Kagame who is the current Chairperson of Smart Africa board welcomed new members on Wednesday 10th November 2021 at the 10th meeting.
“I welcome you to our 10th board meeting. Please join me in welcoming two new board members: Google and WestLink. We are very happy to have you with us,” he said.
Smart Africa is a bold and innovative commitment from African Heads of State and Government to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development on the continent, ushering Africa into a knowledge economy through affordable access to Broadband and usage of Information and Communications Technologies.
The 10th Smart Africa board meeting brought together participants from over 30 countries from the African continent and partners working together to accelerate Africa’s socio-economic development through digital transformation.
Google is an American multinational technology company that specializes in Internet-related services and products, which include online advertising technologies, a search engine, cloud computing, software, and hardware among others.
WestLink is a subsidiary of Africa Development Solutions Group, a company which operates as an integrated platform specializing project management, as well as in the provision of services and equipment, servicing African states, African and foreign multinationals and people of the continent.
Smart Africa is an alliance of 32 African countries, international organizations and global private sector players tasked with Africa’s digital agenda.
With a vision to create a single digital market in Africa by 2030, the Smart Africa Alliance brings together Heads of State who seek to accelerate the digitalization of the continent and create a common market.
Launched in 2013 by seven (7) African Heads of State, the Alliance now has 32 member countries, representing over 815 million people and over 40 Private Sector members committed to the vision and the advancement of Africa.
Google and WestLink recently joined other international and African technology firms as members of Smart Africa including Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Microsoft, Facebook, Inmarsat, Liquid Telecom, Orange, Intel, Ericsson, Huawei and Tata Communications & Transformation Services.
Smart Africa also partners with international organisations such as the International telecommunications Union (ITU), the African Development Bank (AfDB), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA) and the World Bank among others.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday 10th November 2021 during a ceremony held in Kigali City. Rwanda was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta while Hungary was represented by Péter Szijjártó, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The funds will be utilized to expand and increase the production capacity of Karenge Water Treatment plant located in Rwamagana District.
The plant currently has the capacity to produce 15,000 cubic meters per day of which 12,000 are supplied to residents of different parts of Kigali and 3,000 cubic meters to residents of Rwamagana District.
Minister Szijjártó has explained that some of major activities include increasing the plant’s production capacity to 36,000 cubic meters per day.
In addition to increased production, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the credit line will also be utilized to build six-kilometer water supply network.
He went on to explain that Hungarian companies will contribute to the implementation of the project.
These companies will intervene in budget planning, supervision and digitization among others.
He revealed that the agreement also opens doors for Hungarian technology in the expansion of water supply networks to one of developing African nations noting that Hungary is ready to explore investment opportunities in Africa.
Rwanda has also signed with Hungary more agreements in the areas of air transport, health and education where the country will offer scholarships to Rwandan students.
Minister Biruta has also said that Rwanda and Hungary are committed to further strengthen existing cordial relations.
“Our cooperation is commendable and we are committed to further strengthen relations between governments, trade and both countries’ people. We are set to prioritize those areas with optimism that our relations will be beneficial to Rwanda’s development programs,” he said.
Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is ranked as the 9th most complex economy according to the Economic Complexity Index. The country GDP was estimated at US$154, 56 billion in 2020 with service sector contributing 55.8%.
In a statement following the meeting held on Monday 8th November 2021, the Ambassador highlighted that discussions with the President focused on the bilateral cooperation between Mauritius and Rwanda as well as multilateral cooperation pertaining to COVID-19.
Prithvirajsing commended existing bilateral ties founded on mutual respect and reiterated commitments to deepen relations.
The ceremony was held few days after presenting letters of credence to represent Rwanda in Lesotho.
Ambassador Kayihura was previously the High Commissioner of Rwanda to Tanzania from 2014 to 2019. He was also the Ambassador from 2008 to 2014 in the Republic of Korea; Liaison Officer at the Office of the President at the Republic of Rwanda from 2001 to 2008; and First Secretary from 1996 to 2001 at the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda.
Rwanda and Mauritius have been enjoying cordial relations. In 2014, both countries signed agreements to facilitate investment, trade and cooperation.
Both countries are also ranked among top investment destinations on African continent.
Speaking at the event in Rwandan capital city Kigali, Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta commended the government of China’s multidimensional contribution to the development of Rwanda in key sectors ranging from investment, infrastructure, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), to mining, health, agriculture, defense and security.
