Embassy closed on August 15
The Embassy will be closed on August 15, 2016 to observe a public holiday in Rwanda. The Embassy will re-open for regular business on August 16, 2016.
Take a ride on Rwanda’s smart bus
The city of Kigali has been rolling out smart busses that offer Wi-Fi and a cashless payment system. CNN’s Eleni Giokos went there to test them out. More
How Rwanda Turned a Toxic Menace Into a Source of Power
President Paul Kagame has officially opened a new facility that draws energy from methane trapped deep underwater Lake Kivu, straddling the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, offers a landscape of extraordinary beauty, framed by towering volcanoes and lush green slopes rich with tea, coffee and banana plantations. More
Swedish Court Sentences Man to Life in Prison for Role in Rwanda Genocide
STOCKHOLM — A Swedish court convicted a 61-year-old man on Monday of taking part in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda and sentenced him to life in prison. The case was noteworthy for being part of a transnational effort to hold people accountable for crimes against humanity, no matter where those crimes occurred. More
Kagame: New methane plant brings hope to addressing energy challenges
President Paul Kagame yesterday inaugurated the Kivu-Watt Gas Power Plant located in the Western Province’s Karongi District, describing it as a sign of what is possible for efforts to address energy challenges in the country. The new 26-MW power plant, fired by methane gas from Lake Kivu, was built by American energy firm ContourGlobal, which the Rwandan government gave a 25-year concession to produce 100 megawatts from Lake Kivu. More
Rwanda Cultural Fashion night impresses
Rwanda Cultural Fashion night was held on Saturday at Goethe Institute in Kigali with visiting designers giving it a regional touch. It was a truly night fashion and style lovers in Rwanda came together to witness the creations of those that have made fashion and design their passion. The evening was organized by the founder of Rwanda Cultural Fashion show Celestin Ntawirema with the support of Goethe Institute and others. Guest designers from Kenya and Tanzania joined their Rwandan counterparts to showcase their creations. More
Lion Cubs Are Born in Rwanda in Boost to Predator’s Fortunes
Three lion cubs were born in a wildlife park in Rwanda, boosting efforts to restore the country’s lion population, which was wiped out following the country’s 1994 genocide. African Parks, a Johannesburg-based group that manages Akagera National Park in Rwanda, said the mother is 11-year-old Shema, one of seven lions transported from South Africa to Rwanda last year. Their father, Ntwari, is five years old, one of two males in the group from South Africa. More
World Economic Forum on Africa kicks off in Rwanda
Rwanda’s ambitions to become a global conference hub got a huge boost on Wednesday when President Paul Kagame opened the 26th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa. This year’s conference is the biggest event ever to be held in Kigali, with more than 1,500 high ranking politicians, business executives and academics descending on the capital for three days of talks. More
Spotlight on Rwanda as WEF opens in Kigali
All eyes on Rwanda. From within the continent to Europe, Asia and further in the Americas, the global focus is on Kigali as the World Economic Forum for Africa opens, today, convening about 1,500 delegates for deliberations on a range of the continent’s economic aspects, including analysing opportunities and risks with a bias for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. More
Govt lays out strategy to promote Made-in-Rwanda
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has laid out a new strategy to promote Made-in-Rwanda products. Dubbed the “Domestic Market Recapturing Strategy,” the plan involves collaborative efforts of the media to boost Made-in-Rwanda campaign. The new strategy, announced yesterday, identified key potential areas to recapture the domestic market and highlights a series of activities to facilitate the campaign. More
New digital fabrication lab to boost Made-in-Rwanda drive
Made-in-Rwanda, a campaign that was conceptualised to ensure locally produced commodities are given precedence over imports to help narrow trade deficit, is set to receive a huge boost. The boost has come in the form of Rwanda’s first Digital Fabrication Lab (Fab Lab). Works to install equipment at the facility, which is hosted at Telecom House in Kigali, are ongoing with the assistance of personnel from the United States’ Massachusetts Institute of Technology. More
Rwanda-Tanzania trade forum slated for May
