Best of Rwanda - Volume 01

Volume 1

globalvillage.world

REPUBLIC OF RWANDA Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM)

Paul Kagame is the current President of Rwanda.

‘Best of Rwanda’ Publisher’s Foreword “Best of Rwanda offers a glimpse into the country’s future. It is a promotion and showcase of the country and its opportunities – sharing the best of Rwandan business, industry and tourism to the world.”

This landlocked Central African country is often referred to as the “land of a thousand hills” – alluding to the beauty of its landscape.

During President Paul Kagame’s first term, Rwanda made unprecedented socio-economic and political progress. After a history of suffering, the consolidation of peace led to stability and social cohesion among the people of Rwanda. President Kagame was re-elected for a second term in 2010. This term has been founded on a platform of rapid development for the transformation of the lives of all Rwandans.

As President Paul Kagame has always said, it is time for Africans to start telling their own stories themselves; the Best of Rwanda is positioned to do just that. Rwanda is a modest example of the kind of miracle that can be expected when good leadership meets with committed people.

It is at this exciting time of development and growth that we capture the spirit of Rwanda in the inaugural edition of Best of Rwanda. It is only through the stories of the people and their successes that the whole picture can be shared. The resilience of the Rwandan people is inspiring and has cultivated a spirit of entrepreneurship brought on by the pride of the nation.

This is a majestic land which is often remembered for its past troubles. But a new path is being forged and there is much to celebrate. The Best of Rwanda is a showcase for this success – shared with the world on the Global Village platform, in a unique and timeless format.

This yearly publication is part of the Global Village Partnerships publishing model that now extends across over 50 countries. To complement the readership of our print model we are also present on globalvillage.world and the www.ProudlyAfrican.info portal where millions of international readers have access to a virtual copy of Best of Rwanda.

This is a visual celebration of Rwanda’s achievements and successes. The diversity of the landscape and culture is rich – and the developments and projects on offer are increasing daily. This is a momentous time for the country as its potential is uncovered to reveal a myriad of opportunity.

Our sincere thanks must go to the participants showcased in our very first edition; representing the ‘Best of’ in their respective fields.

We hope that Best of Rwanda will inspire new visitors to the country.

Proudly African – Connecting Minds – Building Communities

Sven Boermeester

Georges Dinga Tafon

International Group Publisher Sven Boermeester Africa Group Publisher Thapelo Letsholo Rwanda Publishing Partner Georges Dinga Tafon Project Manager & Production Gia Bischofberger

GVPedia Communications cc Managing Editor Rebecca Lovett Creative Direction iMedi8 Creative Webmaster Werner ten Krooden Creda Press Printing

Gia Bischofberger Contact details: GVPedia Communications cc Fax: +27 86 586 1999 Email: info@globalvillage.world

Thapelo Letsholo Rwanda Contact Proudly African Communications Cell: +25 078 770 2926 Email: george.d@globalvillage.world

globalvillage.world www.ProudlyAfrican.info

Ryan M. Bolton – Shutterstock.com

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in The Best of Rwanda Vol.1.

Neither Best of Rwanda, nor GVPedia Communications cc, nor Proudly African Communications assume any responsibility for errors, omissions or submissions by participators. The editor reserves the right to amend and alter copy and visual material as deemed necessary.

All rights reserved: No part of this publication shall be reproduced, copied, transmitted, adapted or modified in any form or by any means. This publication shall not be stored in whole or in part in any form in any retrieval system.

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Foreword from Honourable Minister Kanimba François

Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM)

We are proud to share with the world our beautiful country and its many possibilities.

As Rwandans, we have long known the potential of our country and we have now begun to see the rest of the world acknowledging this.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) shares the same ideals as the Best of Rwanda project and we hope to see new stories of success come to light in the pages that follow.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry has a vision to achieve accelerated and sustained economic growth led by a dynamic and competitive private sector. We wish to

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facilitate Rwanda’s economic transformation through enabling this competitive private sector to be integrated into regional and global markets, while ensuring a level playing field and the protection of consumers.

We are entrusted with the creation of an enabling business and investment environment, which is achieved through Doing Business and Business Licensing reforms, as well as the removal of Non-Tariff Barriers to trade.

The Government of Rwanda initiated a broad economic reform agenda from which ambitious but achievable targets have been set for growth and poverty reduction.

One of the key pillars of Rwanda’s Vision 2020 is “private sector-led development”, spearheaded by competitiveness and entrepreneurship.

In addition, we are responsible for ensuring free and fair competition, as well as consumer protection, through programmes such as customer care service, quality and standards, and the protection of intellectual property.

By celebrating the achievements of our entrepreneurs, The Best of Rwanda is a visual depiction of what visitors and investors can expect in our land.

The scars of the past are now fading and Rwanda is finding itself on a crest of progress due to stringent and systematic steps which have overflowed into socioeconomic development, opening the country up for business.

MINICOM is mandated to oversee and provide policy and regulatory framework covering the areas of Trade, Industry, Tourism and Conservation, Cooperatives and the promotion of SMEs.

This is starting to directly affect the quality of life for our citizens – stirring up a renewed sense of pride and subsequent enthusiasm for entrepreneurship. The necessary promotion and channelling of investments

into Rwanda can benefit all citizens – but there is a collective effort needed in order to reach our visions.

Rwanda has much to offer business travellers and tourists alike – and the following pages share this. These are the successes of Rwanda and all her potential; presented here with pride as a showcase to the rest of the world.

Ministry of Trade and Industry P.O. Box 73 Kigali Toll Free number: 3739 Email: info@minicom.gov.rw Facebook: Rwanda Ministry of Trade and Industry Twitter Handle: @MinicomRwanda

Honourable Minister of Trade and Industry KANIMBA François

www.minicom.gov.rw

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Introduction from Francis Gatare, CEO of RDB

Rwanda is embracing its future – a future where entrepreneurship is spurred among its resilient citizens For our people, at Rwanda Development Board, we envision a vibrant private sector as the only way trade-led growth and development can be achieved. We remain committed to creating employment opportunities, particularly for the youth.

RDB shares Best of Rwanda’s passion for entrepreneurship and realises the importance of honouring our nation’s hardworking and visionary entrepreneurs. The men and women behind the companies profiled here are the very ones who uphold economic growth in Rwanda.

The majority of business operations in Rwanda are SMEs and they offer great potential to the economy. This area continues to be the cornerstone of our work at RDB. We also strive to package our nation for investment. We are still rebuilding after a destructive past, which means that public investment into the economy is crucial for the operation of private investment.

In a recent Global Competitiveness Index Report, Rwanda maintained its position in the top three in Africa, a position also consistently held in the World Bank’s “Doing Business Report”. The government of Rwanda has taken concrete steps towards

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easing international trade and championed greater regional market integration.

The East African Community (EAC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) have opened up Rwanda’s businesses to a wider market, creating immense opportunities for trade.

The northern corridor partnership between Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya is also seeing an improvement in infrastructure investments.

The RDB is tasked with coordinating government activity and encouraging investment, and as such, we pave the way for multi-sector growth through privatisation.

We want to make sure that Rwanda’s tourism products continue to be attractive.

Best of Rwanda also provides a way of packaging our tourism offering and diversification, which we have worked tirelessly on. We want to diversify the export base beyond tourism and Best of Rwanda serves to promote these various sectors.

Welcome to Rwanda and all that we have to offer. We gladly share the pride of our nation – our budding entrepreneurs.

Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Boulevard de l’Umuganda, Gishushu, Nyarutarama Road.

P.O. Box 6239 Kigali, Rwanda Tel: +250 788 891444 Email: kwitaizina2013@rdb.rw

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PROUDLY AFRICAN BUILDING COMMUNITIES - CONNECTING MINDS

AFRICA

www.ProudlyAfrican.info

Volume 5 • 2013 DIPLOMAT AFRICA

OHADA: Celebrating 20 Years In 2013 AFCCA: Connects Intra-African Construction BOTSWANA: Beyond Vision 2016 AFRICA WANTS: TRADE not AID

Proudly African is an initiative of GlobalVillage.world which is a marketing and business platform geared towards showcasing and harmonising Africa’s development, trade and cultural diversity to a global audience.

Volume 5 • 2013 • www.ProudlyAfrican.info

This is where the BEST OF AFRICA in business, government and nonprofit organisations unite, promoting their vision and best practice in PROMOTING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH LEADERSHIP, DIPLOMACY AND TRADE

order to find the right customers, partnerships and joint ventures.

View all books online, more than 4 million readers worldwide

LEADERSHIP

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TANZANIA

SHARING KNOWLEDGE, VISION & INSPIRATION

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LEADERS IN NATURAL RESOURCES ENERGY, MINING & CONSTRUCTION

“THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND TANZANIA’S ECONOMIC GROWTH”

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The initiative has an unstoppable magnetic presence with its ever growing country and sectoral window already in over 25 African states. We invite all leaders in business and government across Africa to showcase and integrate their visions and activities so as to promote inter-Africa trade, investment and skills transfer from around the globe.

We are an ever growing tribe of media entrepreneurs, colleagues and friends that publish the “Best of” the World and “Leaders” in Industry series of books both in print and online. In today’s worldwide market, every country, city and region must compete with others for a share of the world’s skilled work force, top entrepreneurs, tourists, exports, and investors.

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All books now available for download on your iPad with the new VIPedia app.

CHAPTERS

62

Hotels and Hospitality

Chapter 2

Chapter 1

12

Introduction

82

Corporate Profiles and Entrepreneurship

Chapter 4

Chapter 3

74

Travel, Tours and Leisure

Banking and Finance

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102 Chapter 6

Chapter 5

94

Training, Education and Ict

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Food, Beverage, Hospitality and Agribusiness

108

118

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Investment and Insurance

152

Energy, Water and Sanitation

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

128

Building, Construction and Engineering

Chapter 11

156

Logistics, Automotive and Industries

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CHAPTER 1 Introduction

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Rwanda at a Glance The Republic of Rwanda is a sovereign state in central and east Africa. Located just south of the Equator, Rwanda is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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Rwanda is a small country that draws visitors from all over the world, primarily to see its endangered mountain gorillas.

Rwanda’s genocide against the Tutsi in 1994 has not been forgotten and a worthy memorial museum stands in the capital Kigali as a present reminder of the atrocities suffered.

Since then, Rwandans have actively sought to restore and improve way of life and the country has become a peaceful and safe destination for visitors. Rwanda’s infrastructure is good with most roads tarred and accessible.

The country is nobly leading the way in environmental protection through a ban on plastic bags – making it one of the cleanest countries in Africa. In this way, the awe-inspiring landscape of rolling hills and volcanoes can be fully appreciated. Kigali is experiencing a massive boom and the growth of construction has led to a positive and friendly atmosphere.

Full Name:

Republic of Rwanda

Capital:

Kigali

Motto:

“Ubumwe, Umurimo, Gukunda Igihugu” “Unity, Work, Patriotism”

National Anthem:

“Rwanda Nziza” – 2001 (Kinyarwanda for “Beautiful Rwanda”)

President:

Paul Kagame

Independence Day:

1 July 1962

Type of Government:

Presidential Republic (Unitary Parliamentary)

Area:

26,338 km2

Provinces:

Five – Northern Province, Eastern Province, Southern Province, Western Province, Kigali Province (2006)

Population:

Population: 11.78 million (2013); Population Density: 407/ km²

Main Language spoken:

French, Kinyarwanda, English, Swahili

Main Religions:

Roman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Muslim 4.6%

Main exports:

Coffee, tea and minerals like tin, coltan, wolframite and cassiterite

Natural Resources:

Gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land

Monetary unit:

Rwandan franc

GDP:

GDP growth: 4.7% (2013), GDP per capita: $638 (2013)

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Economic Overview - GDP Rwanda’s Vision includes a plan to achieve middle income status by 2020, which is achievable through the stringent moulding of development as well as diversifying the economy.

In order to achieve these long-term development goals, the government of Rwanda has formulated a mediumterm strategy. The second Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS II)’s highest priority is growth acceleration and poverty reduction through five thematic areas: economic transformation, rural development, productivity and youth employment, and governance accountability. The EDPRS aims to achieve the following goals by 2018: increase gross domestic product (GDP) per capita to $1,000, reduce the poverty rate to below 30%, and reduce the extreme poverty rate to below 9%. (www.worldbank.org) Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for 2014 2013

2014

GDP, current prices

Rwf 4,864-billion

Rwf 5,389-billion

GDP, constant 2011 prices

Rwf 4,380-billion

Rwf 4,685-billion

4.7%

7%

Rwf 453,000

Rwf 490,000

Real GDP growth rate (per cent) GDP per capita, current prices

* Data from National Institute of Statistics Rwanda

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Growth by Economic Sector Rwanda’s GDP increased by 7.6 percent in the first quarter of 2015. Agriculture and Services in Rwanda remain steady economic growth drivers. In the first quarter of 2015, the Services sector contributed 48 percent of GDP while the agriculture sector contributed 31 percent of the GDP. The industry sector contributed 15 percent of GDP. It is projected to rise by 7.5% in 2015 and 2016.

Real GDP growth increased from 4.7% in 2013 to 7.0% in 2014, exceeding the programmed 6.0% Figures showed that the Agriculture sector grew by 5 percent and contributed 1.6 percentage points to the overall GDP growth. Activities in the Industry sector grew by 6 percent and contributed 0.9 percentage points to the GDP growth. The Services sector increased by 9 percent and contributed 4.3 percentage points to the GDP growth.

In 2014, the total formal external trade in goods increased by 4% from US$2,276.45million in 2013 to US$2,370.21-million in 2014.

The imports had a share of 72.5%, exports contributed at 19.1% and re-

exports contributed a share of 8.4%.

Though Rwanda’s current account improved by 5.8% in 2013/2014 to a deficit of US$522.83-million from a deficit of US$554.64-million recorded during 2012/2013. Current account deficits are projected to persist in the near term as export earnings accounted for only 25% of imports in both 2013 and 2014 Strong growth in the industry sector was largely driven by the expansion in the construction sector. Services make up the largest part of the economy; they influence the overall GDP growth figure the most.

There is evidence of significant progress in the mining sector. Public and private investments and a recovery in agriculture and services are expected to continue driving growth in the short and medium term. A public investment programme in transport and energy infrastructure has been prioritised to ease transport and energy bottlenecks and bolster economic growth.

Headline inflation is projected to converge around the central bank’s medium-term 5% target in 2015 and 2016.

Poverty alleviation showed great strides from 2011 to 2014. The 2013/14 EICV survey shows that poverty is at 39.1% as of

a growth rate of 9% in 2014. Growth in services has recently been slightly lower due to the suspension and delays in the delivery of budget support funds and a challenging international economic climate. This performance was mainly driven by strong growth in wholesale and retail trade as well as expansion in transport, storage and communication. In addition, the finance and insurance subsector performed well in spite of the private sector credit slowdown.

2013/14, down from 44.9% as was reported in 2010/11. During the same period, extreme poverty dropped from 24.1% to 16.3%.

Agriculture Between 2006 and 2013, Agriculture contributed 21% to overall National GDP and 33% in 2014. Recent slowing was as a result of the low performance in food crops, which determine Rwandan agricultural growth. (www.worldbank.org) Industry Industry grew by 3% between 2006 and 2013 and contributed 18% to Rwanda’s total GDP. Contribution dropped to 14% in 2014. Construction recorded a robust growth and it almost exclusively drove growth in the industrial sector. Construction makes up 9% of total output, so its strong growth has a significant impact on the rest of the economy. Manufacturing has contracted recently after very reasonable growth previously.

Services Between 2006 and 2013, the economy was led by services (45%) which grew by 3%. Services contributed 47% to GDP at

Expenditure on GDP During the fiscal year 2013/2014, total receipts from exports were valued to US$576.65-million mostly dominated by traditional products which represented 56% of the total exports receipts domestic exports amounted to US$452.82-million.

The target for annual export growth in 2015 is 28%. For the past three fiscal years, export growth has exceeded import growth, meaning that external demand is strong.

However, because total consumption by households and government is so much bigger than exports or imports in the Rwandan economy, a slowdown in domestic demand cannot be fully compensated for by an increase in external demand.

Taking a longer view of the components of GDP by expenditure, consumption - a large part of domestic demand - was responsible for a much smaller contribution to growth than previously. It is also worth highlighting the detailed behaviour of gross capital formation: In 2012/2013, gross capital formation was the largest contributor to GDP growth (3.3 percentage points). In absolute terms, the resource (trade) balance deficit has been slowly narrowing since 2010/2011,

meaning external demand is increasing over time.

Source: NISR, www.worldbank.org, www.statistics.gov.rw, www.afdb.org Ease of Doing Business Rwanda prides itself on having a Simple Business Environment for Investors: • Radical reforms which have made it easier for businesses to get credit, pay taxes, starting a business have boosted Rwanda’s ratings in the World Bank’s ‘Doing Business Report’.

• Rwanda was one of the top performers in the ‘Doing Business 2015’ report, and is now ranked the third easiest place to do business in Sub-Saharan Africa. It now takes 6 working hours to register your business.

• Rwanda is the most improved economy worldwide since 2005 (World Bank Doing Business Report 2014).

• It came in 32nd out 189 countries as per 2014 Word Bank Doing Business Report • In 2013, the World Bank Doing Business report reflects Rwanda the 2nd easiest to do business in Africa after Mauritius.

• Rwanda is the easiest country to do business in East Africa.

• As an EAC custom union member, Rwanda has: - Duty-free importation for EAC products; - Common external tariff:- 0% – Raw materials & Capital Equipment; - 15% – Intermediate goods; - 25% – Finished goods.

• No restriction on repatriation of capital and profits.

• 100% write-off of R&D costs.

• Continuous simplification of the taxation

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system and attracting investment.

• In early 1998, the government set up a one-stop investment promotion centre and implemented a new investment code that created an enabling environment for foreign and local investors. The new investment code is underway and is available from end March 2015, which will encourage more private investment into the priority sectors by certain incentives.

An autonomous revenue authority also has begun operation, improving collections and accountability.

NEW INCENTIVES IN THE NEW INVESTMENT LAW 2015 Priority Sectors for investment: • Export; • Industrial manufacturing; • Investment in the sector of energy, transport, information and communication technologies, financial services and construction of low-cost housing.

Repatriation of capital and assets: Upon fulfilling all tax obligations in Rwanda, an investor shall be allowed to repatriate the following: • Capital; • Profits derived from business activities; • Debt and interest on foreign loans; • Proceeds from the liquidation of investment; • Any other assets of an investor.

are not provided for under this Law, shall continue to benefit from these incentives for a twelve (12) months period from the date of the publication of this Law in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda.

However, the transitional period referred to under Paragraph One of this Article shall not be applicable to: • Incentives on corporate income tax discounts based on the number of Rwandans employed and export which shall be terminated on the date of the publication of this Law in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda; • Investor benefiting from additional timebound tax-related incentives for which the government of Rwanda has signed an undertaking before the publication of this law in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda who continue to benefit from these incentives until the end of the period specified in the undertaking • Companies that carry out microfinance activities benefiting from the investment incentive of paying a profit tax equivalent to zero per cent (0%) during a five years period in accordance with Law n° 26/2005 of 17/12/2005 relating to investment and export promotion and facilitation, will continue to benefit from this incentive until the end of that period.

Investment registration requirements The application for investment registration must be accompanied by the following: • Certificate of legal personality of the business company; • A business plan which must include at least the following: • Name of the project and detailed information on the project in which investment is or will be made; • Action plan; • The date of commencement of operations; • Detailed information on any raw materials sourced in the country or in the locality where the investment is operating; • Detailed information on any financing and assets to be sourced from outside Rwanda, including the timeframe in which these finance and assets shall be invested; • Market survey; • Details of the projected technology and knowledge transfer; • Table indicating five-year income projections for the investment project; • The project environmental impact assessment certificate issued in accordance with relevant laws; • Projected number of employees and categories of employments; • Proof of payment of registration fee; • License granted by the business sector in which he/she intends to operate.

Fiscal Incentives Accorded to Investors in the New Investment Law A. Preferential corporate income tax rate of zero per cent (0%): An international company which has its headquarters or regional office in Rwanda will be entitled to a preferential corporate income tax rate of zero per cent (0%) if it fulfils the following requirements: • To invest the equivalent of at least USD 10,000,000, in both tangible and intangible assets, in Rwanda; • To provide employment and training to Rwandans; • To conduct international financial transactions equivalent to at least USD 5,000,000 a year for commercial operations through a licensed commercial bank in Rwanda; • To be well established in the sector within which it operates; • To use the equivalent of at least USD2,000,000 per year in Rwanda; • To set up actual and effective administration and coordination of operations in Rwanda and perform at least three of the following services in Rwanda • Procurement of raw materials, components or finished products • Market control and sales promotion planning; • Information and data management services; • Treasury management services; • Research and development work; • Training and personnel management.

Transitional period An investor who benefits from the incentives provided under Law nº 26/2005 of 17/12/2005 relating to investment and export promotion and facilitation, which

B. Preferential corporate income tax rate of fifteen percent (15%): A preferential corporate income tax rate of fifteen percent (15%) shall be accorded to:

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• A registered investor, exporting at least fifty percent (50%) of turnover of goods and services produced in Rwanda, including business processing outsourcing. This incentive excludes unprocessed minerals, tea and coffee without value addition according to the provisions of this Law. • A registered investor undertaking one of the following operations: energy generation, transmission and distribution from peat, solar, geothermal, hydro, biomass, methane and wind. This incentive excludes an investor having an engineering procurement contract executed on behalf of the Government of Rwanda; • A registered investor in the sector of transport of goods and related activities whose business is operating a fleet of at least five trucks registered in the investor’s name, each with a capacity of at least 20 tonnes.

• A registered investor operating in mass transportation of passengers and goods with a fleet of at least ten buses registered in the investor’s name, each with a capacity of at least 25 seats; • A registered investor in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Sector with an investment involving one of the following activities: service, manufacturing or assembly. This incentive excludes ICT retail and wholesale trade as well as ICT repair industries and telecommunications;

G. Value Added Tax refund: The refund of the Value Added Tax paid by investors shall be made within a period not exceeding 15 days upon receipt of the relevant documents by the tax administration authority.

H. Accelerated depreciation: A registered investor shall be entitled to a flat accelerated depreciation rate of fifty per cent (50%) for the first year for new or used assets if he/she meets the following criteria: • Invest in business assets worth at least USD 50,000 each; • Operate in at least one of the sectors below and meet the requirements; export projects, manufacturing, telecommunications, agro processing, education, health; • Transport excluding passenger vehicles with less than nine people seating capacity.

• Tourism investments worth at least USD1,800,000.

• Construction projects worth at least USD1,800,000.

• Any other sectors provided the investment is worth at least USD 100,000.

• Any other priority sector as may be determined by an Order of the Minister in charge of finance.

• A registered investor operating in the following financial services: global business activities, private equity funds, fund management, wealth management; mutual funds, collective investment schemes, captive insurance schemes, venture capital, and asset backed securities. This incentive excludes locally oriented fund and wealth management, retail banking and insurance activities.

• A investor registered in building low-cost housing and upon fulfilling the criteria provided under the instructions of the Minister in charge of housing.

C. Corporate income tax holiday of up to seven years: A registered investor investing an equivalent of at least USD50,000,000 and contributing at least thirty percent (30%) of this investment in form of equity in the sectors specified below will be entitled to a maximum of seven-year corporate income tax holiday: • Energy projects producing at least 25 MW. This incentive excludes an investor having an engineering procurement contract executed on behalf of the Government of Rwanda and fuel produced energy; • Manufacturing; • Tourism; • Health; • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Sector with an investment involving manufacturing,

assembly and service. This incentive excludes communication, ICT retail and wholesale trade as well as ICT repair companies or enterprises and Telecommunications; • Export related investment projects; • An investor registered in another priority economic sector as may be determined by an Order of the Minister in charge of finance.

D. Corporate income tax holiday of up to five years: Microfinance institutions approved by competent authorities will be entitled to a tax holiday of a period of five years from the time of their approval. However, this period may be renewed upon fulfilling conditions prescribed in the Order of the Minister in charge of finance.

E. Exemption of customs tax for products used in Export Processing Zones: A registered investor investing in products used in Export Processing Zones shall be exempted from customs taxes and duties according to the provisions of customs rules and regulations of the East African Community.

F. Exemption of Capital Gains Tax: A registered investor shall not pay capital gains tax. However, income derived from the sale of a commercial immovable property shall be included in the taxable income of the investor.

I. Immigration incentives: A registered investor who invests an equivalent of at least USD 250,000 may recruit three foreign employees without necessarily demonstrating that their skills are lacking or insufficient on the labour market in Rwanda.

The country also continues to build robust Capital Markets, notably through the establishment of the Stock Exchange in January 2008, which includes over-the counter transactions in bonds and equities.

Rwanda has specialised its infrastructure for Industry and Trade, such as the Kigali Special Economic Zone. They have ensured that these sites have reliable infrastructure and that majority of works on the site are complete.

Rwanda Open for Business through Rwanda Development Board (RDB) The RDB is an information hub for investors and their team includes worldwide representatives offering guidance to investing in Rwanda. It is the single point of contact for guidance on laws, policies, incentives, investment climate and trends.

Their expertise extends into opportunities including privatisation, processes and sector information. As a One Stop Centre for starting business in Rwanda, RDB coordinates incentives for large and strategic projects and helps find the right local joint venture partners – as well as public private partnerships. This centre offers all licensing and clearance certificates in an efficient manner. It is encouraging for investors to know that documentation and processing does not have to be a timeous exercise.

MINICOM – www.minicom.gov.rw

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Social Services Overview Rwandan Parliament

Rwanda is on track to meet most of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the end of 2015. Strong economic growth was accompanied by substantial improvements in living standards, evidenced by a two-thirds drop in child mortality and the attainment of near-universal primary school enrolment. A strong focus on homegrown policies and initiatives contributed to a significant improvement in access to services and in human development indicators. Poverty alleviation showed great strides from 2011 to 2014.

The 2013/14 EICV survey shows that poverty is at 39.1% as of 2013/14, down from 44.9% as was reported in 2010/11and 59% in 2001During the same period, extreme poverty dropped from 24.1% to 16.3%, while inequality measured by the Gini coefficient reduced from 0.52 in 2006 to 0.49 in 2011. Efforts to promote spatial inclusion are bearing fruit, with the share of rural households living in integrated and economically viable planned settlements increasing from 37.5% in 2012 to 53.0% in 2013/14. www.worldbank.org Education Sector Carnegie Mellon University in Rwanda – ICT education at a high standard. Carnegie Mellon is the first U.S. research institution offering degrees in Africa with an in-country presence. Rwanda is poised to become East Africa’s technology hub. Addressing

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the need to ensure healthy growth in the ICT sector, Carnegie Mellon University in Rwanda offers a Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) and a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MSECE). www.cmu.edu/rwanda

now stands at 28%. Girls now make up 52% of students in secondary education. The net enrolment rate for pre-primary education increased to 13% in 2012. The unfinished agenda is to increase coverage of preprimary education from this very low base. www.unicef.org/rwanda/education.html

One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) Rwanda’s long-term vision includes access for all to the Web. Thanks to the generosity of Give One Get One donors in 2007, 100,000 laptops have been given to children and teachers across the country. President Paul Kagame has committed to saturate its primary schools with 500,000 laptops over the next five years. OLPC helped open a Global Centre for Excellence in Laptops and Learning at the Kigali Institute for Science, Technology and Management (KIST) in Kigali. http://one.laptop.org/map/rwanda

Health and Development The Government of Rwanda is committed to improving the Rwandan population’s health situation by strengthening the quality of service delivered and providing access to treatment through universal health insurance coverage (Mutuelles de Santé).

To enhance public health services, the Ministry of Health is undertaking deep reforms to address major traditional problems of health as well as new challenges posed by HIV/AIDS. To respond to the Rwandan Government’s ambitious plan for the country’s sustainable development as detailed in its 2020 Vision, Rwanda makes quality of care a national priority. Focus must be on human resources development, building and sustaining ‘Mutuelles de Santé’ and reinforcing decentralisation within the health sector.

The Ministry of Health of Rwanda embarked on this program to ensure all Rwandans have access to affordable healthcare through health insurance schemes including the community based health insurance scheme or “Mutuelle de Santé”, government employees insurance and private insurance.

Free Education in Rwanda The government of Rwanda made primary and secondary education fee-free. Rwanda has the highest primary school enrolment rates in Africa and is on track to achieve universal access to primary education by 2015. The primary net enrolment rate increased to 97% in 2012.

The overall completion rate at primary level is 73% (2012). The qualified teacher to pupil ratio at primary level stands improved to 62:1. (Source: Ministry of Education Statistics Yearbook 2012).

The secondary school net enrolment rate

Rwanda High Commission Kigali, United Kingdom: www.rwandahc.org Eyecare Programme Rwanda This project is one of the main referral eye centres in Rwanda and covers a population of approximately 1.2 million people in the Southern Province of Rwanda.

It has a regular outreach program in collaboration with a Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) programme based in Kigali. This has contributed to a steady rise in the number of cataract operations performed.

Specialised eye surgery like paediatric surgery is performed at the hospital. The eye unit was identified by the Ministry of Health in Rwanda as one of the key centres in the 2nd phase of the Rwanda Vision 2020 programme. www.cbm.org Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) was established after the merger of Social Security Fund of Rwanda (SSFR) with Rwanda Medical Insurance (RAMA). The mandate of the institution is to administer social security in the country. The branches currently managed include pension, occupational risks and health insurance.

The benefits offered under these different branches are old age, invalidity, survivorship, work injuries and work related diseases and health insurance. www.csr.gov.rw

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Investment Opportunities in Rwanda by Sectors

FINANCIAL SERVICES Rwanda’s financial system remains dominated by banking sector which represents 67.6% of the system’s total assets. The microfinance has 5.6% and the non-banking financial institutions account for 26.7% (insurance 9.4% and pension 17.3%).

