Cross border traders are optimistic of an increase in trade across the border this year when compared to last year.

The optimism comes at the time traders are reporting progress in the enhancement of free movement of goods that continue to open borders for ease of doing business.

“Things are changing here at the border, we can move freely and cross over to Uganda with no problem,” Vestine Mukamusoni, a cross border trader Gatuna on the Rwanda Uganda border told this website.

Under the common market protocol members states agreed to levy zero tax on goods originating from the region with a certificate of origin.

The free Borders, which now provides goods originating within the East African community   not   to be taxed allows traders to trade freely across the borders but also the recent implementation of one area network has boosted trade.

“I send money on mobile money to my colleague in Uganda and then he sends goods to me,” said Jean Pierre Mbarushimana.

The one area network which was launched in the third quarter of 2015 with telecoms cutting down call rates as well as facilitating cross border mobile money transfers that has eased trade across the borders.

Moreover, with the recent efforts by ministry of Trade and industry to support informal cross border traders through cooperatives easing access to credit and advocacy is yet to bolster trade this year.

Rwanda is hopeful that with more cross border trade mainly in exports will improve its export receipts that recorded a decline in the third quarter of 2015.

According to National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda-NISR, the country’s exports to  East Africa declined by 24 percent to by 24 percent  in the  third quarter of 2015 compared to second quarter, with imports totaling US$ 125.95 million.

Inadequate power supply was one of the challenges REG faced this year. The utility is promising to ensure enough supply this year.

The cabinet has approved eight hydro power concession agreements for eight micro Hydro power projects, paving yet another way towards government’s efforts to increase power generation.

The meeting chaired by His Excellency President Paul Kagame on Monday approved concession agreements for Nyundo, Rwaza-Muko, Rubagabaga, Giciye II, Nyirantaruko, Muhembe and Nyirahindwe I&II.

In a statement signed by Stella Ford Mugabo, the Minister in Charge of Cabinet Affairs, the cabinet also approved the agreement between the Government and Ignite Power Ltd in a project to implement the rural off grid standalone solar systems electrification.

The agreement is expected to be signed today (Tuesday) at the Ministry of infrastructure headquarters which will see 250,000 households access power through solar.

Rwanda Energy Group (REG) chief executive officer, Jean Bosco Mugiraneza said that the projects will add to the current projects that are aimed at increasing the country’s generation capacity.

“Some of these projects were ongoing while others are expected to start soon,” said, while commenting on the approved concessions on Tuesday.

This comes at the time when ministry of Infrastructure signed Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and Concession Agreements for 22 Micro Hydropower Plants, putting yet a positive outlook towards hydro power generation.

“The 22 Micro Hydropower Plants will add 24.6 MW to the National grid, in addition to the current installed capacity of 161 MW,” said Daniel Mulisa, from the Ministry of Infrastructure.

This  will help  government  to put into  sustainable use the  available  hydro power sources in order  to  bolster  energy  generation   that  needs  to  hit generation capacity  of 563mw by 2018 from current 161.2mw.

State Minister for Energy Germaine Kamayirese exchanging agreement documents with Yarivu Cohen, CEO Ignite Rwanda Limited during the signing at Ministry of Infrastructure headquarters in Kacyiru on Tuesday.

The  country’s  rural  households  that total to 250,000 are yet to  access electricity through an off grid  power connection, thanks to the new agreement  that  puts in motion the  U$ 50 million  solar project.

The agreement  signed on Tuesday between the government and Ignite Power Limited will see 250,000 households  mainly in the country’s rural  accessing  electricity through the off grid connection.

“This project will enable energy access in places that would be hard to connect by providing clean and environmentally- friendly energy,” said Germaine Kamayirese, State Minister for Energy during the signing.

The project is expected to increase the households connected to off grid from 1 percent currently to 22 percent which is part of the 70 percent electricity access rollout by 2018.

