Prof. Romain Murenzi

Panelists and participants at the ongoing Transform Africa summit are calling a spade a spade.

Professor Romain Murenzi, the Director General of World Academy of Sciences, dropped an icebreaker in the room, saying that some of Africa’s obstacles to catching up with rest of the world, is because, “we don’t have the right training and the right teachers in higher institutions.”

Murenzi said, “you find that the person teaching ICT at university holds a bachelor degree because universities have quite a shortage of PhD degree holders, with just 10 to 20% lecturers who hold a PhD degree.”

This, he explained, is not an ideal situation especially when the continent needs to train highly skilled people such as programmers, yet the qualification of ICT lecturers goes decreasing from university to primary schools.

Murenzi said the availability of technologies should be a solution.

He said training a PHD student might take up to $200,000, but with the advent of online courses, the cost can be much lower and much faster.

Prof Murenzi spoke alongside Rwanda’s Minister of Youth and ICT, Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Ericson’s CEO for sub-Saharan Africa, Fredrik Jejdling; and Cynthia Gordon, Executive Vice President and CEO of Millicom Africa Division, among others.

Discussants said, while the situation is wanting, some governments are taking some steps to address the matter.

Rwanda is already at the crossroads in investing in ICT in education. Currently, 244,793 laptops have been distributed in 722 schools nationwide with three million set to benefit from the ‘One laptop per child’ programme.

Roughly $130 million has been invested in a fibre optic cable rolled out on 3000km across the country to ensure rural schools get access to broadband connectivity.

In the past few years, ICT has been the driving engine for transformation of the education sector, and allocated with 20% of the national budget, approximately $494 million of $2.47 billion.

With these achievements, Minister Nsengimana told the Summit that “We are leveraging ICT to raise citizenship engagements.”

On Smart Africa, Nsengimana said that “Being smart means being connected…this is why Africa has decided to make broad band connectivity a priority. Being smart means sharing.”

Nsengimana added that in Rwanda, “The change of paradigm is making young entrepreneurs to start businesses and in just a year hit a billion mark.”

While Africa is believed to be moving at a slow pace in achieving digital migration, Fredrik Jejdling, head of Ericsson’s sub-Saharan Africa region said “Africa is a promising continent for it has the biggest digital growth rate.”

However, Cynthia Gordon, Executive Vice President and CEO of Millicom Africa Division, said that an urgent deployment of resources are needed to facilitate the youths on the continent.

“Young Africans’ deserve the opportunity to fulfill their full potentials,” she said.

In the consequence, capacity of Africa to publish is wanting, with only 2% of global publication-including digital publication.

Panelists agree there is need to increase investment in ICT.

Telecommunication companies for example would need to invest in programming; meeting universities with ICT programs so they can support education in the matter.

Rwandan effort was commended in trying programming; the One Laptop Per Child where over 300,000 children from Primary schools are given gadgets and are now being initiated to programming.

The Minister of Education, Papias Musafiri said, the country is now working hard to take the programming to the next level.

Simultaneously, his ministry is working on a project that intends to digitize teaching materials.

Murenzi said, countries like Rwanda do not have any more excuse to fall short of ICT opportunities given an internet penetration which is ahead compared to other countries.

“There is no reason every school in Rwanda should not be connected,” he said. “Cost of devices is decreasing and this is another advantages,” he said adding that wherever needed, countries should subsidize cost of gadgets.

Source: KT Press

Tigo, the Telecom sector’s second by subscriber base has launched the 4 G LTE internet for smart phones, coming the first operator to offer the service since the launch of the fastest internet in 2014.

The launch ushers yet another milestone in the digital lifestyle in the country where subscribers would be able to take 4G high speed internet with them without interrupting voice service.

“Today’s launch in Rwanda is part of our digital lifestyle drive across Africa to deliver great connectivity and great services for our customers,” said Cynthia Gordon, Executive Vice President, CEO Africa Division, Millicom.

Gordon who was speaking at the launch during the 2015 transform Africa in Kigali on Monday added, “ I am delighted to be in Rwanda to witness an innovation that lights the way towards a digital transformation.”

The move will allow subscribers to be able to have the fastest internet on their mobile phones, something that will boost doing business on the go.

“As Rwanda’s leading Telecommunications and Internet provider, I am delighted that we have attained this milestone,” said Tongai Maramba, General Manager, Tigo Rwanda.

Previously, the 4G LTE internet that has been banked on to usher in technology led economy by 2020 has been accessed on internet enabled gadgets such as modems.

Han-Sung Yoon, Chief Executive Officer of Olleh Rwanda said that Tigo’s launch of 4G LTE on mobile phones is a step towards expanding, the 4G LTE coverage target of 95 percent of the country by 2017.

“ Together, we look forward to providing exceptional digital experience and value to users of 4G services through various innovative solutions,”  he  noted.

The government is optimistic that the rollout of 4G LTE internet will facilitate the use of internet in service delivery as well as doing business thus improving livelihoods.

