The announcement was made by President Paul Kagame as he addressed delegates at the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York on 20, September, 2023.
In his speech, Kagame expressed concerns about the slow pace of developing countries towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) a thing he attributed to the debt crisis, as a result of ‘higher costs of borrowing’.
“The primary cause of this crisis is high interest rates in developed economies, at the same time, developing countries face exaggerated risk premiums for both currency and political risk, which are simply unjustified,” he explained.
Additionally, Kagame stressed the necessity for developing countries to be responsible and accountable for the quality of their financial governance and management of their natural resources.
Welcoming the proposals of the ‘Bridgetown Initiative’ and the ‘Paris Summit for a New Global Financing Pact’, Kagame hinted on Rwanda’s support for the second retrieval of the ‘Green Climate Fund’ to create a fiscal space for “vulnerable” nations to tackle climate change.
Furthermore, he pronounced the country’s commitment to providing a solution to conflicts in developing countries.
“We must not only cool down on climate, we must also cool down on conflict. Today, there is no sign of ongoing conflicts ending anytime soon. We do not even see hope from those with the most influence that an end is in sight.”
“Every year, migrants and refugees undertake dangerous journeys in search of a better future. Rwanda remains committed to working with partners, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to contribute to a durable solution,” he stretched.
The United Nations General Assembly held in NewYork brought together world leaders with a goal to get the SDGs on track.
According to the UN secretary General-Antonio Guterres, the SDGs are, “a list of goals that carry hopes, dreams, rights and expectations of people everywhere, yet to date, only 15% of the targets are on track and many are going in reverse.”
“Instead of leaving no one behind, we are leaving the SDGs behind,” he stated, therefore calling on all excellencies available to come up with a rescue plan for the SDGs.
“I am deeply encouraged by the detailed and wide ranging drafts, political declaration and consideration here today, especially its commitment to improving developing countries’ access to the fuel required for SDG progress (finance), which includes at least 500 billion US dollars a year as stimuli to developing countries in addition to an effective debt relief mechanism”, added the UN Secretary-General.
UNESCO made this significant announcement on Wednesday, 19th September 2023, through its official X account, formerly Twitter.
These memorials bear witness to one of the darkest tragedies on the African continent. They not only serve as places for families to reflect upon the victims but also as a universal reminder of the atrocities that humanity must never allow to recur.
Dr. Bizimana Jean Damascène, the Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, representing the Rwandan government during this momentous occasion, underscored the unique importance of this day for Rwanda and the global fight against genocide denial and revisionism related to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
He expressed gratitude to the countries supporting Rwanda, emphasizing how their assistance bolsters the battle against denial and its ideology.
“The historic inscription of the Bisesero, Gisozi, Murambi and Nyamata Sites on the World Heritage List increases international visibility, and also honours the memory of the victims they represent throughout the world. This recognition strengthens the fight against Genocide denial and will serve to educate present and future generations,” said Dr. Bizimana .
These four sites received approval shortly after Nyungwe National Park in the Southern Province was also granted UNESCO World Heritage status yesterday.
Other representatives noted that the inclusion of these memorials in the world heritage list could serve as an inspiration to other nations, particularly those affected by turmoil in Africa. The Rwandan government has committed to preserving and maintaining these memorials, with an annual budget allocated for this purpose.
“Rising inflation has been putting pressure on the Global economy as we know, just as we rebuild from the pandemic. The result has been a tightening of monetary policy disproportionately impacting low and middle income countries.
Now is the time to come together to make the international financial system fit for purpose,” he stressed.
Kagame made the remarks during the High-Level Roundtable on International Financial Architecture on 19th, September, 2023, adding that it is a matter of real substance for Africa’s future, not a competition for geo-political influence which has been going on.
“We simply need fiscal space to finance our development and protect ourselves against climate and health shocks,” he explained.
Kagame further shared four examples on how ‘things can be done differently and better moving forward’.
Essentially, “we must accelerate the debt management process through the G20 common framework”.
Additionally, he encouraged rich countries to honour the commitment to allocate part of their special drawing rights to low income and developing countries on a need basis and not wealth.
Similarly, “international financial institutions need to significantly simplify and speed up the process of approving loan disbursements to enable private investments and financing as means of bridging the financing gap from multilateral banks,” he explained.
Ultimately, Kagame urged collaboration in addressing the ‘unfair’ payment of high risk premiums for developing countries which he termed as “extra costs that come on top of the ‘already high’ interest rates.”
Highlighting that the given examples are not forms of charity, Kagame applauded the efforts already in place that Rwanda has benefited from.
