The program seeks to ensure that all children have access to nutritious meals, enabling them to focus on their studies and improve their academic performance.
Although the Rwandan government covers 90% of the school feeding costs, some families struggle to contribute the required Frw1,000 per trimester.
To address this gap, the #DusangireLunch campaign encourages individuals and communities, both within Rwanda and abroad, to support the initiative. A donation of Frw1,000 can provide meals for one child for a term, while Frw3,000 covers a full year.
Motivated by the campaign, RCA-China, mainly composed of students, organized a fundraising drive in August 2024 with the aim of supporting at least 1,000 children. In just one month, they raised funds to cover meals for 2,276 children.
Claudien Habimana Simbi, President of RCA-China, praised the generosity of the Rwandan community in China, stating, “We are committed to supporting our country’s development programs. No contribution is too small; your donation can change the life of one child and have a lasting impact on Rwanda’s sustainable development. Let us continue to be an example of boundless cooperation.”
The #DusangireLunch campaign emphasizes that everyone, regardless of their location, can help ensure no child in Rwanda goes without a meal at school due to financial hardship.
The campaign has also received support from the Rwandan community in Turkey, which contributed over Frw1 million.
#DusangireLunch campaign was launched in June 2024 by the Ministry of Education in partnership with Mobile Money Rwanda and Umwalimu SACCO.
Other contributors to the campaign include Mobile Money Rwanda, which pledged to support 10,000 students over one year with Frw30 million, and Umwalimu SACCO, which committed to providing lunch for 8,500 children over two years, worth Frw51 million.
As at September 11, the Ministry of Education had collected Frw143 million through the campaign.
Since its nationwide expansion in 2021, the school feeding program has contributed to a 4% decrease in primary school dropout rates by June 2024.
Notably, in the first nine months of 2024, more electric vehicles were imported than in any previous year, underscoring a rapid transition on Rwanda’s roads.
This surge can largely be credited to the government’s removal of import taxes on electric vehicles, part of a broader initiative to reduce air pollution and decrease dependency on fuel-based products.
These efforts have gained even more significance in the context of rising global fuel prices, driven by ongoing conflicts worldwide.
The majority of electric cars in Rwanda come from South Korean automakers such as Kia and Hyundai, which have become known for offering affordable and stylish electric vehicles.
These brands are quickly gaining traction compared to traditional market leaders like Toyota. Among the most popular models in Rwanda are the Kia K5, Kia 7, and Hyundai Sonata, with prices ranging between 12 million and 15 million Rwandan francs. Most of these cars are secondhand, typically from 2012 to 2016.
Imported as used vehicles, they usually take about two months to arrive in the country, though before recent global disruptions, delivery could take as little as one month.
Other electric car options in Rwanda include models from Chinese manufacturers such as BYD, Dongfeng, and Nissan, as well as Toyota’s RAV4 hybrids. However, electric cars from German manufacturers like VW, Mercedes, and BMW are less common due to their higher price points.
The growth in electric vehicle imports has been dramatic. In 2020, Rwanda imported only 19 fully electric cars, with no hybrid models. By 2021, this number had increased to 38 electric vehicles and 28 hybrids.
In 2022, the figures rose to 134 electric cars and 520 hybrids, followed by a jump in 2023 to 103 electric vehicles and 2,386 hybrids. By 2024, imports had climbed to 218 electric cars and 3,726 hybrids. In total, since 2020, Rwanda has imported 512 electric cars and 7,172 hybrid vehicles.
Prior to 2020, electric car imports were minimal, with fewer than 10 per year. For example, only one electric car was imported in 2018, and 10 in 2019.
{{Government incentives drive growth}}
The Rwandan government’s elimination of Value Added Tax (VAT) on electric vehicles, replacement parts, batteries, and charging equipment has been a key driver of this growth.
In 2019, the tax exemption amounted to 26.7 million Rwandan francs, rising to 101.6 million in 2020, and reaching 498.7 million by 2021.
According to the Rwanda Revenue Authority’s 2022/23 report, the government forfeited a total of 4.6 billion Rwandan francs in tax revenue due to electric vehicle imports.
Globally, electric vehicles have been in production since 2008, spurred by concerns over rising oil prices and increasing emphasis on reducing air pollution.
The summit’s opening session took place at the historic Villers-Cotterêts castle in France on October 4. A closed-door meeting of Heads of State is scheduled for Saturday, October 5.
The summit is being held under the theme, “Creating, Innovating, and Entrepreneurship in French.”
Earlier, on October 3, Foreign Ministers from Francophonie member states convened to discuss issues affecting member countries.
Topics of discussion included the ongoing war in Lebanon, which is currently engaged in conflict with Israel and security challenges in Haiti among others.
It was agreed that the next Francophonie Foreign Ministers’ meeting would be held in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2025, with Rwanda being the only nation that applied to host the event.
