Calls for Undisruptive Digital Transformation across continent - AFRICA TECH SUMMIT - KIGALI
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JANUARY 2018 ISSUE 83
www.hope-mag.com TELLING RWANDA’S STORY MAGAZINE
AFRICA TECH SUMMIT - KIGALI
calls for Undisruptive Digital
Transformation across continent
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HOPE MAGAZINE
In this Issue January 2018 Issue 83
CONTRIBUTORS
HOPE TEAM Iradukunda Anime Rumanzi Abraham PUBLISHED BY COPYRIGHT 2013
Allan Migadde Keith Ntagozera Shema Ignace HOPE HOLDINGS LTD Reserved by Hope Magazine, a monthly
ADVERTISING & GENERAL INQUIRIES Magazine published by HOPE HOLDINGS LTD
Ben Gasore Kobusingye Bonitah Sindayirwanya Isabelle
P.O. Box 6176 Kigali-Rwanda All rights reserved.
Erwin Winkler Manzi Joseph Rebero Daniel
+250 788 524189 / +250 788 404138 The opinions expressed in the magazine
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Ishimwe Yvonne Mucyo Rodrigue Dani K. www.hope-mag.com publishers of Hope Magazine.
ADVERTISERS
MTN Rwanda
BPR ATlas Mara Group
Bourbon Coffee
1
2
3
CONTENTS
Safintra Limited 4
Akagera Business Group 5
Mobisol Limited 8
Business Partners Limited 9
Kigali Serena Hotel 18
14
Lake Kivu Serena Hotel 19
Airtel Rwanda 21
UAP Group Rwanda 22
UAP Group Rwanda 23
Marriott Kigali 27
Galaxy Hotel 31 PRESIDENTIAL MONTH
KCB Bank Rwanda 32
KCB Bank Rwanda 33
7 EDITORIAL Technology should respond to a need
Davis and Shirtliff 36
10 AFRICA TECH SUMMIT calls for Digital Transformation
Riders Lounge 37
12 BRD AND I&M receive EIB credit lines for private sector
Engen Rwanda Limited 38
16 YEGOMOTO launches Tap & Pay on taxi-motos
34
The Court Boutique Hotel 39 20 AIRTEL Bomba Packs upgraded to offer unlimited data
WAKA Fitness Group 49 24 BRALIRWA CREATE empowers farmers to earn more
The Arts & Gimco Real Estate 50 26 ACCESS Bank in breast cancer awareness campaign
Sinotruk Rwanda Limited 51 28 UTEXRWA to grow textile industry local and export markets
BK Techouse 52
MARRIOTT KIGALI
30 MTN Rwanda launches Birangize na MoMo Campaign
6
VISIT HOPE WEBSITE
www.hope-mag.com Editorial
For people to
Embrace tech, it should
COVER
Africa Tech Summit -Kigali
calls for Undisruptive
respond to a need
Digital Transformation
across continent
T
HIGHLIGHTS
he Africa Tech Summit Kigali, a 2-day manage bank accounts, and are working
The Heineken Africa Foundation (HAF), the philanthropic event which took place in Rwanda’s hand in hand with the telecoms to ensure
section of the Heineken Group.., has partnered with the c a p i t a l m i d - F e b r u a r y, b r o u g h t smooth transfers between mobile wallets
Ministry of Health to realise the hospital’s ambitions of together leaders from the African and bank accounts.
improving services to mothers and new-borns... Under tech industry, international players
the partnership, HAF through BRALIRWA is offering and investors who want to drive growth in There are so many other areas where
Africa. some smart thinkers could, and have,
EUR300,000 which will be largely for constructing the new
come up with solutions which people will
facility (Kacyiru Hospital) while the Government of Rwanda The summit explored the latest trends jump on. A good example is the delivery
will invest in the neonatal-maternal health facility with modern with expert speakers from across the of blood to hospitals by drones, which is
44
equipment to ensure quality service delivery. continent delivering keynotes, panels being pioneered in Rwanda.
and breakout sessions. One of the main
conclusions to come out of the summit is It is no secret that across the continent,
BRALIRWA that the continent still has some way to go the road network is nvot only still
in terms of mindset towards technology, underdeveloped, but in some countries
both on the part of governments and of the even the existing roads are in a sorry
population. However, it seems that both can state. While that may not be the case in
be addressed when the tech developers – Rwanda, our winding roads make speedy
the private sector – come up with inventive delivery near impossible, and there are of
tools and applications that actually respond course still parts of the country that are
to the needs of Africans. And those solutions difficult to reach. That is why Zipline’s
aren’t another fitness app or silly game with solution to use drones to deliver blood
which you can kill some time. to upcountry hospitals is of such genius
simplicity.
A good example is the use of mobile phones
to make money transfers, which is something Of course, as with the drones, the
that was pioneered on the continent and willingness of the government to
46
where it more widespread than in other embrace this technology was vital, and
parts of the world. The reason is exactly there are still quite a few countries on
that it responded to a huge need, as financial the continent that could borrow a leaf
VISION FUND inclusion is still rather limited and banking from Rwanda, where the leadership is
procedures can be cumbersome. In came pushing technology by offering all its
some genius techies at telecommunication services online (sometimes exclusively)
34 KIGALI MARRIOT Wine-tasting evening, a wide selection of wines companies, and the mobile money wallets and actively encouraging tech companies
were born. to come and develop their innovations
40 KATE SPADE Luxury Handbags changing Masoro’s community here.
It was such a success that the banks,
42 BPR Unveils new Digital Banking Solutions to its customers Yet in the end, if the tech companies
realizing that they were being outpaced,
brought all hands on deck to come up with a have nothing better than a fitness app or
43 AIRTEL RWANDA New MD to run the combined entity in Rwanda
reply. Today, the majority of the banks on the a silly game, they will run out of breath
46 VISIONFUND launches childcare centre continent offer multiple ways to electronically very quickly.
48 CIMERWA unveils New Brand, to reach full capacity mid-2019 Erwin Winkler
Hope Magazine assume no liability for error or omissions in this
publication. All Advertisements are taken in good faith, opinions
We appreciate your feedback. Please keep sending
and views contained herein are not necessarily those of the
Publisher. All copyrights and trademarks are recognized. No more on info@hope-mag.com or visit www.hope-mag.com,
part of this publication or contents thereof may be reproduced, to post your comment on any published story.
stored in retrieval system or transmitted in any form without We shall pick it and respond to you asap!
written permission by Hope Magazine. Exemption is hereby
granted for extracts with the purpose of fair review. © 2013
7
Innovation
The audience at a panel discussion at the Africa Tech summit
Africa Tech Summit -Kigali
calls for Undisruptive Digital
Transformation across continent
The Africa Tech Summit Kigali that opened on Wednesday has called for the acceleration of undisruptive
digital transformation and the move from cash to digital payments across the Africa continent.