“Significant investment is required in off-grid energy access to meet these targets,” she added

Whilst, the project that has finished its 6 months  pilot  phase  connecting  1000 households  is expected to operate in the districts of Nyagatare, Gatsibo,Kayonza,Rwamagana,Rulindo,Gakenke and Kamonyi.

“Upon successful implementation of the pilot project, negotiations commenced leading to the signing of this agreement for a bigger rollout,” The Minister added.

Yarivu Cohen, CEO, Ignite Rwanda Limited said that the company will ensure that the households access affordable solar power while also contributing to government’s vision 2020.

“We are proud to partner with the government of Rwanda and take part in this transforming effort of deploying access to energy at large scale,” he noted

Ignite Limited is a company incorporated in Mauritius and engaged in large scale deployment of clean   energy across Africa.

This five year agreement will see the installation and distribution of the systems done in three years while the beneficiaries will have two years to pay for the system on monthly or weekly basis.

Philbert Zimurinda, Division Manager, National Metrology Services.

Once put in place, experts believe it will foster fair trade given its critical role of ensuring that measurements and measuring instruments are verified to help protect consumers.

The laws and regulations that will be drafted according to Florian Paffenholz, an expert from German’s national metrology Institute-PTB will ensure metrology instruments in different sectors of the economy are regulated.

“Legislation on measurements and measuring instruments is required. In every transaction of trade you have to ensure that all instruments are verified to make sure a consumer is not cheated,” he said on Monday in Kigali.

Through adding law and regulation regarding metrology into the national legislation provides a legal backing towards ensuring that consumers are protected, enhancing fair trade while also avoiding financial prejudice.

“For example, if a health equipment does not give out right measurements, it means that the life of a patient are in danger,” Paffenholz explained.

Accordingly, the legal metrology is putting in place legal requirements to measurements and measuring instruments.

Rwanda standards board says that they are developing regulations that would be tabled to legislation saying that ensuring   right measurements requires a law that is not currently strong enough to support enforcement.

“There is somewhere you can’t go ahead to enforce those right measurements in fair trade,” said Philbert Zimurinda, Division Manager, national Metrology Services at Rwanda Standards board.

Despite the enforcement of standards mainly in weights of products, there is still the use of instruments such as weighing machines that are not verified.

“Although we have enforced standards, there are people still using improper weighing machines which don’t give right measurements,” he added.

The standards body says the legal metrology will be harmonized with the laws at the East African level to ensure uniform enforcement within the region.

Descent housing enabled residents to achieve social development

Residents of Nyanza sector, Gisagara district have hailed village settlements known as Imidugudu, saying their lives had changed for the better since they embraced village settlement village policy.

Residents say that village settlement enabled them to meet and exchange ideas and access modern infrastructures such as electricity, health centres, schools and clean water among others.

The village settlement is occupied by residents that came from different areas and especially the vulnerable living in high risk zones.

One resident Ananias Karegeya, from Nyaruteja centre said that he used to fear meeting people because he was always dirty, something that prevented him from getting information on social development.

“I could plant crops and get low yields. I was very poor because I had no information about working to achieve sustainable development,” Karegeya explained

Karegeya adds that he has learnt the importance of joining a cooperative, practicing modern agriculture, saying that he now gets food for consumption and surplus for market.

Another resident Venuste Nzigiye, who sells food stuffs confirmed that residing in model villages helped him change negative attitude and embrace cleanliness, family development among others.

“Before coming here, I had no livestock but now, I started selling crops and have acquired two cows,” added Nzigiye

Jean Bosco Uwimana, executive secretary of Nyanza sector explained that encouraging residents to settle in villages was meant to promote social economic development, adding that it is being achieved.

Uwimana revealed that out of 4583 homes in Nyanza sector, 4538 homes have settled in village settlements, saying that the remaining households are vulnerable but advocacy is being done to help them get plots of land and building materials.

“We are working on it because it brings development in the sector. The remaining families will have started to enjoy the fruits of living in model villages by the end of this year,” added Uwimana.

Nyanza sector borders with Burundi and Burundians attend market days in Nyanza sector.