Since Nov. 12, 1971, and more particularly after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, the two countries have worked closely to strategically develop their political and socio-economic ties.
China currently ranks among the top investors in Rwanda which has created thousands of jobs in different sectors.
“Supported by the increasing high level political interaction and exchanges, our bonds of relationship have flourished at all levels,” Biruta said.
He reiterated his country’s appreciation for the solidarity and support of the Chinese following the recent donation to Rwanda 500,000 doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines.
The minister reaffirmed Rwanda’s readiness to explore new ways to further deepen the two countries’ relations under existing bilateral and multilateral frameworks.
In addition to traditional cooperation areas, the two countries enjoy cooperation in e-commerce, trade in high-quality agricultural produce, as well as combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rwanda’s coffee beans are popular on China’s e-commerce platforms, where each kilo of beans sold in China can bring coffee farmers four more dollars.
Rwanda became the first African country to export dried chili to China. Some 50,000 tons of dried chili will be exported to China in the next 5 years.
Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda, Rao Hongwei said over the years the two countries have developed high-level political mutual trust, “making bilateral relations as stable as a great rock in the face of any changes in the international situation.”
“Our economic and trade cooperation has gotten closer. China is proud to be Rwanda’s largest trading partner and largest project contractor,” he said.
The bilateral trade volume between the two countries in 2020 reached 321 million U.S. dollars despite the impact of COVID-19.
Since 1982, China has dispatched 21 medical teams to Rwanda, with a total of 258 doctors providing medical services to more than 700,000 local people, according to data from the embassy.
Over 5,000 students were enrolled by the Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda while more than 2,000 members registered with the Rwanda Kung-Fu Wushu Federation.
Hundreds of Rwandan students receive Chinese scholarships to study in China every year while more and more Chinese have been learning about Rwanda and visiting for sightseeing and business.
Noting that people-to-people exchanges have expanded, the envoy noted that the two countries support each other in international affairs and speak in one voice on many issues such as development and human rights.
China is grateful for Rwanda’s firm support on issues involving China’s core interests and major concerns, Rao said.
According to the ambassador, the friendship between China and Rwanda is not an accidental choice, but the result of like-mindedness.
“We both maintain that all countries, big or small, strong or weak, are equal. We both cherish national sovereignty and independence, and resolutely oppose any interference in our internal affairs by any country or external forces,” he said.
Upholding the principles of sincerity, practical results, affinity, and good faith, China seeks to strengthen cooperation with Rwanda “for mutual benefit, win-win outcome and common development,” the envoy added.
“China will join hands with Rwanda to build a community with a shared future for the two countries, and for China and Africa at large,” he said.
Howard G. Buffett is an American businessman whose foundation has supported the development of a center pivot irrigation project in Nasho sector.
The Nasho Irrigation Scheme project is made of 63 center pivots irrigation system, irrigating 1,173 hectares belonging to 2,099 smallholder farmers.
The inauguration of the project was graced by President Paul Kagame in 2020. It was developed to modernize Rwanda’s agriculture sector and specifically improve smallholder farmers’ livelihoods.
The project, worth US$54 million, helps local farmers improve their livelihoods by enabling them to grow crops all year round, and allowing for a more efficient use of inputs, such as water and fertilizer, and by enhancing the yields and quality of the crops they grow.
Beneficiaries of the irrigation systems were grouped into a cooperative dubbed Nasho Irrigation Cooperative (NAICO); which utilize and maintain the infrastructure.
The scheme also consists of a solar power plant with a capacity of 3.3 megawatts to power the irrigation system, with 2.4 MW battery storage unit installed, to provide electricity to pump water and reduce the burden from farmers.
In addition, 144 houses (36 houses that are four-in-one) were constructed to resettle households from areas under pivot irrigation, and farm buildings.
About 24 km of existing roads within the project area were also widened and resurfaced and about 10 km of new roads created, which made it easy for installation of irrigation systems as well as transportation of inputs and produce.
Speaking at the inauguration of Nasho Irrigation Scheme last year, Kagame thanked Howard G. Buffett for the partnership that has become very productive in Rwanda’s agriculture and conservation to make a big difference for many lives.
The country which once underwent serious economic downfall, is currently seeking to be back on its feet working with Rwanda as a gateway to restore global influence through cooperation with the African continent.