T
he two-day summit is a platform to explore the latest
trends in digital technology with the participation of some
250 key African and international tech leaders. During
the summit, technology firms including Yegomoto, BK
Techouse showcased their latest innovations through tech
solutions in agriculture, transport, communications and banking,
among other sectors.
According to Edward George, head of research at pan-African
bank Ecobank, people are often stuck in their ways – whether
a market vendor or a top executive – and the challenge is to
change the mindset and open them up to the opportunities of
digital solutions. “As a bank, we are helping individuals and
businesses to meet the challenges with latest banking and tech
innovations, including using mobile and customer data to create
individualized credit scores, unlocking the potential for mobile
Edward George Karanvir Singh CEO of Yegomoto
lending and micro-insurance,” George said.
head of research Ecobank explains the company's tech innovation
10
HOPE JANUARY ISSUE 83AFRICA TECH SUMMIT
SPECIAL FEATURE
BK Techouse CEO
Regis Rugemanshuro
speaking at the summit
Yegomoto CEO Karanvir Singh during a panel discussion
During the summit, Karanvir Singh, CEO of Lucy Mbabazi, vice-President for Push
Yegomoto, said that through the company’s Payments at Ecobank, said that Africa
intelligent connected fare meters for needs to incentivize a mindset change to
motorcycle taxis which were launched in make people change from cash to digital
Rwanda less than six months ago, safe payments, and give companies tax breaks
and reliable service delivery is ensured. if they digitalize their business.
“In the beginning, drivers were hesitant “The more you are aware of digital,
but now they benefit from free helmets, the more you want to use it,” she said. The expo hall of the Africa Tech Summit
meters, knowledge of new technology “Banking is not a privilege, it’s a right; we
and the bigger picture of effective easy need to use all the digital tools available
working,” he said. to remove the pain point for customers to
make a payment.”
While over 80% of Africans have mobile
phones, only around a quarter (28%) of However, there are many barriers to wider
them has a bank account. But mobile use of new technology where change
banking and e-wallets are helping to fill the is needed in attitudes and approaches
gap, offering a range of alternative payment towards innovation. Therefore,
methods as well as lending and savings participants and key speakers called upon
services. This has boosted the overall governments to embrace technology which
financial inclusion rate to 34%, and it is will overcome these barriers and stimulate
growing each day. wider usage.
The hostess at YegoMoto stand
gives explanations to a visitor
Lucy Mbabazi vice-President for Push Payments The stand of BK Techouse featured robots
at Ecobank, speaks during a panel discussion on fintech made during the recent Robotics Camp Rwanda
www.hope-mag.com 11DEVELOPMENT BANK OF RWANDA
Investment SPECIAL FEATURE
BRD and I&M receive
EIB credit lines
for private sector investment
Eric Rutabana BRD CEO, Maria Shaw-Barragan EIB Director and Robin Bairstow I&M Bank Managing Director sign the agreements
f
fTHE RWANDA DEVELOPMENT BANK (BRD) AND I&M BANK RWANDA HAVE
RECEIVED CREDIT LINES FROM THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK TO
PROMOTE JOB CREATION BY FINANCING PRIVATE SECTOR PROJECTS.
12
HOPE JANUARY ISSUE 83DEVELOPMENT BANK OF RWANDA
SPECIAL FEATURE
“This agreement
shows commitment
by EIB to assist us in
SME financing, and it
will help us extend our
reach across country,
because SMEs are
everywhere and are
vital for the economy
and job creation,”
Rutabana remarked.
“The sectors that
will benefit from this
credit line include
manufacturing,
agribusiness, energy
and exports.”
BRD CEO Rutabana the agreement will help the bank extend its reach across country
U
nder the EIB’s Private Enterprise of previous investments which created at least Robin Bairstow, the I&M Bank Managing
Finance Facility, BRD received a €15 3,000 jobs in different sectors,” she remarked. Director, also lauded the EIB’s continued
million credit line while I&M Bank “We target SMEs as they create jobs, and thus support.
benefits from a $10 million lending promote financial inclusion.”
programme, both accompanied by “Thanks to the EIB, we have built a strong
technical assistance. BRD CEO Rutabana remarked that the SME portfolio over the years and many of the
new agreement is highly important for the businesses have since grown significantly,”
The agreements were signed in Kigali on Monday development bank, as two years ago it embarked he said. “This new line will make it possible
by on the one hand, Maria Shaw-Barragan, EIB on a new strategy to develop SMEs in the country. to explore new sectors such as tourism and
Director responsible for lending operations agribusiness while continuing to have a
outside Europe, and on the other hand BRD “This agreement shows commitment by EIB to considerable influence on existing businesses
CEO Eric Rutabana and I&M Bank Managing assist us in SME financing, and it will help us mainly in the trade sector.”
Director Robin Bairstow. extend our reach across country, because SMEs
are everywhere and are vital for the economy “This new initiative by the European
Barragan observed that for both BRD and I&M and job creation,” Rutabana remarked. “The Investment Bank builds on a proven track
Bank it is the second time the EIB extends a sectors that will benefit from this credit line record of helping companies across East
credit line as the first ones were successfully include manufacturing, agribusiness, energy Africa to expand, including here in Rwanda,”
completed – which is why the new credit lines and exports.” said Ambassador Nicola Bellomo, Head of
are 50% bigger than the previous ones. the European Union Delegation to Rwanda.