A trade forum between Rwanda and Tanzania is scheduled to be held in Kigali next month as the two countries’ business communities look to enhance ties. The May 20 forum aims to promote trade and investments, as well as bilateral partnerships between the business actors from the two East African Community (EAC) partner states, according to organizers. More
Regional countries team up in implementation of SDGs
Four regional countries have teamed for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by world leaders in September last year. Under the Great Lakes Sustainable Development Solutions Network; Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo and the Republic Congo are supporting the domestication of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local, national, and regional levels. More
Gasabo takes lead in online service delivery
Gasabo residents can afford to smile after their district became the first to issue a directive that all digitized government services shall be offered online. The new development will see the valuable time spent acquiring documents such as land titles, birth and marriage certificates from the district offices, drastically reduced. Today these services are offered through Irembo, an online eGovernment portal operated by RwandaOnline, a Rwandan private company in a Public Private Partnership with the Government of Rwanda. More
How Rwanda is stimulating investment through a diaspora business hub
Rwandans in the diaspora have established the Diaspora Business Incubator, a platform that will serve as a go-to support hub for all diaspora related investments and services to ease the country’s aims to fast-track investment back home to meet the Vision 2020 agenda. “The remittances have been growing, last year the remittances from diaspora was more than what the coffee and tea [industry] brought into the country and this is what the National Bank gave out,” said Jabo Butera, Co-founder and CEO of the Diaspora Business Incubator (BDI). More
Nordic countries in 22nd Genocide commemoration
Senior government officials, diplomats, civil society, the business community and friends of Rwanda gathered on Monday in Stockholm to commemorate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. This followed similar events over the weekend involving hundreds of Rwandans in distant cities across the Nordic countries. More
Which are the fastest growing countries in Africa?
Sub-Saharan Africa’s positive economic outlook has come under pressure from changes in the global economy. The continent’s overall growth is expected to remain just below 5% in 2016. Nevertheless, there are some economies that are not only weathering the storm, but showing steadfast determination to innovate and grow. More
Telecoms move to deepen 4G internet penetration
Rwanda is promoting universal access to affordable Internet as one of the enablers of business. The launch of high speed Internet, commonly known as Fourth Generation Long Term Evolution (4G LTE) over a year ago was seen as a step towards achieving this goal, besides helping in transformation of Rwanda through digital inclusion. More
YELLOW FEVER ADVISORY
Following an ongoing outbreak of yellow fever in the Republic of Angola and the occurrence of cases reported in Kenya by the Country’s Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Health of Rwanda is implementing preventive measures against the importation of yellow fever into Rwanda.
As a measure to protect the health of Rwandans and visitors to Rwanda, all travellers coming into the country are requested to present their updated yellow fever vaccination certificate at the arrival point. Yellow fever vaccination will be provided to all non-vaccinated travellers arriving at Kigali International Airport.
We also advise all Rwandans travelling to vaccinate themselves at least 10 days prior to travel for their own security.
Ministry of Health
Rwanda
NOTICE: Genocide Commemoration Dates and Venues for the Nordic Countries
The commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda will be observed in the following places across the Nordic Countries. The venues will be added in dues course. Updates will be added regularly:
- Denmark: Copenhagen–April 9th, 2016
- Denmark: Jylland and Fynn–April 16th, 2016
- Finland: Tampere–April 9th, 2016
- Norway: Oslo–April 9th, 2016
- Sweden: Gothenburg–April 22nd, 2016
- Sweden: Stockholm (Rwandan Community)–April 9th, 2016
- Sweden: Stockholm (International Community. By Invitation)–April 11th, 2016
Sveriges Radio p1– Solkraft ger hopp i Rwanda
Rwanda är ett av dessa länder som investerar i solenergi för att försörja landet.. Lyssna mer
The Africa-wide Next Einstein Forum is just one way to build capacity for development, says minister Papias Musafiri.