Rwanda’s Premier Anastase Murekezi (extreme right)

Leading regional business representatives have gathered in DRC’s capital Kinshasa to share their first hand experiences at a Private Sector Investment Conference.

The Great Lakes Region considered among the world’s dangerous spots, aims at proving its potential in; investment, financing options and how its handling of evolving risks and the security situation.

“Now is a chance to pave the way for lasting peace and inclusive development in the Great Lakes region of Africa,” said Ban Ki-moon.

DRC President, Joseph Kabila, officially opened the two-day conference on Wednesday, in the presence of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and other heads of different governments.

Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi led a delegation from Rwanda to attend the conference organised by the DRC government, the Office of the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary General for the Great Lakes region (OSESG-GL) and the Executive Secretariat of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).

The conference provides opportunities of networking among participants with a view to shaping new ventures and an ever more conducive business climate.

“We’re determined to work with African governments and the private sector to build the new era of peace, stability and prosperity,” said Jim Yong Kim, World Bank Group President.

Since July of 2011, the Word Bank has committed nearly $2 billion in private sector projects across 11 countries in the Great Lakes Region.

Over 30 mega projects have been established in the region to develop sectors including; transport infrastructure, methane gas extraction, electricity, advanced grain storage, banking, ICT, tourism and others.

For example Rwanda has benefited from projects including the $900 million Rwanda-DRC Lake Kivu methane gas development, $454,000 ABSA-SAB Miller DRG Grains project and the Rwanda bonded warehouse facility.

Some of other massive projects in the region include; the Uganda oil refinery, Angola-Lobito corridor, ICGLR development bank, South Sudan Nzara agro-industrial complex, Kisumu port and other lake Victoria ports, CEPGL maize value chain and the Central African Backbone (CAB5) Program Project.

At the conference, participants expect specific information about a selection of the most lucrative investment opportunities across seven sectors including; Energy, Mining, Agriculture, Tourism, Infrastructure, Telecommunications and Finance.

Storage facility above: Rwanda has developed improved trade logistics across the country such as storage facilities for cargo, parking facilities, repair and maintenance facilities.

The conference has attracted representatives from the most successful businesses in the region and project sponsors; leaders from the regional governments and key development partners, international investors, operators and financiers.

Source: KTPress

Workers at the C&H garment industry in the Free Zone industrial area in Kigali. The company needs over 600 employees for its expected mass production this year.

The industry sector that has recorded a positive outlook in its growth will not have to worry of skilled labour, the government has assured.

The sector that contributed 7.0 percent to real GDP by end of December, 2015 paving optimism for the country struggling with a widening trade deficit has been pondering over the challenge of skilled labour it requires.

But Jerome Gasana, Director General at Workforce Development Agency-WDA says that the industry should not worry as the government has already set up all efforts to churn the skills to the sector.

For example, Gasana says under the National employment programme-NEP, the government is catering for training of skilled labour both short term and long term while also basing on the current demanded skills in the market.

“This is where any investor who needs a skilled labour force is given people to train and mentor for particular skills the company is interested in,” he said Wednesday.

He adds that, “this approach under the National Employment Program is intended to provide that rapid skills lead to immediate employment.”

Anna Xoi Wey, one of the proprietors of the C&H garments noted the approach provides the factory a change to train skills they most require thus increasing expertise of the trainees.

“We thank the government for this approach because it helps us to train people the skills we need in the factory,” she said

Through this arrangement, Workforce Development Agency will provide financial support to manufacturers who will then identify people to train in the skills they need for their production.

In order to offset its trade deficit as well as achieve its ambitious target of creating 200,000 off farm jobs every year, the government embarked on harnessing the industrial sector which saw its total  turnover with that  of services growing  to 16.3 percent  in  fourth quarter of 2015 from 12.0 percent in  2014.

A group of Mechanics at a Kigali training center.

Airtel Rwanda, the country’s third operator is set to facilitate businesses with its newly introduced product, the Airtel business.

