The month-long campaign was launched on 1 June 2021, by the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) Rwanda, and other partners to promote positive parenting.
In the video released today by UNICEF Rwanda; Ange Kagame, the daughter of President Paul Kagame talked about how a baby’s brain develops most in the first 1,000 days at a pace never repeated again.
The mother of one also highlighted the role of both parents, male and female in the overall development of their baby.
In the earliest years of life, a child’s brain develops at an astounding speed of more than 1 million new neural connections every second.
This period offers once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape a child’s ability to learn, grow, form healthy relationships, and contribute fully to society in adulthood.
Parents are the key providers of health, nutrition, stimulation, opportunities for early learning, and protection that babies need for healthy brain development. Another area where parents can contribute significantly to a child’s development is by playing with the baby.
This helps babies learn and build crucial life skills – from problem-solving to expressing ideas – and strengthening the bond between child and parent.
Parenting is one of the most challenging jobs in the world and now COVID-19 has placed even more pressure on parents and caregivers to support their children’s learning and development, keep their households functioning, and look after their families’ wellbeing.
The video explains the various techniques such as ‘serve and return’ that parents can use to strengthen their bond with their babies while ensuring their holistic development.
The virtual graduation ceremony took place on Friday 18th June 2021 in adherence to the COVID-19 preventive measures.
The graduates were supposed to complete their studies in 2020, but this was not possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
These graduates are from Akilah Institute, one of the two colleges of Davis College which focuses on empowerment of women.
The Interim President of Davis College, Paul Swaga revealed that the graduates have been equipped with all the necessary skills relevant to make them successful at the workplace.
“I expect a lot from these graduates because we have prepared them well enough. I am convinced that they will bring positive changes at the workplace. Some of them have conceptualized projects which they are set to implement, thus, impacting the community through job creation,” he noted.
Swaga explained that the graduates will also play a bigger role in the transformation of the lives of other women who did not get the opportunity to study at Davis College and Akilah.
“ When some of these graduates start their own businesses, they will impact the community as more women will get job opportunities. Others who will work with various companies are also expected to deliver efficiently because they have been equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge,” he revealed.
Elizabeth Dearborn Hughes, a co-founder of Davis College and Akilah who graced the graduation ceremony thanked graduates for exhibiting team work amidst the Coronavirus pandemic.
“ You have exhibited strength , resilience and togetherness, team work spirit, developed your leadership, management and other impactful skills bringing changes to the community amidst uncertainties brought by the pandemic. This has been an unusual year. We commend you for soldiering on in difficult times,” she said.
The State Minister at the Ministry of Education in Charge of TVET and ICT , Irere Claudette who was the guest of honour at the event, congratulated graduates and thanked the school for helping students during difficult times.
“This year has presented unusual circumstances to all of us, particularly to the education sector. We voice appreciation for your courage and achievements. I would also like to commend the management of Davis College and Akilah for helping graduates to complete their journey successfully,” she said.
Graduates expressed delight for acquiring the knowledge relevant for them to effectively compete at the labour market.
“I am extremely happy for this great achievement despite the tough moments and sleepless nights we went through. I am ready to deliver on the expectations along my professional career,” said Iqra Naeem, the Valedictorian for the Class of 2020
Another graduate, Mari Grace Ishimwe also highlighted that the school unleashed her potential to break social and cultural constraints which limit girls from performing to their full potential.
“I was pleased to join the institute as soon as I realized its uniqueness. I became self-confident and attended the ICT program which many assume not to be suitable for girls. I exhibited good performance, and I am ready to compete at the labour market,” she revealed.
The school has graduated eight intakes since 2010.
In September 2020, Davis College launched another college for both male and female students which operates alongside the Akilah Institute.
Davis College graduates students with diplomas in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Information Systems, and Business Management & Entrepreneurship.
As part of the partnership, Ghana will supply processed organic cocoa in a form of coca nibs or cocoa Liquor as shall be determined.
