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NEC Begins Accepting Candidates 'Nominations for 2024 polls
AfricaAFRICA NEWSRwandaRWANDARwanda Daily

NEC Begins Accepting Candidates’Nominations for 2024 Polls

by Editor
written by Editor

The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has announced that it will start accepting nominations for the position of President and members of Parliament from May 17 to May 30, 2024.

The NEC on February 19, 2024, published a document containing the regulations governing the 2024 Presidential and Deputies elections.

These instructions state that the reception of nominations will be done at the headquarters of the Commission on working days, from 3:00 am to 5:00 pm.

When this process is completed, on June 6, 2024, the Commission will announce the provisional list of candidates approved for the position of President and Deputy, on June 14, it will be announced that they have been approved for good.

The NEC will announce the list of candidates for the position of the President of the Republic that has been approved, on the website of the Commission, on June 14, 2024.

The elections for the President of the Republic and the Deputies will be held on July 15, 2024.

In February 2023, the National Electoral Commission proposed that these two elections be combined.

The General Assembly of the Parliament, the Chamber of Deputies on July 5, 2023, voted for the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda. This Constitution contains an article combining the Presidential and Deputies elections, which will save the country up to 7 Billion Frw, which would have been used if they were held twice as usual.

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President Paul Kagame expresses the significance of unity among Rwandans
AfricaAFRICA NEWSRwandaRWANDARwanda Daily

President Paul Kagame expresses the significance of unity among Rwandans

by Editor
written by Editor

President Paul Kagame, currently in the United States, highlighted the significance of unity and reconciliation among Rwandans during his address. He emphasized the country’s progress over the past 30 years, particularly praising the prioritization of unity as a foundational element for Rwanda’s security and development.

At the ‘National Prayer Breakfast’ in Washington DC on Thursday, February 1, 2024, attended by President Kagame and Mrs. Jeannette Kagame, the President reiterated the importance of unity.

Their visit to Washington DC, starting on January 31, includes engagements with Rwandans residing in the US and other locations for ‘Rwanda Day’ on February 2-3, 2024. President Kagame, speaking at the Heroes’ Day celebrations for the 30th time, remarked on the significance of the occasion coinciding with the prayer event.

He acknowledged Rwanda’s journey from refugee camps and statelessness, underlining the country’s resilience and determination to overcome challenges through national unity. Reflecting on Rwanda’s transformation from a racially divided society to a unified nation, President Kagame stressed the commitment to reconciliation and peacebuilding. He emphasized the necessity of reconciliation in difficult times, emphasizing humility and confidence as essential virtues in the process.

President Kagame concluded by underscoring the role of reconciliation in nation-building and community cohesion, highlighting Rwanda’s ongoing efforts towards unity and collective progress.

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Rwanda Committed to Strengthening Bilateral Relations with Nigeria, Envoy Says
AfricaAFRICA NEWSRwandaRWANDARwanda Daily

Rwanda Committed to Strengthening Bilateral Relations with Nigeria, Envoy Says

by Editor
written by Editor

The Rwanda High Commissioner to Nigeria, Christophe Bazivamo has expressed his country’s continued commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Nigeria.

Bazivamo said this at the weekend during the celebration of Rwanda’s 30th National Heroes Day in Abuja.

The envoy said Rwanda and Nigeria have weathered several storms of adversity, adding that both can build a brighter future for their people through shared experiences and expertise.

He said: “It is also fitting to restate our appreciation for the strong bonds of
friendship and excellent bilateral cooperation marked by fruitful
partnerships in various areas, including parliamentary diplomacy, defence and security, aviation, governance, sectoral
peer-to-peer exchange, and trade and investment.

“As the new High Commissioner of Rwanda to Nigeria, I am committed to further strengthening this vital bilateral relationship.

“By working together and sharing our experiences and expertise, together we can build a brighter future for our people.”

Bazivamo who spoke on the theme ‘Our Heroism, Our Dignity’, said the history of Rwanda was built on the values of resilience, unity, and dignity.

He noted: “On this day, we reflect on the sacrifices of those who came before us, those who fought for our freedom, unity, and progress, those who have embodied the highest values of patriotism for our country and Rwandans.”

The High Commissioner also said Rwanda, since the 1994 genocide, has embarked on a transformational journey, insisting that: “We have emerged from the ashes of genocide to become a nation of peace, unity, and progress.

He said: “This transformation is a tribute to the heroes who have paved the way
and a testament to the power of choices: Unity, Accountability, and Thinking Big.”

The High Commissioner explained that Rwanda is committed to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships with other countries.