The Next Einstein Forum (NEF) that took place in Senegal earlier this month brought together African and global leaders from science, industry, civil society and government. The aim was to create “a unified African scientific identity integrated into the global scientific community and to inspire talented young people to pursue science”. More
Rwanda’s march towards gender parity by 2030
Women have much to celebrate today because of the enormous strides that have been taken in regard to a successful accomplishment of gender equality. Various campaigns have been put in place all over the world so that both women and men become equal. These have yielded fruitful results. However, much effort is still needed so that 50-50 parity amongst gender is achieved. More
I will use my experience to transform Kigali – new Kigali mayor
Monique Mukaruliza succeeded Fidel Ndayisaba as the Mayor of the City of Kigali following an election last week. Before her election as mayor, Mukaruliza served as the national coordinator of the Northern Corridor Integration Initiative. She had earlier served as Minister for East African Community Affairs. More
Africa is an asset, not a burden — Kagame
President Paul Kagame Thursday addressed the IHS CERAWeek, the leading energy conference bringing together leaders from both the public and private sector and over two thousands participants.
The meeting took place in Houston, United States.
Delivering his address, Kagame described energy as the lifeblood of the global economy without which Africa will not be able to achieve middle income status, according to a statement from the Office of the President. More
TI looks to Rwanda for lessons on graft fight- official
Transparency International (TI) is looking to Rwanda for best practices to replicate to other countries in the fight against corruption.
Visiting Vice-chairperson of Transparency International (TI) Board of Directors, Elena Panfilova made the remarks, yesterday, during a meeting with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K. Gasana at the police headquarters in Kacyiru. More
90% turn up to vote in local council elections
Voter turn out was at 90 per cent in yesterday’s sector councilors elections whose results are expected to be announced today.
Out of 2,068 candidates, only 853 district councilors were elected yesterday—in a secret ballot across the 2,312 polling centres constituting 16,126 polling stations countrywide. More
Swedish legislators meet Kagame, commend accountable leadership
President Paul Kagame, yesterday, hosted a delegation of members of the Swedish Parliament at Village Urugwiro in Kigali.
The meeting was aimed at familiarising Swedish legislators with Rwanda’s government policies and strategies that have enabled the East African country to register commendable economic growth 21 years after the 1994 Genocide against the Tusti—which claimed over 1 million people, according to Ulf Kristersson, the head of the visiting delegation. More
Swedish lawmakers commend access to finance programme
Members of the Swedish Parliament Committee on Finance have lauded Rwanda’s efforts in ensuring access to financial services for the rural poor to eradicate poverty.
The remarks were made during a visit to Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR) projects located in Gicumbi District, Kaniga sector, last week. More
Rwanda to host key hospitality sector conference in October
Rwanda’s push to become a top Meetings Incentives Conference and Exhibitions/Events (MICE) tourism destination in the region has got a boost after it was announced that the country will in October host the Aviation Development (AviaDev) Africa forum, a unique platform bringing together airlines, airports, hotels and hospitality investors. More
Irembo’s online visa payment system eases travel to Rwanda
Travellers into the country can now pay their visa fees online after Rwanda Online introduced the payment service through its web platform, Irembo.
While passengers were able to apply for their visas online, the fees would be paid on arrival, causing long queues and delays for passengers.
The Directorate of Immigration and Emigration said the new move will save time for passengers. More
Rwanda ranked 4th least corrupt country in Africa
The Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2015 released today by Transparency International ranks Rwanda as the fourth least corrupt country in Africa and 44th globally.
The report shows an improvement in Rwanda’s percentage score from 49 up to 54 per cent.
At a global level, Denmark emerged the least corrupt nation for the second year running, followed by Finland, Sweden, New Zealand, Netherlands and Norway, respectively. More
Rwanda gets ALMA Award of Excellence
The African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) today presented Rwanda with the 2016 Award for Excellence in two categories, one for performance in malaria control from 2011 to 2015 and one for meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) target for malaria reduction.
Rwanda was one of eight countries to meet the MDG target and one of 13 overall that were recognised for their progress in the fight against malaria. More
Experts optimistic of Rwanda economy despite WB negative global forecast
Economists have dispelled fears of Rwanda experiencing an economic slowdown this year.
