The Nation Magazine Rwanda

ISSUE 002 | APRIL 2017

MAGAZINE

Rwanda’s economy Leadership bring real change

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PUBLISHER’S nOTE It is seven years now since President Paul Kagame made promises to the Rwandan people, i.e. “the big manifesto”.

Rwanda’s long journey towards national development is today being evidenced by on ground achievements.

It is true to note that the government of Rwanda does not work alone as an institution but engages the citizens and friends of Rwanda and international NGOs in the struggle to rebuild the country. It is time ripe enough for Rwandans to merge and celebrate the gains, the promises made to them

by His Excellency President Paul Kagame in his second mandate’s political campaign and on 6th September 2010 and show case how much of this has been attained.

This edition of The Nation Magazine will drive you through a series of interesting stories to allow you digest into Rwanda.

As you read through this issue, learn about how much Rwandans have achieved. See how it is the responsibility of both Government and the people to deliver as far as possible while speeding up implementation so as to ensure successful achievement of the set targets.

Have a nice reading!

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CON T EN T S Improving farmers’ living conditions, particularly to fight poverty

Spurring quality of Rwanda’s coffee, penetrating the world market

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Complete healthcare solutions brought into the access of all Rwandans

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coordination Thomas Kamali Editor Geoffrey Wakibi Photography The Nation Publication Design / Layout Denyse K. Uwera

Real estate impression, a signature of the latest developments in Kigali

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School of Dentistry (SoD) recognizing the World Oral Health Day

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uweradenyse@gmail.com (+250) 782 780 223 Published by The Nation Publication Ltd +250 788 627 452

© The Nation Publications Ltd April 2017

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Supporting government programs, steering development of the transport sector

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Introducing new high tech fire-explosion safety systems in Rwanda

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“The new rwanda is about building an economy that delivers prosperity and opportunity to our citizens based on a robust private sector.�

President Paul Kagame APRIL 2017 THE NATION MAGAZINE | 5

What you should know about Rwanda’s economy

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Rwanda is one of the fastest growing economies in Central Africa

BY GEOFFREY WAKIBI

T

he UN has designated 7 April, the start date of the 1994 Rwandan genocide against the Tutsi, in which 800,000 people were killed, as an annual day for the world to reflect on the unimaginable human suffering that took place over 100 days and in the aftermath.

More than two decades on, Rwanda’s economy, left in tatters following the genocide, has come a long way. Rwandans are generally living healthier and wealthier lives. But while poverty has fallen rapidly, more than 60% of the population still lives on less than $1.25 a day.

It is interesting to look at a few snapshots when one is trying to examine the state of Rwanda’s economy today:

Rapid growth Rwanda is one of the fastest growing economies in Central Africa, Rwanda notched up GDP growth of around 8% per year between 2001 and 2014.

The International Monetary Fund expects the economy to slow down this year and pick up in 2018, forecasting around 6% growth in 2016 compared with 6.9% last year.The IMF said Rwanda’s growth in 2015 was driven by construction, services, agriculture and manufacturing, but mining exports have slowed.

Poverty rates The country reduced the percentage of people living below the poverty line from 57% in 2005 to 45% in 2010. Despite this, 63% of the populaAPRIL 2017 THE NATION MAGAZINE | 7

tions still live in extreme poverty, defined by the World Bank as less than $1.25 a day.

Reducing inequality Life expectancy, literacy, primary school enrollment and spending on healthcare have all improved.

Rwanda has also made big strides towards gender equality – almost 64% of parliamentarians are women, compared to just 22% worldwide – which has enabled women in the country to make economic advances. Women are now able to own land and girls can inherit from their parents.

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Poverty reduced from 57% in 2005 to 45% in 2010

Country Women in parliament (%) 1. Rwanda

63.8

2. Bolivia

53.1

3. Cuba

48.9

4. Seychelles

43.8

Aid dependence

5. Sweden

43.6

Foreign aid to Rwanda increased significantly as the country began rebuilding itself after the genocide. A large chunk of government revenues – 30-40% of the budget – still comes from aid.

6. Senegal

42.7

7. South Africa

41.9

8. Ecuador

41.6

9. Finland

41.5

10. Iceland

41.3

The World Bank says Rwanda’s economy is vulnerable to fluctuations

Image: Inter-Parliamentary Union

in foreign aid – growth fell to 4.7% in 2013 after some donors withheld aid over allegations in a 2012 UN report that the government was backing rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

From a farming to a knowledge economy Currently around 83% of Rwanda’s population of 10.5 million lives in rural areas and more than 70% of the population still work in subsistence farming. But the government, led by President Paul Kagame, wants to change this.

