Rwandatel now switches to GSM

Photo by MORGAN MBABAZI

By KEZIO-MUSOKE DAVID of The East African

"Rwanda’s fixed line operator — Rwandatel — has switched from its traditional CDMA (Code division multiple access )-based technology to GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) technology in a move that could see the company’s mobile subscribers increase by over 90 per cent.

With Millicom Telecommunication’s Tigo brand set to open shop in Kigali by the end of 2009, this could mean that the country’s teledensity could also rise from 11 per cent to 18 per cent in just a year.

The launch of Rwandatel’s GSM operations with an investment worth $71 million, in a deal involving Huawei Technologies — a Chinese private high-tech telecom company — means that Rwandatel will now compete favourably with MTN Rwanda, which has operated GSM for over 10 years."

Complete story at "Rwandatel now switches to GSM"

Category: Rwanda + Communication + Technology

Kigali city, private sector team up to implement City Master Plan

By Written by ALEX NGARAMBE of The EABW

"KIGALI, RWANDA–– The Private sector in Rwanda has teamed up with Kigali city to implement the recently unveiled 50-year renewal City Master Plan.

This was reached when the city council was presenting the master plan to both local and foreign investors present in the country.

It's estimated that 50% of the master plan is good for infrastructural development, which is a huge advantage for the investors.

City authorities have zoned the conceptual plan into commercial areas, residential areas, industrial zones and many others to make it convenient for investors.

The architectural design was done by Surbana, a Singaporean consultancy firm."

Complete story at "Kigali city, private sector team up to implement City Master Plan"

Category: Rwanda + Public Policy

Kenya, Rwanda go bilateral, ignore EAC failure

By Staff Writter of Afrol News

"Kenya and Rwanda have agreed to accelerate the removal of all non-tariff barriers so as to enhance the existing bilateral cooperation and promote trade.

The bilateral initiative comes after the East African Community (EAC) failed to agree on deepening regional economic integration."

Complete story at the following link "Kenya, Rwanda go bilateral, ignore EAC failure"

Category: Rwanda + East African Community

Bralirwa, Coca-Cola to distribute Burn energy drink in Rwanda

Written by ALEX NGARAMBE of The EABW

"KIGALI, RWANDA––Bralirwa S.A, Rwanda's Brewery and the Coca-Cola have made an entry into Rwanda's energy drink sector with the launch of Burn energy drink.

Burn is a combination of energizing ingredients including caffeine designed to invigorate senses and give the consumer power. It is available in 25-centilitre black cans.
As a brand of Coca-Cola Company, Burn is being introduced in Rwanda to meet a specific market demand.

The Rwanda beverage market has been growing and developing fast and has a lot of opportunities, according to Alexander Koch, the commercial director of Bralirwa."

Complete story at "Bralirwa, Coca-Cola to distribute Burn energy drink in Rwanda"

Category: Rwanda + Investment + Commerce

Rwanda seeks to invest in MICE tourism

Written by BOSCO HITIMANA of The EABW

"KIGALI, RWANDA––Stakeholders in Rwanda tourism industry plan to invest in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism for good returns.

On The Frontier (OTF) Group organized a tourism industry workshop examining how Rwanda could build a winning MICE tourism industry.

During the workshop held last week at Novotel Hotel in Kigali, OTF Group released its findings on the global and local overview of MICE tourism, focusing on how Rwanda could also get a share.

Stakeholders uttered the sense of urgency to fully exploit MICE tourism to generate money, building on Rwanda's success stories that attract international, regional and local conferences."

Complete story for to enjoy at "Rwanda seeks to invest in MICE tourism"

Category: Rwanda + Tourism + Investment

Oil exporter to build $4m terminal in Kigali

By PHILIP NGUNJIRI Of The East African

"Hashi Empex, Nairobi-based exporter of refined petroleum products to the East and Central African region, is to construct a $4 million fuel storage terminal in Kigali, Rwanda.

Hashi Empex managing director Ahmed Hashi made the announcement last week at a dinner held at the Kigali Serena Hotel to mark the signing of a contract to supply 3.5 million litres of fuel per month to Rwanda’s power generation company, Electrogaz.

The fuel will be used to power thermal turbines."

Complete story at "Oil exporter to build $4m terminal in Kigali"

Category: Rwanda + Energy + Investment + East African

Rwanda mobile operator rolls out GSM, 3G network

By Edris Kisambira of Computerworld Uganda

"Rwanda's second mobile telephone operator, Rwandatel, has replaced its CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) platform with a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) and 3G network.

