The duo was sentenced by Nyarugenge Primary Court on Friday 3rd December 2021.
CSP Kayumba and SP Ntakirutimana were found guilty of crimes including theft, unauthorized access to computer system data and impersonation while co-accused intelligence officer at the prison identified as Ephraim Mutamaniwa has been acquitted.
Another co-accused Olivier Amani Twizere was also acquitted even though he had pleaded guilty of charges against him.
During trial proceedings, the Prosecution said that CSP Kayumba approached Olivier Amani, an inmate at Nyarugenge Prison who has IT skills, to help him steal money belonging to Kassem Ayman Mohamed, a British national also incarcerated in Nyarugenge Prison.
Kassem would normally use his visa card to buy medication and food, and leave the card to the person in charge of social affairs at the prison after use.
The Prosecution explained that Kayumba ordered the officer to give him the visa card, and took it to Amani to help him withdraw money that was on it.
In January 2021, it was reported that Kassem Ayman Mohamed, a resident from the United Kingdom detained at the prison was robbed Rwf9, 144,300,000 equivalent to 7,679,911 pounds.
The money was stolen from his ATM card which he used to shop medication and foods twice a month.
Twizere admitted that he stole money from Kassem on order of CSP Kayumba.
Twizere explained that he was obliged to obey his boss lest he would be threatened and accepted after reporting himself several times to the office of CSP Kayumba to plot the theft.
As Twizere said, he was requested to check balance on inmates’ ATM cards where he established the amount of money possessed by Kassem.
CSP Kayumba who was also present in court immediately appealed against the ruling.
He had appeared in court for the first time along with co-accused, ten months ago.
Dr. Uwamariya made the revelation on Tuesday 2nd December 2021 as she officially opened the 13th Policy Dialogue Forum of the International Task Force on Teachers.
The centre is expected to provide training for primary, secondary school and universities’ management with a view to equip them with relevant skills to carry their tasks efficiently.
“Responding to the question of teachers requires Governments, International Organizations and civil society members to work in synergy and find adequate solutions for teachers together. In this line, the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with partners, is in the process of establishing an African Centre for School Leadership, with the aim of supporting Governments in Africa to build capacity in promoting effective school leadership, for improved quality of teaching, and learning outcomes,” said Dr. Uwamariya.
She explained that teachers also benefit from other training programs polishing their competencies especially in ICT.
Dr. Uwamariya also shared Rwanda’s solutions to address emerging challenges in the education sector where teachers were provided with laptops and equipped with relevant skills to continue assisting students through online classes during COVID-19 pandemic.
Some school leaders have revealed that teachers still need more training programs because they have not yet acquired enough skills.
“Many teachers have not yet acquired enough ICT skills but we are grateful that the Government of Rwanda and other partners have expended much effort in teachers’ training to carry out their jobs smoothly,” said Father Jean Paul Mushimiyimana, the head teacher of teacher Training College (TTC) Zaza.
{{Teachers’ gap}}
Figures from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) show that Sub-Saharan Africa alone requires 15 million more teachers to reach the educational goals by 2030 whereby stakeholders need greater investments and innovative approaches to face this issue.
Carlos Vargas-Tamez, Head of Teacher Development at UNESCO’s Task Force for Teachers attributed the gap to two major reasons including meager salary and the nature of teacher’s job.
Carlos Vargas explained that the percentage of national budget allocated to the education sector is still insufficient where it should be between 15 and 20% instead of the current 3 to 6% within all countries.
He revealed that the inadequate budget results into low salaries for teachers and discourages people interested to pursue courses in education.
Teachers play a critical role to advance quality education. However, they need to be provided with an environment that values willingness to take risks and help them improve livelihoods.
Considering their outstanding contribution to the society, the Government of Rwanda has put in place different initiatives to improve their wellbeing, facilitating them to access financial services and salary increment among other social protection programs.
To this end, Rwanda plans to facilitate interested teachers to pursue studies up to Master’s degree with fully paid and non-refundable scholarship.
Among others, the Government has committed to provide half of school fees for students enrolled in Teacher Training Colleges (TTC) after revising existing curriculum.