Rwanda will also establish a formulation plant in Ghana for the production of organic pyrethrum-based pesticides for crop protection, veterinary use and public health.
This will help cut on transportation costs and bring affordable organic products closer to the Ghanaian farmers.
Madam Ariella Kageruka, the Head of Tourism and Conversation Department, Rwanda Development Board disclosed this on Saturday as part of recommendations from Ghana-Rwanda familiarisation tours between the two countries.
She said both countries have agreed to undertake a collaborative research on pyrethrum and Cocoa to ensure greater yields to the benefit of farming communities in Rwanda and Ghana.
“In order to facilitate easier access to Rwanda and Ghana markets, we recommend urgent establishment of an MoU between product registration and standard agencies of both countries,” she said.
Ghanaian officials between March 14 and 20, 2021 embarked on a familiarization tour to Rwanda while a 32-member delegation of Rwandan officials also visited Ghana from June 13 to 20, 2021 to explore business opportunities.
The two countries have also agreed to forge partnerships between tourism stakeholders to develop Rwanda – Ghana joint packages for international tourism.
Other areas to explore include the creative art industry, travel and hospitality sector, education, culture and agriculture.
Nana Sarfo Kantanka, the Special Advisor to the Minister of Tourism and Creative Arts, said both countries were proud product of great leadership and pledged to maintain the relationship to bring sustainable development to the citizenry.
He said the policy environment to be spearheaded by both countries was critical to realisation of these partnerships in boosting trade and investment.
The Special Adviser called for support from stakeholders for the collaboration to succeed, adding that Ghana- Rwanda had set the tone for others to follow.
Ms Afua Asabea Asare, the Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Export Promotion Authority, said the collaboration between the two countries was the beginning of the journey to explore more business opportunities.
She called for commitment between the two countries for the partnership to work, saying “we need to operationalize these concepts to be fruitful.”
Mr Akwasi Agyemang, the Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Tourism Authority, said government had laid a good foundation and charged the private sector operators to make the partnership work.
He said multi- destination tourism was necessary to position the African brand on the global map.
Dr Aisa Krabo Kacyira, the Rwanda High Commissioner to Ghana, commended Ghana for the warm reception, describing it as a passionate moment to uphold the dignity of Africa.
She was confident that the collaboration would succeed to ensure the effective realization of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Rwanda’s Presidency has via Twitter handle revealed that Kagame also met with Teklay Teame, CEO of Simba Supermarket.
Kuok Khoon Hong was accompanied by Santosh Pillai, Wilmar International Head for Africa.
Before meeting with Kagame, Kuok Khoon Hong held talks with the CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Clare Akamanzi.
Even though areas of discussions with the Head of State were not mentioned, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) revealed via Twitter account that Wilmar International wants to open doors to Rwanda.
RDB explained that the group intends to invest in manufacturing and agro-processing sectors, among others.
Wilmar International Limited, founded in 1991 and headquartered in Singapore, is today Asia’s leading agribusiness group. Wilmar is ranked amongst the largest listed companies by market capitalisation on the Singapore Exchange.
Wilmar’s business activities include oil palm cultivation, oilseed crushing, edible oils refining, sugar milling and refining, manufacturing of consumer products, specialty fats, oleochemicals, biodiesel and fertilisers as well as flour and rice milling.
World Refugee Day is an international day organised every year on 20th June by the United Nations to celebrate and honour refugees from around the world.
Following the pledge; Inkomoko is working with MTN Rwanda, the Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT), the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management, and UNHCR to distribute the majority of the 500 phones to refugee and host community entrepreneurs, increasing their access to Government services, financial products, and overall digital connectivity for their small businesses.
Initiated by MTN Rwanda, in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, the Connect Rwanda campaign was launched in December 2019, with the objective of providing smartphones to unconnected households across Rwanda to leverage the digital economy. Since then, private companies, Government institutions and individuals have come together to connect all Rwandans through technology.
