The refugees gathered in crowds today early morning for a march sounding alarms with spoken words and banners denouncing the killings targeting Tutsi communities in DRC and calling for the end of silence of the country and international community.
It has been few days since the United Nations (UN) warned of Genocide against Tutsis forming a community of Kinyarwanda-speaking people in DRC.
The UN raised the alarm following hate speeches and violence against Kinyarwanda-speaking people.
The situation exacerbated after M23 rebel group resumed fighting with Congolese Army (FARDC) over the country’s failure to implement peace accords signed in 2013.
Rwandophones make up 5% of the entire Congolese population. They mainly reside in eastern Congo in South and North Kivu provinces.
History shows that these citizens found themselves in DRC following border delimitations set out in Berlin Conference held in 1884 to discuss the partitioning of Africa.
Rwanda accommodates over 75,000 Congolese refugees of whom the majority has lived in the country for more than 25 years.
The ABH Prize Competition held for the fourth consecutive time this year, is a philanthropic initiative sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy.
The 10 entrepreneurs were selected from over 21,000 applications across all 54 African nations after six months’ rigorous evaluation by over 230 judges.
They hail from eight African countries including Cameron, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania. Their start-ups have been drawn from a wide variety of industries including agriculture, consulting, energy, environmental protection, healthcare, information & communication technology (ICT), and retail.
These outstanding entrepreneurs share a common trait of having a deep commitment to creating a positive impact on their communities, such as empowering disadvantaged groups, increasing access to digital commerce for businesses in Africa and leveraging technology to improve agricultural efficiency for small-holder farmers.
All finalists won a share of the competition’s US$1.5 million grant. Elia Timotheo, Founder and CEO of East Africa Fruits Co. emerged the overall winner and walked away with US$300,000.
Tesh Mbaabu, Co-Founder and CEO of Marketforce Technologies (Kenya) and Nadia Gamal El Din, Founder and CEO of Rahet Bally (Egypt) won the second and third place respectively and received a prize share of US$250,000 and US$150,000.
Each of the finalists other than the top three received US$100,000 in prize funding, and an additional US$10,000 will be allocated to each of the top ten finalists for immersive training program(s) and community gathering activities.
The remaining seven entrepreneurs include Cameroonian Flavien Kouatcha Simo, Managing Partner of Save Our Agriculture Sarl; Egyptian Amena Elsaie, Co-Founder of Helm Consulting; Ethiopian Amadou Daffe, CEO/Co-Founder of Gebeya Inc. Addis Ababa; Ghanaian Prince Agbata, Co-founder and CEO of Coliba Waste Management Services Limited; South African Shona Mcdonald, Founder and Executive Director of Shonaquip Social Enterprise; South African Elmarie Pereira, Chief Operations Executive, Co- Founder & Acting CEO of Memeza Shout (PTY) Ltd and Rwandan Francine Munyaneza, Founder of MUNYAX ECO.
Rwanda has been participating in ABH each year since its inception in 2019 and has highly benefited as 4 entrepreneurs from Rwanda have so far emerged among top 10 winners for the year 2019, 2021 and 2022 respectively. Overall, to date, Rwanda has won a total grant of over US$385,000 (equivalent to over 406 million Rwandan Francs).
IGIHE has sat with Rwandan Munyaneza to tell us more about what this continent-wide competition has been like, how she made it to the top, her innovation which is solving a major continental problem in the energy sector and what her win means to her business.
She also shared the key lessons Rwandan and African entrepreneurs can learn from the ABH initiative and how she plans to spend the grant.
{{Excerpts:}}
{{1. Kindly tell us briefly about your project?}}
{{Francine Munyaneza: }} My projects are diverse and I can’t talk about them without mentioning MUNYAX ECO because this is where all are being implemented!
