The statement is meant to assess economic and financial developments of the year 2020 and give an outlook for the year 2021 and beyond.
In 2020, mobile banking transactions increased in volume by 183 percent from 2 million to 6 million and by 224 percent in value from Rwf 85 billion in 2019 to Rwf 277 billion of transactions.
During 2020, active mobile payment subscribers (transacted in the previous 90 days) increased by 13 percent from 4,139,075 to 4,688,124 while the number of mobile agents increased by 33 percent from 98,359 to 131,173. Mobile payment transactions increased by 85 percent from 378.8 million worth Rwf2,349 billion Rwf in 2019 to 701 million worth Rwf 7,177 billion Rwf in 2020.
The report shows that comparing 2019 to 2020, the portion of cash-based transactions significantly reduced as a consequence of various policies taken to encourage digital payments and minimize the risk of COVID-19 spreading.
Banks which provided internet-banking services increased to thirteen (13) from nine (9) in December 2019 and the number of subscribers increased by 9 percent from 91,825 in December 2019 to 99,810 in December 2020.
In 2020, internet banking transactions increased by 7 percent to 1,445,174 in 2020 from 1,352,301 in 2019 and by 4 percent in terms of value to Rwf 2,362 billion in 2020 from Rwf 2,276 Billion in 2019
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The number of traditional Point of Sale (POS) machines increased from 3,477 in December 2019 to 4,335 in December 2020. During this period, POS transactions increased by 56 percent in volume from 2,426,456 in December 2019 to 3,780,051 in 2020, while in value, POS transactions increased by 9 percent from Rwf 109 billion in 2019 to Rwf 120 billion in December 2020.
On the other hand, Automated Teller Machines (ATM) decreased from 383 in 2019 to 334 in 2020 due to the fact that two banks moved from ATMs services to Agency banking services. In terms of usage, ATM transactions decreased by 9 percent in volume from 10,061,164 in 2019 to 9,203,942 in December 2020, though the value increased by 17 percent in value from Rwf 578 billion to Rwf 679 billion considering that most people have been withdrawing larger amounts due to the limited access to ATMs during the lockdown period.
Mobile POS contributed the most to increased usage of electronic payments compared to other types of POS during the period under review.
As at end of December 2020, the number of mobile POS increased significantly to 39,7434 in December 2020 from 13,675 in 2019 due to increased adoption by various businesses such as supermarkets, retail shops, health centers and specifically microbusinesses.
They are an addition to 347,000 vaccines Rwanda received on Wednesday through COVAX initiative.
These vaccines were delivered to 50 hospitals yesterday from where they were distributed to health centers that have started vaccinating targeted groups this Friday.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta has said that these 50,000 vaccines arrived in Rwanda on Friday morning.
“Pleased to receive 50,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines from India this morning. The Government of Rwanda is grateful to the Government of India and other partner countries for their valuable contribution to the fight against COVID-19,” he said.
Rwanda has so far received 397,000 vaccines in three shipments including 102,960 Pfizer vaccines, 240, 000 AstraZeneca vaccines and more 50,000 AstraZeneca vaccines received today.
Rwanda plans to vaccinate 30% of the population by 2021.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has via Twitter account revealed that Minister Biruta received the vaccines at Kigali International Airport along with Oscar Kerketta, High Commissioner of India to Rwanda.
Health practitioners, patients with incurable diseases like blood pressure, diabetes and asthma among other respiratory diseases will be among the first group to be vaccinated in the first phase along with elders above 65 years and people whose line of duty puts them in a susceptible position.
“Helicopters from Rwanda Defense Force and Rwanda National Police are now delivering COVID-19 vaccines to remote parts of 14 different Districts. They will be picked up by District hospitals for distribution to area health centres. All vaccine shots will be administered within 48 hours starting Friday,” reads the tweet.
The distribution comes a day after receiving 342, 960 COVID-19 vaccines in two batches comprised of Pfizer and AstraZeneca doses.
