The country’s circular economy action plan was unveiled during the World Circular Economy Forum which closed Wednesday in the capital Kigali.
The action plan targets key interventions which will be implemented in waste management and adoption of clean production technologies over the next 14 years, said Dismas Karuranga, an official from the Rwandan Ministry of Environment.
Key highlights of the plan include prioritizing renewable over non-renewable materials, developing a national regulation that would facilitate the separation of waste according to the category to reduce the cost of recycling, and establishing waste collection and transfer centers in every town to facilitate appropriate waste treatment.
Karuranga called for partnerships and collaboration among the public and private sectors, saying “no single company can achieve a circular economy alone.”
Rwanda remains committed to fostering socio-economic transformation while also conserving and protecting our environment, said Rwandan Minister of Environment Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya.
She said reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions, halting biodiversity loss, and shifting to genuine recycling will guarantee a greener future.
During the forum, business leaders, policymakers, and economic experts from Africa and around the world presented solutions to achieve a circular economy and explored new business opportunities the shift could present.
The purpose of this peer-learning exchange and study tour is to share knowledge and best practices between Rwanda and Benin digital and entrepreneurial ecosystems. It also aims to build participants’ capacity and knowledge in entrepreneurship through a 2-day workshop and ultimately increase the performance of digital entrepreneurs.
The 35 delegates from Benin represent government officials involved in defining the environment of the digital economy in Benin, management unit and partners of the project, support structures for innovative entrepreneurship (SAEI) and Beninese startups and their counterparts from Rwanda (30) will take part.
This rather important event occurs at a time when the growing digital economy in Africa is opening up new opportunities for entrepreneurs and enabling creation of new business models, innovations and value in data-driven industries.
“Africa’s digital economy is making significant strides and digital entrepreneurship is taking shape. Building capacity for African entrepreneurs and sharing lessons between member states is a crucial step towards taking advantage of the immense opportunities this new type of the economy presents,” pointed out Mr. Lacina Koné DG/CEO of Smart Africa, commenting on this initiative.
“This mission to learn about best practices in the Rwandan innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem, which will end on 13 December 2022, includes a training session provided by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and a study trip during which the Beninese visitors will discover the Rwandan innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
It will allow Beninese innovative entrepreneurship support structures to strengthen their knowledge and skills around the support profession and to create a framework for meeting and exchanging with their Rwandan counterparts,” said Emmanuelle BOUITI, coordinator of the DigiBoost project implemented by Enabel in Benin.
{{About Smart Africa}}
Smart Africa is an alliance of 35 African countries, international organisations and global private sector players tasked with Africa’s digital agenda.
The alliance is empowered by a bold and innovative commitment by African Heads of State to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development on the continent and usher Africa into the knowledge economy through affordable access to broadband and the use of ICTs.
With a vision to create a single digital market in Africa by 2030, the Smart Africa Alliance brings together Heads of State who seek to accelerate the digitalization of the continent and create a common market.
Launched in 2013 by seven (7) African Heads of State, the Alliance now has 35 member countries, representing over 1.1 billion people and over 40 Private Sector members committed to the vision and the advancement of Africa.
This was revealed by the Deputy Inspector General (DIGP) in charge of Administration and Personnel, Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza on Thursday this week as the Gerayo Amahoro campaign resumed heighten sensitization among motorists on road safety.
“Bribes to traffic police officers is offered by drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists […] normally individuals who offer or receive bribes receive similar punishments as per legal provisions,” she said.
DIGP Ujeneza said that RNP has a disciplinary committee that carries out investigations on alleged corruption cases and impose punishments.
“Any police officer caught in corruption case in seriously punished and dismissed. […] This year, we are set to sack many police officers. Some of them have been suspended awaiting government’s decision to definitively kick them out. They are about 500,” she noted.
DIGP Ujeneza disclosed that the majority of these 500 police officers were involved in bribery cases and drunkenness.
The recent report released by Transparency International Rwanda indicated that the Department of Traffic and Road Safety among most corrupt institutions.
