Tag: HomeAdvert

Maniragena Epimaque, eMall Managing Director told IGIHE that they have dropped charges to facilitate access to goods for Rwandans during the pandemic.

Goods delivery at any location in Kigali will only be Rwf 1000. One buyer can order goods from different retailers and still get them delivered at the same price.

“One client can order from a liquor store and a grocery store at the same time and have all the goods delivered at Rwf 1000.”

eMall differs from other delivery services providers given that other providers charge customers delivery fees for every order.

To promote the use of digital channels and prevent the spread of coronavirus, the Central Bank of Rwanda (BNR) encouraged using digital channels and contactless mobile payments to curb the transmission of coronavirus.

All customers of eMall benefit from paying with Afripay (Mobile Money, VISA Card and Master Card) with a 0% charge on transaction when it once was at 3%.

Starting March 19th, 2020, mobile network operators and banks allowed zero charge transfers on all payments between bank accounts and mobile wallets, zero charges on Mobile Money transfers and zero merchant fees on all POS payments.

Maniragena assured customers that the platform is highly secured. Credit cards and account details are protected from hackers.

“We have invested in cybersecurity to intercept and fight attacks from hackers. Our customers are safe to buy and sell using our platform at all times.”

eMall is also SSL certified, which means that it allows secure connections from web servers to browsers.

For sellers, fees for listing items on the platform have been reduced by a half which consequently allowed sellers to reduce items prices.

Usually, a Rwf 50,000 fee was requested for opening an account on eMall but it has also been waived.

eMall works with more than 40 retail outlets and shops around Kigali. Orders are delivered between 20 minutes and an hour depending on the location of the customer.

Customers can download eMall application and create an account using both mobile phone or computer or dial +250788385830 for immediate assistance.

In addition, customers can access their website with a smartphone or a laptop without the need to download the application.

In 2012, to promote the tourism industry in Rwanda and provide tourists and visitors with luxury accommodation, Ruhengeri Diocese started the construction of Fatima Hotel in Mubuga village, Cyuve cell, Rwebeye sector, Musanze district.

The hotel is located on the main road to Rubavu in the center of Musanze a few blocks away from the district’s office. Construction started in 2013 and was completed in 2017. It was inaugurated on August 19th, 2017.

Apart from being strategically located along the main road to Rubavu, Fatima Hotel is also in close proximity to Musanze airport and a few miles away from the Volcanoes National Park.

Fatima Hotel also provides a great range of facilities including a gymnasium and a chapel that pilgrims can access at will.

Father Nizeyimana Celestin, Fatima Hotel General Manager told IGIHE that Fatima Hotel was thought of as a landmark in Musanze city which would attract countless visitors.

Accommodation

Fatima Hotel is a bastion of modern luxury as it provides rooms ranked from ‘Presidential Suite’ to ‘Presidential Menu Suite’ equipped with a living room, bedrooms, and ample kitchens.

It blends sophisticated rooms, personalized service and home equipment including a television set, a refrigerator, cooking stoves and a modern bathroom that can add a touch of luxury to your stay. Visitors also have access to a sumptuous massage center.

The hotel boasts a re-creation of a family setting with sets that have the capacity of accommodating an entire family and emulate the cozy feeling of a home.

Fatima Hotel is much more than a place to shower and sleep. It is a home away from home and, whether, on business or vacation, you have to feel comfortable and relaxed.

Father Nizeyimana says visitors have rated Fatima Hotel as the best hotel in Rwanda.
Fatima Hotel offers conference rooms with modern equipment for meetings including free high speed WIFI, projectors, white boards, and a sound system to mention a few.
Restaurant and high-quality food

Fatima Hotel offers the best cuisines and plenty of food choices visitors can expect when visiting a luxury hotel. Meals are prepared by the most competent chefs who use fresh local ingredients.

Fatima Hotel offers an onslaught of deliciousness from morning to night. The hotel has a particularity of owning a bakery and an in-house barista to launch you into a unique, authentic and artisan coffee experience.