Experts in ICT have called on African governments to double up efforts to have internet access for all African communities as a way of speeding up access to information, and creating more opportunities and innovation to spur development.

The call was made during the Transform Africa session on Internet for All- in which panelists said that the growing trends in Africa are now internet based and many Africans can transform their lives if they had cheaper and accessible internet.

Elsie Kanza, the Head for Africa, World Economic Forum (WEF) said that “the push and pull challenge affecting the internet access and there is need to find a way of making supply and demand ends meet”

Even with these hazards, Peter Ngunyi, President – BRICK Inc- a company that produces Kio-kit tablets in Kenya for education based on African needs said that the challenge of internet access has resulted to some young minds to become innovative to be on top of the game.

We are making things happen in Kenyan education by developing software that doesn’t depend on internet and power for charging. This has been based on Kenyan experience of innovative young men, who are out there to find relevant solutions” Ngunyi said.

Mortimer Hope an official of GSMA stated that internet should be relevant to the people and this calls for public and private sector partnership. And any network infrastructure should have both voice and internet. We need to get the network to rural areas because that is where the majority of customers are.

Shiletsi Makhofane from Ericsson Sub-Saharan African, noted that trends have changed on how people are educated and health services and said that the question is how to look at more ways of transforming these areas.

Regulators need to be involved in creating that cross sector to harmonise the use of ict- we cannot undermine the harmonization and standards match so people can keep moving with access wherever they are.

President Paul Kagame at the Second edition of Transform Africa Summit

Rwanda is already reaping big from the One Area Network initiative that was launched in 2013.

Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Rwanda’s Minister of Youth and ICT told Transform Africa summit on Wednesday calls between Rwanda and Uganda increased by 800%.

The Minister said that One Area Network “is one of the key outcomes of the previous summit commitments.”

Nsengimana said that the One Area Network covering Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and South Sudan is yielding results.

Rebecca Okwachi, Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Service in South Sudan also told participants at the summit the one area network is a good example from the northern corridor, which the other African countries should emulate.

“Today we (South Sudan) are able to communicate with Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. I came here with my SM card from South Sudan. I am using it without roaming charges,” Okwachi said.

The one area network was operational in October 8, 2014 in Rwanda and Kenya with the cost of calling varying between $ 7 cents and $10 cents per minute. Uganda and South Sudan joined on January 2nd 2015 with the cost estimated to $ 9.2 cents and $12 cents per minute.

The 2015 Transform Africa is expected to deliver much more outcome, given the profiles of attendants. They include 642 CEO and MDs, while entire delegates were 2500 from over 80 global institutions.

Of them, men represent 78.8%, while women are 22.2%, which, Nsengimana said, is an indication that more efforts are needed to bring more women on board, as transform Africa discusses women inclusion in ICT.

The Transform Africa attracted 25 exhibitors who are showcasing achievements of ICT in Africa, to inspire upcoming ICT entrepreneurs.

African countries are showing political will to improve ICT in a way that can change communities’ livelihood.

The Smart Africa scholarship fund has covered seven undergraduates who enrolled at the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University.

Rwanda contributed $ 1 million to the fund.

Several commitments were already made at the Transform Africa which will close this afternoon by President Paul Kagame.

Babylon health, a Europe based firm yesterday announced intentions to expand its services to Rwanda saying it’s “a priority country in Africa”.

Their services provide mobile phone applications whereby a patient can get expert medical advice, consultant referrals or prescriptions without leaving their homes or offices.

Source: KT-Press

President Paul Kagame at the Second edition of Transform Africa Summit.

President Paul Kagame hailed the implementation of the One area network saying it has eased   communication across the Northern corridor.

The president noted that the implementation which needed only a political will among the member states has shown positive outcomes in terms affordable calls as well as revenues for telecom operators.

“…and everybody gained, private sector, citizens, everybody was a winner in this without extra investment,” The president said during his key note address during the transform Africa2015 at Kigali Serena Hotel On Wednesday.

The president said that through a strong will as well as advancing technology transform, the region would be able to achieve economic growth and improve citizen’s livelihoods.

“So imagine how much more we can achieve together right now with what we have if we maintain this momentum,” President Kagame reminded.

The one area network that covers Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan came about after resolutions made during the 5^th heads of states Summit for the Northern Corridor Integration projects held in Nairobi, Kenya in May 2014.

Accordingly, since the implementation of one area network  by  telecom operators across the   region, subscription numbers jumped up 300 times by end of September, 2015 with calls  between Uganda and Rwanda  going up to  800 percent in September  this year.

While revenues for telecoms went up 25 percent while call prices went down by 50 percent by end of September 2015.

The president noted that placing ICT at the core of our transformation agenda, East Arica and the entire Continent at large cannot be left behind in terms of development.

“We have the right strategies and plans but technology is first and foremost about lives, about people,” he further noted.

Telcos believe that with one area network that has also seen enabling technology transformation in member states, the region is able to cut on the costs of doing business and cross border financial remittances.

