Hope Magazin Rwanda

Telling StoryRwanda’s MAGAZINE

w w w . h o p e - m a g . c o m

Issue 15 September 2011

ANALYSIS REPORTS COMMENTARIES FEATURES

Kagame makes historical visit to France

4

C O N T E N T SH o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1

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PRESIDENTIAL MONTH

INSIDE SEPTEMBER 2011

BK IPO’s over subscribed to boost RSE

President Kagame from September 11 made a historical 3-day visit to France following an invitation from his French counterpart, Nicholas Sarkozy when he visited last year. The visit is expected to open another chapter in relations between the two countries.

Bank of Kigali

Doing Business

P 08

P 16

EAC confirms Rwanda as top business destination

Free education in Rwanda

Women economic empowerment in EAC

Tourism tops Rwanda’s investments

Correct working postures good for your health

One Laptop per Child Program in Rwanda

Women Equality and Peace Keeping Missions

The rising food prices in Rwanda

P 22

P12

P 42

Rwanda hosts

3rd Coffee Cup of Excellence Competitions

PrimusGuma Guma Superstar

P 32P 46P 48P 52 P 62P 66P 68

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Telling StoryRwanda’s MAGAZINE

Rebero Daniel

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resident Paul Kagame

recently returned from

his historical three-day

visit to France follow-

ing an invitation from

his French counterpart Nico-

las Sarkozy when he visited last

year.

2006 ended with cutting ties be-

tween Rwanda and France, the rift

between the two countries was

ignited by the humiliation meted

upon the RPF officials that had

gone to negotiate with the French

government in 1992, worsened

by the French army involvement

with the then Rwanda government

during the 4 year war, cemented

by allegations of RPA’s involve-

ment in downing the Habyarimana

plane in 1994, and escalated by

the infamous Bruguière indict-

ment.

President Paul Kagame has al-

ways refused to be a hostage of

history. Rwandans have been de-

liberately building structures and

institutions that have rejuvenated

their pride, resuscitated their dig-

nity and re-affirmed their com-

mitment to build a strong, united

Rwanda.

In the process of delivering justice

in Rwanda, restorative other than

retributive justice has been em-

ployed, reconciliatory other than

punitive drums are being sound-

7

P ed, pacification, along the way,

taking the place of avenging and

revenging. Now, these reconcilia-

tory, restorative and pacification

tenets are being carried to greater

heights—international level. If the

parents of this generation sowed

the seeds of hate, we harvested

them in 1994—by way of the cru-

elest massacre of the recent cen-

turies—genocide—the children of

this generation should sow seeds

of unity, peace, oneness and to-

getherness, amongst ourselves

and even those international play-

ers that deranged our history—

France inclusive. The fruits of this

will, certainly, be a greater, devel-

oping and united Rwanda.

Mutual trust and mutual respect

should be some of the defining

precepts in this new partnership

between Rwanda and France. You

do not ostracize a country and its

people and expect ‘hozzanas’ in

return. NO.

President Kagame and Sarkozy

have done good to hit this ‘refresh’

button.

Rwandans have gone through de-

cades of suffering to fully restore

their dignity, peace and security,

improve their standards of living

and achieve desired levels of de-

velopment.

This is a process that must

continue.

The weight of History, Dignity in Franco-Rwanda Partnership

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F E A T U R EF E A T U R E H o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1H o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1

www.hope-mag.com 8

Rwanda’s second hugely oversub-

scribed initial public offer by Bank

of Kigali, the country’s largest bank

by assets is expected to increase activity

on Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE) with in-

creased local participation.

While the government had initially planned

to raise Rwf37.5 billion ($63 million) from its

recent sale of 300.3 shares or 25 per cent at

Rwf 125($0.21 cents) in the bank, the offer

attracted applications worth Rwf103 billion

($ $ 172.8 million), representing a subscrip-

tion rate of 274 per cent.

However, unlike the country’s first IPO offer

by Bralirwa a local brewery and soft drinkers

maker where the international investor’s pool

recorded the highest over subscription with

relatively low local participation, for the BK

offer - 75 per cent of the total 6,636 appli-

cations received were from Rwandans.

“During the offer period, in the first one

week, we had already achieved 100 percent

subscription which is different from the first

offer of Bralirwa where people started buy-

ing in the last week of offer,” said Mr John

Rwangombwa, the Finance Minister an-

nouncing offer results.

Mr Rwangombwa added that the domestic

retail investor’s oversubscription of 128 per

cent was a strong signal of improved public

awareness of the capital markets concept.

“We had applicants from all over the country

and all over the region. Over subscription is

a good sign- that shows people have confi-

dence in the economy.” he added.

Analysts say the huge oversubscription in

addition to increased local participation is

likely to boost activity on RSE with a free float

of over 45 per cent giving it much needed

momentum to grow.

BK’s listing on August 29th is expected to

stimulate more activity on secondary market

Bank of Kigali IPO’s over subscribed offer to boost activity on Rwanda Stock Exchange

9 www.hope-mag.com


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given excess demand for shares as shown

by oversubscription in the different investor

pools with a substantial number of investors

expected to get refunds.

The retail investor’s pool was oversubscribed

by 291 percent, institutional investors from

Rwanda 165 percent, institutional investors

from the region 221 percent, international

investors 330 percent and BK employees

and Management 135 percent of the offer

respectively.

“ We only had three listed companies – two

cross listings (NMG and KCB) which do not

trade much while public awareness was not

yet enough. To attract people to cross list-

ings is not easy for a young market like ours

compared to attracting them for an IPO,”

says Mr Celestin Rwabukumba, the Op-

erations Manager, Capital Market Advisory

Council (CMAC).

He noted that the country’s first IPO from

a domestic company – Bralirwa has so far

generated solid interest with close to 4000

investors while BK’s hugely oversubscribed

offer will attract more investors.

“The more people we have at the primary

level (market), the more we are likely to have

on the secondary market,” Mr Rwabukumba

observes, adding that Bralirwa’s positive

performance since listing will encourage in-

vestors to be active on the secondary mar-

ket.

Since its listing in January this year , Bra-

lirwa’s share price has surged from Rwf 136

($0.22) - the initial listing price to Rwf242

($0.40cents) with over 30 million shares

traded with a turnover of about Rwf5billion

($84,317.0).

“It (Bralirwa share price) has appreciated up

and down but it has never gone back to the

original price; this has attracted investors,”

The privatization of Bralirwa and BK through

the capital market is part of the govern-

ment’s broader strategy to divest from com-

panies it owns shares in to facilitate de-

velopment of capital markets and increase

alternative sources of long-term capital for

businesses.

“It is now possible to see companies actu-

ally wanting to do it (raise capital through

the capital markets) once we begin seeing

companies like Bralirwa and BK going into

the market to access funds without neces-

sary issuing equity (but) purely debt based

capital market based structures which is

what we have in other markets,” says Mr

Maurice Toroitich, the Managing Director of

KCB Rwanda.

However, Mr Toroitich observes that given

that the region already has developed stock

exchanges, for RSE to stay afloat and attract

more investors it will have to offer good re-

turns on investment.

“The issue is whether the institutions that are

going into the capital markets to raise fund-

ing can be able to actually raise that return

that the shareholders and investors are look-

ing for.

An international investor is looking at op-

portunities of investing in Rwanda compared

to investing in other countries like Singapore

and the region itself.” he said.

More IPOs are expected on RSE as

government has lined up at least five

companies for privatization through

the capital markets including MTN

Rwanda, Commercial Bank of Rwanda

(BCR), insurance company – Sonarwa

and Cement factory Cimerwa.

“Stock exchanges generally evolve to reflect

the economy – as Rwanda develops you

would expect that there will be other banks,

telecom , health care, construction , con-

sumer companies listing,” says Mr Patrick

Mweheire, the Chief Executive Officer of

East Africa , Renaissance Capital , the lead

transaction advisor of BK IPO.

Mr Mweheire notes that the country needs

sufficient players in the market to provide a

sizeable stock market that will attract more

investors.

“The idea is to have government continue

to have more companies to list,” he said,

adding that already incentives have been put

in place to attract investors including capital

gain and financial incentives for companies.

According to allotment results, retail inves-

tors from East African Community including

Rwandans, were allocated 37.6 percent of

the 300 million shares on offer , foreign in-

vestors were given 40 per cent while the rest

went to bank employees and Rwandan and

East African institutional investors.

The government also plans to sell shares in

mobile operator MTN Rwanda and in insurer

SONARWA.

In addition, activity on the RSE is expected

to increase as the capital market law- gov-

erning the industry has been gazetted paving

way for effective regulation.

The publication of the capital market laws is

expected to provide investor protection and

increase confidence in investing in the capi-

tal markets.

The law establishes the Capital Markets Au-

thority (CMA) as an independent agency

that will replace the Capital Market Advisory

Council (CMAC) currently regulating the in-

dustry.

A decree by the Prime Minister established

CMAC in March 2007 to help set up and

regulate the transitional process by setting

up the Rwandan Over-The-Counter market

(ROTC) as the government puts in place a

structure for a fully fledged stock market.

The law will make CMA a semi-autonomous

body under the Ministry of Finance and Eco-

nomic Planning.

Stock exchanges gener-ally evolve to reflect the economy – as Rwanda develops you would expect that there will be other banks, tele-com , health care, con-struction , consumer companies listing,”

10

Presidential Month

ear esteemed readers on this page we highlight in pictures some of the monthly activities the President has undertaken in and out side the countryD

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1. On September 1, President Kagame received an Inter-

national Olympic Committee award for supporting sport

and inspiring the youth in the world, from Mr. Jacques

Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee

2. On September 6, President Kagame addressed the

2nd East African Legislative Assembly’s fifth session sit-

ting in Kigali

3. On August 18 in Kigali, President Kagame appeared

on Mindspeak, an East African Business Forum that was

for the first time held out of Nairobi

4. On September 5, President Kagame travelled to Bu-

rundi where he met with President Pierre Nkurunziza in

Kirundo

5. On August 22, President Kagame addressed Sector

Executive Secretaries who had completed Itorero training

6. On September 9, 2011, President Kagame was pre-

sented with a cheque of 300 Million as contribution from

the Private Sector Federation towards the One Cow Per

Family Program.

11 www.hope-mag.com

12

Presidential Monthear esteemed readers on this page we highlight in pictures some of the monthly

activities the President has undertaken in and out side the countryD

1. President Kagame was received by Presi-

dent Sarkozy at the Élysée Palace in Paris on

September 12 2011. This was during President

Kagame’s three-day visit to France that com-

menced on September 11.

2. President Kagame met Rwandan Diaspora in

Paris on 11 September 2011, during an event

that brought together more than 3000 Rwan-

dans and friends of Rwanda.

3. Rwandans travelled from all corners of Eu-

rope; some drove for many hours to be part of

President Kagame’s meeting with the European

Diaspora in Paris on Sunday September 11.

4. Dozens of journalists gathered outside

the Élysée Palace as they waited to speak to

President Kagame who was meeting President

Sarkozy.

5. President Kagame waves after a meeting

President Sarkozy during a Luncheon organized

in his honor at the Élysée Palace on September

12 2011.

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13 www.hope-mag.com

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www.hope-mag.com 14

wanda is making a name for itself as a tiny country with big ideas.

The reason for this growing reputation has a

lot to do with its broad range of homegrown

strategies. It has a vision and philosophy that

it wants to use to reach its political and de-

velopment goals. The leadership imagines

that the best way to sustain both objectives is

through the pursuit of homegrown solutions.

When you visit the website of the Rwanda

Governance Advisory Council (RGAC), head-

ed by the great Rwandan intellectual Prof.

Anastase Shyaka, an aptly titled ‘innovation’

section tells you about these homegrown so-

lutions: Ubudehe, Abunzi, and Umuganda.

These innovations are part of a larger story

that is largely untold.

Apart from the internationally known but often

misinterpreted gacaca, the rest of those ini-

tiatives are less known beyond the Rwandan

borders. That they are not as popular is both

a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing be-

cause it speaks to their authenticity, as prod-

ucts that are inspired by Rwandan tradition;

it can, therefore, be expected that not many

people outside Rwanda would know much

about them. It is a curse because despite their

usefulness in terms of fighting poverty and

uniting Rwandans, not much has been done

in terms of telling such a wonderful story. It is

a beautiful story that must be told. And partly,

this article responds to that call.

Ubudehe and Girinka

Broadly, Ubudehe is a social protection

mechanism. It attacks extreme poverty by

empowering communities to engage in mu-

tual assistance aimed at those most eco-

nomically vulnerable. A community meets

and involves itself in a dialogical exchange

that results in the determination of who is

in most need of help. After that category

is identified, resources are mobilized col-

lectively and the community decides on the

best way to help that group of individuals.

A similar program to combat extreme poverty

is Girinka, also born out of Rwanda tradition

of protecting the most socially vulnerable.

Girinka is a program where poor people in

extreme poverty are identified and given a

cow; after that cow has given birth, a re-

gifting must take place to help the poor

person next door. Beneficiaries of Girinka

see their human development enhanced, as

Rwanda:A small country with

RWhen you visit the website... an aptly titled ‘innovation’ section tells you about these homegrown solutions: Ubudehe, Abunzi, and Umuganda.These innovations are part of a larger story that is largely untold.

Presidents, Paul Kagame and Museveni Participate in Umuganda.

15 www.hope-mag.com


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they are able to increase their daily calorie

intake; produce and consume milk and sell

any surplus for the much-needed revenue.

