Rwanda has ramped up vaccination efforts and continued to carry out research that would see the country administering the third vaccine shot and vaccinating people below the age of 18.
Among others, the Ministry of Health has revealed that 29 people caught COVID-19 out of 8346 sample tests while one person succumbed to the virus yesterday. The deceased is a man aged 73 from Gicumbi district.
Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.
Headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda, Ampersand assembles and finances electric motorcycles (‘e-motos’ or ‘e-bodas’) that cost less to buy and operate, and perform better than the 5 million petrol motorcycle taxis in use across East Africa – all with up to 83% less carbon emissions.
The core of Ampersand’s business is the network of battery swap stations and fleet of batteries Ampersand builds and operates. This system allows drivers to swap batteries faster than refilling a tank with petrol and shields vehicle buyers from the high upfront cost of a lithium battery pack. Since its commercial launch in May 2019, Ampersand’s team has performed over 50,000 battery swaps, powering Ampersand’s fleet of 56 drivers for over 2 million kilometers.
DFC’s US$9 million loan will allow Ampersand to scale up the number of electric motorcycles on the road in Rwanda and Kenya to several thousand by the end of 2022. The loan is part of DFC’s Portfolio for Impact and Innovation (PI²) initiative and contributes to DFC’s commitment to the U.S. Energy Compact and its target to address climate change with one third of its investments by 2023.
DFC’s facility builds on a US$4 million Series A round Ampersand secured earlier in 2021, which was supported by Silicon Valley investor Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF) and TotalEnergies.
DFC’s investment also builds on early-stage support Ampersand received from USAID’s Development Innovation Ventures (DIV), Rwanda’s Green Fund and the UK Government’s Frontier Technology Livestreaming initiative among others.
Commenting on the development, Josh Whale, Founder and CEO of Ampersand said: “We’re thrilled to have DFC on board with this historic investment, which is building momentum to electrify all of East Africa’s 5 million motorcycle taxis by 2030. DFC’s support underlines the viability and investability of electric two wheelers for mass-market customers in the Global South, and the importance of this market to reaching net zero. On the eve of COP26 in Glasgow we believe more bold, fast-moving and innovative funds like PI² are urgently needed.”
DFC’s Chief Climate Officer Jake Levine has revealed that the institution is proud to support Ampersand in their important and innovative work bringing e-mobility and electric motorcycles to Rwanda and Kenya.
“DFC is focused on making impactful investments in developing countries that will help communities progress and grow while simultaneously building resilience and prosperity for a clean energy future — this investment and the incredible growth that Ampersand has demonstrated in the market represents a great step in that direction,” she said.
At the time, details emerged that the skulls were taken for research purposes but the foundation did not disclose details about the origin and names of individuals whose remains are conserved in Germany.
The Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation is a Federal government body that oversees 27 museums and cultural organizations in and around Berlin, Germany.
Germany colonized Rwanda between 1885 and 1916. Following revelations that Germany has the skulls in its museum, Rwanda made possible efforts to have them back.
Speaking to IGIHE, Amb. Robert Masozera, the Director-General of the Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy has revealed that Germany expressed willingness to return these human remains pending discussions to determine the process under which the skulls will be flown back.
“We are seeking how to repatriate these human remains because they are willing to do so. The remaining task is about engaging discussions on both sides to determine the process under which it can be done and how these remains can be buried decently upon arrival,” he said.
Masozera explained that the country mulls establishing a memorial site where the skulls will be buried.
“They are our parents and forefathers. They deserve decent burial in a designated memorial site as we have made it a routine in our country. This is our wish but discussions are ongoing,” he said.
It has not been made clear if ancestors whose skulls were to Germany were killed or died of natural cause.
Masozera has explained that some details remain unknown because many people were flown secretly. He however expressed optimism that deep research might be helpful to identify their families.
The dates for repatriation of Rwandans ‘skulls are not known but Masozera revealed that Rwanda is ready to welcome them anytime.
