EAC warned of climate change effects

REMA’s Ruhamya (C) speaks at the EAC meeting on Environment on Monday. The New Times/ J. Mbanda.

East African countries will continue to experience food insecurity if partner states continue to shun funding initiatives to mitigate climate change, an official from the East African Community (EAC) secretariat has warned.

Dr Nyamajeje Weggoro, the director for productive sectors at the EAC secretariat in Arusha, Tanzania, was speaking to The New Times on the sideline of a regional meeting on environment and natural resources, which opened in Kigali yesterday.

According to Weggolo, EAC member countries have resorted to importing food instead of identifying the root causes of food uncertainty, which he said are mainly tied to climate change.

“We do not take these things seriously and at the end we start importing food. States have not shown much interest in funding climate change mitigation projects,” he said.

The official observed that over dependence on imported food products not only increases the cost of living but also widens trade imbalance and deficit.

In 2011, Rwanda adopted the national strategy on climate change and low carbon development that was also part of a wider plan to control the increasing number of cars in Kigali City and other major towns, as well as addressing environmental concerns

The policy, if approved by the cabinet, is also expected to check the waste toxic fumes that contribute to climate change. 

Climate change can also be caused by human activities, such as burning of fossil fuels and the conversion of land for forestry and agriculture.

Coletha Ruhamya, the deputy director general of Rwanda Environment Management Authority, stressed that climate change problems cannot be discussed and mitigated by one country.

“What is needed is to join efforts in mitigating climate change and this is what we are doing at regional level. We are now looking at programmes and policies where we can join hands in fighting this problem for the benefit of our community,”

Food insecurity has recently hampered the region and Rwanda has since embarked on new policies to consolidate soil fertility with the aim of increasing production. 

The policies include land consolidation, crop intensification as well as providing fertilisers to farmers.

Late last year the Rwanda Agricultural Board indicated that 503,000 hectares or 63 per cent of Rwandan’s arable land was consolidated and the programme ensured that every farm accessed improved seeds and subsidised fertilisers.

Today the country’s national average of fertiliser use currently stands at 30 kg/ha/annum compared to 6 kg/ha in 2006, thanks to land consolidation initiatives and provision of extension services.

Meanwhile, the five-day meeting is expected to consider and draft the EAC climate change strategy and EAC climate change master plan.

Participants are expected to endorse the EAC disaster risk reduction and management strategy, as well as EAC water vision.

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African First Ladies mark 10 years of fighting HIV/AIDS

Mrs Kagame (R) watches as her counterparts cut a cake in Addis. The New Times/Courtesy.

The Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV/Aids (OAFLA) on Monday marked their 10-year anniversary of the fight against the virus.

The event, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopira, was graced by key OAFLA partners, including official from the UN Programme on HIV/Aids (UNAIDS). It was marked by a luncheon in which the First Ladies reviewed their achievements and shortcomings. 

The First Ladies shared experiences around the implementation of OAFLA activities in their respective countries and the need to broaden their mandate.

Based on their experience with HIV/Aids initiatives, the First Ladies agreed that the pandemic can be used as an entry point to better serve the current needs of vulnerable populace. Other key diseases mentioned that are of growing concern in Africa are obesity, cancer and diabetes.

The 10-year anniversary activities started on October 25 last year at the OAFLA Secretariat in Namibia.

Rwanda’s First Lady Jeanette Kagame’s efforts are visible on a national level. She has championed the fight against HIV/Aids even before OAFLA was formed through projects such as the Imbuto Foundation, 

which gained prominence over its concentrated effort to better the lives of hundreds of women, who had lost hope after the devastating effects of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.   

“Mrs Kagame has spearheaded the formation of programmes such as elimination of Mother to Child Transmission, and was at the forefront of catering for the needs of widows living with HIV/Aids,” a statement from Imbuto Foundation says.

Imbuto Foundation has contributed to medical insurance, establishing youth centres and the ‘Treat Every Child as Your Own Campaign’- adapted to Rwanda’s context as Malayika Murinzi.

This is a continuation of a campaign established by OAFLA members continent wide. It mainly focus on raising awareness among adults on children’s protection, especially against HIV/Aids.

The statement said Mrs Kagame continues to work hand-in-hand with government as a national priority to eliminate mother-to-child HIV transmission. 