Most of them use this money for other hu-

man needs such as education for their kids,

access to health care and potentially save

for the future.

Abunzi

Also derived from Rwandan traditional cul-

ture, the Abunzi are a community mediation

committee that is especially geared towards

promoting a culture of dispute resolution.

Given that is a free service, Abunzi broadly

serves the purpose of expanding access to

justice. It is also accessible; it can be found

at the grassroots levels of state adminis-

tration, at the Cell level. This committee is

made up of 12 residents who are chosen on

the basis of their reputation as individuals of

high integrity and moral standing. They serve

a term of 2 years with a chance for exten-

sion.

Imihigo

Imihigo is a Kinyarwanda word with roots

in the term guhiga, meaning the setting of

goals upon which guhigura (evaluation) will

be necessary at a future point in time. It is

founded on the age-old Rwandan cultural

practice where “two parties publicly commit

themselves to the achievement of a particu-

lar task. Failing to meet these commitments

leads to dishonor, not only for the individual

party, but for the community.”

Imihigo is part of Rwandan ancient indig-

enous governance institutions that was

modernized in 2006 by the Ministry for Local

Administration and the Ministry of Finance

and Economic Planning. In this instance, the

district leaders or local government chair-

person, upon election, sign a performance

contract imihigo with the people, undertak-

ing to achieve set goals at set periods of

time.

Once every year, the district leaders appear

before the people and other governing au-

thorities to showcase how they have kept to

the promises made at a ceremony of Umu-

hango w’oguhigura imihigo

Umuganda

Umuganda takes place every last Saturday

of the month. It is a system of community

works. A community is mobilized to carry out

works of general public interest. It promotes

development activities that reduce the strain

on the national budget, as citizens use their

labor to solve their own problems. Umu-

ganda also produces a sense of belonging

among citizens as they go about this work.

Summing Up

Taken together, the overall objective of these

innovation programs is to empower commu-

nities to develop a sense of ownership in the

development processes. Communities are

able to mobilize their resources to not only

big ideasA small country with

fight poverty but also engage in development

programs that are most urgent to them. Be-

yond ownership, communities attain a sense

of pride in having accomplished and achieved

their needs – having solved their problem.

Also, when people work together, this also

creates to national reconciliation.

Crucially, what these programs do is start

a process of authentic development. They

create a sustainable trajectory for sustain-

able development that includes pride in ac-

complishment and an increased sense of

self worth. Here we can talk of our collective

agaciro, as the President Paul Kagame often

reminds us.

Even Museveni was impressed. Upon visiting

Rwanda recently, Uganda’s president Yoweri

K. Museveni took part in a Rwandan tradition

known as Umuganda (community work). Af-

ter helping build a classroom, along with his

host Paul Kagame and other locals in one of

the villages, Museveni had this to say: “We

lost our culture and went to practice other

people’s culture that is not compatible with

our way of thinking,” he said, while congrat-

ulating his host Paul Kagame on helping to

restore African culture.

“But what I want to inform President Kagame

and RPF is that they have changed our way of

thinking. It is very good that they have brought

back out traditional history and culture.

This culture is going to help

us for our development.”

Even Museveni was impressed. Upon visiting Rwanda recently, Uganda’s president Yoweri K. Museveni took part in a Rwandan tradition known as Umuganda (community work).

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www.hope-mag.com 16

he East African Community

(EAC) has confirmed Rwanda as

the region’s top business desti-

nation, according the secretariat’s first ever

business ranking.

The report entitled “Doing Business in the

East African Community 2011”that was re-

leased at the EAC’s headquarters in Arusha

early last month, took a detailed look at

business regulations and environment such

as the ease of setting up a new business,

securing credit and permits, paying taxes

and the enforcement of contracts.

It was launched by The EAC Deputy Sec-

retary General in charge of Planning and

Infrastructure, Dr. Enos Bukuku. The report,

however observed that the EAC as a regional

economic community was still held hostage

to various obstacles to entrepreneurship

and highlighted the fact that removing such

obstacles would propel the community to

greater heights.

“Despite the progress made in East Africa,

the region has not kept pace with improve-

ments in business regulation globally. The

average ranking on the ease of doing busi-

ness in East Africa, at 117, is not much

higher than the average for sub-Saharan

Africa overall at 137,” it pointed out. The

report prepared by the International Finance

East African Community confirms Rwanda as top business destination in the region

T

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Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank draws

on data from the annual global Doing Busi-

ness study.

However, EAC officials were upbeat dur-

ing the launch of the report that progress

in business reforms in the region will be

stimulated. “We are serious about our role

in the creation of an environment which is

attractive to increasing private sector activity

within and across our borders. We can do

this by further streamlining regulations af-

fecting businesses and by ensuring that the

business environment is reassuring to inves-

tors,” Dr.Bukuku stated during the launch of

the report. He challenged the Partner States

of the Community to improve the business

environment by effectively collecting taxes

and utilizing the resources to put in place

the required infrastructures.

“States must provide accountability, provide

infrastructure and quality social services and

security, good indices mean nothing if there

is insecurity in a country,” he noted.

He emphasized that Partner States should

provide skills to the youths through high

quality technical education, encourage the

citizens to learn the saving culture in or-

der to invest and to promote science and

technical education as the key to employ-

ment creation. Amb. Jean Rigi, the Perma-

nent Secretary in the Ministry for East African

Community Affairs of the Republic of Burun-

di said the report comes at a time when the

EAC was being promoted as single invest-

ment destination.

“The report is an important contribution to

benchmarking by the EAC partner states and

it shows that there is much room for im-

provement,” he noted.

The Chairperson of the East African Busi-

ness Council (EABC), Ms. Consolata Nday-

ishimiye stated that since 2005, the EAC

Partner States had grown faster on average

than the rest of the Sub Saharan Africa with

annual per capita growth averaging close to

4 percent. “The region has also witnessed

an increase in foreign direct investment

which underscores the opportunities brought

about by the Customs Union and the Com-

mon Market,” she explained.

Kenya, East Africa’s strongest economy,

was placed second in the report while Tan-

zania was placed fourth

after Uganda with Bu-

rundi coming up last.

World Bank Investment

Climate Advisory Service

operations manager Ma-

ria Miller said East Africa

could benefit from shar-

ing good practices.

“If each East African

country were to adopt

the region’s best prac-

tice in each of the Doing

Business indicators, the

region’s average rank-

ing on the ease of do-

ing business would be

18 rather than 117”, she

said, adding that, “In

other words, if the best

of East Africa’s regula-

tions and procedures

were implemented across

the board, the business

regulatory environment in

EA... would be compa-

rable to that of Japan”.

The World Bank Country

Director for Uganda, Tan-

zania and Burundi Mercy

Tembon urged Partner

States to enact the legis-

lations for the implemen-

tation of the Common

Market protocol, saying

“Partner States should

reduce costs of produc-

tion, eliminate barriers to

trade and harmonise all

laws to improve the busi-

ness climate.

Also in attendance to the

official launch was the

Deputy Chief Executive

Officer of TradeMark East

Africa, Mr. David Stanton,

Kenya’s Permanent Sec-

retary for the Ministry of

East African Community

Affairs, Mr. David Nalo

and Mr. Peter Ladegaard, the Word Bank Regional

Programme Manager.

The World Bank annually publishes a

“Doing Business Report” that mea-

sures a country’s business environ-

ment by assessing performance along

10 major indicators. Last year’s report

that covered 183 economies indi-

cated that within the EAC economies,

Rwanda jumped its rankings from 70th

position in 2009,to 58th last year.

In last year’s World Bank’s rankings,

Rwanda’s improved position placed it

in the ranks of top four African coun-

tries. Rwanda joined South Africa, Bo-

tswana and Tunisia in the African top

positions.

Kenya was ranked 98th position hav-

ing carried out 2 major reforms while

Uganda was ranked 122nd position

having carried out 2 major reforms.

Tanzania was ranked 128th position

with no reforms while Burundi re-

mained in the same position at 181

having carried out one major reform.

Doing Business recognizes the 10

top economies that improved the most

in the ease of doing business in the

previous year, further stating that the

changes under review.

While commenting on the World Bank

rankings, top officials at Rwanda De-

velopment Board (RDB) are saying that

the idea is to place Rwanda in the cat-

egory of stronger economies by tar-

geting to clinch the top 30 position in

6 year’s time.

“Our target is to keep improving. We

are within top 60 in the world. I think

that is impressive. We are the fourth

easiest country to do business in Af-

rica. From that we need to move to the

category of stronger economies. Our

target is to be top 30 by 2017”, RDB

Chief Operating Officer (COO) Clare

Akamanzi said.

The last report by the World Bank

tabulates how Rwanda’s three major

reforms saw it significantly improve its

rankings. A key element of the reforms

is within easing the issuance of con-

struction permits, accessing credit and

trading across borders with her neigh-

bours.

Our target

is to keep im-

proving. We

are within

top 60 in

the world. I

think that is

impressive.

We are the

fourth easiest

country to

do business

in Africa.

From that

we need to

move to the

category

of stronger

economies.

Our target

is to be top

30 by 2017,

RDB Chief

Operat-

ing Officer

(COO) Clare

Akamanzi

said.

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www.hope-mag.com 18

decreasing showing an improvement in the

banking sector competition.

As of June 2011, the market share of the

3 largest banks in total assets represented

49.9 per cent against 54.7 per cent in June

2010.

The change in market share is largely attrib-

uted to upgrading of two microfinance insti-

tutions (MFIs) to the status of microfinance

bank in addition to CSS- Zigama, a credit

and savings society gaining status of a co-

operative bank.

“Competition in the banking sector is likely to

increase since Equity Bank launch is sched-

uled in the third quarter of 2011; with Equity

concentration will go lower,” he says.

spur economic growth.

The country is targeting to increase lending

to the economy to at least 19.2 per cent this

year from 11 percent last year.

However, despite a continuous recovery

process in the credit markets witnessed

since last quarter of last year, banks have

kept their lending rates unchanged on aver-

age at 17 per cent. “With more banks com-

ing in there will be competition for clients

and lowering the cost of lending will be one

of the incentives for banks to retain cli-

ents,” says Ambassador Claver Gatete, the

Governor, National Bank of Rwanda (BNR).

Ambassador Gatete observes that bank-

ing industry concentration is continuously

and increase their capital bases.

As of June 2011, the industry’s loan book

expanded by 15 per cent from Rwf 449.40

billion ($ 757.1m) end of December 2010 to

Rwf 516.80 per cent ($ 870.1m) statistics

from the central bank of Rwanda indicate.

To stimulate further credit to the economy,

the central bank left the benchmark inter-

est rate unchanged recently following three

reductions last year, to encourage banks to

offer clients more affordable lending and

L

Banks expected to lower interest rates as competition in the sector picks ups

oan rates in Rwanda are like-

ly to fall with competition in

the sector increasing as new

banks seek entry while existing

banks launch new products

19 www.hope-mag.com


www.hope-mag.com

uct dubbed “Home

Life Loan” a fast

track loan for sal-

ary based earn-

ers in partnership

with key stores

and suppliers like

Nakumatt, Simba

and Samsung that

allows clients to

access soft loans

to purchase home

appliances , equip-

ment and furniture.

However, Ndahiro

also observes that with increased com-

petition in the sector, banks will be forced

to lower the cost of lending. “We are not

used to stiff competition; this will require us

to double our efforts. For instance we are

already working on loan products for small

farmers that take into account challenges

they face related to limited access to collat-

eral and weather conditions.” Mr Ndahiro

also mentions that the banks are seeking to

control costs and improve efficiency through

increased use of electronic platforms such

mobile and internet banking to serve clients.

Last year Rwandan banking sector assets

were estimated at just 22 per cent of GDP

in 2010, loans and deposits are making up

only 11 per cent and 16 per cent of GDP,

respectively placing Rwanda well behind the

peer group of other emerging markets and

even more developed African peers.

Analysts say this implies huge headroom

for growth both in the short and long term

particularly given the country’s current de-

pressed levels of banking penetration and

just 14 per cent non –micro finance institu-

tion penetration.

”The banks are making huge profits ; this is

partly because the Non- Performing loans

have reduced, interest rates have remained

unchanged while deposit rates have not

shared significantly,” says Simon Kalenzi ,

the Chief Executive Officer of Dyer and Blair

Securities Rwanda.

The Governor also underscores that with

bank’s enhanced risk management mani-

fested by continuous reduction in Non- Per-

forming Loans (NPLs) from 10.8 per cent

in December 2010 to 9.2 per cent in June

2011 and from 12 per cent in June last year

will also facilitate banks to lower the cost of

lending.

Net NPLs reduced from 9.3 per cent in De-

cember 2010 to 6.6 per cent in June 2011.

“They (banks) will have to change the way of

doing business; they will have to start reach-

ing out to clients and definitely this will come

with better customer care service and better

products including lowering costs.”

Ambassador Gatete also mentions that the

country’s first private credit reference bu-

reau, CRB Africa that was licensed recently

holding several years worth of data on bor-

rowers will also help to lower the cost of bor-

rowing. “We have given them all the data

since 2001 and by end of this year they will

have finished computing it to fit their tem-

plate- this will also help the banks.”

However, according to Richard Ndahiro, the

Head of Marketing and Product Development

at Banque Populaire du Rwanda (BPR), lend-

ing rates have remained constant due to high

operating costs of running their business.

“Operating a branch and setting up the infra-

structure is still very high; these costs have to

be off set in the margins we get,” he says.