“Fortunately, the political will to change seems to be slowly emerging and we hope this trend gives us faster results. The bridgetown initiative and the Paris summit for a new Global financial pact are important examples.
Another important example is the IMF’s resilience and sustainability trust which happily Rwanda was among the first to benefit from,” he remarked.
The International Financial Architecture was crafted in 1945 after the Second World War designed by and for the industrialised countries of the post war period.
According to the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, it is ‘failing the test’ as “halfway to the 2030 deadline, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are drifting further away by the day.
In May, the Secretary-General published a policy brief: Our Common Agenda (OCA) outlining recommendations on reforming the international financial and tax architecture.
To achieve this, the policy brief offers recommendations in six areas ; to reform and strengthen global economic governance, deliver debt relief and lower the cost of sovereign borrowing, scale up international public development and climate financing, strengthen the global financial safety net and provide liquidity to countries in need, reset the rules for the financial system, and to redesign the global tax architecture for equitable and inclusive sustainable development.
The envoy made the revelation at the celebration of the 74th anniversary of the founding of the ‘People’s Republic of China’ (PRC).
“Our economic cooperation bring tangible benefits. Our bilateral trade is booming. More and more Chinese business are coming to Rwanda.
When addressing the inauguration ceremony of a Chinese cement plant, His Excellency President Paul Kagame pointed out the importance of this cooperation. The embassy will continue to promote this business friendly country to more investors,” he said.
Amb. Wang added that China admires Rwanda over thinking big and its envious aptitude on the future development of mankind.
China and Rwanda established diplomatic relationships on 12th, November, 1971 and since then, the breadth and depth of the two countries bilateral relations continue to expand.
According to Prof. Nshuti Mannaseh, Rwanda’s State Minister for EAC Affairs who graced the event, this journey has led to cooperation that spans across various domains; from Trade and Investments, Health, Education, Technology, Infrastructure development, and more.
According to the minister, China’s investments in Rwanda are valued at over US$1 billion creating an enormous impact on the economy in addition to job creation.
“China is one of Rwanda’s leading trading partners, with a bilateral trade volume of exports to china estimated at 537 US dollars, while imports stand at over 1 billion US dollars,” he said.
Additionally, in 2022, China granted ‘duty free’ privileges for imported goods originating from Rwanda to farther increase trade between the two nations.
Attributing the two countries ‘brotherly friendship’ to respect, Amb. Wang said the embassy will continue to promote existing ‘brotherly friendship’ based on mutual respect.
“We respect each other, treat each other as equals and good partners. With the guidance of our leaders, the bilateral relations have become increasingly close,” he stated.
The PRC’s work in Rwanda is a testament to projects like; the Nyabarongo Hydropower plant II, Musanze Polytechnic College, the expansion of Masaka Hospital, among others.
“Our cooperation has also extended to the field of education, MOUs between Jinhua Polytechnic and MINEDUC have led to the launch of programs in Electrical Automation and E-commerce at IPRC Musanze”, remarked Prof. Nshuti.
“This commitment to education underscores our shared belief in the power of knowledge and the importance of investing in the future of our nations”, he added.
Notably, a substantial number of Rwandan students are awarded masters scholarships in various fields every year to study in China in addition to training Rwandan teachers and supporting curriculum development within the country.
According to Amb. Wang, China will host FOCAC (Forum on China-Africa Cooperation) in supporting Africa’s development meeting which may draw up new plans for further development between the two countries.
“In August 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward three plans aimed at supporting Africa’s talent development, Agricultural modernization and Industrialization, China and Rwanda could seize those opportunities to enhance our cooperation,” he remarked.
The PRC 74th anniversary was marked on 19th, September, 2023 at Marriot Hotel in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
The event was graced by other dignitaries including Wellars Gasamagara, the Secretary-General of RPF; Sandrine Umutoni, Minister of State in the Ministry of Youth and envoys accredited to Rwanda among others.
Belgium’s request to replace Ambassador Karega emerged after Rwanda had awaited his approval for long, according to Kagame.
While Rwanda respects Belgium’s right to reject a proposed ambassador, Kagame emphasized the importance of receiving clear explanations in such situations. He pointed out that Belgian officials provided unconvincing reasons for their decision.
The Rwandan President also revealed that it later became apparent that Belgium’s decision was influenced by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and not other undisclosed reasons.
Kagame connected this decision to the expulsion of Ambassador Karega by the DRC, stressing that it had nothing to do with Ambassador Karega’s character, as he was representing national interests during a period of tension between Rwanda and its neighboring country.
Kagame firmly stated that Rwanda would not replace Ambassador Karega with another ambassador in light of these circumstances.