“This is not the first time that the EIB finances “Technical assistance provided alongside the
“The EIB has already given loans worth €87mn for BRD, and we hope it isn’t the last as we still new private sector lending will both strengthen
private sector development in Rwanda over the have many projects. We thank EIB very much,” financial services in Rwanda and financial
last six years, so we’re building on the success he added. skills within Rwandan businesses.”
www.hope-mag.com 13EVENTS PICTORIAL
PRESIDENTIAL MONTH
1 President Kagame attended the Africa Market on the sidelines of the African
Business and Investment Forum in Union Summit 30th AU Summit in
Addis Ababa, on 30 January 2018 Addis Ababa, on 29 January 2018
2 President Kagame met with 5 President Kagame attended the World
members of the Chief Executives Economic Forum from 23 – 25 January
Organisation on 20 January 2018 2018
3 President Kagame hosted envoys 6 President Kagame chaired the 30th
accredited to Rwanda to a Diplomats’ African Union Summit in Addis Ababa,
Luncheon on 16 January 2018 on 29 January 2018
4 President Kagame, Chairperson 7 President Kagame and AUC
of the African Union Commission Chairperson held consultative meeting
Moussa Faki Mahamat and President on AU Institutional Reform with former
Faure Gnassingbé of Togo launched Heads of State and Government, in
the Single African Air Transport Addis Ababa, on 30 January 2018
14PRESIDENTIAL MONTH
ffHighlights on some of the monthly activities the
President has undertaken in and outside the country
8 President Kagame met with H.E. Horst Köhler, January 2018
former German President and Personal Envoy of the
UNSG for Western Sahara and H.E. Moussa Faki 13 President Kagame met with Co-Chair of Africa
Mahamat, AU Chairperson on 13 January 2018 Wildlife Foundation Board Benjamin Mkapa
and President of Africa Wildlife Foundation
9 President Kagame led the nation in the Kaddu Sebunya. on 10 January 2018
commemoration of National Heroes Day on 1st
February 2018 14 President Kagame made a working visit to
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, on 14 January 2018
10 President Kagame met with Hon. Wang Yi, Minister
of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China 15 President Kagame received new envoys
on 13 January 2017 who presented their letters of credence on 16
January 2018
11 President Kagame received former President of
France Nicolas Sarkozy on 15 January 2018 16 President Kagame met with US President
Donald Trump on the sidelines of the World
12 President Kagame addressed the AU Peace and Economic Forum in Davos, on 26 January
Security Council (PSC) in Addis Ababa, on 27 2018
15YEGOMOTO
Business SPECIAL FEATURE
YEGOMOTO launches
TAP & PAY on taxi-motos
ff Yego Innovision has launched a system that will enable passengers on its motorcycles to pay for the ride
using the MTN Tap and Pay system. Users of Yegomoto were already able to pay with MTN Mobile Money, but this
required lengthy process using USSD; the introduction of Tap & Pay will make that process quicker and easier.
T
he company also launched its own
Yegomoto Ride-Tap-Pay system. “We
are delighted to partner with MTN to
bring this innovative payment option
to passengers of taxi-motos,” said
Karanvir Singh, the CEO and Managing
Director of Yego Innovison. “From today,
passengers will be able to pay with their
MTN mobile wallets using MTN’s Tap &
Pay or Yegomoto’s Ride-Tap-Pay tags. The
Yegomoto Ride-Tap-Pay will soon be able
to support payments from mobile operators
as well as debit cards from banks. This will
give a tremendous boost to Rwanda’s effort
to go cashless.”
Karanvir Singh Yegomoto CEO and
Patrick Nyirishema RURA DG, test the Tap & Go system
MTN’s Chief Business Officer Norman Munyampundu President’s vision of increasing the use of technology,
for his part said that the telecom has been very this initiative will boost Rwanda’s economy and make
interested in Yegomoto’s business. “When MTN things easier for both the drivers and the passengers,”
Rwanda learned of what Yegomoto was initiating, he said.
and we gladly joined hands as this service is meant
to ease the way people pay for their transport on To use the MTN Mobile Money or Yegomoto Ride-
motorcycles,” he said. Tap-Pay system, passengers have to register, which
takes more or less 30 seconds. Using either of the
Yegomoto uses meters connected to the internet systems comes at no extra charge.
and to GPS which
Yegomoto CEO Karanvir Singh automatically calculate
speaks about Rwanda’s effort to go cashless
the fee for the ride.
The tariff per kilometer
is set by the Rwanda
Utilities Regulatory
Authority (RURA), and its
director general, Patrick
Nyirishema welcomed
the joint initiative.
“We are very proud of
Yegomoto’s cashless
payment system because
it will emphasize the
dignity and discipline
Norman Munyumpundu MTN's Chief Business of the motor riders. And
Officer speaks at the launch of the new system in accordance with the Some of the guests of the launch
16
HOPE JANUARY ISSUE 83YEGOMOTO
SPECIAL FEATURE
YEGOMOTO gets licence to install
connected fare meters on taxi-motos
ff Yegomoto has received a license from the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency to
install intelligent connected fare meters on all the motorcycles in the country.
Karanvir Singh Yegomoto CEO addressing
Journalists at the announcement of the license
Karanvir Singh Yegomoto CEO and Aaron Ndagijimana
the Deputy Head of Transport at RURA, Yegomoto’s CEO Singh explains the connected meter system
R
wanda becomes the first country in the Since the process started 18 months ago with Aaron Ndagijimana, Deputy Head of Transport at
world to have the metered motorcycle taxi market research, Yegomoto has installed 680 RURA said Yegomoto comes to solve challenges
services with cashless payments. According meters on the motorcycles in Kigali, and Singh for both the motorcyclists and the passengers.
to Yegomoto’s CEO, Karanvir Singh, the pledged to complete the task in the capital in “Negotiations between motorcyclists and passengers
transport company is proud to be a pioneer the next six months and across the country in were amongst the problems as it was time consuming,
in partnership with RURA, the police and other nine months. but with the meter both parties are going to be happy.
stakeholders in creating the world class project. So it is a win-win situation,” he said.
“It has been a long journey, we have worked
“We are delighted to announce that we have received
with all the stakeholders since 2016 to find out Yegomoto has recently introduced payments through
the license from the regulator to install the intelligent
what were the real challenges to taxi motorcycle MTN’s Mobile Money Tap & Go method, and has
connected fare meters all taxi-motos in the country.
industry in the country. We conducted a detailed announced this will soon be extended to both TIGO
The regulator has asked us to complete the process
field survey for over one year and half that gave us and Airtel. The company also plans to integrate with
within nine months and we expect to meet the
deep insight into to industry. We studied how taxi- banks to provide seamless payment from their wallets
deadline,” he said.
motos operate, and their challenges,” Singh said. and bank accounts.
www.hope-mag.com 17Business
Health
AIRTEL RWANDA
ORIGIN
SPECIAL FEATURE
Airtel Bomba Packs
upgraded to offer unlimited
data and call options
� Kigali, Rwanda. January 2018. Airtel Rwanda has today
enhanced its Bomba Packs, introducing “Bomba No Limit”
packs to the Bomba packs family. “Bomba No limit” frees
Airtel Internet subscribers to enjoy unlimited data and make
calls without time restrictions. The introduction of these About Bharti Airtel
volume-based packs comes to compliment the time-based
bundles that were introduced by Airtel in November 2017. Bharti Airtel Limited is a leading global
telecommunications company with
operations in 16 countries across Asia
A
and Africa.
irtel Data customers now have the Speaking about the development at Airtel Headquartered in New Delhi, India, the
option to choose between loading headquarters, acting Managing Director at company ranks amongst the top 3 mobile
a daily, weekly or monthly pack and Airtel Rwanda Raoul Bedi, said, “The upgrade service providers globally in terms of
consuming it up to to 1 GB of per day, of Bomba packs comes as a response to subscribers.