BPR recently launched a home loan prod-

Statistics from the central bank indicate that

by end of June 2011, banks recorded a net

profit of Rwf13.8 billion ($21.9 million) com-

pared to Rwf4.1 billion ($6.7 million) in June

last year.

The central bank attributes the increase in

profitability to the continuous improvement in

its stimulation activities such as what it terms

as “rigorous and supervisory reforms”.

On the other hand, total assets increased by

13.9 percent to reach Rwf 990 billion in June

2011 up from Rwf 869.8 billion in December

2010.

Capital adequacy ratio (CAR), which is the

measure that the Central Bank uses to as-

sess the amount of a commercial bank’s

core capital stood at 24.6 percent as at June

2011 up from 22.3 percent by December

2010.

This figure, Central Bank says, implies that

banks have built significant capital buffers

over the period under review, further adding

that stress testing has shown that the entire

sector is well capitalized.

Bank deposits also increased by 17.8 per

cent during the same period from Rwf565

billion ($ 947.9 million) in December 2010

to Rwf 665.8 billion ($1.1 billion) end June

this year.

However, this is largely because banks in-

creased deposit interest rates from 6.3 per

cent in June last year to 8.0 per cent this

year, though despite the central bank’s low

interest policy lending rates have been fluc-

tuating around 17 per cent.

“There is no reason why banks should not

decrease their lending rates; we are still

largely unbanked, banks have to expand

their branch network and tap money from the

villages to diversify the source of deposits

(instead of competing for expensive small

corporate segment for deposits),”

Mr Kalenzi also noted that as competition

mounts within the sector with Equity bank’s

imminent entry, banks will be forced to lower

lending rates. “Banks are now charging the

same (interest rates on loans) but as more

players come in the situation will change.”

We are not used to stiff competi-tion; this will require us

to double our efforts. For instance we are already working on loan

products for small farmers that take into account challenges they face

related to limited access to collateral and weather conditions.

Location of the Korean Embassy (Yellow square)

KOREAN MOVIE EXHIBITIONS

Plot 472 Rue Deputy Kamuzinzi Kiyovu,

Nyarugenge Kigali Rwanda, Tel: (+250) 252577577,

Fax: (+250) 252572127, Cell: (+250) 0784 700274/5,

Email: [email protected]

The Fourth High-Level Forum on Aid Effec-

tiveness (HLF-4) will take place in Busan,

Korea, from 29 November to 1 December

2011. The HLF-4 presents a unique opportunity

for achieving better aid and development through

more effective, harmonized cooperation among

governments, civil societies and private sectors.

This multi-stakeholder event will seek a new vi-

sion and strategies for more effective and inclu-

sive development partnership to meet new devel-

opment challenges and to achieve the Millennium

Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. As a pre-

paratory event for the HLF-4. the Government

of the Republic of Korea would like to host the

2011 HLF-4 International Essay Contest in order

to share young people’s inspiration on aid and

development that have affected their own lives.

Young people from around the world are invited

to submit their innovative ideas on effective aid

and development.

2011 4th High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness

INTERNATIONAL ESSAY CONTEST

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

“Building a New Global Partnership for Effective Aid & Development”

29 Nov.-1 Dec. 2011,Busan, Korea

4. AWARD:

1St Prize - Certificate and Prize of $

2.000 1 entrant

2nd Prize - Certificate and Prize of $

1,000 2 entrants

3rd Prize - Certificate and Prize of $

200 5 entrants

* The 1 st prize and 2nd prize winners will be

invited to the Youth Forum which will be held

during the HLF-4 as one of its special events.

(Travel expenses and accommodation will be

covered by the Government of Korea)

** All prize winners will be announced in

October 2011 on the HLF-4 website (www.

busanhlf4.org).

INQUIRIES:

For questions relating to the essay contest

please email: [email protected]

1. THEME

Vision of Youth on Effective Aid & Development

2. GUIDELINES

1. Essays may be submitted by anyone

ages 18 to 32 (as of December 1,2011).

2. Essays must be 2000 words or less and in English.

3. Essays must have a cover page indicating the

(1) essay title (2) name (3) address (4) contact

number (5) e-mail address (6) nationality (7)

age as of December 1, 2011(8) gender (9)

school name (if applicable) and (10) word count.

4.Entries may be submitted online,

h l f4_essay@mofat .go.kr

5. Essays must be original and unpublished.

6. Essays must be written by one person.

Co-authored essays will not be accepted.

7. Copyright of the essays entered will be

assigned to the event organizers.

3. DEADLINE:

Entries must be received by October 7, 2011.

Korean pop music, has become

increasingly popular in many Asian

countries, and is now mesmerizing

European music fans. The power of word

of mouth and the ripple effect of online

media like YouTube have been a major

driving force for K-pop(Korean pop) in

the European market.

L’Express (French Newspaper)

The exhibition of K-pop and Korean films

will be held at the Korean Embassy located

at Plot 472, Rue Deputy Kamuzinzi, Kiyovu

Nyarugenge every Friday afternoon at 2pm.

The Korean Government will provide a Rwandan student with a full scholarship for an undergraduate degree.

If you are interested in this five year scholarship, please contact the Embassy at 0784700275 for detailed information.

For more information, contact us on

Facebook: RwandakoreaTwitter: Rwandakoreaor call us on 0784 700 274/5Email: [email protected]

22www.hope-mag.com

For the 3rd time, Rwandan coffee

farmers received awards of excel-

lence for producing samples of the

world’s best coffees which was tasted by

both local and international cuppers at the

‘Cup of Excellence’ (COE) competitions held

on 26 August 2011, in Karongi district, west

of Rwanda.

The ‘Cup of Excellence’ competition is the

most esteemed award given to top coffees in

Rwanda and most prestigious coffee com-

petition in the world. The Cup of Excellence

is a globally held competition that began in

Brazil in 1999.

Rwanda is the first African country to imple-

ment this program which works to promote

the quality of coffee and support local farm-

ers as well as businesses.

The National Agriculture Exports Board

Rwanda hosts 3rd Coffee Cup of Excellence Competitions

(NAEB) hosted the event. The ‘Cup of Excel-

lence’ was initiated in Rwanda in 2008 and

has become the most esteemed award given

to top coffees in Rwanda.

Among this year’s 189 farmers’ cooperatives

which participated in the competition, 24

cooperatives were chosen at national level

and 36 at international level.

Winners are chosen after a strict competition

that selects the very best coffee produced in

the country for that particular year. Following

the success of the 2008 and 2010 Cup of

Excellence competitions, NAEB raised this

year’s grading standards, so competitors

were ranked according to the world’s best

coffees.

The competition involved tasting of 189

samples of Rwandan coffee at the initial

stage. Only 60 samples from best coffee

producers and cooperative made it to the

International level.

36 samples were approved winners of the

Cup of Excellence (COE) awards. These

were rewarded with certificates of excellence

at both the national and international levels.

Only ten of these samples made it to the in-

ternational tasting level and three of these

were recognized for specialty and superior-

ity. This year’s best three coffee come from

Agro Processing Industry Mushongi, fol-

lowed by Kageyo Coffee and Nyakizu Coffee

as the second runner up and Nyakizu CWS

in the third place.

The winners are chosen through votes

passed by both local and international tast-

ers (cuppers) who were led by Mr. Silvio

Leite. The international Cuppers came from

North America, Europe, Asia, and the East

3rd

23 www.hope-mag.com

African region.

The top ten coffee samples will gain access

to the world market with top winners being

taken on by global suppliers, ensuring higher

returns, and others by national suppliers-

the process will be done through internet

auctions of samples this October, 2011.

The COE Head Judge, Silvio Leite, said that

70% of the coffees passed the selections as

a result of careful preparation of lots by both

the coffee washing stations and farmers. He

was impressed by the high quality of cup-

pers as well as the coffees.

“At least three samples of the finalists had a

great taste and specialness in smoothness,

sweetness and cleanliness; and could win

the world award at the international compe-

titions”

Leite asserted that “Rwandan coffee was

extraordinary and its potential keeps surpris-

ing the cuppers. Rwanda is a small country

but that doesn’t limit its potential in produc-

ing the best coffee. The jury is has been

astonished by the special taste of Rwanda

coffee”

Apparently, Rwanda’s Ministry of Commerce

will also sponsor the top five producers to

gain skills in Business development.

Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture, Mrs. Agnes

Kalibata, was guest of honor at the award-

giving- ceremony. She said that “The Rwan-

dan economy is based on its people and the

fertile soil that we live off and use responsi-

bly. I urge the winners to use their profits to

continue re-investing in the coffee industry

so Rwanda continues to produce coffee of

ever-increasing quality”

The Minister said ‘The Cup of Excellence’

competition has not only helped to put

Rwanda coffee on the world map but also

connected farmers directly to the buyers and

other world coffee stakeholders. The com-

petition also puts the farmer at centre stage

with over 60% of the sales proceeds after

that competition usually going back to the

farmer.

Following Rwanda’s Cup of Excellence 2008,

participating farmers reportedly earned an

additional income of about RWF 100million

due to recognition from the competition. Af-

ter the 2010 edition, an additional RWF 169

million was recorded on top of the competi-

tor’s normal earnings.

Minister Kalibata asserted that this income

was pinnacle to Rwanda’s growing econo-

my, development and social transformation

of the lives of farmers. She said that cof-

fee has become a big foreign earner for the

country, and farmers have to double up their

production and standards of production by

utilising manure and coffee washing ma-

chines.

She challenged world coffee producers that

Rwanda has the best coffee in the world

and this potential should be used to improve

quality and quantity of coffee produced in

Rwanda on the world market.

Kalibata said: “Rwandan coffee is arguably

the best coffee in the world. We have the

potential to top any other coffee produc-

er and we can prove this by continuing to

maintain the quality and quantity of coffee

production on world markets” she said.

She asked the international jury to be am-

bassadors of Rwanda’s coffee and take

back home the message of its excellent

coffee and tea and natural scenario of a

thousand hills which is a home for all visitors

worldwide.

Mr. Alex Kanyankore, the Director General

of National Agriculture Export Board (NAEB)

stressed the importance of the cup of excel-

lence and the value it has brought to Rwanda

and its farmers.

“This event is a convergence point for all

coffee stakeholders, An opportunity to share

experiences, A time to link with Everybody

in coffee, A point to stress Quality, A time

to recognize the farmer and a time of better

prices” he said.

The Managing Director, Alliance for Coffee

Excellence, Mr. Grant Rattray said that the

taste of Rwanda’s coffee is amazingly su-

perior and it has higher chances of making

larger sells at the international coffee cup-

pers competitions and can emerge among

the best tastes during the internet auctions.

Some farmers may not have had a taste of

good coffee producers but may not actually

know the true taste of their product.

Farmers taste of coffee

The 3rd coffee Cup of Excellence (COE)

competition was also a chance for the farm-

ers to taste the special Rwandan coffee,

which was served by Bourbon Coffee, Kigali

center.

The free coffee offer was part of the exhibi-

tion of Rwanda’s best coffee and Bourbon

coffee services where the sole distributors

of coffee cups at the event.

Thousands of residents made long lines to

grab a free coffee cup. Most of them even

kept flocking back at the Bourbon coffee

stall for more cups, which were served with

coffee cakes and many more bites.

“We are challenged by two things; to real-

ize the beauty and taste of our own cof-

fee, and to receive good customer care

services over free coffee- which is so

amazing and exceptional” one Alex-

is Mugabo a Karongi coffee farmer said.

The taste of coffee didn’t only attract resi-

dents but top government leaders and for-

eign visitors also appreciated a cup of special

coffee from the ‘thousand hills’ of Rwanda.

The international visitors said that they too

had the best service and ready coffee at hand.

“The services were up to standard like back

home. Am glad to taste the best coffee which

also has rare specialty” Nelson Valverde,

one visitor said.

Paul Ntaganda, the General Manager of

Bourbon coffee, stated that the company

has set its priorities at giving the best ser-

vices and offers special tastes of Rwandan

coffee.

“Customer care is a priority to us and when

we see clients appreciate our service that is

an achievement for the country’s image lo-

cally and internationally” Ntaganda said.

Overview of the coffee sector in Rwanda:

The coffee farming in Rwanda is done by

over 400 000 farmers

There are over 72million coffee trees, grown

on over 28000 ha

There are over 160 registered cooperatives,

a total of 207 including those not registered

according to the law.

There are 200 coffee washing stations

spread in the districts and coffee growing

seasons.

2011 Coffee Cup of Excellence

24www.hope-mag.com

3rdCoffee production reached over

20.000 tons last year 2010,

And coffee exports reached 56m $

in 2010 up from 37m $, the main

driver of this was favorable prices

on the world market.

During 2011 calendar year cof-

fee exports are expected to reach

70m $

Local cherry prices have increased

from Rwf 120 in 2010 to Rwf300 in

2011. This implies farmers incomes

from coffee have increased ac-

cordingly.

Almost Rwf20 billion was released

from the banking sector importers

to farmers in the rural areas to pur-

chase coffee this year. This is com-

pared to about 9billion in 2010.

Kanyankole asserted that despite

the economic downturn in America

and Europe, the demand for Rwan-

dan coffee has instead remained

firm and increasing particularly

due to increased consumption in

producing countries and non-tra-

ditionally consuming countries like

China and other countries in Asia

and Eastern Europe.

“The demand side for specialty

coffees of high quality is increasing

at a very high rate. This suggests

that more effort needs to be put in

quality and other forms of invest-

ment in the specialty coffee seg-

ment” he said.