The first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines comprised of 240,000 AstraZeneca doses arrived in Rwanda yesterday morning followed by the second batch of 102, l960 Pfizer vaccines in the evening.
Health practitioners, patients with incurable diseases like blood pressure, diabetes and asthma among other respiratory diseases will be among the first group to be vaccinated in the first phase along with elders above 65 years and people whose line of duty puts them in a susceptible position.
The first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines comprised of 240,000 AstraZeneca doses arrived in Rwanda yesterday morning followed by the second batch of 102, 1960 Pfizer vaccines in the evening.
Rwanda has become the first African country to receive Pfizer vaccines distributed through COVAX, a global initiative aimed at working with vaccine producers to provide countries worldwide with equitable access to safe and effective vaccine.
The second batch of Pfizer vaccines was received by the Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije along with other officials and diplomats including the Head of Delegation of the European Union to Rwanda, Amb. Nicola Bellomo.
Pfizer is among COVID-19 vaccines with 95% efficacy.
Pfizer vaccines can be stored in refrigerated conditions of -70 Celsius degree.
As he received Astrezeneca vaccines on Wednesday morning, the Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije said that vaccination program has already started in Rwanda.
“We plan to vaccinate 7.8 million Rwandans. You know that many countries need vaccines but we are doing all the necessary to get them to vaccinate Rwandans as soon as we can and return to normalcy,” he said.
Dr. Ngamije has revealed that targeted people to be vaccinated effective from 5th March 2021 include health workers, frontline worker, elders above the age of 65 living with chronic diseases are.
He highlighted that 7.8 million Rwandans will have been vaccinated not later than June 2022.
Received vaccines will be distributed countrywide effective Thursday 4th February 2021 whereby targeted persons will be communicated to get vaccinated at health centers.
The country will receive batches of vaccines every month in proportion to the number of people to be vaccinated.
So far, a total of 249 million vaccines have been distributed globally.
Rwanda received 342, 960 COVID-19 vaccines in two batches comprised of Pfizer and AstraZeneca doses.
Covax is a global initiative aimed at working with vaccine producers to provide countries worldwide with equitable access to safe and effective vaccine.
The first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines comprised of 240,000 AstraZeneca doses arrived in Rwanda yesterday morning followed by the second batch of 102, l960 Pfizer vaccines in the evening.
As the first shipment arrived, Kagame hailed Covax initiative via Twitter handle noting that the vaccines have come in handy.
“It’s been long wait, some better prepared and more ready…not to mention some ‘more equal than others’ But certainly all of us in urgent need. Now good news to see COVID-19 Vaccines arrive in Africa starting with Ghana…this morning in Rwanda & more. Thanks #COVAX,” he said .
Rwanda received vaccines following other African countries including Ghana and Nigeria.
The country will receive batches of vaccines every month in proportion to the number of people to be vaccinated.
The European Union (EU) and Rwanda’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) recently signed a grant contract to support and increase digital based employment opportunities in high potential economic sectors through these hubs.
This is financed from the EU’s programme to support private sector development and job creation in Rwanda adopted in 2020.
HANGA Hubs will provide space and support for young labour market entrants and start-ups to adopt innovative technologies to enhance productivity, competitiveness, and growth.
Commenting on the development, the Head of Delegation of the European Union to Rwanda, Amb. Nicola Bellomo said that HANGA hubs will help aspiring young entrepreneurs to react to market demands.
“Start-ups can significantly transform and strengthen the economy. They may be small, but they are dynamic, flexible and able to react to market demands. Going by its meaning, HANGA or “Create” hubs will be the home for creative, innovating start-ups, where aspiring young entrepreneurs will find support and help of other entrepreneurs, role models, mentors and fellowships along their journey,” he said.
The HANGA hubs project will be implemented by the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) in close collaboration with ICT Chamber and several other players in the ecosystem. This project will address gaps in Rwanda’s innovation ecosystem limiting the pipeline of start-ups and innovations, namely lack of tech-entrepreneurship support and access to services for tech-based innovative start-ups.
