BK Capital has emerged 2021 Best Corporate Finance Advisory in Rwanda due to superior customer services.
BK Capital Ltd was officially inaugurated in 2019 becoming the fourth subsidiary of BK Group Plc. It offers Securities Brokerage Services, Investment Management and Corporate Finance Advisory Services.
Other subsidiaries include BKTechouse, BK Insurance and Bank of Kigali Plc.
The CEO of BK Capital, Carine Umutoni has said that the award reflects the firm’s commitment to offer best financial advisory services to individuals, local and global companies.
“We are committed to continue growing our clients’ finances, subsequently by positioning ourselves as an investment gateway with a client-centric approach, outstanding solutions and advisory services,” she said.
BK Capital has been the lead transaction advisor for the two major listings on Rwanda Stock Exchange including Cimerwa Plc in August 2020 and MTN Rwandacell PLC in May 2021.
Clients benefit from the firm’s in-house market research, which contributes to informed decision-making.
The recognition follows the recent achievement in mid-July where Bank of Kigali emerged the Best Bank in Rwanda in the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2021 due to efforts expended to deliver world-class services to its clients amidst challenging situation brought by COVID-19 pandemic.
CFI magazine is a print journal and online resource reporting on business, economics and finance. Headquartered in London, it brings coverage and analysis of the drivers behind change.
It combines the views of leading multilateral and national organizations with thought leadership from some of the world’s top minds and ensures that readers better understand the forces influencing and reshaping the global economy.
The magazine provides news, analysis and commentary on markets worldwide.
He made the revelation today during a press conference hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta to brief the media on various key local, regional and global issues.
As he made a presentation on activities carried out by Rwandan troops in Mozambique, Col Rwivanga explained that they are currently deployed in the northwest of the country in the counties of Palma, Afungi, Mueda and Awasse.
He revealed that Rwandan soldiers conducted combat operations on 24th July 2021 where they killed four rebels in Awasse and seized their guns.
“We conducted several operations between 24th and 28th July in Awasse- Macimboa and Mueda- Awasse located in Cabo Delgado where our soldiers are deployed. On 24th [July]; we killed four rebels in Awasse and seized weapons including RPG, SMG, Machine Gun and pharmaceuticals. We mounted an ambush the same day and killed more two insurgents,” he said.
The two killed rebels were riding a motorbike with number plate from Tanzania.
They were found with a laptop, and documents written in Kiswahili while their guns were also seized.
On 26th July, RDF killed five rebels and seized eight weapons. On 28th July, rebels raided RDF barracks in Awasse but were repelled as Col Rwivanga explained.
“We repelled the attack and killed one of them. As we brought back our injured soldier to Awasse, we encountered an ambush mounted by rebels and killed two of them. This is what we have done so far,” he noted.
Col Rwivanga has revealed that RDF troops have taken control of several regions where it has conducted operations since deployment to Mozambique.
“We repelled and killed enemies whenever we encountered them. Only one soldier was injured and is receiving medical attention. We have taken control of Awasse and seized all places where we conducted operations,” he said.
Col Rwivanga said the mission to Mozambique is not time-specific highlighting that it will depend on how long it will take to normalize the situation.
“We shall return after accomplishing our mission,” he affirmed.
On 9th July 2021, Rwanda started the deployment of 1000 troops of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and the Rwanda National Police (RNP) to Mozambique to fight terrorism and insecurity.
The situation started worsening in October 2017 when armed extremists linked the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) launched an insurgency in the Cabo Delgado region of Mozambique.
Since then, Mozambique Defence Armed Forces have been battling the extremists but many civilians were displaced by the fighting.
Following different attacks, the militants seized the port town of Mocimboa da Praia August 2020.
Over fifty people were beheaded by terrorists in the province in April 2020 and a similar number in November 2020.
Among others, the militants seized Palma on 24th March 2021, murdering dozens of civilians displacing more than 35,000 of the town’s 75,000 residents.