He said: “There are investment opportunities in Rwanda that can be tapped into in the sectors of manufacturing, ICT, real estate, agriculture and agribusiness, tourism, and hospitality, amongst others.”

Rwanda’s National Heroes Day is held every year on February 1, honouring the exceptional Rwandans who demonstrated the highest values of patriotism and sacrifice and made significant contributions to nation-building, liberation, and unity.

It serves as an opportunity to reflect on their legacy, inspire future generations, and reaffirm Rwanda’s commitment to building a better future for all.

The Rwandan genocide, also known as the Genocide Against the Tutsi, occurred between 7 April and 4 July 1994 during the Rwandan Civil War. A period where members of the Tutsi minority ethnic group, as well as some moderate Hutu and Twa, were killed by armed Hutu militias.

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BYD enters Rwanda with launch of Atto 3
AfricaAFRICA NEWSRwandaRwandaRWANDARwanda Daily

BYD enters Rwanda with launch of Atto 3

by Editor
written by Editor

BYD entered into a partnership with Rwandan distributor CFAO Mobility in 2023, and the local launch of the Atto 3 marks its official entry into the East African market.

BYD (OTCMKTS: BYDDF) has officially entered the Rwandan market as it continues to expand its international presence.

The Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker recently held a brand launch in Rwanda and introduced the Atto 3 in the African country, according to a press release it issued yesterday.

The Atto 3 is known as the Yuan Plus in China and was launched on February 19, 2022. The model is the first SUV of BYD’s all-electric platform, e-platform 3.0, and its first model built for the global market.

BYD did not mention the model’s price in Rwanda. The Yuan Plus is currently offered in China in five variants priced at RMB 135,800 ($18,921) RMB 142,800, RMB 145,800, RMB 155,800 and RMB 163,800.

(Abimana Fidele, Permanent Secretary of Rwanda’s Ministry of Infrastructure, gave remarks at the launch.)

BYD entered into a partnership with Rwandan distributor CFAO Mobility in 2023, and the local launch of the Atto 3 marks BYD’s official entry into the East African market.

Rwanda is pushing for sustainable development, with plans to reduce emissions by 38 percent by 2030 and get 20 percent of its urban buses electrified, BYD’s press release said, adding that the company’s NEVs will be a key force in achieving that goal.

BYD’s NEVs, along with CFAO Mobility’s extensive sales network, will be a strong boost to the Rwandan EV market, said Cheruvu Srinivas, the dealership’s chief operating officer in Rwanda.

The Atto 3 is a hot seller in Thailand, Singapore, New Zealand, Brazil and other regions, BYD said at an investor conference on November 15, 2023, adding that it would launch more highly competitive NEV models in the global market.

The Atto 3, BYD’s first global model, sold more than 500,000 units worldwide, the company said in November.

BYD sold a record 341,043 NEVs in December, including 340,178 passenger cars and 865 commercial vehicles, according to figures it announced earlier this month.

The Yuan family sold 41,681 units in December, up 41.44 percent year-on-year while down 1.52 percent from November.

In 2023, Yuan family models sold 428,580 units, up 87.14 percent year-on-year, contributing 14 percent of BYD’s annual NEV sales of 3,024,417 units, according to data compiled by CnEVPost.

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Fortis Green strikes Rwanda hydropower deal
AfricaAFRICA NEWSRWANDARwandaRwandaRwanda Daily

Fortis Green strikes Rwanda hydropower deal

by Editor
written by Editor

Fortis Green Renewables has struck a deal to acquire a significant minority stake in a Rwandan hydropower plant. The US-based renewable energy investment firm purchased a 40% stake in the 2.6MW Rwaza Hydropower run-of-river plant in the African country via its Green Fund I. The transaction was announced on 18 January, after the deal was completed on 28 December 2023.

The firm said it purchased the stake to allow green energy investors to channel their capital into a reliable asset in the Rwandan market. Fortis Green managing director Jonathan Shafer said in a statement: “We have been tracking Rwaza for several years, and are pleased to add it to our Green Fund I portfolio.” He added that the investment “fits perfectly” with the firm’s target of “development and operation of clean and renewable energy for the African continent”.

Fortis Green Renewables was advised by a team of lawyers from Hogan Lovells, including the firm’s Africa practice co-head Arun Velusami.

The Rwandan energy project has been in operation since 2019 and is the product of DC Hydropower and responsAbility Renewable Energy Holding, which has since been renamed Serengeti Energy, and Frontier Energy. Frontier sold its stake to Serengeti Energy in March 2023, and Fortis Green completed its investment in green energy innovation through a total acquisition of original developer DC Hydropower.