Speaking at the Ethiopia luncheon, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe commended Rwanda’s efforts in fighting HIV/Aids.

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Remittance fees cost Africans billions

Africans living abroad could be sending more money back home if remittance fees were not too high, the World Bank says in a report.

The report indicates that African migrants could save up to $4b (Rwf2.5 trillion) annually only on remittance charges.

According to the report released this week, African migrants pay more to send money home than other migrant groups, therefore affecting their contribution to the development of their motherlands.

“Africa’s overseas workers, who sent close to $60b in remittances in 2012, pay more to send money home than any other migrant group,” the Bank says.

Through its ‘Send Money Africa Database’, the World Bank found that Sub-Saharan Africa is the most expensive region to send money to, with average remittance costs reaching 12.4 per cent in 2012.

The percentage is higher than global average of 8.9 per cent, and almost double the cost of sending money to South Asia, with the world’s lowest remittance fees at 6.5 per cent.

“Sending money back to Rwanda is a must; my children and wife need it, but it is a struggle considering the fees I am charged,” Peterson Nsengimana, an IT specialist in the United Arab Emirates, told The New Times by phone yesterday.

“The cheapest financial agencies charge $11 (Rwf6.950) for sending between $50 (Rwf31,500) and $100, and $21 for sending between $100 and $200. They charge around $25 for sending more than $200 and yet they do not accept sending more than $700 at once,” Nsengimana adds.

The World Bank proposes that bringing remittance prices down to 5 per cent, from the current 12.4 per cent, average cost would save more than $4b for Africa’s migrants and their families, who rely on remittances for survival.

The G8 and the G20 established 5 per cent as the target average remittance price by next year. 

“High transaction costs are cutting into remittances, which are a lifeline for millions of Africans,” said Gaiv Tata, the director of World Bank’s Africa Region and Financial Inclusion and Infrastructure Global Practice.

“Remittances play a critical role in helping households address immediate needs and also invest in the future, so bringing down remittance prices will have a significant impact on poverty.”

Expensive in Africa

The World Bank says remittance fees are even higher between African states. South Africa, Tanzania, and Ghana are the most expensive sending countries, with charges averaging 20.7 per cent, 19.7 per cent, and 19.0 per cent, respectively.

Western Union, one of the largest money transfer agencies operating in Rwanda, charges 16 per cent for sending $100 or less, $23 between $100 and $200 and $30 between $200 and $300.

“Governments should implement policies to open the remittances market up to competition,” said Massimo Cirasino, the manager of Financial Infrastructure and Remittances Service Line at the World Bank.

“Increased competition, as well as better informed consumers, can help bring down remittance prices,” he added.

The World Bank also says banks, which are the most expensive remittance service providers, are often the only channel available to African migrants.

“A regulatory environment that encourages competition among remittance service providers can help bring down fees. Migrant workers can also benefit from more transparent information on remittance services,” Send Money Africa said.

The Rwandan government projects remittances at $120m in 2013 and $130m in 2014.

“The government realised the evolving important role of Rwandan Diaspora in national development. This importance is envisaged in the diverse sectors such as education, health, private sector, development, trade and investment and knowledge transfers,” a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation reads in part.

The Rwandan Diaspora, through its umbrella, Rwanda Diaspora Global Network, initiated the “Bye Bye Nyakasti Project” through which they contributed funds for the construction of homes for poor families.

The community was also heavily involved in the ‘One Dollar Campaign’ that climaxed in the construction of Rwf800m complex in Kigali to shelter orphans of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

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Rwanda Optimistic Tea Grouping Will Boost Prices

The National Agricultural Export Board (NAEB) believes that joining a tea cartel with the world's largest tea producers will boost the price of tea on the international market and thus make the sector more lucrative.

This follows an announcement last week on the International Tea Producers Forum that the world's biggest tea producers, including Rwanda, agreed to join forces with the prospect of controlling global prices for the beverage.

The countries produce more than 50 per cent of the world's tea and include Colombo, Sri Lanka, India, Kenya and Indonesia.

Tea experts in the country suggest that the decision could have been forced by the constantly fluctuating price of tea on the international market.