7GB of data per week or 30 GB of data customers need for flexible internet packs that
per month. can be used without restrictions. In India, the company’s product offerings
include 2G, 3G and 4G wireless services,
Alternatively, customers can load “Bomba No mobile commerce, fixed line services, high
These packs provide the agility needed by speed home broadband, DTH, enterprise
Limit Bundles” and utilize as much data as they customers who use our Internet for work
wish without restriction. services including national & international
assignments that may sometimes require more long distance services to carriers.
than 1 GB of data per day.”
“Bomba No Limit Bundles” offer In the rest of the geographies, it offers
1GB daily for 500 RWF, 2G, 3G, 4G wireless services and mobile
7GB weekly for 3000 commerce. Bharti Airtel had over 394
RWF and 30 GB million customers across its operations
of data monthly
alongside
“Bomba No Limit at the end of December 2017.
other voice Bundles” offer 1GB daily for 500 To know more please visit,
www.airtel.com
and SMS
benefits. RWF, 7GB weekly for 3000 RWF
and 30 GB of data monthly
alongside other voice and Bomba packs provide a range of choices
SMS benefits. to Airtel customers to enjoy daily, weekly
and monthly streaming using Airtel
Internet as well as making calls to all
networks at an affordable rate.
20
HOPE JANUARY ISSUE 83BRALIRWA SPECIAL FEATURE
Agri-Business ...
CREATE empowers farmers
to earn more from agriculture,
transform their villages
For the 73 farmers
in Jyambere
� From tilling small fragmented farms and cultivating them with Muhinzi, their maize
a wide array of crops, 73 farmers working together in Jyambere
Muhinzi Cooperative in Gishari Sector of Rwamagana district in harvests have
Rwanda’s Eastern Province now have more than 100ha of land been progressively
under maize farming and productivity has been increasing increasing. From
significantly since 2016. 73.4tons of maize
in 2016/17 the
J
yambere Muhinzi which in Kinyarwanda
loosely translates into “farmer development,”
CREATE is a Heineken Group funded project
t h r o u g h i t s l o c a l s u b s i d i a r y B R A L I R WA
cooperative is looking
engages in modern farming and is a role model
on good farming practices for many farming
implemented by the European Cooperative for
Rural Development (EUCORD). The project
at 150tons of this
cooperatives in the district. To its members,
notwithstanding their hard work, success gained so
seeks to empower farmers to earn more from 2017/18 implying over
their agricultural activities and in so doing foster
far has been possible thanks to the technical and community wide economic transformations. 104% increase in a
equipment received from the Community Revenue
Enhancement through Agricultural Technology In large parts of the Eastern Province including
year.
Extension (CREATE) Project. Kayonza and Rwamagana districts, the one-crop
24
HOPE JANUARY ISSUE 83BRALIRWA SPECIAL FEATURE
for the farmers as identified through scientific
assessments of the land qualities conducted
by the Ministry of Agriculture in its land
consolidation and land use policy is maize.
Given that it coincides with a crucial raw-
material in BRALIRWA’s brewing activities
–maize grits –it is understandable why maize
and these particular districts given Heineken
Group’s sustainability target of increasing
local sourcing of raw materials to at least
60% by year 2020.
Under CREATE, the focus has been
to sensitise farmers on good farming
practices such as use of quality agricultural
inputs like fertilisers and timely planting,
business management skills which help
transform agriculture from subsistence to
market oriented farming, and kick starting
agricultural mechanization through irrigation
among other initiatives. And this wide array
of approaches has born results particularly
increased productivity, breaking the poverty
yoke and changing the face of entire villages
thanks to income earned from maize farming.
produce other crops in the harshest of time,”
For the 73 farmers in Jyambere Muhinzi, Nshirigihunga Lambert the President of
their maize harvests have been Jyambere Muhinzi Cooperative notes.
progressively increasing. From 73.4tons
of maize in 2016/17 the cooperative is Armed with irrigation equipment and
looking at 150tons of this 2017/18 implying techniques, these farmers are now
over 104% increase in a year. According to cultivating cabbages as a new crop all
farmers like Christine Mukakabano, maize year to take advantage of a read market
has been a success and instrumental in of the vegetable in the neighbouring
changing their lives around. Rwanda National Police Training College
in Gishari. Besides access to irrigation
“I cannot think of farming without the maize equipment and empowerment to make
crop. It is only after I started cultivating maize use of available Government of Rwanda
that I was able to earn a significant amount at facilities to incentivize use of irrigation in
the same time from my farming. Originally, I farming, farmers have also been trained
used to do a lot of mixed cropping and could on installation, operation, maintenance and
only earn a few thousand francs from selling minimal reparation skills for their irrigation
my harvests. In the previous farming season, farming that will eventually bring more cash units.
I brought in slightly over 1.3tons of maize to the in the hands of farmers in addition to making
cooperative from which I earned about Frw300,000 communities and the country food secure. According to EUROCORD’s irrigation specialist
that I used to make improvements in my family’s Maurice Binyebebe, farmers are given irrigation
life including buying two goats.” Cost effective irrigation solutions support for a year including on installation,
make all year farming possible operation, maintenance and minimal repairs.
For other farmers like Hakizimana Innocent Alongside these services, skills on these areas
who was able to harvest 3tons from his farming A crucial element in modernized market driven are imparted so that cooperative members are able
in farming season A of 2016/17, returns from farming has the ability to be productive throughout to continue on their own after the year. “Currently,
maize have made his village better. “We have the year. For farmers both cultivating lowlands and farmers we have been working with since early
managed to rehabilitate our houses, our children hillside fields under the CREATE project, irrigation 2017 to install and operate irrigation solutions
are going to school and we are meeting our basic has opened up new farming seasons they never are able to manage them on their own thanks
needs.” Having access to a ready market for had and are producing crops they never thought to various trainings received.”To further make
maize produce has been the major factor for the possible. irrigation solutions affordable, the project has
game changer that maize has been. Many of the introduced solar powered irrigation units that will
farmer cooperatives supported by CREATE are Farmers who previously were only able to utilise further improve usability and ensure that farming
now fully registered, have managed to buy more farming seasons A and B and just waited around continues to bring more financial liberation to rural
land and are well advanced at being able to use without serious work during the season C which communities.
available local financing opportunities to sustain is largely in the dry spells of Rwanda’s farming
their activities. calendar are now able to farm throughout the year Thanks to smallholder farmers like those
and as they testify, this is increasing their ability to supported by CREATE, the establishment of an
According to Fabien Ngoga who coordinates make extra cash from what they their agriculture irrigated maize farm by BRALIRWA in partnership
the project for EUROCORD, the combination of profession. “Had it not been for irrigation, the with MINIMEX in the Ndego Sector of Kayonza
farming techniques, agricultural mechanization, harsh dry season we experienced in 2016/17 district and the extended impacts of these two
access to agricultural inputs and now season would have left us without even food initiatives, local maize harvests account for about
strengthening farmer access to financial facilities for our families but thanks to irrigation solutions, 40% of Rwanda’s leading beverage manufacturer’s
is a success in building sustainable modernized we were able to have a good harvest and even maize grits consumption.
www.hope-mag.com 25ACCESS BANK SPECIAL FEATURE
Health ...