“We are witnessing huge technological changes that have the potential to usher in a new era of financial inclusion which we are determined to be a part of,” said Gunter Engling, CEO, MTN Rwanda.

TransfromAfrica2015, a three day summit that kicked started on Monday attracted over 81 countries and was aimed ta accelerating Digital innovation across the continent.

A staff of Olleh Rwanda Network explaining how 4G LTE CCTV cameras work during the Transform Africa 2015 summit.

Olleh Rwanda Network has introduced a remotely controlled Closed-circuit television-CCTV for its retailers, a move that is likely to boost the penetration of the fastest fourth generation- 4G LTE internet.

The CCTV cameras which can be controlled through the 4G LTE enabled devices like smart phones and IPads enables businesses to prevent thefts before they occur while also boosting staff efficiency and performance.

“You can monitor what your staff  is doing on your phone and be able to send a voice message to them through these 4G LTE CCTV cameras,” said Patrick Yoon, chief  Executive Officer, Olleh Rwanda Network during  the ICT exhibition in the transform Africa 2015 Summit  in Kigali on  Wednesday.

The 4G LTE CCTV which have been widely used in South Korea is a solution and one of the best ways today worldwide of using video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific limited set of monitors.

Through internet connection, Yoon says that 4G CCTV cameras also provides companies with different branches to easily monitor all them at head office at real time which is another unique feature with the cameras.

“For example, the company can revert theft in one branch from the head office which is   another step in digital transformation,” he said

Also, Olleh Rwanda is optimistic that the CCTV will increase the use of the 4G LTE internet which is regarded as the fastest thus pushing ahead the use of technology in the country.

“Together, we look forward to providing exceptional digital experience and value to users of 4G services through various innovative solutions,” he  added.

Olleh Rwanda Network, the country’s wholesaler for 4G network is targeting to cover 95 percent of the country by 2017.

As the youth countrywide prepare for the youth connect month scheduled to kick off on November 5, Information, Communication and technology-ICT comes on top of the month’s priority activities.

Robert Mwesigye, executive secretary at the national youth council says that sensitizing youth about ICT during the month would foster efforts the country of ensuring that young people embrace technology.

“We need strong contribution from the youth towards the government’s ambition of promoting use of technology because they are the future citizens and leaders of this country,” he said during the council meeting of all youth representatives at district level in Kigali on Thursday.

The government through ministry of youth and ICT is promoting use of technology among the youth both in school and out of school as the country drives the economy towards technology based by 2020.

To harness this, the government is distributing over 30,000 laptops recently manufactured by Rwanda based Positivo BGH to schools as one way of increasing exposure to use of technology.

Other activities Mwesigye, says will include training of young people about self reliance, promoting good health, their involvement in good governance in the country.

“We want young people at all levels to feel they have a role in participating in activities during this week, and this is the role of us   from national to village level,” he further noted.

Norbert Shyerezo, the national coordinator youth council said that the month will help young people in holidays to avoid engaging in drug abuse as well as sexual behaviors.

“In this month, youth will also carry out community work such as building houses for the vulnerable people,” he said.

Meanwhile, Imbuto Foundation is expected to award youth with development and income generating activities in their home areas.

Kayonza district will provide smart phones for all cell local leaders by end of October 2015, as part of the country’s drive towards enabling information access and an addition to the already existing smart country drive initiatives.

The smart phones will be provided by the government of Rwanda as part of President Paul Kagame pledge to the cell leaders in Kayonza.

President Kagame pledge doesn’t come as a surprise but seals his personal commitment to promoting ICT’s across Rwanda and the globe, which has made him to be known as the global ‘Champion of ICT”

The move is expected to enhance their duties of providing services to the citizens, but also bridge the information gap between the cell leaders and other district officials.

Reports indicate that most of the cell leaders own cheap phones which don’t enable them to share information with other officials during the site visits.

“With use of smart phone apps, these leaders are expected to be more connected with other leaders and share information that will be useful for the district development and security” said Agnes Murebwayire, the Rukara cell leader.

Murebwayire revealed the president’s offer come as after local leaders expressing concerns of not being connected to the rest of the leaders as a result of having low end phones.

Eastern Provincial Governor, Odette Uwamariya said that the fully internet connected smart phones, will improve service delivery and local leaders will be able to perform their duties in time and with convenience.

Rwanda is seeking to use the forthcoming Infrastructure Partnerships for African Development (iPAD) Rwanda Power and Infrastructure Investment Forum to attract investors for its energy and infrastructure sectors.

More than 200 hundred investors and members of the business community are expected to take part in the second annual iPAD investor forum set for Thursday this week in Kigali.

The meeting will provide market entry for international investors, as well as technology and solution providers to deliver a viable investment plan to increase power capacity in the country.

The event which will fall on 5-6 November offers a platform for private investors, project developers, consultants, technology and solution providers and financiers looking for opportunities in Rwanda’s energy, infrastructure and mining sectors.