The experts were reacting to a World Bank Group report released Wednesday that predicted tough times for the global economy in 2016, which is likely to hold back major emerging markets and consequently have spillover effects to other developing and smaller emerging economies. More
Polling stations for Dec 17th Referendum: Stockholm, Gothenburg, Oslo and Copenhagen
Rwandans in the Nordic Countries will all have the chance to vote at the December 17th, 2015 referendum at locations close to their homes.
We can now confirm that their will be polling stations in the following cities:
- Stockholm
- Gothenburg
- Oslo
- Copenhagen
Rwandans resident in southern parts of Sweden may vote from Copenhagen, Denmark as that is considerably close than either one of the polling stations in Sweden. For more details, call the Embassy, send us an email or contact us through our Twitter account (@RwandaEmbassySE) or our Facebook Page (Embassy of Rwanda, Stockholm).
END.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Referendum vote in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland
Dear Members of the Rwandan community in the Nordic Countries,
Kindly be informed that polling stations will be set up for you to vote in the referendum on December 17, 2015.
Arrangements are underway to determine the exact location of the polling stations. The Embassy is doing all it can to ensure that you will all have at least one polling station in each country. However, that might not work out in which case polling stations will be placed at boarder towns closest to your Country as in the past.
Sweden: confirmed polling stations:
- Stockholm (Embassy of Rwanda. Barnhusgatan 3, Stockholm. Nearest train stations: T-Central and Hötorget).
- Gothenburg (Location to be announced).
Locations for the polling stations for Norway, Denmark and Finland are yet to be confirmed. We share the locations as soon as we get them.
In the meantime, feel free to contact the embassy if you still have any questions.
Embassy.
Rwandan peacekeepers train S. Sudan teachers
Rwandan peacekeepers serving under the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have provided basic training in computer science to teachers of All Saints Primary School at Rajaf East Payam for a period of two months.
The subjects covered include basic concepts of computer science, word processing (Microsoft Word), spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel), Power Point presentation (Microsoft Power Point) and Internet. More
Rwanda economy stands strong – World Bank envoy
Rwanda has what it takes to sustain its strong economic performance over the years as well as deal with any possible unforeseen challenges, the outgoing World Bank country manager has said.
Carolyn Turk was speaking to journalists shortly after bidding farewell to President Paul Kagame at Village Urugwiro in Kigali yesterday.
She said she was confident in the government’s readiness to address challenges often faced by fast-growing economies like Rwanda. More
Ministry of Health Notice
People coming to Rwanda from Ebola affected countries will use the (e-reporting) web based self-reporting system once a day before 4pm to provide an update on their health status and immediately report any unusual clinical symptoms by calling 114 (toll free). More
Evidence-based statistics responsible for Rwanda’s growth – UNFPA boss
Rwanda’s economy is growing fast because policies and reforms are developed on evidence-based data, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) deputy country representative, Daniel Alemu, has said.
Alemu, who was speaking during the celebrations to mark African Statistics Day in Kigali, yesterday, said since the establishment of the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), a number of critical surveys and research have supported the use of statistics in the planning process. More
Agaciro Fund to diversify investment portfolio to maximise returns – govt
Rwanda’s sovereign wealth fund, Agaciro Development Fund (AgDF), will diversify its investment portfolio to venture into different sectors of the economy to maximise returns, Amb Claver Gatete, the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, has said.
“We have been investing in Treasury bonds and bank deposits, but now we want to diversify into other sectors as we believe that will help us to maximise returns and grow the Fund,” he said while receiving Rwf10 million contribution from MTN Rwanda in Kigali on Thursday. More
Govt to launch $100m fund for emerging ICT enterprises
The Government is set to launch an innovation fund for small and medium enterprises in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector to spur entrepreneurship and job creation, officials at the Ministry of Youth and ICT have said.
