in our agriculture sector. Many of those who attended the training have opened-up businesses here in horticulture and fishing among others. These businesses are playing an important role in increasing the quality of our produce, and hence boosting our agricultural exports,” he affirmed.
Since 2012, more than 1,200 Rwandan graduates have benefitted from this capacity-building program.
He conveyed the message on Sunday as he attended a Church Service at the Free Methodist Cathedral in Kigali.
As he addressed congregants, the ambassador highlighted that religious diversity should not spark misunderstandings but rather a bridge uniting people to live in harmony.
He referred to his country’s case where it accommodates over 200 nationalities living in harmony and co-existence with every major religious denomination represented.
Despite the fact that Islam dominates in his country, AlQahtani explained that other religious denominations are granted freedom they deserve noting that such culture should spread across the world.
He also reminisced on the historical visit of Pope Francis on February 4th, 2019 to Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE becoming the first pontiff ever to visit the Arabian Peninsula.
The ambassador highlighted that it is a great milestone to overcoming barriers hindering co-existence and striving for a peaceful world.
During his momentous visit, Pope Francis met with the Grand Imam Sheikh of al-Azhar Dr. Ahmed al-Tayyib. The two religious leaders signed the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together at the Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi.
The Document of Human Fraternity calls for an end to the use of religion as justification for war, violence and harm and opposes extremism in all forms.
This historic document presents a series of guidelines which denounce violence in the name of religion and urge the adoption of a culture of dialogue and mutual cooperation as a code of conduct and reciprocal understanding.
Amb. AlQahtani said that the Abrahamic religions including; Judaism, Christianity and Islam are united by the belief in one God and all three share in a history connected to the patriarch Abraham.
He stressed the need to promote dialogue and shared his country’s efforts to support the cause.
Amb. AlQahtani revealed that UAE has proposed a dedicated space for inter-faith dialogue.
“The UAE unveiled plans for the Abrahamic House of Fraternity on September 20th 2019 in New York alongside the UN General Assembly. The Abrahamic Family House will be an interfaith complex currently in development in Abu Dhabi, a representation of the Document of Human Fraternity which will feature a church, a mosque, a synagogue and a secular welcome center on one shared site. Currently, in development, the project’s anticipated completion date has been set for the year 2022,” he said.
Amb. AlQahtani further revealed that the Abrahamic House of Fraternity, each of the three houses of faith, a mosque, a church and a synagogue, will stand at the same height to symbolize equality. The design will highlight the often overlooked similarities between the three faiths and their corresponding architectural traditions.
It will act as a place for religious worship as well as a space for exhibitions, programs, conferences and inter-faith dialogue initiatives.
The aim is to be in support of global and regional stability, increased collaborative opportunities of all kinds, expanded economic prosperity, strengthened international relations, and countering violent extremism in all forms, promoting cross-cultural education and promoting peace.
Pastor Benjamin Kayumba heading the Free Methodist Cathedral commended the ambassador’s visit considering it a great step towards uniting people from diverse religious denominations. He also called on Christians to live in harmony with members of the society irrespective of their differences.
In November last year, the ambassador also attended church service led by Cardinal Antoine Kambanda at Regina Pacis Parish where he called for peaceful co-existence.
Niyonsenga alias Cyuma Hassan gained popularity over talk shows aired on his channel dubbed Ishema TV.
Two days ago, the High Court handed him seven-year jail term and slapped him with Rwf5 million fine after he was found guilty of four charges including forgery, impersonation, and humiliating state officials.
The crimes were committed on 15th April 2020 when he declined to obey security officials that requested him to comply with COVID-19 preventive measures.
At the time, he was arrested and later acquitted by Gasabo Intermediary Court. The Prosecution appealed against the verdict whereafter, he was handed seven-year sentence by the High Court which also ordered his arrest. He was detained on 11th November 2021 one day after court delivered the verdict.
Following the ruling, international media started distorting reasons of his sentence through their publications. For instance, Al Jazeera have written that Niyonsenga has been sentenced over using his YouTube Channel to criticize the Government of Rwanda.
BBC has also reported that the public perceives Niyonsenga as a ‘hero’ and ‘enemy of the country’.
The story also reads that Niyonsenga is renowned as someone who spoke for the voiceless people.
In response to these reports, the Spokesperson of the Government of Rwanda, Yolande Makolo condemned biased media reports distorting the truth.