Inkomoko’s phone donation, as part of World Refugee Day, aligned with its larger strategy to digitize services and provide increased access to finance for refugee and host community entrepreneurs. These pivots have emerged as Inkomoko adapted to helping entrepreneurs adjust to new ways of working during COVID-19. Phone distribution will launch in the Gihembe Refugee Camp where Inkomoko has been working since 2016.
Commenting on the development; Olive Ashimwe, Inkomoko’s Regional Director of Refugee Affairs said: “During COVID-19, movement restrictions limited how we could provide services in refugee communities. Like most businesses, it forced us to quickly develop digital offerings that would work for our clients. Because we were able to make expedient digital implementations and because 39% of our Inkomoko staff are refugees themselves, we were able to continuously serve our entrepreneurs despite movement restrictions.”
The 500 donated smartphones fortify Inkomoko’s track record of financial inclusion, as Inkomoko is also rolling out a new digital loan app that will increase access to business financing for refugee and host communities. This mobile loan app for smartphones is available in Kinyarwanda, English, French, and Swahili, and will help Inkomoko to diversify access points for financing across the country, a key request from entrepreneurs. All of the phones donated by Inkomoko will come preloaded with their app.
Last year for World Refugee Day, Inkomoko partnered with the Mastercard Foundation to release US$2.6million in COVID-19 relief grants to more than 3,500 refugee and host community entrepreneurs. One year later they have released data showing that as a result of their grants, businesses were able to generate more than US$10 million in new revenue and they employ more than 20,000 people throughout Rwanda. In addition, 98% of closed businesses have re-opened.
Julienne Oyler, the CEO of Inkomoko has explained that working with entrepreneurs has consistently shown that investing in refugee businesses is catalytic for economic development at-large.
“We are able to provide new growth opportunities for our clients in refugee communities by bringing new investments and digital solutions,” she noted.
Looking ahead, Inkomoko has pledged to support more refugee and host community entrepreneurs, including providing 25,000 refugee households with access to affordable capital in the coming years, all facilitated by more digital solutions.
{{About Inkomoko}}
Inkomoko has supported more than 25,000 businesses in Rwanda to run their operations in a more efficient and strategic way, providing training, consulting, and affordable loans. Inkomoko has more than 120 staff serving entrepreneurs nationwide in Rwanda through offices in Kigali, Musanze, and all 6 refugee camps and hosting communities. Inkomoko is the Rwandan affiliate of African Entrepreneur Collective.
For more information on Inkomoko please visit www.Inkomoko.com
These activities align with Rwanda’s vision to create new off-farm jobs and reduce migration to Kigali city.
As enshrined in the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1), Rwanda set ambitious targets to accelerate sustainable urbanization from 18.4 to 35 percent by 2024.
In line with the country’s blueprint, six secondary cities have been undergoing infrastructure development including the construction of new roads expected to facilitate movements and connectivity and paving the way for economic growth.
The six secondary cities include Muhanga, Huye, Rusizi, Rubavu, Musanze and Nyagatare where US$100 million have been allocated to build roads and water drainage channels.
The first phase of this project spanning from June 2016 to November 2018 saw 28.3 kilometer-roads and 13.3 kilometer water drainage channels completed at a cost of US$28 million.
So far, more 43.9 kilometer-roads and 12.15 kilometer-water drainage channels have been constructed in the second phase that began in December 2018 expected to be completed in July 2021.
These infrastructures are an addition to the upgrade of informal settlements in Kigali city including 12.46 hectares in Boryogo, 20.1 hectares in Kiyovu and 26.42 hectares in Rwampara.
The project saw settlements equipped with decent basic infrastructures including tarmac roads which facilitated people’s daily businesses and easy access to other services.
The two phases implemented under Rwanda Urban Development Project (RUDP) will be followed by two more phases to upgrade more slums in secondary cities and different parts of Kigali.
Under the new phases, new roads will be built in four slums of Kigali city staring with 2021-2022 fiscal year.
It will focus on building new roads, pedestrian ways, drainages, street lights, electricity and others.