In terms of total assets the sector recorded an amount of FRW 1,767.6 billion end June 2014 compared to FRW 1,381.2 billion at the end June 2013. The total asset growth is mainly attributable to loans (onbalance sheet) growth that registered an increase of 14.3% from FRW 822.4 billion end June 2013 to FRW 940.1 billion end June 2014.

The growth in lending was achieved mainly using deposits resources which also increased significantly from FRW 940.7 billion end June 2013 to FRW 1,230.8 billion end June 2014 i.e 30.8% growth.

The profitability and liquidity levels indicate that the banking sector remains liquid and profitable. The sector’s profitability as measured by ROA and ROE stood at 2.1% and 12.1% respectively by end June 2014 while the recorded ratios were respectively 2.1% and 9.9% end June 2013. Liquidity ratio (liquid assets to total deposits) stood at 54.2% end June 2014 against 46.2% end June 2013. However,

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the liquidity of the banking sector remains strong compared to the prudential minimum limit of 20%.

Source; BNR 2014 Investment Opportunities • Commercial bank products and services particularly in rural areas.

• Competitive loan facilities.

• Agricultural products/services financing.

• Development banks especially to finance SMEs. • Microfinance opportunities.

• Mortgage financing.

• Investment banking services.

• Training of financial sector professionals.

• Insurance services especially reinsurance.

• Equity and bonds purchases at Rwanda’s capital market.

• Provision of technical ancillary services in areas like brokerage and actuarial loss assessment.

• Provision of life policies and other innovative assurances like agriculture and medical schemes, etc.

• Housing banks.

• Fund management including private equity, fund of funds, wealth management, etc.

• Institutional and human capacity building in capital and financial markets.

• Business process outsourcing (BPO)

including back office operations, data processing, payment processing, e-procurement for financial services.

Key Players • The banking sector is comprised of nine commercial banks, three microfinance banks, one development bank and one cooperative bank • The microfinance sector is comprised of 490 Institutions of which 11 are limited companies and 465 SACCOs (including 416 UMURENGE SACCOs).

• There are 12 insurance companies (seven non-life insurers, three life insurers and two public insurers).

• One public pension fund, the Rwanda Social Security Board and around 40 private pension schemes.

• There are105 operational forex Bureaus • And one stock exchange.

• The three largest local banks are: - Banque de Kigali with a market share of 31% of total banking assets and 50% share of the total commercial bank profitability (BK 2011).

- Banque Populaire du Rwanda (BPR): 65% cooperative members, 35% Rabobank.

- I & M Bank: 80% I&M from Kenya, 20% GoR. - Ecobank, Access Bank, Equity Bank,

GT Bank and Kenya Commercial Bank are among the large regional banks with a presence in Rwanda, but no international bank yet.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) Information and Communication Technology is a central engine to driving Rwanda’s transformation to a knowledge based economy, a fact Rwanda has acknowledged by allocating a budget to ICT - as a percentage of its GDP - that is at par with OECD countries.

Rwanda continues to be one of the fastest growing African countries in ICT and there are several avenues for growth for the ICT sector – from e-commerce and e-services, mobile technologies, applications development and automation to becoming a regional centre for the training of top quality ICT professionals and research. A robust ICT industry can create wealth, jobs and entrepreneurs.

Investment Opportunities 1. Cheap labour compared to other countries in the Region; 2. Young and dynamic workforce (98% of the population is under 50 years and 43% is under 16 years); 3. The World Bank Doing Business report

of 2013 reflects Rwanda as the 2nd easiest place to do business in Africa after Mauritius; 4. Low levels of corruption - Zero tolerance (Transparency international Bribery index 2012 ranked Rwanda as least bribery prone in the EAC); 5. World-class ICT infrastructure; 6. Strong & visionary leadership; 7. Bi-lingual business environment (French and English).

Key Players The country’s leading mobile telephony providers are MTN Rwanda, TIGO and Airtel.

The network coverage accounts for 99.79% of the country and the current subscriber base is at 63.5% (6,689,158 subscribers December 2013). The long-term outlook of growth in these numbers is 7,437,196 by Q4 2016.

Rwanda’s Internet penetration grew from less than 1% in 2000 to 13% at the end of December 2013. In addition to existing ICT infrastructure as well as access network rollout program, investment in a 4G LTE network is expected to increase penetration to at least 95% by end of 2016.

ICT Park Project Description: Development of an ICT park structured around and supporting the growth of the

following clusters: • Energy • Internet, multimedia and mobile telecommunication • Knowledge • E-Government • Financial • ICT Service and export Strategic partnership between GoR, Carnegie-Mellon University (CMU) and AfDB according to which CMU will: • Provide ICT education in Kigali equivalent to that offered to its students at the US Campus • Support the design of the Institutional program • Investment Amount: US$150-million • Investment Mode: Total Equity ownership or Joint Venture Achievements During 2014, the ICT sector in Rwanda continued to grow to boost the country’s social-economic development. ICT contributed 2% to the national GDP in the first two quarters which grew to 3% by the 3rd quarter 2014 due to a growth of 25% of the sector. In Rwanda, ICT contribution to GDP during the last two quarters of 2014 stood at 2%, ahead of agriculture and mining exports combined. In terms of

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foreign direct investments, the ICT sector has worked as a magnet, attracting 45% of the total in-flows.

Information and Communication Technology is a central engine to driving Rwanda’s transformation to a knowledge based economy.

Rwanda continues to be one of the fastest growing African countries in ICT and there are several avenues for growth for the ICT sector.

President Paul Kagame received the 2014 World Telecommunication Information Society. The Award is presented by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to individuals who have made exceptional contribution to improving lives of world citizens through ICTs. StarTimes Group also recognised President Kagame with the first ever “Number One in ICT and Communication Award”.

Rwanda was re-elected a member state of the Council of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for 20142018. Rwanda earned 110 votes at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Busan, South Korea.

Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan adopted a regional telecommunications framework for a “OneNetwork-Area” to be implemented by 2015.

The framework scraps roaming charges and reducing the cost of calls by 60%.

Rwanda joined a few other countries to enjoy Fourth Generation Long-Term Evolution (4G LTE) Internet services after

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it was launched in Kigali in November 2014. The launch of 4G LTE is one of many activities that our Government is putting in place so as to achieve a middle class knowledge based economy targets by 2020.

On 19 August 2014, the Government of Rwanda and Rwanda Online Platform Limited kicked off the beginning of the first phase of implementation of the Rwanda Online platform set to establish an integrated public service platform that will exclusively offer Government to Business (G2B) and Government to Citizen (G2C) services in the country, accessible via internet and mobile devices.

Facebook introduced SocialEDU, a pilot initiative that will provide students in Rwanda with free access to a collaborative online education experience. With SocialEDU, students in Rwanda will receive free data plans for accessing free edX MOOCs from some of the world’s leading universities.

Ministry of Youth and ICT: www.myict.gov.rw ENERGY SECTOR Rwanda energy primary use is dominated by biomass which accounts for 86.3%. Total installed generation capacity of 126 MW, with 22.5% connectivity rate (21% on-grid and 1.5% off-grid).

Investments Opportunities • Methane gas to power • Geothermal • Peat to power

• Micro Hydropower • Off-grid solutions Key Players • Ministry of Infrastructure (for policy and strategy formulation, and granting both concessions and MoU’s); • Rwanda Energy Group (implementing Compny, providing both technical assessment, and Power Purchase Agreements); • Rwanda Development Board (Investment process, guidance, facilitation, leading negotiations for strategic projects, issuing EIA, and providing incentives); • Rwanda Utility Regulatory Authority (setting tariffs, regulate the sector, and provision of licenses in the sector).

Achievements Targets: • Biomass (wood energy) to drop from 86.3% to 50% by 2020; • Generation capacity to reach 563 MW by 2017; • Access to electricity to expand to 70% by2017; • Public institutions to be connected 100% by 2017.

Strategies: • Diversification of Energy sources; • Focus on domestic sources of energy and phasing out heavy/fossil-fuel generation; • Involvement of the private sector in power generation through Independent Power Producers (IPP’s) and Private Public

Partnerships (PPPs) structures; • Provision of Power Purchase Agreement, underpinned with a minimum 25 years concession Agreement.

INFRASTRUCTURE Rwanda understands the importance of infrastructure in the development of a competitive private sector. To this end the government continues to invest heavily in infrastructure. Almost a tenth of Rwanda’s annual budget is committed to transport and other infrastructure. To develop a vibrant private sector, Rwanda is investing in Roads, Rail and water transport infrastructure with the intent of dramatically reducing the cost of transport to businesses and individuals.

In addition the transformation of Rwanda’s economy works hand in hand with a greater urbanisation of the country. The current percentage of population leaving in urban settlements is of 15% and this number shall increase to 35% by 2017. The shift has already started and more urban settlement will be developed as well as secondary cities in combination with Kigali.

Investment opportunities • Roads: The major road infrastructures open for investments are both located in the rural and urban areas. KibungoNgoma-Nyanza (130Kms): This road aims to connect the South East to South Rwanda. Nyagatare-Byumba-Base (130Kms) located in the North West and North East of the country. Kigali

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Ring Road (80Kms): This project could be developed through a Public Private Partnership. New Bugesera Airport Expressway: The road will connect the new airport to Kigali City (40Kms). Feeder Roads are rural roads that connect farmers to local markets. Urban roads shall be developed in Kigali and in every secondary city.

• Air transport: The project is to develop a new modern international airport at Bugesera. This airport will provide both extra capacity for passenger transport and also will develop the cargo freight.

The New Bugesera International Airport target is to become an international hub in East Africa and beyond. This project will also increase significantly the land value in the airport area and attract more private investment and urban development.

• Railway: Rwanda wants to develop two major regional lines. The Dar-es-Salaam - Isaka Kigali railway project is estimated to 5 billion US dollars. The project is composed of the line rehabilitation in Tanzania and of the construction of the new Isaka-Kigali line of 494 kms in length (355km in Tanzania, 139km in Rwanda).

The Mombasa–Nairobi-Kampala-Kigali is the other railway route to unlock Rwanda and provide direct connection to the Indian Ocean. The project cost estimate is of 13 billion USD. • Inland Water Transport: The idea is to develop the inland water transport for the transportation of goods and passengers

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on the Kivu Lake. The waterway will connect the cities of Rubavu, Karongi and Rusizi with the construction of new terminals and equipment of new ships.

• Public transportation: With the economic development there is an urgent need to develop a modern Public Transportation System. In Kigali the public transportation system shall be organised around a new Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) composed of 43Kms of dedicated bus lanes. Also the Government of Rwanda is in the process to restructure its public transport operator ONATRACOM to make it a private company.

AGRICULTURE The agriculture sector contributes about 35% to the national GDP, and is seen as an area with priority development, employing about 58% of the population in Rwanda.

It has been the main driver of growth and poverty reduction, pulling 1 million people above the poverty line in only five years.

It is the foundation and backbone of the economy, and has witnessed increased investments in agricultural inputs, land consolidation, infrastructure, and production.

With increased commercialization, the agriculture sector has been the driving force for about 45% of poverty reduction in the last decade.

Rwanda has the potential to serve the regional East African Community market, and other neighboring countries, especially with the newly created East African

Commodities Exchange, launched at the World Economic Forum in 2013.

In 2014 Agriculture grew by 5% and contributed 1.6 percentage point to the overall GDP growth.

In the short and medium term, Rwanda intends to continue focusing its efforts on the traditional cash crops of Tea and Coffee and pyrethrum, as well as on the nascent, non-traditional horticultural crops and plants, including various Fruits and Vegetables; Flowers (mainly fresh roses); Essential Oils (Pyrethrum; Patchouli; etc.), Stevia, dairy, meat, poultry, and fish.

Investment Opportunities • High value Horticulture processing • Kigali Whole Sale Market(KWSM) • Investment Opportunities in Essential oils, Potato processing, Avocado export, Beans processing, Fertilizer distribution, Coffee, Tea, High value Hosticulture processing • Soya bean production • Maize production and processing • Meat processing • Wheat production and processing • Rice production and processing • Seed production • Irrigation and Mechanisation projects • Coffee: production, washing, roasting and packaging • Green fields for tea production and processing focusing on speciality tea • Sugar cane production and processing • Fishery, aquaculture and animal feed

production • Floriculture • Dairy processing • Silk development • Stevia production and processing • Honey production and processing Turnaround programs - current specific investment opportunities: 1. Ikirezi 2. New Rucep 3. RABI 4. Rubilizi 5. Sonafruits 6. Sopar 7. Sotiru 8. Utexrwa Investment Process (Road map for Agribusiness investment facilitation) The roadmap details the agriculture investment process from the perspective of the RDB, mapping processes related to Origination, Information gathering, Evaluation, Decision to invest, Implementation and Aftercare.

Incentives offered to investors in Agriculture: Tax exemption is applied on imported goods (Machinery and raw materials, privileges on movable properties and equipment.)

Aftercare service is provided to all registered companies in agriculture sector through Key Account Management Concept (KAMs) to fast track projects’ implementation process.

Key Targets: Agriculture is targeted to grow from 5.8% to 8.5% p.a by 2018, people living under primarily agriculture sector to reduce from 34% to 25% with focus on agro processing, exports to increase in average from 19.2% to 28% p.a and imports to be maintained at 17% average growth.

MANUFACTURING SECTOR The manufacturing sector in Rwanda is critical in pursuit of key government policies and strategies that are aimed at increasing export revenues and decreasing trade deficits, generate off-farm employment, and Increase GDP. In EDPRS, the iindustrial (manufacturing, construction and mining) sector is targeted to contribute 20% to GDP by 2018 and this requires growing at an annual rate of 14%.

According to the report from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN), the industrial sector grew by 6% during 2013/2014, compared to 12% in the 2012/2013. The construction and manufacturing sector with 5% growth, and beverages which grew at a rate of 3%.

The Manufacturing sector was weakened by border issues with DRC which hindered trade in beverages in particular. However, the decrease experienced by soft drinks was mainly due to the fact that some of the output which used to be exported to DRC (Goma) through BRALIRWA distributors was stopped from April 2014 by the DRC local authority, local authority, following

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complaints from one local company which also make the same products. Sugar production declined due to the fact that the industry stopped production for four months for maintenance purposes instead of the more typical two months stoppage.

The production of cement increased by 5% and modern beer by 4%. The production of cement increased mainly due to the greater stability of electricity used to run machines in the production process compared to the previous period. However, it was still a below-average increase in cement, which was related to the slow-down in construction, along with strong competition from imported.

For the manufacturing sector, the following products recorded a negative growth: soaps (-6%), Paints (-22%), textiles (-18%), sugar (-18%) and flour production (-9%). The share of the industry sector to the GDP was 15%.

It is projected that the manufacturing sector will grow by 4% in 2015 despite facing myriad challenges such as poor infrastructure, unreliable electricity, skills gap and technology amongst others.

Source; RAM 2015 Government approach to support and unleash the manufacturing sector potential Through Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and other government agencies, the manufacturing sector is promoted by encouraging new investments and

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supporting the existing companies, through: 1. Provision of both fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to the sector including export processing zone status which allows zero corporate tax to manufacturing investors meeting the EPZ criteria.

2. Recapturing the domestic market strategy that aims at identifying subsectors with import substitution potential and then support for local sourcing.

3. Offer technical assistance to manufacturing companies to ensure competitiveness and growth.

4. Facilitate in gaining export market for locally produced products through various export development programs.

5. Establishment of industrial zones to avail serviced land and facilitates quick project operationalisation.

6. Provide Investor aftercare through technical advisory and policy advocacy activities to continuously improve the business environment.

7. Be a signatory to various bilateral and multilateral trade agreements which ensure wider regional and international markets access.

Investment Opportunities • Construction materials Due to the rapid growth of the construction sector in Rwanda as demonstrated by growth in construction spending: US$300-million (2008) to over US$500-million (2011) there has been a corresponding increase of demand

for construction materials. Investment opportunities include manufacturing of Steel products, Float construction glass, and Clay products.

• Pharmaceutical drugs • Packaging products • Textiles • Leather processing and products • Soaps and detergents • Fertilizers TOURISM Rwanda’s unique assets offer tourists a one of a kind journey as home to one third of the world’s remaining Mountain Gorillas, one third of Africa’s bird species, several species of primates, volcanoes, game reserves, resorts and islands on the expansive Lake Kivu, graceful dancers, artistic crafts and friendly people. Tourism benefits: • Safe and easy to get around with short distances to diverse destinations: Rwanda is a thriving, safe country with one of the lowest crime rates in Africa. All major attractions are located along a circuit within 1-5 hour drive from the capital, Kigali. In a short vacation, a tourist can reach volcanoes, rainforests, savannah, islands, lakes and the beautiful city of Kigali.

• A base to visit East African destinations: Located in the heart of central and East Africa with easy access to bordering countries of Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya. Rwanda is an ideal location for

travel within the region for conference and leisure tourists.

• Tourism receipts are expected to grow at 25% annually until 2018 (EDPRS).

• Park visitors increased to 61,000 in 2012 (RDB). Increase in traffic of major airline companies to Rwanda contribute to the growth of Tourism in Rwanda (attributed to the increase of major airline companies).

• New Airport & Convention Centre developments set to further boost tourism potential.

• The average spend by a visitor is $200 a day and average length of stay is one week.

• Investment into tourism sector comprised 30% of registered projects in 2009.

• There are 200 hotels and 4500 hotel rooms in Rwanda. For the upper range, average occupancy rate is 70%, with foreigners accounting for 97%of bed nights sold.

Investment Opportunities: • Tourism and Hospitality training schools; • Development of tourism sites and activities around the hot springs in the southern province; • Creation of theme parks; • Establishment and promotion of zoological and botanical gardens; • Develop exhibition centres within Kigali city and other centres in Rwanda; • Development of Lake Kivu Beach; • Establishment of casinos in Kigali and other cities;

• Four/five star hotels in Kigali and Rubavu; • Construction of a cultural centre and a hotel for tourists visiting the King’s Palace in Nyanza; • Development of boating and water sports on lakes Kivu, Ihema and Muhazi; • Construction and development of Ecolodges in Nyungwe Forest and Akagera Park; • Construction of a cultural village in Kigali; • Golf Resorts; • EcolodgeGihaya Island; • Hot Springs; • Hotel Strip; • Ishara Sun Beach; • KIVU Marina Bay; • Karisimbi Cable Car Project.

REAL ESTATE Construction and real estate sectors are key sectors and potential drivers of future economic growth in Rwanda, mainly due to the high demand for residential and commercial buildings for the business community.

Total Housing needs in Kigali alone reaches 458,265 dwelling units (20132022). These requirements could be met by building new dwellings of up to 344,068 DU. The recent remarkable growth in local and foreign investment implies that there will be continued growing demand for residential as well as commercial buildings.

Growth in demand for low and affordable houses has been driven by among other factors, a growing population (2.89% per

annum), an emerging and growing middle class, increased diaspora investment in Rwandan property markets and government investment in infrastructure expansion and modernisation of urban and rural infrastructure.

Among the notable opportunities in the real estate and construction sector is the implementation of the Kigali City Master plan that entails a broad vision and guidelines for the entire city serving as the basis for more specific planning at the District and the Central Business District. It present the most advanced sustainability in land use, infrastructure, environment, society and economy.

Today in Rwanda, a number of key materials are manufactured locally, whereas others are imported. The main ones manufactured locally are: Cement, metal roofing sheets, hollow sections and profiles, clay and ceramic building materials (bricks, blocks and tiles), rebars and paint.

However, manufacturing capacity of existing companies does not saturate the subsector market; it is instead complemented with imports, hence a need to set up more manufacturing plants that would make construction materials.

Investment Opportunities • Residential houses for low- and middleincome classes • Sports Centre • Office buildings • Real Estate agency operations

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• Factory construction • Manufacturing of construction finishing materials • High-end market housing developments • Commercial centres • Shopping malls • Entertainment centres • Training and certification of key services architecture, engineering, plumbing.

MINING Mining activities in Rwanda started in the early 1930s, developed by Belgian foreign companies such as: MINETAIN, GEORWANDA, SOMUKI and COREM, as well as private mining dealers for example MARSHALL, STINGLHAMBERT, GREENS, CARDINAEL, DE BORCHGRAVE etc.

In 1973 a new public mining company SOMIRWA (Société Minière du Rwanda) was created and it was declared bankrupt in 1985. Later in 1988, the new cooperative, COOPIMAR (Cooperative Industrielle Minière Artisanale) was formed to organise and assist small mining artisans to develop and increase production. By 1989, REDEMI (Régie d’Exploitation et de Développement des Mines) was created to replace the declared bankrupt SOMIRWA. The key minerals currently being mined and traded in Rwanda are Casseterite (tin), Coltan (niobo-tantalite), Wolframite

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(tungsten), beryl, amblygonite, monazite, gold etc.

Minerals have become an increasingly important source of revenue for Rwanda, showing potential as an avenue to facilitate growth and economic transformation in the country. Combined export revenues of tin, tantalum, and tungsten (3T) ore concentrates (cassiterite, coltan and wolframite) reached USD156 million in 2011, USD136 million in 2012 and USD228 million in 2013.

Progress in recent years has been impressive; and the key challenge lies in maintaining the mining sector’s momentum.

In terms of real GDP, mining was the fastest growing sector in 2013, at 41%. The general mining governance environment is encouraging. Following adoption of a new mining code in 2014, there has been issuance of long-term exploitation permits, a key prerequisite for potential investors.

The sector is targeted to grow by10% annually until 2017/18 Investment Opportunities Mineral Exploration Opportunities: Intensive, up to date and detailed mineral exploration can be carried out in the recently identified Prospective Target Areas (PTAs) to delineate and quantify their mineral resources. The Government of Rwanda has invested in

exploration works in PTAs to generate good primary geology data to be used by mineral exploration companies.

Mining Opportunities (Tin, Tungsten, Coltan and Gemstones): The mining law grants the right to exploit three categories of mines - artisanal, small scale, and large scale mines to any person/ company with proven technical expertise and financial capacity to develop and run a mining project.

• Industrial Mining: Currently, Rwanda’s mining sector is mostly artisanal. Modern technology is needed to upgrade the sector to a semi-mechanised, and later, an industrial level and increase production which is low compared to the proven potential. At least mining equipment including drillers, bulldozers, gravity table shakers etc. are needed to upgrade the sector.

• Targeting Value Addition: Rwanda’s mineral ores produced in the country are 100% exported as raw mineral concentrates, not as metals. The establishment of processing plants to smelt cassiterite into tin, refining wolframite and tantalite into tungsten and tantalum respectively is open to private investors.

• Partnership with Local Mining Companies: Most local mining companies are artisanal in their settings. Over 400 local mining companies and 30 co-operatives are open to consider partnership and JVs, covering financing, capital equipment, technical support and competitive mineral trade contracts.

• Gemstones: The exploration and exploitation of gemstones is still at a low level. Rwanda possesses a variety of gemstones including; Beryl (Aquamarine), Amblygonite, Corundum (Ruby and Sapphire), Tourmalines and different types of Quartz. Setting up cutting and polishing plants of gemstones is also an opportunity.

• Trade in Mineral Substances: Trade in mineral substances is carried out by holders of mining and mineral trading licenses and owners of smelting and screening companies. Trading in minerals, including cassiterite, wolframite and niobium - tantalite must contain at least 30% value added.

• Industrial Minerals: Targeting industrial minerals exploitation and processing.

Production to meet the demand for construction materials especially tiles, slabs sculptures, paints, bricks and concrete aggregates is still low. Rwanda possesses variety minerals such as good quality silica sands, kaolin, vermiculite, diatomite, clays, limestone, talcum, gypsum and pozzolan.

National Investment Projects

Rwanda Special Economic Zones In the year 2006, the government initiated Special Economic Zones (SEZ), a program designed to deal with private sector constraints such as availability of industrial and commercial land, the cost of energy, limited transport linkages, and market access and reduced bureaucracy and availability of skills.

By initiating the SEZ initiative, the government would make available land for small and large scale industrial development, as well as reliable, value infrastructure, competitive fiscal and non-fiscal regulations and streamlined administrative procedures.

SEZs were also to provide the opportunity to cluster anchor tenants with suppliers and other service providers, eventually creating jobs in skilled sectors and encouraging knowledge transfer and acceleration of Rwanda’s economic activities in general thus improving standards of living for the population.

Currently, the Special Economic Zones are being implemented to meet fiscal, social, and infrastructure policy rationales.

The most significant fiscal goal of an SEZ is to make easy economic growth through the use of reduced tariffs and more well organized customs controls.

What is Special Economic Zones?

This is geographically specified and physically secured area administered by a single body, offering certain incentives including more liberal and simplified economic regulations for businesses to

physically locate and operate within it.

Special Economic Zones are generally implemented to meet fiscal, social, and infrastructure policy rationales. The most important fiscal goal of an SEZ is to facilitate economic growth through the use of reduced tariffs and more efficient customs controls. The single Administrative organ in the case of Rwanda if the Special Economic Zones Authority of Rwanda (SEZAR) Why the idea was born The idea of establishing Special Economic Zones in Rwanda was essentially to streamline business regulations and provide incentives to investors and businesses as a way of transforming the country’s economy.

SEZs have ability to promote private investment, industry and export growth as they offer quality infrastructure, which is a huge challenge to investors. By ensuring success in implementing the Special Economic Zones Program, the country will significantly contribute to Rwanda’s Development Goals while ensuring that investors find conducive business climate to operate in.

Sendahangarwa says the country’s SEZ has been developed to match the international standards and accelerate the economic development of the country, eventually provide job opportunities for Rwandans and especially the youths segment.

In 2010, the SEZ regulatory framework was developed into the SEZ policy and in the year 2011, the SEZ Law enacted.

This law spells out all the guidelines for the SEZs to operate, the structures and the roles of key players.

The law gave clear regulatory framework and developed into Special Economic Zones Authority of Rwanda (SEZAR) which is mandated to regulate, coordinate, administer, and provide strategic planning and monitoring among others for Special Economic Zones in Rwanda in accordance with the Zones Law and Regulations.

Sendahangarwa says the legal instruments that have been formulated and enacted include the law No 05/2011 of 21/3/2011 regulating Special Economic Zones in Rwanda, a policy, ministerial order on licensing fees, ministerial order on negative list and Prime Minister’s order establishing the Special Economic Zones Authority of Rwanda (SEZAR).

Also, additional regulations were formulated and gazetted including regulations related to the establishment of the SEZ one stop shops in zones, users, Developers and operators’ licensing procedures.

The Kigali Special Economic Zone came into being after the merger of Kigali Free Trade Zone (KFTZ) and the Kigali Industrial Park (KIP) projects.

Increase foreign and domestic investment The main SEZ policy objectives include to make successful SEZs that add significantly to the developmental goals of Rwanda (whilst utilizing public resources in the most effective way): increase foreign and

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domestic private sector investment, export growth and diversification, development of industry/ non agriculture sectors and creation of off farm employment and income.

Sendahangarwa explains that by encouraging private investments, local and foreign investors are highly targeted in the SEZs; creating an ample and attractive business environment.

This way, creating employment especially for the youth has been and will be made achievable as the realisation of the programme continues to take shape.

So far, some Rwandans are already being employed. For instance, in KSEZ some companies that have started operating have employed a sizeable number of the youths.

On ground, so far six companies have started operating and most of these are into manufacturing business.

The SEZ has also enabled the establishment of world class infrastructure.

All the investors are required to abide by the standards of the infrastructure in the country which once in place adds national assets.

The attraction of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) comes with so many other advantages; bringing in foreign exchange and promotion of exports.

Everything produced in the SEZ is considered to be exported even when it is sold in Rwanda’s customs territory because it will attract the application of local duty thereby giving the investors an opportunity to access local market as well.

The availability of commodities for local

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consumption will as well be realised and the creation of competition will translate into affordable prices for products and services.

The Kigali Agriculture Park, which was launched by H.E, President Paul Kagame in August 2013 in the first phase of the Kigali Special Economic zone is among the big projects already operation in the KSEZ. The Kigali Agriculture Park was established to support in providing efficiency and cost effective handling solutions for grain, seeds and fertilizers in the country, mechanization centre and fish processing plant.

For the SEZAR to live up to their promise to the various SEZ users (Investors), Developers and Operators, it enters into service level agreements with all Government Institutions such as the Rwanda Revenue authority, Rwanda Environment Management Authority, EWSA, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, the Emigration and Emigration Department, Rwanda Housing Authority among others.

These service level agreements will also enable some of these institutions to provide relevant staff to beef up the SEZ one stop shop.

After the policy and regulatory framework were in place, the Kigali Special Economic Zone (KSEZ) was earmarked and investors started buying the plots.

So far, the Kigali Special Economic Zone is the only SEZ in the region, but plans are underway to have more across the country.

For a business to benefit from the SEZ

incentives, it has to be credible and bound to contribute to accelerated economic development with no negative effects on the economy.

The Kigali SEZ has been developed in two phases. The first phase is built on 98 hectares of land, all plots are fully are booked by 61 investors, with all infrastructure developed—roads, water, electricity, communication networks among others, at 100%. It should however be noted that construction by individual investors in phase one is approximately at 50% but progressing well.

Fourteen industries are also relocating from the former Gikondo Industrial Park to the Kigali Special Economic Zone, The first group of nine factories are expected to relocate in this year while the remaining big five industries will wait until construction for their premises is completed.

The relocation plan is part of efforts to help existing industries fit into the national industrial policy aimed at creating a conducive environment for industrial development. Some investors have already started operations in this phase.

The second phase is still being developed with infrastructure standing at about 60%.

From the perspective of SEZAR as the regulatory body, all work is progressing well. The Kigali Special Economic Zone is managed as a “mixed use” zone and has been designed to accommodate the investments in; heavy and light manufacturing industries, large scale users industrial plants, commercial wholesalers,

chemical, pharmacy and plastics, warehousing, tourism and service industry, ICT and logistics.

Management Globally, for the SEZ to operate well, the best management practices have to be put in the employ, with the key players being; the regulator, developer, operator and user.