The international price of tea is currently at US$2.9 per kilo, down from US$3 last month, and up from US$2.78 a year ago.

"Rwanda is a big tea producer and working with other tea producing countries will make it easier to monitor the international situation of tea, as well as introduce collective bargaining power for our produce," Jean Damascene Gasarabwe, Head of the Tea Production Division at NAEB, told The New Times.

"The reality of such is still a long way to go but it is a step in the right direction for the future of tea production."

The tea sector in Rwanda employs over 50,000 farmers who earn between Rwf123 and Rwf155 per kilo they sell to tea companies.

The volume of tea produced last year fell to 22,563 tonnes from 24,067 tonnes in 2011.

However, owing to relatively good prices last year, export revenues from tea increased from US $ 61.9 million in 2011, to US$65.7m in 2012.

Rwanda's tea has steadily acquired international acclaim and attracted a commendable amount of foreign direct investments, the most recent by Scotland's second richest man, Sir Ian Wood, who announced plans to inject £7.5 million in the sector.

"Sir Ian Wood bought the Shagasha Tea industry and owns 60 per cent of its shares. He intends to hand over his shares to the farmers after seven years at no cost, which is good news to the tea sector," " Daniel Ufitikirezi, the head of asset and business management at Rwanda Development Board (RDB) told The New Times.

"We have worked with Sir Wood before; he has sunk US$9 million so far and is expected to invest a further $7.5 million. Thirty per cent of the Shagasha shares are owned by farmers and 10 per cent by the government.

Sir Wood also owns 55 per cent of Mulindi Tea Factory with the rest of the shares owned by the farmers.

Government targets to collect US$83 million from an increased volume of 28,600 tonnes of tea exports.

Rwanda's tea sector consists of 11 factories and six tea projects with an average annual production of 23,000 metric tonnes of dry tea.

Another three tea factories, costing over US$20 million, are expected to be operational by 2014, as a venture between the government and private investors.

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Rwanda: National Electoral Commission Proposals Should Be Embraced

PROPOSALS aimed at introducing electoral reforms ahead of parliamentary polls are another milestone in consolidating the electoral gains so far achieved.

The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has submitted a list of proposals to streamline the electoral process. The aim is to help the Commission preside over credible and transparent elections. These electoral reforms are tailored for the common good of Rwandans and to consolidate the democratisation achievements so far registered.

One of the most important proposals is the sensitisation of the population on their electoral rights through civic education. While the right to vote is widely recognised as a fundamental human right, this right is not fully enforced for millions of people around the world.

In the current law, voter registration has been compulsory. If you are 18 years and above, it is a legal obligation meaning that 'if you don't follow it, the law will punish you? But the electoral commission wants to change that. The argument is that it is better to educate people to exercise their civil right rather than presenting it as if it's a law.

Civil rights are inherent. People, out of their conviction should attach great value to their vote. Their vote is a key to whether their needs will be met. It's their vote that will determine if they have the right leaders to address their needs and challenges. So sensitising them that voting or abstaining, greatly impacts on their well being is important. They will realise that without voting they are putting their lives and the future of their country at stake.

And voting starts with registration in order to be eligible to vote. These are essential tenets for a stable democracy and prosperity. There is no country that has achieved prosperity without stability. Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his/her country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.

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Indian investors here for business

High Commissioner Ray and Kayitesi during the Indian Investors meeting yesterday. The New Times/ T. Kisambira.

ELEVEN DELEGATES from seven companies based in Mumbai, India arrived in Rwanda to explore business opportunities and kick-start projects that they have already initiated in the country.

The representative of Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in India, Clarence Fernandes, told The New Times in an interview that the investors will spend a week visiting potential business areas, meeting other business partners, and training local agents.

“We are all coming with a definite fixed agenda. It’s not that we come and then see what we should do,” Fernandes said.

Seven companies are participating in the tour, including Microtechnologies India Limited, whose chairman and managing director, Dr. P. Sekhar, yesterday launched a book ‘Security Requirements of Rwanda – A global perspective’ about safeguarding security in various business fields in Rwanda. The Indian High Commissioner  to Rwanda, S.N Ray, was the guest of honour. 