Ambassador Karega left the DRC within 48 hours after being ordered to do so on December 31, 2022, but chose to depart before the deadline, exiting through Congo Brazzaville. On the same day, the DRC recalled its Chargé d’Affaires in Rwanda, Alice Kimpembe Bamba.
Belgium did not publicly announce the reasons for rejecting Ambassador Karega’s appointment.
The decision was leaked by Jambo News, an outlet associated with Jambo ASBL, a group consisting of children born to extremist Rwandan exiles accused of involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. This leak sparked criticism on social media, with some users questioning whether Jambo News had become a communication channel for Belgium’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Belgium’s rejection of Ambassador Karega’s appointment marked another setback in the bilateral relationship between Rwanda and Belgium. This came after a previous misunderstanding in September 2021 regarding the case of Paul Rusesabagina, who was convicted of terrorism.
Rwanda had canceled a scheduled bilateral meeting with Belgium at the ministerial level during the United Nations General Assembly in New York in response to criticism from Sophie Wilmes, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, regarding Rusesabagina’s 25-year jail term.
Wilmes had expressed concerns about Rusesabagina’s trial, citing perceived flaws in the right to defense and the presumption of innocence. In response, the Rwandan Government accused Belgium of showing contempt toward Rwanda’s judicial system during the trial and highlighted the significant contribution of relevant Belgian institutions to the investigation. Rwanda emphasized that the victims of FLN’s terrorist acts deserved justice as much as Rusesabagina and his co-defendants, leading to the cancellation of the ministerial-level talks.
Rusesabagina was subsequently released on presidential clemency this year.
Following the rejection of Ambassador Karega’s appointment, Yolande Makolo, the government spokesperson, expressed regret over the decision and its potential negative implications for the bilateral relations between Rwanda and Belgium.
She criticized the Belgian government for appearing to capitulate to pressure from the DRC government and propaganda from negationist organizations and activists, through whom they chose to leak the decision.
This declaration was made during an interview with Jeune Afrique, where President Kagame responded to questions about his recent re-election as the Chairman of RPF Inkotanyi, where he received an impressive 99.8% support, raising speculations about his role in the forthcoming elections.
In response to the interviewer’s inquiry, Kagame expressed his appreciation for the trust bestowed upon him by the people of Rwanda. He emphasized his commitment to serving their interests to the best of his abilities.
Furthermore, he unequivocally confirmed his candidacy for the 2024 presidential polls, acknowledging the apparent nature of his potential rerun, as suggested by the interviewer.
Expressing his gratitude, Kagame recognized the continuous trust placed in him by cadres and citizens alike. He stressed the profound significance of this trust, acknowledging that it deepened his sense of duty and indebtedness to the Rwandan people.
Reflecting on his political journey, it’s worth noting that Kagame initially assumed office on April 17, 2000, following his election by the Parliament and cabinet members. He stepped into the leadership role after Pasteur Bizimana’s resignation, leading the country during a three-year transitional regime.
In 2003, Kagame was elected as President for his first term, securing an impressive 95% of the votes. He was subsequently re-elected for a second term in 2010, with a substantial 93% of the votes. At that time, the Rwandan constitution stipulated a two-term limit for the head of state.
In response to the request of over 5 million citizens, the Parliament revised the Constitution, allowing Kagame to run for the 2017 presidential polls. In that election, he garnered a commanding 98.79% of the votes, facing competition from other contenders, including Mpayimana Philippe, who received 0.73%, and Dr. Habineza Frank, who obtained 0.48% of the votes.
Now, after serving six years in his third term, Kagame has announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential elections.
This decision aligns with the Constitution’s revision in 2015, which permits the President to contend for presidential polls until 2034. Notably, these upcoming terms will be reduced to five years instead of the previous seven, while maintaining alignment with constitutional changes.
The delegation led by the Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies, Mr DE. Egbeji, is in Rwanda for a study tour from 17 to 24 September 2023.
The course participants are drawn from different agencies in Nigeria and African countries including Tchad, Niger, Gambia and Rwanda.
At RDF Headquarters, they were received by the RDF Spokesperson, Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff. He briefed them on the theme of the course ” Globalization and Regional Economic Integration: Implications for Sustainable Development in Africa”.
While talking to the Media after the briefing, Mr DE Egbeji emphasised that the participants came to interact and share knowledge and experience on Economic Integration and its implications on sustainable development in Africa.
“We need to find out what Rwanda is doing differently that we can learn and what Rwanda can learn from Nigeria,” he said.