Several Heads of State who had initially confirmed their participation did not attend.
These included King Mohammed VI of Morocco, who was represented by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, and Tunisia’s President Kaïs Saïed, who was represented by Prime Minister Kamel Madouri.
Other included Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Congo’s President Denis Sassou Nguesso, Djibouti’s President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, Togo’s President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, Angola’s President João Lourenço, Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and Comoros’ President Azali Assoumani, who recently survived a knife attack.
Guinea’s President Mamadi Doumbouya also did not attend, despite Guinea recently being released from sanctions previously imposed by the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).
The International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) comprises 88 member states, united by the shared goal of promoting the French language.
In a series of posts on X, Muhoozi issued the ambassador an ultimatum to apologize to the Ugandan Head of State for his “undiplomatic behavior” by Monday or face expulsion from Uganda.
“If this current US ambassador does not apologize to Mzee personally by Monday morning (9:00 AM) for his undiplomatic behaviour in our country, we will demand that he leaves Uganda,” Muhoozi wrote.
He, however, emphasized that Ugandan authorities are not at odds with the U.S., but with the envoy.
“We have no problem with the USA; as I have said many times, it is a country we love and admire. But lately, we have a lot of evidence that they have been working against the NRM government,” he added.
In another post, he expressed his contempt for the ambassador, saying, “Fellow Ugandans, it is my solemn duty to announce to you all that we as a nation are about to have a serious confrontation with the current US ambassador to our country, for disrespecting our beloved and celebrated President and for undermining the constitution of Uganda.”
Gen. Muhoozi’s outburst is seen as an escalation of tensions between the Ugandan leadership and the U.S., following recent sanctions imposed by the U.S. against four officers in the Ugandan Police Force (UPF) for alleged human rights violations, including torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment and punishment.
In the sanctions announced on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, the U.S. Department of State identified the sanctioned officials as Bob Kagarura, former Wamala Regional Police Commander, and Alex Mwine, former District Police Commander for Mitanya District.
Others include Elly Womanya, who at the time of the alleged violations was Senior Commissioner and Deputy Director of UPF’s Criminal Investigations Division in charge of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), and Hamdani Twesigye, previously Deputy Inspector of Police assigned to the SIU.
The U.S. had previously imposed travel sanctions against several high-profile Ugandan officials, including Deputy Chief of the Defense Forces, Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu, Parliament Speaker Anita Annette Among, and Minister Amos Lugoloobi, along with their families.
In West and Central Africa, floods have reached catastrophic levels, with Chad, Niger and Nigeria among the hardest hit accounting for more than 80 percent of people affected, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.
More than 1,000 people have been killed, and at least 740,000 people have been displaced, the office said. In addition, hundreds of thousands of homes, more than 100 schools, and dozens of health facilities have been damaged. Nearly 500,000 acres of farmland has been affected.
OCHA said that without sufficient support, the floods threaten to hinder the reopening of schools, with the new school year set to begin this month. The floods could also aggravate existing food insecurity, particularly in Chad and Niger.
“The precarious living conditions of people affected by the floods also increase the risk of waterborne diseases, such as cholera, which is spreading in many regions of Niger and Nigeria,” OCHA said.
The office said humanitarian partners are mobilized and supporting the response, including food and health assistance, but efforts are limited due to financial resources.
Acting Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya has allocated 35 million U.S. dollars from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund for flood relief in Chad, Niger, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Congo. “But more money is needed,” OCHA said.
Meanwhile, Msuya has allocated 5 million dollars from the Central Emergency Response Fund to scale up the response to floods in the states of Borno and Bauchi in the northeast and Sokoto in the northwest, Nigeria.
The new funds will help humanitarian partners reach 280,000 people in the three states with food, clean water, sanitation and shelter support, and will also help to rapidly mobilize resources to improve access to healthcare, including preventing the spread of cholera and other waterborne diseases, OCHA said.
The humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, said that the floods have created a crisis within a crisis, with millions of people already facing critical levels of food insecurity before the floods.
The ferry, coming from the town of Minova in the South Kivu province, capsized near the port of Kituku, on the outskirts of Goma, capital of the North Kivu province.
In the report addressed to the central government in Kinshasa, the provincial government also spoke of 78 people still missing. The 87 bodies recovered were transported to the morgue of the general hospital in Goma and nine other survivors were taken to hospital.
The number of passengers aboard the boat remains unknown. Local sources, however, told Xinhua a “significant overload” of the boat.
The boat failed to withstand a violent wave before it capsized about 700 m away from the port, said staff of the Kituku port.
Till late Thursday, the population still gathered at the port of Kituku with anxiety and the hope of finding the bodies of their loved ones, observed Xinhua.