In Kigali city, the project will construct a road in Gitega sector and set up more infrastructures reducing slums in Gatenga , Kicukiro; Nyabisindu in Remera sector; and Nyagatovu in Kimironko sector, Gasabo district.
Of the Rwf 160 billion, US$ 40.2 million have been allocated for preservation of Gikondo wetland in the former industrial park and containing floods in most parts of Kigali prone to disasters including Kinamba, Rugunga, Rwandex-Majerwa, Mulindi, Masaka and Gacuriro.
The Minister of Infrastructure, Amb. Claver Gatete has told the media that containing floods is of crucial relevance to maintain other infrastructures including roads.
“Preserving environment also needs special attention. For instance, floods might cause serious damages to roads in case no action is taken to build proper drainages to contain water flowing from Mont Kigali, Jali, Rebero and Magerwa,” he said.
“That is why this phase will cater for the conservation of Gikondo Industrial Park. We need to build proper drainages for water coming from uphill to contain damages to infrastructures when it rains,” added Gatete.
He explained that building roads in slums doesn’t intend to relocate residents but rather expand basic infrastructures.
The second phase of RUDP II will be implemented from 2021 to 2025.
These include Lieutenant Colonel Jean Paul Nyirubutama promoted to Colonel and appointed Deputy Secretary General of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).
Other officers promoted to the rank of Colonel include RDF Spokesperson, Lt Col Ronald Rwivanga, Lt Col Callixte Kalisa and Lt Col Francis Ngabo Sebicundanyi.
Col Nyirubutama who has been appointed Deputy Secretary General of NISS is among 47 officers who recently graduated at RDF Command and Staff College in Nyakinama where he emerged the overall best student.
Col Nyirubutama held different positions including Deputy CEO of RwandAir and and first advisor in Rwanda’s Embassy to South Africa.
Col Kalisa is currently serving as the Director General in the Ministry of Defense of Rwanda (MOD) in charge of coordinating all Ministries’ Agencies including ZIGAMA CSS. He was appointed to this position in July 2016, after working as the Director of Finance in the same Ministry for 8 Years (July 2009-2016).
As experienced banker, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of ZIGAMA CSS in November 2011 where he served as Non-Executive Director and cumulated the functions of Head of Management, Asset and Liability Committee, Head of Credit Sub-Committee and Member of Executive Committee and serves as the Vice Chairman of ZIGAMA CSS Board among others.
Col Kalisa is the Vice Chairperson of the Board of MOD Complementary Pension Scheme (12 January 2017) and Board Member of Armed Forces Shop since 19 January 2018.
Col Rwivanga is the spokesperson of RDF since December 2020. He replaced Lt Col Innocent Munyengango who had served in the same capacity since 2017.
Prior to his appointment, Col Rwivanga was Course Coordinator at the RDF Senior Command and Staff College based in Musanze District.
He was also chief editor of the Warrior Magazine, a publication of the Command and Staff College.
Among others, Col Rwivanga served as an exchange military lecturer with the East African Community where he worked as directing staff at the Tanzania People’s Defence College Command and Staff College based in Arusha, Tanzania.
He once served in the Republican Guard Unit of the RDF where he headed the operations and training department.
Col Ngabo is also among officers who recently graduated at RDF Command and Staff College in Nyakinama where he emerged the second overall best student and awarded for his best college research paper.
According to a statement released on Friday 18th June 2021 by RDF, the promotions and appointment take immediate effect.
“My heartfelt condolences to the family of President Kenneth Kaunda and the people of Zambia. His commitment to Africa’s liberation will never be forgotten. His leadership on the continent and legacy of Pan-Africanism will live on for generations to come,” he tweeted.
The Zambia’s founding president and liberation hero, died on Thursday 17th June at a military hospital in the capital, Lusaka, where he was being treated for pneumonia. He was 97.
Kaunda ruled Zambia from 1964, when the country obtained independence from Britain, until 1991, and afterwards became one of the most committed activists against HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Following his demise, Zambia declared 21 days of mourning.