“This intervention is timely and aligns well with our Government efforts to strengthen and expand the tech-enabled innovation ecosystem in Rwanda. This initiative seeks to ensure that opportunities for tech-innovation and start-up incubation are made easy and equally accessible for all young innovators regardless of where they are located in the country,” said Paula Ingabire, the Minister of ICT and Innovation.
“The project will target potential entrepreneurs with constructive ideas and solutions in key sectors of the economy such as health, agriculture, financial services, tourism and hospitality, construction, education, and many others,” she added.
Hanga Hubs Project is expected to support over 768 young Innovators to undergo a 9-month incubation program, which will result into creation of 192 start-ups.
Support services that would be offered to innovators in the 4 HANGA Hubs will range from business support; market and customer validation support ; Business-to-business (B2B) matching; networking and exposure trips to allow incubated start-ups to attain an early growth stage that could trigger investment.
The vaccines are distributed through COVAX, a global initiative aimed at working with vaccine producers to provide countries worldwide with equitable access to safe and effective vaccine.
The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, codenamed AZD1222, is a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca given by intramuscular injection.
One dosing regimen showed 90% efficacy when a half-dose was followed by a full-dose after at least one month, based on mixed trials with no participants over 55 years old.
Another dosing regimen showed 62% efficacy when given as two full doses separated by at least one month.
On 30 December 2020, the vaccine was approved for use in the United Kingdom’s vaccination programme, and the first vaccination outside of a trial was administered on 4th January 2021.
As he received vaccines, the Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije said that vaccination program has already started in Rwanda.
“We plan to vaccinate 7.8 million Rwandans. You know that many countries need vaccines but we are doing all the necessary to get them to vaccinate Rwandans as soon as we can and return to normalcy,” he said.
Dr. Ngamije has revealed that targeted people to be vaccinated effective from 5th March 2021 include health workers, frontline worker, elders above the age of 65 living with chronic diseases are.
He highlighted that 7.8 million Rwandans will have been vaccinated not later than June 2022.
Received vaccines will be distributed countrywide effective Thursday 4th February 2021 whereby targeted persons will be communicated to get vaccinated at health centers.
Rwanda also awaits 102 960 Pfizer vaccines today evening while more 500,000 vaccines are expected next week.
The country will receive batches of vaccines every month in proportion to the number of people to be vaccinated.
So far, a total of 249 million vaccines have been distributed globally.
Father Rugirangoga is renowned for divine healing prayers, psychiatric as well as unity and reconciliation initiatives. He died in the United States in January from respiratory complications stemming from Covid-19.
His body was flown to Rwanda in the night of Saturday 27th February 2021.
On 1st March 2021, a farewell mass read by Cardinal Antoine Kambanda was held at Regina Pacis Catholic Church in Remera before Rugirangoga’s body was taken to Mushaka parish for burial on 2nd March 2021.
As he paid tribute to late Rugirangoga, Kambanda said that Ubald was characterized by a sense of responsibility to re-build the Rwandan community highlighting that the deceased left a good legacy of striving for peace, unity and reconciliation.
The requiem mass held at Mushaka Parish today has attracted clerics, Christians, relatives and friends to bid farewell to late Father Rugirangoga before laying him to rest at Agasozi k’Ibanga ry’Amahoro (Hill of Secrete to Peace) located in Kamatita cell, Gihundwe sector, Rusizi district of Western Province.
The hill of 25 hectares is located in Nkanka Parish, Cyangugu Diocese. It was conceived by Father Rugirangoga who sought to establish a center where people will gather for to pray for a peaceful world and forgive each other.
The mass was also attended by Katse Long, a US resident and friend to late Ubald who escorted his body on a plane to Rwanda.
Church services were led by the Bishop of Gikongoro Diocese and Apostolic Administrator of Cyangugu Diocese, Hakizimana Célestin Bishop Hakizimana along with the Bishop of Ruhengeri Diocese, Vincent Harorimana.