Regulator The Regulatory Authority is an independent agency responsible for planning the national SEZ regime, Designation of land as individual SEZs, coordinating with public agencies, licensing and permitting SEZ enterprises (developers, operators and users), monitoring Performance And ensuring compliance with SEZ rules and legislations. The current SEZ regulator in Rwanda in the Special Economic Zones Authority of Rwanda (SEZAR).

Developer Generally a private sector entity under a contractual agreement with SEZ status and holding the responsibility as the owner to bear the risk and financing of designing and constructing all the necessary SEZ infrastructure and facilities. The developer of the Kigali Special economic zone also own this land and are therefore responsible for entering into sale agreements with the various users.

The Operator This is generally a private sector entity under

a contractual arrangement with the owner or Developer and responsible for the day – to-day management of SEZs and provision of specialized support facilities and services.

The developer can also be the operator.

User A private entity engaged in commercial activities in the SEZ and is compliant with

the prevailing rules and regulations regarding SEZ. The SEZ user must be holder of the SEZ status in form of the license provided by the Authority.

Further information on investment opportunities of SEZ can be found from RDB (info@rdb.rw or www.rdb.rw)

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Rwanda Kivu Belt Tourism SubMaster Plan The Tourism Industry is at the centre of service sector development in line with the Government of Rwanda’s ambitious vision 2020.

The Progress, Potentials and Investment opportunities of the Kivu Belt Background of Kivu Belt development The Rwandan Government has defined new and ambitious goals for the further development of the country. Vision 2020 foresees specific growth rates for the service sector. The tourism industry, as an important part of this sector, has to contribute accordingly.

The project started in May 2012 and has been carried out in close collaboration with the Contracting Authority and relevant stakeholders involved.

Tourism attractions in the Kivu Belt are undoubtedly underdeveloped and offer many yet untapped opportunities able to form an integral part of a sustainable tourism development.

Practically all existing attractions could increase their tourists’ value perception significantly. This would be the base for future tourism development, generating both higher revenue and increased tourist satisfaction.

One emerging issue, inter alia, is that public institutional inputs as well as private investments are needed in order to develop and exploit the available tourism potential.

Cultural Heritage Rwanda has a rich, diversified and specific culture, both tangible and intangible. The tangible testimonies of this culture and heritage are mainly to be found in Kigali and in Huye. However, the Kivu Belt area does have potential for cultural and heritage tourism with a number of existing and/ or potential sites in and around Rubavu, Karongi, Rusizi and Nyungwe forest.

However, most of the identified sites along the Lake Kivu Belt are either abandoned or neglected and unprotected but would have the potential to become cultural tourism sites provided they be enhanced and developed.

Furthermore, some cultural projects are being prepared, most of which would require funding for implementation. The sites, which are listed and described in detail in the report, could be linked together in the form of a “Cultural and Heritage Trail” to be established along Lake Kivu Belt, as a complement to and in parallel with the Congo Nile Trail’s other tourism attractions.

Infrastructure In the past years the Government of Rwanda has substantially developed and maintained key infrastructural routes, such as the road networks between larger cities and towns throughout Rwanda. Currently the routes between the towns along the Kivu Belt have already been developed or are undergoing rapid development. However tar surfacing works between Rusizi and Karongi and further to

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Rubavu are currently under way and still have to be completed.

In most places the Districts along the Kivu Belt are providing reliable power and water supply. The support and assurance by the Government to facilitate the acquisitions of landmark properties and to assist with further infrastructural services for major investments is a key issue to positively influence the decisions of private equity investors.

In relation to infrastructure, the report analyses, at national level, the following issues: (i) air transport (Kigali International Airport, the Bugesera planned new international airport project, Rusizi/ Kamembe and Rubavu airports) and new airline developments; (ii) road networks; and (iii) lake transport.

At District level, a detailed description of both the current and planned infrastructure in each of the five Districts along the Kivu Belt area is featured, together with the necessary public investments required (mainly for roads, electricity, waste water/ sewerage and ICT), in relation to each specific investment opportunity identified.

The current public sector initiatives, in addition to the stable political and economic environment and good governance in terms of regulations and policies, contribute to and enhance the overall conducive investment climate, thus increasing the chances to attract the private sector to invest into tourism facilities along the Kivu Belt.

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Key Tourism Investment Zones along the Kivu Belt • Rubavu District Rubavu will be attracting national and regional tourism as an entertainment and vacation hotspot. For international tourism Rubavu will be the perfect linkage to the Volcanoes National Park and Gorilla Tourism. In line with the vision, a hotel strip will be set in a natural environment positioned in the middle to upper end of the domestic and international market, comprising five hotel units located directly on the lake boulevard, anchored by a commercial area offering leisure and shopping facilities and complemented by a Hot Spring Resort on the peninsula and a Marina. Together, these elements should be designed to create a sophisticated environment for visitors drawn primarily from the international and, to a lesser extent, domestic markets.

• Rutsiro District The Rutsiro District as a linkage between the Rubavu and Karongi Districts will maintain the original Lake Kivu and Congo Nile Trail experience, offering genuine tourism experiences (eco lodge, coffee stations, and base camps) and facilitating travelling along Lake Kivu. It will benefit from the revenues through providing them with agricultural products.

• Karongi District Closest to Kigali, Karongi will be the centre of attraction offering an ideal break at the golf resort – an iconic product

set in a lush and exotic environment positioned in the luxury end of the market, comprising quality real estate units, an 18-hole golf course, complemented by a 5-star golf hotel. Together, these elements should be designed to create a sophisticated environment for visitors drawn from domestic and international markets.

• Nyamasheke District The scenic drive will provide a genuine experience and will be an attraction in itself paving the way to future investments in the Nyamasheke District. A linkage between the gateway of Kibuye for those seeking the lake experience and the Nyungwe National Park, this part of the CNT will establish itself as the ultimate route for those wishing to cruise, giving the possibility for locals to establish their own businesses catering for passers-by.

• Rusizi District A low density complex set in a natural and exotic environment positioned in the luxury end of the market, comprising an exclusive high-end quality eco lodge with a 9-hole golf course developed by a renowned designer on the island of Gihaya, complemented by a 5-star international conference and leisure hotel on the hills of Kamembe overlooking the Lake Kivu. Set in this lush environment, the guest’s experience is enhanced by a range of sports and leisure facilities offered at Lake Kivu such as Jet Skiing, water skiing, kite surfing or parasailing.

Linkage between current and new Tourism Attractions For a strategic and coherent tourism development of the Kivu Belt region, it is important to attract investments along the CNT, which connects Rubavu in the North, with Karongi and Rusizi/Kamembe in the South. The objective is to provide guests with an enticing experience at Lake Kivu by providing excellent services and facilities on land (hiking, biking, and driving) and on water (private and lake cruise boats, jetties, and ferries) to become an exciting and renowned trail in Africa enabling Rwanda to position itself as a thrilling and diversified tourist destination.

The basic idea is to develop a professional regular boat service on Lake Kivu. The overall benefit of this investment would be to diversify the tourism product and provide a direct link between the main tourist attractions.

Furthermore the development of water sports activities, upgrading of existing base camps, the trekking experience, and creating a new experience with mountain biking, will also be an integral part of the Kivu Belt Sub-Master Plan (KBTSMP).

Specific Investment Opportunities as Identified by Horwath HTL Private investments The quantification and calculation of the proposed private investments are based on the project concepts that Horwath HTL

considers to be feasible and sustainable at the specific identified sites.

They are furthermore based on the calculation of investment costs derived from standard ratios used in the hospitality industry to recalculate investment volumes and the return on investments. The total amount of US$280-350-million in direct private investments can be considered as Investment Phase 1. These investments are in line with the anticipated increase of international tourists and an estimated occupancy rate of around 40-50%.

The realisation of these selected icon investments will be considered as a major milestone of the tourism development process. The volume of each investment, in addition to the promotion impact generated, will encourage private investors – local, regional and international – to invest into businesses complementary to these larger scale investments. Besides the additional investment and job creating impact, these businesses will further complete the range of services offered to tourists and create new tourism experiences.

Complementary private investments creating additional revenues and new tourism attractions have also been identified.

Public investments Directly linked to the private investments are the public investments which are necessary to enable or facilitate the private investments. The public investments necessary to generate the amount of

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private investments include road, electricity, internet, water, waste water and others.

Almost all the road investments are already planned or under construction.

These investments are basic need for the development of the country in general.

Additional road investments, directly linked to the proposed investments are calculated and have to be taken into consideration by the Government when negotiating with investors.

However in all of the described investments the impact of the private investment in terms of employment income and tax generation outweighs the public investment costs.

The total volume of public investments, in the five Kivu Belt Districts, amounts to US$96.5-million. The ratio versus the linked private investment (33%) is very favourable for the Government and the Districts involved. This is mainly due to the fact that the private hotel and resort developments are concentrating on specifically defined tourism areas, some of which already accessible by road and serviced by public utilities (electricity, water etc.).

Accompanying Measures, Implementation Plan and Capacity Building These public investments have to be accompanied by a number of measures to be implemented at District level and by RDB. The implementation plan comprises management guidelines for the

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implementation of the Kivu Belt Tourism Sub-Master Plan and recommends the measures necessary to ensure the environmental sustainability of the tourism development of the Kivu Belt region. The previously described investments are considered as Phase 1 investments which, in Horwath HTL understanding, are bearing the potential to be realised within the next three year period (2014-2016).

In relation to Capacity Building, from the field visits and numerous meetings held with respective stakeholders of the Rwandan tourism related industry, as well as comments from other sources and ad hoc interviews with travellers met en route, it has become evident that the current Rwandan tourism industry in general and the hospitality sector in particular have a serious need for well-trained and experienced staff.

Staff with, for example, good command of English or French, and international service skills, is rare and generally only found in better hotels or restaurants.

In order to address this training and practical experience deficit, Horwath HTL has created a S.E.S. (Speedy Efficient Sustainable) Fast Track Tourism Training Program. The aim is to offer three-level training with a minimum of nine months and a maximum of 21 months.

Additionally, recommendations are made in relation to the necessary Sensitisation/ Awareness programmes to be elaborated

for all parties involved to benefit from and participate in the tourism industry.

Action plan and current interest from investors • Tourism investment promotion Phase 1: Launching Activities which have already been initiated – I Horwath HTL took the African Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) which took place in September 2012, in Nairobi, Kenya.

Many meetings were held with major international hotel brands, which led to visits to Rwanda and numerous contacts. As an outcome of these efforts, the Rezidor Group signed a contract for the management of a Radisson Park Inn hotel in Kigali, in May 2013. Other groups, such as Accor, one of the largest worldwide groups operating in excess of 3,500 hotels, expressed serious interest in a number of properties during a recent visit to Rwanda. • Tourism Investment promotion Phase 2: Follow-up and further promotion activities will consist of: - Presentation at AHIF, in September 2013, in Nairobi; - Organisation of a Tourism Investment Tour in Rwanda; and - Organisation of the AHIF 2014 in Kigali (at the newly opened Conference Centre). www.minicom.gov.rw

Kigali Convention Center (KCC) The Kigali Convention Center will be run

by Radisson Blu Hotels hence the name, the new Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Kigali, Rwanda. The centre is a future landmark and part of a massive, mixed-use development in the Rwandan capital. Rezidor will oversee the hotel and convention centre. Besides 292 guest rooms, services will comprise 6 food and beverage outlets, a spa and fitness centre, an outdoor swimming pool, and boutique retail shops. The adjacent convention centre will have a net floor area of 32,000 square metres, which includes a multipurpose arena with a capacity of up to 2,600 delegates, 7 sub-divisible conference rooms and 10 smaller meeting rooms. The center is also planned to contain an indoor IT office park and dozens of shopping malls.

The project is ideally located between the city centre and Kigali International Airport.

The surrounding area is one of the most popular areas of the capital and in proximity to key government offices including the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court and Parliament.

Media reports quote Kurt Ritter, the Chief Executive Officer of Rezidor, the company that owns the Radisson hotel chain, as saying that their entry into the Rwandan market is a testimony of the favourable investment climate in the country.

The main building of the convention center

is planned as a Dome, the translucent Dome will reflect the scenarios and illuminations to the outside, sharing impressive spectacles with the whole city.

The elegancy and generosity of the complex is mirrored in the adjacent Five Star Hotel as part of the same site. The hotel’s comfort, style and convenient location will attract business people as well as tourists, and its 292 rooms will offer an enjoyable stay.

The construction works are hoped to be completed by May 2014 but has been shifted to a later date.

The Government of Rwanda (GoR) has 51% shares of the Kigali Convention Center.

The other two shareholders are Rwanda Investment Group (RIG) and Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB).

The Convention Center is constructed by BEIJING CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING GROUP (BCEG) and the works are supervised on behalf of GoR by ULTIMATE CONCEPTS - a company responsible for multi-million dollar projects in Kigali. The project was designed by Spatial Solutions International GmbH (SSI).

Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG) is a highly experienced company, known for example for having constructed an airport terminal in China, and a stadium in Tanzania with the capacity of 60,000 seats.

Kigali Cultural Village Established on 30 hectares; 25 hectares of botanical gardens and soft landscaped areas; an indoor auditorium with 2,000 seats; an outdoor venue with 15,000 seats; an art gallery; meeting & conference halls; two restaurants; live handicraft workshops; six museum pavilions; a traditional king’s hut; a camp site accommodating 30 tents; an eco-lodge with 40 beds in traditionally built bungalows; and 40 shops, including traditional handicraft and traditional food, and a business centre.

Outstanding biodiversity spanning across several environments and a rich tangible and intangible cultural heritage: these are the key assets on which Rwanda is building a sustainable tourism industry.

The vision of the Kigali Cultural Village is to establish itself as a landmark for conservation and development of Rwanda’s rich natural and cultural heritage through the delivery of creative programmes and services and the promotion of sustainable tourism.

Different thematic areas will guide visitors, letting them experience Rwanda’s nature, culture and history. www.rdb.rw/kcv

www.Rezidor.com, www.mininfra.gov.rw

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Geography and Touristic attractions “The land of a Thousand Hills” – Rwanda is a green undulating landscape of hills, gardens and tea plantations. Rwanda has ideal potential for growth in the tourism sector.

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Geography Rwanda is a landlocked country situated in central-east Africa. It is known as “the land of a thousand hills” owing to its countless hills of green scenery, five volcanoes, 23 lakes and numerous rivers – some forming the source of the Nile. Rwanda is nestled 75 miles south of the equator in the Tropic of Capricorn – wedged in the heart of Africa.

Rwanda shares borders with Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west.

Rwanda’s wildlife are protected from poachers in the country’s national parks where they roam freely in vast plains and forests.

The Volcanoes National Park is found in the northwest region of Rwanda. The park is home of five of the height volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains shared with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

It contains within it the world-famous mountain gorillas and a rich biodiversity.

This mountainous area is dominated by rank vegetation and bamboo forest. Lake Kivu offers beautiful beaches, jutting peninsulas and an archipelago of islands.

Rainfall:

Rainy seasons: March to May and October to November (average of 110-200mm per month).

Average Temperature:

24.6 – 27.6ºc. Hottest months: August and September.

Altitude:

Ranges from 1,000 – 4,500m above sea level.

Highest point:

Karisimbi volcano (4,507m)

Lakes and rivers:

Lake Kivu, Lake Muhazi, Lake Ihema, Lake Bulera, Lake Ruhondo, Lake Mugesera.

Vegetation:

Ranges from dense equatorial forest in the north-west of the country to tropical savannah in the east.

Rwanda’s natural rainforest once covered one third of the country, it was decreased by the effects of population expansion and deforestation. The remaining large areas can be found at the Nyungwe National Park and

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the Volcanoes National Park.

One of Africa’s oldest forests, the Nyungwe National Park is a large mountain rainforest which receives over 2,000mm of rain per year. Its vast biodiversity includes over 200 species of trees and a rich variety of orchids.

Most of Rwanda’s rolling highlands are typically covered by Montane grassland and moorland, although terraced agriculture is now dominant. The less-rich soil of the flatter east supports open savannah and broad-leafed woodland species such as acacias and grasses. The wetlands of the Akagera National Park are fringed by riverine forest and papyrus swamp.

Culture The culture of Rwanda has rich tradition and customs. Even after the brutal genocide against the Tutsi of 1994, people of all tribes live harmoniously and celebrate festivals of their culture.

Religion The people of Rwanda follow the religions of Islam, Christianity and some African religions. Since the atrocities of genocide against the Tutsi ended in 1994, the people of Rwanda live in complete harmony.

Languages The people of Rwanda speak Kinyarwanda as the only national Language but most

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Rwandans also express themselves in English, French and Kiswahili.

Art, music and tradition Unique dances and songs form part of Rwanda’s culture, which denote folk tales and local fables. Rwandans are skilled in handicrafts, creating beautiful baskets, paintings, wood engravings and ceramics items. Remarkable objects which share of the history of Rwanda’s culture are carefully kept in the National Museum of Rwanda.

Food Rwanda’s culture is renowned for its warmth and hospitality to guests as well as their simplicity of food. Food staples comprise of bananas, potatoes, beans, meat and dairy products. At ceremonies, only a piece of meat is served with drinks. When guests visit Rwandan homes, they are offered food as gifts and as such, should not be refused.

The host usually tastes the food first to assure his guests that the food is safe for consumption.

Festivals Rwandan people celebrate many festivals as a result of their diverse cultures and religions. Id-Ul-Fitr, Christmas and Easter are celebrated. There are also local festivals which depict traditions as well as national festivals celebrated by all. Annual National Holidays include National Day on 1 July and Independence Day on 4 July. Culture

Nyungwe Canopy

Day is celebrated on 8 September and Kamarampaka Day is on 25 September.

National Mourning Day is commemorated on 7 April every year.

Tourism Flying into Kigali’s international airport is the easiest way to get to Rwanda. Rwanda’s International Airport, Kigali International Airport (KGL), is small but efficient and is only 10 minutes from the city centre.

A valid passport and a tourist visa are required for many nationalities. Tourist visas are available at Rwandan embassies and consulates worldwide.

Wildlife and National Parks Rwanda’s remaining diversity of large wild animals is restricted to its protected areas.

The eastern Akagera National Park is home to typical savannah species: elephant, antelope, giraffe, zebra, hippo, buffalo, lion and leopard.

The two forest parks, Nyungwe National Park and Volcanoes National Park, are home to Central African forest specialists.

There are up to 13 species of primate found in Rwanda’s protected National Parks. Volcanoes National Park – includes arguably the best mountain gorilla trekking in the world.

Nyungwe National Park is home to chimpanzees and huge troops of colobus monkeys – as well as elusive forest birds of every shape and size. Other forest

inhabitants include golden cat, forest hog and many small antelope species.

Mountain Gorillas A gorilla visit can entail anything from a one to four-hour trek through the forest, led by experienced trackers. The enchanting treks weave through overhanging vines, moss-covered Hagenia trees and giant Lobelias that thrive in the tropical climate.

It is possible to see golden monkeys, buffalo, bush duiker and a wide variety of birds.

The highlight of the trek is arguably the greatest wildlife experience on earth – to spend an hour with the gentle giant gorillas, in their natural habitat, feeding, playing, sleeping, and raising their young.

This magical experience kept worldrenowned conservationist Dian Fossey living in the Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda for 18 years, to protect these magnificent animals.

Main attractions • Tracking Mountain Gorillas – Rwanda’s tourist economy is centred on tracking mountain gorillas in the Parc National Volcans (PNV). The trip can be extended to include seeing the golden monkeys and the trek to Dian Fossey’s grave and research site.

• Kigali – Highlights include the Genocide Memorial Centre, the fruit market, lunch at the Hotel Mille Collines (of Hotel Rwanda fame) and a ride on a motorbike taxi

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Akagera National Park

Nyungwe National Park

through town.

• Butare – Rwanda’s pleasant University Town is home to the excellent National Museum.

• Akagera National Park – View elephants, hippos and crocodiles among others in this beautiful and recently rehabilitated national park.

• Nyungwe National Park – Home to 13 species of primate, this huge Montane forest in the south is where visitors can view chimps, colobus monkeys, as well as a variety of birds.

The country’s unique assets offer tourists a journey into the home of one third of the earth’s remaining mountain gorillas – including one third of Africa’s bird species, several species of primates, volcanoes, game reserves, resorts, the islands of Lake Kivu, graceful dancers, artistic crafts and friendly people.

Located in the heart of Central-East Africa, Rwanda provides easy access to Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo and is a base for East Africa.

Although close to the Equator, Rwanda feels like spring time all year long, with pleasant breezes from mountains and lakes.

Destination The unique attractions offered by Rwanda provide a destination with a difference for the growing number of tourists seeking an unspoilt location with a range of natural

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and cultural wonders. Rwanda has a welldeveloped tourism sector that has attracted investment in the hotel industry, travel tourism, airline services and conference tourism.

As part of this, major companies and brands in the hotel industry have entered the Rwandan tourism market, including: • Tourism Promotional Services-TPS (Serena) • Marriot • Dubai World Also, with an ever increasing number of flights to and from the country, Rwanda has now become a hub for major international airlines connecting to the Middle East, Europe, Africa and North America.

With the planned 2015 opening of the state-of-the-art Bugesera International Airport, Rwanda is poised to become a major transportation hub for Eastern and Central Africa.

Volcanoes Destination The magnificent Virunga Mountains are situated in the Northern west Province of Rwanda, on the border of DRC and Uganda.

These mountains consist of five volcanoes, 125km² of mountain forest, and are home to the famous mountain gorilla families.

The Volcanoes National Park was first gazetted in 1925 as a small area bounded

by Karisimbi, Bisoke and Mikeno Volcanoes, intended to protect the gorillas from poaching. It was the very first National Park to be created in Africa.

Nyungwe Waterfall

There are many activities to be enjoyed in the park apart from Gorilla Trekking. This area is home to numerous caves, a number of cultural and community tourism initiatives, as well as being an excellent location for bird watching.

For the sports enthusiast there are a number of hiking trails in the majestic Virunga Mountains or you can enjoy cycling the area, boating on the Twin lakes or even try your hand at fishing. Development is proposed for further extreme sports in the area, such as mountain climbing.

Ngungwe National Park Nyungwe National Park offers a rare and important habitat for many species, especially primates and birds. At over 1000km², Nyungwe is Africa’s largest protected mountain rainforest.

With about 310 bird species, 26 of which are endemic, Nyungwe is one of the most important – and still undiscovered – bird watching destinations in Africa. Reaching to almost 3000 meters above sea level with Mount Bigugu the highest point in the Park, Nyungwe’s forests extend to altitudes occupied by few other forests in Africa.

Nyungwe is also home to one of Africa’s greatest concentrations of chimpanzees and sometimes the noisy, acrobatic combination of other primates such as Ruwenzori Colobus and Lhotse’s monkeys. A variety of hiking and walking trails criss-cross the Park, leading to a canopy walk, primate

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Kitabi Cultural village

tracking adventures, the southernmost source of the Nile and ecotourism attractions.

The park includes a colourful array of orchids, butterflies, moths and other insects. The forest has a growing network of walking and hiking trails and a number of camping sites near the Uwinka Visitor Centre. Cultural tourism activities are being developed near the edge of the Park. New trails and camping sites are planned and being constructed as part of the USAIDsponsored Nyungwe Nziza Project, as are new ways of observing and enjoying the Park.

Nyungwe is Rwanda’s primary water catchment, sheltering more than two-thirds of all of its waters. Nyungwe receives more than 2000mm of rain a year and thus is also the source of Africa’s great rivers. Rain that falls on the east side feeds the Nile and on the west runs to the Congo. The Congo-Nile Divide is a mountain range that runs north to south through Rwanda.

Akagera National Park Set at a relatively low altitude on the border with Tanzania, Akagera National Park could scarcely be more different in mood to the breezy cultivated hills that characterise much of Rwanda. Dominated to the east by the labyrinth of swamps and lakes that follow the meandering course of the Akagera River, the most remote source of the Nile, this is a diverse landscape of tangled acacia woodland interspersed with

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Akagera National Park

open grassland, high rolling hills along the western boundary and patches of thick forest.

Akagera is big game country. Large herds of buffalo, giraffe, antelope and zebra move across the savannah – lucky visitors might catch a glimpse of elephants emerging from the woodland to drink at the lakes. Leopard and hyena might be seen on a night drive as well as other secretive creatures of the night.

Hippo and crocodile are almost guaranteed on a boat trip in Akagera’s largest lake, Ihema. Lining the lakes are some of the continent’s densest concentrations of water birds and with a species list of 525, Akagera is birders paradise.

African Parks has been responsible for the management of Akagera since early 2010 after signing a 20-year management agreement with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in late 2009. The Rwandan Government is unique among the African Parks portfolio as the only Government assisting financially towards the management of the park.

Rwandan Culture Rwanda has a rich culture evidenced in the diversity of fine crafts and strong traditions.

These include music and dance and a variety of arts and crafts. Sought-after crafts include pottery, basketry, painting, jewellery, wood carving, and metalwork.

A window on Rwanda’s history is provided by numerous Memorial sites and Museums preserved around the country. A number

of Community Based Tourism experiences offer travellers the opportunity to experience cultural life.

The Kigali Hub • Muslim quarter of Nyamirambo • Cards for Africa workshop • Craft Shops around Kigali - lvuka Arts Kigali - lshyo Arts Centre - Rwanda Nziza - Caplaki Handicrafts Co-operative - CAPLAKI Craft Village - lnganzo Gallery - African Gift Corner - ATRAC Craft Village - Uburanga Art Studio - Kimironko Market - Gakinjiro Market - Nyabugogo Market Iby’ lwacu cultural village Ibyiwacu Drummers understand the unique culture of Rwandese through their daily life and knowledge of the environment, poetry, folklores, dancing, singing, pottery and the theoretical hunter gathering skills.

This tour benefits approximately 300 local people.

Banana and Sorghum Beer Production Experience Banana and sorghum are some staple food products in Rwanda and they are used in different ways i.e. as food, local beer and to dilute drinks etc. They are very important in

the cultural practices and ceremonies.

Congo Nile Trail One of Rwanda’s major attractions, the Congo Nile Trail links the corridor crossing the Congo Nile divide and connects the two national treasures. The Trail is an exciting ten-day hiking experience, which covers a wide range of fascinating attractions on Lake Kivu shores – with a distance of 227km stretching from Rubavu to Rusizi via Karongi and Nyamasheke districts. The trail offers, among other attractions, the best coffee and tea experiences, with sceneries beautiful beyond imagination.

The Congo Nile trail includes eight amazing base camps, two extraordinary paths and four bonus diverse sub trails, which are all, added value that make up this breathtaking hiking experience to be a lifetime one. The ten-days hiking trail can also be covered in five days of cycling and three days of 4x4 Driving.

Lakes • Twin Lakes: Lakes Burera and Ruhondo, close to the gorilla-tracking centre of Musanze, are often neglected gems.

Amahoro Tours co-operates with a group of local people who use traditional fishing methods at the twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo.

• Lake Karago: A beautiful lake located between Rubavu and Musanze districts.

• Lake Nyarakigugu: A magnificent lake with good fishing and birding opportunities.

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The Rugezi Swamp The Rugezi Swamp is a drowned valley composed of old metamorphic rocks and forms a part of the Buberuka Highlands. This rounded hill Swamp has been recognised as one of Rwanda’s IBAs (Important Birding Area).

Dian Fossey Tomb Trail The Mountain Gorillas survive thanks to Dian Fossey, a researcher who was buried at her research centre alongside these mountain gorillas to which she dedicated her life. The trail leading to her tomb and Karisoke Research Centre is a beautiful yet challenging one hour 45 minute hike up steep slopes where orchids, birdlife and even occasional mountain gorillas can be seen.

East African States Waive Tourism Visa Fee for foreign Residents Three Partner States of the East African Community (EAC) namely; Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, under the Northern Corridor Integration Projects initiative, have waived visa fees for foreign residents living within the three countries in order to allow them easier access to the region’s diverse offering.

The waiver agreement is part of the Joint Communique that Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda signed at the just concluded 8thNorthern Corridor Integration Summit held in Nairobi last week.

Known as the East Africa Tourist Visa EATV), foreign residents no longer have to pay the $100 fee for the Visa that is valid for ninety days effective December 15th 2014. Kenya

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Lake Kivu

Tourism Board (KTB) Managing Director Muriithi Ndegwa said the single tourist visa will provide an amazing opportunity for residents staying in the three Partner States to explore the immense diversity of wildlife, landscapes, cultures, and heritage, among other renowned attractions either for weekend gateways, corporate retreats or annual family holidays.

The Rwanda Development Board’s Head of Department for Tourism and Conservation Ambassador Yamina Karitanyi said in a statement that the waiver of the fee on the single East Africa Tourist Visa was the next step in consolidating and enriching the region’s tourism offering.

“We are approaching the rest of the world as a unified and rich tourist destination with varied experiences for travellers. We are also positioning East Africa’s tourism assets collectively as part of the Northern Corridor Integration Projects,” said Ambassador Karitanyi adding that the joint marketing programmes will be carried out annually and will cover road shows such as the International Tourism Board (ITB) and World Travel Market (WTM) in 2015. She pointed out that going forward, the Partner States will lobby for a single stand during international tourism marketing events.

Outlining the modalities of implementation, Ambassador Karitanyi said the eligible foreign residents shall be issued with interstate pass on exiting the host state and visitor’s pass endorsed in their passports on arrival by presenting valid work/resident

permits. Other immigration procedures and regulations will however be maintained.

In preparing for the joint marketing programs, she noted that the Partner States were already gearing up the teams involved by conducting destination training workshops and disseminating information on the use of National Identity Cards, Student/Voters Cards and the East Africa Tourist Visa.

Uganda Tourism Board’s Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Asiimwe said; “This move is bound to bring exponential benefits to foreign residents living here. Our countries have a rich tourist menu on offer. From serene beaches, to pristine wildlife and nature, exquisite reserves, warm hearted and inviting people, our region is the place to visit. Our products are inexhaustible and this waiver offers our region, the best place to live and work. We encourage this community to be a part of the endless discovery, encounter and adventure of the best tourism episode of Africa at the least affordable price.”