The fund, to be launched by June 2016, will target small and emerging ICT related enterprise, mostly run by the youth. More
Amb Nkulikiyinka presents credentials to Swedish king
STOCKHOLM – Rwanda’s new envoy to the Nordic countries, Christine Nkulikiyinka, yesterday presented her credentials to King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.
During their meeting, King Gustav commended Rwanda’s post-Genocide recovery and the reconciliation process.
Nkulikiyinka briefed the king on developments in Rwanda and underlined the country’s commitment and efforts towards poverty eradication, according to a statement.
She said Rwanda was keen on strengthening its relations with Sweden, especially through trade and investment. More
Press Release: Rwanda to Celebrate Umuganura
NB: In observance of Umuganura, the Embassy of Rwanda to the Nordic Countries will be closed on August 7, 2015.
• Education
• ICT
• Sports
• Mining
• Infrastructure
• Culture and
• Tourism
Election of new community mediators slated for Saturday
July 22, 2015
Rwandans will on Saturday pick candidates for community mediators’ elections at both the cell and sector levels, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) has said. Community mediators, locally known as Abunzi, are elected members of communities who are responsible for amicably settling local disputes through finding common grounds for citizens who are in conflicts with each other.
The practice resolves many cases without recourse to conventional courts of law, hence enabling amicable resolution of conflicts and impacting the socio-economic lives of the population. More
Murekezi rallies for more investment into healthcare
Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi, yesterday, called upon the region’s private sector to take a lead in enhancing service delivery acoss the health sector of the five-member East African Community (EAC) bloc.
Opening the fourth conference of the East Africa Healthcare Federation (EAHF), in Kigali yesterday, Murekezi said the new landscape of global health care shows tremendous opportunities for healthcare providers in enabling the regulatory environment.
“When talking about health systems, people tend to think about primarily public sector and give less importance to the private sector. And this is of course wrong. More
Nordic countries commemorate the Genocide
Rwandans and friends of Rwanda from the Nordic countries were joined by members of the UN and diplomatic corps in a ceremony to mark the international day of Reflection on the Genocide against the Tutsi.
The event, which was jointly organised by the Embassy of Rwanda in the Nordic countries and the United Nations Office in Denmark was held at the vast UN City complex on a peninsular outside the city of Copenhagen.
The ceremony brought together Rwandans from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland as well as Diplomats based in Copenhagen, UN officials, Government representatives, Civil Society members and friends of Rwanda. More
Ambassador Venetia Sebudandi speaking at #kwibuka21 at the UN City in Copenhagen, Denmark
Government of Rwanda Statement on need for urgent military action against FDLR
02.01.2015
The six month deadline given to “Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda” (FDLR) to voluntarily surrender and disarm has expired.
The Government of Rwanda reiterates its call to the Government of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the United Nations Mission in Congo (Monusco) to abide by their regional and international obligations, notably UNSC Resolutions 2147 (2014) Resolution 2098 (2013) both of which authorize: “[…] Offensive operations through the FIB either unilaterally or with FARDC […]”
As predicted, the FDLR has taken full advantage of this period to expand and consolidate its military and political organization with the aim to further destabilize Rwanda and the region.
Regional and International stakeholders are presented, once again, with a critical opportunity to demonstrate their genuine commitment to neutralizing negative forces and ensuring lasting peace in the Great Lakes Region.
Having consistently objected to all maneuvers used to protect or legitimize the FDLR, the Government of Rwanda urges the international community to ensure that hidden agendas are not allowed to stand, any longer, in the way of sustainable peace, progress and security for the citizens of this region.
The delaying tactics and excuses that have allowed the FDLR to perpetuate their crimes and genocidal ideology should no longer be tolerated.
NEW VISA REGULATIONS FOR SWEDES AND OTHER NATIONALS
Rwanda set to host regional science hub
By The Newtimes
Rwanda is set to host the region’s International Centre for Theoretical Physics, a science hub that seeks to advance scientific education in the developing world.
The construction of the first phase of the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ITCP) complete with equipment, is underway and it expected to be concluded by December under a budget of about Rwf500 million. More