The roads between Goma and Minova have been cut off for months due to hostilities between armed groups and the DRC military. Cases of boat accidents are frequent on Lake Kivu due to strong winds and overloading.
The first edition of B-READY assessed the business environments of 50 global economies, focusing on three pillars: regulatory frameworks, public service delivery, and operational efficiency. The report focuses on ten indicators, which include Business Entry, Business Location, Utility Services (water, electricity, and internet), Labour Force, Financial Services (access), International Trade, Taxation, Dispute Resolution, Market Competition (Public Procurement), and Business Insolvency.
Rwanda performed exceptionally well in several key areas. In terms of Operational Efficiency, the country earned an impressive score of 81.31%, ranking 3rd globally. For Public Services, Rwanda scored 67.37%, placing 8th in the world. Additionally, the country achieved a score of 70.35% in the Regulatory Framework, securing the 17th spot globally.
The scores position Rwanda as one of the top-performing countries worldwide and the top-performing country in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In terms of operational efficiency, Rwanda remains one of the fastest countries in Africa and globally for company registration. This efficiency stands in contrast to global averages of 32 days for domestic firms and 39 days for foreign firms, reinforcing Rwanda’s position as a regional leader in ease of doing business.
Other measures that have encouraged investments include free online business registration, automated tax filing and payments, one-stop center services for business permits and licenses, and support for foreign ownership and ease of profit repatriation.
In Public Services, Rwanda’s digitization of public services has been a key driver of its strong performance. Systems like the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) for the judiciary and the e-titles system for land services have streamlined processes, reducing both the time and cost of doing business. These innovations play a vital role in enhancing the overall business environment.
Additionally, Rwanda’s regulatory reforms continue to enhance its global competitiveness. Recent legislative efforts, including the 2021 Investment Promotion Law, the Company Law, and the Insolvency Law, have created a more business-friendly regulatory environment. Furthermore, Rwanda’s commercial courts and streamlined processes for business registration and dispute resolution set benchmarks for the region.
On environmental sustainability, the B-READY report highlights Rwanda’s leadership in integrating environmental sustainability into its business practices. Initiatives such as e-mobility and renewable energy demonstrate the country’s commitment to a green economy, positioning Rwanda as a leader in sustainable development across Africa.
Rwanda’s holistic approach to reform also prioritizes good governance, macroeconomic stability, and anti-corruption measures, all of which have contributed to its favourable rankings in the B-READY report.
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB), a government agency responsible for promoting economic development and investment, stated that this performance demonstrates the country’s sustained drive to enhance its business environment and foster a welcoming climate for investors.
Francis Gatare, CEO of the RDB, participated in the launch of the World Bank report in Washington, D.C., United States. He acknowledged the good performance and pledged to further improve the business environment. Ongoing initiatives include the digitization of the One Stop Center, upgrades to business and mortgage registration systems, and the integration of trade services under a Single Transaction Portal.
“Rwanda’s performance in the B-READY report reflects our unwavering commitment to creating a conducive environment for private sector growth and investment. These reforms are the foundation of our socioeconomic transformation, and we will continue to prioritize innovation, sustainability, and efficiency to attract investment and grow the private sector.”
According to the World Bank, the B-READY report will offer countries a roadmap to create a business climate that benefits firms, consumers, the environment, and society as a whole. The 2025 report will assess more than 100 economies, and in 2026, the coverage will expand to about 180 economies.
Through the Swedish Energy Agency, the Kingdom of Sweden has voluntarily supported a cooperation initiative for countries willing to reach their respective mitigation targets as per the provisions of the article.
By working together and trading carbon credits, countries can achieve larger emission reductions than what they otherwise would have been able to with their own resources.
The MoU, signed in Kigali, marks a significant step in the joint efforts to
address climate change and deepen the cooperation between the two countries in relation to their climate mitigation efforts.
The partnership sets the stage for both nations to collaborate on areas of mutual interest, particularly in climate change mitigation, as well as in supporting the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of each country.
Shortly after signing the cooperation pact, Dr. Valentine Uwamariya, Rwanda’s Minister of Environment, explains that this will foster joint initiatives such as technical analysis, capacity building, and the development of joint work plans.
According to her, this is very important since it supports Rwanda’s already existing targets on climate change mitigation and paves way for potential legally binding agreements that can further both parties’ joint objectives.
“This partnership with the Swedish Energy Agency reinforces Rwanda’s commitment of implementing Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and advancing our Nationally Determined Contributions,” she said.
“Rwanda is eager to leverage this partnership to not only to meet our climate targets but also foster sustainable development that benefits both our environment and our people,” she added.
Through this collaboration, both Rwanda and Sweden will also engage in dialogue and organize activities and meetings with stakeholders, aiming to promote bilateral cooperation in achieving climate mitigation goals.