The hotel employs chefs from across the world to fulfill visitors’ boldest gastronomic fantasies. For a daring supper, the hotel offers fish specialties rich in calories and fiber and invites live music bands to entertain visitors for the evening.

Sports activities

For visitors who like to keep fit and active during their holidays, Fatima Hotel offers fabulous sports and leisure equipment to keep them on the move including a swimming pool, gym, massage, and sauna.

Father Nizeyimana says Fatima Hotel is the ultimate rejuvenation and relaxation destination.

Customer service

Besides plush bathrobes, fresh bed linens, and spotless floors, Fatima Hotel prides itself in quality customer care service. The hotel meets visitors with an airport shuttle service and affordable transport to tourist destinations including the Volcanoes National Park as well as a professional security team to keep visitors safe.

Despite the hotel being catholic-owned, visitors from other religions are the most welcome as well and free to exercise their beliefs.

Last but not least, visitors can enjoy their stay at the hotel bars which offer a panoramic view of the volcanoes. “Visitors can enjoy their stay at the counter with breathtaking scenery to the volcanoes.”

Revenues from the hotel are used to help the needy as that was the original idea when the diocese started building it.

For more information, email us at www.fatimahotel.rw or Info@fatimahotel.rw

Telephone: 0788753875

It is against this background that ESSOKA Corporation has introduced the ESSOKA Cybersecurity Division (ECSD), with the purpose of promoting a more proactive and adaptive professional approach in the fight against cybercrimes, using a framework of education and services through International Standardized Cyber Security Training Programs.

The ECSD operates under Cyber4Africa by African (C4A) Project, created to empower Africans with the ability to secure their own cyberspace through one of the leading technocratic virtuoso development programs that have over 29 International licenses in information technology, communication technology, and cybersecurity.

Dr. Coach Achu Gustave, the ECSD Corporate/ Cyber Strategist, and Instructor says they want to squarely address cybersecurity issues despite the current education challenges in Africa. “The kind of education given in Africa is currently the main challenge to training; the academia education is not what Africa needs right now, because school-based and state-regulated provision cannot respond as rapidly and flexible as industry-standard education can, to technological changes as the in-company training that is strategically and well-integrated.

He adds that expertise needs to be directed not by abstract and theoretical knowledge but by a more practice-based curriculum.

Dr. Achu explains that the main purpose of the C4A project designed for Africa is to train the most advanced technocrats in cybersecurity using a work-based exhaustive certification framework that covers the fundamental core, advanced threats and industrial standards in information technology, communication technology, and cybersecurity.

“We have put in place programs to train individuals in offering cyber services in Africa. These programs focus on training that will establish state, industry and cybersecurity experts to improve Africa’s capacity to prevent, defend and respond to cybercrime without any need to call on Chinese or Arabic countries for support. ”

“At ECSD, we provide a comprehensive development path that delivers the most outstanding cybersecurity practices from Africa to the rest of the world, using international standardized cybersecurity training programs, partnerships, certification and services that address cybersecurity challenges and needs in partnership with EC-Council, Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA, and many more.”

Dr. Achu encourages whoever is interested in IT programs and cybersecurity to join these programs, in order to secure Africa’s cyber services and having them secured by Africans. He says that the ultimate goal is to have a cyber-security system for Rwanda provided by Rwandans.

Besides the affordability, DND Developers are committed to leaving a greener footprint with eco-friendly houses. The company’s headquarters are in Nyarutarama, in the City of Kigali.

The houses under construction are three bedrooms houses and four bedrooms villas. The houses are being built to have a compound, a garden, and parking spaces and the villas are offering a much bigger space.

DND Developers real estate development company that was established in 2015 with the goal of promoting the development of the country through affordable housing solutions.

In an interview with IGIHE, DND Developers Managing Director, Daniel Mehari, said that in the last three years, they have completed 23 housing units and that almost all the units have already been sold.