Kaunda will also be remembered for his role as an anti-colonial fighter who stood up to white minority rule in Southern African countries such as Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
In 2017, President Kagame held talks with Kaunda when he visited Zambia.
During Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award held in Kigali 2019, Kaunda was bestowed the anti-corruption lifetime/outstanding award for his efforts in promoting transparency and fighting corruption.
He wrote eight books including ‘Letter to My Children’, ‘The Political Philosophy of President Kenneth D. Kaunda of Zambia’ and ‘Zambia will be Free’ among others.
The seminar to create awareness of the business opportunities available in the two countries brought together over 200 participants. It was also attended by Ambassador of Rwanda to Zimbabwe James Musoni, Ambassador of Zimbabwe to Rwanda Charity Manyeruke together with high level officials from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZimTrade) among others.
Zimbabwe is a Southern Africa country covering a land area of 390,757 square kilometers. The population demographic survey conducted in 2012 shows that the country’s population was estimated at over 13.1 million of whom 94, 7% are reported to be literate.
Tourism is among main contributors to the country’s economic growth with 12% along with agriculture (11%) and mining (9%) while the service sector contributed 16%.
While addressing Rwanda- Zimbabwe Trade and Investment virtual conference, the CEO of RDB, Clare Akamanzi explained that both countries enjoy existing relations and cooperation in different areas that building relationships upon trade and investment is the current priority.
Akamanzi lured investors from Zimbabwe to tap into presented opportunities in different sectors including trade and agriculture among others.
“Energy, agriculture, trade, hospitality and hotels and financial sector are areas with top investment opportunities in the country,” she revealed.
Akamanzi emphasized that the country registered remarkable economic growth in 2019 by 9.4% before COVID-19 pandemic.
“Rwanda continues to position itself as a proof-of-concept country for innovations. This is why we were able to attract some of the investments we have in the country like an assembling plant for Volkswagen, Zipline which is doing delivery of blood using drone,” she said.
As he highlighted the relevance of promoting cooperation between both countries, the CEO of ZimTrade Allan Majuru said there has been an insignificant trade between Rwanda and Zimbabwe noting that the investment conference is set to unlock various opportunities of trade between the two countries.
In Rwanda, agriculture accounts for 24% of the economy while industries and services contribute 18% and 49% respectively.
The fact that Rwanda is a member of EAC exposes Zimbabwe to a wider East African market with over 117 million population not considering the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC which has also submitted application to join the regional bloc.
Majuru stressed that another meeting is planned in the near future where quite a big number of business people from Zimbabwe will come to Rwanda in a conference expected to increase trade and investment between both countries.
“ZimTrade will be taking 100 companies to Rwanda for this investment conference and we will stand guided by our hosts on the numbers with regards to the Covid-19 protocols. The delegation travelling will be led by Foreign Affairs Minister Shava. We believe the trade between Rwanda and Zimbabwe has been insignificant and this investment conference will play a huge part in unlocking investment opportunities between the two countries,” Majuru said.
“We are also trying not to look for trading opportunities but we are also looking at creating a platform where Rwanda uses Zimbabwe as a platform to extend its services to countries this side of the region. We might be called landlocked as Zimbabwe but we call ourselves land linked and the same applies to Rwanda,” he added.
The Rwanda-Zimbabwe Trade and Investment Conference is slated from July 28 to 30 in Kigali, Rwanda.
Speaking to participants, the CEO of RDB Claire Akamanzi said that Rwanda is ready to welcome the business delegation from Zimbabwe.
“We have been working together as two countries. We are ready to welcome the business delegation coming from Zimbabwe. We hope this conference is going to increase trade between the two countries as well as new investment opportunities,” she noted.
Akamanzi reiterated Rwanda’s commitment continue offering a conducive environment for investment on a market with high economic growth rate.
Investors also expressed willingness to tap into presented opportunities.
“This cooperation presents huge opportunities to both sides. We are ready to facilitate the shipment of cargo from Rwanda to Zimbabwe and vice versa,” said Michael Shyaka, the Managing Director of Pan African Logistics.