So, MUNYAX ECO is a promising company specialized in solar energy where we provide affordable green energy solutions such us: PV systems, SWH, SSL, SHS, Solar pumping, Solar cold chains (freezers & cold room), plus energy consultancy services (like energy auditing) while fostering women empowerment and leadership.
Our slogan is: Save Energy, Save Money, Save the Planet!
{{2. Which lessons have you learnt from participation in the Africa’s Business Heroes Prize Competition?}}
The first lesson I have learnt from the Africa’s Business Heroes prize competition is that technology holds the future. Whatever solution you are providing, for you to be competitive, your project needs to be very scalable. It has to be adapted to this century’s dynamicity and lifestyle.
Another lesson is that African entrepreneurs are doing great works in their respective fields, some of them are widely known and others only locally known due to limited financial means, but still the brains are sharp with strong desire to contribute to the overall development of our continent.
{{3. To what efforts do you attribute the selection among top ten winners of the 2022 Africa’s Business Heroes Prize Competition?}}
-* To personal determination and desire to contribute on the development of my country & Africa in general,
-* To the clear vision; business model; and impact of the company,
-* To Team work spirit (strong, experienced, enthusiast, and dedicated team members _ board members, employees, and business partners)
-* The correct and sincere explanation of my business during preliminary selections (pitches)_presentation skills,
{{4. Your company targets to solve Rwanda’s energy challenges in rural and urban areas by providing solar equipment made and tested in Africa. What are your long-term goals and how far have you gone with attaining the same?}}
{{My long-term goals to this matter lay within other big and exciting projects in pipeline! }}
-* MUNYAX ECO is planning to extend its activities in Africa.
-* I have an ambitious project of starting a manufacturing firm starting with Solar Water Heater (SWH) Systems. This project is going to include the existing recycling department (we currently make furniture and building materials from old/defected products). This will reduce importation expenses (shipment & clearance cost, waiting time, other risks) to enhance the affordability of our products.
-* The Second project is about opening a gender sensitive training centre. This project will train skillful employees to the previous one!
{{Where we are on this point:}} There is no time MUNYAX Eco has been operating without interns/apprentice. We always offer to the youth (especially young women) apprenticeships and internships opportunities to sharpen their practical skills.
{{5. What has been the impact of your project to the community, particularly, Rwandans?}}
I might have mentioned some of the impacts briefly, let me elaborate!
-* Munyax eco is contributing to the achievement of most of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
-* More households (Rwandan) are getting access to clean and affordable energy solutions _SDG 7,
-* Job creation (income generating of course to reduce poverty) and most of the employees are Rwandans part of the community _ I must highlight that for new job or field activities which do not require special skills, we always employ locals (many cases on cold room and SHS), _SDG 1 and 8,
-* Gender inclusion though women empowerment (those are Rwandan women, who are basic foundation of the community) _SDG 5
-* Contribution in quality education (Munyax Eco has provided lighting and SWH to different schools (eg: Juru Primary school, Kibihekane TVET, St.Joseph Nyamirambo, etc _SDG 4
-* By providing PV system, SWH, and filtered drinking water to 2 health centres (Gahanga and Gitarama), we contributed to both _SDG 3, most of the patients and employees at those health centres lives in nearby community.
-* Our solar pumping solution contribute to agriculture productivity to beat hunger when it’s done for irrigation _SDG 2, and contribute to the supply of safe drinking water where water is being pumped from wheel and filtered for consumption _SDG 6 (partenering also with Water Access’ kiosks in Rwanda).
-* Our partnership with Solaris Kit, IPRC and SOS Rwanda is also providing skills to young Rwandans as we already have 4 interns from both last institutions _SDG 17,
-* Reduced Co2 emission (5000 tons per yesr) by providing environmentally
-* friendly energy solutions which is a contribution to climate action _SDG 13.
{{6. What can other entrepreneurs especially Rwandans learn from your project? }}
-* I would advise other Rwandan entrepreneurs to believe in themselves first.