So far, intensified fight between rebels and Government soldiers for the past four years has claimed lives of 3000 civilians leaving over 800,000 displaced.
The incessant violence prompted the visit of Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi to Rwanda in April 2021 where he discussed the problem with his counterpart Paul Kagame.
The statement released by the Government of Rwanda ahead of sending troops to Mozambique reads that the deployment is a response to the request of the Government of Mozambique.
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The ceremony which took place on Wednesday 28th July 2021 was presided over by the Deputy Force commander, Major General Main Ullah Chowdhury who appreciated Rwandan peacekeepers contribution to maintaining peace and security in South Sudan.
“We recognise the Rwandan battalion for the noble service to the people of South Sudan. Rwandan troops have demonstrated capability to adapt to the changing nature of operations. I also emphasize the role of female peacekeepers which is commendable,’’ said Maj Gen Chowdhury.
Rwanbatt-1 started its tour of duty on 13 August 2020. They conducted numerous operations on daily basis that involve: security patrols and protection of civilians including rescue operations; protection of national and international humanitarian actors, conducted various CIMIC activities in support of the local population.
Rwanbatt-1 Ag Commanding Officer, Maj Aimé Uwimana thanked the leadership of UNMISS, the Government of South Sudan and other stakeholders for their support and cooperation.
The three new envoys hosted at Village Urugwiro yesterday will represent their respective countries with residence in Kigali.
Antoine Anfré comes to Rwanda six years after the ambassadorial post has been vacant.
The last French envoy to Rwanda, Michel Flesch, left Kigali in September 2015. Since then; French interests were managed by a chargé d’affaires, an official acting as head of diplomatic mission during the absence of a substantive ambassador.
The appointment is considered a great milestone to revitalize both countries relations that had deteriorated due to the country’s reluctance to admit its role during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
On 27th May 2021, French President Emmanuel Macron made a historic visit to Rwanda.
As he arrived in Rwanda for two-day state visit; Macron visited Kigali Genocide Memorial where he paid tribute to over 250,000 victims laid there and later delivered a speech during which he admitted his country’s role in the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and reiterated commitment to bring Genocide fugitives to face justice.
“Standing here today, with humility and respect, by your side, I have come to recognize our responsibilities,” said Macron.
He said that France had a duty to admit the “suffering it inflicted on the Rwandan people by too long valuing silence over the examination of the truth.”
Macron said that only those who had survived the horrors “can perhaps forgive; give us the gift of forgiveness”.
The visit was seen as a good step towards the normalisation of relations between the two countries.
Anfré, 58, is a diplomat familiar with Africa.
He held different diplomatic roles where he served as the first secretary of the French Embassy in Uganda, then as editor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in charge of Rwanda, Burundi, Zaire (current DR Congo) and Tanzania in the 1990s.
He also served as Embassy Counsellor in London from 2011 to 2014, and as ambassador of France to Niger in 2015 among others.
Jérémie Blin has been serving as Chargé d’Affaires since 2019 prior to the appointment of Anfré.
Speaking to the media after presenting credentials, Ambassador Anfré said that both countries are entering a new era of cordial relations following the release of Duclert report and Macron’s visit to Rwanda.
“We are here to enhance cooperation with Rwanda in the areas of culture, trade and economy. We have already held discussions and made resolutions awaiting implementation,” he revealed.
Anfré reiterated commitment to build from existing foundation to promote bilateral relations rooted on mutual respect.
“Rwanda needs development partners but France also needs new partners in Africa,” he noted.
The visit of Macron to Rwanda was considered a step further to turn a new page for both countries relations.
The new era saw both countries renewing partnership that birthed cooperation in development projects where Rwanda secured Euro 60 million financing through French Agency for Development (AFD) to support the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines as well as social protection initiatives.
French also financed Rwanda’s expansion of electricity with Euro 80 million and more 5.8 million to promote vocational education and training courses.