Access Bank in breast
cancer awareness campaign
While figures indicate that about 300 women die
from breast cancer every year, the Director of
the Cancer Unit in RBC, Dr Francois Uwikindi,
conceded that the number is probably much
higher.
“We think there are many others who are suffering
from breast cancer and eventually die because
they never go for early screening thinking they
are suffering from a different disease,” he said.
Nadine Rutabayiro
Access Bank Team Leader explains
Access Bank clients at the breast cancer screening the breast cancer campaign
ff Access Bank in collaboration Access Bank Rwanda has a product called
with the Rwanda Biomedical maternal health support scheme where it provides
Centre (RBC) last month kicked loans at low interest rates (15%) to enable clients
diagnosed with such chronic diseases to access
off its annual initiative of raising medical treatment and pay back later.
awareness on breast cancer for
women by carrying out a free “The treatment is accessible for both in Rwanda
screening for its clients and staff. and abroad,” Rutabayiro explained. The free
screening targeted over 80,000 women, at a
T
time when breast cancer is becoming increasingly
he one-week campaign was held ahead prevalent.
of the international day for fighting
breast cancer held on 4th February
Dr Francois Uwinkindi
under the theme “I Can, We Can.”
Director of the Cancer
Unit at RBC
Speaking to journalists during the
free screening event at the bank’s head
offices at Union Trade Centre in Kigali City, He lauded Access Bank’s initiative, saying
Nadine Rutabayiro, the Access Bank Team it complements the government’s efforts in
Leader for Women Banking noted that; raising awareness on prevention and early
“as we help women to access finance for detection of cancer for easy treatment.“People
their economic empowerment, we strongly often seek medical support when they are
believe that they should also be healthy to already at an incurable stage because they
be able to benefit from financial stability. delayed screening. It is better that a woman is
examined every month,” Uwikindi remarked.
She added that; “We cannot talk about
financial development without better The campaign also included explanation of
health. That is why we are screening them measures to prevent breast cancer and on
for breast cancer in conjunction with RBC.” Access Bank employee being taken how women can do a monthly self-examination
through the self-examination procedure of their breasts.
26
HOPE JANUARY ISSUE 83Utexrwa, Quick
the largest tex- delivery,
tile and garment factory reliability, flexible
in Rwanda, is today positioned customization ,and
to take maximum benefit of the growing adoptability are quali-ties that
market emerging from the stability in and define Utexrwa today.
fast development of the country.
Founded in 1984, and currently among
the largest textile companies in the region,
Quick delivery,
Utexrwa plays a pivotal role in job creation
and the development of the textile and
reliability, flexible
garment sector. The company’s operations customization,
also contribute to import substitution and and adoptability
thus to improving the trade balance. are qualities that
define Utexrwa
In addition, Rwanda’s strong bilateral today”
ties with West African countries such as
Congo Brazzaville, Cameroon and Gabon, Ritesh Patel,
present a golden opportunity to Utexrwa Managing
to gear up for the export markets and thus Director -
become a strong foreign exchange earner. UTEXIRWA
28Stretched on nine acres of land with
built-up construction of over 25,000
square meters, the garment maker’s
facilities are composed of a vertically
integrated textile mill that includes
spinning, weaving, processing (dyeing
and printing), and in-house garment
division.
Largely specializing in the production of
uniforms, Utexrwa focuses on Rwanda’s
budding education and security
sectors. With Rwanda’s peacekeeping
forces operating in several countries
around the globe, there is great growth
potential in that market. Utexrwa also
firmly believes that the partnership
between the textile sector and the Some of the finished fabric that are often
exported to regional markets such as Congo
government in the production and
supply of uniforms for public schools is
a credible vehicle for the transformation Its uniforms are customized with client-
of the sector. specific design, size and colour. The
product range so far includes uniforms
for the army and police, fire fighters,
medics, schools, commercial, home
and industrial workforce as well as
eco-friendly home furnishings. The
company also supplies finished cotton
and blended fabrics in rolls.
Utexrwa sources most of its raw materials such as
cotton from Rwanda and other EAC countries.
Tailors at Utexrwa sewing police uniforms
Processed cotton
The company also supplies finished cotton and
blended fabrics in rolls. The company also produces uniforms for commercial purposes, such as taxi-moto jackets.
29Innovation ... MTN RWANDA
Business SPECIAL FEATURE
MTN Rwanda launches
Birangize na
MoMo Campaign
ffMTN RWANDA today launched its latest multi-channel Mobile Money campaign
titled “Birangize na MoMo”, which emphasises the mobile operator’s bold views on
aligning itself with the Rwandan government’s drive to digitise the economy.
T
he campaign articulates The vibrant and catchy audio
MTN’s commitment to track that kicks off this campaign
contributing tothe nation- is done by local up-and-coming ABOUT MTN Rwanda
al economic strategy on artists namely Ntwali Benjamin
enhancing cashless trans- and Banamwana Paulin who are
actions that offers convenience and students, and Sano Shengero MTN Rwanda is the market leader
security to all Rwandans. Speaking Aline who is actively pursuing a in the mobile telecommunications
at the launch, MTN Ag. CMO, Rich- music career. industry in Rwanda.
ard Acheampong, said, “MTN has
developed and deployed numerous Since 1998, MTN Rwanda
“Our brand has evolved with has continuously invested in
innovative financial products aimed Rwandan musicians such as Tom
at convenience and safety while sup- expanding and modernizing
Close, Jay Polly, Mani Martin,
porting the drive towards a cashless its network and is now proudly
Riderman, Charly & Nina, many of
economy. Rwanda’s No 1 Network.
who were still fresh in the industry
but have risen to become some MTN Rwanda offers superior
We are communicating how, through of the biggest names in Rwandan
the evolution of MTN Mobile Money, services to its subscriber base,
music today. We are taking our
peoples’ lives have become simpler including innovative propositions
partnerships a notch higher by
and more convenient. Today, the sim such as personalized voice and
working with young talented
card gives you more than just voice data offers with MTN Irekure.
upcoming musicians to driving
and data; you can perform your financial transactions a campaign that is transformational both for our
anywhere and at any time, from your mobile phone.” The company is also the front
subscribers and also for these young upcoming
runner in Mobile Financial
musicians. The models featured in all our brand
Services in Rwanda with Mobile
A key criterion of the campaign is that it showcases and campaigns are also proudly Rwandan. We continue
celebrates what customers can do because of the role Money, Tap&Pay and MoKash,
to support and promote the development of such Loans and Savings.