Students pursuing courses in education at the university will not be required to refund the scholarship as so long as they are serving in the education sector after graduation.
Other incentives for teachers include salary increment to motivate them, improve their wellbeing and subsequently paving the way for quality education.
Since 2019, teachers from secondary and primary schools started receiving 10% annual salary increment. An additional 10 percent was made in 2020.
The increment was also considered in the fiscal year 2021/2022 despite difficult times of COVID-19 the country is going through.
Dr. Uwamariya explained that these incentive programs are expected to attract public’s attention to this profession.
It also goes hand in hand with increasing the number of teachers and reduce students’ overcrowding.
In 2020 academic year, the Government of Rwanda recruited 28,000 teachers and placed more 30,000 in 2021.
The funding worth Rwf2 billion was secured through the partnership between Rwanda and Belgian Development Agency, Enabel.
Enabel works with the Government of Rwanda on different projects meant to promote poultry, pig farming and agro-processing.
Normally, commercial banks provide loans with interest rates between 16% and 17%. The interest rate on loan from Saving and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) can go up to 22% while the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) offers loans at 12%.
The Rwf2 billion funding will be channeled through the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) which will also work with commercial banks to lend it out to beneficiaries with poultry, pig farming projects as well as those producing animal feeds effective from January 2022.
Dr. Solange Uwituze, the Deputy Director General in charge of Animal Resources Research and Technology Transfer at Rwanda Agricultural and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) has told IGIHE that beneficiaries will receive loans at 8% interest rate.
“If someone applies for Rwf50 million loan in a commercial bank, the latter will consider 8% interest rate to be paid by the farmer or animal feed producer while the Government will cater for the remaining 8%,” she said.
Dr. Uwituze explained that the interest rate subsidy will not go beyond Rwf100 million.
“The Government shall only pay the interest rate not exceeding Rwf100 million for a farmer or animal feed producers requesting loan under this financing scheme,” she revealed.
Beneficiaries will have to go through existing loan application processes. Those without collateral will continue seeking assistance from Business Development Fund (BDF).
The Government mulls increasing the Rwf2 billion allocated to the fund depending on available means.
Poultry and pig farming are among projects benefitting from the subsidized National Agriculture Insurance Scheme launched in 2019.
It is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) in collaboration with partners including Radiant Insurance, Access to Finance Rwanda, Prime Insurance and Sonarwa.
Under the subsidized agriculture insurance scheme, a farmer provides 60% of insurance fees while the Government caters for 40% of farmers payments.
The cost of insurance equals 4.5% of the total value of the cow.
So far, a total of 208,749 chickens and 3,020 pigs have been insured.
While humanitarian assistance has effectively supported displaced populations in emergencies, a different approach is needed involving new actors, predominantly the private sector in contributing to sustainable solutions for refugees and displaced persons.
It is against this background that the Amahoro Coalition and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have convened the inaugural ‘36 Million Solutions: Africa Private Sector Forum on Forced Displacement’ taking place in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda from 30th November to 2nd December 2021.
The Amahoro Coalition is an African-led initiative convening multi-sector actors from across the region to accelerate private sector leadership in driving sustainable market-based interventions that advance economic inclusion for displaced populations.
Guided by the Global Compact on Refugees and the pledges made at the 2019 Global Refugee Forum, the event brings together Africa’s private sector firms to explore solutions that promote economic inclusion for Africa’s forcibly displaced persons and their host communities.
The Forum’s theme, 36 Million Solutions, references the number of people forced to flee across the region and the opportunities to invest in their potential.
Alongside private sector leaders, the Forum brings together refugees and displaced persons, government representatives, and humanitarian actors to actualize a multi-stakeholder Pan-African approach to the displacement crisis.
Clementine Nkweta-Salami, UNHCR Director of the Regional Bureau for the East, Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes said that the number of displaced persons and refugees has been on high rise for the past ten years.
The issue is mainly reported in Central African Republic, South Sudan, Burundi and Mozambique.
She said that African countries should not perceive refugees as a burden but rather an investment opportunity.
Salami thanked Rwanda and Djibouti for achieved milestone towards the cause and urged the private sector to work with Governments and other organizations to support refugees and displaced persons.