Rwanda has also had interest from the UK-headquartered Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), which launched a branch in the country in June 2023.

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AfricaAFRICA NEWSCentral AfricaNigeriaTOGO

Togo, Benin owing Nigeria $1.7m electricity debt

by Editor
written by Editor

• Market operator intensifies cross-border activities, reconciliation 
The Market Operator (MO), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), yesterday, said Togo and Benin Republic owe Nigeria $1.7 million electricity legacy debt.

This came as the MO, headed by Dr. Edward Eje, hosted cross-border market participants to discuss energy transaction issues, challenges, and proffer solutions for smooth business operations in distribution of energy to Togo and Benin Republic.

Eje, in a statement, said the two countries were enjoying sovereign off-take of power supply until 2019, when both resorted to bilateral energy transactions, in view of the fact that generators and distributors in Nigeria had been privatised.

He said other issues discussed included outstanding energy reconciliation between the two countries for the period of October 2020 to February 2021, wherein both countries believed that the MO would reconcile them as a neutral operator.

Calling on the duo to settle their legacy outstanding debt of $1,715,786.25, Eje affirmed that the figure is the correct outstanding amount owed Nigeria.

SOURCE; GUARDIAN.NG

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DR Congo, Rwanda tiff haunts Eala business
AfricaAFRICA NEWSRwandaRwanda

DR Congo, Rwanda tiff haunts Eala business

by Editor
written by Editor

Sour relations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and its tiny neighbour, Rwanda, are now hurting the regional Assembly business.

Lawmakers from DR Congo have allegedly boycotted a retreat of the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) in the Rwandan capital.

They cited security concerns as the reason why they could not turn up at a two-day retreat in Kigali from February 15.

The Congolese MPs were also conspicuously absent from another meeting organized early this week for all lawmakers in Kampala.

Although no other reasons have been advanced for the snub, the new development has once again thrust the crisis in eastern DRC into the limelight.

The lawmakers from all seven East African Community (EAC) partner states had been required to attend both events “without exception.”

But the Congolese legislators alleged that attending the functions in both Kigali and Kampala would be at the peril of their lives.

The boycott comes less than two weeks after an extraordinary summit of the EAC leaders on the eastern Congo crisis.

DR Congo is a new entrant into the EAC, having joined the bloc last year. Its first batch of nine legislators was sworn in last December.

The Assembly, which is the legislative arm of the Community, had by yesterday not issued any statement on the saga.

Sources close to the Assembly have indicated, however, that the boycott was a setback for the Fifth Eala which has just started the business.

The Assembly now has a record of 63 elected members, with DR Congo in the EAC, and nine ex-officio members.

The latter are seven ministers responsible for EAC Affairs, the Secretary-General and Council to the Community, bringing the total to 72.

Eala was to use the two meetings in Kigali and Kampala to build capacity for its new members as well as plan its activities.

These were to take part in both cities this week with the Eala Commission which manages the activities of the House, warning on absenteeism.

The Commission requested the MPs to participate “in all pre-fixed activities and at the venues so determined without exception”.

An internal memo sent to the MPs from all seven states by the Commission secretary, Alex Obatre, directed them to physically participate in the meetings.

Failure to do so would see the lawmakers subjected to the Assembly Rules regarding non-attendance at House activities. Mr Obatre, who also doubles as the Clerk of Eala, apparently dismissed security fears for the DRC legislators while in Kigali and Kampala.

“We have always been doing everything possible within our powers to enhance the immunities and privileges that our members enjoy during official Eala activities in every partner state,” he observed.

The legislators from Congo or their government officials could not be reached for comment on the alleged boycott.

However, regional analysts have been quick to link it with soured relations between DR Congo and Rwanda since the resurgence of violence in North Kivu last year.

DR Congo has countless times accused Rwanda of backing M23 rebels who have caused havoc in the area. Rwanda has repeatedly denied the claims.

The deteriorating relations have seen little movement of people between the two neighbouring countries and bonafide members of the EAC.

Mid-last year, the DRC imposed a ban on RwandaAir landing at any airport in its vast territory or flying over its vast land due to frosty relations.

An Eala member from Rwanda, Amb Fatuma Ndangiza, who is a member of the Commission, said the boycott by the DRC lawmakers was unfortunate.

“We shall continue requesting all members to abide by the rules because we have clear rules of conduct for members,” she said.

Amb Ndangiza said she and her colleagues had expected legislators from DR Congo to be in Kigali and Kampala for official duties.