The second edition of iPAD Rwanda enjoys support from the government and parastatals and the Rwandan Minister of Infrastructure, James Musoni, will deliver the keynote address themed “Boosting private investment for national infrastructure and industrial developments.”

As a result of last year’s events energy developers Symbion power was awarded a 50 Megawatt Independent Power Production (IPP) gas to power project using methane gas from Lake Kivu.

While speaking to this reporter the country’s CEO Paul Hinks noted the importance of this event to the sector in Rwanda, “Symbion is committed to being a long-term partner and delivering electricity to Rwanda and to help de-risk Lake Kivu by safely extracting the methane gas that continues to build up in its depths and may be used to generate power.”

“Symbion is currently finalizing the Power Purchase and Concession Agreements with the government of Rwanda. We hope to soon sign these key contracts with the government which will enable us to then begin the next phase of project implementation,” he added.

A unique feature of iPAD Rwanda are the roundtable discussions between the representatives of the public and private sector, presenting each industry sector with its own challenges and requirements in an interactive intimate dialogue.

Discussions will focus on procuring power projects in Rwanda, hydropower, off-grid opportunities, methane gas, waste to power, geothermal and peat, power purchase agreements and transmission and distribution.

By Monday morning, November 9, 2015, the first ever “Made in Rwanda” computer will be on the shelves in retail stores in Kigali.

“The first bunch of laptops will be available in all computer outlets from Monday,” Francois Karenzi, Executive Chairman of Africa Smart Investment Distributor (ASI-D), exclusively told KT Press late last night.

ASI-D is a wholesaler composed of 15 local ICT companies contracted by the government of Rwanda to distribute devices in Rwanda and across Africa.

The laptops, branded Positivo-BGH, are manufactured by a US$ 4 billion Argentinean major IT device firm, Positivo-BGH.

Positivo-BGH is a joint venture between Positivo, a Brazilian company, and BGH a 100 year old Argentinean company specializing in consumer electronics manufacturing.

Today at 6pm, local time, “we will launch our operations at our newly renovated warehouse in the special economic zone,” Karenzi told KT Press.

IT equipment retailers from Rwanda, DRC and Burundi will be present to witness this historic breakthrough as they look forward to do away with the painful process of importing electronic devices with non-existent or expensive after sale services from abroad.

ICT Minister, Jean Philbert Nsengimana, who will officiate the launch said that this is an exciting moment for the ICT industry and “with 4G LTE rollout on course to provide national coverage, affordable smart devices are needed to make Rwanda’s commitment to broadband for all a reality.”

The price of the laptop was concealed and will only be announced at the launch, but a source told KT Press they will be affordable compared to other brands on the market and will come with a six months warranty and after sale services. An average retail price for other brands is at Rwf200, 000 (US$265).

Karenzi said at least 150,000 units are already in the stock for release to the retailers. He said the plant has the capacity to produce at least 60,000 units per month.

The devices are of high quality more or less compared to other brands such as HP, DELL, Toshiba and others. Juan Ponelli, the PBGH Africa President, said that, “Our devices are of prime quality, affordable and more importantly they are made by Africans for Africans.”

In November 204, while attending the Innovation for Africa conference in Kigali, while negotiations were underway, Ponelli toldKT Press that company will start with production of laptops and then later cell-phones and tablets. Other electronics such as TV sets will also be manufactured at a later stage.

The firm could have set their base in any other African country, but Rwanda became the ideal location due to several factors.

The firm said Rwanda’s pro-business policies and its geographical location is ideal for long term investment. Rwanda is located in the heart of Africa.

Once products are ready, logistical distribution in Rwanda alone will be easier because of the size of the small market.

Expanding will also be easier because Rwanda is located in the middle of other markets such as Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, DRC and to further African markets.

Meanwhile, the largest consignment will be purchased by the ministry of education to be distributed to different schools. KT Press is reliably informed by a trusted source that the government will purchase the laptops at US$300 per unit.

According to Nkubito Bakuramutsa, IT advisor to the Minister of Education, “The focus is to bring access, quality and relevance to the education sector through the use of technology.”

Nkubito told KT Press that the arrangement is part of the government plan to partner with many players including Positivo-BGH, INTEL and Microsoft.

Source: KT-Press

James Musoni

James Musoni, the Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure confirmed that the planned power imports from Kenya have been delayed due to incomplete high voltage transmission lines and substations between Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.

“We planned to import 30 MW of electricity from Kenya but it has come to our notice that the transmission lines between Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda are incomplete,” said James Musoni.

“The right form of infrastructure is going to be put in place before we can proceed with the initial plan,” he added.

It is believed that the old transmission lines need an upgrade to be able to accommodate the expected increase in volume of electricity imported from the current 3MW.

Musoni said Rwanda will have to wait until April 2016 for the power to be imported, due to the delayed upgrade of infrastructure.

The setback though comes at a time when the government has called on independent power producers to set up a thermal plant that is expected to be operational by February next year.