That is why they have embarked on the construction of 23 new houses of which completion will be February 2020. “In a bid to assist homebuyers, we are offering a 10% discount on all our units for bookings during the month of December 2019. Units that were being sold at $110,000 are being sold at $100,000 now while those that were being sold at $75,000 are offered at $67,500.

“The difference between DND Developers and other real estate and construction companies is that we use the available land efficiently and provide spacious houses. Since 2016, we have built up to 23 units in Nyarutarama spread on only 3000 square meters. Usually, homeowners have been constructing a house on 1000 – 2000 square meters but our expertise allowed us to build 23 units on only 3000 square meters.
Our aim is to make a difference in the real estate industry and efficiency in land use. Houses with 3 rooms will have parking yards for two cars and other amenities and will be sold at $110,000 while houses with 4 rooms will be sold at $160,000.”

Eng. Daniel Mehari says all homebuyers are welcome to visit their site and chose units of their liking and also recommend the houses to their friends and family. Homebuyers can either make upfront payments or pay in installments within 4 to 12 months.

For more information, visit DND headquarters in Nyarutarama, KG314st or dial +250789664020. You can also send an email on dndrwanda@gmail.com or visit their website www.dnddevelopers.com.

This event will take place on Thursday, October 03rd, 2019, at the Avenue des Poids Lourds near Kigali Car Wash, Kimihurura.

Through its commitment to efficiently serve customers, Hyundai-Rwanda has opened a garage that checks Hyundai cars.

These cars will be checked in Hyundai Rwanda Ltd Garage in a place known as car wash – from 8 am to 5 Pm.

Hyundai launched its operations in Rwanda in 2011, when President Paul Kagame asked the company to come and invest in Rwanda’s market, during his visit in South-Korea.

The celebration of the international event saw over 300 Yoga enthusiasts, including members of the diplomatic corps based in Kigali, Indians, Rwandan and foreign yoga teachers.
The event included several Yoga sessions, a short film on Yoga’s history and a message of the Prime Minister of India, H.E. Narendra Modi on the occasion of the Yoga Day.

Speaking at the event, the High Commissioner of India to Rwanda, Oscar Kerketta said that Yoga brings about harmony between man and nature and is a holistic approach towards health and well-being.

“There is a misconception about Yoga that it is associated with certain religions. Yoga is universal and has nothing to do with religion. People of all religions can practice Yoga to live a healthy life without compromising on their religious beliefs,” says Kerketta.

Kerketta further added that Yoga can be practiced in complementarity with other forms of physical activities like jogging, swimming, aerobics, or any other sports.

The idea of having an International Day of Yoga was mooted by Prime Minister Modi at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2014, following which, a resolution was adopted by the United Nations to declare June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. The resolution was co-sponsored by 177 nations, which is a record in UN history. This year marks the 5th International Day of Yoga.

Yoga evolved in India more than 5000 years ago and along with Ayurveda has been an integral part of the traditional Indian healthcare system. What separates Yoga from another form of fitness activities is its focus on mind and breathing.

A large number of scientific studies have come up which prove that Yoga and meditation can ward off stress and diseases. Scientists have begun to recognize the beneficial effects of Yoga in dealing with lifestyle and other diseases such as back pain, insomnia, cancer, heart diseases, etc… Yoga enthusiasts also underline the importance of Yoga in dealing with Climate Change. Yoga practitioners become more conscious consumers, which has a positive effect on the environment. Yoga’s goal is to enable one to discover the sense of oneness with the world and nature.

The project was born as a result of various challenges including increasing demand for sugar which leads to higher imports, shortage of suitable land available for sugarcane agriculture, severe flooding of the Nyabarongo River and water stagnation challenges hampering growing sugarcane, a need for better communication and clear understanding among stakeholders in the sugar value chain, and finally low crops monitoring and prediction capabilities resulting in lower sugarcane yields.