“The EAC is about integration. So, if you (the DRC) decide not to join others, it means you are promoting an isolationist policy,” she was quoted as saying in Kigali.

She argued that the time has come for the DRC lawmakers and its other officials to know that they are part of the community.

“Matters of security for their country are already in the hands of the Summit of the EAC Heads of State. It shouldn’t be part of the workings of the Assembly,” she said.

News from thecitizen

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Rwanda expects GMO 'responsibility' as African scientists back Kenya
AfricaAFRICA NEWSNewsRwandaRwanda Daily

Rwanda expects GMO ‘responsibility’ as African scientists back Kenya

by Editor
written by Editor

Rwanda says it is counting on Kenya to be a responsible member of the region by ensuring transparent information is shared with neighbouring EAC countries on all genetically modified (GM) seeds and food products imported.

Kigali’s sentiments must have come as a relief to the Kenyan government, coming on the back of recent support by a scientific lobby of African scientists who this week said genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are safe for human consumption and the environment.

There is a public debate in Kenya after the government in September lifted a ban on GMO foods and seeds, prompting a suit that resulted in a temporary court order stopping importation.

Now Rwandan authorities have jumped into the fray, saying they want Kenya to abide by international laws such as the Cartagena Protocol to ensure others are not harmed by its actions on GMOs.

The Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA) said it expects Nairobi to abide by international biosafety laws.

Be transparent
“In this regard, testing is not a very important aspect as countries are requested, under the Cartagena Protocol, to which both Kenya and Rwanda are signatories, to be transparent and to share information on transboundary movement of GMO. Both countries have competent authorities that have the mandate to implement provisions of the protocol,” the authority said.

“We believe that this particular trade will be handled through the existing regulatory framework and through the existing good collaboration between the two parties.”

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity, passed in 2003 is the basic international law on biosafety, allowing countries to restrict importation of GMOs if they believe there is insufficient evidence of their safety. Countries routinely require GMO foods to be labelled as such and retain rights to restrict biosafety technologies that could harm public health.

Porous EAC borders
Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda have raised concerns over potential infiltration of banned GMO products through the porous EAC borders, with Burundi warning that it had neither the capacity nor the technology to test for GMOs.

Rwanda said it uses a national reference laboratory for testing but does not have a GMO policy in place. Officials say this complicates regulation and gatekeeping of GMO products.

But the lobby of African scientists backing Kenya on GMOs has sought to re-assure Kenyans.

“We would like to assure Kenyans that GMO products are safe,” said Prof Ratemo Michieka, the chair of the Kenya National Academy of Sciences, at the close of a three-day conference for scientists under the Network of African Science Academies (Nasac).

The scientists recently met and discussed GMOs as a solution to the growing hunger problem in Africa at the African Science Academies 2022 held in Nairobi from November 28-30.

Enhance research
The scientists called on governments to put in place structures to enhance research and collaboration on the continent.

“Many African countries are facing declining agricultural productivity and food insecurity. The discussions during the three-day conference were focused on the latest ideas and appropriate solutions and technologies that come and enhance sustainable agriculture and food systems in Africa,” said Prof Nobert Hounkonnou, Nasac president.

In Kenya, trials on GMOs have been ongoing in laboratories and in research fields throughout the decade despite the ban.

“GMO plants have no danger whatsoever to the indigenous plants,” argued Prof Michieka.

“They can grow side by side or even mixed, with no impact at all.”

Africa lags behind in the adoption of modern food production technologies and especially GMOs. Only a handful of countries on the continent have commercialised GM crops at various levels, namely South Africa, Sudan, Egypt and Burkina Faso.

“African countries have the scientific infrastructure and the human capacity to carry out the research and give the right advice. We can’t just say don’t allow it without scientific evidence, yet we have a worsening food situation in the region,” said Prof Michieka.

Reporting by Pauline Kairu and Moses K. Gahigi

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Kenyan tech startup Hisa prepares for scale after receiving regulatory approval
AfricaAFRICA NEWSBusinessNewsRwanda

Kenyan tech startup Hisa prepares for scale after receiving regulatory approval

by Editor
written by Editor

Kenyan wealth-tech startup Hisa has publicly launched after receiving regulatory approval from the Nairobi Securities Exchange and the Capital Markets Authority to launch its fractional shares trading platform.

The Hisa app allows anyone in Kenya to invest in Kenyan listed stocks, US stocks and ETFs directly from their phones using mobile money.