The product that comes as the telecom strengthens its data segment is custom-made end-to-end business and enterprise solutions with cutting-edge technology that delivers great value propositions for all forms of businesses.

“The solution brings unprecedented innovation and simplification to customers, with a completely reimagined business suite that has varied but unique enterprise business solutions,” said Michael Adjei, Airtel Rwanda Managing Director on Friday.

The product, Adjei says  provides maximum choice to consumers with its ability to provide reliability, quality and value driven but  also enhancing  communication, collaboration and better choice for businesses.

“This is what we know best and we are committed to providing our expertise and creative solutions to help your businesses grow,” he said.

With the smart initiative that is looed on to facilitate the shift of the economy to technology based by 2020, Didier Nkurikiyimfura the director general, in the ministry of Youth and ICT says telecom products are vital.

“Seeing companies evolve into some of the most technologically advanced in the world and having one of them in Rwanda is a great opportunity for us,” the Director General noted.

Phillip Onzoma, director of Airtel business is confident that the solution will provide Rwanda’s business community an opportunity to connect to the telecoms’ global network across 80 countries, increasing their expertise on international level.

“It employs licensed point to point microwave, fibre and cloud connectivity to deliver high speed Internet, VPN and MPLS services to local and multinational operations all over the globe,” he noted.

Such solutions   come at the time the telecom sector is facing stiff competition mainly in data segment which has seen new innovative products on the market with consumers bale to reap big with affordable telecom services.

The one month campaign is aimed at boosting the telecom’s Airtel money platform as competition continues to tighten in the telecom sector.

Michael Adjei, Airtel Rwanda Managing Director says the promotion will see 116 lucky subscribers who would have used Airtel money will be able to win cash prizes totaling up to 225,000 RWF per day.

“We would like to encourage the inactive subscribers to start using the platform because it eases payments of services and goods,” he said while launching the promo on Thursday.

He adds, “Additionally, a daily grand draw will be carried out where one lucky subscriber will win Rwf 50,000.”

The promotion according to sector experts is aimed at helping the sector’s number three by subscriber base after completion tightened within the mobile money segment that pushed MTN and Tigo to slash their transaction fees in the third quarter of 2015.

Moreover, with the recent increase in mobile money usage by Fin scope survey 2016, telecoms are now looking at increasing revenues from the segment.

“This promotion is also a way of giving back to the Airtel Money subscribers who have helped the service continue to grow,” added Adjei.

With improvements in the platform last year, the platform according to officials required more sensitization as one way of people utilizing the innovative products to usher in digital lifestyle.

Facilities on the platform include; Airtel Money such Sending and receiving money, School fees payment, Utility Bill payments (electricity and water), Pay-Tv ( DSTV, GOTV, Star Times), E-payments, Bank withdrawal, payment  for transport as well as the Kozaho  card for  shopping, among others.

An Officer recording information from a health insurance card. The health Insurance- Muteulle De Sante rose to 77 percent from 71 percent in 2012, according to Finscope survey 2016.

Experts are optimistic that innovative products are likely to push for insurance uptake that is still facing challenges of affordability as well less awareness on the side of the population which continues to hurt the sector.

According to Central Bank statistics, only 9 percent in 2016 have or use insurance products but up from 7 percent in 2012 implying that 91 percent of the population cannot access insurance products.

“What we are doing is to tailor products that address the client’s challenges and one of this is to use technology,” said John Bugunya, Chief executive Officer at Prime Insurance on Friday.

With the use of technology such as shifting mobile phones and internet will enable accessibility of the products where a person can access them (insurance products) at their convenience.

“The economy is shifting to cash lite and as insurers we need to capture that advantage to apply technology in our services,” he added.

But also, Insurers say that the use of technology will make insurance products easier to understand thus solving the challenge of complexity of most products.

“We want insurance operations in Rwanda to go Digital so that they can be accessible and also understood by people which will increase their uptake,” said Patrick Nouh, Chief executive officer, Saham Assurance.

