Agaciro collections hit Rwf20 billion

Up to Rwf19.7 billion has been collected by the managers of Agaciro Development Fund (AgDF), one year after the fund was launched.

The initiative, which was launched in August last year, is Rwanda’s first sovereign fund, based on voluntary donations by Rwandans of different walks of life, towards the development of the country.

The collection mark was announced on Wednesday, by Vianney Kagabo, the fund’s director general, who said that the pledges are over Rwf26 billion.

Kagabo, who was yesterday receiving a contribution of Rwf2,661,000 from staff members of the MTN Rwanda call centre, said that they are still looking for a strategic sector  where the money will be invested in ventures that are beneficial to Rwandans.

“Although the projects (where to invest) have not been identified yet, we intend to invest the money in projects that contribute greatly to the development of the country,” he said on the sidelines of the event that took place at The Bank of Kigali headquarters in downtown Kigali.

At the event, James Onyango, the MTN Rwanda call centre head said the telecommunication company is aware of its corporate social responsibilities and focus to the development of this country.

“The largest number of our staff are students. We give them an opportunity to learn customer care values so that even after they graduate and decide to go elsewhere, they become responsible citizens,” he said.

“These youth sat down and told us they want to contribute to the development of the country through Agaciro, we are proud to see them sweat for the country at this young age.”

Kagabo commended MTN for their support  to the fund and said that the gesture shows how Rwandan youth are committed to the development of their country.

According to Bona Uwera, a graduate at Kigali Institute of Science and Technology, working at the call centre, contributing to this fund shows how dedicated Rwandans are to develop the country.

She said that if Rwandans don’t stand together to develop Rwanda, even donors will not be encouraged to help.

“We are one country and one people; it is our utmost responsibility to develop it,” Uwera said.

Agaciro is a Kinyarwanda word loosely translated to mean “dignity”.

Agaciro collections hit Rwf20 billion