Else, French Cultural Center has been reopened in Rwanda while other projects are in the pipeline.
Among others, Rwanda and Nigeria have maintained bilateral ties since 1962.
Both countries have cooperation in three main areas including security, air transport and technical cooperation.
The new envoy accredited to Rwanda, Aishatu Aliyu Musa reiterated commitment to continue fostering bilateral relations for mutual interests and draw attention to joint investment.
“I hope to draw much attention to prioritizing investment between the two countries to see members of Rwandan business community travelling to Nigeria and vice versa. It is my goal to make it better.”
Ambassador Omar Daair representing the United Kingdom has revealed that he held discussions with Kagame on different topics including bilateral cooperation in climate change mitigation and education among others.
Amb. Omar explained that both countries have agreements in many areas and share common understanding on regional security and climate change among others.
The alleged mismanagement attracted public attention early this week where a story run by one of local media houses accused the committee of misusing Rwf16 billion allocated to the project.
Speaking to IGIHE, the spokesperson of RIB, Dr. Thierry B. Murangira has confirmed that investigation is underway.
“The case is being investigated but we have not yet identified substance of crimes,” he said.
RIB launches investigation following a communiqué released by Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) as the sponsor of the project refuting funds mismanagement accusations and illegal offering of tenders during construction process.
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The tour is part of the week-long visit aimed at strengthening cross-border cooperation between Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Malawi Police Service (MPS) as entailed in the Memorandum of Understanding binding the two Police institutions signed in March 2019 in Lilongwe.
The MoU specifies partnership in joint areas of training, operations, tracking and exchange of criminals, combating terrorism, drug trafficking, cybercrimes, information sharing on fugitives and other security related matters.
During the bilateral meeting with his counterpart of Malawi, Dr. George Kainja, IGP Munyuza said that the two Police forces have made “strides including holding bilateral meetings, exchanging information, learning from each other and sharing expertise to jointly confront common threats affecting safety and social wellbeing of people in our two countries and our regions at large.”
“In the face of prevailing global and regional security threats, we value Malawi’s efforts on bilateral and multilateral stages to seek sustainable solution to security challenges in the region and beyond.
Rwanda stands together with Malawi and all other African countries’ resolve to end the unnecessary and destabilizing negative forces on our continent particularly violent extremism,” IGP Munyuza said during the meeting.
The host, Dr. George Kainja said that the cooperation is even more important in the context of Islamic insurgency that is terrorizing Mozambique.
“The Malawi Government in General, and the Malawi Police Service in particular will ensure that all efforts to defeat this insurgency are supported. In addition, the security apparatus of this country is working tirelessly to ensure that our country is not used in any way by elements bent on destabilizing the region,” Dr. Kainja said.
The statement released last night shows that 915 people have caught the virus out of 9628 sample tests, 22 recovered while 61 are critically ill. The majority of new cases were found in Kigali: 139, Gicumbi; 66, Gakenke: 64, Ruhango: 61 and Kamonyi: 53.
A total of 439,568 people have received two COVID19 vaccine shots since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation program on 5th March 2021.
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.
The students were holding the party in Kivumu Village, Nyanza Cell, Busasamana Sector, where they were found dancing and drinking during curfew hours.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Southern region Police spokesperson, said the group was found in the party at about 7pm.
“Residents reported to the Police about noise pollution in the neighbourhood, where a group of young people had gathered for the party. The dispatched Police officers found nine students of ILPD holding a birthday party for their colleague, drinking and dancing with even all other health guidelines like face masks and social distancing disregarded,” SP Kanamugire said.
The violators, he added, were reminded on the Cabinet measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic, including prohibited gatherings.
They were also tested for Covid-19 at their own cost and handed administrative fines, accordingly.
Kagame made the call on Wednesday 28th July 2021 at the US-Africa Business Summit – The Corporate Council on Africa.
Like this year, the previous summit also took place virtually in June 2020 due to COVID-19. The council has been considered the voice for private sector engagement between USA and Africa for a quarter century.