“We encourage the private sector to take advantage of this opportunity to offer unbeatable packages while maximizing winwin offers,” Asiimwe concluded. www.gov.rw www.rwandatourism.com www.kigalicity.gov.rw www.mapsofworld.com tourism@rdb.rw www.rdb.rw

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Kwita Izina The Rwandan ceremony Kwita Izina, meaning to give a name, is an essential part of a family’s traditional celebrations on the birth of a child. A name is selected by family members and is announced during the naming ceremony.

Rangers and researchers adopted this ceremony three decades ago when naming Rwanda’s newly born mountain gorillas. This became a public Gorilla Naming Ceremony in 2005, then hosted by ORTPN. In 2007, it was officially named Kwita Izina and has become a major part of Rwanda’s tourism and conservation calendar, serving as a celebration of Rwanda’s conservation efforts to protect the majestic and endangered mountain gorilla.

Rwanda warmly welcomes thousands of enthusiastic international, regional and local visitors to its Virunga Mountain ranges to visit the endangered mountain gorillas.

For decades, international conservation organisations, donors and concerned individuals have made substantial resources available to the gorilla conservation cause and continue to do so.

The remaining home-range of the endangered mountain gorillas is limited to the Virunga Massif – a chain of volcanic mountains shared by Rwanda, DRC and Uganda. Rwanda boasts two thirds of the Virunga Massif’s remaining endangered mountain gorillas. The population of mountain gorillas has only survived thanks to the renewed efforts of national conservation authorities and the local

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populations, as well as support they have received from the international community.

Despite turbulence in the region in the recent past, conservation partners have been active in the protection of this species and their habitat. For several decades now, Rwanda has been at the forefront of gorilla conservation efforts. The government of Rwanda, through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), has put conservation high on its national agenda, not only for the protection of mountain gorillas and other keystone species, but also their habitats and ecosystems that provide life-support to all.

Notable achievements in Rwanda tourism include a 26,3% growth in the population of gorillas since the last census in 2003, introduction of new tourism products such as the Congo Nile Trail, steady growth of

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tourists with US$200-million in revenues in 2010 (estimated at US$257-million in 2011) and converting poachers into farmers. The safety and security of the park and its surroundings is also a notable national achievement, without which little of this would have been achieved. Another milestone in Rwanda’s tourism sector is the recent grading and classification of accommodation facilities using East African Standards.

As a means to conserve and protect the region where the mountain gorillas live, Rwanda Development Board – Tourism and Conservation launched the first ever public Gorilla Naming Ceremony in 2005 under the theme, “Ensuring the Future of Rwanda’s Mountain Gorillas”. Since then, RDBTourism and Conservation and its partners have successfully held more ceremonies generating more funding for community projects and awareness of the importance of conservation.

Celebrating nature, empowering communities On Saturday, June 22nd 2013, RDB hosted the ninth annual Kwita Izina – Gorilla Naming Ceremony. At this event, names were given to 12 baby mountain gorillas at the Volcanoes National Park.

The theme was “Celebrating nature, empowering communities”. Under this theme, they celebrated the efforts of all those that had contributed to the welfare

of Rwanda’s wildlife and its conservation, ensuring the continuity of growth in the population of the gorillas and tourists, while mobilising efforts towards a greener economy.

One of the biggest success stories of Kwita Izina has been tourism and the resultant protection of the Gorillas. Rwanda now has a globally and economically unique tourism product. The future development of Rwanda will now depend on the balance between development and environmental conservation.

Since the first Kwita Izina held in 2005, 135 gorillas have been given a name and it has become an international event to create awareness about the protection of the remaining wild mountain gorillas as well as the conservation of Volcanoes National Park (VNP). In addition, it aims to recognise the conservation efforts by local communities.

Gorillas have become a vital part of the upliftment of communities in the area.

Cooperatives from the area work in conjunction with the RDB to improve the lives of citizens. The VNP has been in existence for over 100 years but is only now receiving the attention it deserves and the current government is ensuring that resources are given back to the community.

Approximately 800 people from local communities are involved in day-to-day

management at VNP and 180 people are employed as guides, trackers and in antipoaching teams. Community members were also involved in the design, construction and operation of a cultural village.

RDB also has tourism revenue-sharing schemes which have helped construct 11 schools and three health-centres, as well as other amenities such as water tanks.

Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Boulevard de l’Umuganda, Gishushu, Nyarutarama Road.

P.O. Box 6239 Kigali, Rwanda Tel: +250 788 891444 Email: kwitaizina2013@rdb.rw

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Kwibohora20 Celebrating 20 Years of Liberation ‘Together we prosper’

“Liberation sometimes includes a military campaign, but it never ends with one.

The frontline of the African liberation struggle today is within our minds. Liberation is, and has always been, a campaign waged in the name of universal human values of equality, fairness, reason, and above all the inherent worth of every person. This struggle is ours to finish, and now is the time.”

President Kagame addressing thousands of Rwandans on the 20th Anniversary of the liberation of Rwanda.

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This year is an important milestone in Rwanda’s history. The 20th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi has seen Rwandans and friends from around the world come together to remember, unite and renew. Telling the world about the causes, reality and consequences of the genocide was at the core of Kwibuka20. The genocide was stopped by the Rwandan Patriotic Front, and on 4 July 2014, Rwanda marked 20 years since liberation (Kwibohora20), honour those who fought in struggle for freedom and dignity in Rwanda and look to the future with hope, optimism and a renewed commitment to Agaciro (dignity), self-reliance and shared human values.

In the aftermath of the genocide, Rwandans made three important choices – to stay together, to be accountable and to think big. These decisions have been at the core of the country’s ongoing renewal and efforts to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. Kwibohora20 is an opportunity to share this story and learn about Rwanda’s vision for a peaceful, prosperous and self-reliant nation.

LIVING THE RWANDAN DREAM, 20 YEARS DOWN THE LINE Dr. Ashenafi Haile (PhD), Ethiopia

When did you first arrive in Rwanda?

I moved to Rwanda in December 1993 and lived here for 12 years. During my stay I worked as a Country Program Director and Regional Coordinator for East and Central Africa at the former GTZ/UNHCR, currently known as GIZ/ UNHCR. What are your activities in Rwanda and how have they benefited the Rwandan people and the country in general?

The program that I was in charge of focused on refugee support and humanitarian activities which included emergency evacuation, repatriation of refugees and military personnel, and demobilisation and reintegration of armed military personnel as part of the peace building and reconciliation

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process. As a result of the training that we have provided, numerous people have built their capacity to perform their duties effectively and efficiently and are now gainfully employed in various sectors.

The work we have done has significantly contributed to the process of rebuilding Rwanda as a peaceful nation. We successfully resettled and reintegrated hundreds of thousands of refugees throughout the country. These individuals have been able to rebuild their lives and now live a productive life with their families.

The resettlement of individuals and families has in turn contributed to the peace and reconciliation process implemented by the government.

impressive rates and that makes the country very attractive and suitable for investment.

The mind-set and outlook of the Rwandan people is also a big reason why foreign investment needs to be channelled towards Rwanda. Last but not least the decision of the Rwandan government to issue visas for all Africans on arrival is an outstanding policy which I hope will attract investors from across the continent.

Dr. Samuel Edwin Etukakpan, Nigeria

What do you like in particular about Rwanda?

What I enjoy the most about Rwanda today is seeing the growth and transformation that has taken place within the last 20 years.

What we witness today in this country is nothing short of a miracle. As a result of all the hard work of Rwandans and partners, the country has been growing steadily, attracting investment from all over the world, and is fast becoming a model for other African countries. The mind-set and can-do attitude of Rwandans is very inspiring. The hospitality of the people makes this place feel like home.

When did you first arrive in Rwanda?

April 2014.

Advice for other people or businesses planning to come to Rwanda?

I would definitely recommend Rwanda for investment. It’s simple. Investors make investment decisions based on profit margin and the stability and security of the investment climate. Rwanda today is one of the most secured countries on our continent with an economy that is growing at

What are your activities in Rwanda and how have they benefited the Rwandan people and the country in general?

I work with the office of the Registrar General at RDB as the Insolvency Advisor.

Part of my job is to help inculcate in the business people and community in Rwanda the importance of embracing and utilising the insolvency system in the resolution

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of corporate financial distress. Besides creating awareness on the insolvency system, I am also involved in making recommendations on how to revamp extant Rwandan insolvency law as well as suggesting measures on capacity building in the area of corporate insolvency.

The aim is to ensure that Rwanda can have an insolvency legal framework with a capacity to enforce insolvency rules, so that smooth, orderly, timely and efficient resolution of corporate insolvency cases can be achieved. Having such a legal framework in Rwanda will boost the confidence of both local and international investors – as they can be sure that they will be able to recover at least part of their investments in an orderly and timely manner, in situations where businesses in which they have made capital investments in Rwanda become unfortunately insolvent.

What do you like in particular about Rwanda?

There are several things that make one fall in love with Rwanda. These range from the weather, the people, the cleanliness and orderliness of the cities, the hospitality of the Rwandan people, and not forgetting the unprecedented tranquillity, safety and security in the country generally.

Advice for other people or businesses planning to come to Rwanda?

My advice to any prospective investor in Rwanda is to not hesitate to come here because in comparison to other African countries, Rwanda has the most conducive business climate. I would like to add that, for me, Rwanda is a typical example of the popular adage: ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’.

What are your activities in Rwanda and how have they benefited the Rwandan people and the country in general?

Architecture, construction, carpentry and joinery at the shop “The Woodworkers Friend”. Kalka & Partner GmbH deals with machines and tools for woodwork, sharpening service, and machine maintenance service (www.kalka.com/ www.kalkaundpartner.de). We are working on improving the wood working sector in Rwanda.

What do you like in particular about Rwanda?

Security, the clear and fair policy, and the clear plans for the future.

Siavoush Alinejad, Iran

Fred Michael Owambo, Kenya

Investments are secured and guaranteed as the country guarantees investment protection and security due to political stability. The investment atmosphere is excellent.

Bernard Oconneu, from Ireland When did you first arrive in Rwanda?

January 1996.

When did you first arrive in Rwanda?

July, 2010.

What are your activities in Rwanda and how have they benefited the Rwandan people and the country in general?

I have been the Country Manager of Hydraform International (PTY) Ltd of South Africa – leaders of INTERLOCKING STABILISED SOIL BLOCKS (ISSB) and Hydraform Technology. This has: brought entrepreneurship and skills in affordable housing; introduced technology into polytechnics and vocational training centres; saved costs in the construction industry by using local available soils; and created jobs and minimising import of building material.

What do you like in particular about Rwanda?

It is a beautiful country – very clean, excellent weather, very safe environment and is well taken care of. People are friendly and respectful, with good leadership and governance – and no corruption malpractices. Good fresh local produce.

Advice for other people or businesses planning to come to Rwanda?

When did you first arrive in Rwanda?

January 2013.

What are your activities in Rwanda and how have they benefited the Rwandan people and the country in general?

Consultant at RDB – Capacity Building in Export sector.

What do you like in particular about Rwanda?

Clean, relatively safe and very friendly people.

Advice for other people and businesses planning to come to Rwanda?

Everything depends on the sector you are looking at.

Kalka Nobert, Germany When did you first arrive in Rwanda?

In 2006.

What are your activities in Rwanda and how have they benefited the Rwandan people and the country in general?

I am in the construction industry, specifically all the accessories in construction. I was the first to bring UPVC profiles for windows, doors, partitions, and ceiling boards to Rwanda in 1996. My company known as Atlas Windows, has created jobs and reduced poverty in Rwanda. It has also benefited the country in general as most of the construction accessories that were imported before can now be purchased from my company in Rwanda, improving the balance of payment for the government.

What do you like in particular about Rwanda?

The weather is beautiful, the people are very welcoming, it’s a very secure country for business with a lot of predictability in the systems and government agencies, and also the beautiful scenery of the ‘land of thousand hills’.

Advice for other people or businesses planning to come to Rwanda?

The government facilitates almost everything an investor will want. The business climate can be compared to almost none in Africa.

I will recommend Rwanda for any tourist or business person as one of the best destinations for business and tourism in Africa – if not the world. www.kwibuka.rw

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CHAPTER 2 Hotels and Hospitality

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Kigali Serena Hotel Ideally located on one of Kigali’s most charming boulevards, the five-star Kigali Serena Hotel is built around a polished granite atrium, which showcases the very best of Rwandese cultural art.

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Relaxed yet elegant, the hotel centres on the Executive Lounge and Bar, which opens onto a wide sundeck overlooking the newly refurbished swimming pool. Also overlooking the pool, the popular Milima Restaurant offers a wide range of all-day buffet choices, while the relaxed Sokoni Café offers inside and outside poolside seating.

The capital’s natural business hub, the hotel also boasts its own extensive conference centre, 500-seater auditorium and lavish ballroom.

Facilities • A wide selection of rooms and suites, all with AC, satellite TV, WiFi and voice-mail • The Milima Restaurant • The Sokoni Café and Bar • The Executive Lounge and Bar • Swimming pool, pool deck and gardens • The Maisha Health Club • Dedicated conference and social events centre • Business Centre, travel desk, taxi and limousine service • Gift Shop, news-stand and travel requisites kiosk The hotel is in central Kigali, just 10 kilometres from Kigali International Airport.

Tel: +250 788 184500 Tel: +250 252 597100 Fax: +250 252 597101 Email: kigalireservations@serena.co.rw www.serenahotels.com/serenakigali

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Lake Kivu Serena Hotel

Serenely sited on the white sandy shores of Lake Kivu, the sixth largest lake in Africa, and surrounded by extensive tropical gardens, the tastefully open-plan Lake Kivu Serena Hotel offers the ideal weekend escape.

Within several hours drive of both the Rwandan capital and the glorious Volcanoes National Park (home of the world famous mountain gorillas), it overlooks its own private beach and offers: 66 luxury rooms, executive suites and family accommodation, a panoramic restaurant, indoor and beachside bars, a luxury swimming pool, and the ‘Maisha’ Health Centre (offering an extensive range of health and beauty regimes, boating, swimming, volley ball, tennis, fishing, hiking and trekking). The hotel also boasts a world-class fullyintegrated Conference Centre.

Getting there The hotel stands on the shores of Lake

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Kivu, on the small town of Gisenyi, 160km from Kigali (20 minutes flight from Kigali International Airport) and minutes from the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and the city of Goma.

Facilities • Wide selection of rooms and suites: all with AC, satellite TV, WiFi and voice-mail • The Kiyaga Restaurant • The Lake View Bar and Terrace • The Ziwani beach café and bar • Swimming pool, pool deck and gardens • The Maisha Health Club • Dedicated conference and social events centre • Business Centre, travel desk, taxi and limousine service • Gift Shop, news-stand and travel requisites kiosk

www.serenahotels.com/serenalakekivu

Hotel Chez Lando Welcome to Hotel Chez Lando, your first window into Rwanda.

At Chez Lando, we apply the tradition of Rwandan hospitality to the needs of modern travellers. We cater to the smallest details of your stay – our quaint garden-style hotel is located just five minutes from Kigali International Airport and is right on the way into the heart of town.

Hotel Chez Lando currently has a total of 82 rooms – all equipped with colour TV with six international channels via satellite, a telephone, comfortable beds, hot shower and bath, daily maid service, high-speed wireless internet connection within the hotel, a private safe, hair driers on demand, as well as a minibar in the bungalows and pavilion rooms. Every room has a private patio with beautiful views over our expansive garden.

Breakfast and airport shuttles are also provided – all included in the room price.

Hotel Chez Lando offers two dining style choices: • La Fringale French Restaurant The La Fringale French Restaurant offers more formal dining for couples or business groups that need privacy. The poetic calm of our panoramic terrace is a pleasure to the senses and offers an ideal place to relax.

• Chez Lando Grill The Chez Lando barbecue meeting place is a must for anyone living in Rwanda, or just visiting. Whether you choose to sit in the private bungalow-style dining areas or to be a part of the scene in the openair patio, Chez Lando barbecue offers a unique experience in an atmosphere of friendliness and fun.

Hotel Chez Lando also has two meeting halls to hold your events which include: Mystica Meeting Room, accommodating up to 50 people and Lando Conference Hall, accommodating up to 200 people.

Chez Lando Contact details Tel: +250 2525 82050, +250 2525 89804, +250 2525 84328, +250 2525 84394 Cell: +250 7883 85300 Conference and restaurant reservations: +250 7841 61137 Fax: +250 2525 84380 Email: info@chezlando.com www.chezlando.com You can follow us on Facebook, twitter or post a review on our TripAdvisor page.

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Sportsview Hotel Kigali The flagship Sportsview Hotel is located in Remera facing Amahoro National Stadium on the main road side. There is also a branch in Kicukiro district.

The facilities cover a total area of over two hectares, comprising of a gym and aerobics room, sauna and massage room, as well as five conference facilities – hosting up to 1300, 1000, 80, 50 and 25 guests.

Accommodation boasts self-contained rooms with ample bathrooms, including TV, telephones, and wireless connection.

Inside the hotel the floor is made up of beautiful tiles. Outside we have a large brick parking area and the premises contains a variety of trees and flowers which bring fresh air.

Every aspect of Sportsview Hotel was designed and created with attention to detail. We established methods to allow access to people living with disabilities – such as to avoid creating stairs where possible and establishing easy movement from the conference hall, to the restaurant, and to the parking lot.

Accommodation Guest accommodations are self-contained, have quality modern furniture, telephones, satellite TV, free wireless Internet connection, and offer complete privacy and

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ranging from Continental, Oriental and African.

Guests enjoy Anglo-American breakfast every day and Continental breakfast on request (included in accommodation rates).

Lunch and dinner is served at our fantastic quiet restaurant.

safety. Comprising of 74 tastefully appointed rooms fitted with amenities to sooth and satisfy the guest, all rooms have balconies with fabulous views: • 1 Executive suite • 2 Deluxe rooms • 34 Standard rooms • 29 Twin rooms • 8 Apartment rooms Rates We ensure that we provide the best service at an affordable rate to make sure that you keep coming back. Whether it’s a business engagement, family holiday, honeymoon, romantic getaway, or conference reception – Sportsview is the place to be.

Rates are available in USD and are inclusive of Bed and Breakfast, all taxes, and are fully flexible according to demand and can be booked online.

Airport shuttle services are also available.

Bar and Restaurant Dinner at Sportsview offers an à la carte menu, Table d’hôtel menu and buffet on special request. Room Service is provided at 10% surcharge. The restaurant seats over 100 patrons and serves a variety of dishes

Sportsview Garden Bar The atmosphere of this attractive garden is enhanced by views of the pool. It serves a variety of drinks including hot and soft drinks, coffee, English tea and African tea.

It also includes our famous charcoal grilled beef or chicken (nyama choma or kuku choma).

Conference Facilities Sportsview hotel is an ideal place for meetings, conference and banquets. Be it a private board meeting or a fully-fledged conference or wedding reception, our tastefully designed conference room will blow you away and is unmatched in Kigali.

We offer a comprehensive conference package.

We have ample parking space manned by trained, professional guards from a company with a good reputation.

Business Centre The Centre offers high-speed internet services and secretarial services which include photocopying, typesetting and printing. Any other specialised equipment can be sourced upon request.

Ultra-Modern Health Club Sportsview hotel provides an intimate environment for guests. We have an onsite Health Club offering a full range of treatments and services, equipped with: • Gym Manned by professional instructors, the

gym is equipped with some of the latest equipment to guarantee your satisfaction.

• Swimming pool An outdoor designer swimming pool allows guests a refreshing swim or to sunbathe on the comfortable pool beds. The pool is manned 24 hours by professional instructors.

• Sauna & Steam bath There is no better way to clear your head than in our sauna. It is clean and professionally manned to guarantee safety as well as privacy.

• Beauty Parlour We have a beauty shop that is stocked with beauty products of good quality, including the new herbal range. There is also a hair salon with trained stylists and treatments include manicures and pedicures, among others.

Car Hire Services We have trusted, friendly and knowledgeable drivers. We have standard rates to ensure value-for-money. You can be chauffeured around without feeling stressed about getting lost. Being bilingual, you can get a driver who speaks either French or English.

Remera, Kigali P.O. BOX 2569, Rwanda booking@sportsviewhotelrwanda.com Telephone: +250 280 900 514 Fax: +250 783 900 514 Mobile: +250 788 301 003 +250 788 301 109 www.sportsviewhotelrwanda.com We are located opposite Amahoro Stadium

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Inside Afrika, Kigali, Rwanda

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This quietly stylish hotel has just nine rooms, each decorated with Rwandan artwork and featuring mod cons such as flat screen TVs. You’ll find it in a swanky part of town, a stone’s throw from the president’s house, and surrounded by restaurants and bars.

The private terraces offer great views of the city skyline, especially at night.

Ideally located in one of the most charming neighbourhoods of KIYOVU, Inside Afrika is rich in Rwandese and other African culture art.

Relaxing and yet authentic, the Inside Afrika Boutique Hotel offers nine exclusive spacious rooms, elegantly decorated in African decor.

• Breakfast: We offer a full continental breakfast included in the room rate.

• Free Wi-Fi: The whole premises has free wireless internet, meaning that you can access the internet anywhere, anytime free of charge.

• We accept VISA cards: You can pay with VISA or VISA ELECTRON cards.

• 24 Hours security: The entire premises are safe guarded by security guards 24-hours every day. You can be sure that you and your property are safe with us.

• Satellite TV: Each room is equipped with a flat-screen TV including DSTV. • Airport pickups: We have Airport pick-up services in place and we charge $20 each way.

• Laundry: Washing and ironing services are available.

The Boutique Hotel is just 8km from Kigali International Airport.

Doubles around $135 including breakfast

FACILITIES: • Nine Rooms: All with satellite TV • Free Wi-Fi • Swimming pool • Business Centre

Tel: +25 07 8850 3698 inside-afrika.com

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Bourbon Coffee Ltd – Naturally Crop to Cup Bourbon Coffee Ltd is an international brand of specialty coffee and the first retail brand to originate from Africa.

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Bourbon Coffee Ltd was established to present the finest Arabica coffee beans of Rwanda in a cup. In so doing, it opened its first coffee shop in Kigali (July 2007) Union Trade Centre, breaking the record of being the first coffee shop of its kind in Rwanda.

It created a showcase of Rwanda’s primary export product, giving coffee farmers in the region the first opportunity to see their products served in a high-end coffee setting to people from different parts of the world.

Bourbon Coffee has become a hub where most people learn of the distinguished regions that grow quality coffee in Rwanda and this is showcased through Cupping (a classic way of testing coffee), where people get to hear of stories about Rwandan coffee.

From the initial set up of the first coffee shop in the country, Bourbon Coffee Ltd has consistently grown in the number of shops in Rwanda strategically placed in the heart of the city with locations in UTC, KCT, MTN Centre and Kigali International Airport.

Across borders, Bourbon is also established in North America, with presence in Boston, Washington and New York.

The quality of coffee one tastes in every Bourbon cup, leaves one with an intimate connection of the journey the farmer and the beans take from crop to cup. From

the selective picking of the ripest cherries, to the submerged natural fermentation and naturally sun dried beans, Bourbon Coffee provides the highest quality of Rwanda’s coffee. This is derived from the commitment they have in testing the coffee before it’s served and also based on the fact that they roast the beans themselves from the headquarters in MTN Centre mall so it can be freshly served.

Bourbon Coffee offers services including: • Coffee drinks • Premium Food • Outside catering • Soft drinks • Exclusive souvenirs (Partnering with third parties to welcome and escort guests out of the country with gifts) • Anniversary and wedding cakes • Free internet • Conference room facility Bourbon Coffee now has special lunch menus from a choice of three items served in 15 minutes, suiting people of all kinds that want to have that special lunch alongside a cup of coffee and yet keep time.

More to that is the availability of coffee packs in supermarkets that is yet to be introduced, where a client can have the coffee used in Bourbon stores at the pace of their home, anytime.

Yet to come is the Rwanda tea latte. If you love the taste of the Rwanda tea, you haven’t truly loved it yet, as it now comes with that sweet aroma of the tea and yet with the latte form promisingly and undoubtedly enjoyable. From January, this new product shall be served in all Bourbon Coffee stores.

Have a Bourbon experience at any of our coffee shops at the following locations: • Rwanda- Kigali Union Trade Centre (UTC), Kigali City Tower (KCT), MTN Centre Nyarutarama, Kigali International Airport.

• USA Washington: 2101 L ST NW, Washington, District of Columbia; New York: 43 West 14th Street, New York, New York 10011; Boston: 350 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115-5726.

Bourbon Coffee – Naturally Crop to Cup Tel: +250 789 777771 Email: info@bourboncoffee.biz www.bourboncoffee.biz

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CHAPTER 3 Travel, Tours and Leisure

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“To provide unsurpassed, safe and reliable services in air transportation, including strategically linking Rwanda with the outside world, while ensuring a fiar return on investment.”

“To be the airline of obvious choice in the markets we serve.”

At RwandAir we value; Customer:- Surpass customer expectations of services by continuously improving and innovating products as well as service delivery.

Safety and Environment:- Uphold the highest safety and security standards. To work in a manner that protects the health and wellbeing of the individual, as well as environment.

Integrity:- Committed to upholding transparency, honesty, trustworthiness, and general integrity in dealing with all stakeholders.

Employees:- To maintain an inclusive working environment that embraces new ideas, change, respect for the individual and equal opportunity to realise one’s potential.

Corporate Social Responsibility:- To remain sensitive to the social issues affecting the communities the company operates in.

Profitability and Accountability:- We are committed to adding value to the shareholder’s wealth by conducting business profitably.

Individually and collectively to be accountable for behaviours, actions and results.

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RwandAir Ltd. RwandAir began operations on 1 December 2002 as the new national carrier for Rwanda under the name Rwandair Express (passenger air transportation as the core activity) with a concession to carry out airport ground handling (ancillary activity) at Kigali International Airport, Kanombe.

Launched new destination in Accra, Ghana

Dream Miles loyalty program reached

In March 2009, the airline registered a new trademark “RwandAir” which is its current operating name.

“Operating from Kigali as its hub in the heart of Africa, RwandAir is one of the fastest growing airlines on the African continent.

RwandAir’s fleet now consists of four Boeing 737 series aircraft, two new Bombardier CRJ-900 NextGen and one brand-new Bombardier Q400NG that arrived February 2014, which will introduce business class to the domestic route. RwandAir serves one domestic destination and many regional cities such as Nairobi, Entebbe, Mombasa, Bujumbura, Dar es Salaam, and Kilimanjaro.

The airline also serves Johannesburg, Dubai, Lagos, Accra, Libreville and Brazzaville.

Juba in South Sudan is RwandAir’s newest destination as of 21 September 2013 and Douala in Cameroon to be launched in March 2014. The airline was announced winner of the 2013 Award for Best African Airline – Short Haul Award at the 9th Akwaaba Travel Market Fair in Lagos, Nigeria.”

to say that RwandAir took the bull by the horns this year. Saying that the airline has leaped a few years into the future within a year is surely an understatement.

RwandAir 2013 Milestones The year 2013 was a year full of great progress and achievements for RwandAir. The news from our communication camp seemed endless and certainly kept journalists and media houses busy. From new destination launches to code share agreements, new aircrafts, mammoth increase of our social media following, to receiving prestigious awards; it is needless

Dream Miles loyalty program reached over 10,000 members: The Dream Miles program is all about rewarding and thanking customers for their loyalty. As it stands the Dream Miles program is an exclusive program with five levels: Junior (2-16 years old), Emerald (adult entry level), Silver, Gold and Diamond, offering a range of privileges, all designed to enhance our client’s journey before,

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RwandAir’s Milstones for 2013: Launched new destination in Accra, Ghana: On 1 June 2013, RwandAir had its maiden flight to Accra with landing time confirmed at 20:00 at the Kotoka International Airport.

RwandAir had chosen to operate the Boeing 737-800NG aircraft fitted with Sky Interior cabin design (unique in Africa) and state-of-the-art inflight entertainment. The 154-seats aircraft is one of two that were purchased from factory in November of 2011 and serves daily flights to Dubai and Johannesburg via Kigali. It also serves on the Lagos leg with five weekly flights. Accra became the 14th destination for the carrier, and the 4th in western Africa joining Lagos, Libreville and Brazzaville.

during and after their flight. This remarkable program offers a world of benefits, convenience and personalised service on all RwandAir operated flights, including: 1) Earning status and bonus miles on tickets purchased and flown on RwandAir. 2) Redeeming miles for ticket purchase, upgrades, and companion awards.

3) Lounge access, extra baggage allowance and priority at check in.

On 12 September 2013 the CEO of RwandAir approved what’s being referred to as the Dream Miles Face Life. In addition to the great benefits already offered, the team has outdone themselves with the introduction of the newly added offers that will allow: 1) The Dream Miles™ members to earn double of the currently earned miles and easily redeem flights, upgrades and excess baggage on RwandAir operated flights.

2) Corporates to join the program by earning miles for flights purchased for employees and can be used as a company staff incentive.

3) Account pooling for family members’ travels to be credited to one family account and be managed within the family.

Dream Miles today stands at 10,000 members strong and is also working towards partnerships with hotels and restaurants, banks, car rentals and supermarkets in a bid to increase the benefits and privileges to its members as a gesture of appreciation for flying RwandAir.

Winner of Best Innovator at 16th Rwanda International Trade Fair: RwandAir was invited to the Rwanda International Trade Fair 2013, which took place in Kigali-Rwanda from 24 July – 7 August 2013. In the spirit of Public Private Partnership (PPP), Private Sector Federation in partnership with the Ministry of Trade and Industry organised the trade fair which successfully placed the RwandAir brand in optimum position when they won the Best Innovator Award.

Code Share Agreement with Air Uganda: On 14 August 2013, the management of RwandAir received the Air Uganda CEO Cornwell Muleya and his delegation at the Kigali International Airport for the most anticipated signing of the code share agreement between the two airlines.