Also present, was Rwanda’s Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente who officially opened the forum on behalf of President Paul Kagame on Wednesday 1st December 2021.
As he delivered remarks, Premier Ngirente highlighted that the number of refugees and displaced persons continues to increase particularly in Sub-Sahara African countries and shared needed actions to manage refugee crisis.
“Forced displacement has reached its highest level in Africa. Statistics indicate that in 2020, the number of displaced people in Sub-Saharan Africa reached an alarming record of 35.9 million people, representing 45% of the total number of refugees globally,” he said.
Reports from SOS Children’s Village, the world’s largest non-governmental organization focused on supporting children without parental care and families at risk, show that poverty is among six major reasons behind increasing number of African refugees.
Other causes include armed conflicts and climate change.
Premier Ngirente went on to explain that efficient use of available resources is of critical significance to solve the issue of economic refugees.
“As it is well documented, Africa has a significant economic potential which, if well exploited, the continent can at least minimize the number of economic refugees by giving different opportunities to our youth,” he said.
Dr. Ngirente urged the private sector to contribute to the creation of jobs to tackle unemployment among the youth.
“It is therefore our responsibility to work closely with the private sector to use properly these resources by creating enough jobs for our youth. This will economically and socially empower them to address the issue of their risky migration to other continents,” he noted.
Also top on the forum’s agenda, is to explore solutions that promote economic inclusion for Africa’s forcibly displaced persons and their host communities.
Dr. Ngirente stressed that facilitating refugees’ access to the job market, decreases their dependence on aid and help the host economy to tap into full potential of their skills and consumption.
{{Rwanda’s strides}}
Premier Ngirente also shared Rwanda’s efforts in supporting refugees and asylum seekers to lead dignified life.
“About 10% of refugees in Rwanda live in urban areas, while the remaining 90% are settled in 5 camps across the country. We all know that receiving refugees is one good thing but ensuring that they live in conditions of dignity is another,” he said.
Dr. Ngirente revealed that all refugees aged 16 years and above, like any other Rwandan, have been issued with ID card to enable them get access to various services.
Today, there are 55,000 refugee students enrolled in various education levels in Rwanda, from early childhood, to primary through secondary schools. In addition, more than 500 refugees are currently enrolled in different universities under several scholarship programs.
Regarding the access to healthcare, in collaboration with The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), all camp-based refugees receive healthcare services at no cost. Those settled in urban areas are enrolled in the National Community-Based Health Insurance Scheme known as Mutuelle de santé.
Through Government of Rwanda, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and their partners, various projects owned by refugees and host communities have been funded whereby cash grants are extended to refugees to support their livelihood activities including money to start small businesses and to improve their agricultural activities.
Premier Ngirente reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to continue playing its role by ensuring refugee protection, security and social economic inclusion.
Rwanda accommodates over 148,938 refugees from different countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo (51%) and Burundi (48%).
Kagame was speaking at the opening of the 33rd Plenary session of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) taking place in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
“First, investment in Infrastructure is very critical. Rwanda’s aviation industry continues to see considerable growth particularly with the increase in capacity, of RwandAir and construction of the new International Airport,” he revealed.
The Head of State explained that these investments support connectivity within Africa, and complements Rwanda’s decision to remove visa requirements for fellow Africans.
Secondly, Kagame highlighted that affordability needs to be at the forefront of the continent’s strategy where ‘the aviation sector should not be over taxed and overburdened with charges compared to other sectors’.
The President also stressed the need to encourage citizens to travel within the continent and integrate digital processes to enhance safety.
“Lastly, innovation is key for sustainability. Digital processes should be adopted to manage travel health credentials. In the long run, this will minimize airport disruptions and increase confidence in safety. As we work towards fully opening our skies, the adoption of a dispute settlement mechanism should be a priority,” he stated.
Kagame emphasized that the aforementioned efforts will help create the impetus for more countries to liberalize their bilateral air service agreement.
Among others, the Head of State said that investing in people and creating the necessary skills to help them take advantage of the wide social and economic benefits that the market offers will be of great significance to sustain the gains already made.
AFCAC is a Specialized Agency of the African Union mandated to oversee matters related to aviation across Africa.