-* Align your business with local and global agenda/policies,
-* Always remember why they started their ventures and let the purpose drive them,
-* Stay updated, information is the key!
-* Think out of the box, look beyond their current struggles, take risks worth taking.
-* You must have a qualified team & constantly give them opportunity to grow (eg: trainings)
-* Learn from others (advanced business advisors or fellow business owners),
-* Build partnerships that would add value or expand your business (In innovation, scalability or technology)
{{7. How do you intend to spend the ABH prize share to make Munyax Eco more meaningful to communities surrounding your operations? }}
The ABH prize share is mainly going to be used in cold chain technology, and we believe to become a success given the fact that we provide solar cold rooms and solar freezers on reasonable lease agreement.
New cold rooms will create new job opportunities for locals during construction and operation later, local farmers will benefit by storing they production while waiting for buyers which reduce post-harvest losses.
{{8. What message do you have for budding and existing entrepreneurs across Rwanda and in the region who have not yet participated in this competition? }}
I would tell them that knocking on a door doesn’t cost anything but if you don’t do it, you may never get in!
ABH is a big and powerful competition for African entrepreneurs. There is no condition about business stage; age limit; gender or any other thing. The most important thing is your business model, it’s scalability and impact.
Please try your chance, follow ABH website to get updates regarding next competitions.
You never know how life-changing this competition can be, a break through window that lead you to an open platform where growth opportunities are shared amongst those who manage to make it to the top 10 finals, living alone the prize.
It’s possible. If I did it, If Munyax did it, you can do it too!
In the afternoon of Monday 12th December 2022, Kagame is expected to grace the official opening of the summit which brings together leaders to discuss development cooperation as a catalyst for using local, national and global resources in the best possible way for the fastest and most sustainable impact to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) to be achieved by 2030.
Running from 12th to 14th December, the summit also attracts ministers and decision-makers on development co-operation policies and programs, civil society leaders, CEOs of the private sector, and other key actors from trade unions, foundations, multilateral development banks, local and regional governments, parliamentarians, and academia.
Kagame is expected to deliver keynote address to participants including the President of Switzerland, Ignazio Cassis; President of Moldova, Maia Sandu of Moldova and Deputy UN Secretary General, Amina J Mohammed.
Before the summit, Kagame attended a breakfast hosted by President Cassis on the sidelines of the summit.
The summit is organized by Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC).
Formed in 2012, GPEDC is an association of governments and organisations that seek to improve practices of international development.
It brings together about 161 countries and 56 major organisations concerned with development.
His resignation was approved during senators’ plenary sitting on Friday 9th December 2022.
The senators who approved his decision by 25 votes also declared the office of the Senate President vacant.
On December 8, 2022, Dr. Iyamuremye addressed a letter to the President of the Republic and the Senators informing them of his resignation citing health reasons.
The letter reads that his current health state requires him to take time off to continue his treatment without compromising his duties.
The Organic Law determining the functioning of the Senate, in its articles 20, 82, 83, 84 and 85, provides for the resignation of the President of Senate and a Senator.
Dr. Iyamuremye’s position will remain vacant for the next 30 days pending the election of the next occupant.
However, Espérance Nyirasafari, the Senate Vice-President in charge of Legislation and Government Oversight who also presided over the plenary sitting, will take over during the transition.
Dr. Iyamuremye was among senators appointed by the President of the Republic.The same process will be applied to name his successor.
Meanwhile, elections will be mandatory to select the new Senate President.
{{Dr. Iyamurenye expresses gratitude }}
Dr. Iyamurenye thanked his colleagues at the Senate Bureau for accepting his resignation.
He told the Senators that he had been suffering from a non-contagious disease and other ailments for quite some time.
“Rwandans say that he who needs to get well from an illness brags about it, but there is always discretion,” he said.
“As a politician, I will not hide from you that I have been suffering from a non-contagious disease for a while and related problems,” added Dr. Iyamuremye.