RwandAir and Air Uganda both agreed to offer competitive fares and rates with respect to the Code Share Flights and both Parties used their reasonable endeavors to agree to mutually beneficial joint prices. With such agreements the customers of both carriers were rest assured that their interest was top priority. The codeshare partnership with Air Uganda has been a commercial success, as both airlines are relishing in the record surge in arrivals from Kigali and Entebbe alike contributing to their growth.

Acquired two Boeing 737-700NG on 17 April 2013, RwandAir acquired a Boeing 737-700NG amidst the presence of high-profile government guests and partners. The aircraft performed the customary low-pass and was received with a firemen salute as it was taxying on the parking bay. In attendance was Honourable Prof. Silas Lwakabamba the Minister of Infrastructure as a guest of honour, the state Minister in charge of transport Alexis Nzahabwanimana, and distinguished guests comprising of the RwandAir steering committee, board of directors, and the management at large. This aircraft offers the highest operating range capability of about 6,000 km that could easily offer direct flights to south-western Europe, Minor and Monsoon Asia and the Middle East.

The airline also gets to easily cover more western Africa destinations, especially with addition of Accra to the list of West African destinations RwandAir flies to.

Social Media Following increased from 700-3,000: RwandAir has made it top priority to really push their way through the online social media space. Social media is an amazing way to grow an online brand in leaps and bounds It simply takes creativity, passion and consistency to keep things moving in the right direction. RwandAir has done just

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that, in a matter of a year, their social media following has increased by an impressive margin from 700 to 3,000 followers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We are adamant on growing this number every year as our goal is to exceed 100,000 followers.

Winner of Best African Airline Short Haul at Akwaaba Travel Fair: The news came as a pleasant surprise when CEO John Mirenge announced to his staff that RWANDAIR is the winner of BEST AFRICAN AIRLINE SHORT-HAUL for the Africa Travel Awards 2013. The Pan African Award Committee, made up of travel professionals and journalists from across Africa, chose RwandAir as Best African Airline Short-Haul. The choice was based on our quality of service and operations in the region. Management eagerly awaited the arrival of the award which was presented to RwandAir on 27 October 2013, during the opening ceremony of The 9th AKWAABA. Launched new destination Juba, South Sudan: On 6 September 2013, RwandAir had its maiden flight to Juba with their three weekly flights leaving Kigali at 13:40 every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. RwandAir chose to operate the Boeing CRJ 900NG aircraft, the only one of its kind in the region. The 75-seater aircraft is one of two that were purchased from the factory in November of 2011 and serves daily flights to Nairobi and Entebbe via Kigali. It also serves on the Dar es Salaam leg with five weekly flights as well as two weekly flights to Bujumbura and Brazzaville.

After being dubbed one of the fastest growing airlines on the continent, our incomparable performance this year helps us secure our reputation of always being the subject of awe and appreciation for our sustained and fast growth.

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RwandAir Launched New Website The RwandAir website got a new facelift. On Monday 23 December 2013, RwandAir was pleased to announce the launch of its new and fully-featured website at www.rwandair. com. The new appearance of the website is sleek and elegant and is full of new and improved features, such as new imagery, WB videos, all our social media pages integrated to the website (Facebook, Twitter and YouTube) which allows our customers to follow live feeds of our social media and watch WB videos without necessarily having to leave our website. More importantly it is developed to make the site more userfriendly and encourage customer interaction.

Being our number one marketing tool, RwandAir’s website is designed to perfectly assist customers in every way to suit their travel needs. One of the website’s exciting features is the inclusion of live customer care so travellers can interact directly with WB services. Customers can book and track their cargo using the improved online systems to take advantage of last minute deals. To expand our reach, it is accessible in five languages namely; English, French, Swahili, Afrikaans and Arabic, providing a rich source of information to all our esteemed travellers.

RwandAir continues to improve all aspects of its operations with new and refreshing ideas to keep our customers well informed and satisfied. Our goal is to always be easily accessible through interactive platforms with the main focus being on our customer’s satisfaction.

RwandAir and Ethiopian Airlines Sign Technical Support Agreement RwandAir has been the subject of much awe and appreciation for its sustained and fast growth. It is already ranked among one of the airlines with the youngest fleet in Africa, after being dubbed one of the fastest

growing airlines on the continent. Thus when the partnership opportunity for RwandAir and Ethiopian Airlines presented itself, it was a no-brainer. In this regard RwandAir and Ethiopian Airlines are pleased to announce the signing of a technical support agreement on 18 December 2013 in Addis Ababa.

The technical support agreement was signed by Rwandair Chief Executive Officer, Mr. John Mirenge and Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tewolde Gebremariam. Per the agreement, Ethiopian will provide technical support service to Rwandair as of March 2014 for line maintenance up to A-Check and component exchange support for B737NG and Q400 aircraft. Ethiopian MRO Services will deploy technical team in Kigali to carry out the day-to-day activities on site while being supported as required from the main base in Addis Ababa.

“Rwandair recognises the important role Ethiopian Airlines has played as a pioneer MRO provider in Africa over the years, thus it was imperative that we explore the opportunity for MRO partnership.

Agreements such as the momentous one signed here today further strengthen the bond between RwandAir and Ethiopian

Airlines while continuing to show the world that the African aviation industry remains a vital catalyst for African economic growth and advancement,” stated RwandAir’s CEO John Mirenge.

“This agreement with Rwandair is the type of cooperation that is needed to ensure the success of the African aviation industry. We are very pleased to expand our cooperation with RwandAir to the area of MRO. It is only by harnessing our resources and capabilities in Africa and establishing all-round cooperation including in the MRO, commercial and training areas that we will be able to withstand the stiff competition from foreign carriers and succeed in a highly competitive, capital intensive and skill driven industry”, said Chief Executive Officer Tewolde Gebremariam.

In line with its Vision 2025 strategic roadmap, Ethiopian MRO Services aims to become the most competitive and leading provider of commercial aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul in Africa by 2025.

Ethiopian MRO Services has a certified facility by both the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the European Aviation Safety Agency and has MRO capabilities in Boeing and Bombardier aircraft.

RwandAir now has the advantage of having the same MRO Service handling both of our Boeing 737-800 aircrafts, both Boeing 737-700 aircrafts, as well as the brand-new Q-400NextGen due to arrive end of February 2014. This new agreement builds on the already strong relationship we have enjoyed

with Ethiopian Airlines, through the pilot training program Rwandair pilots go through, as well as our well-trained engineers most of whom trained through Ethiopian Airline training program. RwandAir looks forward to yet another fruitful partnership with continued success.

RwandAir’s Brand New Bombardier Q-400 NextGen To Be Delivered February 2014.

The Airline is ready to receive brand-new Q-400 NextGen to add to its growing fleet.

RwandAir has confirmed that the Q-400 NextGen aircraft due for delivery end of February 2014 is on schedule and preparations for its arrival are well underway.

The aircraft manufacturer is Bombardier Aerospace, a Canadian company with headquarters in Mirabel Quebec. RwandAir will become the 12th operator of the Q-400 NextGen aircraft in Africa. The growing excitement of the general public proves that the demand for domestic and regional travel in Africa continues to accelerate, and this brand-new 67-seat, dual-class Q-400 NextGen aircraft will ensure RwandAir is well positioned to offer increased capacity on existing popular routes and new, upcoming ones.

The cabin configuration and design of this brand-new Q-400 NextGen is similar to the CRJ-900 NextGen aircraft already amongst WB fleet. This new acquisition therefore comes to complement, on domestic routes, what the CRJ-900 NextGen achieves on regional destinations. The Bombardier

Q-400 NextGen can operate on Brazzaville, Libreville, Entebbe, Nairobi, Kilimanjaro, Bujumbura, Dar es Salaam, Mombasa and Kamembe the only domestic route. Other possible or upcoming routes include Addis Ababa and Lusaka to name but a few.

In his remarks, the CEO of RwandAir, John Mirenge, stated that “beginning the year 2014 with the arrival of our Bombardier Q-400 NEXTGEN puts us in the position to surpass the impressive targets we set for ourselves with ease as the introduction of the increased number of seats as well as the business class option meets the demands of our domestic market. It also allows RwandAir to embrace its long-term expansion goal while staying on target to grow our fleet to 17 by the year 2020”.

The new aircraft will be delivered just in time for the unveiling of Douala, Cameroon as RwandAir’s 16th destination.

For more information contact the Communications Officer, Anna Fye on +250784873299 or email anna.fye@rwandair.com Kigali International Airport Main Building (Top Floor) P.O. Box 7275. Kigali Tel: +250 788 177 000 Fax: +250 252 503 686 Email: info@rwandair.com www.rwandair.com

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Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA) Rwanda is a signatory to the Chicago Convention of 7 December 1944 on International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Daily aviation operations, infrastructure and technology installations are based on the ICAO standards and recommended practices (SARPS).

VISION Be a world-class Civil Aviation Authority in safety, security and the provision of quality services.

4. To be an autonomous authority with full financial and operational control.

5. To provide World-Class Air Navigation Services.

MISSION Develop an efficient, safe and secure Civil Aviation industry in Rwanda.

RCAA Responsibilities • Licensing of aviation personnel.

• Certification of aircraft, air operators, and aerodromes.

• Control and supervision of licensed personnel, certified products, and approved organisations.

• The provision of air navigation services (inclusive of meteorological services, aeronautical telecommunications, search and rescue services, charts and the distribution of information).

• Aircraft accident and incident investigation.

• Management and monitoring of air space.

• Management, maintenance and operation of airports.

VALUE Efficiency; Courtesy; Commitment; Honesty MOTTO Your Safety is our Priority Strategic Objectives 1. To attain the highest level of Aviation Safety and Security.

2. To develop a highly skilled and motivated Human Resource.

3. To provide at least an IATA service level “B” at Rwanda’s international airports.

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Aerodromes in the country • Kigali International Airport • Kamembe International Airport • Gisenyi Airport • Butare Airport • Ruhengeri Airport PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE Kigali International Airport The airport is undergoing a US$17.8-million holistic upgrade. With projections aimed at a world-class civil aviation in Rwanda and provision of quality services, there was need for a systematic facelift of the facilities as part of the roadmap.

On completion, the departure will be spacious with check-in counters doubled to 18 (this will also be done in the immigration areas). The new spacious departure lounge will be installed with comfortable seats and

another conveyor belt machine, added to the baggage handling system to bring the total to three to increase efficiency.

To ease the movement of the passengers, lifts and escalators will be part of the new upgrade. This will ease movement for the able bodied, old aged, expectant mothers and people with disabilities. Also with the expansion will be more duty-free and service outlets for a one-stop centre to the convenience of the passenger.

New Bugesera International Airport NBIA is a state-of-the-art airport project worth an estimated US$750-million. A 100% architectural design was completed.

The airport, which will compound international standards, will be located 28km from Kigali City. It will be constructed in phases. The first phase is expected to be completed in 2017 and the following

phases by 2025. In the first phase, it will have the capacity to handle three million travellers and 25,000 tonnes of cargo annually.

Kamembe and Gisenyi upgrade Kamembe and Gisenyi airports are located in the South and Northwest of Rwanda respectively. They are strategically positioned for Rwandan businessmen who frequently use it as a connecting route to Kigali International Airport and other international destinations like Dubai.

Kamembe and Gisenyi airports will soon undergo feasibility studies to increase passenger and flight handling capacities, for example, the runways and terminal buildings of both airports will be standardised to accommodate heavy aircrafts and contain the increasing number of domestic flight frequencies.

Redesigning flight procedures This will be done for the arrival, departure, and overflight. As a result of the redesign, pilot workload will be reduced, operators will reduce on fuel consumption and there will be integration of advanced technology to ease information exchange to the convenience of the pilot.

Expansion of KIA apron A feasibility study is being considered on how the KIA apron can be expanded. Once in place, more traffic will be contained with more parking spaces, as well as an added taxiway.

General Inquiries Tel: +250 25 2585845 Fax: +250 25 2582609 Email: info@caa.gov.rw www.caa.gov.rw

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CHAPTER 4 Corporate Profiles and Entrepreneurship

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Rwanda Development Board The manufacturing sector in Rwanda is dominated by Agro-processing industries.

However, the booming construction sector has led to burgeoning investments in the construction materials sector. There are also other investments which are coming up in other manufacturing sectors.

Overview of advantages: • Rwanda benefits from preferential market access schemes to many countries through initiatives such as the EU’s “Everything But Arms” program and the United States of America’s “Africa Growth and Opportunity Act” (AGOA).

• Rwanda has negotiated and is negotiating a number of bilateral and regional trade agreements including: the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) with the EU and the COMESA-EAC-SADC Free Trade Area.

• Rwanda is a member of the EAC Customs Union and Common Market, as well as the wider Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

• Access to Burundi and Eastern DRC markets.

Investment Incentives The investment code provides for a number of incentives to promote investments in the manufacturing sector.

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS A number of key materials are manufactured locally, while others are imported. The main materials manufactured locally are: cement, metal roofing sheets, hollow sections and profiles, clay and ceramic building materials (bricks, blocks and tiles), reinforcing bars and paint. However, manufacturing capacity of existing companies does not

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saturate the subsector market; it is instead complemented with imports.

Defence Unit, Private Security, Construction and other.

Investment opportunities: • Electrical cables; • Hollow sections and profiles; • Paints, glues and varnishes; • Plastic products; • Clay products; and • Innovative low cost building materials.

Investment Opportunity: Investment in a footwear factory targeting substitute imports and supply of the regional market – mostly to Burundi and DRC.

LEATHER PROCESSING (TANNERIES) Only one tannery is currently operational in Rwanda and does not make finished leather. It only produces wet blue leather for export.

Investment opportunity: An investment in a tannery to process leather to finished leather material is worthwhile, such as: rawhides, pre-tanning, main tanning (wet blue), wet finishing (crust), and finishing operations (leather).

LEATHER PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING: Whereas there are artisan cooperatives which are engaged in producing leather products such as footwear, belts, bags, etc., there is no factory currently engaged in big scale manufacturing of leather products.

There is a major demand for boots and shoes – with possible replacement rate of 50% and a growth rate of 10%. The market is mostly from the Military, Police, Local

PACKAGING MATERIALS MANUFACTURING: • In Rwanda, the packaging industry is in its infancy, with only a handful of manufacturers producing paper bags, PET bottles, and occasionally, corrugated boxes.

• Rwanda is dependent on regional and international suppliers for nearly 100% of its packaging needs.

Investment opportunity: Paper packaging plant • Sacks /bags (e.g. for groceries, flour).

• Folding non-Corrugated Paper (e.g.

Highland Tea box).

• Corrugated Fibreboard (e.g. strong paper boxes for transporting various goods).

• Other types (e.g. laminated UHT milk cartons/ packets / sleeves).

HISTORY OF RDB The Rwanda Development Board is evidence that Rwanda is open for business.

It is truly a one stop shop for all investors.

The Rwanda Development Board was set up by bringing together all the government agencies responsible for the entire investor experience under one roof. This includes key agencies responsible for business registration, investment promotion, environmental clearances, privatization and specialist agencies which support the priority sectors of ICT and tourism as well as SMEs and human capacity development in the private sector.

The RDB is independent and influential.

It reports directly to the President and is guided by a Board that includes all the key Ministers (e.g., finance, commerce, infrastructure, agriculture) The RDB is built with global expertise. It is modeled on international best practice examples of Singapore and Costa Rica. It has advisory and hands-on support from global entrepreneurs and experts from Singapore Development Board, World Bank, IFC and the Office of Tony Blair.

The RDB is here with you all through the process and is ready to show you that It is better to do business in Rwanda.

info@rdb.rw www.rdb.rw

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Golden Circle – the ultimate business network It’s new, it’s unique, and it’s exclusive… the first of its kind.

PSF provides a platform to its members to keep up with the latest public policy changes, obtain training and professional development opportunities and gain exposure for their products, services and brands.

A New Vision Building on the organisation’s proud heritage, the organisational leaders have turned around PSF with a strong focus on its members. This has been done through the fine-tuning of the mission, vision and values.

Vision Profitable business for a prosperous Rwanda.

Mission Advocate effectively and reinforce members’ businesses.

The access key to a whole new world of benefits, privileges and the ultimate business network in Rwanda, Golden Circle is Rwanda’s exclusive private sector champion’s network.

Values • Trust • Ownership • Service • Collaboration • Openness

Private Sector Federation (PSF) Rwanda The Private Sector Federation (PSF) is the country’s flagship business institution. It was founded in December 1999 in a merger of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Employers’ Organisation and positioned as an umbrella organisation of the private sector associations (PSOs).

Key Strategic Focus Areas • Build proactive advocacy platforms, • Communication/Information sharing, • Strengthen the membership base, • Capacity building and entrepreneurship promotion, • Reinforce operational systems for better service delivery.

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Why Golden Circle?

One of the key pillars of Rwanda’s Vision 2020 is a “private sector-led development”, spearheaded by competitiveness and entrepreneurship.

PSF is at a stage where it seeks private sector champions who can contribute directly to the growth of the private sector in Rwanda, thus impacting directly on the economic growth of the country. The Golden Circle brings together business champions, captains of industry and like-minded business leaders to network and exchange ideas on matters of current interest with other strategic enterprises and partners.

In various ways, The Golden Circle members will champion private sector’s role in the implementation of Rwanda’s development agenda.

This might involve facilitation of an effective business dialogue with government organs, policy makers and other key stakeholders.

It may also involve personalised facilitation so that Golden Circle members can access local and international opportunities and a myriad of other exclusive benefits only accessible to a chosen few.

The Golden Circle seeks companies that have invested in innovative solutions that are beneficial to Rwanda’s economy as they tackle job creation for the youth, develop gender sensitive programs and champion innovation hubs. This is the kind of progressive partnership that PSF is seeking, a mutually beneficial partnership to grow the Rwandan economy.

THE RWANDA INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR July to August Gikondo Expo Grounds, Kigali-Rwanda

RITF is an annual event offering you unparalleled opportunities to showcase your products and services to the biggest audience ever.

To book space contact the Expo Secretariat on tel: +250 783 564098/+250 788 307330, email: exposecretariat@psf.org.rw, info@exporwanda.com, ephremk@psf.org.rw, www.exporwanda.com

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Crystal Ventures Limited (CVL)

Jack Kayonga CVL Executive Chairman

Crystal ventures Ltd is a privately-owned company with a core portfolio of around 10 companies, seven of which are 100%-owned and some co-investments where the company holds minority positions.

Over 80% of the investments are local while around 20% are global.

CVL invests as an early stage venture capitalist focusing on high-risk, high-return opportunities with high barriers to entry but with significant social-economic value addition. We typically targets businesses in crucial sectors of the Rwandan economy and the region that other local investors may

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not take on because of higher perceived risk or investment size.

(mature sectors in Rwanda context) is currently underway.

CVL targets opportunities that can generate sales of over Rwf2-billion (US$3-million+), healthy EBITDA and Net Profit margins, and a minimum ROI of 25%. CVL raises capital internally and externally through global financiers and partnerships where possible.

Part of CVL’s business growth strategy is to employ efficient and appropriate technologies and with the best management talent to increase productivity levels; capacity development through skills training and educational support is a crucial part of the strategy.

CVL’s investment horizon ranges from five to 15 years or until such a point when the sector has matured and a clear and profitable exit option is found; the partial exit from telecom and security businesses

CVL is run under proper corporate governance guidelines; it has a board of directors headed by an Executive Chairman and other independent Directors, a robust

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holding company management with a COO, CFO, Company Secretary and other senior managers. Subsidiary companies have separate boards comprised of CVL management and other independent board members.

Proper systems and procedures are in place to aide and guide all company employees including SAP financial accounting system, efficient ICT facilities and policy and procedures manuals.

Corporate Social Responsibility CVL participates in many activities to help the community and some include: Girinka, one dollar campaign, Kwita Izina, construction of community roads and support for various local NGOs. CVL Group employs more than 10,000 employees (7,000 permanent staff and 3,000 temporary staff). CVL Group is one of the leading taxpayers in Rwanda.

CVL Core Portfolio • Inyange Industries • Npd-Cotraco • Intersec Security • Real Contractors • Bourbon Coffee

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• Mutara Enterprises • Ruliba Clays • East African Granite Industries • Cvl Developers CVL Co-Investments (MTN, RIG, ULTIMATE CONCEPTS, MT. MERUSOYCO, HIL) • MTN Rwanda – largest telecom with over three million subscribers; CVL owns 20% of the total shares of MTN Rwanda.

• Rwanda Investment Group (RIG) – an investment company founded in 2006 with investments in Cement, methane gas and peat energy. CVL owns 10% of the Group. Cement project (CIMERWA) is seeking investors for a $140mil plant to increase capacity from 300tpd to 1,500tpd, methane gas project (REC) is needs $100mil for 50MW energy plant and peat project (PEC) needs $25-$50mil for a 30MW power plant and peat pellet plant.

• Ultimate Concepts Ltd (UCL) – CVL is a 20% shareholder and the company is pursuing a $300mil convention centre project comprising of a 292 room 5-star hotel, a 2,500 seat conference centre, an 80,000sqm office block and a museum. Project is majority owned by the Government of Rwanda and so far all local investors have invested $100mil and need additional $200mil.

• Mount Meru Soyco (MMS) – CVL is a 20% shareholder in a planned US$10million processing facility in partnership with Mount Meru Millers, The Hunter Foundation, RSSB and the District of Kayonza.

• Kigali Prime Economic Zones – CVL has a minority stake in Prime Economic Zones, which is a privately-owned company that develops and manages Rwanda’s economic zones.

CRYSTAL VENTURES LIMITED KN3 Av. No 2 GRAND PENSION PLAZA P.O. Box 1287 Kigali, Rwanda Tel: +250 280 333 444 www.cvl.co.rw

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Intersec Security Company Ltd INTEGRATED SECURITY SOLUTIONS.

have continuously managed to improve on the quality of our services. Our roadmap has earned us internationally recognised certificate I.S.O 9001:2000 Certification on Quality Management Systems.

Born in 1995, Intersec is one of Crystal Ventures LTD subsidiaries, now an established and experienced security company that provides a wide scope of security services. Our knowledge and expertise cover many domains, thus enabling us to offer a unique combination of innovative security solutions that no other security company can match in the country.

Background Intersec is a private security company operating in Rwanda with headquarters in the capital city, Kigali. At Intersec, we

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About Us Our current activities cover all provinces of Rwanda, in addition to provision of armed, unarmed and receptionist guarding services, we also provide the following: • VIP close protection for special events

• High-tech security systems for homes and business premises • Cash in Transit with armoured vehicles for your valuables in transit We compliment our services with a 24-hour control room, a free of charge intervention and security consultancy.

The General Manager, Lwanga Charles Gakwaya, said “Intersect provides valuefor-money services. We are a company migrating from good to great. Expanding in all security solutions to keep pace and be on the same page with Rwanda’s growing economy. The company has already shifted from using rudimentary equipment to modern. We have put processes in place and derive a three-phase strategic plan that will see us maintain and even increase our market share in availling more services to our clients throughout the coming year.”

Our Clients • Banks and financial Institutions • Diplomatic missions, NGOs and public institutions • Hotels, gaming and leisure centres • Shopping malls • Manufacturing • Factories • Mining and construction sites • Hospitals Our Vision To be the prefered security provider in the region with the most reliable security services.

Our Mission We provide integrated security services to our esteemed customers with professional staff and latest technologies. www.intersec.co.rw

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CHAPTER 5 Training, Education and Ict

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Education, Training and ICT The Rwanda Higher Education Council (HEC) is concerned with higher institutions and research in Rwanda and the Rwanda Education board (REB) takes care of Secondary and High School issues.

OVERVIEW OF HIGHER EDUCATION COUNCIL The Government of Rwanda is supporting the transformation of higher education so that it is fit for purpose and internationally credible. Higher education institutions are required to deliver graduates, research, consultancy services and community engagement to support the social and economic development of Rwanda.

They are also required to demonstrate that the standards of their awards, research and consultancy services are internationally credible. All providers, public and private, will be periodically reviewed and substandard provision, wherever it is found, will have to be brought up to threshold standards. Failure to bring provision up to standard will result in closure.

To support it in transforming higher education the Government has established the Higher Education Council as an independent Government Agency. The Higher Education Council is responsible for ensuring the structure, organisation and functioning of higher education institutions and monitoring and evaluating the quality and standard of provision and ensuring the quality enhancement of teaching and research. It advises the Minister in charge of Higher Education on all matters relating to the accreditation of higher education institutions. One of the key responsibilities of the Higher Education Council is to act as a

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regulatory agency.

The Higher Education Council, as a regulatory agency, advises the Minister in charge of Higher Education on issuing operating agreements to private sector higher education institutions. From August 2007 up to now, the Council carried out different reviews following applications for programs approval and operating agreements.

A process involving peer review of the applications by trained teams of academic and other senior staff from both private and public sector higher education institutions was used to evaluate the applications.

OVERVIEW OF RWANDA EDUCATION BOARD Law No 44/2010 of 07/12/2010 established Rwanda Education Board (REB) and determined its mission, organisation and functioning. It also determines its responsibilities, organisation and functioning. This Law establishes Rwanda Education Board abbreviated as “REB” in the official gazette No 4bis of 24/01/2011.

All those institutions were under the Ministry of Education before combination: National Examination Council (RNC), National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), Student Financial Agency Rwanda (SFAR), General Inspection of Education (GIE), and Teacher Service Commission (TSC), All those institutions were combined and take the name of Rwanda Education

Board (REB) After combining all those institutions REB contains six Departments: • Department of Curricula and Pedagogical Materials • Department of Education Quality and Standard • Department of Examination & Accreditation • Department of High Education Student loan • Department of ICT in Education and Open distance and e-Learning • Department of Teacher Education Management and Professionalisation Vision To improve the quality of Education through curriculum development, setting quality standards, development and management of teachers, assessment, study loans and bursaries, and promote the use of information and communication technology in education.

Mission Fast tracking education development in Rwanda by enabling education sector growth in line with Rwanda Vision 2020 and the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy 2012 – 2017. This will be done by designing and delivering high quality free 12 years of basic education for all children of school going age. The scope

of our work includes all aspects related to the development of the education sector.

This involves working with and addressing the needs of schools.

List of private and public learning higher institutions in Rwanda Public Higher Learning Institutions • UR College of Education • UR College of Science and Technology • UR College of Arts and Social Sciences • UR College of Business and Economics • UR College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine • UR College of Medicine and Health Sciences • Institute Of Legal Practice And Development • Kavumu College of Education • Rukara College of Education • Kabgayi School Of Nursing And Midwifery • Rwamagana School Of Nursing And Midwifery • Byumba School Of Nursing And Midwifery • Kibungo School Of Nursing And Midwifery • Nyagatare School Of Nursing And Midwifery Private Higher Learning Institutions • Catholic University of Rwanda • Protestant Institute Of Arts And Social Sciences • Institut Supérieur Pédagogique de Gitwe

• Institut Polytechnique De Byumba • Universite Libre de Kigali • Institut Cathorique de Kabgayi • Institute Of Agriculture, Technology And Education Of Kibungo • Independent Institute Of Lay Adventist Of Kigali • Kigali Institute Of Management • Rwanda Tourism College • Institut D’Enseignement Supérieur de Ruhengeri • Adventist University Of Central Africa • Mount Kenya University • Carnegy Mellon, Rwanda • Kibogora Poltechnic • Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology • University of Kigali • Nile Source Polytechniques of Applied Arts • Indangaburezi College of Education • Sinhgad Technical Education Society • Premier Early Childhood Teachers Development College International and Regional Agencies • United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) • Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) References: Rwanda Education Board – www.reb.rw The Rwanda Higher Education Council – www.hec.gov.rw

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Independent Institute of Lay Adventists of Kigali The Independent Institute of Lay Adventists of Kigali (INILAK) is an institution of higher learning in Rwanda that was established around Seventh Day Adventist core values and dates back to 1997.

Dr Ngamije Jean (Rector)

The institution was established out of lack of higher learning institutions in Rwanda, which later prompted Seventh Day Adventist parents to come up with a higher learning institution to cater for their children’s education.

The institution has achieved prudent horizontal growth where several campuses have been erected. The campuses include: INILAK Nyanza Campus in Southern Province; the newly instituted Rwamagana Campus in Eastern Province of Rwanda; and Nyanza Kicukiro – an extension of the Kigali Main Campus which is in the pipeline and will be a centre for East African community research and development.

Vision To become a leading higher learning institution in Africa grounded in the Christian values; we strive for excellence in teaching research and community services.

Mission To promote education, scientific and technological research, community service,

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and anything which may directly or indirectly contribute to the real development of Rwanda.

Contribution INILAK has significantly contributed to the development of high-level manpower in Rwanda and indeed in the entire region.

At the moment, Kigali Main Campus has graduates of around 800 students annually in a wide range of disciplines. INILAK has also transformed peoples’ lives around its areas of operation by helping people – especially the 1994 genocide survivors.

Since INILAK is a faith-based institution of higher learning, with a holistic philosophy of training the body, soul and the mind of students, weeks of spiritual emphasis are conducted at least twice a year to encourage our students to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour.

Expansion of Infrastructure The increase in student admissions and the number of programs offered at INILAK has prompted the institute to upgrade its

infrastructure in order to cope with rising numbers and enable the institution to realise its full potential.

Academic Programmes Inilak offers market-driven academic programmes that are in tandem with international demand, which has a direct impact on people’s lives such as cooperative management, disaster management and environmental studies amongst many others as shown below.

The programs are enlisted in the following faculties: • FACULTY OF ECONOMIC SCIENCES AND MANAGEMENT • DEPARTMENTS: - Department of Accounting - Department of Cooperative Management - Department of Economics - Department of Finance - Department of Marketing - Department of Human Resource Management - Department of Information Systems and Management: - Information Systems & Management

• FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES: - Department of Environmental Management and Conservation - Department of Emergency and Disaster Management - Department of Rural Development • FACULTY OF LAW • MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION WITH OPTIONS: - Accounting - Finance - Marketing - Entrepreneurship - Project Planning and Management and - Human Resource Management P.O. Box 6392, Kigali, Rwanda Tel: +250 731 743430 + 250 731 743431 Email: info@inilak.ac.rw www.inilak.ac.rw

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ICT Sector Major Opportunities for Investment in Information Technology and Business Process Outsourcing.