NAEB in conjunction with farmers

and other stakeholders have com-

mitted to the following: Growing an

additional 7100 hectares distributed

in all the provinces, Working with

coffee washing stations to increase

fully washed coffee to about 45 %

of the total production of 24000

tons, to undertake to distribute fer-

tilizers in collaboration with other

service providers, to help farmers

to use all means possible to pro-

tect their coffee against any form of

pests and diseases, and training at

various farmer field schools.

Table of the Top ten samples:Rank Washings factory District/location Original lot

NumberRepresentative International Round

3 Results (%)

1 API Mushonyi Rutsiro 32 89.50

2 Kageyo Coffee Ngororero 05 88.69

3 Nyakizu CWS Nyaruguru 02 88.41

4 COCCAN Duhuzimbaraga Nyamaseke 03 88.22

5 COVACAF Karengera Nyamaseke 01 88.09

6 Gatare Coffee Nyamaseke 01 87.97

7 Kayumbu Kamonyi 11 87.94

8 SACOF Rulindo Rulindo 06 87.16

9 Terimbere Kawa yacu/Muhondo Gakenye 01 86.97

10 Maraba III Sovu Huye 02 86.94

Cup of Excellence in Picture

25 www.hope-mag.com

2011 Coffee Cup of Excellence

www.hope-mag.com

COMMENTARYH o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1COMMENTARYH o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1

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to boost tourism receipts

A N A L Y S I SH o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1

www.hope-mag.com 26

While the Kigali Marriott will be managed by

Marriott Group following the terms of a 30-

year contract, the over $55 million hotel is

owned and being constructed by New Cen-

tury Development Limited.

“So far we are on schedule; we are planning

to handover the project to Marriot for

their team to test the hotel facilities (if

they meet Marriot brand standards) by

November next year,” says Solomon

Adede, the deputy chief executive of-

ficer and head of finance at New Cen-

tury Development Limited.

Kigali Marriot Hotel will be the first fa-

cility in the East African region to be

managed by the Marriot International

group. “Everything has been designed

to Marriot specifications; they (Marriot

Group) are very keen on guest secu-

rity and safety. I see Kigali Marriot

increasing Rwanda’s capacity to host

tourists as currently hotel availability

(high end) is very limited,” Mr Adede

explains. When completed, the only

comparable facility will be Kigali and

Lake Kivu Serena with only a total of

214 rooms and the Radisson Blu Ho-

tel with 292 rooms under construction

along with the Convention Centre expected

to be completed by 2012.

The tourism sector is currently the country’s

second top foreign exchange earner gener-

ating $200 million last year almost half of the

total export earnings- $454 million in 2010.

This year the country is targeting to collect at

least $216 million specifically through diver-

sification of tourism products.

Statistics from RDB indicate that in the

first semester of this year, Rwanda host-

ed 405,801 visitors, a 27 percent increase

compared to the same period last year gen-

erating estimated revenue of $115 million

compared to $90.6 million generated during

the same period last year.

“This (five star hotel entry) will boost high

end tourism as currently we cannot meet

demand for such rooms,” says Clare Aka-

manzi, the Chief Operating Officer (COO)of

Rwanda Development Board (RDB).

Ms Akamanzi also observes that the entry of

global brands like Marriot will boost interest

of other major brands to the country in addi-

tion to bring high quality services.

“Even though Marriot will significantly in-

crease additional 5 star hotel rooms and in-

troduce its high quality services standards,

Rwanda still generally needs higher end

rooms and improved services in the hospi-

tality sector.” Part of the draw for these top

hospitality brands including Opulent Hotel

Group which operates the Hilton brand hotel

recently acquired a plot of land on which to

build the hotel’s government’s multi million

project - the Kigali International Convention

Center slated to open in 2012.

The convention center includes a five sto-

ried-building information technology office

park, a convention floor with 32,000 square

meters, a multi-purpose arena that can host

2,600 people, and a 292-room, on-site five

star hotel that Radisson will manage.

With the convention centre operational, Ki-

Global hotel brands

The tourism sector is currently the coun-

try’s second top foreign exchange earner generating $200 million last year almost half

of the total export earnings- $454 mil-

lion in 2010

Rwanda’s aspiration to become a regional tourism hub is gaining momentum as some of the finest global hotel brands are set to begin operations in the country beginning next year.

five star hotel operating in the country.

While Rwanda needs about 6,000 ho-

tel rooms by 2012 to accommodate the

increasing number of tourists, currently

supply is estimated at 4267 rooms with the

majority being provided by three or four

star hotels.

In a move that is expected to boost the

country’s tourism sector, at least two

global hotel brands including Marriot

Group of Hotels, Rezidor Hotel Group

are expected to open shop next year

joining Serena Group of hotels, the only

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COMMENTARYH o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1COMMENTARYH o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1

www.hope-mag.com www.hope-mag.com27

A N A L Y S I SH o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1

gali will not only have to compete with its

neighbors particularly Kenya’s Nairobi that

currently dominates in hosting major confer-

ences but also Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa.

“There is high demand for high quality ho-

tel rooms but at the moment we do not yet

have the capacity; currently the country does

not have the capacity to host international

conventions for more than 1000 people that

require high quality rooms,” says Jean Paul

Ndakebuka, the marketing manager of Lemi-

go Hotel one of the new hotels in Kigali in

the process of acquiring 4 star hotel status

with a capacity of 96 rooms.

“We are struggling to keep the standards

high for our clients who come from the dif-

ferent parts of the world,” he says.

However, Mr Ndakebuka underscores that

limited availability of skilled labour particu-

larly junior hotel staff such as waiters and

waitress, cleaners poses a challenge for

sector as hotel business in its infancy across

the country. “Hotel business is still new in

Rwanda though there has been a boom in

the last 5 years; our senior management is

well qualified with international experience

but we have to put a lot of emphasis on

training junior hotel staff to understand the

business. We are putting much emphasis on

training them (junior hotel staff) to be more

competitive.” Government is also now in

the process of selling assets of Laico Ho-

tel (formerly Umubano hotel) where govern-

ment and LAP own 40 per cent and 60 per

cent respectively, after freezing of assets of

Libyan African Investment Portfolio (LAP) in

the country as per UN resolution early this

year. “Soprotel (a joint venture company

between Libya and Rwanda governments)

plans to sell the Hotel to a company with a

sound development plan; the one who will

buy will either assess whether to keep it 4

star or upgrade to 5 star the requirement is

not to go below,” says Rosemary Mbabazi,

who is currently Managing the hotel on be-

half of government.

The hotel assets are expected to be on the

market early next year after the process of

valuation which is expected to begin in Oc-

tober has been completed. “The new in-

vestor will also leverage their pre existing

network to connect to Rwanda as we are

targeting chain hotels, introduce new prod-

ucts, increase employment opportunities as

well as curbing the wider gaps of required

rooms in the country since the investor

is expected to renovate and ex-

pand the hotel.” Ms Mbabazi says.

The country is also increasingly diversify-

ing its tourism products with a view of taking

advantage of the anticipated increase in the

number of tourists visiting the country once

the convention centre is operational. For

instance the country has ventured into avi-

tourism (bird watching) and eco-tourism as

the country is home to over 650 bird species

of which 491 are presumed to be resident

and 117 regular seasonal migrants. Avi-

tourism is anticipated to contribute about

$12m by 2012 as RDB develops new birding

routes to become the second largest tourism

income generator after mountain gorillas.

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F O C U SF O C U S H o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1H o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1

www.hope-mag.com 30

last year, despite increasing pressure on the

economy arising from increasing fuel and

food prices.

While inflation remained low in Rwanda last

year falling to a record low of 0.2 per cent in

December 2010-the lowest in 10 years with

an annual average of 2.3 percent, compared

to 5.7 per cent in December 2009, this year

it is rebounding mainly driven by increasing

global fuel and food prices.

According to the central bank’s Monetary

and Financial Stability statement released

recently, economic activities have been sig-

nificantly improving compared to the first half

of 2010, as evidenced by growth in agricul-

tural production which increased by 11.3 per

cent. In addition , leading indicators of eco-

nomic activities such as the BNR’s Com-

posite Index increased by 9.5 percent while

the total turnover registered by large compa-

nies in the Industry and Services sectors in-

creased by 23.9 per cent ) on annual basis.

External trade also performed well, recording

an increase in exports and imports. Export

volume and value increased by 58.23 per

cent and 48.09 per cent respectively, driven

by traditional exports.

Strong performance in exports led to a sig-

nificant improvement in imports cover by ex-

ports, standing at 21 per cent in the first half

of 2011 from 16.2 per cent during the same

period of 2010.

According to the Minister of Finance, Mr John

Rwangobwa despite the increasing inflation-

ary pressures stemming from food and fuel

prices, the country is still on track to achieve

its growth target this year.

“We kept our growth projection at 7 per cent

Economic growth forecast remains at 7% despite rising inflation

R wanda’s economy is ex-

pected to expand by 7 per

cent this year, slightly lower

than 7.4 percent registered

31 www.hope-mag.com

F O C U SF O C U S H o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1H o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1

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instead of the 8 per cent that we had origi-

nally projected due to the effect of inflation,”

he says.

Rwanda’s inflation rate accelerated to 5.8

per cent in June from compared to 4.54 per

cent in the previous month, mainly driven by

increase in food and transport costs, ac-

cording to the National Institute of Statistics

(NISR).

According to NISR, bread and cereal prices

had the biggest increase of all items in the

index last month, rising 6.1 percent, while

transport costs jumped 3 percent in June.

“We had expected the fuel crisis to behave

worse than that but it does not seem to be

the case –it has been contained and our in-

flation has not had the speed that we ex-

pected,” Mr Rwangobwa explains.

In July, Rwanda’s annual inflation rate in-

creased to 7.14 per cent mainly due to in-

crease in food prices.

Following government reduction’s of fuel tax

by per litre Rwf100 ($0.161) for both petrol

and gasoil to mitigate the impact of rising

fuel prices, the fuel prices of both petrol

and diesel reduced to Rwf 1,025($1.72) from

Rwf1, 067($1.799) effective June 1.

The Minister said the tax reduction on fuel

is expected to maintain inflation in the

2011/2012 fiscal year at the projected 7.5

per cent by end of December.

“It is increasing but it is still within accept-

able levels…. growing to around 7 per cent

still there is no alarming situation that the

central bank has to intervene ,”

The National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), recent-

ly kept its key rate unchanged at 6 per cent

saying after analyzing the local and interna-

tional economic situation, banking liquidity

conditions, the current inflation rate would

not pose a threat to the country’s macro-

economic stability.

The economy has also been largely boosted

by better performance of the agricultural

sector that continues to be the backbone of

the economy.

Central bank statistics for the first and sec-

ond quarter of this year, the sector registered

a moderate growth of 5.4 per cent compared

to 11.4 per cent last year.

Irish potatoes and cassava showed high

yield with an increase of 28.7 per cent and

5.5 percent, respectively.

To deal with the increasing food prices, the

minister said government is to purchase

strategic stock to avoid any challenges in

the next four months.

“What we see as the challenge is the famine

we see in the horn of Africa that could exact

big pressure on our food production – we will

make sure we will create reserves that will

take us through except if we have failed rains

that will affect us.” Mr Rwangobwa said.

As of May this year, the non agriculture

sector—service and industry—grew by 10.2

per cent compared to 8 percent in the same

period last year, while industry and services

grew by 37 per cent and 19.2 per cent re-

spectively.

“I am fairly optimistic about the economic

performance of Rwanda and I expect that

the government target of at least 6 per cent

GDP growth will be achieved despite the

pressures of rising inflation … The rate of

capital formation in Rwanda remains robust

especially in infrastructure and housing,”

said Mr Maurice Toroitich, the Managing Di-

rector of KCB Rwanda.

“Inflation in Rwanda though on the rise due

to increasing fuel and food prices is still

quite low relative to the rate of growth of

Rwanda Economy.”

According to International Monetary Fund

(IMF) country report released in June this

year, the country’s economic recovery has

been stronger than projected and appears to

be leveling off.

However, the IMF cautioned that heightened

uncertainties due to rising global food and

fuel prices pose threats to the recovery.

“This could dampen the growth momentum,

resurrect inflationary pressures, and affect

the pace of fiscal consolidation,”

Sustaining the strong performance over the

medium term, the IMF said depends on gov-

ernment’s ability to entice foreign financing

for the key investment projects essential for

growth, the external environment and recov-

ery in credit to the private sector.

Credit to the private sector is expected to

expand by 19.2 per cent this year compared

to 11 per cent last year.

“This projection (7 per cent growth) is based

on the observed developments in the private

sector, government’s fiscal stance, and as-

sumptions about global economy,” says Mr

Dmitry Gershenson, the IMF Resident Rep-

resentative.

He underscored that changes in any of the

above underlying factors will affect the ac-

tual growth.

“For instance, if private sector or pub-

lic sector spend less than envisaged, then

growth may be lower. At this point in time,

it seems that the main risks come from out-

side: another spike in global fuel prices or

a slower-than-expected global recovery

could dampen Rwanda’s growth prospects,

”Mr Gershenson observed.

While under the country’s Policy Support In-

strument (PSI) programme, the country has a

target of keeping inflation at 7.5 per cent; Mr

Gershenson noted that it could be revised in

the coming months if inflation exceeds ex-

pectations.