Apart from Rwandans’ remains, Prussian Cultural Heritage revealed that it is also preserving over 60 skulls from Tanzania.
Last year, Germany has handed back to Namibia, the skulls of indigenous people killed by Germany colonialists more than 100 years ago.
The bones had been sent to Germany for now-discredited research to prove the racial superiority of white Europeans.
As Germany colonized Namibia, tens of thousands of Herero and Nama people were murdered in response to an anti-colonial uprising.
After losing the First World War, Germany was stripped of its colonies.
At the time, Belgium too over the control of Rwanda until its Independence in 1962.
Belgium also kept Rwandan cultural vestiges some of which have been returned.
For instance, the country handed to Rwanda archives and maps designed during colonial era indicating Rwanda’s wealth of natural resources.
Towards the end of last week, Belgium also handed over to Rwanda over 4000 sounds and traditional songs taken between 1950s and 2000s.
These archives were conserved by the Royal Museum of Central Africa.
The President was speaking on Sunday 31st October 2021, at the second session of G20 Summit focusing on ‘Climate Change and Environment’.
“The commitment to mobilize $100 billion a year for green transition in developing countries has not fully materialized, and there is no tangible action in this direction. This year’s G20 is an opportunity to recall that pledge. We need a delivery plan,” he said.
“The world’s largest economies contribute almost 80% of worldwide emissions. Africa is not the main cause of climate change, but we can and must be part of the solution, and we intend to do just that,” added Kagame.
The President also shared Rwanda’s efforts where the country has put a National Cooling Strategy in place to phase out the hydro fluorocarbons that contribute so much to global warming.
As he explained, the action is in line with the Kigali Amendment to the Montréal Protocol.
“Fully implementing this agreement is one of the most consequential actions that we can take to slow the pace of climate change,” said Kagame.
The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer entered into force on 1st January 2019, following ratification by 65 countries.
It is expected to help reduce the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases (GHGs), and thus to avoid global warming by up to 0.4°C this century.
The need for the Amendment emerged from the 1987 Montreal Protocol process, which controls ozone-depleting substances.
With HFCs’ use as an alternative to ozone-depleting substances in cooling equipment, their role in warming the atmosphere became a greater concern.
In 2016, the Parties to the Montreal Protocol adopted the agreement on HFCs at the close of the 28th Meeting of the Parties (MOP 28) in Kigali, Rwanda.
Governments agreed that it would enter into force on 1st January 2019, provided that at least 20 Parties to the Montreal Protocol had ratified it.
Kagame was speaking at the G20 Summit held in Rome, the capital of Italy on Saturday 30th October 2021.
Kagame is among two African Heads of State invited to attend the summit. He is participating in-person along with his counterpart of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Félix Tshisekedi who is also the current Chairperson of the African Union.
Kagame delivered his remarks as the Chairperson of African Union Development Agency (NEPAD).
“The Covid-19 pandemic cannot be brought under control without global vaccine equity, and this is also the precondition for economic recovery,” he said.
The President explained that Africans represent nearly 18% of the world’s people, but less than 5% of Covid vaccine doses have reached the continent.
To this end, the Head of State stated that closing the gap has three components requiring active commitment by the G20, as has already happened.
“First, we must ensure a consistent supply of vaccines for low-income countries to meet the target of 70% vaccination by mid-2022. After a slow start, Covax deliveries have picked up, thanks to increased pledges from different countries, among them the United States, the European Union, and its member states among others,” he noted.
“Second, national health systems need to be upgraded to efficiently handle mass vaccination. Third, we have to build manufacturing capacity for vaccines in developing countries,” added Kagame.
Commenting on measures to reduce the continent’s over reliance where 99% of its vaccines are imported, Kagame revealed that Africa targets to produce 60% of needed vaccines by 2040.
He explained that efforts to build local capacity are underway pointing out an example of recent milestone where Rwanda and Senegal concluded agreements with BioNTech to build end-to-end mRNA vaccine production facilities, starting in mid-2022.