As he addressed participants, Kagame reflected on how COVID-19 has brought unprecedented effects and stressed the need to strengthen partnership further.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing us to adjust and adapt. We don’t know how much longer it will be with us. That is why we need even stronger partnership between Africa and the United States,” he said.
USA has committed to provide millions of COVID-19 vaccines through COVAX facility where the first deliveries have already begun to arrive in Africa.
Kagame stated that the donations are not a long-term solution to ‘a global health challenge of such a magnitude, nor do they address the issue of equity’.
“It is therefore a good sign that the United States is preparing to join with partners in Africa through the US Development Finance Corporation and other agencies, to support local manufacturing of vaccines and other pharmaceuticals,” he noted.
Kagame highlighted that Africa is doing its part with imminent entry into force of the Africa Medicines Agency treaty, which will create continental regulatory body to reinforce national regulators.
“This presents tremendous opportunity for companies on both sides of the Atlantic. We have already seen examples of how this kind of collaboration can produce innovations that impact the entire world,” he said.
“A few years ago, a small start-up from California called Zipline approached Rwanda about piloting a futuristic technology to deliver blood supplies to remote hospitals using drones,” he added.
Zipline started operating in Rwanda since 2016 with headquarters in Kayinza and Muhanga districts and makes deliveries to 260 health centers.
After proving concept in Rwanda, Kagame said, Zipline expanded not only elsewhere in Africa but also to Japan and the United States itself, where engineers and technicians from Rwanda reinforce the company’s global operations.
“The company is now valued in the billions of dollars. Let us use the urgency of this moment to identify similar opportunities for partnership between Africa and the Unites States, focusing especially on the young men and women on both our continents who see solutions, where others only see problems,” enthused Kagame.
The summit held for the 13th time brought together over 1000 leading US and African private sector executives, senior government officials and heads of state among others.
The theme of this year’s summit is “New Pathways to a Stronger US-Africa Economic Partnership” and will focus on the unique opportunity for the new US Administration and its African partners to reset and redefine their relationship, working together to shape the path for economic recovery needed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Another perhaps surprising fact? While the sense of adventure is strong, travel in Rwanda is also steeped in luxury. It’s a true safari destination in that sense. This is a bucket-list journey if ever there was one, where couples can cuddle up in incredibly intimate lodges and camps set in spectacular landscapes with wildlife unlike anything you could find stateside—not to mention Pinterest-worthy design and exceptional cuisine. It’s incredibly green, and not only when it comes to the colors surrounding you.
The country is a sustainable development leader in the world, practicing many thoughtful ways of protecting the planet’s resources.
Every Rwandan honeymoon must start in Kigali (home to the international airport), which you’ll find to be one of the cleanest—and safest—cities on Earth. It’s where you’ll find the ultimate boutique hotel introduction to this great destination: The Retreat by Heaven. With its 12 solar-powered, custom-built teak dwellings complete with patios, outdoor rain showers, and colorful printed bathrobes, this bolthole is an idyllic place to rest up, get acclimated, and explore the city. (If you’re looking to spend a bit less, there’s Heaven Boutique Hotel next door.) The cuisine at the adjacent open-air, buzzing Heaven Restaurant is some of Rwanda’s best, the result of an overwhelming successful social enterprise idea.
For less of a scene, Fusion Restaurant at The Retreat offers fine-dining vibes on a smaller scale.
By day, there’s plenty to engage with—from art and culture, fashion, culinary and nature tours by Heaven taking interested parties all over the dynamic city and its surroundings, to the somber yet must-visit Kigali Genocide Memorial, which provides the difficult and moving context you’ll need to interact in this ever-healing nation. For a caffeine fix, stop by Question Coffee. But for a more intoxicating beverage, visit the 1000 Hills Distillery, Africa’s first small-batch craft distillery—it gives tours and tastings, or you can simply go for cocktails.