“This sensationalism is misleading. Niyonsenga was arrested for violating the COVID lockdown and convicted for practicing without the required permit, presenting forged press cards, assault, criminal obstruction of security officials and law enforcement when asked to return home,” she said.
The decision is part of resolutions of the cabinet meeting held on Friday 12th November 2021 chaired by President Paul Kagame at Village Urugwiro.
Mpayimana, 51, vied for Presidency in 2017 where he emerged the second with 0. 73% votes.
In 2018, he submitted his candidature to National Electoral Commission (NEC) seeking to compete for a seat in parliament but his efforts were in vain.
In the same year, he announced that he was undergoing process to register his political party for people’s progress dubbed Parti du Progress du Peuple Rwandais (PPR).
Other appointees include Anita Kayirangwa, named the Executive Director of National Unity, Itorero and Citizenship Education at the same ministry while Mireille Batamuliza was appointed the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Gender and Family promotion.
As per statement released last night, bus operators must ensure that windows are open for proper ventilation and passengers maintain social distancing, movements are prohibited between midnight (12a.m) and 4a.m while businesses must close by 11p.m.
The cabinet meeting has also resolved that physical conferences and meetings will continue at 75% occupancy. All participants must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to the meeting.
Among others, all services at places of worship should not exceed 75% of maximum occupancy.
The new measures will take effect nationwide starting 15th November through 14th December 2021.
Citizens are reminded of the critical importance of complying with health measures including physical distancing, properly wearing face masks and hand hygiene.
This commitment was formalised through Rwanda’s Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy, which includes ‘Ecotourism, Conservation and Payment of Ecosystem Services’ as one of 14 programmes of action.
{{Below are five ways Rwanda is promoting ecotourism and conserving its natural heritage.}}
{{Creation of Gishwati-Mukura National Park and designation as UNESCO Biosphere Reserve}}
In 2016, Gishwati-Mukura was established as a legally protected area and the Rwanda’s fourth national park. Four years later, the landscape was named among the World Network of Biosphere Reserves by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The rehabilitation of the Gishwati-Mukura landscape and the creation of the national park was made possible by the Landscape Approach to Forest Restoration and Conservation (LAFREC) Project implemented by Rwanda Environment Management Management Authority with the support of the Global Environment Facility through the World Bank, and the Forest of Hope Association.
This achievement has led to the sustainable conservation and management of Gishwati-Mukura National Park, new opportunities for community empowerment, education and research for sustainable development as well as for eco- and community tourism.
{{Mountain gorilla conservation and re-introduction of threatened and endangered species}}
The Government of Rwanda, through the Rwanda Development Board and in collaboration with conservation partners, has achieved success in protecting and increasing the endangered mountain gorilla population and conserving its habitat.
With community led conservation efforts, the mountain gorilla population in the Virunga Massif has increased from 480 in 2010 to 604 as of June 2016. Today, mountain gorillas are the only great ape species increasing in number in the world and the species were recently down-listed from critically endangered to endangered on the IUCN Red List.
In 2015, the Government of Rwanda teamed up with African Parks to reintroduce lions to Akagera National Park after two decades of local extinction. This conservation milestone was followed by the reintroduction of 18 critically endangered Eastern black rhinos in 2017, further advancing the restoration of the park’s biodiversity. In 2019, five additional rhinos from European zoos were translocated to Rwanda to increase the genetic diversity of the country’s rhino population.
As a result of these efforts, the populations of these endangered animal species have increased, playing a crucial role in saving them from extinction.
{{Investments in ecotourism}}
Rwanda’s tourism sector is the country’s leading foreign exchange earner. In 2019, the sector earned US$498 million. Within the industry, ecotourism is quickly becoming dominant, thanks to the demand from travellers seeking low-impact experiences.
Rwanda has positioned itself as a high-yield, low volume destination in keeping with its conservation-centric approach to tourism. This strategy has attracted several high-end lodges and professional management such as international brands including Singita, One&Only, Wilderness Safaris and Mantis Collection and local brands such as The Retreat, Amakoro Songa Africa, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge and The Bishop’s House.
These and other hospitality brands have made a valuable addition to the tourism offering, providing a diverse range of world class accommodation and experiences and contributing to conservation efforts – especially reforestation. As a result, Rwanda has been recognised by leading international travel publications as one of the top global destinations for luxury ecotourism.