The Rwanda ICT and BPO Sectors – Investment Potential The ICT and BPO sectors in Rwanda offer significant investment opportunities. Despite recent growth, the sectors are relatively under-invested. As a result, there are excellent prospects in skills acquisition as well as a cost advantage for first movers.

Rwanda offers cost-effective labour in comparison to other countries in EAC and has a young and dynamic workforce. The business environment is the most favourable in the region with low levels of corruption due to zero tolerance. ICT infrastructure is upgraded thanks to a strong and visionary leadership. The business environment in Rwanda is bilingual.

ICT development is the key priority of Rwanda’s Vision 2020. It has attracted US$500-million in investment over the last three years by both the private and public sector. The government has invested in developing ICT infrastructure to enable service delivery through laying a 2,500km optic fibre network throughout the country – connecting all 30 districts and with nine regional links to neighbouring countries, building a state-of-the-art Tier 3 Internet Data Centre, deploying wireless broadband in Kigali, to be extended to all major towns, and an Innovation Centre where start-ups combine innovation and entrepreneurship to produce knowledge.

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Other benefits: • The ICT private sector is growing, especially in mobile applications, networking and software development.

• An increasing number of Rwandan companies serving local and export markets.

• For international investors, there are huge potential first-mover benefits.

• Rwanda is investing US$24-million in regional communication infrastructure to ensure connectivity to the global network.

• Rwanda is also investing heavily in ICT skills development and has partnered with Carnegie Mellon University to establish an ICT Centre for Excellence.

• Estimated current domestic demand for BPO services is US$50-million, which will increase to almost US$200-million by 2020.

• Rwanda can achieve further estimated BPO revenues of around US$275-million by 2020 by accessing local and regional customers.

The ICT sector includes mobile and fixed telephony, VoIP, DSL, VSAT, ISDN, GPRS, Broadband Internet, software development, hardware assembly and repair, applications integration and capacity building. There are four key players in the telecom industry: MTN Rwanda, Rwandatel, TIGO Rwanda and newly registered Bharti Airtel internet and mobile telephony services providers.

Today, there are over 4.76 million mobile telephony subscribers, representing 44.81% penetration.

The ICT private sector is growing, especially in mobile applications, networking, and software development, with an increasing number of Rwandan companies producing for the local market as well as exporting products and services to Burundi and Eastern DRC. Rwanda is investing US$24-million in regional communication infrastructure to secure connectivity to the global network (linking to the submarine cable on the Kenya East Coast). The Government of Rwanda is

investing heavily in ICT skills development and has partnered with Carnegie Mellon University to establish a Centre for Excellence that should greatly increase ICT skills. Professional development courses began in January 2012.

The BPO Sector in Rwanda The Rwandan BPO cluster is a diverse array of firms providing both IT and back office services in finance and administration to a range of clients inside and outside. The telecoms, tourism, finance and government sectors offer BPO providers the greatest growth and investment potential.

Investment Opportunities in the ICT & BPO Sectors • Software development • Cloud computing • Mobile applications • E-government • ICT education and training • ICT business financing • ICT related services i.e. systems integration, web management, data processing, application development, cloud computing etc.

• Financial and accounting services • Call centres • Human resources related services i.e. payroll, recruitment and staffing etc.

• Communication and media services • Banking and insurance services • Distribution and logistics services

ICT Technopole Development The Technopole is an investment project of US$105-million and is currently looking for potential investors. It is a financially viable project as it already has a potential tenant in Carnegie Mellon University. The economic benefits of the project are that stronger air links will be created to support the high value agro exports and tourism as well as being complementary to other investments (Rwandair, KCC).

The Technopole will have: • World-class ICT infrastructure; • Research and Development facilities; • ICT training centres, software development and test labs; and • Specialised institutions and business incubations.

Current status: • 61.3 hectares allocated to the project; • Architectural concept design completed; • Finalised financial and technical evaluations.

Current necessary ICT Projects • E-Waste management (recycling and disposal) • Business Process Outsourcing • Technical Training institutes for specialised ICT courses • Software development: Mobile applications, innovative e-payment solutions

• World-class Technology Park • SMART Energy grid development • Access Network/Last Mile connectivity (Fibre-To-The-Home, Curb etc.)

• Business Development centres

info@rdb.rw www.rdb.rw

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CHAPTER 6 Banking and Finance

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Development Bank of Rwanda The Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) is a public limited liability company limited by share, with a share capital of RWF 7,808,931,000. BRD was incorporated on 5 August 1967.

The company code is 1000003547 with its headquarters in Kigali, Rwanda. BRD provides long-term as well as medium finance and significantly facilitates the emergence of different productive enterprises in the private sector.

BRD Vision: “To be the Leader of productive investment and the most profitable Bank – at the service of poverty reduction.”

BRD Mission: “To become the Government of Rwanda’s investment arm by financing the nation’s development objectives with a focus on the priority sectors of the economy.”

BRD Objectives: • Provide development finance for priority economic sectors as defined by the government, which are: Agriculture and Livestock; Exportation; Tourism; ICT; Energy and water; Health and education; Social infrastructures.

• Provide equity investments to stimulate the development of new firms able to participate in Rwanda’s economic development.

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• Promote exports to reverse the trade deficit and increase Rwanda’s stability to invest in its development.

• Refinance microfinance institutions and professional associations.

• Facilitate technical assistance to financed companies, microfinance associations and other stakeholders to enhance sustainability.

BRD Guiding Principles The Bank is guided by the following principles: • To maximise development impact; • To maintain sound banking principles; • To be additional to other funding sources; • To leverage strategic alliances; and • To focus on socio-economic development.

The Bank plays a triple role: • Lender • Advisor • Partner Sectors of Operation Development Bank of Rwanda operates in all sectors of productive investment which generate added value and create employment.

In its credit policy, priority is given to the new technologies and export-oriented projects. The bank’s priority field of intervention covers the following: • Agriculture and Livestock • Industries and Services • Hotels and Tourism • Housing (Real Estate and Individual Houses) • Social Infrastructures (Health and Education) • Micro Finance Institutions • Water and Energy • ICT • Transport and related facilities Products and Facilities Development Bank of Rwanda provides a wide range of products, mainly investment financing in the form of short, medium or long-term loans. These Products are: Investment Financing • Loans • Leasing • Equity • Refinancing • Capacity Building • Advisory

Retail Financing (usually offered to clients having an existing account with BRD) • Current Accounts • Saving Accounts • Mortgage Financing • Trade Finance • Salary advance • Temporary overdraft • Home equipment Financing • Vehicle loans Other BRD Services: • Accounts (savings and current) • Guarantee Funds (SME, AGF, RIF2, FSA)

• Technical assistance and Capacity Building • Syndications • Policy research, analysis and support • Public/ Private sector facilitation DEVELOPMENT BANK OF RWANDA (BRD) Boulevard de la Révolution P.O. Box 1341 – Kigali, Rwanda Toll free number: 3288 Fax: +250 252 573569 Email: brd@brd.rw

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Bank of Kigali Established in 1966, Bank of Kigali Ltd is the largest bank in Rwanda by total assets, with a 33% market share as of 30 September 2013. Bank of Kigali is Head Quartered in Rwanda’s Capital Kigali and has 65 branches countrywide.

Bank of Kigali offers the entire suite of Banking & Financial services to over 231,000 individuals and over 24,000 legal entities. The products and services include Personal Banking, SME Banking, Corporate/Business Banking, Agricultural Finance, International Money Transfers, VISA services, Government to Bank (G2B) services, Internet Banking and Securities & Brokerage services through our 100% owned subsidiary.

In 2011, the Bank became the second

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domestic company to be listed on the Rwanda Stock Exchange in an Initial Public Offer that was recognized as the Best African Listing by Africa Investor (AI).

The Bank was awarded the 2013 Euromoney Award for Excellence as the Best Bank in Rwanda. Since 2009, the Bank has been recognized for four years running as the Best Bank in Rwanda by Emeafinance.

In 2011 it was also recognized as the Company of the Year by the Kenya Institute

of Management Rwanda and in 2012, it was further bestowed with the Best East African Bank Award by the African Banker magazine as well as the Best Financial Reporting Company in Rwanda at the annual Financial Reporting award (FiRe)held in Nairobi , Kenya.

The Bank also had its short term credit rating upgraded to A1+, while the long term rating was maintained at AA- with a stable outlook by Global Credit Rating Co. (GCR) the leading rating agency in South Africa.

Bank of Kigali’s innovative products and services BK Premier Banking Lounge at Kigali City Tower Bank of Kigali’s Premier banking lounge at Kigali city tower (KCT) provides unique services to our premier clients and ensures customers’ financial needs are taken care of in a high class environment and to satisfactorily match private needs. “Each Premier Banking customer is assigned a dedicated personal banker who will manage all his/her financial needs through services that will complement each customer’s lifestyle.

Securities & Brokerage Services BK Securities Limited is a 100% owned subsidiary of Bank of Kigali Limited offering stock brocking services and other capital market financial services. Benefits of investing in the Capital Market include saving for future commitments, dividends received from shares held, share price appreciation and use of shares as collateral for bank loans.

Business Loans Bank of Kigali offers an array of Business Loans that suite different business needs.

Investment Loans Bank of Kigali is indeed a true investment partner. We have financed enterprises in all major sectors of the economy including construction, hospitality and commerce.

Agricultural Loans At Bank of Kigali we believe that agriculture is central to the country’s economic growth.

We finance agro processing activities as well as the export of cash crops such as coffee and tea.

Consumer Banking We have an array of personal banking services including mortgage loans, different savings accounts and mobile banking services.

Bank of Kigali Head office in the Rwandan Capital, Kigali.

Plot No.6112, Avenue de la Paix, and P.O. Box 175, Kigali, Rwanda Swift code: BKIGRWRW, Tel: +250 252 593100 Cell : +250 788143000, Call Center : 4455 Fax : +250 252 575 504, 250 252 573 461 Email : bk@bk.rw www.bk.rw

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CHAPTER 7 Investment and Insurance

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Rwanda: Nurturing wealth through the Capital Market Rwanda established the capital market in 2008 with a vision to become a competitive financial centre through mobilisation of long-term capital. To attain this, the Rwanda Capital Market Authority (CMA) nurtures wealth by facilitating the development of an orderly, fair, transparent and efficient capital market.

Robert Mathu, Chief Executive Officer Rwanda has recorded significant progress by organising and expanding the level of national savings available for long-term investments; in order to assist private firms and public projects to access funding for economic development and growth.

To attain its goal, CMA Rwanda identified a number of strategic objectives that include: 1. Market development: To enable the public and the private sector to access long-term capital in order to support the high demand for economic growth. Other market development initiatives include the implementation of an information technology capacity; promotion of saving culture; capacity building programs; undertake research; target SMEs; Collective Investment Schemes and mobilise the Diaspora remittances.

2. Legal Framework: To protect investors and also to create an orderly, stable, fair and transparent market environment.

3. Institutional development: To have manpower and infrastructural capacities to serve the public. Training of industry personnel, attracting skilled labour and

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development of soft and physical infrastructure will be undertaken as part of the strategic objective to develop the market.

4. Regional integration: Rwanda’s domestic capital market integration into the regional market is a key to the overall economic integration, as this will realise the potential from free movement of capital, people and services within the EAC. The economy will have access to external savings resources.

5. Commodities Exchange: A commodities exchange is a beneficial complementary in the investment industry. CMA has been assisting by providing appropriate guidelines and the development of a secondary market trading of commodities contracts in Rwanda.

CMA Rwanda plans to crystallise the structure of the capital market industry in Rwanda and chart its growth and development path.

CMA will be able to focus on the key priorities for capital market development, especially in allocation of resources, in order to deliver an effective market that will help the economy achieve its goals in line with the Rwanda Vision 2020 and the Financial Sector Development Program.

ECOBANK Building 5th Floor, Avenue de la Paix P.O. Box 6136 Kigali, Rwanda Tel: +250 500332/5 Email: info@cma.rw www.cma.rw

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Rwanda Stock Exchange Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE) is an organised and regulated stock exchange located in the Heart of Kigali City Centre. The RSE is regulated by the Capital Market Authority of Rwanda.

RSE has multiple roles in the Rwandan economy. These include the following, but are not limited to: • Raising capital for businesses; • Mobilising savings for investment; • Corporate governance; • Government capital-raising for development projects; • Barometer of the economy.

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Clearing & Settlement The settlement cycle is T+2. The Clearing and Settlement process is done through the Central Securities Depository (CSD) linked to the payment systems of the Central Bank of Rwanda (BNR). The settlement of funds is done with Central Bank money via a Real Time Gross Settlement System (RTGS).

MEMBERS RSE has nine Trading Members (Stock Brokers) and two non-trading members (Advisors/Sponsors), as follows:

Stock Brokers 1. FAIDA Securities Rwanda Ltd. 2. African Alliance Rwanda Ltd. 3. CDH Capital 4. Baraka Capital Ltd. 5. MBEA Brokerage Services Rwanda S.A & MBEA Financial Services Ltd. 6. Core Securities Rwanda Ltd. 7. Dyer and Blair Rwanda Ltd.

8. SBG Securities 9. BK Securities Ltd. Advisors/Sponsors 1. BDF (Business Development Fund) 2. Renaissance Capital

Located in Kigali City Tower (KCT), 1st Floor, KN 81 St, P.O. Box 3268 Kigali-Rwanda.

Tel: +250 788 516021 Email: info@rse.rw www.rse.rw

WEALTH, A WAY OF LIFE

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BRD: Investing against poverty Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) is mandated to reducing poverty through financing of priority sectors of the economy and serving any interested investor whose goal is economic returns but also poverty reduction.

“The difference between our financing and that of the commercial banks is that we are the government’s investment arm striving for poverty reduction, whereas commercial banks are private business organisations aiming at profit maximisation,” the bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Alex Kanyankole explains.

On regulation, Kanyankole says that the bank’s operations are regulated by the Central Bank and compliance is a high priority through periodic prudential checks conducted by the Central bank.

“Compliance to the general regulatory framework of the financial sector is our core value and we are committed to do what it takes to go by the required standards.”

Significance to the nation’s development BRD’s contribution to the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS II) is broad and unlimited to the financing of sustainable development in the country.

“Our financing approach considers the national priority sectors that can foster the

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timely delivery of the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals) and the general community development.”

Establishment of strategic partnerships with other development agents and stakeholders through fund mobilisation and extension of financial facilities through refinancing SACCOs, which have a large network in the rural areas, has greatly improved the bank’s delivery of the developmental milestone.

Technical capacity building to its clients has greatly improved through the establishment of subsidiary companies such as Business Development Fund (BDF) and BRD Insurance Brokerage (BIB) that deliver business development services and training on best business management practices.

Capitalisation BRD, whose sources of funds are the shareholder’s equity, development partners, grants and lines of credit, had an initial capital of Rwf7.8-billion during its launch, which has grown to over Rwf42-billion today. Its preferred minimum-lending sum is presently Rwf15-million.

BRD has financed individual projects worth Rwf7-billion and below in the latest approvals. However, the highest amount depends on the bank’s net worth limited to five percent and project investment requirements.

Export Promotion Export promotion is BRD’s long primary focus with the annual coffee campaigns, coffee and tea plantations, and tannery products attracting a lot of financing.

The bank has also financed some food and beverage companies including Inyange Industries and Nyirangarama Industry.

The bank has also initiated talks with stakeholders on how best the bank can boost its financing to the mining industry that is a significant foreign exchange earner.

Some of the other companies that have obtained financing through the bank include: Trust Industries that make tissue paper through recycled paper, and detergents; Crystal Bottling that makes soft drinks in Bugesera District; as well as the East African Granite in Nyagatare district. These industries have a net impact of reducing our imports of similar goods and/ or their close substitutes thereof – and hence impacting positively on the national trade balance.

The bank focused on increasing intervention in industrial investments in order to catalyse the general industrial transformation of the economy.

Going forward, export promotion projects will be given more attention by the bank such that we contribute towards reducing the trade deficit in our economy.

Value-chain financing The bank has financed both primary and secondary production by focusing on value addition. Small-scale farmers benefit from the financing when they are organised in cooperatives and individual projects. Milk Collection Centres are an example of the schemes that targeted the smallholder livestock farmers.

Value chain financing is currently the main focus to develop so that market problems for primary agricultural products can be minimised. This approach ensures the good pricing of the products and quality standards of the consumer products to be processed.

Conclusion BRD has had significant achievements by concentrating on national priority sectors of the economy. For instance, its contribution to the development of the tourism industry through financing of accommodation facilities like hotels, guesthouses and apartments has been noteworthy. Other sectors including education, healthcare, real estate and agriculture have also been scaling up in EDPRS 2.

The bank has identified limited skills of clients when compiling their business ideas into bankable business plans and inefficient management skills during and after project implementation as a major drawback.

However, to overcome this hurdle, BRD offers advisory services and capacity building through business development centres (BDCs) financed by BDF. There is also a variety of guarantee funds to cover the risks of good projects with insufficient

collateral that have an impact on sustainable development.

Some of the guarantee funds include Agriculture Guarantee Fund (AGF), SME Guarantee Fund, Business Plan Competition (BPC) and ‘Hanga Umurimo’ Guarantee Funds for the youth and women.

Secondly, inefficient management of financed projects highly affects profitability and the overall performance of the few projects is not maximised. These inefficiencies include fund diversion, poor bookkeeping, performance reports and failure to separate business and family.

These will be mitigated by extensive capacity building programs on the basic skills.

BRD appreciates government efforts in delivering national sustainable development through the identification of the preferred priority sectors of the economy and the enabling regulatory environment that protects both the bank’s clients and the shareholders’ interest.

In conclusion, the bank is equally grateful to clients for the commitments and initiatives taken to implement good developmental projects focused on reducing poverty and encourages all investors to come for business.

P.O. Box 1341, Kigali, Rwanda Telephone: +250 252 573558 252 575079/80 Fax: +250 252 5735698 Email: brd@brd.rw SWIFT CODE: BRDRRWRW VAT/TIN: 100003547 www.brd.rw

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Soras Group Ltd

SORAS

Mr. Charles Mporanyi, GROUP Chairman

SORAS GROUP LTD is an investment holding company incorporated in Rwanda on 27 September 2010, with business interests in the insurance, financial sector and some interests in real estate development and management, holding headquarters in the heart of Kigali City.

The Group emerged from SORAS – Rwanda’s first private insurance company which launched operations on 15 November 1984. SORAS GROUP currently boasts of four subsidiary companies specialised in Insurance business and Banking. SORAS GROUP also holds equity investments and stakes in successful local firms. The increase year to year in both assets and equity value is a reflection of SORAS GROUP’s solid corporate governance, appropriate investment decisions and the Group’s core values of Quality, Integrity and Professionalism, which guide every decision, investment and commitment we make.

Insurance SORAS GROUP is the leading insurer in Rwanda and has started to tackle the regional market, with specialisation in General Business Insurance and Life Insurance which are offered via its subsidiaries SORAS Assurances Générales Ltd, SORAS Vie Ltd and SOCAR sa (based in Burundi), which is a composite insurance

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company dealing both with General Business and life insurances. It partners with worldwide powerful reinsurance companies including MUNICH RE, AFRICA RE, CICA RE, SCOR, SUISS RE, ZEP RE and BEST RE. It is also a member of Multilingual Pan African Network-GLOBUS. SORAS Assurances Générales Ltd is the leading provider of vehicle insurance, damaged property insurance, transport insurance, liabilities insurance, insurance of persons, medical insurance and the newly weather index insurance; while SORAS Vie Ltd offers education insurance plan, credit protection insurance plan, retirement insurance plan and death borrower insurance plan.

Banking SORAS GROUP offers banking services via AGASEKE Microfinance BANK Ltd, one of the rapidly growing microfinance banks in Rwanda, established in November 2003. SORAS GROUP is looking for a strategic partner to transform the current microfinance bank into a fully-fledged commercial bank in 2014.

Real Estate SORAS GROUP is one of the largest investors in Rwanda’s rapidly growing commercial properties market. The Group has so far made substantial investments in apartments – ALTIS Apartments and Prima 2000 apartments for the high-end market in Kigali and SORAS Group, in 2014, will start the construction of a modern 10-storey building named “SORAS Towers” with a total area of about 15,000m2 (two levels of underground parking, commercial spaces

on ground and first floors, two office towers from 2nd to 7th floor). The building will be located in Kigali City Centre at Avenue de l’armée behind BRD, in front of St. Michel Cathedral.

Prospects As our vision, we intend to play the role of the leader in the field of Insurance and operate in targeted niche areas of Finance and Real Estate in Rwanda and extend operations to the neighbouring economies.

With a threefold mission, SORAS GROUP seeks to ensure profitable and sustainable growth for our shareholders, offer to our customers high-quality products and services and to promote our staff members’ professionalism and welfare.

Recognition SORAS GROUP offers services and products with an international quality touch.

Hence it is widely recognised both locally and internationally for its commitment to quality. In December 2012, SORAS GROUP was awarded the “International Diamond Prize for Excellence in Quality” by the European Society for Quality Research (ESQR) further cementing our commitment to Quality, Excellence and continuous improvement in our products and services.

SORAS GROUP Ltd Boulevard de la Révolution P.O. Box 4742, Kigali – Rwanda Tel: +250 788 185300 Email: info@soras.co.rw www.soras.co.rw

Insurance

Banking • Worker’s Group Life Insurance • Safe Family Insurance New Products under Development: • Individual Death Guarantee • Provident Funds Schemes • Life and Micro-Insurance

SORAS AG LTD Number one leader in Insurance services in Rwanda, offering: Motor insurance, Property insurance, Marine Insurance, Weather Index Insurance, Health Insurance, Third Party Liabilities and many others.

Branch Network: 23 branches throughout the country.

SORAS VIE LTD Started as a department at SORAS SA in May 1999, SORAS VIE Ltd became an independent insurance company in 2020, offering: • Retirement Plan • Education Plan • Credit Life Assurance

Distribution Network: 26 Branches all over the country.

SOCAR SA – BURUNDI SOCAR was founded in 1998 and began its operations on 2 May 1999. Since its inception, SOCAR is shown as a private company set up to provide professional solutions to insurance problems encountered by the Burundian market.

Main products • Motor Insurance; • Property & Casualty Insurance; • Transport Insurance; • Liability Insurance; • Insurance guarantees; • Life and Disability Insurance.

AGASEKE Microfinance BANK Ltd AGASEKE Microfinance BANK Ltd, one of the rapidly growing microfinance banks in Rwanda, was established in November 2003.

It offers a wide range of attractive products and services including account in Dollars, Commercial credit, individual credit, Western Union Service, Mobile Banking, and Nord Sud Money transfer service. The bank whose doors are open seven days a week, targets small and medium enterprises and individuals involved in business activities.

AGASEKE BANK Ltd offers banking services in over 11 branches spread across the country and its clients can also access banking services using ATM technology.

HEAD OFFICE Address: Boulevard de l’Aéroport B. P. 265 KIGALI Tel/Fax: +250 585697/0784684535 Email: info@agasekebank.com www.agasekebank.com

Real Estate

PRIMA 2000 Located in the prime area of KACYIRU, PRIMA 2000 is equipped with 45 furnished spacious apartments of 1, 2, 3 & 4 bedrooms. It is within a walking distance to the international Embassies and at a 10 minute drive from the Kigali International Airport.

ALTIS Located in the Kigali City Center, ALTIS APARTMENTS is equipped with 30 furnished spacious apartments of 1 & 2 bedrooms. It offers a magnificent view of the city and it is within a walking distance to major Offices, Hotels and Restaurants. It is also at a 15 minute drive from Kigali International Airport.

SORAS TOWERS SORAS Group, in 2014, will start the construction of a modern 10 storey building named “SORAS Towers” with a total area of about 15,000m2 (two levels of underground parking, commercial spaces on ground and first floors, two office towers from 2nd to 7th floor). The building will be located in Kigali City Centre at Avenue de l’armée behind BRD, in front of St. Michel Cathedral.

We invite all those interested to pre-book space and indicate the category (commercial or office) and area needed.

Pre-bookings and inquiries can be sent to the following email address: sorastowers@soras.co.rw

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CHAPTER 8 Food, Beverage, Hospitality and Agribusiness

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Bralirwa Ltd

HISTORY Founded in 1957, BRALIRWA Ltd is a Rwandan company producing and selling beers and soft drinks. Since 1971, BRALIRWA Ltd has been part of the internationally renowned Heineken Company which currently holds 75% of BRALIRWA Ltd shares, while the 25% remaining shares are held by independent shareholders.

BRALIRWA Ltd shares have been listed on the Rwandan Stock Exchange since 31 January 2011. The Company beer portfolio includes Primus, Mützig, Amstel and Turbo King produced in our Gisenyi brewery and the Heineken beer which is imported. Since 1974 the Company has held the license of The Coca-Cola Company to produce and distribute their brands; BRALIRWA Ltd produces the Coca-Cola portfolio: Coca-Cola, Fanta Orange, Fanta Citron, Fanta Fiesta, Sprite, Krest Tonic and the company’s own brand Vital’ O. MISSION STATEMENT Our mission: “To become a world-class sustainable beverage producing company

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in Rwanda with high-quality brands that satisfy needs and give enjoyment to our consumers, while respecting our people, society and environment we live in”.

Our Values Passion for Quality: As a subsidiary of Heineken N.V. and license holder of The Coca-Cola Company, BRALIRWA ensures that everything it does or produces is of a high quality. BRALIRWA Ltd continually aims to obtain and maintain its internal and external quality standard (e.g. ISO). This is not only reflected in its products and brands, but also in other activities such as social and employment policies. In BRALIRWA Ltd, there is belief that being a ‘quality’ employer and investing in employees creates benefit and value for the Company and its reputation but also for all of the Company’s stakeholders.

Enjoyment for life: Bralirwa Ltd participates in making life more enjoyable by producing highquality beers and sparkling beverages

and marketing them responsibly through innovative sponsorships, advertising and countrywide promotions. BRALIRWA’s sponsorship portfolio, which spans sports, music and arts, includes many positive events that contribute to the enjoyment of many. The enjoyment for life is also reflected in the working life and atmosphere within the Company.

Respect for People, Society and the Environment we live in: As an integral part of the local and global communities in which it operates, BRALIRWA respects the laws and regulations of the countries in which it is active, BRALIRWA pays attention to different cultures and to environmental preservation. BRALIRWA aims to be a good corporate citizen and takes most seriously its responsibility to be fully integrated, in a sustainable way, in the society in which it operates.

SALES AND DISTRIBUTION Bralirwa has two production sites.

Beers are produced in Gisenyi and

sparkling beverages are produced in Kigali. To ensure full availability of our products around the country, we have put in place a strong distribution network that includes BRALIRWA-owned distribution centres (depots or warehouses), distributorowned or independent sub-distribution centres and independent stock points.

Bralirwa Ltd. Trade Register G 001 Kigali (Head Office): P.O.Box 131 Tel: +250 252 587200 / 582993 I Gisenyi: P.O.Box 180 Tel: +250 252 540372 Fax: +250 252 540356 Email: bralirwa@heineken.com www.bralirwa.com

Our Future Prospects Thanks to Rwanda’s economy which continues to demonstrate strong resilience with ongoing economic development expected to support the commercial beverage market, as always, we will strive to build on our leadership position. Our internal processes will be strengthened to drive improved operating efficiencies. Further investment in our infrastructure network and human capital will continue, as we aim to meet the growing market demand for our products. The training and development of our people remains a key priority and an important source of ongoing competitive advantage. We will not cease to strive for improvements in all areas of our business.

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Kigali Soft Drinks Plant

Kigali Soft Drinks plant was established in 1974. It is located in Kicukiro district, Kigali.

Kigali Soft Drinks’ performance has been acknowledged at regional and international level and recognised by numerous awards for high quality.

Kigali Soft Drink plant is a franchise of Coca-Cola Company with a business license granting rights to produce a portfolio of soft drinks including Coke, Fanta Orange, Fanta Citron, Fanta Fiesta, Fanta Sprite, Sparkling Water and Krest Tonic.

In 2012, Bralirwa invested in a 25-million euro capacity extension and upgrade. The new state-of-the-art automated line has been operational since early January 2014.

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The Bramin Farm Creating an Integrated Maize Supply Chain in Rwanda.

The Bramin mechanised and irrigated maize farm is a joint venture between Bralirwa, Rwanda’s largest manufacturer of beer and soft drinks, and Minimex, Rwanda’s largest maize miller.

It represents one of Rwanda’s first modern, large-scale maize farming enterprises. This joint venture was established to ensure availability of locally produced quality maize as an input into some of Bralirwa’s beer production. This will substitute imports that originate from neighbouring countries and from outside Africa.

Five large centre pivot sprinkler systems imported from the USA were transported by road from South Africa and installed at the 260 hectare farm. Each pivot arm measures 450 metres and can irrigate its entire 52 hectare area every 24 hours. Water is pumped from adjacent Lake Ihema, stored in a reservoir and then pumped under pressure to the pivots.

The first maize harvest was collected in November 2013. Soils are improved and applications of inputs are tailored to address needs across the farm, which means that productivity will increase further.

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Inyange Industries Ltd Fresh taste, Healthy living. Inyange Industries is a leading food processing company in Rwanda, manufacturing a variety of products under their brand name – “Inyange”. The “Inyange” brand has been in use since 1997. In 1999 it began its operations which included processing and selling of pasteurised milk and yoghurt.