“In the first half of this year, prices in Rwan-

da rose by slightly over 6 percent. It means

that to achieve the 7.5-percent target, pric-

es should rise by one percent or less in the

second half of the year.” he said.

despite the increasing in-flationary pres-sures stemming from food and fuel prices, the country is still on track to achieve its growth target this year.


www.hope-mag.com 32

THE NEW 12 YEARS

FREE EDUCATION…

One recent study by Gordon Brown the former

Issues at Handny country that comes sec-

ond in education today will

be second when it comes

to jobs and economic growth in the future.

Rwanda clearly understands this. Thanks

to the visionary leadership of President

Paul Kagame. Rwanda understands that as

a country not blessed with a wealth of raw

materials it is the skills and talents of people

on which future prosperity depends. That is

why expanding educational opportunity has

received real focus over the last decade and

why creating a more skilled society is front

and centre in the country’s 2020 vision. In

August, the latest building block in Rwanda’s

progress was quite literally laid when Presi-

dent Kagame, accompanied by Ugandan

president Yoweri Museveni, helped construct

a classroom needed to deliver 12 years free

basic education in Rwanda. And this was the

official launch of the 12 Year Free Education

in Rwanda. But there can be no let up: the

focus on education, and particularly educa-

tional quality, must be even sharper in the

coming years.

One recent study by Gordon Brown the for-

mer British Prime Minister, found that qual-

ity basic primary education for every child

in the world could increase per capita in-

come growth in the poorest countries by a

further 2 percent. IPAR-Rwanda, in its work

on “skills for tomorrow”, has long believed

in the power of education. It has long ar-

gued that creating a more effective educa-

tion system is one of the major challenges

Rwanda faces.

More children in villages and towns across

Rwanda now have the opportunity to go

to school for longer. The introduction of

nine years free basic education in primary

schools has resulted in over 95 percent of

all pupils starting primary school. In 2010

around three quarters were not just starting,

but finishing primary school. Many commu-

nities in Rwanda have witnessed inspiration-

al scenes of communities coming together

through Umuganda to build new schools and

classrooms to meet the aspirations parents

have for their children to learn.

As growing numbers of children make it to

the end of primary school, more are go-

ing onto further study. There were well

over 100,000 additional pupils in second-

ary schools in 2009 than there were just five

years ago. The government are expanding

technical and vocational education that will

teach young Rwandan’s the trades and skills

needed in the economy. After the success

of the 9 year basic education, 12 years free

education is an understandable next step.

Numbers at university level have also grown.

Fifteen years ago there was just one univer-

sity in the country; today there are twenty

or more.

This decade of progress on widening op-

portunity must now provide the foundations

for the next stage of improvement. The key

issue is that it turns out that just going to

school does not necessary mean children

learn very much. UNICEF and the World Bank

acknowledge that the medium term sustain-

ability of increased access is questionable if

quality is not at least maintained, but ideally

improved. International work by McKinsey

has highlighted the need to accompany the

abolition of school fees with other reforms

if children are to learn more. And the quality

of education was debated at this year’s Kivu

retreat, the Rwandan government’s annual

discussion of forthcoming policy priorities.

So while Rwanda is increasingly meeting the

“access challenge”, it now needs to turn

its focus to the “quality challenge”. This is

particularly the case with primary education.

A

British Prime Minister, found that quality basic primary education for every child in the world

could increase per capita income growth in the poorest countries by a further 2 percent.


www.hope-mag.com

It is here that the fundamental building

blocks of learning are laid. Without master-

ing basic skills like reading and writing, or

the ability to think critically, the risk is that

the next generation of Rwandans will not

leave primary school ready to succeed in

later education.

In many developing countries, including

specifically in the East African Community,

the need to move from the access to qual-

ity is flying up the agenda. Local organisa-

tions are emerging that are asking how to

ensure that young people are really learning

when they go to school. Take Uwezo, an

organisation dedicated to improve quality in

Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. Or take the

Southern and Eastern Africa Consortium for

Monitoring Educational Quality, a cross na-

tional consortium focusing on how to ensure

children learn in primary schools.

In Rwanda policy makers are turning their at-

tention to the issue. Whether it is in thinking

about better measurement of learning out-

comes in primary school, efforts to improve

the training and motivations of teachers or

reform of the curriculum to focus it more on

the fundamental building blocks of learn-

ing – reading, writing and adding up, the

right questions are beginning to now being

asked. But we under-estimate the scale of

the challenge at our peril. There is com-

mon agreement that many Rwandan’s do

not have a reading culture, teacher pay and

motivation remain a major worry and clear

information on just how much Rwandan chil-

dren are learning remains scarce.

The real risk is taking our eye off the ball

on education. In truth, once resources are

available, building a new school is the easy

part. Meeting the “quality challenge” is less

tangible but in many ways will be harder to

achieve in the coming years. Rwanda can

afford nothing less than a national mission

to ensure the next generation are gaining the

skills the country needs to forge a success-

ful future.

The issue of ensuring sustainable quality

education in Rwanda brings many debatable

ideas on the table. IPAR will be contribut-

ing to this debate in the coming months with

two research projects, one on how Rwanda

should define and deliver a quality primary

education and the second on how to fund

schooling efficiently and fairly. Both will be

grounded in the real world experiences of

parents desperate for their children to learn,

for teachers trying to do their best and lo-

cal communities. But both will also propose

practical ideas for how the Rwandan schools

system can provide the skills for tomorrow.

A D V E R T O R I A LH o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1

www.hope-mag.com 38

In the near future, StarTimes will be extend-

ing coverage to Gisenyi and Ruhengeri and

come next year, more areas will be covered

in the Southern Province. One of StarTimes’

encore visions is to switch Rwanda from

Analogue to Digital system by 2013 and we

are well on the way to that.

In 2008, StarTimes launched its Digital Satel-

lite Pay TV operations in Rwanda. With more

than 20 years’ experience in the business,

the Beijing-based company embarked on

extending its operations to Africa and is now

operating in 8 African countries including Ugan-

da, Tanzania and Burundi.

Star Africa Media officially begun its op-

erations in Rwanda on August 26, 2008

and in the three years since, we have

succeeded in getting a good number of

subscribers because we provide a clear

digital signal and incorporate channels

from other countries in the region.

Our main objective is to provide the

best service to our customers. Once they are connected, they do not

need to queue up to renew their sub-

scription for later months because they

can just buy a scratch card (voucher

card), load it and send a message to

our operators and the subscription will

be activated immediately. This system

is flexible and more affordable com-

pared to other Pay TV systems on the

market. Customers also like our services

because of the technology we use. It’s

user-friendly and cuts costs because

you do not need a dish to get con-

nected to StarTimes. All you have to do

is plug and play, and you are instantly

connected to StarTimes. The StarTimes

Decoder has an antenna that works as a

receiver in place of a dish. The StarTimes

Decoder costs only 30,000Rwf (about 50

US Dollars) with free subscription for the

first month. Apart from the very affordable

Decoder, we also have other products like

Digital Flat Screens and CRTs which you

can buy at fair prices and get two months

(24,000Rwf) or three months (36,000Rwf)

Subscription of Super Bouquet for free

and enjoy over 40 channels.

This September, we are introduc-

ing new channels to our package.

These include MCS, a sports channel that

broadcasts live Football matches, NBA,

Tennis, Golf, Swimming, Boxing and

many other sports. The other channels

are STV Music showcasing African Music

and Baby First, a channel dedicated to

children’s programming which you can

watch either in English or French. Our

other channels are unrivalled in providing

entertainment, nature and wildlife, fash-

ion and above all, news and current af-

fairs from channels like Al Jazeera, BBC,

France 24 and MSNBC.

STARTIMES: THREE YEARS OF QUALITY SERVICE

A N A L Y S I SA N A L Y S I S H o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1H o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1

www.hope-mag.com 40

audance Mukyeshimana is

a happy mother because

she securely brought into

the world a bouncing baby boy. Six months

after her labour pangs, Community Health

Mobilisers (abajanama bubuzima) have not

stopped their routine check-up visits to

Mukyeshimana and her baby, Derrick.

Though her baby is healthy, the community

health mobilisers cannot take chances es-

pecially that Mukyeshimana miscarried dur-

ing her first pregnancy due to high blood

pressure. Since 2005, the number of Rusizi

district women who give birth at the hospital

has dramatically risen.

“Owing to the past ten month statistics, 90

percent of women give birth at the hospital.

There are a few cases of women who give

birth while on their way to a healthy centre,”

says Dr.Theophile Duyishime, the Medical

Director of Gihundwe hospital.

Many factors are attributed to promoting

safe childbirth in Rwanda. Every community

cell has at least two Community Health Mo-

bilisers in charge of following up on preg-

nant women. The Mutuelle de sante (Public

Health Insurance) is yet another magic carpet

that has encouraged mothers to give birth

at hospitals. “Community Health Mobilisers

have educated us about why it’s safe to give

birth at the hospital,” says Mukyeshimana.

The Government of Rwanda has also availed

ambulances and built a couple of Health

Centers in the rural areas which has stopped

women from delivering at home.

Even in the most remote sectors like Nkom-

bo, there is no longer such a thing like tradi-

tional midwives.

If a woman never reports a pregnancy un-

til its three months, she is usually penalized

depending on which Health Centre she goes

to. It has become imperative that Rwandan

G

Antenatal Care: Rwanda’s Success Story

“It’s relieving when women get all the ma-

ternity care they need, and they almost pay

nothing for it,” said Dr. Duyishime. Mean-

while, former traditional midwives have be-

come significant Community Health Mobilis-

ers, and a tool to educate mothers about the

dangers that come with traditional births.

Community Health Mobilisers

have educated us about why

it’s safe to give birth at the hos-

pital,” says Mukyeshimana.

“Mothers must test for HIV,

high blood pressure and

the amount of haemo-

globin in their blood.

Tests help in the

counseling process

of pregnant wom-

en, on feeding and

best exercises they

should do,” said

Yamini Nkurunziza,

a Health Counselor

at Kamashangi sec-

tor, Rusizi District.

A N A L Y S I SA N A L Y S I S H o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1H o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1

www.hope-mag.com

mothers go for prenatal checkups during the

first three months of their pregnancy. These

tests tell the condition of both the mother

and baby.

“Mothers must test for HIV, high blood pres-

sure and the amount of haemoglobin in their

blood. Tests help in the counseling process

of pregnant women, on feeding and best

exercises they should do,” said Yamini Nku-

runziza, a Health Counselor at Kamashangi

sector, Rusizi District.

Statistics show that 48 percent of women in

Rwanda give birth at home in the absence

of a professional midwife. However, women

have been required to pay a fine of Rwf5000

when they do not deliver at a Health Centre.

It’s now mandatory that all authorities get

involved in reducing the number of women

who give birth while at home. In Rwanda,

when cases of mothers delivering at home

exceed two, it is the Community Health Mo-

bilisers and the local authorities that get

punished for not doing their job.

In order to avoid the blame, Community

Health Mobilisers ensure pregnant mothers’

routine visits to maternity centres, at least

four times during pregnancy.

Challenges

The biggest challenge to safe childbirth in

remote areas is the use of local medicinal

herbs. This issue has been blamed on peo-

ple’s traditional beliefs. “Some women come

to the hospital with local herbs or their rela-

tives bring the herbs later for them to drink.

Local herbs endanger the life of both baby

and mother yet many continue using these

herbs in secret,” says Dr. Duyisenge.

Health Centers are now teaching and sen-

sitizing mothers against the use of local

herbs.

Safe birth through prenatal and post natal

care is regarded as the healthy solution to

both mother and child health.

“Prenatal care lessens the chances of deliv-

ering babies with abnormalities,” said Mari-

am Mukakayijuka, a Community Health Mo-

biliser, in Kamembe sector, Rusizi District.

“Giving birth at the hospital helped me to

heal quickly, with no infections,” said Salima

Mahoro, another mother.

In 2004, Mahoro said that she got compli-

cations after giving birth in the hands of a

traditional midwife.

Luckily she survived and has never repeated

the same mistake.

As Rwandan women talk about the dynamics

of giving birth at Health Centres as opposed

to their homes with a traditional midwife,

they have quickly learnt that safe childbirth

literally means good health for both mother

and child.

SEANKINGSTON IN KIGALI

PRIMUS GUMA GUMA SUPERSTAR

rinking from the glass of happiness

and strengthening local talent

The leading Rwanda brewer Bral i rwa, through their major brand, Primus organized a festival that span

across four months. The Primus Guma Guma Superstar saw a

number of Rwandan artists polishing their talents for this most

coveted crown that is metamorphosing into an annual event.

Hope Magazine had a chat with the Marketing Manager Ms Aline

Asselot to have an insight of the whole enchilada

The evolution‘Guma Guma’ became an essential part of the Primus brand in

2009, when the slogan ‘Guma Guma’ was introduced to Rwan-

dans at the 50th anniversary celebrations, to congratulate the

brand for its great achievement in the last 50 years and to wish

all the best for the years to come. ‘Guma Guma’ expresses in

a very simple yet impactful manner congratulations and strong

encouragement to keep the efforts up; which genuinely fits the

Primus brand. Primus, the true beer of Rwanda, is and will al-

ways continue to keep the efforts up to bring the best fun and

enjoyment to all Rwandans, for instance through football with

Primus National Football League and through music with Primus

Guma Guma Superstar.