The Inema Arts Center is a worthy visit, as is the Kandt House Museum if you’re history buffs. Fashion fans can’t miss Rwanda Clothing Store, a jewel box of a retail gem for both women’s and men’s clothing, plus, irresistible jewelry and accessories, and gorgeous home decor, all by a young local female designer.
After a couple days in Kigali you’ll be ready to commune with nature. Some travelers like to visit Lake Kivu, which lies across Rwanda’s western border and is a serene place to relax, hike, bike, and play in the water. For wildlife lovers, however, the ideal next stop is Akagera National Park, which was recently graced with its very first luxury safari camp, Magashi, by Wilderness Safaris. The slow, smooth drive there (four hours) feels quite long from Kigali, but it’s generously scenic, a constant stream of lush, patchworked hills rolling by like a sea of green carpet. Magashi guests are the only ones allowed to enter the park’s north entrance, giving them more exclusive access to, say, a large herd of elephants playing welcome wagon.
This is an escape that feels gloriously far from the real world, romantic and natural. There are just six luxury tents, each with a king bed swathed in rose-colored mosquito netting at its heart. Large wooden decks overlook shimmering Lake Rwanyakazinga, its prolific population of hippos constantly popping their heads up like whack-a-mole to say hello as you enjoy a drink from the extensive minibar or a yoga session using the provided mat (there’s a jumprope and resistance band, too). But that’s far from the only place to chill and appreciate your surroundings—there’s also a swimming pool with a view, a fire pit, a seductively lit communal lounge, and an outdoor deck where you can appreciate animals coming incredibly close, as the camp is not fenced. Mealtimes are special highlights, since the food—from buffet breakfasts and brunches to firefly-lit multi-course dinners—is positively mouthwatering.
Of course, as idyllic as it is at camp, what you go for is outside. Twice-a-day safari excursions happen by adapted truck as well as occasionally by boat, especially just before sunset, when cruising you might feel as if you’re in Switzerland or some other misty blue and green land of untold beauty. From the water—wine or G&T in hand—you might spot crocodiles, buffalo, silver monkeys, kingfishers, antelope, zebra, or even black rhinos. Game drives turn up white-tailed mongoose, hyena, warthog, leopard, giraffe, and many more species. You might spend the morning admiring lions with their profusion of cubs, playing in a pile like puppies, suckling, yawning, nibbling and cuddling to form bonds—and not a single other vehicle or tourist around.
A few days at Magashi and you will have settled nicely into safari life. But for as small as it is, Rwanda offers many different landscapes begging to be experienced. A helicopter could be arranged back to Kigali or, to extend the honeymoon, to the sumptuous tea plantation–adjacent One&Only Nyungwe House, backing up to the striking and serene jungle canopies of Nyungwe Forest National Park, where one offering is trekking to view wild—and shockingly humanlike—chimpanzees.
Whatever you do, make sure the grand finale takes place in the Virunga Mountains of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda’s northeast, where inimitable primatologist and conservationist Dian Fossey famously studied and lived aside mountain gorillas for decades. The over-the-top opulent options in that region are plenty, providing the cherry on top of a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon. Wilderness Safaris opened magical Bisate Lodge in 2017, and in 2019 Singita debuted Kwitonda Lodge, and One&Only followed with Gorilla’s Nest.
The latter feels more like a true luxury resort than an African camp, though your ecstatic drumming welcome feels wholly authentic. The property sits in a eucalyptus grove, landscaped beautifully with exotic imported roses and indigenous flora, the stories of which you can discover on a nature walk or mountain biking. With 21 individual dwellings up on stilts (the idea was not to cut a single tree) and hidden amid nature, there’s an incredible emphasis on pampering and privacy. A heated infinity pool with a state-of-the-art gym and pool bar, an indulgent spa using local ingredients such as coffee for out-of-this-world body scrubs, and ever-changing many-course meals informed by Rwandan flavors elevated for international appetites ensure the feeling is super-high-end and sophisticated.