She requested the general public not to perceive the National Police as an institution mired by corruption because there are others with good conduct.
DIGP Ujeneza highlighted the institution will continue to punish those breaking laws and recognize others with good conducts.
Rwanda’s Parliament has via Twitter handle revealed Dr. Iyaruremye that resigned over sickness related reasons.
“Earlier today, Senate President Dr Augustin Iyamuremye submitted his resignation as the President of the Senate, and as a Senator, due to health reasons. Tomorrow, December 9th, a special plenary sitting will convene to declare the Office of the President of the Senate vacant,” reads the tweet.
His resignation letter dated 8th December 2022 was addressed to senators, other government officials and President of the Republic.
He expressed gratitude to the President of the Republic for the trust bestowed upon him and senators for having elected and supported him to fulfill his ‘demanding duties’.
Dr. Iyamuremye assumed office as Senate president in October 2019 following his appointment by President Paul Kagame.
Prior to the appointment, he served as the Chairperson of Rwanda Elders Advisory Forum since 2015.
Dr. Iyamuremye holds a PhD in Veterinary Medicine.
He held various positions in different public institutions including the Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders and Decorations of Honour from 2012 to 2015 and senator between 2004 and 2011.
Dr. Iyamuremye also headed the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1999 to 2000, the Ministry of Information from 1998 to 1999 and the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources between 1994 and 1998.
Among others, he served as senior intelligence officer in the Office of Prime Minister from 1992 to 1994.
Dr. Iyamuremye headed Gitarama Prefecture from 1990 to 1992, served as the Director of Nyanza Milk Processing Plant from 1984 to 1990.
He was also a lecturer and researcher at the National University of Rwanda from 1977 to 1984.
After the transitional period (1994-2003), the first legislature of the Senate commenced in 2003 and ended in 2011. The Second Senate concluded its mandate on October 10, 2019 bringing eight-year tenure to an end.
The Senate of Rwanda has 26 members. Twelve senators are elected by the specific councils in accordance with the administrative entities in the City of Kigali and the four provinces.
Of these, one is picked from the City of Kigali, two from Northern Province, while the rest of the three provinces (West, East, and South) elect three senators each. Eight senators are appointed by the President of the Republic. Four senators are designated by the Forum of Political organizations.
One senator is elected among lecturers and researchers of Public Universities and higher learning institutions. Both the elected and appointed senators serve a term, renewable once.
The all-out continuous campaign seeks to drive change from road safety by law to road safety by choice and ultimately by culture.
It was stopped prematurely in 2020 after 39 weeks, following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The resumption of the campaign in different parts of the country was presided over by the RNP leadership, provincial Governors and district mayors, among others.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza, while addressing hundreds of taxi-moto operators and cyclists at Kigali stadium, said that despite the reduction in road accidents, many lives continue to be lost at the hands of reckless road users.
“Although accidents reduced this year compared to last year, many people still die on roads. Since the beginning of this year, 9,468 accidents occurred across the country resulting into 617 fatalities.
The majority 183 fatalities involved or were caused by cyclists while other 150 involved taxi-moto operators,” IGP Munyuza said.
The decrease in accidents, he said, was due to the installation of speed enforcement cameras, awareness campaigns as well as enforcement to penalize violators.
“People killed on roads are parents and even young people, whose lives are cut short by drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists who use the road recklessly. This is a serious concern that should be given attention by everyone using the road,” he added.
The Police Chief said that although the force emphasizes road safety education, errant violators will be penalized and consequently their driver’s license revoked, accordingly, to make roads safe for all.
He further warned against drink-driving, one of the major causes of road fatalities.
“No one is stopping you from drinking, but when you do, don’t drive or ride. Your life and that of other road users is invaluable. Do not be penalized for violating traffic rules and regulations, and putting your lives on the edge. Use the road responsibly, make safety a priority,” IGP Munyuza told Motorcyclists and cyclists.
Today, he said, it’s easy for the Police to identify someone, who is driving while drunk using a breathalyzer, but added that the force will soon introduce another device that can detect a person, who is driving under the influence of drugs.