Rwanda on Wednesday auctioned its largest mining site sitting on 22,000 hectares at Gatumba sector in Ngororero district of Western Province.

Four companies have taken over a large portion of the mining site after winning a tender and have committed $ 37,843,791 worth of investment.

Their investment will go into exploration work, mining and mineral processing, job creation, contribution to the welfare of the neighboring community, and increasing the country’s exports.

This deal, meant to increase productivity, is valid for 15 years. However, the new contractors have made commitments for only five years and will be renewed twice.

The mining site is subdivided into 17 small and big concession blocs. In this auction, six big mining concessions were auctioned with estimated sizes between 800 and 1600 hectares each.

The new owners of the auctioned concessions include; Ngororero Mining Company, Daba Supplies Ltd, SEAVCOM and  KNM Combines Ltd also the only international firm from India.

“The deal is timely…we lost the whole of last year without production,” said Evode Imena, State Minister for Mining in Ministry of Natural Resources.

He said the previous contractor was suspended for continuously delivering far below expectations.

Imena told KT Press that contractors are expected to add 28% to mining production in the next two years. Last year Rwanda produced 9800 tons of  minerals. The new companies are expected to produce an additional 2400 tons in the next two years.

The new contractors expressed a general concern of price fluctuation that is currently between 20% and 50%.

However, Imena argued that price fluctuation is cyclic and advised the contractors to focus on maximum production.

“It happens every ten years and the current one is the worst. The breakthrough is to make sure you produce to the maximum and when fluctuation is over, you bridge the gap,” he said.

Rwanda earned $ 210 million from minerals in 2014, but Imena said, “We were targeting an estimate $ 280 million this year, yet figures indicate we may not make it.”

Rwanda is looking for more diversification of minerals, to deal with fluctuations.

Gatumba concession is the third oldest in Rwanda after Rutongo and Rwinkwavu in Northern and Eastern province respectively. Its exploitation started in 1920 by a Belgium company.

Of the new contractors; Ngororero Mining Company has injected $ 21.5 million  to exploit Nyamisa and Nyabisindu blocs.

Daba Supplies Ltd will exploit Ndago and Nyabitare blocks, while SEAVCOM will exploit Gasovu block.  KNM Combines Ltd has  sunk $ 4.6 million to exploit Bijyojyo bloc.

“We shall ensure environment and human resource safety, unlike in the past when we were just after money,” Ruzindana Munana Jean Paul, the president of Ngororero Mining Company Ltd toldKT Press.

The small scale commitment for the next five years is Rwf 6 billion, while for the six big scale commitment amounts to a total $ 37.8 million.

In  1985, when SOMIRWA was declared  bankrupt, all mining sites including Gatumba remained unexploited until 1989 when a state owned firm REDEMI took over.

Meanwhile in  2006, when government privatised  the mining  sector, Gatumba mining site was  acquired by a private company, GMC (Gatumba  Mining Concessions) a joint venture between  the government and a consortium of private companies until May 2014 before leaving the mines  temporarily to artisan mining sub-contractors.

The government has set the objective of 70% electricity access by 2018 among others by off-grid solutions such as solar energy.

Rwanda is yet to boost its renewable energy needed increase off grip electricity for the underserved communities across the country, thanks to $ 50 million from Scaling Up Renewable Energy in Low Income Countries Program. (SREP).

“This endorsement will help to unleash the potential of the private sector to provide off-grid energy solutions using renewable energy sources,” said Robert Nyamvumba, Director of the Energy Division from the Ministry of Infrastructure.

The funding will enhance the country’s ambitious plans of increasing electricity access from the present 23 per cent to 70 per cent by 2018. The Scaling Up Renewable Energy in Low Income Countries Program. (SREP) a dedicated fund from Climate Investment Funds-CIF will help improve the enabling environment conditions to unlock and systematically scale-up private investments.

“SREP funding mean many Rwandans living in rural areas will have access to energy and improve their lives through development activities as well as create an enabling environment for businesses in the communities,” Nyamvumba added.

The Climate Investment Funds (CIF) is providing 72 developing and middle income countries with urgently needed resources to mitigate and manage the challenges of climate change and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

“Rwanda has a very ambitious target of electrification through both on-grid and off-grid solutions,” said Zhihong Zhang, coordinator of SREP said in a statement on Thursday.

He adds, “SREP support will target the development of off-grid energy markets to help bring electricity to unserved communities in rural areas, create employment opportunities and generate income.”

The country plans to increase its electricity access to 70 percent by 2018 from 23 percent in 2015 with production from both off grid and on grid energy estimated at 563 megawatts by same year from the current 160 megawatts.

He noted with the SREP funding, more Rwandans will be able to access electricity while also creating an enabling environment for business growth.

The country targets at least 1.5 million people to access the energy under this Scaling Up Renewable Energy in Low Income Countries Program-SREP.

A research  has indicated that   three  quarters  of internet  users  across the  globe  are not aware of malicious  content  on the internet  which  makes  them fall prey for  cyber criminals.