At Kwitonda Lodge, an entirely different energy pervades. Sitting at the base of the Virunga Mountains, you’ll see a handful of jagged peaks and untamed grassy expanse serving as a buffer zone slash front yard to the eight suites, as deluxe, plush, and design porn-y as anywhere you’ve ever seen. By night, butlers escort couples back from the main lodge—encased in local cut stone and lined with curvaceous locally made terracotta brick and hand-woven accents—since buffalo are known to wander around (there’s even the occasional elephant or gorilla). Community is important here, and quite evident. There are large-scale artworks of many mediums, oil to vibrant paper scroll beads, and copper-clad lighting, creating an otherworldly yet incredibly comfortable atmosphere—rustic yet refined.
The standalone suites, featuring the same natural yet premium materials, are even more appealing to both the eye and body. They’re essentially the dream African abode. The warm palette of cozy textiles, leather, and wool play beautifully with the spectacle outside the massive picture windows (complete with window seats for reading, snuggling, or sipping vino or craft cocktails made at the chic kitchenette), not just nature at her best but also a private heated plunge pool and outdoor fireplace. The expansive bathrooms are host to not only a large soaking tub, showers (indoor and out), and double vanities, but a massage bed complete with incense and Tibetan singing bowl to set the mood. Heavenly spa treatments are done right there, ideally after your gorilla trek.
Speaking of, couples are educated by the staff conservation officer and wildlife specialist ahead of their trek. Before dinner—the meals at Kwitonda are endlessly delightful, with lovingly prepared tapas-style lunches and bright, vibrant dinners that might include a warm take on Caesar salad with crispy camembert cheese and broad beans, and gnocchi made of the iconic local potatoes with ginger butternut puree—you’ll get the lowdown on what to expect in an artifact-, book- and photograph-riddled conservation lounge alongside other guests. You’ll even get outfitted head-to-toe in the best protective, waterproof gear and, early the next morning, sent off with a perfect picnic lunch.
Of course, as much as there is to experience at Kwitonda House, not just eating happily but trying cooking interactions, basket weaving, stick making lessons, yoga, cycling, and visiting the Arakabo Nursery on-site (it’s here that much of the produce you savor is grown), the gorilla trek is the pinnacle. That journey is to some extent shaped by your guides, all of whom are incredible, and some of whom might have even known Fossey personally. But the gorillas are the ones actually in charge. For the trek, you’re put into a group of up to eight and assigned a gorilla group, the head of which is a dominant silverback male who, if you’re lucky enough to see his 400-pound self, will imprint in your mind forever.
The only sure thing, however, is that each outing is guaranteed to be unique and endlessly special. The first part involves some amount of hiking—fortunately you’ll hire a local porter to carry your hefty pack—that might be a breeze or could be a bit strenuous, through deep mud, weaving in and out of bamboo thickets and lush greenery, or maybe climbing higher into the Virunga Mountains. You might hear the gorillas first (after all they have almost two dozen different vocalizations) or maybe smell them, or you could even be greeted by a toddler beating his chest playfully. Once you reach them, you’ll get one life-affirming hour to observe their familiar behaviors, listen to their communications, and be moved by their intimate interactions—especially touching if there’s a baby in the group.
Words can’t do the experience justice—it’s something you truly must live to understand. Epic is an understatement. At the end of your adrenaline-filled excursion, when you return to Kwitonda Lodge, you’re met with a hot steaming towel, warm gluwein, and a staffer to remove your muddy boots and exchange them for plush slippers. You and your love might retreat to your suite for quiet reflection or a fevered recounting of the day’s highlights, take a dip, book another hike or trek to see golden monkeys, indulge in massages, or simply relax over some excellent South African wine and another memorable dinner. In many ways, it doesn’t get more adventurous or exciting than Rwanda.
{{This article written by Kathryn Romeyn was first published by BRIDES. }}