The IITI project’s main goal was to develop a more competitive, sustainable, and inclusive sugar value chain in Rwanda to address the above challenges. The initial objective of the IITI project was to increase the sugar production in Rwanda by reclaiming an area of approximately 1500 Ha in the Nyabarongo marshlands, optimizing the sugarcane yields and sugar recovery rate, generating employment opportunities to an extent of 3000 workmen directly and indirectly, improving the standard of living of the farming community along the Nyabarongo River and thus aligning with the goals of the Economic Development and Poverty Alleviation Strategy of the Government of Rwanda.

On the 15th of March 2018, the project partners held a meeting with outgrowers in Ntarama Sector, Bugesera District to officially conclude the activities of the project. Partners also had separate discussions during the same week to discuss the final evaluation results of project and the sustainability of the project after it ends. The five-year €8 Million project is expected to be officially concluded by end of June 2018 with final reporting activities undergoing. The IITI project has found immense success through the hard work of the project partners and outgrowers and this article discusses the major results of the IITI project and plans for sustainability.

Areas of Intervention

The principle goal of the IITI project was founded upon the belief that a competitive, sustainable, and inclusive value chain would be ideal, and could be achieved through water management, training and value chain improvement, precision agriculture, and institutional embedding. The IITI project focuses therefore on four key intervention strategies:

i. Water management: Designing and installing improved water management infrastructure on approximately 1,500 Ha of marshland to alleviate water stagnation risks and drain flood plains more efficiently, with minimal impact on the environment and ongoing maintenance managed easily by local farmers and KSWL- a design philosophy known as “Building with Nature” and “Living with Water”.

ii. Value chain improvements: Organization of small-holder farmers and increasing their knowledge of best farming practices through tailored training services and value chain engagement programs.

iii. Precision agriculture: Incorporating remote sensing techniques for efficient crop monitoring through “under the clouds” image analysis and crop growth modeling that provides decision support to Kabuye Sugar Works by identifying crop stress, optimizing harvest timing, collection and transport logistics, all contributing to higher sugarcane yields.

iv. Institutional embedding: Aligning Government of Rwanda policies and pertinent public agencies with the project interventions and developments to foster integration and collaboration amongst key public-Sector stakeholders.

Results Achieved

Water Management

The IITI project constructed infrastructure including Primary drainage canals, culvert bridges, river outlet structures with flap gates, and riverbanks fortification on selected sites along the Nyabarongo River in Bugesera, Kamonyi, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge districts to alleviate water stagnation that was hampering sugarcane growth. Construction activities were soon followed by the clearing of papyrus and cultivation of sugarcane on newly reclaimed land.

Key achievements:

• 2,008 Ha of land reclaimed surpassing the initial target of 1,506Ha
• 100% of reclaimed land has been cultivated
• Infrastructure constructed includes drainage canals, culvert bridges, outlet structure with flap gates and riverbanks fortifications
• A 13.1% increase in the average yield per Ha. Current yield average yield is 68MT/Ha at the crop age of 16 months.
• A sharp increase in total sugarcane output and sugar production overall, with 136,000MT of cane and 12,000MT of sugar expected to be produced respectively by end of April 2018.
• Trainings have been given to farmers representatives and KSWL on operation and maintenance of the infrastructure

Plans for sustainability:

• Regular operations and maintenance works by outgrowers through water management organizations and KSWL
• Contribution of outgrowers from sugarcane revenues to water management organizations account that is used to maintain water management structures

Value Chain Improvement

The major activities involved organizing outgrowers into groups, training them on best farming practices and enhancing relationships between outgrowers and KSWL. Outgrowers were organized in sugarcane cooperatives (SUFACOs) and water management organizations (WAMOs) and received trainings on leadership, entrepreneurship, financial management, and training on best farming practices for them to increase productivity and thereby increase their incomes. Additionally the project also enhanced relationships between outgrowers and KSWL through facilitating regular meetings of outgrowers and KSW which have resulted in increased collaboration and sugar production.