It was revealed on Friday 5th November 2021 by Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias on his visit to Rwanda after holding talks with his counterpart of Rwanda, Dr. Vincent Biruta.
During their discussions, Dendias and Dr. Biruta signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in Political Consultations that will allow both countries to discuss prospects for deepening bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interests including trade and investment, tourism, education and agriculture among others.
Rwanda and Greece also signed a MoU on cooperation in the field of diplomatic training to reinforce the collaboration between respective ministries of foreign affairs.
His visit coincided with the donation of 332,800 AstraZeneca doses of COVID-19 shipped to Rwanda on Friday 5th November 2021, an addition to more 200,000 doses secured from the country early September this year.
Minister Biruta said that the visit of his counterpart resulted from both countries’ commitment to strengthen engagements at bilateral and multilateral levels.
He also told the media that discussions with Dendias focused on exploring available investment opportunities.
“We have discussed and took them through available investment opportunities where they expressed willingness to cooperate with us to promote trade and investment particularly in tourism sector,” he said.
“The visit is a significant milestone in promoting bilateral relations in different areas drawing emphasis on trade and investment,” added Biruta.
Greece is among developed countries with its GDP per capita estimated at US$19,827 (over Rwf19 million).
The country’s economy heavily relies on services which account or 80% of GDP with tourism as the main contributor.
Greece is ranked the 7th country attracting a large number of tourists on the European continent and the 16th tourist destination globally.
{{Rwanda as gateway for deepened ties with Africa}}
Greece has not been actively involved in global investments mainly due to economic crisis the country has undergone since 2008, when details emerged that it had heavy, outstanding debts.
The Greek debt crisis was the dangerous amount of sovereign debt Greece owed the European Union between 2008 and 2018. In 2010, Greece said it might default on its debt, threatening the viability of the eurozone itself.
To avoid default, the EU loaned Greece enough to continue making payments.
Since the debt crisis began in 2010, the various European authorities and private investors have loaned Greece nearly 320 billion euros.
It was the biggest financial rescue of a bankrupt country in history.
As of January 2019, Greece had only repaid 41.6 billion euros. It has scheduled debt payments beyond 2060.
In return for the loan, the EU required Greece to adopt austerity measures. The country minimized expenses to get out of the situation, high taxes and repeatedly slashed salaries and pensions. The country has adopted national economic recovery plan that saw debts decreased, restored economy that it is currently on the path to normalcy.
Dendias has explained that Greece is back for international cooperation starting with Africa and a continent with promising economy.
“The latest bilateral agreement between our two countries was signed 35 years ago. To be open, we didn’t implement and this is totally unacceptable,” he said.
“We have decided that we want to enhance our relations with African countries, because, among others, Africa will be the economic powerhouse of the world. Some of the fastest growing economies are located in this beautiful continent,” added Dendias.
He explained that Greece found it necessary to cooperate with Rwanda as the right gateway to penetrate on the continent considering the country’s remarkable progress following the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
“We, Greece, have no colonial past and by extension we do not carry any historic baggage. Also, thousands of my compatriots Greeks have emigrated to Africa and they have created thriving Greek Communities around the continent. For us, the gate to Africa should be Rwanda. Rwanda has recovered from one of the worst genocides in human history; a genocide that is within living memory of many of us. Rwanda has set an international standard for reconciliation, reconstruction and national unity. You have clearly set a benchmark,” revealed Dendias.
The annual World Bank’s Doing Business Report places Rwanda among the best African destinations for doing business and a fast-growing economy.
Dendias emphasized that it is an advantage to cooperate with such a country with favorable business environment.
He also stressed the need to fast track MoUs signed between both countries enhanced cooperation with countries that share the same principles and the same values ‘especially the belief that International Law should be the norm in relations between countries’.
After holding talks with Minister Biruta, Dendias visited Kigali Genocide Memorial where he paid tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi laid there.
Among others, Dendias and his delegation also met with President Paul Kagame at Village Urugwiro where they held talks revolving around strengthening bilateral cooperation between Rwanda and Greece, regional issues as well as the Africa-EU relationship.
He also held discussions with officials from different public institutions including Rwanda Governance Board.
Rwanda and Greece enjoy existing relations in different areas. In July 2021, Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Jean Bosco Kazura visited Athens, the capital of Greece to strengthen cooperation.
He was welcomed by Gen Konstantinos Floros, Chief of Defence Staff of the Greek Defence Force.