Bishop Hakizimana has said that Father Rugirangoga helped many people to model unity and reconciliation and healed wounds through psychiatric initiatives.
He comforted those he helped not to sink into sorrow noting that Rugirangoga has gone in God’s safe hands.
“Those he helped through psychiatric initiatives should not feel despaired because they have an interceder by the side of God,” he said.
Rugwizangoga Revelien, the brother to Father Rugirangoga has said that his elder brother was a zealous and dedicated person with kind heart and unconditional love towards people throughout his entire life.
Rugirangoga is a son of Kabera Jacques and Mukaruhamya Anesia. The had sired together four children, of whom one was killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“My elder brother has been a caring person, a parent, a good friend and great advisor with outstanding experience you are aware of. During his service as a priest, I am sure that he was a good advisor and friend to everyone. His heart and house were always open,” said Rugwizangoga.
The mayor of Rusizi district, Kayumba Ephrem revealed that Father Rugirangoga had good collaboration with local leadership in his functions where he would notify them of activities he is organizing or advice the district on planned activities.
“You have departed early but God has loved your more. We are assured that the Hill of Secrete to Peace will always be blessed because of your advocacy. May Your Soul Rest In Peace,” he said.
In his message on behalf of the clergy, Bishop Hakizimana condoled with relatives of late Father Rugirangoga, Christians, Rwandans and their friends especially those who had a pact of friendship with Ubald.
He requested Christians and clerics to emulate his good deeds and take on his work praying for patients and promoting unity and reconciliation.
Bishop Hakizimana also thanked Ketsey Long who stayed closer with Ubald for tyeh past 12 years, Les Amis d’Ubald (Friends of Ubald) among others who provided support to repatriate his body to Rwanda.
Ketsey Long also received a gift in souvenir of late Father Rugirangoga.
Father Rugirangoga has prayed for many patients some of whom recovered from sight problems, HIV/AIDS, Diabetis among other incurable or hardly curable diseases.
He always attributed the healing to Jesus.
Speaking to IGIHE in 2015, Father Rugirangoga revealed that he started healing prayers in 1987 when he was a young priest. “Later in 1991, I started seeing visuals and hearing strange voices speaking to me. In the four previous years, I used to pray for people who would come to tell me that they have recovered,” he said.
Niyibizi Verena from Kicukiro district recently said that he recovered from heart disease in 2015 after attending Ubald’s healing prayers. He had suffered from the disease for nine years that hospitals in Rwanda, Kenya, Belgium and Germany had failed him.
Father Ubald Rugiranoga was born in February 155 in former Rwabidege sector, Mwezi parish in Commune Karengera, Prefecture Cyangugu currently in Rusizi district. He was ordained priest in 1984 at the age of 29. He used to organize different gospel crusades in which many people healed from different diseases.
In 2015, Father Rugirangoga was selected Protector of Friendship Pact ‘Umurinzi w’Igihango’ for outstanding contribution to unity and reconciliation initiatives that started in Mushaka Parish and extended countrywide.
Among others, Father Rugirangoga encouraged Genocide perpetrators to seek forgiveness and survivors to forgive offenders as a healing process from the wounds of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
In 2019, Father Rugirangoga wrote a book dubbed “Forgiveness Makes You Free” aimed at consolidating Rwandans unity and reconciliation efforts.
Prior to his death early January 2021, Ubald was the head priest at Mushaka Parish and had requested his Bishop to be assigned in a parish where he could easily pray for mass public and help them along unity and reconciliation journey.
He has been a priest for over 32 years and died at the age of 62.
These VUP beneficiaries are from Bushekeri sector of Nyamasheke district, Western Province employed in road maintenance works. From their wages, each of them has saved Rwf 30,000 for a period of one year and bought preferred small livestock.
Bought livestock include pigs, goats, sheep and chicken. Beneficiaries have revealed that these livestock will usher them into economic growth and uplift them from the current social classification category of vulnerable residents to become self-reliant people.