Martina Fors Mohlin, Chargé d´affaires Embassy of Sweden in Kigali also highlighted the significance of the agreement, commending Rwanda for its efforts.
“Rwanda has shown that it is possible to combine economic growth with ambitious climate mitigation goals. Through its initiatives for a long-term green transition, Rwanda is an inspiration for other countries,” she said.
Martina emphasized that Sweden is committed to financing high-quality greenhouse gas mitigation activities in Rwanda that provide substantial contributions to the energy transition in the country
The MoU sets the foundation for Rwanda and Sweden to develop a Bilateral
Cooperation Agreement which would enable Sweden to finance emission reduction projects in Rwanda.
According to her, this will support Rwanda and Sweden’s national efforts to meet their climate targets and drive sustainable development.
The Swedish Energy Agency is the country´s lead agency on Article 6, with a mandate from the Swedish government to enter into bilateral agreements with other countries.
In a statement, the government agency responsible for promoting economic development and investment in Rwanda said the country has responded swiftly and proactively to contain the virus since the first cases were identified a week ago.
The management expressed confidence that the measures put in place were satisfactory and encouraged businesses to continue operating normally, while also urging business owners to follow the Ministry of Health’s enhanced hygiene guidelines, such as conducting temperature checks and providing hand washing or sanitizing stations at building entrances.
“These measures are essential for keeping businesses running smoothly while safeguarding the health of staff and customers,” the statement reads.
Regarding tourists, RDB stated that tourism in Rwanda remains safe, with the health and safety of visitors being a top priority.
“Visitors can travel with confidence, knowing that all necessary action is being taken to prevent the spread of Marburg,” RDB assured.
The agency noted that since Marburg is not airborne and does not spread asymptomatically, the likelihood of travel restrictions coming into effect is minimal.
“Tourists can rest assured that operators, hotels, and other service providers are following strict hygiene protocols, including temperature checks, regular handwashing, the availability of sanitizing stations, and enhanced cleanliness practices,” RDB added.
RDB also confirmed that Rwanda, which has become a hub for hosting international events, continues to host events safely, ensuring that the health and safety of attendees are the highest priority.
The agency directed event venues to implement additional hygiene measures, such as temperature checks, the provision of handwashing facilities, and encouraging minimal close contact between attendees.
“This balanced approach, which is based on scientific evidence, allows for events to continue while ensuring the safety of all participants and staff,” RDB stated.
The agency also assured investors of government interventions, saying the proactive public health measures put in place effectively balance the need for public safety with the importance of maintaining economic stability. This ensures that Rwanda remains open for investors.
“Rwanda’s evidence-based and effective response to public health challenges demonstrates why Rwanda is a reliable choice for investors,” the agency added.
Rwanda confirmed its first-ever Marburg outbreak on Friday, September 27, 2024, with 37 cases and 11 deaths reported so far.
To control the spread of the virulent disease that causes hemorrhagic fever, the government has implemented several measures, including heightened contact tracing, suspending hospital visits, banning wakes and home vigils (locally known as Ikiriyo) for Marburg-related deaths, and limiting burials for Marburg deaths to a maximum of 50 people.
Additionally, all healthcare facilities have been directed to implement a protocol for receiving and providing services to clients exhibiting symptoms of Marburg virus disease, with strict adherence to infection prevention and control (IPC) measures.
He made the disclosure on Thursday during a press briefing on the Marburg outbreak, co-hosted by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
“We expect around 5,000 doses of Remdesivir for emergency treatment of patients that are highly in need,” he said.
Rwanda confirmed its first-ever Marburg virus outbreak on September 27.
Reports show that five people have recovered, 11 have died, and 21 others are still receiving medical care.
In addition to receiving antiviral treatment, Dr. Nsanzimana highlighted ongoing discussions with several organizations to accelerate the development and distribution of a Marburg vaccine, which could be available in Rwanda in the near future.
Rwandan health authorities are working diligently to contain the spread of the virus.
Africa CDC Director General, Dr. Jean Kaseya, reassured travelers that the situation is under control.
“We are flying to Rwanda. I will be in Rwanda, attending meetings. It’s an outbreak that is managed and, as we have outbreaks in all other countries, there is no travel ban. And I repeat it: travellers should not cancel their trips to Rwanda,” Kaseya emphasized.
The Africa CDC has confirmed that it will send specialists to Rwanda next week to support the country’s efforts in managing the outbreak.
Health officials note that individuals infected with Marburg may remain asymptomatic for three to 21 days, although some cases develop symptoms sooner.
Initial symptoms include high fever, severe headaches, muscle and joint pain, and fatigue, followed by gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and vomiting. As the disease progresses, the condition worsens as the body deteriorates.
To prevent infection, health experts recommend maintaining strict hygiene practices and avoiding the sharing of personal items with individuals exhibiting Marburg-like symptoms.
