This was announced during the international conference on “Re-shaping Education for Sustainable Development” which was organized by the UR- College of Education (UR-CE) through its Leaders in Teaching (LIT) Initiative Project, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation (MCF) and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
The conference which concluded on March 30th, 2023, brought together researchers, scholars, educators, policymakers, and postgraduate students from different countries to discuss the future of education and how it can be adjusted to meet the needs of the labor market.
According to Prof. Wenceslas Nzabalirwa, LIT Project Academic Lead and Lecturer at the University of Rwanda, education should be centered on technology and labor market-oriented courses. He emphasized the need for teachers to take advantage of technology to revolutionize the education sector in this digital era.
He further stated that the UR is encouraging students, particularly girls, to develop a passion for Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to tap into the opportunities available and bridge the existing gap.
Christina Jerome Shuna, a researcher and lecturer representing Dodoma College of Education in Tanzania, stated that the conference plays a significant role as it serves as a platform to share best practices.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Rwanda, Dr. Didas Kayihura Muganga emphasized the importance of collaboration among participants from different countries to ensure the provision of quality education to students at early stages.
He stressed the need to invest in education, beginning from nursery education to prepare future academicians.
The conference was attended by participants from more than 15 countries.
Organized by the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) and the Istituto per la Cooperazione Universitaria Onlus (ICU), with support from the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Rwanda’s participation in this prestigious event aims to create long-term commercial ties, by piquing the interest of coffee lovers in the Netherlands and raising the brand’s awareness on the global market.
According to Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, Olivier Nduhungirehe, the festival is an excellent event for coffee enthusiasts, significant industry leaders, and many other participants to enjoy the uniqueness of Rwanda’s specialty coffee.
“It is also an excellent opportunity for the country to increase the awareness of the coffee brand [Rwanda Coffee – A Second Sunrise] and to attract more buyers,” he added.
Rwanda is represented by eight Rwandan coffees at the Rwanda Coffee stand (G45), including Baho Coffee, Kanya Coffee, Kivu Belt Coffee, Mountain Coffee, Mubuga Coffee, Nova Coffee, Rwashoscco, and Sake Coffee.
Rwanda’s coffee brand has demonstrated potential for widespread recognition and stood out among other specialty coffee origins in the last three editions of the festival.
Speaking to IGIHE on the first day of the festival, Amb. Nduhungirehe emphasized the importance of the Netherlands as an important market for coffee, as it is the fifth consumer of coffee in the world.
He also noted that the Dutch people drink around four cups of coffee per day, around eight kilograms of coffee a year, and are the third exporter of roasted coffee in the world after Italy and Germany. Besides, they buy green coffee from different countries, including Rwanda.
“They are the seventh buyers of green coffee and where they roast and export to other countries. The partnership is important, and Rwanda is here to showcase our specialty coffee, which is very unique and very well appreciated,” he added.
Laetitia Mukandahiro, representing the ICU at the festival, expressed gratitude to the Government of Rwanda for their support to coffee producers through the embassy in the Netherlands, which enabled them to participate.
Emmanuel Niyomugabo, the Coffee Washing Station Manager at Rwanda Mountain Coffee, expressed his delight in being part of the festival, as it provides them with an opportunity to showcase their products to consumers and enhance their coffee brand’s visibility in the market.
Rwanda’s participation in the Amsterdam Coffee Festival is part of ICU’s Coffee Value Chain Development project, which aims to improve the quality and quantity of coffee produced by smallholder farmers, strengthen coffee processing companies and cooperatives to build more sustainable businesses, facilitate access to finance, and increase visibility on the international market.
The project is working with more than 12,000 smallholder farmers and 20 coffee washing stations across 12 districts of Rwanda.
As Amb. Nduhungirehe revealed, Rwanda exported 466.3 metric tonnes of coffee worth US$2,330,008 from January to December 2022, and the country hopes to increase these figures in the coming years.
The request for repatriation reflects Belgium’s acknowledgement of its colonial past and the violence that characterized it. Belgian scientists have admitted that these remains were collected in a context of violence and oppression, mainly by the military, and should be considered as human remains, not as objects of collection.
Most of these human remains were collected between the late 19th century and the early 1960s, during the colonial period when Belgium colonized the Congo region. The “Home” group hopes that the restitution of these human remains will contribute to healing and reconciliation between countries and within communities, and will put an end to a practice that has been considered morally reprehensible for a long time.
The report emphasizes that the repatriation of these remains must be done with the utmost care and respect for local cultures and traditions. The “Home” group comprises human rights experts, representatives of civil society groups, and members of the scientific community. It was created in 2017 to examine issues of justice and reconciliation related to Belgium’s colonial legacy.