Others are IP INFRA Limited whose director, Ignatius Pinto, and his consultant Bosco Tellis, will head to Southern Province’s Kibeho Catholic Pilgrimage where they plan to build lodges for pilgrims. Fortis Institute of Nursing’s Dr. Anita Collins will train nurses in Rwamagana and Byumba nursing schools.

Yesterday, two companies  – Terrafive Technologies, which provides mobile banking services and Seventh Wave Leisure, a tour company interested in tapping Rwanda’s tourism potential – registered to begin operations in the country.

 “Our company decided to begin operations here because of the obvious security in the country, as well as a positive business climate that has a variety of opportunities,” Rohan Pereira, the Chief Technology Officer of Terrafive Technologies, said

The investors are eyeing the sectors that are important in Rwanda’s drive towards a middle income economy as well as the poverty eradication strategy, according to Vivian Kaitesi, the Head of Investment Promotion and Implementation Unit at RDB.

“Government’s targets for the economy are ambitious and that is why credible investors are welcome to Rwanda,” Kaitesi said yesterday during a meeting with the Indian investors.

According to Fernandes, also a  member of the Indian Merchants’ Chamber, investments between Rwanda and India have been growing lately and he hopes to keep targeting those serious business owners who have tangible projects to start in the country.

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Kagame urges robust AU support for Mali

President Kagame addresses the AU assembly during the debate on the situation in Mali yesterday. The New Times/ Village Urugwiro.

President Paul Kagame has said the crisis in Mali is of concern to every African because it not only threatens the security and stability of the West African country, but also the entire region and beyond.

The President was, yesterday, speaking at the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“Africa cannot, and should not, fold its arms when terrorist and criminal groups are occupying over half the territory of a Member State, carrying out the most atrocious crimes against innocent civilians and destroying monuments that are of great significance to Africa’s heritage and civilisation,” Kagame said. 

The President called for total solidarity and unreserved support from the AU in order to solve the challenges facing Mali.

“It is about creating conditions for the speedy deployment of the African-led International Support Mission in Mali and sustaining its operations. AFISMA is needed more than ever before to help the Malian army complete the liberation of the northern part of the country.”

“And, in so doing, the Mission will assist in creating conducive conditions for a genuine political process that would see Malians of all walks of life sit together to develop a consensus on what they need to do collectively to sustain peace, ensure security and promote unity and reconciliation in their country.”

Funding proposal

President Kagame proposed that part of the funding, up to $50m for AFISMA and the Malian Defence and Security Forces be allocated from AU arrears contributions, the Peace Fund and assessed contributions, a provision reflected in the draft solemn declaration on Mali.

The Head of State cited several examples that illustrate Africa’s capability to address conflict.

“A few years ago, Comoros was seeking our help to restore its authority over Anjouan Island. We decided at an AU Summit in 2008 to mount an African force to provide the requested assistance. Sudan and Tanzania provided the troops, while other African countries contributed technical and financial support. We successfully carried out the operation, in spite of our limited means. Darfur in 2004 and Somalia since 2007, when Uganda and Burundi stepped in, are other examples of successful African endeavours, when odds seemed to be against us,” he said.

President Kagame said as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Rwanda would build on the decision taken by the AU on the draft solemn declaration on Mali to push forward a request for a UN support package funded through UN-assessed contributions.

The President said he had no doubt the Malian Head of State, Dioncounda Traor, was determined to preserve and strengthen Mali’s invaluable contribution to the advancement of our continent.

President Traore earlier briefed the summit on the situation in his country.

The Congo issue

At the sidelines of the AU sessions, President Kagame along with presidents Yoweri Museveni (Uganda) and Joseph Kabila (DR Congo) held talks with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to discuss the ongoing regional peace process on Congo.

The signing of the proposed UN framework for peace in DR  Congo, which Rwanda and several other states had agreed to, was postponed to allow more time to further review the document.

President Kagame also met separately with several dignitaries at the summit, including EU Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, UN General Assembly president, Vuk Jeremić, and Amb. Donald Yamamoto, the principal deputy assistant secretary for African affairs.

At an event organised by the African Leaders Malaria Alliance in which President Kagame was represented by foreign minister Louise Mushikiwabo, Rwanda received two awards for excellence in policy as well as impact and implementation in the fight against malaria.

To read President Kagame’s full remarks at the Debate on Mali,

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