IGP Munyuza also embarked on improvements within the traffic as well as licensing departments, including the decentralization of driving test services, online registration and booking for driving test and mechanical inspection, which is part of the government agenda to take services closer to the people and service delivery.
He added that driving test services will ultimately be extended to the district level as well as activating the automatic notification for those whose mechanical inspection certificate is about to expire.
Dubbed the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM), the trade fair runs from 5th to 8 December 2022.
Kageruka who delivered remarks virtually on the second day of the exhibition, invited them to visit national parks and other nature reserves. She also took them through Rwanda’s efforts to up-skill employees of the hospitality to enrich visitors’ experience and make their stay a memorable.
Rwandan companies also participated in the trade fair in which they were given floor to bring on board services offered to tourists with a view to encourage representatives of international companies to send tourists to Rwanda.
It also served as platform to create new connections paving the way for future collaboration.
Speaking to IGIHE, Kageruka said that they held a meeting with tour companies from different countries working closely with Rwandan companies.
As she said, many of them needed updates on the country’s efforts to promote high-end tourism.
Kageruka underscored that it was an opportunity to showcase Rwanda’s tourism offerings and how the country can help their tourists planning visits to Rwanda.
Participants from Rwanda who attended the trade fair include Manzi Kayihura, the Managing Director of Thousand Hills Africa; Roberto Viviani, Business Manager at Wilderness Safari; Simon Bruce Miller from Uberluxe Safaris and Reginal Hakizimana, Managing Director of Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris.
Others include Denis Lefebvre representing Palace Tours, Françoise Ihirwe Tunga from Volcanoes Safari; Danny Nizeye Business Development Manager at Akagera Aviation and Robert Gakimbiri, Customer Services Manager at Primate Safaris.
The figures were disclosed in Paris, the capital of France on 5th December 2022 at the launch of a business forum aimed at promoting Rwanda as an investment destination.
The forum which ran from 5th to 6th December 2022, was organized by Rwanda Development Board (RDB) through its investment promotion division in collaboration with Rwanda’s embassy in France and the country’s Private Sector Federation (MEDEF).
The forum was an opportunity for Rwanda to interact with French companies and other members of the private sector based in France.
France is among European countries with growing investments in Africa, particularly in Rwanda after the normalization of ties between the two countries.
RDB indicated that Rwanda registered French investments worth US$197,503 164 (over Rwf200 billion) between 2011 and 2021.
Some of these investments were registered in the areas of real estate, technology and telecommunication, tourism and the financial sector among others.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to France, François Nkulikiyimfura has told IGIHE that the forum is expected to increase the number of French investors in Rwanda.
“It will create job opportunities for Rwandans and lure French companies to invest in Rwanda. French investors spoke highly of Rwanda and took colleagues through Rwanda’s conducive business environment. Besides, they will serve as good ambassadors helping us to attract more investors in Rwanda,” he said.
Amb. Nkulikiyimfura further disclosed that these investors were taken through investment opportunities in various sectors in Rwanda including infrastructure.
French investors have been considering Rwanda as a potential investment destination owing to cordial relations between the two countries strengthened by the visit of French President, Emmanuel Macron to Kigali in May 2021.
It was the first visit of a French President to Rwanda over the past ten years. The visit left various agreements signed between both countries.
Stéphane Lelux, the CEO of TACTIS Innopolis, a tech company which has a subsidiary in Rwanda, said that the forum that brought together French and Rwandan investors is of critical significance, given that it was held 18 months after the visit of President Emmanuel Macron to Rwanda.
As he said, eliminating double taxation to facilitate traders from Rwanda and France would be much welcomed and expressed optimism that it will be considered in the near future.
Rwanda has been registering French investments including ‘Girinzu’, a real estate project aimed at building affordable homes in Gahanga Sector of Kicukiro District.
The latter is a French investment by Chevrillon Group and Stéphane Monceaux in association with Rwandan Jacqueline Wibabara.
Girinzu seeks to build at least 200 housing units every year to bridge affordable housing gap in Kigali.