Mobile Money plays in their lives, such as paying water artists by giving them platforms to showcase their
bills, buying airtime, paying for electricity, paying for parking talents. Birangize na MoMo!” concluded Mr.
tickets, paying taxes and so much more, all in the most Acheampong.
unexpected places. Most of these services are actually
paid at no extra cost to the MoMo subscriber.
“We know the enormous potential MTN Mobile Money has
to transform our lives. As more services are deployed on
the Mobile Money platform, it is important for us to continue
FOR MORE
to drive financial inclusion in a manner that the average information,
subscriber can identify with and finds valuable,” he added. PLEASE CONTACT:
This campaign is MTN’s most ambitious yet. It comprises
MTN PR Desk
a number of television executions and a combination of TETA MPYISI
market-specific print, online, outdoor and mobile creative PR2.RW@MTN.COM
executions.
30
HOPE JANUARY ISSUE 83MARRIOTT KIGALI SPECIAL FEATURE
Hospitality ...
Simon Hodson Director of Food and Beverages at Kigali Marriott (left)
and the hotel’s General Manager Rex Nijhof (right), with a guest
At wine-tasting evening,
KIGALI MARRIOTT shows its
wide selection of FINE WINES
ff IF YOU LOOK UP ONLINE REVIEWS FOR CUCINA, THE ITALIAN RESTAURANT AT KIGALI MARRIOTT HOTEL, YOU
WILL FIND A LOT OF PRAISE FOR THE SERVICE AND THE MOUTHWATERING FOOD – FROM PIZZAS TO RISOTTOS
AND PASTAS. WHAT IS LESS OFTEN MENTIONED IS ITS WIDE INTERNATIONAL SELECTION OF FINE WINES.
S
o to make its patrons more familiar sample a dozen or so wines from all around “This is an intimate event to enjoy good wines,
with its wine menu, Kigali Marriott the world, while two French experts, Gil and also an opportunity to present ABG, which
invited a select group to a wine- Cheviron and Stéphane Roi, were on hand is one of our main suppliers,” explained Simon
tasting evening at Cucina. At the to help them choose and give explanations. Hodson, Director of Food and Beverages at
event, organized together with There were also various amuse-bouches Kigali Marriott. “We also hope to start a trend
Akagera Business Group (ABG) which is including cheeses, ham and different types and have regular wine evenings, so that people
Marriott’s partner for wines, guest could of bread. can come and enjoy this at the Marriott.”
34
HOPE JANUARY ISSUE 83MARRIOTT KIGALI SPECIAL FEATURE
The event was reserved for select guests
Some of the wines served during the evening Stéphane Roi says the wine business in Africa is growing
He indicated that all the wines which ones they like best,” he said.
served at the event, which included
champagne and presecco, are on And for Roi, it was also an excellent
the menu or will be soon. opportunity to get to know the
Rwandan market better.
“While most of our wines are French,
we have others from every wine “The wine business in Africa is
region in the world – Italy, Argentina, growing, but for us Rwanda is new
Chile, South Africa, …” Hodson said. so together with ABG we are now
“And they all go very well with the exploring the market,” he said.
food served at Cucina.”
“So far we see mainly a demand for
Stéphane Roi, who is Central Africa French and Italian wines, but the
Manager for winehouse ‘Les Grands reaction to those from Chile has also
Chais de France,’ applauded the been very good. Of course, Marriott is
initiative. “It’s an occasion for people a high-end place, so they require some
to taste different wines and discover more sophisticated wines.”
Wine expert Gil Cheviron serves a glass of wine
www.hope-mag.com 35KATE SPADE NEW YORK
Business SPECIAL FEATURE
Sold
Worldwide ...
Some of the products
made by Abahizi for Kate Spade New York
Luxury Handbags are
changing Masoro’s community
ff WHEN ASKED TO EXPLAIN WHAT “Kate Spade New York brought global expertise and
EXACTLY THE RWANDA DEVELOPMENT combined it with trained Rwandan women artisans
to make globally competitive products,” Akamanzi
BOARD (RDB) IS DOING, THE said. “The impact of Kate Spade New York’s
ORGANISATION’S CEO, CLARE collaboration with Abahizi Rwanda on livelihoods
AKAMANZI, SAYS THAT INSTEAD OF is also significant.”
RESPONDING WITH DRY ECONOMIC
It is no coincidence that Akamanzi mentioned the
STATISTICS RELATING TO TRADE impact on livelihoods, as the relationship between
BALANCE AND EMPLOYMENT, SHE Kate Spade New York and Abahizi Rwanda goes
PREFERS TO GIVE EXAMPLES. much farther than that between a fashion brand
and a supplier. Indeed, the on purpose line focuses
A
Clare Akamanzi introduces the debate on social entrepreneurship, and this doesn’t only
nd one of her favourite examples is that mean that a lot of attention is given to the working
of the collaboration between Kate Spade conditions of the women, but also to their extra-
New York and Abahizi Rwanda. It is indeed professional development and the community in
a remarkable story of an unlikely alliance. Akamanzi gave the example of the amazing
which they live.
Kate Spade New York is a global high-end fashion collaboration while introducing a recent panel
brand with stores not just in the USA but in many between various stakeholders in the project. The
To start, while all Abahizi Rwanda’s women were
of the world’s biggest cities, including in Asia. speakers were Taryn Bird, senior manager at Kate
experienced artisans, it was with the support of Kate
Then there is Abahizi Rwanda, a social enterprise Spade New York on purpose; Darius Habemenshi,
Spade New York that they founded Abahizi Rwanda
based in Masoro, in Rulindo district of the Northern the general manager for production at Abahizi
in 2014 and became the owners of their company.