The inscription of Nyungwe National Park serves as a vital step in ensuring its long-term conservation, preserving its natural heritage for future generations, and promoting sustainable development for neighbouring communities.
Established as a natural reserve in 1933, the forest became a national park in 2005 in a bid by the government to bolster its protection and safeguard the thousands of endangered and endemic species it harbours.
Covering an expanse of 101,900 hectares, Nyungwe National Park stands as the largest block of natural forest in the region. Boasting remarkable biodiversity, it is home to over a dozen species of primates, 322 bird species, 200 identified orchids, and nearly 300 butterfly species, including several endemic to the park.
The management of the park falls under the hands of the African Parks Network, a non-governmental organisation specialising in conservation, in partnership with the Rwandan Government.
Speaking after the inscription, Dr. Jean Damascene Bizimana, Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement who was representing the Government of Rwanda, welcomed the development highlighting that it is not only a contribution to the preservation of Rwanda’s natural heritage, but also of particular significance to the Rwandan people, ‘for whom it is the first site inscribed on this universal list’.
The inscription of Nyungwe National Park into the UNESCO World Heritage list follows the inclusion of Gishwati-Mukura National Park in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2020.
This recognition builds upon the long-established presence of the Volcanoes Biosphere Reserve in northwest Rwanda, which has been a part of the network since 1983.
Together, these designations underscore Rwanda’s commitment to conserving its natural heritage and contributing to global conservation efforts.
This revelation was made during a three-day conference organized by RIBA, which concluded on September 16, 2023, in Musanze District. The conference successfully convened stakeholders from the insurance sector in Rwanda and the region to deliberate on ways to instill a culture of insurance subscription.
Despite witnessing substantial growth in the Rwandan insurance market over the past 15 years, the sector’s current value has reached Rwf120 billion, up from Rwf50 billion in 2006. Nevertheless, the insurance penetration rate remains at a meager 1.9%, adversely impacting the insurance brokerage profession, which boasts only 15 members from Rwanda out of 400 in East Africa.
RIBA’s Chairman, Mubiligi Jean Pierre, attributes this lackluster growth to a scarcity of industry experts and a lack of understanding among Rwandans regarding the benefits of accessing insurance services through brokers.
According to Mubiligi, the key to boosting broker numbers lies in educating Rwandans about their crucial role, which, in turn, will lead to increased demand for their services.
He stated, “The increase of brokers comes from people who feel they can do the work. There is not much potential, and they are discouraged because Rwandans do not understand their importance.”
To address this issue, insurance companies and brokers have embarked on a campaign to educate the public about the importance of insurance services and the role brokers play in facilitating access.
Mukundwa Dianah, the CEO of SONARWA, emphasizes that increasing insurance penetration among Rwandans requires collaboration with various institutions, including educational establishments like the College of Business and Economics at the University of Rwanda. She emphasizes the importance of inspiring students to pursue careers in the insurance sector.
Furthermore, there is a pressing need to bring in new talent to replace experienced professionals who are leaving, leaving behind junior brokers. Mukundwa remains optimistic about the transformative potential of young professionals if they are given the opportunity to shine.
Mukundwa also revealed that the Central Bank has granted licenses for sensitization campaigns aimed at encouraging people to seek insurance services.
{{Embracing technology for wider access}}
Alexio Mayonde, Chief Information Officer at ZEPRE Reinsurance Company, points out that the inadequate integration of technology is a significant obstacle to universal access to insurance services. He observes that while insurance companies are leaders among financial institutions globally, this is not the case in Africa and Rwanda.
Mayonde stresses that banks have surged ahead because they have effectively integrated technology into their services, while the insurance sector still relies on traditional methods involving physical document exchanges. He advocates for a technology-driven approach to reach clients in remote areas, a vital strategy for increasing Rwanda’s insurance penetration rate from its current 1.9%.
Moses Mukundi, CEO of Eden Care Insurance Company, highlights their commitment to harnessing technology, with their services now fully integrated with technology. This approach ensures that their services are accessible to a wider audience, facilitated by their partnerships with insurance brokers who establish close relationships with clients, making marketing activities more effective.
Mukundi underscores the importance of insurance companies and brokers adopting technology to efficiently serve a larger client base.
{{Collaboration for streamlined services}}
Cleophas Obiero, Managing Director of Smart Applications International Rwanda Ltd, emphasizes the importance of collaboration within the insurance sector to streamline service delivery. Recognizing that unity can lead to more efficient operations and enhanced customer experiences, he urges stakeholders to work together.