The request for repatriation is an important step towards recognition and reconciliation for crimes committed during the colonial period.
Fees and commissions also saw a 20 percent increase year-on-year, attributed to the proper execution of revenue-generating strategic initiatives and digital transactions’ continued growth. Foreign exchange activities revenue also increased by 25 percent due to the increase in volume.
Despite the increase in operating expenses to Rwf25.6 billion from Rwf20.7 billion, I&M Bank’s loan book grew by 4 percent, closing at Rwf231.7 billion, while customers and other financial institutions’ deposits closed at Rwf357.4 billion. The bank’s NPL ratio was well managed at 4.2 percent, resulting in a loan-to-deposit ratio of 63.2 percent.
I&M Bank CEO Robin Bairstow attributed the bank’s success to the I&M Group’s ability to manage various economic challenges while leveraging digital capabilities to provide exceptional customer experiences. He emphasized the bank’s dedication to being a dependable and trusted financial partner for growth while navigating macroeconomic headwinds with resilience and soundness.
I&M Bank’s good performance also earned it the Gender Equality Seal and the Best Bank in Rwanda award for the second year in a row by Capital Finance International (CFI). The bank plans to continue investing in technology to enhance its customer experience and improve operational efficiency.
Based on the financial performance, the board recommended the payment of Rwf1.84 dividends per share, a 55 percent increase compared to the previous year.
The bank’s commitment to creating long-term value for all stakeholders, including customers, shareholders, and the broader community, continues to be a top priority.
The company attributed the profit to the growth in beer volume, which increased by 5.9%, driven by higher sales of Amstel, Heineken, and Turbo King.
Soft drinks volume also increased by 31.6% versus the previous year, due to the full reopening of the market, events, and the revamping of the non-alcoholic beverages route to consumers.
In total, Bralirwa generated revenues worth Rwf157.6 billion, a 27.6% increase compared to the previous year’s Rwf123 billion.
The company produced 2,318,000hl of beverages in 2022, compared to 2,076,000hl in 2021. Bralirwa’s capital expenditure in 2022 also increased to Rwf29.4 billion, up from Rwf10.4 billion in 2021.
The impressive financial results demonstrate Bralirwa’s continued growth and success in the Rwandan market.
The company has been able to capitalize on the reopening of the market and events, as well as its efforts to revamp its non-alcoholic beverages route to consumers.
The company’s investment in capital and product portfolio expansion positions it well for long-term success in the Rwandan beverage market.
Overall, Bralirwa’s impressive financial results demonstrate the company’s continued growth and success in the Rwandan market, as well as its ability to adapt and grow in a challenging market.
Masaka Hospital was built in 2013 on the funding of the People’s Republic of China.
The government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Health is implementing the renovation and expansion of Masaka district hospital project under the financing of the Chinese Government.
Masaka District hospital is set to be expanded, renovated and be used to house the current Kigali University Teaching Hospital (CHUK).
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Thursday 30th March 2023.
Despite the groundbreaking ceremony held today, Construction works that have been going on for two months are being undertaken by Chinese firm, Shanghai Construction Group Co. Ltd.
The project is expected to cost Rwf85 billion upon completion.
The project implementation agreement was signed on 6th April 2020, by the Government of Rwanda represented by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, (MINECOFIN), Ministry of Health and Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) whereas the Chinese Government was represented by the Agency for International Economic Cooperation and the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China.
The project expected to be completed by July 2025, includes the scale up of the hospital capacity to receive 2,000 patients per day whereas the number of beds will be increased to 837.
CHUK hospitalizes around 400 patients.
The hospital shall also include the outpatient and emergency building with the emergency, pediatric and infectious departments in the building.
Some technological tools shall also be introduced in the renovated health facility, which includes the Air compressor room, Oxygen Generator Station, radiology department, blood bank and laboratory department, central sterile supply department, ultrasound and functional examination rooms among others.
Premier Ngirente has expressed his gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for partnering with the government of Rwanda on this vital project. He noted that the two countries have a strong foundation, and this project is yet another testament to their excellent relations.
Dr. Ngirente highlighted the significance of the hospital’s renovation and expansion, saying that it will further enhance the capacity to provide advanced healthcare services to the citizens of Rwanda. “Infrastructures like this one are a great contribution to our vision, to develop specialties, subspecialities and train much needed health professionals in a short time,” he remarked.
The Prime Minister also pointed out that similar efforts are being deployed in other projects for different national referral hospitals such as King Faisal Hospital, Kanombe Hospital, and others.
He added that the Masaka Hospital project complements other strategic health services in the catchment area, including IRCAD Africa, the Heart Center, and other projects that will significantly transform lives and the city into a major health hub. “This is our target,” he emphasized.
Dr. Ngirente once again expressed his gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for partnering with Rwanda in undertaking this important project.