Province, who run a relatively small factory. Yet Rwanda; Ayla Schlosser, CEO and co-founder
The fashion house also provided advanced sewing
they are the first (and so far the only) providers of Resonate consultancy; Sean Gilley, managing
training to ensure its standards are met, and hired
of Kate Spade New York’s ‘on purpose’ line director of Karisimbi Business Partners; and
Karisimbi Business Partners, a business consultancy
of products, for which they supply high-quality Mike O’Doherty, country director for Laterite
based in Kigali, to ensure proper management of
handbags, thanks to RDB’s facilitation. consultancy.
the factory and business aspects.
40
HOPE JANUARY ISSUE 83MASORO COMMUNITY
SPECIAL FEATURE Abahizi Rwanda
“In the beginning, when an artisan would for
example break a needle, they would just sit there
and remain silent. When it happens today, they
take action. They also don’t hesitate to share their
ideas” she said.
It also helps that Abahizi Rwanda doesn’t have
a vertical, hierarchical organisational structure.
While there may be a management team, they
are considered as equals, not superiors, to the
artisans and other workers. That management
team also includes a Life Skills Empowerment
Manager and a Health Adviser and Counsellor.
All this should not obscure the fact that at the core,
L-R
the relationship between Kate Spade New York and
Taryn Bird Senior Manager Kate Spade Darius Habemenshi Production Manager Abahizi Rwanda Ayla Schlosser CEO Abahizi Rwanda is one of business, not charity.
Resonate consultancy Sean Gilley MD Karisimbi Business Partners Mike O’Doherty Country Director Laterite consultancy
A student from Akilah Institute asks a question
American Ambassador Erica J. Barks-Ruggles
with some of Abahizi's employees
and other stakeholders
And in this respect, too, the project has been a
major success, as in its three years of operations,
the Masoro cooperative has nearly tripled the value
of the handbags and accessories exported to New
York, to almost $1.5 million. And the quality of
the products is so satisfactory that starting next
year, Abahizi Rwanda will also work with Coach,
a sister-company of Kate Spade New York.
And what do the customers say?
“The reactions are very positive,” said Kate Spade
New York’s Executive Vice President and Chief
Employees of Abahizi are presented to the audience Marketing Officer, Mary Beech, who had come over
all the way from New York for the occasion. “Since
the on purpose line is merchandised together
And in line with the vision of on purpose, it also From other partners, Abahizi Rwanda’s employees with our other products, initially the customers
employed Resonate, a consultancy specialised also receive training in life skills like counselling, weren’t aware that there was something special
in the training and education of women and health, finance and English. Through this about their handbag. But as each of the bags
girls, specifically to provide leadership training approach, the factory enables women to act as has a hangtag with the name of the artisan and
focused on self-confidence, communication skills, catalysts for change in themselves, their families, some explanations, they noticed and we got many
goal-setting, self-advocacy, and other critical and their community. That is visible often in small questions. So the reactions are very positive, and
interpersonal and leadership skills. things, as Resonate CEO Schlosser observed. the customers love the bags.”
www.hope-mag.com 41BPR - ATLAS MARA SPECIAL FEATURE
Finance & Banking ...
BPR in new drive for a
Cashless Rwanda
unveils new Digital Banking Solutions to its customers
The bank also partnered with Rwanda online (Irembo)
where all BPR customers can now pay for different
government services offered through Irembo (an
online portal that offers government services
electronically to citizens), these services include
Paying for a birth certificate, provisional or definitive
and supplementary driving licenses, criminal record
certificate and marriage certificates among others
over the BPR counters in all branches.
“The bank also pledges to keep leveraging on the
existing new technologies to improve customer
experience and the customers will always be at
the center of the day to day operations, the bank
plans to introduce new products to the market
which include Agency banking planned for Q1 of
2018, micro lending on mobile, Visa & Master card
,MasterPass among others,” he closed.
About BPR part of Atlas Mara
Maurice Toroitich
BPR's Managing Director
Found in 1975 BPR started as a cooperative to
shows how the bpr mobile serve its members achieve better livelihood, in
banking app works 2008 it transformed to become a fully-fledged
commercial bank while retaining its cooperative
F
roots.
ollowing the bank’s ambitions of becoming “This is a differentiator in the market since the In April 2015 Atlas Mara Limited (“Atlas Mara”
the leading ‘‘Digital bank in Rwanda’’ transfer is instant and doesn’t go through any manual or “the Company”) ( LSE : ATMA ), a financial
offering a wide range of Digital banking intervention; customers are required to visit any BPR services holding company acquired minority
solutions to clients, and to support the branch for sign up,” he explained. shares in BPR and later in 2016 it merged BPR
government of Rwanda’s initiatives towards with the commercial wing of the Development Bank
a cashless economy, on 26th January 2018 BPR He added that the bank had upgraded its mobile of Rwanda (BRDC) that it had acquired in 2014
Atlas Mara announced to the public the unveiling banking platform with more features where customers giving Atlas Mara the controlling stake in BPR
of new digital products and the upgrade of the can now transfer funds to other bank accounts with 62.1% of shares, strategic partner Rabobank
existing ones with new features that instantly without having to go remaining with 14.6% and 23.3% retained by Local
will ease the banking experience of through clearing approvals or third Shareholders.
its customers. party checks, to access customers
can register to the branch or BPR is the second largest commercial bank
Maurice Toroitich, the bank’s download the App for free. by total assets, and largest bank in Rwanda by
Managing Director said that the customer base and branch network, earlier last
bank; launched a state of the art Another initiative the bank year BPR was awarded the Best Bank in Rwanda
internet banking where customers undertook was to partner with 2017 accolade in the Banker Africa Awards for the
can do a series of banking telecoms MTN and Tigo Rwanda East African region by CPI financials
transactions such as pay for to launch Push and pull services
taxes, purchase electricity, water where customers with BPR
bills, DSTV, Star Times, effect bulk accounts can now push or pull
funds from their BPR accounts to
For more information
transfers such as salary and funds
transfer to other bank accounts Tigo and MTN E-wallets and vice visit: www.bpr.rw
instantly. versa. Your Bank. Your Future. Banki Yawe. Ejo Heza.
42
HOPE JANUARY ISSUE 83AIRTEL RWANDA
SPECIAL FEATURE
Airtel appoints new
Managing Director to run
the combined entity in Rwanda
� Following the approval of the merger
by the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory
Authority (RURA) on the 23rd of January
and formal closure of the acquisition on
the 30th of January, we wish to announce
the appointment of Philip Amoateng, as
Managing Director of Airtel Rwanda.
M
r. Amoateng is a member of the Association
of Chartered Accountants and a graduate
of the University of Leicester with an MBA.