The meeting brought together different participants including the President of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), Gabriel Lesa, President of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Salvatore Sciacchitano and other delegates from the aviation sector.
AFCAC’s Ordinary Plenary sessions, held every three years, are attended by delegates from the 55 African Member States, the African Union Commission, State Ministers responsible for civil aviation, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), sister organizations such as the Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO), the Latin American Civil Aviation Commission (LACAC) and other high ranking decision-makers in the global aviation industry. The last Plenary session was held in Lusaka in 2018.
Participants of the three-day meeting taking place in Kigali, are expected to deliberate and take decisions on crucial matters affecting the Commission and the African civil aviation industry, in the areas of safety, security, sustainable development of air transport in Africa, the Yamoussoukro Decision, and the Single African Air Transport Market.
Kagame made the revelation at the opening of the 33rd Plenary session of the African Civil Aviation Commission taking place in Kigali, Rwanda.
The three-day meeting brought together different participants including the President of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), Gabriel Lesa, President of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Salvatore Sciacchitano and other delegates from the aviation sector.
AFCAC is a Specialized Agency of the African Union mandated to oversee matters related to aviation across Africa.
The aviation is among sectors seriously affected by COVID-19 pandemic where passenger revenue losses were estimated at US$10.2 billion in 2020.
The loss is projected to reach US$8.2 billion this year while the number of passengers declined by 67.7% from 95 million to 34.7 million in 2020.
Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure. Amb. Claver Gatete has said that Africa has booming tourism industry that needs support of the aviation sector.
He emphasized the situation requires significant support to the airline industry by Governments. The Minister pointed out Rwanda’s case where the country supported air transport recovery through the economic recovery fund and introduced COVID-19 screening robots at the airport to minimize physical contacts among others.
Amb. Gatete stressed the need to build infrastructures to enhance resilience to other COVID-19 variants and future pandemics.
President Kagame said that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the aviation sector globally and continues to affect everyone.
He reminisced on the new COVID-19 variant dubbed Omicron noting that it has created confusion everywhere.
“One simple example is a recent variant of COVID-19, Omicron variant and the confusion it has really brought everywhere, including in the air transport. I am saying this because you have seen that South Africa was generous in sharing information of what they had just discovered of this variant. […] Of course, there is a reaction towards that. Airlines started suspending flights to the southern Africa. Out of our continent, passengers originating from there going towards different parts of the world were blocked,” Kagame said.
As the President highlighted, it was latter established that the variant had been detected out of the continent before.
On Tuesday, the Netherlands announced that it had detected the new Omicron variant eleven days ago evidencing that it emerged in Europe before South Africa.
Kagame stressed the need for better organization, better communication, and concerted effort to minimize effects of the pandemic and shed light on Rwanda’s decision to suspend flights to and from southern Africa.
Rwanda suspended flights to Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, Harare in Zimbabwe and Lusaka in Zambia.
“When we learnt of this variant like any other country, we had to take immediate action. At least, we had to figure out what to do in response to that. That was already happening because of what actions, other people were taking,” he noted.
The Head of State revealed that RwandAir had to suspend flights to the southern African region of the continent.
“Even though, the information that everybody was operating on was that this variant was in southern Africa, we found it was somewhere else. In fact, I agree [with him]. I saw the President of South Africa, saying that the country was punished for being transparent and putting information out there of what they had discovered, but others who identified it had been quiet, and had discovered that before,” he said.
“In our case, Rwanda had to take measures internally, here in the country but naturally also to do with beyond our borders. And the simple reason was that for example the flights that come from, southern Africa, most of the passengers who come to Kigali don’t terminate their journey in Rwanda. The majority are going through to other destinations,” Kagame added.
The Head of State said that there could be huge losses, if RwandAir just went to southern Africa because it would be not bringing passengers given that they normally come through Rwanda to other destinations.
“We might be able to carry passengers to southern Africa, originating from here but on the way back, the flight would always be empty every time. So, it wouldn’t make economic sense. Probably, we would make a huge loss around that. One of the measures was to say; well, let us wait and see what happens across the world. Let us stop on flying to southern Africa,” he revealed.