The survey conducted by Kaspersky Lab, one of the world’s fastest-growing cyber security companies indicates that 74 percent of internet users cannot identify malicious content on the internet.

Internet users should be aware of malware targeting their devices and safety measures to help avoid compromise.

“Consumers need to make themselves more aware of the dangers of the online world, in order to protect themselves and others,” said David Emm, Principal Security Researcher at Kaspersky Lab in a statement sent to this website on Thursday.

According to the survey that was conducted by the   company   on internet users showed that 74 percent of Internet users would download a potentially malicious file while 45 percent globally have ever encountered a malware incident in last 12moths while 13 percent could not know they were affected.

“The same sort of instinct should come into play when consumers go online,” he added adding that, ‘Checking for signs of malicious activity, and knowing how to spot a phishing page or dangerous download option is vital.”

Experts say that with increasing use of technology, cyber criminals are furthering strategies to   target vulnerable people while current security software cannot counter some of the threats.

Accordingly, of the users surveyed one in five 21 percent users download files from a variety of online sources, increasing their risk of encountering a malicious supplier.

“No matter how cyber-savvy a person is, it is unsafe to go online without putting security solutions in place,” he added.

I n a random mini survey around internet cafes in Kigali on Thursday, indicated   that most people do not mind about security checks on most websites but would follow a link that   has their search words.

“When I put search words in Google and brings me several options I always pick what any from the options,” said JeanDieu Higiro, an accountant.

The fight against   cyber crime is high on agenda of government   efforts to bolster the technology sector expected to leapfrog the economy into middle income by 2020.

Electronic Billing Machines-EBMs

The government is looking at providing Electronic Billing Machines-EBMs to small traders provide them a chance of issuing automated invoices to their consumers while boost revenue collections.

This means that government will provide the machines to small traders at a subsidised rate so that they can also provide the invoices while helping in collecting VAT from consumers.

“We are thinking of the alternative of giving all traders an EBM which is the cost of the government, even if they are not VAT registered,” Emmy Mbera, EBM project coordinator  told this website on  Wednesday.

Even though, he says, “the price of bread that is bought from a business that is VAT registered and is the same as non registered one.”

The project that is expected to kick off in May, 2016 will also help the tax body extend its campaign to raise domestic taxes mainly the Value Added tax.

The electronic billing machine contributed an increase of 6.5 percent of VAT collected between 2013 and 2014.

“Already, we have discussed with some providers and we are in negotiations and probably by end of February, 2016 we will announce it,” he said

Currently, EBMs are mandatorily used by Value Added Tax-VAT registered tax payers and are costly compared to small traders’ turnovers and thus leaves then out on the recent campaign to promote EBM usage.

For business to be registered under the EBM it must have a turnover of Rwf20 million annually, currently12, 000 taxpayers are registered under VAT and 97,000 are already using the EBMs.

Recently, tax body initiated the consumer lottery to reward lucky consumers who demand for the EBM invoices from traders, with more people willing to buy in businesses which provide EBMs.

Accordingly, there are 2,000 VAT registered tax payers with 9,700 taxpayers already using machines.

Sandrine Umuziranenge: Ni Ikirenga winner

It was all smiles as Sandrine Umuziranenge, picked her check of Rwf929, 000 from Airtel Rwanda as one of the winners for the Ikirenga promotion daily draws.

Umuziranenge, a senior six student from APAK Kanombe says that her hopes for next year’s tuition are guaranteed after winning the promotion.

“Am now happy that am able to get tuition for almost the whole year, I can’t believe this,” a jolly student said.
The telco sector’s number three by subscriber base rolled out the NIkirengaaa (it’s too much) promotion that provides subscribers win cash prizes as well as three day paid trips.

“In the Ni Ikirengaaa promotion, Airtel customers can win 300 percent bonus and daily cash prizes of up to Frw1.5 million” said Indrajeet Kumar Singh, marketing Director on Tuesday.

He says that the two lucky winners on a weekly basis winners will be rewarded with a two-day fully paid for holiday trip which includes a helicopter ride from the Kigali International Airport to the Serena Hotel, Rubavu with a VIP experience.

He adds, “Airtel Rwanda will give the winners 100,000 FRW shopping money and at the end of the holiday, the winners will return in a luxury car.”

Other winners of the daily draw include Janvier Uwizeye, a secondary school teacher at Groupe Scholaire Muhurire in Kirehe district.

Airtel Rwanda’s Nikirengaaa promotion comes after Tigo Rwanda launched its Tigo Bonane promotion where subscribers are winning Rwf1 million on daily basis as well as Rwf 5 million in weekly draws.

Sector observers say these million francs promotions are likely to shape the sector’s outlook in 2016 which is expected to be characterized with tight competition but also affect the revenue performance of operators.

Methane gas extraction rig on Lake Kivu

Roughly 450 days from now, Symbion Power Lake Kivu Ltd, an American energy corporation, will inject 14 Megawatt  of electricity into Rwanda’s main power grid.