Music is universalMusic is a very important part of our society as it brings fun to

people of all age, men, women and youth. Stimulating people,

bringing enjoyment and giving talent a chance to step up are

very important values for us. Hence Bralirwa Ltd as a respon-

sible company felt the necessity to help local music promot-

ers & artists to improve the industry and give them a broader

platform for presenting their talent to a larger audience all over

the country. Following this objective of encouraging young mu-

sic talents; Primus in collaboration with East African Promoters

(EAP) has decided to host the first ever Primus Guma Guma

Superstar music competition beginning of this year.

D

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instance by adding dancers and choreography

to their show. Bralirwa and EAP are proud to

give a platform to Rwandan music and delight-

ed to bring fun and quality entertainment to all

Rwandans. We were looking forward to offer

the opportunity for those young artists to reach

their public around the country.

As part of Bralirwa’s corporate social respon-

sibility program, the Primus Guma Guma Su-

perstar contestants have been also taking part

in various social activities. The artists visited

the Kanombe military hospital, as well as the

Gisozi Genocide memorial center and partici-

pated in the community work – Umuganda. It is

important for the contestants to participate in

those activities to give back to the community.

Hype still on

On September 17th, 2011, we will have the

pleasure to welcome Sean Kingston to Rwan-

da for a gigantic concert at Amahoro National

Stadium. Along with all Primus Guma Guma

contestants, both Sean and Tom Close will

perform live in front of thousands of fans. This

event will mark the end of Primus Guma Guma

Superstar season 1, while we are already look-

ing forward to the next edition.

Until end of the year, Primus will also be proudly

sponsoring the album launch of the three final-

ists: King James, Jay Polly and Dream Boys.

Primus Guma Guma Superstar will remain

a national competition. Primus is the true beer

of Rwanda for Rwandans, the primary focus of

our activities is first targeting on our country

and our people. Primus Yacu Iwacu!

And lastlyWe would like to thank everyone for participat-

ing into the great music adventure, the Rwan-

dan government and authorities, the public, the

fans, the media, the artists, music producers

and promoters.

Bralirwa with its flagship brand Primus is and

will always be a key partner in Rwandan music

to bring best quality entertainment to its con-

sumers.SEANKINGSTON IN KIGALI

Tom Close out of breath impatiently waiting for

the final verdict. Finally MC Lion Imanzi opened

the final envelope containing the name of the

winner and announced who became the one

and only Primus Guma Guma Superstar 2011:

TOM CLOSE. Among the ten contestants nom-

inated by journalists, music experts and pro-

ducers, Tom Close has been chosen by Rwan-

dans to be the first Rwandan artist crowned

with the most coveted title of Primus Guma

Guma Superstar. The competition has engaged

thousands of music fans who voted massively

for their favorite artists and the Rwandan public

has clearly expressed his preference through

sending SMS. The SMS voting and process

have been audited and verified by Pricewater-

houseCoopers Rwanda Limited. PwC has inde-

pendently verified the results of the voting and

vote tallying processes to provide assurance

that the results announced during the compe-

tition reflect the votes cast by the public.

The Primus Guma Guma Superstar 2011 Tom

Close has been rewarded with a check of 6

Million Rwandan Francs to support his mu-

sic career and will leave shortly for the United

States of America where he will join the world-

wide known Reggae singer Sean Kingston.

Both artists will produce a single and its video

which will be launched on September 17th,

2011 during a gigantic concert at Amahoro

National Stadium.

Tom Close will be a Primus Ambassador for

the coming 12 months till the nomination of the

Superstar 2012.

All inclusiveWe are very satisfied and overwhelmed by

this competition. It is beautiful to see how

both artists and the Rwandan public have re-

sponded with excitement and passion to this

competition. Primus Guma Guma Superstar

has enabled some of our young and local tal-

ented performers to grow artistically. Week

after week, the contestants have been work-

ing hard on improving their live performances

and clearly demonstrated great creativity; for

Sponsored by

The rolling The Primus Guma Guma Superstar competi-

tion is designed to bring together the best of

Rwanda’s local artists and engage the whole

nation in an exciting and energetic music jour-

ney. During the first two months of the com-

petition, the ten Primus Guma Guma Super-

star contestants have offered Rwandan music

fans fantastic moments by touring the country

through road shows; our Primus Guma Guma

Superstar truck visited every corner of the

country to offer great entertainment and mu-

sic show to their fans: Rusizi, Nyamagabe,

Karongi, Muhanga, Gicumbi, Ngoma, Rubavu,

Musanze, Butare, Kigali, Nyagatare and Gako,

gathering all together more than 130 000 spec-

tators. All the artists were overwhelmed by the

enthusiasm of their fans in Kigali and also up-

country, for instance in Musanze more than 25

000 Rwandans attended the event. Throughout

the entire country, the response of the public

and the dedication of the artists were tremen-

dous factor of success.

In June, the ten contestants went through in-

tensive rehearsals that enabled them to per-

form their “Superstar” qualities to the public,

and achieved their utmost exposure during the

live competition.

All following three elimination phases, live on

TV, have been heating up the competition.

Tens of thousands of Rwandans have been

voting for their favorite artist during four weeks

and the public has finally set the destiny of the

Primus Guma Guma Superstar contestants.

Through their votes, Rwandans have decided

who to eliminate and who would win the title of

Primus Guma Guma Superstar 2011.

At the Final on July 30th, all Primus Guma Guma

Superstar contestants have been performing

their best songs live in front of thousand fans

at the parking of Amahoro Stadium. Millions of

viewers were following the exciting show live

on the National Television. After some thrilling

minutes of suspense, the first eliminations of

Dream Boys and Jay Polly, left King James and

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COMMENTARYCOMMENTARY H o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1H o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1

www.hope-mag.com 44 www.hope-mag.com


www.hope-mag.com

PRIMUS GUMA GUMA SUPERSTAR PICTORIAL

44

Primus Guma Guma Superstar team: Patrick Samputu, Alexander Koch, Aline Asselot, Jean-Pierre Uwizeye, Joseph Mushyoma, Aimable Twahirwa & MC Lion

FaycalJay Polly

Dr. Claude Riderman

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www.hope-mag.com 45

PRIMUS GUMA GUMA SUPERSTAR PICTORIAL

45

Mani Martin

King James

FaycalPrimus Guma Guma

Superstar Winner

Tom Close

Urban BoysKing James

Dream BoysRafiki

www.hope-mag.com

C O M M E N T A R YH o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1

www.hope-mag.com 46

Kigali hosted a historical kick-off conference

wanda played host to a two day

first ever East Africa Community

(EAC) conference on the “Role

of Women in Socioeconomic Development

and Business”, at Serena Kigali Hotel, from

the 5th to 6th August 2011 to craft concrete

ways on how the economic bloc would place

a critical segment of the society; The East

African Women, at the forefront of the re-

gional integration and development efforts.

Gender, especially Women facing gov-

ernment institutions and women pressure

groups from across the region and beyond

were well represented at the conference.

“…while women juggle multiple crucial roles

in society, they remain the most poor and

most vulnerable in the (East Africa) region.

Despite many good efforts, women remain at

the fringe of formal economies”, a challeng-

ing observation by H.E Paul Kagame dur-

ing his opening remarks at the conference.

Worst still, women’s productive capacity in

Africa is way low compared to other parts of

the world, constituting between 70-80 per

cent of the total agricultural force and domi-

nating the informal sector. They hardly grow

due to challenges like; low levels of entre-

preneurship skills, limited access to capital

financing and legal obstacles.

To most people, Kigali hosting such confer-

ence is fit and proper, especially at this mo-

ment when women empowerment has taken

centre stage in the socioeconomic develop-

ment of nations.

More so, Rwanda’s political commitment to

women empowerment is unwavering.

The country is renowned as an exemplar of

gender equality and empowerment not only

by East African standards but also by world

standards. She is currently the only country in

the continent and region with a female ma-

jority in parliament, at 56 per cent represen-

tation. At 30 per cent women participation in

top government decision making positions,

Rwanda has already surpassed the MDGs

target. Clearly, other EAC member states

will draw some lessons from Rwanda.

Going beyond these impressive numerical

targets, the EAC is committed to enhance

Gender equality and empowerment for the

success of the integration process.

In the development aspect, unleashing the

power of women entrepreneurs is central to

maximizing the equity and sustainability of

development in the region as this will involve

the principles of inclusiveness and empow-

erment across all sectors and sections of the

human endeavour.

President Kagame, in his address gave key

interventions EAC should consider to realize

full potential of East Africa women as true

entrepreneurs; Invest in training to equip

women, especially those in the informal

sector with skills to increase their productiv-

ity and also manage their businesses. Defi-

nitely, this requires huge financial resources

Tackling women economic empowerment in the

East African Community

R

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C O M M E N T A R YH o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1

“It is our responsibility as Governments and

regional bodies to mobilize more resourc-

es and ensure that institutions that support

women in business exist and work well”.

“Similarly, we must continue to invest in pro-

grammes that have a direct impact on family

livelihood and women’s economic security,”

President Kagame urged fellow leaders.

In strengthening women participation in

trade, they (women) ought to be involved

in formulating trade facilitation and other

business related policies. This will increase

access of women to critical sectors like fi-

nancial sector, and will eventually curb the

rampant (business) informalities among

women. Women targeted policies are key.

In Rwanda, Gender responsive budgeting,

women guarantee fund, the women bank,

saving and credit cooperatives (SACCO) for

women, serve to empower women, and in-

deed many have been empowered through

such initiatives. Regional statistics indicate

that sectors of high growth potential like

banking and finance, mining and manufac-

turing are male dominated. Women too need

to be encouraged to actively participate in

these sectors. East African women, es-

pecially those in trade, have a lot to learn

from each other. The conference provided

good opportunity to share business experi-

ences, networking and also build (business)

partnerships. There was side exhibition of

women business activities, especially those

in the art and craft sector.

And the good news is that, the Secretary

General of EAC, Ambassador Dr. Richard

Sezibera announced to participants that the

new 4th EAC Development Strategy (2011-

2016) prioritizes gender and community de-

velopment.More important though, the EAC

integration agenda has gotten to a more

practical stage (of implementing both the

customs union and common market), where

the capacity to harness the full potential that

comes with such integration developments

becomes essential. For instance, in tackling

low productivity, the Common Market Pro-

It is our responsibil-ity as Governments and regional bodies to mobilize more re-sources and ensure that institutions that support women in business exist and work well”. “Similarly, we must continue to invest in programmes that have a direct im-pact on family liveli-hood and women’s economic security,” President Kagame urged fellow leaders.

tocol, with its provisions for the free move-

ment of goods, persons and labour, the right

of establishment and residence, as well as

the free movement of services and capital,

provides yet another avenue for East Afri-

cans to better their lives, and increase pro-

ductivity. So successfully the conference

ended on August 6, with the following key

challenges; the general gaps in the econo-

mies of member states, including poor in-

frastructure, inadequate and expensive ICT.

Also, gender specific gaps, such as deficits

of access to critical inputs into women’s,

enterprises, including differential access to

finance, technology, information and mar-

kets; illiteracy; legal frameworks and cultural

practices which put hurdles in the way of the

participation of women in development. As

one of the major outputs of the conference,

an agenda for action was developed, includ-

ing recommendations of follow-up activities

at various levels, from the private sector

to Governments, Civil Society and regional

organizations. Of great significance, is the

mainstreaming of gender under the vision of

the EAC in the next five years to realize sub-

stantial economic and social transformation

of the EAC region through the implementa-

tion of the 4th EAC Development Strategy.

The importance of mainstreaming gender in

any socioeconomic development initiatives

is premised on the alarming global gender

disparities in social and economic opportu-

nities, property and rights.

In the EAC treaty, article five, 3 (e) empha-

sizes “the mainstreaming of gender in all its

(EAC) endeavours and the enhancement of

the role of women in cultural, social, political,

economic and technological development”

Furthermore, the treaty comes even much

stronger on promoting women in business

in article 122— “recognizing the importance

of women as a vital economic link between

agriculture, industry and trade”.

A detailed regional (EAC) study on Gender

and Trade indicates that the biggest chal-

lenges East African women face in taking

up opportunities to trade involve underlying

poverty and gender inequalities, uncertain

land rights, low literacy and education, the

responsibilities of caring for family members

and lack of time for personal development

(time poverty). And, women experience

barriers to trade differently from men and

gender-sensitive policies can help ensure

that female importers and exporters reap the

same benefits from improved trade logis-

tics as their male counterparts. To this end,

the 2009-14 EAC Gender and Community

Development Strategy takes into account;

special programmes designed for women in

business in partner states, encouraging en-

rollment, retention and completion of wom-

en in vocational training, enacting laws that

hinder access to and control of economic

resources.

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Rwanda Development Board (RDB) says in a

report availed exclusively to The Hope Mag-

azine that Rwanda managed to register over

500 investment projects worth Rwf 1.89 tril-

lion with tourism topping up the list with 140

registered projects worth Rwf 427 billion.

The construction and real estate sector

came second in the list with 87 projects

worth over Rwf 408 billion. The energy sec-

tor came in third with 32 projects worth

over Rwf 307 billion. Other notable sectors

includes ICT with Rwf 198 billion, financial

sector with Rwf 175 billion and agriculture

with Rwf 116 billion.

RDB says that it has registered approx 110

projects per year in each of the last 4 years.

“Investment commitment value peaked in

2009 driven largely by several large transac-

tions such as Tigo, MTN, Contour Global”,

the report states adding that, the value of

registered projects declined significantly in

2010 as compared to 2009 due to low value

of individual registered projects.