Sahama Assurance, a Moroccan pan Africa group acquired 67 percent stake in Corar Insurance Company bringing an international experience in the country’s fragile sector.

Currently,  most  insurers still use the office  and branch method of extending  products to  communities which  limits  accessibility, moreover, Finscope Survey 2016 indicates that  the  hindrance in  insurance  uptake  is affordability  59 percent and  lack of awareness 37 percent.

According to the survey,  medical insurance  takes  the highest  uptake 66 percent  with  Rwanda social security  board 37 percent, life insurance 12 percent , third party  12 percent , private pension 12 percent, credit life 11 percent , household insurance 5  percent  and agriculture cover 4 percent.

Mining companies operating in Kamonyi district in the southern province of Rwanda have raised concerns over lack of electricity supply in the mines an issue which has affected their output.

The miners say that that they cannot use equipment in the mining activities and thus forced to use rudimentally tools such as hoes and axes in the mining process.

“This could be made easy if we have access to electricity and our production would go up three folds” said one Gervais Mbanda, the head of Koperative CODEMICOTA- a mining cooperative in Rukoma sector.

The same issue in the mining sector was raised by Evode Imena, the State Minister for Mining in the ministry of Natural Resources and Mining, who said that Rwanda still lags behind in adapting to technology use.

Government recently gave out new licences and signed contracts with about 10 firms and had projected to fetch about $290 million (Rwf217.5 billion) from mineral exports but now looking at half of it.

Rwanda mining sector remains lucrative and government has projected a GDP contribution to increase from 1.2% to 5.27 %   by 2017/2018.

Mining in Rwanda presents unexploited opportunities in ores, processing and diversification. Rwanda’s main mineral exports are ores processed to extract tin, tantalum and tungsten and few gold and gemstones

Mining is the second largest export in the Rwandan economy. In 2014, the sector generated about $210.6 Million of foreign exchange

Bisesero concession is one of the largest Rwanda has had for so long, dating way back to 1830, according Minister Imena, and it has been changing investors ever since.

Despite these challenges, Minister Imena noted that Rwanda’s mining sector has seen growing interest of investors, with about 50 mining license applications received annually for the last 4 years.

“We have a growing number of companies coming and that’s what we want because we still have more to explore, in terms of minerals,” he said.

Mediators (Abunzi) in Gacurabwenge sector in Kamonyi district revealed that cell phones given to them by President Paul Kagame will improve communication and service delivery.

Abunzi in Gacurabwenge sector received cell phones from President Kagame to help them in daily work

This comes after President Kagame pledged to donate mobile telephones to the mediators in Gacurabwenge sector in Kamonyi district.

The telephones were pledged by President Paul Kagame in October 2014 during the celebrations to mark 10 years of Abunzi anniversary. The cell phones are a way of supporting the mediators equipment that eases the daily work.

Justin Nahimana, President of Mediators in Gacurabwenge sector highlights that modern technology is needed in daily work.

“Communication will help us in daily work. It has been difficult to tell who came late to work or not,” he says

Alphonse Nkurikiyimfura, a mediator in Kigembe cell confirms that mobile phones will help them communicate to higher authorities.

“For sure this has encouraged us to communicate and pass information to others. Also we will be able to easily ask of help from higher authorities,” Nkurikiyimfura adds

Mr. Jacques Rutsinga, mayor of Kamonyi district hands the telephone to one of the mediators

Abunzi said that it would be of great help if they are facilitated in transportation since some disputes are settled at the original place, thus need for transport fares.

Pauline Umwali, coordinator of Maison d’Acces à la Justice (MAJ), the house that supports local people to get advice on justice and attain Justice said that Abunzi are volunteers and not paid for their work.

He says: “They are elected already knowing its voluntary work. Abunzi are not paid for their work but receive support where necessary to carry out their duties.”

Abunzi is a hybrid form of justice combining traditional with modern methods of conflict resolution. The reintroduction of the Abunzi system in 2004 was motivated in part by the desire to reduce the backlog of court cases, as well as to decentralise justice and make it more affordable and accessible for citizens.