Dr. Iyamurenye said that the doctors at King Faisal Hospital and Kanombe Hospital took care of him and continue to treat him.
“You elected me to take the Senate to greater heights not to assume duties while in bed and unable to climb these stairs,” he noted.
Dr. Iyamurenye thanked the President of the Republic for the trust he has given him in various responsibilities and thanked the senators who have been working with him until today.
Senator Nyirasafari thanked him for his contribution to the development of the Senate.
{{Colleagues’ appreciation}}
Senator Umuhire Adrie praised Dr. Iyamurenye for the way he worked closely with others and his advises to colleagues.
Senator Umuhire said that Dr. Iyamurenye’s reason for sickness was clear, whished him quick recovery.
Senator Alvera Mukabaramba also thanked him as a close colleague in the administration of the Senate Bureau.
“I thank him for the experience he has shown in leading all the committees of the Senate. We wish you quick recovery, and may God help you,” she said.
Senator Juvenal Nkusi extolled Dr. Iyamurenye’s decision, saying it was in the interest of the country and the institution he was leading.
“He is a man who knows how to make decisions and knows the right time to take them. He is also patriotic,” he affirmed.
Senator Lambert Dushimimana said: “He led us well combining his parenting skills and expertise. I think that his fatherly advice and experience have helped us a lot in our duties. We will continue to follow his advice.”
FDLR is a terrorist group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The report shows that insecurity remains a great concern in eastern DRC mainly in Ituri and northern Kivu that have been war-torn zones for 18 months.
It indicates that ADF continues to expand its activities in northern Kivu and attacks to civilians in the areas of Beni, Lubero and southern Ituri.
Apart from ADF, UN experts said that Mai Mai group also continues to destabilize citizens in Lubero.
From April 2022 to 5th November 2022, the report shows that ADF was involved in attacks that claimed lives of over 370 civilians.
In Ituri, CODECO armed group also continues to expand its bases, plot attacks to FARDC and civilians.
The report indicates that MONUSCO supported FARDC to fight M23 but ended to no avail. The failure saw other armed groups from Pinga joining the coalition to fight M23.
These include Nduma défense du Congo-Rénové (NDC-R) led by Guidon Mwisa Shimirai and Nyatura Abazungu, CMC/FDP led by Dominique Ndaruhutse alias “Domi” among others.
FDLR is also part of the armed groups where it was represented by Col Silencieux and Col Potifaro in a meeting held in Pinda. FARDC was represented by Col Salomon Tokolonga.
Leaders of these armed groups agreed on bringing together 600 fighters to support FARDC. It is reported that their fighters were deployed in Bambu, Rugari and Rumangabo in July.
Witnesses who attended the meeting told UN experts that FARDC provides weapons to these armed groups including FDLR noting that the support continues in October 2022 as the fighting with M23 resumed.
The report also indicated that hate speeches and violence against Kinyarwanda-speaking people increased. Such acts are said to have been fueled, mainly by politicians, government officials and security personnel.
The report also accused FARDC of collaboration with armed groups, illegal mining in collaboration with foreign companies operating in Northern Kivu Province.
It is released at a time when DRC continues to overlook the threat to regional security caused by FDLR. The country says that the terrorist group was largely defeated where ‘remnants are thieves stealing sweet potatoes for survival’.
However, FDLR recently said that it still exists and commended Congolese President Tshisekedi for his recent utterance who confirmed that he wants to help Rwandans topple their leadership.
FDLR welcomed the statement noting that it shares the same enemy with DRC.
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.
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.
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.
The study conducted through the annual Rwanda Bribery Index released today, shows that bribes were mainly offered to secure utility services, jobs in the private sector, land titles and construction permits among others.
The survey which was first conducted in 2010 establishes and reports experiences and perceptions of Rwandans regarding bribery in the country.
It also indicated that 97% of individuals declining to offer solicited bribes end up receiving services for free. This means, only 3% are denied services over declining to offer bribes.