Benson Mbewe, the CEO of AB Communications which owns media houses including Business Times, ZiFM Stereo, 98.4 FM Midlands and Hevoi FM highlighted that such meetings are crucial to expand opportunities.
“This is going to be a wonderful experience for the business community and we are still finalizing conference packages at the moment,” he noted.
Rwanda and Zimbabwe are both members of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) where both countries stand to benefit from reduced customs duties.
Zimbabwe is also a member of South African Development Community (SADC).
Rwanda has vast opportunities for Zimbabwean businesses wishing to do trade and to invest in its fast-growing economy while Zimbabwe is keen on growing its exports to Rwanda with market survey results by ZimTrade, indicating that locals could ride on this destination to generate more earnings.
In 2019, Zimbabwe generated US$3 million from exports while Rwanda earned US$152,000 from exports to the country.
Increasing trade with Rwanda is expected to enhance access to markets in the East African Community and in turn, increase Zimbabwe’s exports to the region with a combined GDP of more than US$177bn.
The four-year policy involves different activities to promote inclusive technology, increase the participation of persons with disabilities in employment and other sectors, establish various special needs of PwDs for full participation in all agricultural programs and initiatives, subsidise the provision of assistive devices and disability related health care services to PwDs and promote social and cultural activities as well.
The Executive Secretary of the National Council of PwDs, Emmanuel Ndayisaba has explained that the policy is expected to bridge gaps in different aspects of life impeding welfare and development of persons with disabilities.
“It sets a framework for needed actions, identifies all stakeholders and needed interventions,” he said.
For the last ten years, Successive Education Sector strategic plans (ESSP) have continued to note high school dropout rates for vulnerable children (28.3% in Primary 5 and 10.2% in Primary 1) since 2005. For example, the Rwanda Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) of 2013-2018 confirmed that more Children with Disabilities (CwDs) have never attended school than those without any (27% versus 14%) and more CwDs dropped out of school than those without (9% versus 6%).
The Ministry of Education (2017)19 report indicates that out of 185,666 children enrolled in pre-primary education, 1,545 children are CwDs, representing less than 1% of enrolled students. The number of CwDs enrolled at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels are similarly very low and well below the expected proportion of PwDs (approximately 15% of the population using WHO’s definition of disability or 5% using Rwanda’s definition).
Ndayisaba highlighted that the policy will also address barriers hindering persons with disabilities from attending schools or occasioning school drop outs yet education is considered the backbone for development.
Other barriers are reported in healthcare, employment and accessibility.
Accessing healthcare in all its forms is also said to be challenging for PwDs because of associated costs, distance from service providers, and systemic and institutional healthcare practices and barriers.
Health service access data does not disaggregate by disability which undermines planning and decision making.
Eleven of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) require disaggregation by disability. Disaggregated disability data is important if achievements in health care recorded by Rwanda are to be extended to all citizens. In addition, there is little documented evidence about the physical and social barriers that PwDs may face in accessing health services.
The present policy is particularly concerned about access to rehabilitation and therapeutic services, assistive aids, and other key health provisions that enable PwD equal access participation to socio-economic activities.
Being unable to detect road signs, waterways along the road among others also presents difficulties depending on the nature of disabilities.
Ndayisaba has expressed optimism that many of these challenges will be addressed in the new policy.
“A blind person should not wait for green to cross red lights. He/she should have a switch to detect red lights or zebra crossing. The new policy incorporates these concerns. We are optimistic that a lot of things will be addressed within the four years,” he affirmed.
With allocated budget of Rwf 41,458, 014, 440, the new policy for persons will be implemented through different ministries to bridge loopholes in the sectors of education, health, social protection (impact the welfare and wellbeing of children and adults with disabilities), agriculture, infrastructure, employment, justice, child protection, sports and leisure among others.
The Rwandan law No 01/2007 of 20/01/2007 aligns with the medical model and defines disability as the condition of a person’s impairment of health ability which consequently leads to deficiency compared to others.