Rwanda’s conservation efforts would not have been a success without the power of partnerships. The Government of Rwanda works hand-in-hand with several conservation partners including the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, International Gorilla Conservation Programme, Wildlife Conservation Society, Gorilla Doctors, African Parks, Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association, Albertine Rift Conservation Society and the African Leadership University among others. These partnerships support the promotion of biodiversity conservation, and enable Rwanda to invest in nature and communities.
{{Protection of national parks}}
The protection of national parks and payment of ecosystems count among significant conservation achievements in Rwanda. This has been achieved through the expansion of the Akagera National Park buffer zone, the long term protection of Nyungwe and Akagera national parks through a unique partnership with African Parks, as well as the rehabilitation and establishment of Gishwati-Mukura National Park.
The Government of Rwanda also recently announced plans to expand Volcanoes National Park due to its growing mountain gorilla population and vision for community livelihood improvement. This once in a generation initiative will expand the park by approximately 23%, increasing its size by 37.4 square kilometres (3,740 hectares).
To ensure the best use of community benefit funds, Rwanda promotes close ownership, participation and technical support from local communities. Promising projects include payment for ecosystem services schemes with tea factories compensating forest-adjacent communities for water filtration services provided by protected areas and promoting the rehabilitation of degraded areas such as Gishwati and Mukura forests.
In addition, 10% of park tourism revenue is invested in the communities surrounding Rwanda’s national parks, which fosters ownership and builds a constituency for conservation. Rwanda has also established a fund to compensate for any damage caused by wildlife, which is financed by 5% of tourism revenue.
Rwanda’s conservation efforts aim to maintain and expand the country’s protected areas as key economic assets supporting climate-resilience, and acting as havens for biodiversity and sources of vital ecosystem services.
{{Utilising Payment for Ecosystem Services and Natural Capital Accounts}}
Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) occurs when a beneficiary or user of an ecosystem service makes a direct or indirect payment to the provider of that service.
The idea is that whoever preserves or maintains an ecosystem service should get an incentive for doing so. To promote this model of environmental conservation, Rwanda has partnered with Costa Rica and is developing a scalable PES system.
Rwanda has also developed Natural Capital Accounts for land, water, minerals and ecosystems (key natural resource pillars of economic development and sustainable growth). Natural Capital Accounts (NCA) are an important resource for tracking progress on socioeconomic, environment, and natural resource indicators.
The country has also set a target to allocate 37.7% of land to conservation in its National Land Use and Development Master Plan. This demonstrates the Government of Rwanda’s commitment to environment protection, natural resource management and climate change preparedness.
Over the coming months, the KIFC, in collaboration with the GDFA, will develop new ways to allow banks to assess the greenness of the companies they support. The pilot programme will utilise the data banks already hold on the SMEs they finance, minimising the input required from the SMEs. Following a ‘data mining’ process, the data will be converted in to ‘climate metrics’ to reveal a green rating for the company based on their emissions.
The generation of green metrics will then become automated, providing banks with green SME rating tool which will help to drive future decision making of which companies to invest in, and enabling them to move towards the objective of providing green finance as part of their core product offering.
The development of these new tools also has the potential to bring benefits to the SMEs themselves who will be able to identify quick wins to reduce their emissions (through streamlined transportation, reduced energy consumption etc.). This will enable them to cut their running costs while also contributing to the country’s efforts to meet their Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs) to reduce emissions.
The KIFC was chosen for the pilot program because of their commitment to driving green investment, and Rwanda’s globally recognised efforts in sustainability and environmental protection. Rwanda recently announced an ambitious plan to raise $11 billion in finance to help cut emissions, and for adaptation and mitigation projects.
“Rwanda is an ideal pilot country because it its commitment to both digitalisation and to using innovative finance to deliver on its national targets under the Paris agreement. Not to mention that Rwanda is a reginal training centre for carbon accounting. Hence, Rwanda is committed to bringing together green and digital both at strategic and practical level. That is why I am particularly pleased to GDFA and KIFC has agreed to form this partnership,” reads the statement released by GDFA following the agreement.
Nick Barigye, the Chief Executive Officer at KIFC expressed delight for the milestone.
“This tool could change the face of green investment in SMEs as banks will be able to see just how green their investments currently are and make decisions about future investments based on accurate data,” he said.