The agreement will see technology and know-how transferred to build the capacity of local companies, and the doses produced will be distributed in Africa.
Kagame said that it is an important milestone in which the European Union and the African Union are also playing a key role.
“Finally, continued strengthening of the World Health Organization and Africa CDC is critical, along with support for the new African Medicines Agency,” he said.
The summit also brings together counterparts from invited countries and representatives of some of the main international and regional organizations for discussions focused on health, economic recovery, climate and energy.
The summit takes place on 30th and 31st October 2021.
Other leaders attending the summit include the President of the United States, Joe Biden and India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi among others. It is the first of its kind held in-person since Coronavirus pandemic emerged.
As he arrived in Italy yesterday, Kagame held talks with the Director General of World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala ahead of G20 Summit.
On Saturday, the president was also welcomed by Italy’s Prime Minister, Mario Draghi who currently holds the G20 Presidency.
The 16th summit is the first of its kind held in-person since Coronavirus pandemic emerged.
The first G20 Summit was held in Washington in November 2008, while the lastunder the Saudi Presidency was held in virtual mode in November 2020.
Only two African Heads of State including Kagame and President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Félix Tshisekedi who is the current Chairperson of the African Union, were invited to attend the summit.
The ceremony that took place on Thursday 28th October at Ubumwe Grande Hotel also flagged-off the 2021 edition of the Seeds for the Future training Program that will happen virtually.
The Huawei ICT Academy is a Huawei-authorized project for industry-academy cooperation. It aims to provide students the latest ICT technologies and knowledge, as well as to develop professionals that can meet the requirements of customers and partners from Huawei’s industry chain. It is a non-commercial agreement between Huawei and universities, colleges that brings the latest professional certifications.
This partnership between Huawei, MINEDUC, MINICT and the universities of Rwanda is geared towards ICT talent development in Rwanda.
The ceremony was graced by the State Minister in charge of ICT and TVET, Claudette Irere, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and Innovation Yves Iradukunda, Economic and Commercial Counsellor, Mr. Wang Jiaxin and the Huawei Managing Director Yangshengwan.
Iradukunda said that they are willing to work together with companies like Huawei that contribute towards the ICT development of the people of Rwanda. He also encouraged more institutions to join initiative like the Huawei ICT Academy that will quicken the teaching of new ICTs to the students in Rwanda.
Minister Irere stressed the need to reform traditional teaching content in order for Rwanda to keep with the emerging cutting edge technologies in the world today such as 5G and A.I among others.
She also emphasized the relevance to have more certification programs to nurture the available ICT talent.
“As new technologies such as A.I, 5G rise, there is a general need to reform existing one and focus on the new so that we keep up with the times. This starts by reforming traditional teaching content to guarantee that it relates to industry practices. To meet this need our education sector needs to work with private sector such as Huawei to train, skill and jointly develop courses needed by the industry,” she said.
“I believe those will take part will make Rwanda proud as you interact, participate and share knowledge with other students,” added Irere.
She called upon the students to use the seeds for the future program to create networks that will further their ambitions in life and also added that she is honored to flag off the 2021 seeds for the future program.
The Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Wang Jiaxin said that he has witnessed Huawei Rwanda’s seeds for the future program since 2018 till today and he appreciates such initiatives Huawei Rwanda is doing for the people of Rwanda. He stated that such initiatives from Chinese companies in Rwanda till this year also mark a milestone of the 50 years relationship between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Rwanda.
Huawei aims to establish more ICT Academies in Rwanda and with universities in order to skill more ICT talents of the country and contribute to the ICT talent pool. According to the Country Director Huawei Rwanda Mr. Toni Yangshengwan, the company looks to train and certify over 1000 students through Huawei’s various programs in the next two years.
“With the Huawei ICT academy in Rwanda, we aim to connect universities with industry to gain new insight into new technology trends, to open our doors for universities and students to access latest technologies and Huawei online learning resources and enhance student career competitiveness and employment rate among others. We shall train and certify more than 1000 Rwanda students and professionals in the coming years with our recognized ICT professional courses. So we request all universities in Rwanda to open doors for us,” he said.