“At Hisa, we are building the infrastructure for borderless investments in Africa through micro-investments. Less than one per cent of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa invests in the capital markets, caused mainly by a lack of access, low financial literacy levels, lack of IPOs as well as low liquidity of the local stock exchanges,” said Erick Asuma, Hisa’s co-founder and CEO.

Hisa aims to democratise the African retail investment space, and has now announced its public launch after a 10-month beta period following receiving regulatory approval.

“We are very excited to launch Hisa which will allow Kenyans to invest and build wealth with minimal investments. Through Hisa anyone in Kenya can invest in their favorite companies such as Safaricom, KCB, Equity, Tesla, Apple, Microsoft and many more,” said Asuma.

The startup provides more than just an investment platform, however. Hisa users will be able to start or follow discussions, read the latest business and finance news from reputable media partners, get real-time market updates, learn from experts, and listen to podcasts on topics ranging from technology, personal finance as well as interviews with thought leaders.

Hisa was formed by Asuma, Eric Jackson and Eunice Nyawira last year, with all three co-founders having previously run the Kenyan Wallstreet, an online business and finance news platform focused on East Africa.

“It was during our time with the Kenyan Wallstreet that we noticed that most of our audience was looking for an easy way to invest both in local and global investment opportunities, and such platforms were basically non-existent in Kenya,” Jackson said.

“The investment landscape in Africa is still in its very nascent stage. Most citizens in different countries can barely access investment products like stocks, bonds, and savings within their country, let alone global products like US stocks, and ETFs. With Hisa, we aim to provide an all-in-one platform for users to access all their investments.”

The startup has a B2B micro-investments solution that allows other fintechs, banks and telcos to leverage its infrastructure and regulatory compliance to embed investments like fractional stocks, ETFs, or unit trusts into their offerings, as well as a B2C mobile app that allows retail investors to buy fractional stocks – both local and global – as well as ETFs and REITs.

“At the moment, for our Kenyan users, we allow them to invest in Kenyan stocks, US stocks, and ETFs, as well as connect their central depository accounts for portfolio management. We are currently working on adding more products, including savings, unit trusts and government bonds,” Jackson said.

Earlier this year, Hisa raised its angel round, which featured participation by Chipper Cash co-founders Ham Serunjogi and Maijid Moujaled, MarketForce co-founder Tesh Mbaabu, and Faida Investment Bank, among others.

“We are currently raising our pre-seed round, which is going great so far. We anticipate closing it early next year,” said Jackson.

Hisa has also been selected to take part in the Startup Wise Guys Africa-focused accelerator, gaining access to funding and other types of support, and was also a finalist in this year’s MEST Africa Challenge. Jackson said early uptake of its solutions had been “really amazing”.

“We launched our public beta in December 2021, and so far we have about 15,000 users who have transacted over US$1 million on the platform,” he said. “On the B2B side, we now have five clients at various stages of integrating our APIs into their offerings or apps.”

Kenya-focused for now, Hisa nonetheless already has partnerships signed in Rwanda and Tanzania, and is looking at expanding into these countries, as well as to Zambia, in the first half of 2023.

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BusinessCentral AfricaTransportation & LogisiticsTravel & TourismWestern Africa

Rwandair rewards Nigerian customers and stakeholders

by Radarr Africa
written by Radarr Africa

Rwanda Airlines company, Rwandair has rewarded its Nigerian customers and stakeholders for supporting the company and ensuring business continuity.

The company in honour of stakeholders and customers organised the corporate event which was held recently in Lagos.

According to Rwandair, Nigerian customers and partners account for 44 per cent of the airlines’ gross sales.

Chief Commercial Officer, Rwandair, Jimmy Musoni, appreciated the contributions of the strong Nigerian travel market and commended their loyalty.

The Director-General, Rwandair Tourism Board Chamber, Frank Gisha, said the country – Rwanda, was a tourist destination and investment hub to consider.

The many tickets won by guest to Rwandair’s destinations include a business class ticket to London, while awards to partner travel agencies were handled by the Senior Manager, Promotion and Communication, Habba Kamsiga.

The Country Manager, Rwandair Nigeria, Muhamud Wayiga, said the travel business event was organized to reward its customers and celebrate its stakeholders.

“The reason we are here is to thank our stakeholders for continuous support and update them on new development  in the market to promote business continuity,” he said.

Commenting on the effect of the global crisis due to the Russian-Ukraine war on Rwanda air travel, Wayiga said that it had affected businesses generally.

“Fuel cost has gone up, it is something that is global. I wish something can be done so that the world comes back to normal. And there has been a lot of inflation, prices have gone up. If a normal person is affected, so is our business,” he said.

Source: Nairametrics

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