The company signed a US$35 million deal with Huawei Technologies of China in February for the latter to revamp Rwandatel's landline network and replace its public switched telephone network with a next-generation network.

The new network covers most of Rwanda's urban centers, inhabited areas and roads with a 3G Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. With a capacity of 1 million subscribers in the first phase of roll-out, the network will initially be available in urban areas but will progressively be extended throughout the country by the first quarter of 2009, said Rwandatel CEO Patrick Kariningufu."

Complete story at "Rwanda mobile operator rolls out GSM, 3G network"

Category: Rwanda + Communication + Technology

Rwanda lowers fuel prices

Picture By Tomas F
By BOSCO HITIMANA of The EABW

"KIGALI, RWANDA — Rwanda’s trade and industry ministry has announced a fall in fuel prices to about 13.6% effective this month. Both petrol and diesel pump prices have fallen from Rwf875 ($1.57) to Rwf756 ($1.3) per litre."

Complete story at "Rwanda lowers fuel prices"

Category: Rwanda + Energy + Economy

World Bank approves $24million for Rwanda’s Broadband Networks

From IT News Africa

"The World Bank has announced that it has approved $24 million for a program that will see Rwanda develop her national capacity to provide broadband connectivity.

The money that was cleared through an International Development Association (IDA) financing grant for the Regional Communication Infrastructure Program - Rwanda Project (RCIPRW), is supposed to increase the availability of broadband to more than 700 Rwandan institutions including schools, health centers and local government administrative centers. IDA is the concessional lending arm of the World Bank."

Complete story at "World Bank approves $24million for Rwanda’s Broadband Networks"

Category: Rwanda + IT + Technology + Public Policy

Kigali Industrial Park set for next year

By ALEX NGARAMBE of The EABW

"KIGALI, RWANDA -The completion of the long awaited Kigali Industrial Park has been set for June next year, Rwanda Investment Group (RIG) has revealed.

The state-of the art industrial zone will be laid on 252.5 hectares of land, an investment being done by Rwanda Investment Group (RIG) and the government of Rwanda.

The zone, if fully set up, is expected to accommodate the emerging medium and heavy industries in Kigali, especially those in the old industrial zone, given ultimatum to relocate."

Complete article at "Kigali Industrial Park set for next year"

Category: Rwanda + Industry + Manufacturing + Investment

Tanzania lifts residence restrictions for EA citizens

By Zephania Ubwani & Elias Biryabarema of The Monitor Online

Tanzania has finally lifted its objections to the right of residence by nationals from the other East African Community partner states under the proposed East African Common Market Protocol.

Citizens of other EAC states can now settle in the country as long as they engage in meaningful economic activities or are in employment.

The complete story can be found at "Tanzania lifts residence restrictions for EA citizens"

Category: Rwanda + East African Community

Kigali gets $24m boost for regional broadband networks

by David Kezio-Musoke of The Monitor

The World Bank has announced that it has approved $24 million for a program that will see Rwanda develop her national capacity to provide broadband connectivity.

The money that was cleared through an International Development Association (IDA) financing grant for the Regional Communication Infrastructure Program – Rwanda Project (RCIPRW), is supposed to increase the availability of broadband to more than 700 Rwandan institutions including schools, health centers and local government administrative centers. IDA is the concessional lending arm of the World Bank.

Complete article at "Kigali gets $24m boost for regional broadband networks"

Category: Rwanda + Technology + Development

Serena invests Sh1bn to refurbish Kigali hotel

The Serena group of hotels is investing a billion shillings in its Kigali outlet signalling the rise of Rwanda as the new frontier of growth in the hospitality industry in East Africa.

The money will be used to refurbish and extend the Kigali Serena Hotel and to use the facility to tap into the country’s growing tourism industry. Mr Mahmud Jan Mohamed, the hotel’s managing director, said the refurbishments are aimed at aligning the group’s business plan with the Rwanda government’s strategy for the tourism industry.

The complete article can be found at "Serena invests Sh1bn to refurbish Kigali hotel"

Category: Rwanda + Tourism + Lodging + Investment

Rwanda coffee awards uplift sector

Written by BOSCO HITIMANA of The EABW

"KIGALI, RWANDA– The Cup of Excellence competition- the international prestigious coffee quality competition has boosted Rwandan coffees adding them on the international record of quality coffees.