Figures from the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) indicate a positive trajectory for the insurance sector, with the value of total assets increasing by 17% to reach Rwf824 billion in December 2022, up from Rwf701 billion in December 2021. Notably, motor and medical insurance constitute the largest share of the insurance sector, comprising 63% of its activities.
As a result, African leaders have been working hard to reduce these effects by 2030, in accordance with the Paris Accord, and to achieve net zero by 2050.
Rwanda, for example, presents a vision of becoming a developed climate-resilient, low-carbon economy by 2050 through its national policy for climate change and low-carbon development.
The strategy’s three main goals are to achieve energy security and low-carbon energy supply, sustainable land use, water resource management, and social protection, enhanced health, and disaster risk reduction, which minimizes vulnerability to climate change.
To help the government meet this goal, construction firms like Ultimate Developers Limited (UDL) have joined the fight through ‘Green housing’ projects.
“Green housing,” according to UDL, is an approach to building that prioritizes the reduction of harmful effects on both human health and the environment.
UDL has embarked on a bigger and better Phase II of its real estate development project, inspired by Rwanda’s Vision 2050 Urbanization and Agglomeration pillar, after successfully completing Phase I of Kigali’s high-end residences, Vision City, located in Gacuriro Cell in Kinyinya Sector, Gasabo District.
Vision City Phase II comprises 1,487 residential dwelling units with smart, green, and wellness characteristics, about three times the size of Vision City Phase I, carefully arranged into various areas to promote efficiency and ensure a methodical approach.
According to Claudette Rubangura, Head of Commercial Operations at Ultimate Developers Ltd, this concept centers around the idea of creating sustainable and eco-friendly residential properties while supporting the well-being of their occupants.
“We are actively preparing to begin the first section as a critical step toward moving the entire project forward in a timely manner.
The project phase will use an off-plan sales strategy, which means that units within the project will be offered for sale prior to completion, subject to market demand and validation,” she explained.
In addition, the concept emphasizes the use of renewable energy sources such as solar panels or photovoltaic systems. These sources contribute to the creation of clean and sustainable energy, hence reducing the community’s environmental footprint.
Vision City Phase II will incorporate rainwater conservation features ranging from rainwater harvesting materials to water-efficient landscaping.
Additionally, implementing energy efficiency solutions such as LED lighting, smart thermostats, and smart energy-efficient appliances will be fitted in all rooms.
According to UDL management, homes under this phase will address environmental concerns through various measures that focus on indoor lighting, indoor air quality, temperature, and humidity control, and creating a conducive sleeping environment.
Vision City Phase II home building materials are expected to be sourced from green certified, carbon-neutral certified manufacturers. Developers intend to take heed of materials that are less harmful to the environment, such as reducing energy consumption and waste.
Among others, Vision City homes are situated in a well-gazetted environment. They incorporate landscaping, low-flow plumbing, limited emissions, and are supplied with natural gas as a cleaner energy source.
Vision City Phase II homes also prioritize well-being, comfort, and environmental sustainability.
This will be achieved through energy-efficient appliances, lighting, and insulation to minimize energy consumption.
Renewable energy sources such as solar panels are utilized to power the homes, resulting in lower utility costs.
Besides, natural light and airflow are also integrated into the design to enhance the living experience.
Beyond being a green housing project, Vision City Phase II is intended to improve the overall quality of life for its residents by including retail units, a Community Center, a school, a kindergarten, a recreation center, and even a hotel.
Wellness and health have also been prioritized in the project, including fitness and wellness centers and green spaces to promote physical exercise, relaxation, and a healthy lifestyle.
The whole project phase encompasses 40.7 hectares of land, with units ranging from one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom opulent executive villas priced to match the residences’ worth and characteristics.
“Our goal is to strike a balance that ensures a fair and competitive pricing strategy that will contribute to the project’s success,” Rubangura explained.
UDL is a private real estate company that is leading the way in transforming the property business in Rwanda. The company was founded in 2011 on the premise that “a single developer with grand ambitions, a clear vision, and a well-coordinated strategy can change the trajectory of an industry and the market’s belief of what is possible.”
The company was founded with the goal of providing modern housing alternatives in Kigali City in the medium and long term, while also contributing to Rwanda’s Vision 2050 through the implementation of the city master plan.
UDL projects are the creation of top professionals who are committed to developing unique answers to clients’ desires for well-planned, modern residential and commercial real estate.
The project will be completed in four phases, totaling approximately 4,500 dwelling units spread across 150 hectares of land.
Its first phase (Vision City Phase I), which included 504 dwelling units ranging from 2-bedroom apartments to 5-bedroom deluxe villas, was finished in 2018 and is now sold out with a 100% occupancy rate.