Today Abunzi is fully integrated into Rwanda’s justice system. Abunzi have been key in supporting conventional courts to settle disputes.

Mediators are responsible for settling disputes that arise in their communities. A mediation committee has 12 members and when two neighbours have a dispute, they pick three members to hear their case. The initial case is heard at a cell level. If any of the disputed parties are not satisfied with the initial hearing an appeal is filed at the sector level mediation committee. If the parties are not satisfied with the outcome, the case can be moved to conventional courts through the Primary Court.

In the year 2012/13, mediators handled 57,473 cases of which only 8,231 went to conventional courts. Of the 45,285 cases handled by Abunzi in 2013/14, only 4,591 went to conventional courts.

A study conducted by Transparency International Rwanda in 2012 showed that 81.4% of the population is satisfied with the performance of the mediators.

A customer selects a smartphone of her choice during the Tigo Phone Festival on Friday.

In a bid to boost the use of 4G mobile internet as well as nurture a digital lifestyle Tigo Rwanda has slashed smart device prices.

The operator who was the first to launch the 4G  long term Evolution-LTE fastest internet on mobile phones in September last year notes that the move to cut down prices will help people access more 4G enabled devices.

The sector’s number two who on February poached over 15,000 subscribers from MTN  due to its innovative data plans and call tariffs slashed prices of Samsung, Techno and Konka smartphones and 4G costs by almost 20 percent.

“There is enormous potential to change lives through digital,” said TongaiMaramba, General Manager Tigo Rwanda while commenting on the two day phone festival held at its service center in Remera, Friday.

Experts say that the 4G LTE provides the fastest network available with download speeds four to five times faster than normal 3G networks which is a landmark for telcos to tap into data revenue opportunities.

Moreover, the government through Korea Telecom ushered in the country the 4G long Term Evolution-LTE with the aim to supporting the Smart Rwanda initiative is looking at shifting to digital lead economy by 2020.

“People are increasingly seeing the Internet as one of the most important enablers in their lives for self-development, staying in touch, doing business, making life simpler and even entertainment,” Tongai added.

According to experts, a4G Mobile internet can download aten minutevideo clip in 35 seconds compared to 10 minute required when using the 3G network, thus pushing subscribers to switch to 4G mobile.

“The world is advancing and we need to cope up. It’s great that Tigo is helping us to get smartphones at really affordable prices,” said DeogeneKamali, a logistics expert in the customs who attended the festival.

PacifiqueKanyankore Tigo Territory Sales Manager for Kigali North expressed,” Our priority as Tigo now is to capitalize on this momentum and accelerate growth so that we can continue to play our part.”

With more innovations in the telecomsector which is looked on to boost digital inclusion, internet penetration in the country grew by 5.5 percent to 33.5 percent in the last quarter, 2015.

Youth checking at job lists during the Job net exhibition at Petit Stade in Remera on Wednesday. MIFOTRA

In a bid to make graduates employable and close the looming unemployment gap, the government is now sending graduates from universities to technical colleges to acquire practical skills.

The initiatives is  expected to provide hands on skills as well as knowhow in different sectors which helps  the graduates be more practical as opposed to joining job market with only theories from university.

“Graduates are encouraged to use this opportunity to get practical skills in various sectors that will help them on the labour market,” said Judith Uwizeye, minister of labour and public service.

The Minister who was speaking at the job Net, which brings together unemployed youth and the employers on Wednesday says government has already sent 400 unemployed graduates to Integrated Polytechnic Regional Colleges-IPRCs for four month training.

“The government is committed to addressing this challenge of youth unemployment,” the minister assured the youths.

According to statistics from the ministry the unemployment rate for youth graduated from High Learning Institutions stands at 13.5 percent while the national youth unemployment is 3.3 percent.

The minister says that the labour market still face challenges of time related underemployment where average is 27h per week while required the required should be at 45h per week.