The Cup of Excellence competition is a series of cupping exercises that ranks various coffees on the international record of specialty coffees. It also encourages the non-qualifiers to improve quality of their coffees.

Held for the first time in Africa and in Rwanda, the competition was meant to honoring the Rwandan specialty coffee farmers and washing stations. The ceremony to award the best coffees was held in Kigali recently."

Complete story at "Rwanda coffee awards uplift sector"

Category: Rwanda + Coffee + Agriculture + Economy + Award

Written by BOSCO HITIMANA of The EABW

"KIGALI, RWANDA -- At least 307 exhibitors are attending the ongoing Rwanda International Trade Fair that started Thursday 28 in Rwanda’s capital Kigali.

The Annual 11th Rwanda fair, brought together 93 exhibitors from nine countries of which 82 came from other East African Community (EAC) member countries.

The fair which was officially opened by Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame on Thursday, covers a 4,000 square meter ground."

Complete story for you to read can be found at "Rwanda trade fair pulls 307 firms"

Category: Rwanda + Economy + Trade + Expo

12 year Rwandan girl excels in Global art gala

"WFP through the eyes of a child" - Copyright: 2008 WFP/Jeannette Uwase

Written by BOSCO HITIMANA of The EABW

"KIGALI, RWANDA––Jeannette Uwase, a twelve year-old Rwandan girl is one of the 13 finalists in the global United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Children's Art Competition for 2008.

The theme of this year’s competition which involved both a drawing and an explanatory text was “The Difference WFP School Meals Make to My Life.”"

Complete article at "12 year Rwandan girl excels in Global art gala"

Category: Rwanda + Art + Children

Tanzania, Rwanda ready for 24/7 customs

Written by EABW REPORTER

"KIGALI, RWANDA- The Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) last week launched 16 hour operations at Katuna, Rwanda-Uganda border post to facilitate rapid movement of goods and people.

Katuna is Rwanda’s customs border post neighbouring with Uganda in the west. The initiative on September 1 was presided over by the Deputy Commissioner General and Commissioner for Customs and Excise in RRA, Mr. Torero Eugene.

The exercise saw a fleet of inland and outland trailers moving as late as 8:00 pm.
During the launch, Torero said that the operation is one of the means put in place by the tax administration to facilitate the business community, enabling them to access customs services all day round."

Complete article at "Tanzania, Rwanda ready for 24/7 customs"

Category: Rwanda + Revenue + Taxation + Economy

Rwanda starts 24-hour border operations

Uganda Rwanda Border Photo by Matthew

By David Kezio-Musoke of Daily Monitor

"Rwanda has announced a 24-hour border operation at all her border customs posts with East African Community partner states and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda becomes the third country after Kenya and Uganda to start 24 hour customs operations within the EAC bloc as a measure to hasten trade and improve movement of goods and persons across the region.

The move comes weeks after Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki directed the implementation of a 24 hour, seven days a week delivery, at the port of Mombasa and border entry at Lunga Lunga, Taveta, Namanga, Isabenia and Malaba. The move would see the clearance of cargo at the port of Mombasa reduced from 48 hours to a maximum of 24 hours."

Complete story at "Rwanda starts 24-hour border operations"

Category: Rwanda + Revenue + Transportation + Taxation

Rwanda go top in Group Eight

BBC Sport

"Rwanda now lead Group Eight with 12 points. Rwanda took over the leadership of the Group Eight of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers thanks to their 1-0 away win over Mauritania on Saturday.

The Amavubi now have four wins under their belt and top the table with 12 points after the win in Nouakchott."

Complete story at "Rwanda go top in Group Eight"

Category: Rwanda + Sports

Rwandan Ecologist Wins Global Conservation Award

Text of report in English by Innocent Gahigana entitled "Rwandan wins global conservation award" published by Rwandan newspaper The New Times website on 3 September

"A Rwandan ecologist, Edwin Sabuhoro, 35, has earned himself a global Young Conservationist Award for his self-driven conservation efforts.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Commission on Protected Areas and the International Ranger Federation (IRF) announced the award last week The news about Sabuhoro's triumph was welcomed yesterday as a model for all citizens, by State Minister for Environment, Water and Mines, Prof Bikoro Munyanganizi.

"Everyone who participates in an activity that saves the country's natural resources deserves such recognition," said Bikoro, urging all Rwandans to play a leading role in that."

Complete story at "Rwandan Ecologist Wins Global Conservation Award"

Category: Rwanda + Environment