The meeting brought together health experts, medicines manufacturing plants, health services providers and different officials including ministers, health experts, hospital managers and procurement officers among others with a view to seek together the solution for the shortage of drugs on the African continent.
Africa lags behind other continents with gaps in health services, equipment and shortage of health care professionals.
Figures from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that six million people from Sub-Saharan African countries die over the shortage of Malaria, Tuberculosis and antiretroviral drugs.
Apart from the scarcity of pharmaceuticals, there are more factors affecting Africa’s health sector including inadequate health facilities, health care professionals, water shortage at health centers and low penetration of technology among others.
Considering devastating impact of these gaps, participants called for policies designed to advance the progress of Africa’s health sector and tackle shortages of pharmaceuticals, healthcare professionals to become self-reliant instead of sticking to foreign aids and imports.
{{Investment in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals}}
Although pharmaceutical products are currently manufactured in countries like South Africa, Kenya, Morocco and Egypt, Africa currently imports more than 80 per cent of its pharmaceutical and medical consumables.
The Resident Representative of Belgian Development Agency, Enabel in Rwanda, Dirk Deprez said that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) presents huge opportunities for African entrepreneurs to invest in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals.
“We should consider other economic benefits when we talk about investment. I was surprised to hear that 99% of vaccines and 94% of pharmaceuticals used in Africa are imported. The research conducted by Goldstein [a leading provider of market research services and a series of other research and analysis services] indicated that the continent’s pharmaceuticals’ market share is valued at US$28.5 billion expected to double in 2030,” he said.
Deprez explained that investing in pharmaceutical plants will save lives, generate returns and create more jobs in Africa.
Dr. Dhiren Thakker, the founder of Med Aditus International, a nonprofit corporation that aspires to be a positive force in creating access to medicine for underserved patients in Sub-Saharan Africa said that the continent faces shortages of drugs for non-communicable diseases like Cancer, Diabetis, heart complications, children and neglected diseases.
He revealed that the organization plans to set up plants manufacturing such medicinal products starting with Rwanda and Kenya.
“We are holding discussions on the establishment of such plants. The study is underway and we have already identified types of pharmaceuticals to be manufactured. The remaining task is to mobilize enough funds be it from the United States, Europe and African countries so that we can begin operations by 2022,” said Dr. Thakker.
{{Embracing technology to foster innovations}}
The Director General of Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana emphasized that creating innovations in the health sectors is of great significance considering the fact that new pandemics are emerging as time evolves.
“As far as I am concerned, creating innovations is about providing solutions to address contemporary challenges. Besides, we should not use same solutions all the times. The end-goal might be the same but using unique techniques because we don’t share the same lifestyles with other continents,” Dr. Sabin noted.
The Executive Director of Partners in Health, Dr. Joel Mubiligi has said that available human beings have never run short of ideas and innovations witnessed through scientific discoveries and creation of new technologies.
He said that the huge gap lies in failure to share knowledge with others to a desired extent.
Zipline ,a drone firm delivering blood supplies to hospitals is an example of what technology and innovations are poised to offer.
Sineka Samuel Siabnaa, the Head of Health Systems Integration at Zipline Rwanda explained that the company strives to facilitate access to health services.
To make health services accessible, he said that Zipline worked with Partners in Health during COVID-19 lockdowns to deliver cancer drugs to patients.
{{Promoting research and education}}
The world has a deficit of health workers particularly the Sub-Sahara African countries where the level of health workforce density stands at 2.3 per 1000 people against the minimum 4.5 per 1000 people recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Prof Ramneek Ahluwalia, the CEO of Higher Health, an organization that works in seven key areas to promote the health and wellbeing of students across South Africa’s public universities and technical and vocational training colleges, said that Africa has the highest prevalence of people suffering from Malaria, Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and child mortality among others but lags behind other continents in terms of education programs, research, sciences and manufacturing of new pharmaceuticals.
He explained that Africa can hardly achieve healthcare that par with international quality measures if no action is taken.
Prof. Ahluwalia said that the continent is currently designing policies to overcome effects of COVID-19 yet other parts of the world continue moving forward.