By the 1080^th day,  the firm will have commissioned 50 Megawatt, says Symbion Power CEO Paul Hinks.

Hinks made the announcement on Tuesday as the firm put a signature on a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Rwanda government for extraction of 50 Megawatt from methane gas in Lake Kivu.

“Unlocking Lake Kivu’s energy potential is a game changer for Rwanda,” Hinks said late Tuesday night.

“Our team is working hard to turn this resource into affordable, reliable power for Rwanda’s people.”

Once the firm presses the final button, the total contribution to the power grid will increase by 30%,  Infrastructure Minister, James Musoni said adding that the deal with Symbion Power will have a  massive impact on the country’s economy.

The project is a key part of Rwanda’s plan to increase generation capacity. Power generated from the lake resource will help boost the country’s electricity supply and lower the overall cost of electricity.

After ten months of back and forth negotiations, the two parties concluded at a 9.8 cents per unit, which is almost 50% lower than the current industrial price (18 cents) offered by other private power generators.

“This is an equitable deal,” said Francis Gatare, CEO of Rwanda Development Board, whose team was involved the negotiation of the $150 million deal.

In the deal, Symbion, which was awarded the tender in August 2014, will build, own and operate the 50 Megawatt power station by constructing gas extraction facilities to lift, separate, and process methane gas, which is dissolved in the deep waters of Lake Kivu.

After extraction, the gas will be delivered to an on-shore generating facility located at Cape of Busororo in Nyamyumba sector of Rubavu district, a few miles away from DRC.

Under the terms of the agreement, too, the parties, where Rwanda is represented by Rwanda Energy Group (REG) had agreed that Symbion should first conduct a feasibility study for the project and upon approval by REG, the parties would negotiate and execute the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and Concession Agreement (CA).

However, with the stressing need for power, the parties later agreed to start negotiations of the PPA and the CA prior to the approval of the feasibility study so that the agreements could be executed soon after the approval of the feasibility study.

The Ministry of Infrastructure quickly approved the feasibility study and agreed key terms for the PPA and CA with Symbion.

Although, RDB’s Gatare said the negotiation has happened so fast (ten months), a source at Symbion told KT Press that they wanted it to happen even faster. “The CEO (Hinks) kept calling and asking what was going wrong,” the source said.

KT Press learnt that RDB was concerned with many issues surrounding the extraction due to the risky nature and the financing of such a project.

Also, RDB was trying to strike a better deal, putting in the bad experiences from several previous deals where the government found itself under the armpit of the other parties.

“This was the most professional and experienced negotiating team I have come across in Africa,” said Hinks.

“They hit the sweetest spots, but it is a win-win deal, fairly speaking,” Jocelyn Wessling told KT Press after the signing. She said that now that the signing is done,  Symbion will begin implementation activities.

Hinks said that as Symbion waits for the financiers to approve the funds, “we will use our own money. We know Rwanda needs the power urgently.”

Rwanda wants to achieve 70% of the electricity access rate from the current 24% and aims at having an installed capacity of 563 Megawatt in 2018, from the current installed capacity of 161Megawatt.

Lake Kivu contains 300 km3 of dissolved carbon dioxide and 55 to 60 km3 of methane gas accumulated and trapped at significant depth in the lake.

There are likelihoods that, if this project is executed efficiently,  Rwanda might give Symbion more deals. “Obviously we will not look very far,” said RDB CEO.

Source:KT Press

Students are seen as the next policy makers and great consumers, implying their contribution towards embracing the culture of tax compliance is vital, the country tax body has said.

Emmy Mbera, Electronic Billing Machine-EBM coordinator at Rwanda revenue authority says students play an important role in pushing business community to be tax compliant as they easily understand the importance of paying taxes.

“The society trust and believes in you because of the knowledge you are acquiring. So when you tell them the importance of paying taxes they can give you an ear,” he said during the tax body’s compliance campaign at INATEK University in Gicumbi district on Tuesday.

Rwanda revenue Authority In October, launched university campaigns to sensitize students on demand for invoices from EBMs to promote their usage.

Accordingly, the country has over 12,000 VAT tax payers and so far only about 9,000 use the Electronic Billing Machines on daily basis.

The EBMs were launched in 2013 to increase VAT compliance with their use contributing an increase in VAT collection of 6.5 percent.

“Taxes are the backbones of the national self reliance and reduce external dependence, your duty as abiding citizens is to promote compliance,” he added.

Scholars believe that the move will  help students acquire  out  of  class  education that is  need in their day to day  life  after  school, an  important aspect for the success of graduates.

“These campaigns help associate theories and practice,” said Patrick Kayumba, Vice rector for finance and administration adding that students are better able to understand fiscal issues and national finances.

The EBM platform enables tax body and the Business to share data concerning the business as the printed invoice is recorded by RRA system.

INATEK University students

A Methane gas extraction rig on Rwanda’s Lake Kivu

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame is expected in the U.S from February 22-26 where he will present regional energy challenges and the available opportunities Rwanda and the region can offer.