“Here at the KIFC, we are committed to making ourselves a leading centre for green investment. This will benefit our businesses, the Rwandan people, and have a positive impact across the continent and beyond. This project helps us make progress towards this objective. It shows yet again that trusted partners see that Rwanda works for investors, and it will only strengthen our claim that Rwanda is the best place in the world for green investment,” added Barigye.
The discussions were held on Wednesday 10th October 2021 as CHOI paid a courtesy call to Minister Biruta.
Minister CHOI has been in Rwanda for a three-day official visit from 9th to 11th November 2021.
During their discussions, Minister Biruta expressed Rwanda’s readiness to enhance cooperation with Korea in several sectors including public health, education, ICT and science technology.
CHOI also appreciated Rwanda’s efforts to establish a vaccine manufacturing plant in the country, which will expand vaccine supply capacity on the African continent.
He expressed optimism that the two countries will find ways to cooperate in this area as Korea is also working to become a global vaccine manufacturing hub.
During his stay in Rwanda, Minister CHOI also visited Kigali Genocide Memorial and paid tribute to victims of the Genocide against Tutsi.
Since 2011, Rwanda has been a priority partner in development cooperation for the Korean Government where the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is implementing a dozen of projects focusing on ICT, education and rural development.
In addition, Korea EXIM Bank is cooperating with Rwanda, through its Economic Development Cooperation Fund to develop the infrastructure of the University of Rwanda and expand Rwanda’s electricity infrastructure.
This high-level visit is expected to serve as a springboard for Korea and Rwanda to further consolidate the bilateral partnership ahead of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations to be marked in 2023.
“I would like to extend my appreciation to students of the Islamic Secondary School for Sciences for performing well in your studies. I was informed that most of you present here performed well in national examinations,” said Amb. Alqahtani.
“I want to reiterate that the UAE is fully committed to ensure that not only its citizens should have access to the best educational opportunities, and my country in cooperation with Rwanda, is willing to give the most talented students access to higher education in internationally recognized universities in the UAE,” he added.
The ambassador delivered the message on Wednesday 10th November 2021 after holding an interactive session with students and teachers during his visit to the school located in Nyamirambo.
Amb. Alqahtani ‘s interactive discussion with students was also attended by Dr. Nelson Mbarushimana, the Director General of the Rwanda Basic Education Board and Mr. Abdellatif Aouid, the Director General of the Islamic Cultural Center.
The Ambassador also took the opportunity to share the key initiatives put in place by the UAE in advancing education not only to UAE citizens but also to Rwandans.
Since 2002, the UAE through the Al Maktoum Foundation has supported Rwanda’s education by funding two secondary schools, the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Girls Secondary School for Sciences in Muhanga and the Hamdan Bin Rashid Kimisange Secondary School. Students from these schools have been performing well in national examinations.
For the last at least 10 years, the UAE through the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation has also been 100% supporting the Islamic Secondary School for Sciences whose students have been also performing well in national examinations.
Within the framework of joint action in order to support the education sector in Rwanda, the UAE Government provided scholarships to outstanding students in different UAE universities, through the UAE Technical Assistance Program.
“The scholarship programs will enable the students to build a better future, and contribute to achieving development for their country and the local community,” said Amb. Alqahtani.
Since 2018, 20 male and female students from Rwanda received UAE Government scholarships at the UAE University in the disciplines of Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biology, Biochemistry, and Computer Science.
Among others, 10 Rwandan students were given full scholarships to pursue bachelor’s degree programs at Sorbonne Abu Dhabi University in 2019.
In consideration of the fact that education plays a critical role in knowledge-driven economy, he commended the school for excellent performance in national examinations and reiterated his country’s commitment to provide scholarships to best performers.
The study published by the British Council in 2017, named UAE as one of the best countries when it comes to its support of international higher education.
It was established after the release of second volume of the Shape of global higher education report which analysed international higher education policies across 38 countries.
The country came second in the quality assurance and degree recognition category and fifth for openness and mobility.
The UAE has established an excellent and diversified system of higher education in a very short period.
The UAE University, founded in 1976, led higher education in the country. Since then, the UAE currently has 76 public and private institutions of higher education and they include universities, colleges and vocational & technical institutes, both local and international campuses, such as the Sorbonne Abu Dhabi University, New York University and American University of Sharjah.