Key achievements:

• Nine cooperatives formed and registered in all nine sectors of the project
• Seven water management organization formed with six of them fully registered
• Increase of KSWL estate laborers from 2,254 in 2013 to 2,925 in 2018
• Number of outgrowers in the project grew from 1,624 in 2013 to 3,427 outgrowers organized and trained in 2018
• Improved relations between KSWL and farmers; KSWL has taken initiative to discuss with farmers on a quarterly basis on various topics. An important topic includes pricing trends and payment structure based on the local and international sugar market before announcing the cane price for the season
• Mageragere Sector outgrowers’ Cooperative acquired a truck worth 40million RWF for cane transportation through SUFACOs savings schemes and a bank loan and other sectors are expected to follow suit

Plans for sustainability:

• Organizational structures are in place to improve agricultural practices, maintain water management infrastructures and business development interests of outgrowers
• Farmers are paying water management and cooperative fees and becoming business oriented in searching for their own solutions to issues that arise
• Enhanced KSWL and outgrowers relationships and continued regular discussions on pricing trends and payment structure based on the local and international sugar market

Precision Agriculture

The main purpose of the precision agriculture component was to develop a yield prediction model that would, through remote sensing technology, provide KSWL with a decision support tool in crop management, yield forecast and harvest scheduling along with training on the long-term operation and maintenance of the technology. This remote sensing technology uses enhanced, cost effective and proven airborne sensor technology attached to small low flying drones that are flown over sugarcane plots to take pictures which are analyzed, interpreted and used to support crop monitoring decisions by KSWL. Spectral measurements have been taken and flight campaigns executed over the life of the project to monitor crop maturity and health, to provide yield prediction and harvesting scheduling for KSWL.

Key achievements:

• Customized remote sensing methodology was developed for acquiring and analyzing time series of spectral data and flight campaigns were conducted over an area of 300Ha
• A yield prediction model was developed which provides crop management, yield prediction and harvest scheduling services

Plans for sustainability:

• Project partners are set to have discussions on elaboration of the technology that could lead to a scale-up in other crops or regions to contribute to increased economic development

Institutional Embedding

The IITI project sought to increase integration of local government and public institutions in the Project and value chain actors at large, to ensure that future policies were aligned with proposed interventions. A steering committee was established to hold regular meetings that would bring all project stakeholders together to align government policies with project interventions, facilitate better coordination and help solve problems hindering the project progress. The steering committee was led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources. Meetings have been attended by project partners, outgrowers, The Ministry of Trade and Industry and EAC Affairs, The Ministry of Infrastructure, The Rwanda Agriculture Board, Rwanda Cooperative Agency, Rwanda Governance Board, Rwanda Water and Forestry Management Authority, Rwanda Land Management and Use Authority, Capacity Development & Employment department now in RDB, and Officials from the Districts of Bugesera, Kamonyi, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge.

Key achievements:

• Five steering committee meetings were held
• Two formal operations and maintenance workshops, multiple informal workshops and site visits were held and attended by project stakeholders
• Provisional land allocation of 1,104 Ha (55% of total reclaimed land belonging to outgrowers) of reclaimed land done in collaboration with outgrowers, local government authorities and KSW
• Procedure initiated for Ntarama Sector Bugesera District cooperative to acquire a land lease from the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources

Plans for sustainability:

• Steering committee meetings to continue after the project ends
• Ongoing procedure to provide land lease documents to remaining eight sector cooperatives

The IITI project achieved great results by reclaiming 2,008 Ha of land that were previously stagnated with water in the Nyaborongo marshlands therefore unusable for sugarcane cultivation. This was achieved by constructing water management infrastructure, organizing outgrowers into SUFACOs and WAMOs, providing training in good agricultural practices, introducing innovative remote sensing technologies to facilitate crop monitoring and planning, and finally by brining together key stakeholders of the sugar industry for effective communication and collaboration. The IITI project provides a good example of the kind of success that can be achieved through Public Private Partnerships.

For more information:
Email: info@karisimbipartners.com
gm@kabuyesugar.com
plantation@kabuyesugar.com

Follow this link to read this article in pdf Sugar Make It Work Project