Mineral Water Inyange offers Mineral Water, coming from the natural spring of Gasabo, located at the foothills of the breathtakingly beautiful mountains in the country of a Thousand Hills: Rwanda; where Mother Nature will have filtered out the impurities and added healthy and nutritious minerals. Inyange Mineral water is packaged in bottles of: 500ml, 1ltr, 18lts Gallons Inyange Juice For those looking to quench their thirst in the most refreshing way possible, Inyange offers conveniently bottled fruit drinks and nectars, offering all-year-round availability, quality and most importantly great taste. Inyange currently produces the following fruit drinks and nectars: apple, mango, orange, pineapple and passion fruit. Inyange Fruit juices are packaged in 500ml bottles.

UHT Milk Inyange offers Fresh Milk, which is delivered daily from surrounding farms. It is first tested for quality and freshness before it enters the production line, where it will be homogenised and pasteurised before being packed into Inyange final products, thus delivering quality and

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great taste. Inyange produces the following milk and milk products: Pasteurised and homogenised whole Milk in 2ltr, 3ltr and 5ltr; UHT Milk in 500ml and 1ltr.

Yoghurt Yoghurt: 130, 250 & 400ml.

Inyange Yoghurt flavors: plain, apricot, vanilla, banana, strawberry and pineapple.

To offset its natural sourness, yoghurt is also sold sweetened, flavoured or in containers with fruit or fruit jam on the bottom. If the fruit has been stirred into the yoghurt before purchase, it is sometimes referred to in the United States as Swiss-style. Some yoghurts contain added pectin, found naturally in fruit, and/or gelatin to create thickness and creaminess artificially at lower cost. This type of yoghurt is also marketed under the name Swiss-style, although it is unrelated to the way yoghurt is eaten in Switzerland. Some yoghurts, often called “cream line,” are made with whole milk which has not been homogenised so the cream rises to the top. Fruit jam is used instead of raw fruit pieces in fruit yoghurts to allow storage for weeks. Large amounts of sugar – or other sweeteners for low-calorie yoghurts – are often used in commercial yoghurt.

Ikivuguto Originally, ikivuguto buttermilk was the liquid left behind after churning butter out of cream. This type of buttermilk is known as traditional buttermilk. Traditionally, before cream could be skimmed from whole milk, the milk was left to sit for a period of time to allow the cream and milk to separate. During this time, naturally occurring lactic acid-producing bacteria in the milk fermented it. This facilitates the butter churning process, since fat from cream with a lower pH coalesces more readily than that of fresh cream. The acidic environment also helps prevent potentially harmful microorganisms from growing, increasing shelf-life. However, in establishments that used cream separators, the cream was hardly acidic at all.

Fresh Cream Fresh Cream: 500 ml Cream is a dairy product that is composed of the higher-butterfat layer skimmed from the top of milk before homogenisation. Cream is a dairy product that is composed of the higher-butterfat layer skimmed from the top of milk before homogenisation. In un-homogenised milk, over time, the lighter fat rises to the top. In the industrial production of cream this process is accelerated by using centrifuges called “separators”. In many

countries, cream is sold in several grades depending on the total butterfat content. Cream can be dried to a powder for shipment to distant markets. Cream skimmed from milk may be called “sweet cream” to distinguish it from whey cream skimmed from whey, a byproduct of cheese-making. Whey cream has a lower fat content and tastes more salty, tangy and “cheesy”. Cream produced by cattle (particularly Jersey cattle) grazing on natural pasture, often contains some natural carotenoid pigments derived from the plants they eat; this gives the cream a slight yellow tone, hence the name of the yellowish-white colour, cream.

Milk Zone Inyange now offers fresh and ready to drink milk through our new Milk Zones.

INYANGE INDUSTRIES LTD. P.O. Box 4584 Kigali, Rwanda Tel: +250 788 161900 Email: info@inyangeindustries.com www.inyangeindustries.com

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SULFO Rwanda Industries Ltd SULFO RWANDA INDUSTRIES LTD is the first industry in the Independent Rwanda and is one of the largest companies in the manufacturing sector. Established in 1962 by Mr. Tajdin H. Jaffer & Mme. Khatun Jaffer, it was then the one and only soap industry in Rwanda.

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It was founded as a partnership firm and later converted to Public Limited Company.

It is located in the heart of Kigali, the beautiful, mist clad capital of Rwanda.

Being a country of numerous hills, Rwanda is known as “the land of a thousand hills” – and eventually SULFO, with all its diverse and enviable products, has become “the pride of the land of a thousand hills”.

Vision: To be a strong, leading company in East Africa.

Mission: • Lead in relevant FMCG segments.

• Be a key player in selected trading activities.

• Venture into new activities when clear, strong and sizable opportunities are available, without compromising on existing business.

Manufacturing The manufacturing units are in different locations in Kigali. The production units are fully equipped with sophisticated and stateof-the-art Plant and Machinery. SULFO is committed to Total Quality Management.

Division & Location: • Soaps, Drinking Water – at 12 KN 82 St, Kigali.

• Cosmetics, Plastics and Detergent – at KN 74 St, Kigali.

• Carton, Tin Containers & Casserole Factory; Raw Material Depot, LPG Filling Plant – at Gikondo.

Currently SULFO’s product portfolio offers over 150 items, comprising of: • Laundry Soaps, Toilet Soaps; • Powder and Liquid Detergents, Scouring Powder; • Personal Care Products – both Hair Care and Body care; • Packaged Drinking Water; • Plastic Moulding, Novelty Items; • Corrugated Cartons; • Candles; • Casseroles and Tin Containers.

These items are manufactured under various brand names and in different sizes. The brands CLAIRE, BLACK PEARL, SOURCE DU NIL, CANADIAN PURE, TEMBO, MAKASI, INYERNERI, SAFARI, SANTE, NINA, DAWA, SPORTIF, MALAIKA, CHERIE, LYS, BEAUTE, SOUSANA, VAGUE, MAMAN BEBE, JULIE and SUPER are among the most popular household brands known in the Region.

SULFO is a pioneer in the introduction of ISO Management systems certifications in the country. All the facilities are certified for ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System. In addition, the product NIL

Drinking Water is the very first product of its type to be certified for ISO 22000:2005 Food Safety Management System in Africa. The company is continually striving to update its management systems in accordance with the best international practices.

Trading SULFO is one of the leading companies involved in trading and market development activities in a well-diversified portfolio consisting of: Automobiles, Motorcycles, Automotive Spare Parts, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Cooking ranges, Refrigerators, Plastic Novelty items, and Imported FMCG Products (PZ Cussons, Canadian Pure, Bitez etc.). SULFO imports and distributes popular brands of Tyres (MRF/ Dunlop/ CEAT/ Yana/ Falken / Hercules/ and Triangle etc.), and Batteries (YUASA/ Kobe-Sun/ FB/ Standard/ Bosch/ and Acid Pure etc.).

Garage & Machine Shop SULFO has a well-equipped executive Garage in the centre of Kigali for repair and maintenance of all vehicles. SULFO also stocks spare parts for a wide range of vehicles. The Fuel Injection pump division has sophisticated Bosch machinery for pump revision.

Sales & Marketing The Sales office is situated in the heart of the City centre and Branch offices are in the border towns of Gisenyi and Cyangugu.

With its own fleet of vehicles, SULFO is well equipped to effect delivery of goods to any destination in the country and in the Region.

SULFO currently exports its products to the neighbouring countries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Kenya.

Showroom SULFO has a big showroom and Sales depot in the centre of Kigali for sales and distribution of products.

Warehouse Being situated in a landlocked country, adequate inventory holding of materials and goods are essential to ensure uninterrupted supply to the market. SULFO handles about 700 varieties of Raw materials imported from various parts of the world and these are stocked in go-downs located in Kigali downtown and Gikondo.

12 KN 82 St, B.P.90, Kigali, RWANDA Tel: +250 252 575321, +250 252 576472, +250 252 575446 Email: info@sulfo.com www.sulfo.com

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CHAPTER 9 Building, Construction and Engineering

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Construction Sector

THE RWANDA CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTOR – INVESTMENT POTENTIAL Construction has been leading the 8.2% per annum growth in the Rwandan economy (2012). Growth in construction and real estate is set to continue. Opportunities exist in both the commercial and residential sectors. Many specific investment opportunities are available, including in: • Residential • Offices • Factories • Retail Centres • Sports & Leisure Buildings

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Increased Housing Demand The Rwandan housing market remains under-invested with an estimated 25,000 annual requirement for additional housing units including 8,000 – 10,000 within Kigali City.

MAJOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVESTMENT IN CONSTRUCTION & REAL ESTATE

Rwanda – Join the Rwanda Construction Boom With a booming economy and fast growing population, the urban population is expected to grow as more people migrate to towns to take up the growing number of jobs and to start businesses. Sufficient and affordable housing will be needed for this growing population.

Construction-led Growth Rwanda’s on-going economic recovery is, as is usual with most economies, constructionled. Rwanda’s past and future growth brings an implication of a solid flow of economic activities with the construction sector contributing an average of 6.8% of nominal GDP over a five year period, 2006-2010.

The growth in demand for low and affordable houses has been driven by among other factors, a growing population (2.89% per annum), an emerging and growing middle class, increased diaspora investment in Rwandan property markets and government investment in infrastructure expansion and modernisation.

Rwandan institutional investors are interested in exploring development partnerships with investors. Incentives are available for qualifying projects.

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Commercial & Residential Opportunities Construction and real estate are therefore key sectors and potential drivers of future economic growth in Rwanda, due to the high demand for increased stock of both residential and commercial property.

• Sports Centre • Office buildings • Real Estate agency operations • Factory construction • Manufacturing of construction finishing materials • High-end market housing developments • Commercial centres • Shopping malls • Entertainment projects • Training and certification of key services – architecture, engineering, plumbing.

Potential local partners Institutional and local investors have expressed interest to engage in partnership with investors, including: • Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) • Rwanda Development Board (BRD) • Rwanda Housing Authority • Kigali City Council • Crystal Ventures • Fair construction

Benefits & Incentives to Construction & Real Estate Investors • Payment of customs duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) at a flat rate of 10% in lieu of all duty and taxes.

• Incentives are available for construction projects: - of at least US$1,800,000; - completion within 24 months; - concluding contracts with registered companies which pay taxes and employ Rwandans; - rationally using allocated land; - engaging in environmentally-friendly processes.

Investment Opportunities in the Construction Sector • Residential houses for low- and middleincome classes

info@rdb.rw ipd@rdb.rw www.rdb.rw

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Safintra Rwanda Limited Safintra Rwanda Limited commenced its operations in October 2008 and has established itself in a short span of five years as a key player in Rwanda’s industry, attributed to its unrelenting pursuit of Quality, Customer Service and introduction of technically superior products.

Safintra Rwanda Limited is part of SAFAL group – Africa’s largest manufacturer of Aluminum-Zinc coated steel roofing. It has operations in 12 countries at 30 locations.

SAFAL group has been servicing the roofing requirements of Africa for 50 years.

Safintra Rwanda Limited (SRL) is the leader in the high-end roofing segment with its well-established brands like ROYAL VERSATILE and VERSATILE. SRL reaches its customers through a network of more than 100 distributors across Rwanda. SRL showroom (ROOF GALLERY) in Kigali, provides world-class shopping experience to its consumers.

All roofing products manufactured and distributed by SRL are Aluminum-Zinc coated steel as base material. AluminumZinc (Aluminum – 55% & Zinc – 45%) coating provides superior corrosion resistance and is free from Lead, compared to only Zinc coated products. All products manufactured

by SRL have been certified by Rwanda Bureau of Standards with RBS certification.

Safintra Rwanda has recently launched technically superior products which are aimed at reducing the life-cycle cost, time and complexities for the highly demanding construction industry and provide a competitive edge to our immediate

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customer. The new products launched are ULTRASPAN, LIFESTILE, QUIKMOVER and STRAKCHA.

LIFESTILE are premium stone-coated steel tiles which provide elegance and aesthetics to the high-end residential and commercial structures.

ULTRA-SPAN, a light gauge steel truss system, is a technologically superior product which is a computer designed truss system, made with high-quality Al-Zn coated hightensile steel providing benefits like lowest life cycle cost, zero maintenance and easy to assemble. ULTRA-SPAN is a low weight option from conventional truss systems resulting in reduction of overall structural weight and cost.

STRAKCHA scaffolding systems are introduced thereby providing access to scaffolding systems locally which are imported as on date by the construction industry. they recently launched the Frame Scaffolding system and the Cuplock and Ringlock systems are to be launched very soon.

many more new products to the Rwanda market as a true partner in its progress and development.

QUIKMOVERS are prefab multipurpose and mobile units which are portable and can be used for multiple applications including mobile office, site office, camping, public utility etc. QUICKMOVERS is a new concept being promoted in Rwanda thereby providing a long-lasting and cost-effective solution. QUICKMOVERS comes in a kit form and can be assembled and dismantled quickly with zero maintenance and a long life. The structure provides thermal insulation resulting in a comfortable stay.

Safintra Rwanda is committed to VISION 2020 of Rwanda and will be introducing

Safintra Rwanda limited is a proup member of the:

Safintra Rwanda Limited Plot No. 2971, Nyamata Road, Kicukiro P.O. Box 6959, Kigali, Rwanda Tel: +250 788 389558 / +250 789 523230 Email: sales@safintra.rw www.safintra-rwanda.com

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Real Contractors Ltd Real Quality... Real Value.

VISION To be a world-class construction, engineering and real estate services company.

MISSION We deliver beyond customer expectations in quality, cost and time by deploying innovative and appropriate technologies.

MOTTO Real quality... Real Value.

VALUES • Results driven: Our focus is driven by our desire to achieve and exceed intended goals, • Integrity: We are honest, transparent, ethical and objective in everything we do.

• Innovation: We always challenge ourselves and seek new ways of doing things (creativity).

• Excellence: We strive to exceed highest standards in everything we do.

• Leadership: We should all take initiative, be proactive, be committed, demonstrate ownership and accountability, be visionary, lead by example and be team players.

P.O. Box 4374 Kigali Rwanda Tel: +250 788 518 686 Email: info@realcontractorsltd.com www.realcontractorsltd.com

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NPD-COTRACO NPD-COTRACO is a privately-owned company currently operating in Rwanda. It is registered as a Limited Liability company in the Republic of Rwanda, with Crystal Ventures Limited (CVL) holding 100% of the share capital.

Crystal Ventures Ltd is a holding company with fairly diversified investments in many other sectors in Rwanda including civil works and concrete products, construction and real estate development, telecommunications, agricultural value addition, security services, printing and publishing, furniture trading and manufacturing, building materials, property management and engineering services and diversified investment groups.

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COMPANY ACTIVITIES NPD-COTRACO is a leading construction company with a focus on roads construction, civil works and production of concrete products in Rwanda.

Headquartered in Kigali, the company conducts business in all provinces of Rwanda.

Our aim is to be the undisputed regional leader in road construction and civil works and in the production and supply of better quality building materials.

NPD-COTRACO is committed to: • Offering its customers the best in innovative materials and reliable products and services; • Reinforcing its position as the market leader for our suppliers, employees, customers and shareholders; • Protection of the environment; • Social responsibility.

4. Logistics services including rental and servicing of machinery.

SERVICE AND PRODUCT LINE We offer the following products and services: 1. Contracting and executing engineering works for roads and bridges; 2. Contracting and executing civil engineering works and excavation, water drainage systems and general engineering works; 3. Production and Sale of precast concrete products;

We are industry leaders in designing and manufacturing tailor-made and precast concrete products for use in construction and building structures in Rwanda. We’ve got a broad array of concrete products that cover a vast range of end user applications within the Civil Engineering industry from water and sewage treatment, plants to hospitals, roads to bridges, etc. The vast range of concrete products we make include specialist mixes designed for the most

challenging applications and environments.

Our concrete products include building blocks, paving blocks, electrical poles, road kerbs, fence posts, slabs and several others. These products are manufactured in many different sizes and shapes and they are of high quality. The customers for these products include the government, nongovernment institutions, contractors and private individuals.

Commitment to quality and environment We always strive to provide high-quality service, best value and are committed to

continuous improvement. Our Asphalt and Concrete Batching Plants use modern technology.

Our aim is for our concrete and Asphalt to be the best quality, providing a strong and durable product. NPD also currently has two quarries in operation and the plan is to have a third one operating by 2014. Our quarries produce aggregates to support our production unit, civil works and road construction projects.

NPD-COTRACO takes environmental issues

seriously and shall always find ways to limit the negative impact its activities have on the environment and to the community where its production facilities are located.

NPD-COTRACO S.A.R.L Plot No. 37 Avenue Niboye, Kicukiro P.O. Box 495 Kigali, Rwanda Tel: +250 583987/514585 Fax: +250 582645 Email: contraco@rwanda1.com www.npd-cotraco.com

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East African Granite Industries East African Granite Industries (EAGI), the largest granite factory in the region, is a new and exciting competitor to the domestic and regional granite industry and is dedicated to producing the most durable and authentic granite and marble products for local, regional and international markets.

Production Capacity Presently, the EAGI plant located in Nyagatare District, Eastern Province, has the capacity to serve the local demand with a surplus to export to the region. The plant currently has the capacity to produce a minimum of 150,000m² and a maximum of 200,000m² annually. Equating this with the annual regional demand of granite which presently stands at 250,000 – 300,000m², it means that this annual production fits well with regional dynamics, since it can serve up to three quarters of the region’s annual demand.

Our Vision To be the premier producer of dimensional stone products in Africa.

Our Mission We use modern technology to unveil and exploit Rwanda’s natural stone beauty.

EAGI’s products have been developed “from the ground up” in order to serve all customers’ needs in the areas of quality, affordability and elegance.

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• Quality: EAGI stands behind the quality of our granite products, and is committed to providing you with the most durable, longlasting and authentic granite products available in the market. EAGI produces natural granite and should NEVER be confused with artificial granite or ceramics.

• Affordability: EAGI has set the best competitive prices in the region that are set to reduce importation of granite mainly from India and China. The company delivers within the stipulated time thereby reducing the downtime required in importing from overseas.

EAGI offers the best prices in the region and best delivery time due to our closeness to the clients. EAGI is dedicated to winning your business by offering our granite products at the most competitive prices.

• Accessibility: Another advantage EAGI has over granite producers from outside the continent is the immediate touch with its customers. A

customer goes to the plant at Rutaraka in Nyagatare district or showroom in Kigali City, near the main Roundabout between Chez Venant and Mutara Enterprises, chooses the kind of design needed and can even change the design during production – which is not the case in importing from abroad where you have to accept the design as it is.

• Diversification: EAGI has future plans of diversifying into production of more granite colours as well as marble, in a bid to further boost the competitiveness of the local construction industry.

EAGI tiles and slabs already in use So far, even at only five months of existence, EAGI has made a significant input to the housing sector in the country through serving local orders that have seen the construction of various buildings in the city and its outskirts. Such orders include servicing the construction of the Bank of Kigali premises in Muhanga District, Urban Boutique in Kigali and currently Kigali City Hall.

All of our granite products will be available in two forms: • Granite slabs are cut to your specifications in order to perfectly meet project requirements and ensure elegant and professional installation. Our standard slab is 20 – 30mm in thickness and up to 80cm wide – great for countertops, stairways and other applications.

• Granite tiles are pre-cut to specific dimensions in order to make it even easier to purchase and install. Our standard tile of 15mm thick is often pre-cut at standard sizes (30x30; 60x30 and 60x60).

Types, Colours and Edge Finishing EAGI is pleased to present the following colours and edge finishes: i. Type of colours EAGI currently offers the following colours: - Black: Quarried a few metres from the factory, in two varieties – one with dark veins and another which is fully black.

- Grey: We have two varieties from different quarries (Nyagatare and Kirehe) that give light and dark grey granite.

- Pink: Pink granite is also mined 500m from the factory.

ii. Edge finishing Depending on demand in worktops, different edge finishing is customised according to client specification. iii. Other surface finishing Depending on customer demand, the polishing surface of granite can undergo further surface treatment such as SandBlasting and Flaming. EAGI can also do partial polishing.

Benefits of using Rwandan Granite 1. It is non-porous, which means the surface is scratchproof. This makes it difficult for the surface to retain dust and dirt. It is easy to clean.

2. The surface is extremely solid; it is second in line after diamond for strength and hardness.

3. It is longer lasting than any other kitchen remodelling material.

4. It is naturally resistant to heat.

5. Granite can deal with natural weather conditions without any problems.

6. It will not blister or crack and can withstand hot pots and pans being placed directly on them.

7. It is stain resistant, waterproof and inhibits the growth of bacteria and mould. The polished surface makes it excellent for rolling out pastry dough.

8. It is easy to clean with mild soap and warm water. In addition, it is cost effective because adding granite to your kitchen will increase the value of your home.

HEAD OFFICE P.O. Box 1287 Kigali-Rwanda KN4 Avenue, opposite CHUK Hospital Contact: +250 788 387097, +250 788 395928 FACTORY-QUARRY Nyagatare – Eastern Province www.eastafricangranite.com

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Ameki Color Founded in 1982 by Jacques Rusirare, a Rwandan entrepreneur, Atelier de Meubles de Kigali (Ameki), started small as a furniture workshop serving the capital Kigali.

But as demand for furniture continued to grow, the quality raw materials such as varnish to polish the furniture was increasingly becoming expensive to access in the local market. The situation was very unfavourable to the furniture makers but Rusirare, who was among those frustrated, spotted an opportunity he never regrets grabbing and exploited it to the maximum.

Entrepreneurial as he was, Rusirare decided to set up a small paint-making plant primarily to make raw materials such as varnish for his furniture products. But still demand for paint was also growing and with time, Rusirare increased the capacity of the paint factory until it grew to surpass the furniture section.

Since 1989 when Ameki Color was added to the initial furniture section, the paint plant

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has grown to become Rwanda’s leading paint maker, serving over 50% of the local market and exporting to the neighbouring countries high-quality and long-lasting varieties of water and oil based paints for different purposes.

Today, Ameki brand, which has head quarters in the Gikondo Industrial Park, in Kigali, has four operational sections which include Ameki Color, Ameki Meubles (Furniture), Ameki Polyester & Plastic and Ameki Real Estate.

Ameki Color Ameki Color is the largest manufacturing section of the Ameki brand, generating the biggest share of the company’s turnover.

Through Ameki Color, the company manufactures a wide range of water and oil based paints and it also has a section

that assembles aluminium tins which carry the finished paints ready for the market.

The plant currently produces various paints including matt emulsion paint, pure acrylic emulsion paints (weather guard), wall master paints for exterior, silk vinyl emulsion paints for interior, high resistant floor paints (Epoxy), non-priming roofing paints, hightraffic road marking paints, office and wood glue, and window putty.

Ameki Meubles (Furniture) Ameki Meubles is the second largest section at Ameki brand, specialising in both wood and metallic furniture products all made locally and sold to the local market. The furniture section has modern equipment that produces high-quality and visually attractive furniture products suitable for home, office and business use.

Ameki Polyester This section was set up in 1996 along with Ameki Plastic and it deals with manufacturing of water tanks out of polyester materials. Ameki Water Tanks have capacity to with-stand high temperature and atmospheric pressure and are rust resistant. There is also Ameki Plastic which manufactures various plastic materials including paint plastic containers.

Ameki Real Estate Real estate development is one of the highly profitable businesses in Rwanda because of the acute shortage of quality housing units in Kigali. Rusirare has therefore spotted yet another opportunity to expand his business and at the same offer a lasting solution to the quality housing shortage in Africa’s fastest rising city. He is currently focused on construction of a housing estate in Kigali.

Sample houses have been constructed and they are magnificent. The next phase will see full construction services commence.

Distribution network Ameki has one of the largest distribution networks in Rwanda comprising of 490

dealers across all provinces of Rwanda and Kigali City. It also exports paints to Burundi, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and it is still exploring the possibilities of penetrating other markets in the East African Community. The company employs over 300 people and it continues to search for highly skilled technical employees in order to continue producing the best quality with innovations to meet the demand and taste of the existing and future clients.

At Ameki, we believe in Quality and Professionalism and that’s why our products continue to lead the market.

As part of our corporate social responsibility, Ameki supports a wide range of activities and initiatives including sports, support to the genocide orphans, support to the construction of genocide memorial sites, women associations, rotary club, construction of schools and financial support to the families residing in high-risk zones for them to get alternative homes.

Ameki is also one of the tax compliant companies in Rwanda and it has for several occasions received recognition from Rwanda Revenue Authority (RR A) for being an exemplary taxpayer.

Parc Industriel de Gikondo P.O. Box: 1162 Kigali Tel: +2502500257 Email: info@amekicolor.com www.amekicolor.com

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Segen AFRIKA LLC

Ir. Ntahokaja Nick Bertrand, Chief Executive Officer

Segen Afrika LLC is a multinational distributor of agricultural products and machinery, solar energy products, pharmaceutical goods, cleaning agents, military items and machinery for mining.

We represent some big European companies like Agile Europe, BGM group, Evertile and CONTECHIN. The company has presence in Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and other countries in East and Central Africa.

Contact: Rwanda Tel: +250 782 018704 or +250 788 305347 UK Tel: +44 7031982434 Email: ntahokaja4@gmail.com www.agile-europe.com www.bgm.cz www.czub.cz www.evertile.net

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AGL solar power solutions bring reliable, safe and free power to houses, schools, irrigation systems, street lighting and various industries.

Thousands of telecom towers are powered with our solar power systems, three harvests a year are allowed due to pumps driven by the same system and village markets may be opened hours after sunset.

Hassle-free, minimum maintenance, European quality.

Segen AFRIKA LLC

B.G.M. Export , a.s.

Our products Includes; Breweries, Mini-breweries, Bottling, Dairies, Distillers, Plate filters, Sugar Factories, Industrial boilers, Energy and others.

Mini Brewery for pub or restaurant, hotel, capacity 5 HL, 10 HL for brewing of several type of beer incl. Pilsner type of beer, brewhouse jacketing in copper or stainless steel

Press of oil seed as well as sunflower seed, oilrape seed, jatropha seed, sesame seed, soybeans – COLD PRESS

Small distillery – pot still, capacity 100-500 L (100% ethanol)/day for production of fruit alcohol, whisky, brandy etc. The distillery may proceed any raw material with higher content of sugar like fruits and molasses, sugar cane.... Output is potable alcohol for bottling.

Hydraulic plate press filter for liquid filtration as well as edible oil, wine, spirit, liquors, beer, syrup etc. Press oil and press filter are main parts of a simple line for proceeding oily seeds to edible oil. Proceeded oily seeds are rape, sunflower, soya beans. Other oily seeds have to be tested first.

Safe type WB for built into the wall for safekeeping of documents and valuables Safes production by WICO B.G.M., a.s. includes single casing and double casing furniture safe, wall safes and deposit safes, some of them with certificates.

Vibration separator, capacity 5-50m3/hour for separation of grain, bulk feed mixtures and granules

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Segen AFRIKA LLC Modern Roofing Systems

Modern roof coverings are designed for the needs of the 21st century consumer.

Modern Roofing Systems products are designed based on aesthetic values of traditional architecture, but using the latest materials and technology.

Modern technology, traditional appearance, lightness and quality of materials, surface resistance and attention to detail, development, knowledge of practices and inventiveness – these are the values and tools of MRS.

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MRS offers two types of surface finish and two alternative profiles – all of which are available in more than twenty colour variations.

Roofs are made up of more than tiles – they also include many details and technical elements. A fully integrated appearance is just as important as a roof that functions correctly. The system of accessories and equipment for EVERTILE, COPPO, EVERTECH G2 and EVEGLAZE coverings is one of the best on the market, and is continually being perfected and developed.

Segen AFRIKA LLC

CONTECHIN is a company supplying engineering technologies from The Czech Republic.

Our main fields of interest are supplies of technological units for biomass processing focused on producing electrical energy and

heat, technologies for mineral resources processing, technologies for clean and waste water treatment together with irrigation and lastly breweries and microbreweries. Thanks to a high quality engineering we are able to design tailored projects for our customers and perfectly meet all their requirements. Outside

of engineering we also offer professional consulting for companies and businesses.

Czech industry is one of the world leaders and we strongly believe that Czech invention connected with professionality, flexibility and international experience is a recipe for future success.

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STRAWTEC Made in Rwanda.

STRAWTEC® has a unique concept to establish local, self-sufficient manufacturing facilities to produce robust strawboard panels, which then serve as the primary building material for mass-housing and commercial construction projects. A STRAWTEC® production facility uses innovative, easy-to-manage technology, local labour and locally grown, natural, renewable resources.

Benefits to Rwanda • Reduction of trade deficit: Construction costs in Rwanda are high, with most building materials currently being imported (i.e. cement, gypsum board).

Import substitution and strong export potential will lead to an improved balance of trade for Rwanda.

With the high demand for flexible, affordable building solutions and the availability of wheat straw in the area, Rwanda is the ideal location for the introduction of STRAWTEC® technology into the East African Community.

• Creation of local jobs: STRAWTEC® creates new employment in farming and transport, in addition to a significant number of news jobs at the manufacturing plant

STRAWTEC® is supported by an agreement with Rwandan wheat cooperatives and the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) to ensure effective supply-chain management of wheat straw to the production facility.

• Skills development / Vocational training: STRAWTEC® has partnered with the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), Ministry of Education (MINEDU) and the German Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

The goal of the partnership is to develop and implement a curriculum for STRAWTEC® construction methods via accredited modular training units and Industrial Attachment Programs.

Principal of Nyanza Technical School and Chairman of STRAWTEC® agree partnership

Training will be offered initially at the STRAWTEC® Training Centre within Nyanza Technical School, and subsequently rolled out to other technical schools across Rwanda, to meet the anticipated demand for construction workers that can build with STRAWTEC®.

• Additional income for local farmers: The STRAWTEC® manufacturing process creates a market for wheat straw, thereby providing an additional source of income for wheat farmers

STRAWTEC® representatives with Rwandan wheat farmers • Development of community initiatives: Together with Fischer Architects, STRAWTEC® donated STRAWTEC® panels, light weight metal profiles, design and structural engineering for Muzanse primary school.