“I hope we shall convene here soon for the inauguration of the hospital,” he said,
eliciting applause from the attendees. The groundbreaking ceremony was a significant milestone in the development of healthcare infrastructure in Rwanda, and all present looked forward to the completion of the project.
The Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda, Wang Xuekun extended his congratulations to the Government of Rwanda and its people on the commencement of the project.
Amb. Wang highlighted the significance of the project, stating that it is one of the largest China-aided projects in Rwanda, to which President Xi Jinping and President Paul Kagame have attached great importance.
He added that the project marks a milestone in health infrastructure cooperation between the two countries.
The Ambassador praised the strong friendship between China and Rwanda that has existed for more than half a century, despite the vast geographic distance between the two countries.
He noted that since the exchange of visits between the two presidents in 2017 and 2018, fruitful cooperation in various fields has been significantly expanded.
Health is a priority direction of their cooperation, and China has already dispatched 22 medical teams and more than 270 Chinese doctors to Rwanda since 1982.
Amb. Wang expressed his appreciation to President Kagame, Prime Minister Ngirente, and other Rwandan leaders for their care and attention.
He also thanked the relevant departments and Chinese companies, including Shanghai Construction Group, for their strong support, kind cooperation, and hard work in making the project possible. Among others, he expressed confidence that they would deliver a quality project to the Government and People of Rwanda in a timely manner.
Amb. Wang also reaffirmed China’s commitment to working with Rwanda to promote the well-being of its people, and to support the development of Rwanda.
He expressed his belief that with their joint efforts, the cooperation in health will make even greater achievements, benefiting both countries and peoples. Amb. Wang wished the project a success and hoped that the cooperation and relation between China and Rwanda would get closer and lead to more tangible results.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana also commended China for being a close partner in the development of Rwanda’s health sector.
According to released figures, the number of vehicles involved in road accidents has significantly increased in recent years.
In 2020, there were 6,351 accidents but the number increased to 14,591 accidents, and reached a new record in 2022 with 17,179 accidents.
This constant increase in the number of accidents is a hindrance to the profitability of the insurance sector, as pointed out by the Governor of BNR, John Rwangongwa.
This situation is mainly due to the high number of accidents involving motorcycles, which now exceed those involving cars, according to the Vice Governor of BNR, Soraya Hakuziyaremye.
However, despite these challenges, the Vice Governor emphasized that other aspects of the insurance sector were stable and profitable.
It is clear that authorities need to take measures to reduce the number of road accidents in Rwanda. These measures could include awareness campaigns, stricter speed controls, and tougher actions against reckless drivers.
In the meantime, insurance companies in the country will have to deal with these high costs, which could impact insurance premiums and insurer profits.
The EAC’s sub-regional single currency project is still ongoing, but progress has been sluggish. During their recent meeting in Bujumbura, Burundi, the central bank governors discussed this critical issue.
They disclosed that the sub-regional single currency project, in the form of a monetary union, should be implemented in 2024 based on an ad-hoc schedule that extends to 2031.
John Rwangomba, the Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, has told members of press that the governors were exploring alternative ways to use currency convertibility within the EAC. They are studying a process to enhance effective money transfers between central banks.
However, as the Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda explained, establishing the single currency project is taking time due to various reasons at the EAC level.
Before member countries can unite to establish a single currency, certain measures must be taken, such as economic integration.
During his visit on 29th March 2023, the was received by the Rwanbatt-1 Contingent Commander, Lt Col Gilbert Ndayisabye, Contingent Commander Rwanda Aviation Unit, Lt Col Dan Musafiri and Staff Officers.
He was briefed on current security situation in South Sudan and nature of operating environment before he got to interact with troops.
Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi conveyed a message from Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and Commander-in- Chief of the Rwanda Defence Force and the entire RDF leadership thanking them for fulfilling their tasks, discipline and professionalism portrayed while in mission area.
He further briefed them on current security situation in Rwanda and current relations between Rwanda and neighbouring countries.
Maj Gen V Nyakarundi urged the force to maintain discipline and remain determined in accomplishing their daily tasks.
Currently, Rwanda deploys three contingents under the UN mandate in different parts of South Sudan and an Aviation Unit (RAU).
According to Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence, they were warmly received by the commander of the Rwandan Security Forces Joint Task Force, Maj Gen E Nkubito, who briefed them on the current security situation in the area of responsibility of the joint Mozambique and Rwandan Security Forces.
Amb. Antonino Maggiore praised the outstanding collaboration between the joint forces in their efforts to pacify Cabo Delgado province.
He also lauded their provision of social services, including medical assistance to local residents and pledged to advocate for NGOs to provide additional humanitarian aid to the people who are returning to their homes.