The Huawei certification courses at associate, professional and expert level include; 5G, A.I, cloud, Wlan, Datacom and IOT among others.
The Seeds for the future program in Rwanda started in 2018 and over 15 Rwandan students have gone to Chine up to 2019. Since 2020, the program was moved online and since then the number of students tripled. This year’s online training program has attracted 30 students from majorly University of Rwanda, Rwanda Polytechnic and also a selection of students through MINICT from other institutions that are not yet Huawei ICT Academies.
This eight day virtual training consists of three hour pre-recorded courses and 13 hours of live stream in technology entry level and advanced sessions such as 5G, A.I and Cloud. The seeds for the future program shall cover hot topics of the tech industry such as cyber security and also give interactive visit sessions to the Huawei’s exhibition halls etc.
Mr. Tonni Yang Shengwan further encouraged the students to attend the virtual training fully for them to be able to graduate, acquire Huawei certification, goodies and internship opportunities.
It was revealed on Thursday 28th October 2021 during a ceremony held at Kigali Serena Hotel to celebrate achievements and discuss how to sustain the project’s impact beyond HDAK.
USAID HDAK is a five-year (2016-2021) project, implemented by Education Development Center (EDC) in partnership with 21 Implementing partners working in close collaboration with the Rwanda Private Sector and Government Partners, with an aim to reach 40,000 vulnerable youth in the age bracket between 19 and 30 with market-relevant employability skills and able to create own jobs.
The project has been selecting secondary school leavers who would not earn US$1.5 per day, three years after graduation.
The project has hit the target where 40,097 have so far received vocational skills training during the project’s timeframe.
To date, USAID HDAK has trained over 40,000 youth across 25 districts of Rwanda on work readiness skills using the Work Ready Now & Be Your Own Boss (WRN/BYOB) methodology and provided other employment support interventions, resulting in 70% employment rate, six months following their graduation.
At system level, HDAK has been working with Rwanda Polytechnic and Rwanda TVET Board (RTB) to develop and integrate several skills development materials, tools and approaches to improve TVET and workforce development delivery systems in Rwanda.
As part of its systemic and sustainability approach to youth workforce development, HDAK introduced Youth Development Alliance (YDA) that is locally owned and locally driven in 11 districts.
Additionally, HDAK supported Rwanda Polytechnic and the Private Sector to develop the In-company Instructor (ICI) training materials that facilitates ‘win-win workplace learning’. Among others, HDAK supported the development of TVET Level 2, with a pilot of six new agriculture-based programs in eight Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Schools.
The districts not covered by the project’s interventions include Karongi, Nyamasheke, Nyagatare, Rusizi and Rutsiro.
As the project’s timespan drew closer to an end and in light of project accomplishments both at youth and system level, HDAK recently conducted series of 5 Learning Review workshops and 4 legacy events held at provincial level that brought together different stakeholders, to collaboratively reflect on and celebrate together the project successes, lessons learned and discuss how to sustain the project’s impact.
Speaking during celebrations at national level; the Chief of Party of USAID HDAK, Alejandra Bonifaz attributed the success to strong collaboration with different stakeholders.
“Acquired skills will be of crucial relevance for the youth to create path for a prosperous future,” she said.
Scheduled on 30th and 31st October 2021, the summit is the first of its kind held in-person since the Coronavirus pandemic emerged.
As DW reported, Finance and health ministers from the Group of 20 (G20) leading and developing economies on Friday called for 70% of the world’s population to be vaccinated against COVID-19 over the next eight months.
Ahead of an in-person meeting of finance ministers in Rome — with health ministers joining via video link — the delegates announced the creation of a task force to better fight the pandemic and kick-start the economic recovery.
The G20 bloc, including countries like the United States, China, India and Germany, accounts for about 60% of the world’s population and over 80% of global economic output.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to follow the discussions via a video link.