“We are optimistic that these livestock will enhance our economic growth. We shall utilize well compost and sell offspring to generate income. It will particularly help me to graduate from the current social class category,’ said Twagiramungu Naasson, one of beneficiaries.
Uzayisenga Jeannette expressed confidence that her livestock will help her afford school fees and graduate from poverty.
Indemarugamba Felix said that the small livestock will be reared properly and continue embracing saving culture until he buys cattle.
“We earn little payments but we understand the relevance of being far sighted to prosper. That is why VUP beneficiaries should not be stuck in the first Ubudehe category but rather should work hard to graduate from poverty. I will take care of the livestock to produce compost and continue embracing saving culture to buy a cow,” he noted.
Yvan Munezero, the executive secretary of Bushekeri sector has explained that farmers were advised to get insured under the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme for to avoid losses.
“It will help beneficiaries to cater for basic needs without reliance on Government’s support. Insuring their livestock will help them to get compensations in case of losses. We agreed with them not to sale livestock but rather grow them to produce offspring and generate income,” he said.
The program was launched for the first time in Macuba sector towards the end of 2020.
As he visited Nyamasheke residents recently, the Minister of Local Government , Prof. Shyaka Anastase extolled residents for initiating the program and urged other sectors and districts to emulate it.
Upon arrival in India, the child was diagnosed with ‘rare disease’ known as ‘William syndrome’ and underwent heart surgery two times for improved health conditions.
‘Rare diseases’ are characterized by a wide diversity of symptoms and signs that vary not only from disease to disease but also from patient to patient suffering from the same disease.
Williams syndrome is believed to be a developmental disorder that affects many parts of the body. This condition is characterized by mild to moderate intellectual disability or learning problems, unique personality characteristics, distinctive facial features, and heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) problems.
The child grew with such health conditions and taken to school but the disease prevented him from being concentrated on studies like colleagues appropriately.
Parents sought an alternative, and looked for a private tutor taking care of him alone.
The alternative yielded big that the child’s intellectual capacity developed and became literate. Today, he is attending vocational trainings like computer science, repairing damaged apparatuses and doing artistic works among others.
Parents were delighted with their child’s progress that the father decided to help children with similar conditions to educate them with special attention on areas suiting their capability.
There are various types of rare diseases including ‘William syndrome’, ‘Achalasia’, ‘Trisomy 21’ and ‘Autism’ among others.
Figures from World Health Organization (WHO) show that 300 million people suffer from such diseases worldwide.
Due to the low prevalence of each disease, medical expertise is rare, knowledge is scarce, care offerings inadequate and research limited. This exposes patients to limited healthcare access and proper education.
Health experts show that people with such conditions need special attention to unleash their potential but such facilities taking care of them are rare in many countries including Rwanda.
It is under this context that Manzi and his wife Uwimbabazi decided to impact the society after realizing that their child was improving.
Speaking to IGIHE, Manzi has said that the disease couldn’t allow her child to study advance courses with others and decided to provide special education.
“Our child caught the disease at early age and failed to concentrate on studies like colleagues. The time came when colleagues went to study in secondary schools but the child stayed at home. He would join others in class but couldn’t stay focused with the disease. I later contacted a private teacher for tutoring. The child is currently literate and has acquired basic skills,” she said.
Inspired by her child’s improvement, Manzi established ‘Centre Alliance’ to take care of children with similar conditions.
“I have founded the center to acquaint children with basic life skills including how to read and write. The center will, among other things, help children to socialize and get familiar with the society. We will also engage with parents to comfort them and offer course packages on rare diseases helping parents to take care of children,” she revealed.
Manzi requested parents rush to register their children to the center to get assistance.
“Some parents stigmatize children with such conditions and isolate them yet they are able to achieve great things if they potential is unleashed,” she said.
Rwanda joined the world to celebrate Rare Diseases Day on 28th February 2021. In Rwanda, it was celebrated under the theme ‘I can’t make it alone, but we can achieve great things together’.