The “peak” referred in the RDB report re-

flects the highest amount of registered in-

vestments ever recorded by Rwanda that

stood at a whooping US$1.1 billion.

From the RDB report, investments have

brought under control.

“Global Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has

not yet bounced back to pre-crisis levels,

though some regions show better recov-

ery than others. The reason is not financing

constraints, but perceived risks and regula-

tory uncertainty in a fragile world economy”,

Ban Ki-moon UN Secretary General says in

the opening remarks of the WIR 2011.

The UN report says that countries such as

Rwanda that are keen on using FDI for trans-

formation, needs to craft new approaches

in order to bridge such gaps brought about

by the spills of the GFC as FDIs within the

global scene are not likely to improve sig-

nificantly for the next 2 years.

UNCTAD advises such countries to focus

instead on new approaches of investment

models being championed by trans-national

corporations such as what it termed as “non

equity modes of international production and

development”. Among such new modes of

production the WIR cited, contract manu-

facturing and farming, service outsourcing,

franchising and licensing.

WIR report further states that third world

countries in need of FDIs to grow their

economies would also have to take note of

the growing importance that South-South

cooperation has within rapidly changing

global investment landscape to boost sus-

tainable development.

Tourism sector tops Rwanda’s investments worth Rwf 1.89 trillion for the last 5 years

T he tourism sector took the

lion’s share of registered in-

vestments in Rwanda for the

last 5 years.

grown steadily from a low of registered proj-

ects worth Rwf 136 billion in 2006 to projects

worth Rwf 422 billion in 2007.Registered in-

vestments witnessed another jump to Rwf

455 billion in 2008 further jumping to Rwf

644 billion in 2009.

However, in line with global trends for the

last 3 years, there is a decline in investment

registration from 2009 and last year, that can

be attributed to effects of the Global Finan-

cial Crisis (GFC). From investments worth

Rwf 644 billion in 2009, the RDB report says

that investments witnessed a decline to Rwf

231 billion last year.

RDB was quick to point out that to make up

for the shortfall witnessed last year, it is tar-

geting over Rwf 330 billion this year.

In the RDB tabulation, the portion of Foreign

Direct Investments (FDIs) taken as a frac-

tion of total registered investment to Rwanda

,has been slightly more than half in the last

3 years. Given the marked decline registered

by countries in the third world, in the last 2

years, The World Investment Report (WIR)

2011 published by United Nations Confer-

ence on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

says that countries in the third world such

as Rwanda that need FDIs to transform

their economies, would need to come up

with completely new ways of bridging gaps

emanating from falling traditional FDI figures

before vitalities in the global economy is

49 www.hope-mag.com

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Will vision 2020

aspirations be met?

With the release of the RDB statistics one

question begs. Will Vision 2020 aspirations

be met given the fact we are only 9 years

away? “I have no doubt that the aspirations

as enshrined in Vision 2020 will be met given

the current status of our economy”,

Clare Akamanzi RDB Chief Operating

Officer (COO) told this writer

recently upon being asked

this question adding that ,

“We are on track as per our

targets. For the last couple

of months we have reg-

istered investments worth

$142 million. We have big

projects coming up some of

which are well known”.

I pushed the RDB COO to

provide more insights. “Giv-

en the past performance

one can say with confidence

that hitting the projections

for Vision 2020 will be highly achievable. A case

in point being Rwanda’s rising investment rate

that has been on steady progression for the last

5 years.

Calculated as a percent of the Gross Domes-

tic Product (GDP), the investment rate other-

wise known as Gross Fixed Capital Formation

(GFCF) rose from 16 percent in 2006 to 21.6

percent last year. RDB says that GFCF is pro-

jected to hit 30 percent of GDP by the year 2020.

“The picture is not bad. One way of saying

that, is to look at the inflow of foreign debt into

Rwanda as captured by the

central bank, that has been

on a steady rise further

indicating growing confi-

dence in our economy”.

Long term borrowing from

foreign sources by the pri-

vate sector has been on

a steady growth over the

last three years. Central

bank says that GFCF rose

from less than16 percent of

GDP in 2006 to 21 percent

of GDP last year translat-

ing into combined accu-

mulation of Rwf 227 billion

over 4 years whereby GFCF

stood at Rwf 274.7 billion

in 2006 and rose to Rwf

501.2 billion by last year.

Rwanda has man-aged to register over 500 investment proj-ects worth Rwf 1.89 trillion with tourism

topping up the list with 140 registered projects worth Rwf 427 billion.

Sunset Villas Kibagabaga

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very human being has to do some

work at his home or in office or

in the field. The work may be

related to earning a livelihood or to fulfill

some other need. Even a child has to study

and help in small chores at home. The hu-

man body is like a machine and limbs are

tools for executing any work. Man has devel-

oped his skills immensely since the dark ages

and has created many useful things for his

working and comfort. This has made working

easier, and comfortable. Bur many health

related problems have also emerged after

this which are chronic. Many of these prob-

lems can be prevented by adoption of correct

working postures while working.

One of the most common health related

problems encountered due to incorrect work-

ing posture is backache. It is more common

in middle years and after but can occur in

younger individuals also. Age related stiff-

ness of the back (lumbar spondylosis) is one

of the reasons for this pain. In young people

backache can occur due to a pull on the

muscles of spine or even herniation of an in-

tervertebral disc.

There are many factors which if given due at-

tention can prevent backache due to any of

these causes.

Since man uses his 2 limbs for walking and

walks against gravity, as such the back is

subjected to stress. Now when people use

it like a spring bending and twisting it in any

direction, it is subjected to further stress

and result is back pain. Solution to prevent

it is very simple. A person has to keep his

back straight all the time. If one has to lift

something from the ground, it is ideal to sit

on knees, keeping back straight and then

stand up straight. While sitting, straight back

chairs should be preferred over sofas where

one slumps the back. Very thick mattresses

should be avoided while resting, as with them

the alignment of backbone is disturbed, lead-

ing to pain.

If it is necessary to lift a heavy weight, a per-

son should hold it with both hands and keep it

straight in the front. This minimizes the strain

put on the back.

Problem of eye sight is yet another prevent-

able health related problem. This is increas-

ing with increasing use of computers and

other electronic items like T.V., ipod, e.t.c.

Children wearing thick eye glasses, is a com-

mon sight in both developing and developed

countries. They need to be taught the impor-

tance of avoiding watching T.V. and computer

screens for long time continuously. Watching

T.V., particularly those with a big screen, from

very near is strainful for the eyes and should

be avoided. If one gets slight pain in the eyes

after using a computer or watching televi-

sion for long, it is better to close the eyes

for few moments and cover them with both

hands to allow the eye muscles to relax.

Similarly while reading, one should see that

there should be adequate light. Its adjust-

ment should be such that no shadow should

fall on the page been read. This helps en-

sure that eyes are not subjected to undue

stress while reading.

There are other set of health related prob-

lems generated by the use of computers

for a long time continuously. Cramps in

the fingers and hands are one of them. To

avoid this, it is necessary that one avoids

typing continuously. In between work,

pause of few minutes is needed to aid the

muscles of hands get some rest. Cervi-

cal strain and spondylosis (i.e. stiffness of

the neck) is also induced and aggravated

by working continuously for long time on

computers. To prevent this, it is necessary

CORRECT WORKING POSTURES IMPORTANT FOR GOOD HEALTH

E It is also important to keep the back straight and avoid undue stretching or bending,

Poor Sitting Posture

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that one keeps the computer at level with head

and eyes. During working, the head and neck

should be at level with the work been done

and not unduly bent or stretched.

Cars have become a necessary convenience

in life where one has to commute long dis-

tances and time is scarce. But while driv-

ing a car also it is important to follow certain

precautions to avoid strain on the back, neck

and legs. Otherwise people suffer from neck

pain, cramps in the neck, legs and hands,

abnormal sensations in the hands, arms and

legs all parts which are put to use while driv-

ing a car. This happens more in people driving

long distances.

One needs to ensure that the back is not un-

duly stretched while driving. If after adjust-

ing the seat, one still feels that back is being

stretched, he/she should put a cushion behind

to support it. The seat should be adjusted

such that legs are not stretched much, while

pressing the accelerator or break. Rear view

and side mirrors have to be placed in a posi-

tion that one can look anywhere comfortably

without stretching or turning the neck.

Some precautions are also necessary while

driving a 2 wheeler, i.e. scooter and motor

cycles. Most of the models of these vehicles

need a, “kick”, to start them. This, “kick”, be-

comes a cause for pain in the legs or feet or

even a backache if one is not careful enough.

One should press the, “kick starter”, while

keeping back straight, without much jerk to the

legs. This can be ensured only by keeping the

2 wheeler in a good condition with proper oil-

ing and cleaning.

It is also important to keep the back straight

and avoid undue stretching or bending, while

washing or cleaning in the house. Ideally

both hands should be used for these chores

to prevent excess strain on one hand. Oth-

erwise this becomes the cause for painful

cramps and parasthesias in the upper limb

being used constantly for this work.

A balanced and nutritious diet is important

to keep the body strong and healthy. Regu-

lar adequate physical exercise helps to keep

the limbs and body supple and capable of

bearing some strain. Hence one needs to

be careful about diet and exercise also to

remain healthy, along with adopting correct

working postures.

Dr. Rachna Pande

Specialist in internal Medicine

Ruhengere hospital

[email protected]

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www.hope-mag.com 56

arvey Firestone, renowned

Knowledge Management Ex-

pert says: “Capital isn’t so

important in business. Experience isn’t so

important. You can get both these things.

What is important is ideas. If you have

ideas, you have the main asset you need,

and there isn’t any limit to what you can do

with your business and your life.”

Mr. Antoine Manzi, the Director of Employ-

ment and Capacity Building at Private Sec-

tor Federation (PSF)-Rwanda says about

60% of prospective entrepreneurs support-

ed to start through their numerous business

development programs, do not stand a test

of time to celebrate at least their first birth

day. This is very high business mortality in

Rwanda that should raise serious concerns

to policymakers among other stakeholders.

Hope Magazine went out on a fact finding

mission around Kigali city about “Who’re

the mass importers of Glass in Rwanda”

You don’t want to know or hear what the

facts on ground are! Despite of the boom-

ing construction sector in Rwanda, there is

only one mass importer of glass in Rwanda,

an Asian by nationality. No Rwandan.

Is there any law prohibiting Rwandans to

import glass and make clean and big mon-

ey? Answer is No! Who prohibits Rwandans

in venturing in lucrative areas like that? It is

a hard question to answer. His Excellency

President Paul Kagame has relentlessly

pledged full government support to those

who choose to be entrepreneurs. Indeed,

the government’s support to private sector

can be gauged by the immense value ac-

corded in country’s socioeconomic devel-

opment agenda; Vision 2020 and the Mid-

term Strategy; the Economic Development

and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS).

Pillar three of Vision 2020 envisages a vi-

able private sector that can take over as the

principle growth engine of the economy.

Similarly, EDPRS emphasizes assigning

“a greater role in policy implementation to

markets and the Private Sector”.

A critical assessment of what is being

done at policy, and/or institutional levels,

there’re lots of interventions intended to

benefit Rwandans to become competitive

entrepreneurs. Surely, this space can be

too small to enlist all of them.

Rwandans need to learn a thing or two to

become better entrepreneurs. For the Pri-

vate Sector to become a true engine for

Rwanda’s economic development, Rwan-

dans ought to engender more entrepre-

neurs than mere “businessmen”.

Let’s orient ourselves with the difference

between the two. Whereas an Entrepreneur

is one who undertakes innovations, finance

and business acumen in an effort to trans-

form innovations into economic goods, a

Businessmen is a mere trader who deal in

buying and selling of either semi-finished

or finished goods and services.

In today’s competitive business world, an

Entrepreneurship: A Game Rwandans Need to Learn

HA young entrepreneur at work

57 www.hope-mag.com


www.hope-mag.com

economy is better off with more entrepre-

neurs than businessmen.

Rwanda, a country with minimal natural

resources, the only abundant resource it

has are its people. On a very positive note,

Rwandans are generally resilient, prag-

matic, loyal, and people of high integrity…

shaped by a history of hard times. Singa-

poreans too underwent almost the same

hard times and that’s why Rwanda has

chosen the country as her growth model.

Like Rwanda, Singapore too has minimal

natural resources yet it is one of the Asian

Tigers that managed to leapfrog its growth

in merely two decades to become one of

world’s economic super powers. Singa-

poreans (less with natural resources) are

the secret for this phenomenal growth. If

Rwanda is to become a Singapore, as we

so dream and committed, we ought to ad-

here to what it takes to be true entrepre-

neurs, by adjusting the way we do business

to do the following;

Those already in business ought to be cre-

ative. Creativity is the spark that drives the

development of new products or services

or ways to do business. In our market, we

observe some local investors using obso-

lete production methods. As a business

owner you ought to challenge yourself to

innovate and improve your product/service

line. It calls for continuous learning, ques-

tioning, and thinking outside of prescribed

formulas.

On a positive note, credit goes to business

community for improved dedication to their

businesses. At least there is now increased

open hours for business, although more

could be done. Dedication is what mo-

tivates the entrepreneur to work hard, 12

hours a day or more, even seven days a

week, especially in the beginning, to get

the endeavor off the ground.

The area perhaps as Rwandans will need

to pull up socks is flexibility in business;

meaning the ability to move quickly in re-

sponse to changing market needs. It is be-

ing true to a dream while also being mind-

ful of market realities. A true entrepreneur

is always in quest for the changing needs

of his/clientele so as to respond to them

quickly to keep them hooked.