In 2018, both countries signed air service agreement.
Kagame received their oaths on Friday 5th November 2021 at the parliamentary building.
It is the fourth time receiving oaths from newly appointed officials since the beginning of 2021.
The new Auditor General, Alex Kamuhire,44, was appointed on 13th October 2021.
His has wide experience in the financial sector and particularly in auditing state finances. He has been involved in financial audits for the past 18 years.
Prior to his appointment, Kamuhire was the Government Chief Internal Auditor in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning for the last six years.
In his role, he also provided internal audit services to the Central Bank, local government entities and public enterprises as well.
Before his appointment as the Office of the Chief Internal Auditor, Kamuhire worked as a Financial Management Specialist in the office of the Auditor-General.
He also worked as an Internal Auditor in the Ministry of Agriculture and he is among the first auditors in the office of the Auditor General since its establishment in 2003.7
Kamuhire took over from Obadiah Biraro who had served in the position for ten years.
DCGP Muhisoni who was also sworn-in on Friday was appointed the Deputy Commissioner General of Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) in October 2021 replacing Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza who recently moved to Rwanda National Police (RNP) as the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in charge of Administration and Finance in April 2021.
DCGP Muhisoni previously served as the Deputy Commissioner for Community Policing.
Meanwhile, Assumpta Ingabire previously served as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion since 2019.
Prior to the appointment, she had served as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Local Government for 2 years; after one year and half in the same Ministry serving as the Director General in charge of Inspection.
Ingabire has a strong background in project management from 7 years of experience coordinating various projects with Imbuto Foundation.
As he delivered remarks, Kagame wished success to sworn-in officials reminding that the country is undergoing difficult times of COVID-19 pandemic. He however revealed that the country has made possible efforts to contain the pandemic and thanked leaders and other Rwandans for their role to minimize its effects.
The President also said that the Rwanda was lucky to access COVID-19 vaccine where mass vaccination efforts are ongoing noting that Rwanda will start local vaccine manufacturing in the near future to save Rwandans and other Africans as well.
“In our country, we played our role in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. Had we not put up a proper fight, it would have taken more lives. Usually, it would have been better not to lose even one life but when the lives lost amount to thousands, it means that the pandemic’s intensity is increasing. I want to thank all of you our leaders, Rwandans for how we conducted ourselves during this pandemic time,” he said.
“It is evident that the pandemic has cooled down; its intensity has decreased significantly. In the near future, we will start manufacturing vaccines in Rwanda. Vaccines manufactured here will first help save the lives of Rwandans, and after, help other Africans and even beyond if we get enough. That’s our wish,” added Kagame.
Nikos Dendias who is in Rwanda for an official visit to deepen Rwanda-Greece relations and cooperation in areas of common interest was hosted at Village Urugwiro after holding talks with his counterpart of Rwanda, Dr. Vincent Biruta.
During their discussions, Nikos and Dr. Biruta signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in Political Consultations and diplomatic training.
His visit coincided with the donation of 332,800 AstraZeneca doses of COVID-19 shipped to Rwanda on Friday 5th November 2021.
Dendias has revealed via Twitter handle that his talks with Kagame focused on different areas including Greece’s contribution to the fight against COVID-19.
Rwanda, Greece enjoy existing relations in different areas. In July 2021, Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Jean Bosco Kazura visited Athens, the capital of Greece to strengthen cooperation.
He was welcomed by Gen Konstantinos Floros, Chief of Defence Staff of the Greek Defence Force.
In 2018, both countries signed air service agreement.
During his stay in Rwanda, Dendias visited Kigali Genocide Memorial where he paid tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi laid there. He also met with officials from different public institutions including Rwanda Governance Board.
The statement released by the Ministry of Defence shows that the promotion and appointment take immediate effect.
He has been serving as the Head of Operations in RDF’s Second Division operating in Northern Province.
He also served as the Principal Private Secretary to the President of the Republic from November 2013 to July 2021.
Brig Gen Karuretwa graduated from the School of Law at the National University of Rwanda in 2000 before pursuing Master’s in International Law at The Fletcher School, Tufts University in the United States of America.
DCGP Muhisoni previously served as the Deputy Commissioner for Community Policing.
She was appointed the Deputy Commissioner General of Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) recently in October replacing Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza who recently moved to Rwanda National Police (RNP) as the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in charge of Administration and Finance in April 2021.