According to Deprez from Enabel, Africans’ health conditions continue to deteriorate due to inadequate research.
He stressed need for increased research on neglected diseases, and training to up-skill health workers.
{{Improved hygiene at health facilities}}
Lack of hygiene can cause a multitude of adverse effects, such as hospital-acquired infections among others.
Maurice Kwizera, the Country Representative of WaterAid Rwanda has said that some health centers face water shortage and have no places designated for waste disposal.
“Water, hygiene and sanitation are central to improved health. Globally, one out of four health facilities had no access to water by the time COVID-19 emerged. One out of three health facilities had no hand washing facility in laboratories and maternity wards among others while 10% did not have decent latrines,” he said.
Kwizera called for concerted efforts between governments, donors and other stakeholders to address this issue at different health centers and hospitals worldwide.
{{Deepening partnerships}}
Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, the Director General of RBC told participants of the summit that collaboration with relevant stakeholders was a central element for Rwanda’s response to COVID-19. He called for partnerships so that health sectors across the world can make a step further to defeat COVID-19 and other diseases.
Dr. Nsanzimana revealed that the establishment of first National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for COVID-19 tests is among fruits of collaboration with other countries because Rwanda did not have enough resources by the time the pandemic emerged.
Organized by Be still Investment, a Zimbabwean Non-Government Organization operating in Rwanda, the first edition of Rwanda Global HealthCare summit was held in 2019.
Among others, the bank registered a profit after tax of Rwf5.4 billion, reflecting a 46% growth over last year.
According to the lender’s management, the growth has been supported by increased net interest income which rose by 21% from the levels in 2020, closing the period at Rwf 20 billion.
The operating income for the Bank increased to Rwf24 billion, a 15% increase year on year.
Commenting on the financial results, Mr. Robin Bairstow, the CEO of I&M Bank (Rwanda) PLC said that the results highlight the bank’s efforts in improving digital infrastructure in line with its strategy and aspiration to be Rwanda’s leading financial partner for growth.
“We will continue building state-of-the-art digital platforms and growing the MSME sector which significantly supports the Rwandan economy,” he noted.
During the period under review, the Bank’s balance sheet and income metrics improved on the backdrop of a solid capital base and liquidity.
The Bank’s asset base rose to Rwf 435 billion, reflecting a 4% year on year growth as a result of an increase in the loan book and investments in government securities.
The Bank’s customer lending portfolio also grew by 6% to Rwf 217 billion in September 2021 (Rwf205 billion in September 2020).
Besides, the quality of the loan book improved with the Non-Performing Loans (NPL) ratio of 3.6 %.
The Bank closed the period with Rwf298 billion of customer’s deposits, and a loan-to-deposit ratio of 73%. The Liquidity coverage ratio stood at 415% as at end September 2021
Among others, the Shareholder’s Equity of the Bank grew to Rwf 60 billion, up from Rwf 54 billion as at 31st December 2020.
The Bank’s net fees and commission income also increased by 14% on the back of income from digital products and an increase in off balance sheet income.
The Bank improved its cost-to-income ratio to 60% from 64% for the year before, while also maintaining a positive cost/income jaws (after impairment) of 11%.
The total operating expenses for the Bank was at Rwf14 billion, which reflected a 6.7% year on year increase on account of increased investment in digitisation while bank’s loan impairment charges for the period stood at Rwf 1.5 billion, which is 20% lower year on year, in light of improved macroeconomic conditions and despite a challenging start of the year for all stakeholders.
{{Commitment to creating value}}
Commenting on the Bank’s commitment to create long term value to all the stakeholders, the CEO Mr. Bairstow said that underpinning performance is the lender’s commitment to being thereour customers and for the community it serves.
“Throughout this pandemic period, we lent our full weight on safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of our staff through implementation of remote working, as well as conducting staff wellbeing and mental-health programs. For our customers, we created long term value by leading from the front in the fight against COVID-19 through moratoria, government supported lending and other support measures.
Through the IFE grant, the bank has helped to retain over 1,900 jobs in 139 MSMEs,” he revealed.