There’s a common saying that in Rwanda

all sectors are virgin…and truly they are. A

part from just acknowledging this fact, there

is need to see more Rwandans ceasing

these opportunities to become competitive

entrepreneurs after all the government has

created an enabling environment.

Lastly, and most important, there is need

for a mindset change.

By culture, Rwandans are pastoralists and

farmers. Some people have stuck to these

traditional methods of survival and perceive

doing business as a last resort…after fail-

ing in other domains. Rwanda aspires to

become a service-based economy, mean-

ing in years to come the country will be

transformed from being largely agriculture-

based to service-based. Thus, the future

of Rwanda lies in the service sector and

this needs to be embraced by Rwandans.

The faster you act today the much better

off you will be in the future.

Selling Points: Gikondo Industrial area, Kigali City Center, Nyabugogo, Kimironko, Gakinjiro, Muhima

For more information please contact: Rwanda Foam S.a.r.l. P.O. Box 595 Kigali Rwanda,

Tel: 573 400, 0788 307 464, 0788 307 532, Email: [email protected]

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rs. Jacqueline Umutoni, 33,

a resident in Kabeza-Ki-

gali, is a happy mother of

two sons; Raymond Twa-

gira (10years) and Tony

Ruhigula (6years). Both sons go to Remera

Primary School, a government aided school.

The father is a commission broker for hous-

es and other properties. Both parents did not

go far in terms of formal education and they

really struggle to earn to sustain their family.

Thanks to the Government Program of Nine

Year Free Basic Education (9YFBE)…a part

from a few scholastic materials, the parents

do not have to bother themselves with school

fees. They are so proud of the Government.

Mr. Theoneste Kimenyi, the Dad, says: “We

work so hard, day and night, to improve our

financial status so we can pay government

taxes because we can clearly see value (for

paying taxes). These (free education among

others) are very expensive government pro-

grams….but you see the government really

committed and is delivering”, he observed in

an exclusive interview with Hope Magazine.

As Mr. Kimenyi spoke, his wife listened at-

tentively and affirmatively nodded. “That

aside, talk about the One Laptop per Child”,

she interjected. “We now have two comput-

ers in our family; Raymond and Tony’s. Even

the neighbours’ kids all do own laptops now.

They go to the same school”.

The Government of Rwanda, quite strong

and focused on developing a knowledge-

based economy, is one of the 35 develop-

ing countries across the world that benefited

from the pilot phase of the One Laptop per

Child (OLPC) program.

The chairman and CEO of One Laptop Per

Child (OLPC), Rodrigo Arboleda, says Rwan-

da is one of the most successful countries in

the pilot phase, and he sees strong commit-

ment coming from her (Rwanda) leadership.

“The results of the deployment in Rwanda

will, in some ways, determine OLPC’s future;

while the program has distributed more than

1.4 million laptops in 35 countries around the

world, no nation as poor as Rwanda has em-

braced OLPC so fully. In deployment, there

will be a proving ground for OLPC’s prem-

ise, that distributing laptops to the world’s

poorest children will make their lives better.

“What is different about Rwanda is [Presi-

dent] Paul Kagame’s long-standing belief in

us and us in him. We will walk to the end of

the earth to help him and Rwanda. We want

Rwanda to be a showcase.” said Nicholas

Negroponte, the founder of OLPC Associa-

tion in an interview.

Now, the pilot programme just ended last

year, and Rwanda has showed strong com-

mitment. In fact, it has integrated the pro-

gram in her ICT development plans at lower

levels of education.

The Minister of State for Primary and Sec-

ondary Education, Dr. Mathias Harebamun-

One Laptop per Child Program in Rwanda

…Kids, Parents Share Benefits

M

ICT is one of Rwanda’s priority sectors. OLPC program will play a vital role in shaping

a knowledge-based economy in the next generation.

63 www.hope-mag.com

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Classes going on at Remera Primary School

shaping a knowledge-based economy in

the next generation. Raymond says: “When

I grow up I want to be a computer engineer

or programmer” But Mr. Kimenyi recalls that

at about 5 years, his son Raymond said he

would become a carpenter when he grows

up. This explains how OLPC has changed

lives and aspirations of many families in

Rwanda. In fact, Mrs. Jacqueline has been

more inspired: “I have decided to go back

and study computer next year to improve my

skills”, she says. OLPC wants to transform

education in poor countries by giving chil-

dren laptops that will, as it says in its mis-

sion statement, spark “collaborative, joyful,

self-empowered learning.”

End of August 2011, Rodrigo was in the

country (Rwanda) on a four-day working

visit which he concluded with a courtesy

visit to President Paul Kagame.

He visited various ministries, several parts

of the country and schools and talked to

many people, and what he found is that

“Rwandans are a group of determined

people, very hospitable despite the trag-

edy they went through,” he said in a press

interview.

“Education in Rwanda is becoming the

cementing element of this consolidation of

peace and prosperity”.

“Rwandans have shown that they are more

interested in the future than in the past and

that is the capacity they should not lose”.

Arboleda visited Gahini Primary school in

the Eastern Province as well as schools

in Nyarugenge District implementing the

OLPC program.

The Education Minister said that the OLPC

Association recognises the progress

Rwanda has made and the vision it has,

which sets a precedent for other African

countries to follow.

He noted that Rwanda has reached im-

pressive levels in the implementation of

the OLPC program, noting that it had now

gone beyond distributing computers to

connecting them to servers.

He said the government has distributed

computers in over 128 schools.

In a related development, the Minister of

State revealed that once the education

sector is connected to a single server,

teachers and students would be able to

access and exchange knowledge using

the technology in a bid to make Rwanda

one of the few countries to integrate ICT

in education.

Over 60,000 more laptops will be imported

this year.

The government targets to have 160,000

laptops deployed by June 2012 as part

of the government’s program to promote

computer-knowledge based education.

gu says a total of 65, 000 laptops have been

distributed in schools so far while an addi-

tional 35,000 would be deployed soon. There

are about 5million schoolchildren in Rwanda.

After two years Rwanda wants to distribute

laptops to half of that population.

Mr. Kimenyi’s family is one of the many en-

joying the equipment. “I now have an email.

Mama Raymond too has, and she can also

type using either Raymond or Tony’s laptop.

Over the weekends, I and my wife spare time

and our kids teach us computer…skills they

acquire at school”. “Before, I never imag-

ined I could ever use a computer in my life.

But now am a “pro” Obviously, the OLPC

program is not only benefiting kids but also

parents who have never had chance to learn

computer in schools. The impact so far is

huge. ICT is one of Rwanda’s priority sec-

tors. OLPC program will play a vital role in

The government targets to have 160,000

laptops deployed by June 2012”.

66

FEATUREH o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1

www.hope-mag.com

Women Equality and Peace Keeping Missions

hen other regional mem-

bers catch up with the

parliament numbers, they

will still be behind because

they didn’t capture fully well the kind of gen-

der revolution taking place in Rwanda

On September 5, a story in the local press

reported a plea made by Bjorn Hareide, the

Senior Advisor of the East African Standby

Force Coordination Mechanism (EASF-

COM). According to Mr. Hareide, East Afri-

can countries need to do better to increase

the number of women who serve in missions

that support peace.

Rwanda has the largest number of female

police officers who serve in the United Na-

tions peace missions. But overall, the per-

centage of women in such missions is

only 29%, less than the Beijing Conference

threshold that called for at least 30% repre-

sentation of women as a means to advance

gender equality globally.

Rwanda’s story on gender equality is some-

what known.

The topic of gender equality often cites the

fact that Rwanda’s parliament has the high-

est percentage of women globally, at 56%,

as pointed out recently by a local colum-

nist. That contents of that column are aptly

indicated in the title “Kenya can learn from

Rwanda’s gender formula.” The same au-

thor, Gatura Mwaura, also pointed out that

while Rwanda is doing very well in terms of

women parliamentary representatives, for

her sister neighbors, not so much. Rwanda

is followed by Tanzania at 36%, Uganda at

35% Burundi 32%. Kenya is last in the region

at a distant 9.8%.

Why is it that Rwanda is leading the region

both in terms of representation in parliament

and also in terms of contribution of women

to peace missions as indicated above? I

think that this relationship implies something

that is much deeper. It speaks of a philo-

sophical commitment by the government of

Rwanda on gender equality.

President Kagame has been crucial in in-

culcating this commitment. Umufasha wa

mbere, Jeannette Kagame, has done just

that, playing a likewise crucial role of ad-

vocacy and mobilization through her Imbuto

Foundation. This commitment is the inspira-

tion for the fact that the Beijing threshold is

almost doubled in Rwanda.

The broader patterns of gender equality in

Rwanda, however, have not been well ar-

ticulated. If you don’t dig deeper, you might

think that women equality in Rwanda is only

about parliamentary representation; this is

because this is the only aspect that is being

highlighted by observers and pundits.

What this also tells us is that when the rest

of the East African countries catch up with

Rwanda in terms of parliamentary represen-

tation of women, they will still be behind in

many aspects of the transformation of gen-

der relations.

It is, therefore, important that the quest for

gender equality has a certain philosophical

orientation and commitment as is the case

with the Rwandan government.

Once that is there, gender equality will be

felt beyond the superficial aspects of count-

ing number, however useful that is. So, the

conversation about gender equality also

needs to take place at the level of the mind.

Once this takes root, it becomes cultural and

therefore more difficult to reverse and I think

this is what is taking place in Rwanda.

By telling the whole story of the transforma-

tions taking place in Rwanda, our brothers

and sisters of the East African Community

can get a better picture and therefore the

reality that they are falling behind times.

Likewise, Rwanda must not be shy in drum-

ming up its success story. It must show that

more than women representation in parlia-

ment is taking place. In security matters it

must highlight the story of the brave women

in Darfur; the police officers in Haiti. In Eco-

nomic matters, it must speak of the many

schemes it has put in place for women eco-

nomic empowerment, beyond the often cit-

ed Agaseke, which is also a good story but

which often gives the impression that women

in Rwanda are only producers of Agaseke.

In Rwanda, therefore, there is still un untold

story that must serve as inspiration not only

for Rwandans to be proud of their achieve-

ments but also to help inspire other mem-

bers of the global community to take notice

and style up. But this lesson must begin

with our neighbors in the East African Com-

munity. And this is the proper context for

understanding Bjorn Hareide’s call for the

Community member states to pull up their

socks in the area of peacekeeping—to catch

up with the times.

W

Rwanda has the largest number of female police officers who serve in the United Nations peace missions. But overall, the

percentage of women in such missions is only 29%.

COMMENTARYH o p e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 1

www.hope-mag.com 68

here has been a series of reports

in the media about high inflation in

the East Africa region, especially in

Uganda and Kenya—reportedly well

over 15 per cent, forcing some folks in those

countries to go on streets in protest of poor

monetary and fiscal policies. Consumer price

indices in those countries is way high, basically

due to scarcity of food items, caused by a num-

ber of factors like natural calamities (drought)

and wars in Somalia and Sudan. In Northeastern

Kenya, many are starving. The BBC recently re-

ported that over 10million Africans are starving

and a big number of those may die.

In Rwanda, thanks to the sound macro (mon-

etary and fiscal) policies, the National Institute of

Statistics (NISR) reported in August that inflation

had been contained to 7.4% but only food prices

and alcoholics pushed it that high.

Year in year out, the only reason for whichever

inflation figure; low or high, reported in Rwanda

is due increase in food prices. Obviously, as the

population grows, more and more people de-

mand foods which may not necessarily match

its (food) marginal production increase, thus the

scarcity.

Historically, Rwanda is a low inflation country, but

pressure on prices is becoming evident in recent

periods. Rising food prices particularly could

pose a constraint to long-term growth, mainly for

development in the non-agricultural sectors.

Expenditure partners indicate that most poor

households, especially those in rural areas, spend

a larger proportion of their income on food. Thus,

rising prices of food definitely erodes welfare of

the poor. As a result, the pace of poverty reduc-

tion could be derailed by rising prices, especially

that of food prices.

On the other hand, a significant proportion of

food consumption is own-grown or own-pro-

duced thus reducing households’ vulnerability to

food price shocks but less monetization of the

economy. Agriculture continues to be the most

critical sector to Rwanda’s economic develop-

ment, employing over 80% of the total popula-

tion and contributing over 35% of total GDP in real

terms. The performance of the annual food crop

has a large bearing on the overall GDP estimate.

Success has been achieved in this sector due to a

strong commitment, through the EDPRS, of gov-

ernment programs. Crop Intensification Programs,

fertilizer use, distribution of better quality seeds,

irrigation pilot programs, greater use of water har-

vesting and terracing are a number of measures

currently being pursued. In addition, government-

funded storage facilities are also improving the

management of harvest stocks.

Research done by IPAR-Rwanda on the sector in-

dicates that there is high potential for the develop-

ment of the sector with the introduction of modern

methods of farming to increase both productivity

and quality of products, the development of val-

ue added production, and initiatives to increase

exports; However, for the sector to make its full

contribution to the economy a number of areas of

Government policy and strategy are critical.

For instance, it will make

more sense to farmers if

the road network and

meteorological ser-

vices are better devel-

oped. Additionally, the

education sector should

undertake research

and provide training

in agriculture and en-

trepreneurship. SMEs

engaged in Agriculture

sector, especially those

adding value, ought to

be supported.

Source: NISR, July 2011

THE RISING FOOD PRICES IN RWANDA

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