He has held various operational, financial
and strategy positions whilst he worked
at Millicom for more than 16 years. In 2016, he was
appointed CEO Tigo Rwanda, a position he held until
the organization was acquired by Airtel.
The move to combine the two entities will see
improvements in coverage and a wider network of
customer touch points.
About Bharti Airtel
Bharti Airtel Limited is a leading global
telecommunications company with operations in
16 countries across Asia and Africa.
Headquartered in New Delhi, India, the company
ranks amongst the top 3 mobile service providers
globally in terms of subscribers.
In India, the company’s product offerings include
2G, 3G and 4G wireless services, mobile
commerce, fixed line services, high speed home
broadband, DTH, enterprise services including
national & international long distance services
to carriers.
In the rest of the geographies, it offers 2G, 3G, 4G
wireless services and mobile commerce. Bharti
PHILIP AMOATENG Airtel had over 394 million customers across its
operations at the end of December 2017.
Airtel Rwanda To know more please visit, www.airtel.com
Managing Director
www.hope-mag.com 43Health ...
BRALIRWA, Rwanda Government partner
to increase access and quality of neonatal
and maternal health services
ffKACYIRU HOSPITAL IN GASABO These improvements according to Nkubito
DISTRICT OF KIGALI CITY ON are aimed at sustaining provision of efficient,
respectful and high quality life-saving services
AVERAGE DELIVERS 24 NEWBORNS to all its patients but especially to mothers and
PER DAY IMPLYING A MONTHLY children and continue to position Kacyiru Hospital
as a centre of excellence in neonatal and maternal
AVERAGE OF OVER 700. healthcare services. With this purpose in mind, the
D
Ministry of Health embarked on seeking partners
in delivering these improvements.
espite this relatively high number of pregnant
mothers served, maternal and neonatal The Heineken Africa Foundation (HAF), the
health facilities at the hospital are neither philanthropic section of the Heineken Group
spacious enough nor sufficiently equipped to which owns majority shares in Rwanda’s leading
effectively meet the needs of each expectant beverage manufacturer BRALIRWA has partnered
mother. with the Ministry of Health to realise the hospital’s
ambitions of improving services to mothers and
Luckily as the hospital’s Director General Chief new-borns.
Superintendent of Police Dr. Pascal Nkubito
shares, nothing has seriously gone wrong as a Proposed construction works at Kacyiru Hospital
result but confirms that making improvements such were launched by the partners in mid-February,
as expanding the operating theatre and improving laying a foundation stone of the new facility that
neonatology facilities is top on the agenda of their will see more space for the mother and child
agenda. Other than the structures, the hospital health facilities. Once construction is completed,
equally intends to acquire modern medical equipment additional equipment including beds and other
in the maternal and neonatal care facilities. medical supplies will be installed too.
44
HOPE JANUARY ISSUE 83BRALIRWA SPECIAL FEATURE
Under the partnership, HAF through BRALIRWA instances would delay to get operated on, “We greatly appreciate the Heineken Africa
is offering EUR300,000 (approximately Frw300 will now have room in the operation theatre, Foundation for this meaningful support to make
million) which will be largely for constructing the furthering the hospital’s capacity to provide quick life for our compatriots who use our services better
new facility while the Government of Rwanda life-saving operations on expectant mothers. and for enabling us to serve them to full capacity”
will invest in equipping the neonatal-maternal Dr. Nkubito acknowledged. Construction works of
health facility with modern medical equipment Similarly those brought into the hospital as they the new facility are expected to take nine months
to ensure quality service delivery. wait delivery who in the past had to sometimes costing a total of Rwf383 million.
get congested in the few emergency rooms of
The new facility will boost the hospitals capacity the maternity ward will now have more room Speaking at the ceremony to lay the foundation
to carry out surgical operations by more than available ensuring quality reception and waiting stone for the facility, BRALIRWA’s Managing Director
double from just four to 10 expectant mothers conditions. Victor Madiela emphasized why supporting such
in one instance thanks to an additional 3 initiatives is important to the beverage manufacturer
operating rooms with two theatre beds that will When you look through the state of the two and promised continued collaboration with the
be constructed. Similarly, the emergency rooms emergency rooms that host expectant mothers Rwandan Government in improving the quality of
capacity of the maternal and neonatal unit of the at the Kacyiru hospital as they await delivery, life. “BRALIRWA and by extension the Heineken
hospital will be increased from the current five to though not alarming, it is equally not the ideal. Group is committed to improving the quality of life
12 rooms in total implying an equally more than Some expectant women are unable to find a bed in communities where we operate and we see no
double increase.What this means according to at some occasions; having to share a small bed better way than through ensuring that pregnant
Dr. Nkubito is that more women, who in some with another while they wait for their due time. mothers receive the best quality of services and
that children are delivered efficiently to give them
a good start on life.”
According to Nkubito, Kacyiru hospital which started
operations in 2009 was established with the main
goal of offering quality services to expectant women
and by so doing contribute to the reduction of mother
and child death as a result of complications at the
time of giving birth. “Thanks to sustained Government
support, Kacyiru Hospital is one of the most reliable
hospitals in Gasabo district. With the extension of
the maternal and neonatal health facilities, there
is no doubt that the quality of services will improve
and so will the number of their beneficiaries. We
are grateful to this partnership with the Heineken
Foundation in making this happen,” the Vice Mayor
in Charge of Social Affairs for the City of Kigali,
Languida Nyirabahire commented.
Since its launch a decade ago, the Heineken Africa
Foundation has committed up to EUR7.2 million
(approximately Frw7.2billion) to 83 different projects
all focused on health especially maternal and child
care and water, sanitation and hygiene promotion.
The emphasis on mother and child care and water,
sanitation and hygiene promotion is born from
experience that both areas are crucial for the earliest
beginning of life and are highly interdependent in
addition to the fact that even small improvements
in the two areas can have big positive impacts on
entire communities.
In Rwanda, BRALIRWA through funds from HAF
has financed other projects before Kacyiru hospital
including a dental health improvement project
implemented by Aide Dentaire Afrique (ADA) and
the Ministry of Health in Gicumbi and plans to
support other health initiatives in the near future
such as the expansion of maternity infrastructure and
equipment at the Gisenyi hospital. HAF only finances
projects in sub-Saharan Africa and particularly in
countries where there is a local Heineken brewery,
the equivalent of BRALIRWA in Rwanda.
For more information about the foundation
and its work visit its website HYPERLINK
“http://www.africafoundation.heineken.com”
www.africafoundation.heinekven.com
www.hope-mag.com 45You can also read