{{Continued investment in digital solutions}}
Speaking on the Bank’s commitment to continuously support innovation through offering digital solutions to customers, Mr. Bairstow said: “We have significantly sustained our contribution in the financial sector over the years. We remain committed to diversifying our financial services and leveraging on existing opportunities to better serve the Rwandan population through investments and partnerships in new technologies.”
He further stated that the bank’s efforts in supporting the growth of the MSME sector was recognized with the Product Innovation of the Year Gold Award at the Global Finance Awards 2021 organized by the SME Finance Forum in partnership with International Finance Corporation (IFC) for delivering outstanding products and services to our SME clients and segment.
“Our MSME division has recorded a customer base growth of 65% over the last year. We will continue to make major investments in digital technology in line with the I&M Group strategy that places digitisation as a key growth accelerator,” he stressed.
In Q4 the Bank plans to continue investing in digital products and services as well as supporting its customers so as to manage net interest income.
It also seeks to continue applying cost management best practices to ensure that healthy margins are maintained.
{{About I&M BANK (RWANDA) PLC}}
Incorporated in 1963, I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc. is the oldest Bank in Rwanda. It is today one of the leading players in the industry with a strong footprint across the country.
The Bank, which is listed on the Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE), is a subsidiary of I&M Group PLC, a leading regional financial services group in Eastern Africa. I&M Group PLC has other banking subsidiaries in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda as well as a joint venture in Mauritius and is listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
I&M Group has a long history in banking and has established a wide network of correspondent banks across the globe and enjoys a strong relationship with leading international Development Financial Institutions.
Kagame was addressing newly elected local government leaders during the closing ceremony of their one-week induction at Police Training School (PTS) in Gishari, Rwamagana district.
The President reminded the local leaders on important responsibilities that await them highlighting that they are not only for leaders at the central levels but also leaders at all levels from the top to the bottom of the country’s leadership.
He said that their duties should be exercised with vigilance to ensure whatever they do helps Rwanda to move forward in development and urged them to walk the talk.
“Our commitments cannot just be in words. Our aim is for our actions to always reflect our promises. Our goal should be to do what moves our country forward towards the Rwanda we want,” he advised.
The President stressed that the induction training was important for local leaders to reflect on the road ahead, discuss the lessons learnt from past mistakes, and re-commit to putting more efforts in solving the challenges that the country faces.
He further reminded leaders of attributes that should characterize them on duty.
“You are gathered here, not to represent your own interests as individuals, but because you represent the citizens who elected you. Leadership is not about us as individuals, it goes beyond that, it’s about the people we lead. You are entrusted with the important responsibility of representing and working to uplift the lives of those who elected you,” Kagame said.
“You will be doing things as an individual, but you should always bear in mind that you are doing it in the name of Rwandans who put their trust in you,” he added.
The Head of State said that leaders who think about themselves only are the reason some countries end up lagging behind on their development journey highlighting that ‘putting citizens first in everything you do makes a huge difference’.
“When leaders don’t talk to and complement each other, they cannot achieve anything. Leaders’ achievements reflect their way of working. When there are no results or limited results, it means that there were not enough efforts invested,” he said.
This historic initiative aims to extend the white rhino range and create a secure new breeding stronghold in Rwanda, supporting population growth to ensure the long-term survival of the species in the wild as high-levels of poaching continue to exert unsustainable pressure on current populations. The translocation will also help to enhance Akagera’s contribution to Rwanda’s wildlife economy, ensuring that the conservation of their outstanding natural landscapes generates long-term benefits for local communities and all Rwandans.
Ariella Kageruka, RDB Acting Chief Tourism Officer has said that the translocation is an opportunity for Rwanda to substantially advance its contribution to rhino conservation, with Akagera poised to become a globally important sanctuary for black and now white rhinoceros.
“This is timely for the conservation of these incredibly threatened species. We’re extremely proud of our conservation partnerships and our national parks, which are playing a pivotal role in meeting biodiversity targets and in driving sustainable, transformative, equitable socio-economic growth,” she noted.
Sourced from andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, set within the Mun-Ya-Wana Conservancy in South Africa, 30 rhinos were flown to Rwanda and transported to Akagera National Park on November 27th.