Among others, Duval Great Lakes Ltd, a subsidiary of French company dubbed Groupe Duval is developing a multibillion environmental-friendly complex known as ‘Inzovu mall’ at premises that used to house the Ministry of Justice and Supreme Court in Kimihurura, near Kigali Convention Centre.
The complex mall will be home to ‘Odalys City Business Apart Hotel’ with 140 service apartment rooms, conference rooms, offices, entertainment and exhibition areas.
It will also have Cinema rooms, markets, shops, bars and restaurants, Forex Bureaus, natural areas, children areas, playgrounds, pharmacies, clinics and others.
Once completed, the mall will be a complementary project besides Kigali Convention Centre.
Careers such as social worker, and some other related fields were unheard of by some of us because they were unpopular, and honestly even now, there are a few people who do not know who a social worker is.
I discovered this career in the recent years, when I heard my friend say that she wanted it as a career and my confusion was clear but at least it made her laugh.
Gloria Aronah, a social worker who is currently working with young children as an educator, explained what she does and what her career entails.
A social worker is a professional and academic discipline for the pursuit of social change, social justice and social welfare.
With their qualification they can work in a school, a hospital, mental health centre, home health agencies, or nursing homes.
“It is unfortunate that people still think that a social worker only works in children organizations, or specific organizations,” says Aronah.
This is a stereotype with the career of a social worker, because social workers can work in any setting as long as they are providing social change or social welfare.
Not a lot of people are well informed about the value of a social worker which puts a limit to job opportunities of social workers.
If hired by someone or institution that understands the value of the social worker, the pay is very good.
Sympathy, a drive for social change, valuing the importance of human relationships, and knowing the worth of a human being are some of the qualities that make a great social worker.
There are schools, and courses that help grow a professional social worker but we still need different institutions; prisons, schools, and other places to make a place for social workers to make space for them.
It also supports entrepreneurs and invest in businesses that work for supporting the wellbeing of a natural world, for creating better jobs and opportunity, for sustainable growth.
Over the years, the BESTSELLER Foundation has made a huge impact on the lives of many people, and continues to strive for change.
The first day saw BESTSELLER Foundation and African Circular Economy Network (ACEN) organizing four sessions that brought together key note speakers, panelists and exhibitors to explore the World Circular Economy Forum main themes in Rwandan context and discuss national circular economy agenda.
The three-day hybrid event running from 6th to 8th December, attracted innovators, industry experts, academicians, and representatives from non-governmental organizations among others to discuss solutions and action plans to mitigate climate change.
Also present was Dr. Jeanne D’Arc Mujawamariya, Rwanda’s Minister of Environment, and the Director for International Affairs at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management in the Netherlands, Dr. Peter Diez.
WCEF2022 seeks to create circular economy that promotes sustainability and economic growth. To achieve this, the forum has brought together stakeholders for discussions on the benefits of circular economy, share best practices, and develop strategies for implementation at a national level.
Among the speakers in this conference was Esethu Cenga, Co-founder and Director of Rewoven, a company committed to bridge the gap between fashion and sustainability.
Cenga narrated how as a child, she would go to buy food carrying a container from home.
This was all her way of pointing out how Africa has been sustainable from the very beginning as the container would then have more than one purpose; removing the need for envelopes or bags.
Rwanda’s Minister of Environment, Dr. Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya highlighted the need for people to buy what they need, not what they want, even in this holiday season.
The forum is expected to foster collaboration between companies and governments. This will allow them to create more effective policies and solutions.
The forum also features an exhibition that showcases the latest innovations in circular economy technologies and applications.
Participants of the exhibition include AFLIMBA, a company dedicated to making stylish bags from old recycled jeans, represented by its founder, Planté Josue Niyomugenga.
There were several sessions held in the BESTSELLER ‘s circular economy hub that featured companies such as AMPERSAND, SLS ENERGY, UZURI K&Y and MASS DESIGN as they gathered to talk about local opportunities and bottlenecks faced by entrepreneurs.