The City of Kigali and STRAWTEC® have joined forces to provide a semi-public forum in Kigali for workshops, exhibitions and events to showcase innovative green building and architectural concepts.

The forum shall provide an environment for the exchange of ideas, education and information combining the private sector with public

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events.

Housing Solutions STRAWTEC® supplies complete housing solutions with a focus on medium to large-scale neighbourhood developments. STRAWTEC® standardised, pre-fabricated housing kits can be delivered and assembled at high speed, providing a cost-effective yet high-quality solution.

and Peter Rich Architects in order to be in a position to deliver turnkey developments. With extensive experience in delivering large-scale residential projects, Mace Group is the responsible project management partner for mass-housing projects, Peter Rich Architects develops the master plans and Fischer Architects are responsible for the development and design of the required housing typologies.

STRAWTEC® has partnered with Mace Group, Fischer Architects

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Commercial Solutions Commercial construction is a key area for STRAWTEC® wall partitioning solutions, which do not require a framework and can therefore be constructed up to three times faster than traditional partitioning walls. Pre-cut wall modules allow for optimum construction rates and are therefore a highly economical alternative for contractors.

In addition STRAWTEC® has developed construction techniques enabling buildings to be made solely with STRAWTEC® panels.

Construction of the first two-storey office building in Rwanda made entirely from STRAWTEC® panels is planned to start in 2014.

Single and two-storey detached housing

Year to be completed: 2014 Size: 500m2 Time to build: 12 weeks The first STRAWTEC® office building in Rwanda Year completed: 2000 Size: 3000m2 Time to build: 11 weeks Strawboard panels were used for internal partitioning and cladding of steel-frame external walls Apartment buildings Typologies STRAWTEC® has designed specific row houses and apartment building to be in line with the 2012 EU-financed Rwanda Housing Market Study, allowing for higher density as required by the Kigali City Master Plan.

Row housing

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Education solutions STRAWTEC® is the ideal choice to deliver school buildings; the speed of construction is a real advantage, the sound-proofing qualities are ideal for a school environment and STRAWTEC® provides excellent acoustic properties within the classrooms.

The first STRAWTEC® prototype TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) school will be supported by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and built on the site of the Nyanza Technical School in 2014.

In co-operation with the Partnership Rhineland-Palatinate/ Rwanda, a German NGO, STRAWTEC® is developing a primary school solution and will build a model primary school in the Muzanse District in 2014.

Construction Solutions STRAWTEC® has carried out extensive research and development into construction applications of strawboard. With the specific aim of developing complete housing and commercial structures made from STRAWTEC® for emerging markets, STRAWTEC® has collaborated with Bauhaus University in Weimar, the Weimar Institute of Applied Construction Research, Professor Dr.-Ing. Holger Techen of the University of Applied Science in Frankfurt and the Ethiopian Institute of Architecture (EiABC).

STRAWTEC® is now in a position to serve the large demand in these emerging markets with workable, affordable construction solutions.

Structural Solutions • STRAWTEC® Monolithic - Superstructure built using STRAWTEC® panels only; • STRAWTEC® + Wooden Frame Superstructure built using STRAWTEC® panels + Wooden Frame; • STRAWTEC® + Lightweight Metal Profiles - Pre-fabricated sections Complete superstructure up to G+3; • STRAWTEC® + reinforced concrete framework - Complete superstructure G+4 and above.

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Partitioning Solutions Traditional partitions from cement block or gypsum board can easily be substituted with STRAWTEC® wall modules, resulting in construction time savings, reduced costs and higher performance.

Floor-to-ceiling STRAWTEC® modules can be delivered on site, according to required performance criteria (ie. sound-proofing, fire-proofing).

Sustainable STRAWTEC® has an negative Carbon footprint, is 100% recyclable and biodegradable. STRAWTEC® already fulfils the future requirements for sustainable, energy-efficient, healthy building materials.

STRAWTEC® technology combines heat and compression in a dry extrusion process that allows the natural adhesives contained within agricultural fibres to bind the fibres to form a continuous high-quality strawboard panel. High strength recycled paper is used to seal the strawboard panels and to give a finish-ready surface.

Sustainable Emerging City Unit (STRAWTEC® SECU) Research Project in Africa STRAWTEC® participated in the research project ’Welcome to Africa’ in partnership with the Bauhaus University Weimar and the Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building Construction and City Development (EiABC) at the University of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The outcome of the project was the construction of the STRAWTEC® Sustainable Emerging City Unit (SECU) on the university campus in Addis Ababa, a two-storey building which now serves as a university guest house.

Production Technology International demand for flexible and affordable construction requires an entirely new intellectual approach and highly-efficient building technologies. Connected with this is a need to apply and maintain these technologies as simply as possible; only then do they have the potential to function all over the world.

Introducing STRAWTEC® - the cleantech production technology to manufacture highly-efficient, sustainable building solutions.

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The manufacturing process produces zero toxic waste, is completely non-hazardous and requires very low energy input. No water or gas is needed. Although wheat straw is the preferred primary raw material, the STRAWTEC® panel has been successfully manufactured from a variety of cereal straws and grasses in a wide range of climates throughout the world. These agricultural waste fibres are typically burned for disposal, a process that releases harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.

Tests and Standards Strawboard panels have been tested extensively and meet international standards: • UK: British Standard BS 4046 • Germany: DIN 4103 • France: CSTB • USA: ASTM High Performance STRAWTEC® panels are extremely robust and have an impressive combination of physical properties including: • a very high strength to weight ratio; • excellent thermal insulation and heat storage capacity; • excellent sound insulation and acoustic properties; • superior fire resistance up to 90 minutes; • high resistance to mould and pest infestation; • load-bearing capacity up to 80kg per screw.

term integration and alignment with the TVET curriculum and training of trainers is secured.

World Award for Sustainable Energy 3.000m2 Office Building, Technology Park Paderborn, Germany constructed 2000 Planning & Design: Universität Paderborn

LEED® GOLD certification: National Resource Defence Council Office, Washington DC, USA, constructed 1996 Architects: Henry Cobb

Exemplary - perfect after 45 Years: Gruga Convention Center Essen, Germany, constructed 1965 7.000m2 roof structure from strawboard Architects: Brockmann & Lichtenhahn

The partnership is partially financed within the framework of the develoPPP.de program, which was set up by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to foster the involvement of the private sector at the point where business opportunities and development policy initiatives intersect.

Through the develoPPP.de program, BMZ provides companies investing in developing and emerging countries with financial and, if required, also professional support.

Rwanda represented at Shelter Afrique 33rd AGM & Symposium Rwanda was represented at the 33rd Shelter Afrique AGM and symposium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The main theme of this year’s event was Alternative Building Technologies (ABTs) and Construction Methods, and their potential to accelerate the supply of new affordable housing in Africa.

As a key promoter of strawboard ABT, Mr. Eckardt Dauck, Chairman of STRAWTEC Building Solutions Ltd, was invited by Shelter Afrique to be a speaker and exhibitor at this event. Mr. Dauck took this opportunity to explain STRAWTEC’s unique approach to integrated mass housing in Africa, and to give an insight into STRAWTEC’s presence in Rwanda as a case study.

STRAWTEC and Fischer launch partnership with GIZ Rwanda An innovative development partnership was launched in Rwanda between STRAWTEC Building Solutions, Fischer Architekten and GIZ. The primary objectives of the partnership are to improve capacities in the Rwandan construction sector, to develop sustainable construction systems using STRAWTEC’s low carbon building panels and to promote green building materials within Rwanda and neighbouring countries.

assessment guidelines will be developed in close cooperation with the Workforce Development Agency and the Institution of Engineers.

The immense housing programs planned by the Rwandan Government depend on a broad approach to capacity building, for which an approved standard is a prerequisite. The new partnership addresses this challenge head-on by developing a qualified workforce that is competent to work with STRAWTEC building panels; not only for masonry trades, but also for electricians and plumbers.

Capacity Building of local farmers and Operators of Mechanisation Centres is also a key component of the partnership.

STRAWTEC’s resident agronomist will host group training sessions during the coming weeks on the required harvesting, baling and storage techniques for wheat straw, to enable farmers to deliver the primary raw material to STRAWTEC’s manufacturing plant in the Kigali Economic Zone.

Graduates and trainers of the Nyanza Technical School, trainers of the Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre in Kigali and professional craftsmen will receive onthe-job training and formal certification for construction with STRAWTEC panels. A long-term further training module including

With its EcoEmploi program, GIZ cooperates with all the relevant partners that have major impact on the partnership project; it has a strong focus on Skills Development at TVET schools, and the program also addresses Business Development Service providers.

Through co-operation with GIZ, the long-

In addition, Fischer Architekten will host guest-lectures and seminars in Kigali in order to introduce architects, developers, engineers, and city planners to their holistic concepts and the practical applications and construction techniques for STRAWTEC solutions.

Together with his co-speaker, Mr. Andrew Gill of Mace International Ltd, Mr. Dauck presented a fully-integrated solution for delivering mass housing projects, with local manufacturing benefitting the host-country, adaptable typologies and designs, and full programme and project management capabilities.

During the presentation, Mr. Dauck highlighted Rwanda’s positive investment environment, the government’s approach to ABTs and the productive, on-going support that STRAWTEC has received from many government officials and the private sector in Rwanda. STRAWTEC has now acquired a plot within Kigali’s Special Economic Zone on which to build its manufacturing facility and will be fully operational in early 2015.

Shelter Afrique is a partnership of 44 African governments, the African Development Bank and Africa-Reinsurance and representatives from all partners were present at the AGM and symposium last week. The Honourable Prime Minister of Ivory Coast, Mr Daniel Kablan Duncan and the Minister of Construction, Housing, Sanitation and Urbanisation, Mr Amon Tanoh, spent some time with Mr. Dauck at the exhibition stand, and gave positive feedback on STRAWTEC’s business model STRAWTEC Building Solutions Ltd Kigali City Tower • Avenue du Commerce P.O. Box 6428 • Kigali / Rwanda Tel: +250 (0) 786 486 844 Email: info@strawtec.com www.strawtec.com

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CHAPTER 10 Energy, Water and Sanitation

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Energy, Water and Sanitation Authority Rwanda’s energy sector: current status, planned growth and investment opportunities

Introduction Rwanda’s economy has grown at an annual average rate of 8.2% over the past 2-3 years and government is targeting to achieve 11.5% annual average growth over the EDPRS II period (2013-2017). Rwanda’s second Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS II) enshrined in four thematic areas, aims at achieving rapid economic growth, rural development, productivity & youth employment, and accountable governance. Access to affordable and modern sources of energy is essential to the achievement of the above development objectives.

The current status and planned growth trend of Rwanda’s energy sector by 2017 Presently, 85% of the overall primary energy consumption in Rwanda is from biomass, 11% from petroleum products and a meagre 4% from electricity. The annual average per capita consumption of electricity in the developing world is 1,155 kWh compared to 10,198 kWh in high income countries.

Sub-Saharan Africa averages 457 kWh, and that figure falls to 124 kWh if South Africa is excluded. In Rwanda the per capita energy consumption is only 41 kWh which explains the overdependence on wood-fuel.

However, with a more prudent energy mix including peat, geothermal, hydro, solar, methane gas and increased use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), biogas and improved

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cook stoves, the above over dependence on Biomass is expected to fundamentally reduce to 55% by 2017.

The country’s installed capacity has increased tremendously over the last two decades from 25 MW in 1994 to the current 110.8 MW. The national electricity generation mix is currently composed of mostly hydro (53%), thermal (46%) with a small percentage from methane and Solar. The high cost of fuel consumption estimated at $40-million annually has made government electricity subsidies inevitable to keep electricity tariffs in Rwanda in a comparable range to the retail tariff of US$0.12 – US$0.18 in the region.

The planned generation mix comprised mainly of peat (200 MW), methane (additional 100 MW), hydro (additional 63 MW), geothermal (90 MW) and solar (18.5 MW), will require investment capital estimated at US $1.8-billion over the next four years.

Although the electricity access level in Rwanda is still low compared to Africa’s and sub-Saharan Africa’s average access rates of 40% and 31% respectively, the country’s electricity access rate has more than tripled to 16% from 5% in 2005. With the Electricity Access Rollout Programme (EARP) under implementation since 2009 with the support of several development partners, coupled with increased generation, access is expected to increase to 70% by 2017.

To achieve this, Rwanda will explore both on-grid and off-grid solutions ranging from solar home systems to small off-grid hydro installations. A global estimated investment capital of $2.8-billion is required to achieve the planned generation (Minimum 563 MW) & 70% access by 2017. It is critical to note here that $1.3-billion of the above global required capital investment is expected to come from private investments in the energy sector and the rest will be public investment.

With a more balanced generation mix, Rwanda plans to phase out thermal generation by 2015/2016. According to the final draft Energy Sector Strategic Plan (2013-2017), the generation roadmap over the same period could see Rwanda generate a maximum of 610 MW or minimum expected generation of 563 MW by 2017.

Rwanda’s membership into the Eastern African Power Pool (EAPP) as well as the three (3) regional hydro projects i.e. Rusumo (80 MW), Rusizi III (137 MW) and Rusizi IV (287 MW) will also boost Rwanda’s energy sector providing the supply and reserve energy to cater for the expected double digit annual economic growth.

Three major challenges facing the energy sector are the demand-supply balance, inadequate financing and expensive thermal power. The power demand is almost equal to the available capacity which leaves hardly any reserve margin. An additional 80 MW is expected to

EWSA HAS BEEN SPLIT INTO TWO COMPANIES KNOWN AS WATER AND SANITATION CORPORATION (WASAC) and RWANDA ENERGY GROUP (REG), WATCH OUT FOR OUR NEXT EDITION FOR FULL DETAILS.

be installed onto the grid by June 2014.

The Government of Rwanda through Rwanda Development Board (RDB) is mobilising local and foreign private investors to invest into the sector to supplement public investments.

Investment opportunities in Rwanda’s energy sector Rwanda’s energy sector boasts of a great deal of untapped resources for power generation. Potentials include: • Hydro power: Hydro currently constitutes the largest source of energy and is expected to remain a major source for a foreseeable future. Available hydropower potential from local sites is estimated at 100 MW. Feasibility Studies for more than 60 micro hydro sites are in advanced stages of completion. Investment opportunities exist for some regional hydro projects expected to come on stream before 2025.

• Methane Gas: The methane in Lake Kivu is estimated to be sufficient to generate 700 MW of electricity over a period of 55 years. Currently a 5 MW pilot plant is under construction by a local company and another 25 MW by an international investor. A short-term potential investment opportunity exists for an additional 75 MW of power from methane.

• Geothermal energy: Geothermal energy in Rwanda’s volcanic area of the Northern

Province and the Western Province is estimated to have a generation capacity of between 170 MW and 320 MW respectively. Exploratory drilling is currently underway and will lead to a 10 MW pilot plant at the Karisimbi prospect. After proving the resource, investment opportunities will be open for two more prospects at Gisenyi and Kinigi.

• Peat: The theoretical potential for electricity energy generation from peat is estimated to be at least 400 MW. Rwanda plans to develop its peat resources to generate about 200 MW of power by 2017. Three projects are on the right track to implementation i.e. the government funded Gihoma (15 MW) peat plant, 100 MW IPP by a Turkish investor as 100 MW IPP by an Indian investor • Solar energy: With a potential of 4.5 kWh per m2 per day and approximately five peak sun hours, solar energy has a huge potentiality in Rwanda. The country has already engaged into solar solutions as a lighting substitute for remote areas for ICT in schools, clinics and hospitals. Solar water heaters could be used for water heating to reduce the consumption of electricity in hospitality, clinics, hospitals and catering services and households. There is currently an investment potential to construct a 10 MW Solar PV Plant (IPP) at Kayonza in the Eastern Province.

More details on Rwanda’s energy sector can be accessed on the websites below: Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA): www.mininfra.gov.rw Energy, Water and Sanitation Authority (EWSA): www.ewsa.rw Rwanda Development Board (RDB): www.rdb.rw FOR MORE INFORMATION: Deputy Director General in Charge of Energy: Mr. Robert NYAMVUMBA Tel: +250 788 307108 Email: rnyamvumba@ewsa.rw Head of EWSA Investment Unit: Mr Ronny CARBONELL Tel: +250 784 405840 Email: rcarbonell@ewsa.rw

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CHAPTER 11 Logistics, Automotive and Industries

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Kenya Ports Authority Biggest regional port poised for growth.

Since it was first developed during British colonial rule in the late 19th Century, the Port of Mombasa has remained the main gateway for Kenya’s international trade.

The Port is run by the Kenya Ports Authority, which was established on 20 January 1978 through an Act of Parliament.

It is also a key boost to Kenya’s tourism industry whose abundant wildlife and scenery are easily accessible through air or by road.

The Port’s proximity to the Moi International Airport makes it convenient to cruise liner passengers who wish to disembark and head back home by air, as well as those who come by air to board cruise liners at Mombasa. As Kenya’s biggest and busiest seaport, Mombasa is the doorway to a vast hinterland where people depend on agriculture for their

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livelihood. It serves Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Southern Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia and Northern Tanzania and has regional offices in Uganda, and now Rwanda and Burundi.

The Port is a superb natural harbour with a first-class shelter and deepwater berths for larger vessels such as bulk carriers, container ships, motor vehicle carriers and luxury cruise ships.

With a history spanning many centuries, including when dhows called on the north side of Mombasa Island, Mombasa is today the premier port of call in the East and Central Africa region handling about 22.31 million tonnes of cargo in 2013 with imports of 19.15 million tonnes – of which 6.85 million tonnes were imports in transit to neighbouring countries.

PORT SERVICES For those in trade – the particular transshipment consignments – the Port offers a broad range of shipping services to key destinations around the world. The Port’s major markets encompass Western Europe, Asia, the Far East, America and the rest of Africa.

The Port also provides anchorage and storage for regular feeder services between Mombasa and Dar es Salaam, Durban, Mogadishu, Djibouti and Dubai. It is the best connected Port of call in the East Africa region after Durban, with about 35 shipping lines calling and direct connectivity to over 80 seaports.

Container services are provided entirely by liner vessels, while other types of cargo are carried by a mixture of liner and RORO (Roll-on/Roll-off) vessels. It is efficiently

vessels to call.

The implementation of an integrated security system that has improved security and safety of the port is also complete.

The Authority has subsequently upgraded its ICT infrastructure by acquiring new high memory servers for faster documentation and information management. The Authority is continuing to work closely with other stakeholders to facilitate the implementation of the National Single Window System that will provide a common platform to all stakeholders. The ultimate goal is to achieve an e-port status.

equipped to handle a wide range of cargo, including dry bulks such as grain, fertilizer, cement, soda ash and liquid bulks such as crude oil and oil products, as well as bagged products (coffee, tea, sugar, etc.), break bulks (iron and steel, timber), motor vehicles, machinery and containerised cargo.

PORT DEVELOPMENTS Additional Berth No.19 The Authority is also undertaking various measures to contain growing traffic.

The construction of Berth No 19 to accommodate three standard size container ships is complete and MV Cairo Mv. Maersk Cairo, the widest ever container vessel to call at the port, set the new record at the recently commissioned berth No.19.

The special WAF MAX class vessel designed for African Sea ports was on her

maiden call and is 37.5 metres wide with a draft of 13 metres. She has a capacity of 4350 TEUs. In addition, the conversion of berths 11-14 into container handling facilities is underway.

2nd Container Terminal The detailed designs and pre-qualification of firms to construct the second container terminal west of Kipevu Oil Terminal (KOT) has been completed. The first phase, which involves the construction of two berths for Post-Panamax and Panamax container ships of 60,000 DWT and 20,000 DWT respectively, is expected to be completed by 2015.

Dredging and widening of the port channel and turning basin to a depth of 15 metres was completed. This has increased the port’s competitiveness by allowing larger

Equipment To ensure equipment reliability and port efficiency, the Authority has continued making substantial investments in equipment modernisation. To date, the Port of Mombasa has 31 Gantry container cranes, 5 Mobile cranes, 5 Travelling cranes, 2 Electric Overhead Travelling cranes,19 Reach stackers, 95 Terminal Tractors,3 Berthing tug boats,5 Pilot Boats, 4 Mooring boats, 1 Police Boat and 2 Speed Boats.

To further improve on service delivery, the Authority is in the process of establishing a one-stop centre for conventional cargo operations while the obsolete Portal Cranes will be replaced with Mobile Harbour Cranes.

To enhance efficiency, the port has roundthe-clock working schedules, a system interfaced with Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) systems, enabling flawless movement of crucial documents between the two institutions.

There is also a Container Freight Stations (CFSs) component where customers using CFSs can execute documents online. This is a brilliant IT system that helps in relieving saturated container terminals through smooth flow of information on container movement.

In line with the new vision ‘Worldclass seaports of choice’, KPA ensures operational excellence and endeavours to provide quality services that exceed customer satisfaction.

For more information; visit our office or call us on: Kenya Ports Authority Kigali Liaison Office Grand Pension Plaza – 6th Floor Avenue de la Paix KN 3 AV P.O. BOX 1613 Kigali, Rwanda Tel (Landline): +250 255 11 99 99/ 91 34 (Mobile): +250 735 401 198 Email: kigaliliaison@kpa.co.ke www.kpa.co.ke Growing Business, Enriching lives

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Akagera Business Group

In 1997, Akagera Business Group (ABG) was born in Kigali, Rwanda and diversified into nine different divisions: automobiles, consumer goods, media, tires-batteries-lubricants, electronics, construction, car rentals, paints & hardware, and office mation.

Akagera Business Group employs 200 plus employees throughout the nine divisions. As a corporation including all nine divisions, Akagera Business Group has an annual turnover of $45,000,000 USD.

Toyota Ever since Toyota was founded, it has sought to contribute to a more prosperous society through the manufacturing of automobiles, operating its business with a focus on vehicle production and sales.

Toyota is striving to develop automobiles that meet the needs of our customers while at the same time achieving an optimal balance between consideration for the environment, safety, drivability, comfort and reliability. The Toyota brand is ranked among the highest in the world and was featured in Superbrand East Africa’s top ten brands in the region.

Sales Showroom Established in 1997, Akagera Motors carries four major brands of automobiles: Toyota, Mahindra & Mahindra, Ashok Leyland and Hino. Akagera Motors is the official exclusive distributor for Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) Japan, Mahindra & Mahindra, Ashok Leyland and Hino for the entire territory of Rwanda.

B.P, 3774, Avenue de la Gatsata, Kigali, Rwanda | Tel: +252 573835/36/37 | Email: info@abgafrica.com | Website: www.abgafrica.com 160 |

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Mahindra Mahindra produces SUVs, saloon cars, pickups, commercial vehicles, two wheeled motorcycles and tractors. Mahindra manufactures over 20 models of cars including larger, multi-utility vehicles like the Scorpio and the Bolero.

Parts Akagera Motors Parts Department has over 10,000 parts stocked at all times to service and modify Toyota, Mahindra, Ashok Leyland and Hino vehicles. Brands that we carry in our Parts Department are Toyota OEM Genuine Parts, Mahindra & Mahindra OEM parts, Ashok Leyland OEM parts, Hino OEM parts, Sunlube lubricants, Yokohama tires, Yana tires, Maxtrack tires, Wanli tires, U-POL, Chloride Exide batteries, Bosch batteries, TJM 4X4 accessories, King Tony tools, and more.

Ashok Leyland Ashok Leyland is the second largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, manufacturing tipper trucks, buses, emergency vehicles and military vehicles.

Ashok Leyland primarily concentrates on the 16 ton to 25 ton range of tipper trucks.

However, Ashok Leyland has a presence in the entire tipper truck range starting from 7.5 tons to 49 tons.

Service Workshop Akagera Motors offers a wide range of services for Toyota, Mahindra, Ashok Leyland, Hino and other vehicles upon request. The Service Workshop has an average turnover rate of 650 vehicles per month. Repairs in the workshop range from engines, transmissions, gearboxes, differentials and any rebuild for a vehicle.

The Service Workshop at Akagera Motors

also offers custom vehicle conversions, fabrication, upholstery, bodywork, paint, wheels, tires, alignment and a battery center.

A few custom vehicle conversions consist of: ambulances, cash vehicles, mobile toilets, canopy tops, police vehicles and communication vehicles. Collectively, the Service Workshop covers over 6,000 square meters at Akagera Motors.

B.P, 3774, Avenue de la Gatsata, Kigali, Rwanda | Tel: +252 573835/36/37 | Email: info@abgafrica.com | Website: www.abgafrica.com

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Yana Tires The Yana brand, officially launched in November 2005 in Nairobi, is Sameer Africa’s own brand that aims to be a pan-African tire brand. This brand is backed by leading tire technology and the local development and production is engineered to meet the challenging driving conditions in Africa.

Yana Tires’ technical capability has developed over 43 years of producing tires in Kenya, and the company is now able to produce a comprehensive range of tires to meet customers’ needs in Africa.

Established in 2008, Akagera Auto Zone is the sole distributor of Yana tires in Rwanda and supplies to a network of government organisations, non-government organisations, transport companies, institutions, fleet accounts, end consumers and more.

Akagera Paints & Hardware Established in 2006, Akagera Paints & Hardware is the exclusive distributor for Basco Paints and Dura Coat Paints in Rwanda. Basco Paints has continuously excelled in quality and eco-friendliness in regard to its products. Basco Paints’ responsibility towards a healthy environment and the people called for its introduction of Basco Paints Green eco-friendly paints in Rwanda. Basco Paints remains cost friendly and the quality is above expectations. Dura Coat Green Paints are certified from an independent lab overseas and the products are of international standards as they comply with the EU VOC Regulations 2010.

With a strong regional footprint in the paint market, Basco Paints’ founding pillars are built on: innovation, delivering quality, convenience, accessibility, affordability and superior customer service.

Our two key product ranges, Basco Paints and Dura Coat Paints, have led to our distinct image and successful expansion in the market. The brand continues to invest in innovation, research and development, as well as superior product selection and quality.

B.P, 3774, Avenue de la Gatsata, Kigali, Rwanda | Tel: +252 573835/36/37 | Email: info@abgafrica.com | Website: www.abgafrica.com 162 |

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Established in 2010, Akagera Electronics is the exclusive distributor for Samsung Consumer Electronics (CE) and Samsung Hand Held Phones (HHP) in Rwanda.

Akagera Electronics offers a range of products from televisions, home theater systems, home appliances, air conditioning systems, information technology systems, business-to-business solutions, tablets and mobile phones.

Samsung Electronics currently stands as one of the world’s largest vendors in the mobile phone and smartphone markets, fuelled by the popularity of its Samsung Galaxy line of devices. Samsung is also one of the largest vendors in the tablet computer

market, thanks to its Android-powered Samsung Galaxy Tab collection, and is regarded as pioneering the hand-held tablet market through the Samsung Galaxy Note family of devices.

In recent years, Samsung Electronics has expanded upon its manufacturing roots and diversified into consumer markets leading to an ever-increasing portfolio of products and revenue stream.

Samsung has been the world’s largest maker of LCD panels since 2002, the world’s largest television manufacturer since 2006, and the world’s largest manufacturer of mobile phones since 2011.

B.P, 3774, Avenue de la Gatsata, Kigali, Rwanda | Tel: +252 573835/36/37 | Email: info@abgafrica.com | Website: www.abgafrica.com

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Participators Index

Akagera Business Group ................................................................................................................ 160 Ameki Color ................................................................................................................................... 140 Bank of Kigali ............................................................................................................................... 106 Bourbon Coffee Ltd .......................................................................................................................... 72 BRALIRWA Ltd ............................................................................................................................... 120 Capital Market Authority ................................................................................................................. 110 Crystal Ventures Limited (CVL .................................................................... 72, 88, 124, 134, 136, 138 Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD ...................................................................................... 102, 114 East African Granite Industries ...................................................................................................... 138 Energy, Water and Sanitation Authority ........................................................................................... 154 Golden Circle ................................................................................................................................... 86 Hotel Chez Lando ............................................................................................................................. 67 Independent Institute Of Lay Adventists Of Kigali (Inilak .................................................................... 98 Inside Afrika, Kigali, Rwanda ........................................................................................................... 70 Intersec Security Company Ltd ........................................................................................................ 92 Inyange Industries Ltd ................................................................................................................... 124 Kenya Ports Authority ..................................................................................................................... 158 Kigali Serena Hotel ......................................................................................................................... 64 Kigali Soft Drinks ........................................................................................................................... 122 Kwibohara20 ................................................................................................................................. 58 Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM .......................................................................... 1, 4, 16, 87 NPD-COTRACO .............................................................................................................................. 136 Proudly African ..................................................................................................................... 3, 8, 168 Real Contractors Ltd ...................................................................................................................... 134 Rwandan Development Board (RDB ...................................................... 1, 6, 22, 54, 82, 100, 130, 0BC Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA) ............................................................................................ 80 Rwanda Education Board (REB) ...................................................................................................... 96 Rwanda Higher Education Council (HEC) ........................................................................................ 96 Rwanda International Trade Fair (RITF .............................................................................................. 88 RwandAir Ltd .................................................................................................................................. 74 Rwanda Stock Exchange ................................................................................................................ 112 Safintra Rwanda Limited ................................................................................................................ 132 Segen AFRIKA LLC ................................................................................................................ 142, 144 Soras Group Ltd ............................................................................................................................. 116 Sportsview Hotel Kigali .................................................................................................................... 68 STRAWTEC .................................................................................................................................. 146 Sulfo Rwanda Industries Ltd .......................................................................................................... 126 The Bramin Farm ........................................................................................................................... 123

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Why invest in Rwanda One Stop Concept: The Rwanda Development Board’s One Stop Centre enables company registration in just 6 hours Simplified licensing and permitting procedure: There is free online registration and access to all major doing business procedures Sustained high economic growth: An average 8% GDP year on year growth since 2004, currency appreciation, highest GDP growth among major African economies Robust Governance: Political stabillty, well functioning institutions, rule of law and zero tolerance to corruption Access to regional markets: 150 million people in the East African Community, 300 million people in COMESA Currency appreciation: Low inflation rate consistently remaining below 5%

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