Kagame will be among the key speakers at the 35th conference of IHS CERAWeek, a world leading forum on the future of energy taking place in Houston, Texas, U.S.

CERAWeek 2016 will bring together leaders from the global energy community for dialogue and insight into the energy future, and responses to the current volatilities and uncertainties.

Over 2,800 participants from more than 50 countries and more than 300 speakers, who are well knowledgeable of energy matters; industrialists, policy and financial leaders from across the world are expected to attend.

Discussions will also tackle the fluctuating oil prices, its market and required technology, on top of climate challenges that hinder the oil business.

Energy policies and strategies, renewable energy and other themes are also on agenda of the forum that will be chaired by U.S. Energy Secretary Dr. Ernest Moniz.

President Kagame was chosen among key speakers because, “he is widely sought to address regional and international audiences on a range of issues including African development, leadership and the potential of ICT as a dynamic industry as well as an enabler of Africa’s social economic transformation,” reads part of his IHS CERAWeek profile.

Rwanda plans to achieve 70% electricity access rate from the current 24% and aims at having an installed capacity of 563 Megawatt in 2018, from the current installed capacity of 161 Megawatt.

To achieve this target, Rwanda is seeking investors to tap into this area and also plans to import over 400 megawatt of electricity from its neighbours, Kenya and Ethiopia.

Symbion Power Lake Kivu Ltd, an American energy corporation has already signed a $150m deal to extract 50 megawatt of methane gas, part of the famous Kivu Watt project.

Kivu has an estimated 700 megawatt methane gas deposits. Symbion Power will have commissioned 50 Megawatt to the national grid in the next 36 months, said Symbion Power CEO Paul Hinks.

Several development partners are supporting Rwanda energy projects, the World Bank having recently signed a $ 95 million deal to connect 72,000 new homes on the national grid and address some energy infrastructure challenges.

Meanwhile, at the conference at the Hilton Americas Hotel, other key speakers expected include CEOs of Royal Dutch Shell, ConocoPhillips, GE, PEMEX, and Siemens.

Norwegian President and his energy minister and other eminent personalities are also expected.

President Kagame will certainly pitch to global investors the abundant opportunities Rwanda offers in the areas of peat, solar, hydro, geothermal as well as the wider East African Community.

Source: KTPress

State Minister in charge of Primary and Secondary Education Olivier Rwamukwaya receiving primary six and Senior three Examinations from GASANA Ismaël Janvier, Director General Rwanda Education Board.

The Rwanda Education Board-REB has released Primary Six and Senior three leaving examinations on Thursday.

The results this year has shown an increase both in numbers as well as performance as the state Minister of Education in charge of primary and secondary education Olivier Rwamukwaya

says when compared to the year of 2014.

“In general there was an improved performance in both primary and senior three national examinations,” the Minister said while announcing the results at Ministry of education head offices on Thursday.

The Minister said a total of 168,113 candidates registered for Primary Six examinations in 2015 when compared to 165,199 in 2014 while senior three national examinations were 86,541candidates compared to 88,426 in 2014.

Of  the registered 168,113 candidates registered for primary six examinations,160,357 candidates sat for exams with girls higher than boys at  88,359 against 71,998 candidates while 86,541 candidates registered for senior three 84,868 sat for exams with  girls higher than boys 44,998 against 39,870.

Emmanuel Muvunyi, deputy director general in -charge of Examinations noted that there were cases of malpractices in various examinations centres in both primary and secondary education adding were lower compared to 2014.

“What we saw now was the invigilators assisting candidates to answer questions, other than candidates going into examinations rooms with answers or assisting each other during the exam” he said.

He adds, “But we need to increase penalties to make sure we reduce these malpractices.

Muvunyi said that the general pass rate for Primary was at 84.82 percent (136,007 candidates) when compared at 84.50 percent in 2014 which is an increase of 0.3 percent with girls totaling 74,357(54.67 percent) while boys were 61,650 candidates (45.33 percent).

While for senior three, the general pass rate was are 87.24 percent (74.036 candidates) when compared to 86.57 percent in 2014 with girls totaling 38,277(51.70 percent) and boys 35,759(48.30 percent).

Although girls passed in big numbers, boys came top of girls in Division one in Senior three exams with boys totaling 5,967 candidates (64.68 percent) out of the 9,225 candidates that  passed in Division one while girls were 3,258 (5.32 percent).

However, at both levels, Boys performed topped girls in attaining Division one with  3,772 (58.19 percent) out of 6,482 candidates who  passed  in  Division  one  in primary six exams  were  boys and  girls were 2,710(41.81 percent).

In primary six, 2,609 schools with 801 centres participated while Senior three exmas had 1,286 schools with  445 centres with districts of Bugesera, Kicukiro, Muhanga,Musanze producing  best students in primary six while senior three were Nyanza, Gasabo, Karongi, Bugesera and  Gicumbi  three.