The UAE Government has been providing scholarships to Rwandan students who excelled in their secondary education at some of these public and private universities such as the UAE University and Sorbonne Abu Dhabi University.
She delivered the message on Wednesday 10th November 2021 at the 5th East African Youth Leadership Summit (YouLead Africa Summit) 2021 held in Arusha, Tanzania.
The summit brings together over 10,000 young professionals in the areas of leadership, investment, peace building and gender equity and women empowerment in Africa as well as policy makers.
Themed the ‘Future of Africa: Creating Jobs, Feeding, and Housing the World’s Youngest Continent’; the summit running from 8th to 12th November, 2021 is aimed at discussing issues pertinent to the regional development agenda including unemployment and access to economic resources.
Sessions held on Wednesday focused on the role of the youth to promote gender equity and women empowerment.
As she delivered remarks, Mrs Kagame reminisced the words of Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem highlighting that ‘the world cannot a better place if women’s conditions are not better in it’.
Even though his words were highlighted in 2006, Mrs Kagame said that they still resonate now ‘despite our country’s advances of the past 15 years in granting women equal status, equal opportunities and equal protection under the law’.
She revealed that the biological differences between the sexes are frequently mischaracterized as a justification for gender inequality. Mrs Kagame however insisted that it should not be case but rather ‘an indicator of how complementary our respective offerings can be’.
“To be in the post 1994 Rwanda, the contributions of all available human capital had to be put to use. The nurturing nature of women, the sensitivity that nourishes the unconditional love for their children, needed to be capitalized upon to engage an entire nation in the testing task of communal healing,” she explained.
Mrs Kagame also emphasized that Africa needs life and love as a continent that has been scarred by centuries of oppression.
“Gender equality is not about uplifting one gender. It is about uplifting the community by empowering every individual that can contribute to our society’s progress, wellbeing and stability,” she noted.
Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5 or Global Goal 5) concerns gender equality and is fifth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2015.
The principle of gender equality is also enshrined in Africa’s Agenda 2063 where it calls in its aspiration 6, for “An Africa, whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children.”
The African Union (AU) also recognises that gender equality is a fundamental human right and an integral part of regional integration, economic growth and social development and has developed the AU’s strategy for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) to ensure the inclusion of women in Africa’s development agenda.
Mrs Kagame said that gender equality is the common appreciation of the unseen yet essential efforts of invisible woman to craft the first notion of home ‘most of us have ever known’.
She therefore stressed that achieving gender equality is ‘our means of giving back to those countless women who have dedicated their lives to ensuring we could all sit here positioned to be an impact on the future of our communities’.
Mrs Kagame highlighted that girl’s education in developed nations is of critical significance.
“On our continent, too many young girls have been withdrawn from schools and forced into premature adulthood through child marriage, full time employment and responsibility of financial support to their families. While these practices are becoming less and less common, we cannot hope for our morality to match our development in 2063 if they still occur at all,” she noted.
To promote young girls education, Mrs Kagame through Imbuto Foundation supports students from vulnerable backgrounds under the ‘Edified Generation Programme.’
Imbuto Foundation also awards girls with outstanding performance through ‘Best Performing Girls’ initiative.
First Lady Jeannette Kagame has said that a young girl who has shown the merit and the value of her efforts will be more willing to take on academic challenges.
She revealed that rewarding best performing girls is of critical importance and stressed the need to create an ecosystem where girls can exhibit their skills.
“I invite some of the professional, leaders and entrepreneurs here today, to join us in providing our young people including our young girls with guidance on attending career fulfillment and success. Your expertise might be invaluable but I believe it could lead to quantifiably promising results,” she noted.
Mrs Kagame emphasized that the ultimate goal is to see countries helping and granting girls and women, opportunities they deserve.
“For all the love that girls and women receive, they reinvest ten folds. Give a woman safety and she will give you serenity. Allow, a woman knowledge, and she will raise your children to be wise. Give a woman seed, and you will be brought the fruit garden flourishing,” she stated.
The Youth Advocacy Advisor at She Leads Plan International, Elsie Masava explained that the meeting plays a significant role to determine the youth’s role on the continent.
Tanzania’s Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa also emphasized that the youth deserve opportunities leading to sustainable development.
He stressed that Africa should particularly empower women and the youth in financial management which paves the way for sustainable Africa’s development.
The youth accounts for 60 percent of the population in East African Community.