But experts say there is need to expand the job market which his currently fragile through  integrating informal sector to formal as well  as creating  entrepreneurship among the youth.

For example, the Ministry statistics indicate that the public sector contributes 2 percent to employment; formal private Sector represents a share of 8 percent while 90 percent remains in the informal sector.

“The main focus now should be at empowering Small and Medium enterprises-SMEs so that they can create more jobs and together with government we already started this,” said Gerald Mukubu, deputy chief executive officer at private sector federation.

The government initiated the National Employment programme-NEP which among other things helps youth to be able to start their businesses through mentorship, easing access to credit.

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At least 80,000 Rwandan teachers will soon start receiving free laptops to enhance their work as part of the new Smart Teacher Initiative.

The laptops will be distributed under the partnership between Africa Smart Investments Distribution, the Rwanda Ministry of Education, Rwanda Education Board, UMWALIMU SACCO and Airtel Rwanda.

To acquire the laptops and modems, teachers will apply for loans from UMWALIMU SACCO, payable in 24 easy installments (2 years) while paying 13,920 RWF per month Inclusive of Bank Interest.

“We are excited to empower teachers by equipping them with Positivo BGH Laptops of the latest technology to enable them do their work and we have no doubt that they will deliver efficiently while they prepare content for students using these laptops”, said Francois Karenzi the Chairman for Africa Smart Investments-Distribution.

The move is expected to aid the existing the ‘One Laptop per Child (OLPC) project, which has seen several pupils get ICT skills and knowhow, despite some hiccups in the management of the project.

In 2014, The Broadband Commission for Digital Development commended Rwanda’s reforms in education system that has developed 21st century learning skills.

Rwanda has distributed 204,000 laptops to 407 schools across the country- ranking it the 3rd largest deployment in the world after Peru and Uruguay-under the ‘One Laptop per Child (OLPC) project.

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The African Union Commission (AUC) has on Monday 2nd May 2016 signed the host agreement for the 27th AU Summit to be held from 10 -18 July 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda.

The signing ceremony took place at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia between the Secretary General of the AU Commission, Ms. Djeneba Diarra and the Ambassador of Rwanda to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU, Hope Tumukunde Gasatura.

During the event, Ambassador Gasatura reiterated her country’s commitment to ensure a successful Summit of the AU. “Rwanda is committed and looks forward to hosting a memorable summit” She emphasized.

On behalf of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the AUC Secretary General thanked the Ambassador for the good cooperation between the Commission and the Rwandan Government in preparing the 27th AU Summit and assured her of the full support of the Commission in this regard.

Source: AU

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Tigo Rwanda staff have donated a solar power system to the Bisesero Genocide Memorial in Karongi District, Western Province as part of the telecom company’s activities to commemorate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The solar system was unveiled by Tigo Rwanda Chief Executive Officer Tongai Maramba, on May 5, 2016.

The solar system, valued at Rwf4.5 million, will provide lighting for the nine buildings that comprise the Bisesero Genocide Memorial.

The donation is part of the ‘Tigo 100 Days of Love’ initiative that comprises of a series of activities to build partnerships with the local community during this year’s genocide commemoration period.

Tigo is carrying out similar activities across the country in line with its commitment to remember and honour the lives that were lost in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. We strongly recognize the huge role played by genocide memorials in ensuring history is not repeated.” Maramba said.

Pierre Kayitana, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Tigo Rwanda explained that through partnership with the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG), the telecom identified Bisesero as one the few remaining memorial sites in Rwanda with no electricity.

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The electricity Utility Corporation Limited-EUCL has guaranteed the availability of reliable power supply   during the World Economic Forum Africa-WEF Africa 2016 expected to kick on next week on Wednesday May 11.

While speaking to this website on Friday, Maj. Eng Jean Claude Kalisa, managing director of the company said that all necessary requirements have been put in place to ensure that there is no any power outages that would interrupt the high profiled forum.