Their journey covered a total distance of over 3,400 kilometers and forms the largest single rhino translocation in history. The rhinos will be monitored daily in Akagera by a dedicated team and a specialist veterinarian who will be overseeing their acclimation.
“Introductions to safe, intact wild landscapes are vital for the future of vulnerable species like white rhino, which are under considerable human-induced pressures,” said African Parks’ CEO Peter Fearnhead.
“We’re grateful to our partners for making this historic translocation possible – the Rwandan Government for their forward-thinking conservation leadership, and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and andBeyond for their integral support. Successes in parks like Akagera in Rwanda and Phinda in South Africa demonstrate how preventing the decline of nature propels prosperity and development,” she added.
White rhinos are classified as near threatened with numbers declining across existing strongholds, largely due to poaching driven by demand for their horns. The introduction of southern white rhinos to Akagera expands their range to offer more safe area for the species. The successful conservation management of Phinda in South Africa makes the reserve a valuable source for important new rhino subpopulations.
“We have meticulously managed and grown the rhino population at Phinda over 30 years,” says Simon Naylor, andBeyond Phinda Conservation Manager.
“This has been recognized in many ways, including being selected as the first private reserve to receive animals as part of the WWF Black Rhino Range Expansion Project in 2004. We are dedicated to ensuring the survival of the species throughout Africa and are proud to have provided healthy rhino, as well as volunteered our translocation skills, to help boost the creation of a new breeding cluster in Akagera.”
In 2010, the Rwanda Development Board and African Parks partnered to manage Akagera, transforming the park into one of the most coveted wildlife destinations in Africa and a sustainable revenue source for the region’s communities.
Law enforcement was overhauled and robust community programs put in place, allowing for wildlife to increase and for key reintroductions to occur, such as lions in 2015 and black rhinos in 2017 and 2019. To ensure that this new population of white rhinos also flourishes, each rhino has been fitted with a transmitter to enable constant monitoring by dedicated tracking teams; a canine anti-poaching unit and helicopter surveillance are also in place to provide further support for their long-term protection.
“Our Foundation is pleased to continue to invest in Akagera’s remarkable transformation into a critical national park for Rwanda and an example of responsible conservation for the African continent and the world. While our funding is an important contributor to that success story, none of this would be possible without the leadership of the Government of Rwanda and the dedicated efforts of African Parks,” said Howard G. Buffett, Chairman and CEO of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.
“It was deeply personal for me to support the first black rhino reintroduction to Akagera in 2017 and it’s incredible that we have the opportunity to support this historic translocation today. Akagera is now positioned to become a key rhino stronghold for the continent, demonstrating what is possible in conservation when public and private partners collaborate.”
{{About the Rwanda Development Board}}
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) is a government agency in Rwanda with a vision to transform Rwanda into a dynamic global hub for business, investment, and innovation. Its mission is to fast-track economic development in Rwanda by enabling private sector growth. For more information visit www.rdb.rw
About African Parks: African Parks is a non-profit conservation organisation that takes on the complete responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. African Parks manages 19 national parks and protected areas in 11 countries covering over 14.7 million hectares in Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. For more information visit www.africanparks.org, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
{{About andBeyond}}
andBeyond designs personalised high-end tours in 13 countries in Africa, five in Asia and four in South America, offering discerning travellers a rare and exclusive experience of the world as it should be. We own and operate 29 extraordinary lodges and camps in iconic safari, scenic and island destinations in Africa and South America. This enables us to positively impact more than 9 million acres of wildlife land and 3 000 kilometres of coastline. Established in 1991, andBeyond strives to leave our world a better place than we found it through our care of the land, wildlife and people, and the delivery of extraordinary guest experiences. For more information visit andBeyond.com, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
{{About the Howard G. Buffett Foundation}}
The Howard G. Buffett Foundation seeks to catalyse transformational change, particularly for the world’s most impoverished and marginalised populations. The Foundation views its resources as rare risk capital that can improve conditions and create change in the most difficult circumstances and geographies. The Foundation has been partnering with the Republic of Rwanda to make nearly USD$430 million in philanthropic investments to address food security, mitigate conflict, and support conservation since 1999. For more information visit www.thehowardgbuffettfoundation.org/