“We have been involved in preparatory meeting with other stakeholders and we are ready and determined to provide reliable power as we are used to,” he assured.

The company said that on Wednesday put on halt the two weeks’ upgrade of its prepaid system (cash power) says it has also laid measures in case of any emergency cases that would require quick action occur during the week.

“But even if there is a requirement of backup, we are prepared to do that,” Eng Kalisa added

The system whose upgrade was postponed to a later date is expected to cost around Rwf 80 million is likely to allow old data be archived to decrease the number of transactions in the database thus increasing speed of access into the system.

Also, the preparations for the forum have been finalized with the venue that will host the summit at Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (Camp Kigali) is set, according to Ministry of Finance and economic planning.

The three day forum which is the 26th will be held in Kigali under the theme, ‘Connecting Africa’s Resources through Digital Transformation and will attract public figures, business leaders, entrepreneurs, youth leaders and activists across the globe.

The forum is expected to focus at digital economy catalysts which are likely to provide radical structural transformation, enhancing public-private engagement on global and regional issues.

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Experts are optimistic that investments pointed towards developing innovation and technological products and services is likely to boost its economic growth which has recorded sluggish which is showing sluggish growth.

Hein Boegman, CEO for PwC Africa says that the global financial and economic crisis has revealed Africa’s vulnerability to several external economic shocks which now requires more innovation and a focus looking at technology.

“CEOs in Africa are ramping up their efforts to innovate and find new ways to do business on the continent in a move to stimulate growth in a challenging and uncertain global business environment,’ he said in an interview on Tuesday.

But despite this, Anne Eriksson, Country and Regional Senior Partner for PwC in Kenya and East Africa says many organisations are learning to ensure the rough waters while they aim towards achieving their goals.

“Africa is poised for a digital revolution. Increasingly, organisations are using technology to challenge business models and disrupt competitors in markets,” she said.

She adds, “Notwithstanding a multitude of challenges, many of which are cyclical, we remain confident that Africa’s prospects remain positive.”

Notably, experts say that the East African region is poised for positive growth considering its favourable political as well as doing   business environment which has further continued to attract more investments.

“East Africa is in a good place now in terms of demographics and relative political stability,” she added.

Moreover, Digital revolution in fostering economic growth on the continent remains big on the agenda for the World economic Forum-WEF Africa2016 which is schedule to take place from May 11- 13, 2016.

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The New General Manager for Tigo -Rwanda Philip Amoateng

Tigo -Rwanda, the country’s number two by subscriber base has announced the appointment of the new general manager amidst a tight competition within the sector mainly in the data and mobile money segments.

Philip Amoateng, previsouly Tigo Ghana’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) replaces Tongai Maramba who has been general manager since 2013 who stirred the operator through the years characterised by creativity and innovations in the sector.

The appointment according to Millicom international, the mother company of Tigo come at the time the telecom is looking at increasing its efforts to capture the data and mobile money segments in the sector.

“Tigo aims to bring mobile-enabled 4G, Mobile Financial Services, business services and the full Digital Lifestyle to millions of people across the country,” said Cynthia Gordon, Chief Executive Officer, Millicom Africa in a statement.

Amoateng who also served as Chief Financial Officer at Tigo Rwanda for four years is seen as a great resource in helping Tigo Rwanda to be able to further increase innovations on its Tigo Cash platform as well as internet.

“Philip Amoateng, who knows Tigo and the African Telecom’s landscape inside out is well placed to take Tigo Rwanda to the next level,” she added.

The operator which last year introduced the first 4G mobile internet while also launching  affordable data packs that shook the market announced a further investment in innovative products on its Tigo  cash.

“Rwanda is very familiar territory for me and I am excited to be taking up this next challenge in my career and coming back to Rwanda with my family in order take up this post,” he said

He adds, “Our Company will continue to innovate and to champion the right of all Rwandan people to be connected to the internet.”

The new General Manager aged 40, a citizen of Ghana has held senior financial and operational roles across Millicom (Tigo’s parent company) for more than 14 years.

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