In the long term, the government aims to transform Rwanda from a low-income agriculture-based economy to a knowledge-based, service-oriented economy with a middle-income status by 2020.

Image: IMF

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Spurring quality of Rwanda’s coffee, penetrating the world market

BY GEOFFREY WAKIBI

RWASHOSCCO is a farmer-owned marketing, exporting, and roasting company that brings together coffee farmers in six cooperatives from different parts of the country.

T

he company aims at providing key services to Small Holder coffee cooperatives in Rwanda to increase their production capacity and marketing and monitoring the quality of members’ coffee to meet the demands of the international market. All profits made from this company are distributed back to the farmers.

RWASHOSCCO has two income generating businesses including exporting of green coffee to the USA, Japan and UK and roasting coffee for local sales in supermarkets, restaurants and hotels in Rwanda.

According to Angelique Karekezi, Managing Director of RWASHOSCCO, the company was established in 2005 by the cooperatives before reforms to improve coffee production were done in Rwanda and during a time when many coffee farmers prepared coffee with machines that were given and planted by OCIR-Café, today known as NAEB in different rural parts of the country.

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Background “Farmers used to process coffee handling all process by themselves including picking, threshing, drying and all other activities in a way that the coffee reached market in an ordinary state,” Karekezi says.

In 2000, the then commune Maraba, in Huye district, in the former Butare prefecture (province) was one of the districts in the country that were most struck by famine.

Since this is home for the country’s highest institution of learning, Butare University with its faculty of agriculture, research on strategies to find solutions to end the catastrophe started here with research on the crops that natives grew most in the area to see how best the faculty can help them improve on their production.

The University of Rwanda in partnership with Michigan University of USA within their research found out that the type of coffee grown in Maraba had a very high quality.

This prompted the idea of encouraging farmers to come together to join efforts and see how best growing coffee can be used to take them out of poverty and famine.

Angelique Karekezi, Managing Director of RWASHOSCCO says

This brought about different programs to modernize coffee production including the idea of establishing coffee processing plants and washing stations and then establishing new programs to prepare coffee and also reduce burden of farmers having to do all activities of processing coffee by themselves.

“This meant that HE President Paul the procedure of Kagame greatly supported producing coffee the idea and personally would be done in a initiated it by making sure better and modern that the two universities get way,” she says.

“

down to the local farmers to help them improve their capacities in coffee production,” Angelique Karekezi, Managing Director of RWASHOSCCO says.

This saw the establishment of the very first coffee washing station at Maraba

that was opened by the President Paul Kagame himself in 2002, who also witnessed the selling of the first container of coffee. Later on, KOAKAKA cooperative in in the Karaba district (currently Huye) followed in 2003 and then followed others in different parts of the country that later started RWASHOSCCO. This followed several programs

by USAID training farmers on the best methods of processing coffee and market research aimed at improving Rwanda’s coffee to meet standards of the international market. “For us that were involved in the coffee business at that time did not have enough information about coffee production,” Karekezi says.

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“The beginning involved a lot of challenges especially where we needed to have farmer members understand the intentions of the company and also knowing what exactly they were going to do,” she says. She adds that it was not easy to convince an individual farmer that has been doing things privately at his own interest to join business with others he didn’t know.

Challenges applied to leaders of different farmer cooperatives especially where it came to proper management of big sums of money from the big profits that in many cases brought about financial indiscipline of fraud which collapse many of them.

Coordinating the requirements of the international market with what we had locally was yet another challenge. Most of the requirements were sometimes not easy to reach especially in terms of quality, contacting, negotiations and so on. Creating and establishing brand name of a Rwandan made coffee by Rwashoscco to compete at international market with more advanced ones from countries like Colombia and Brazil as a real tag of war. However, she adds that Rwashoscco has worked so hard to go over the challenges slowly but surely.

The other challenge is the ability to differentiate coffee for international market and that one that is fit for the local market. This involves knowing what it takes for best quality coffee and what quality coffee really is.

Unstable prices of coffee are yet another challenge that we are fighting to overcome. Because of fluctuating prices we are not very certain about how much to purchase and at how much we sell for better profits.

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Achievements Today Rwashoscco is over ten years old and I am glad to mention that we have gone through a long but very successful journey.

“We founders of Rwashoscco are proud to be some of the individuals that have had long experience in the transformation of coffee production in the country since we started with it,” Karekezi mentions.

Cooperatives within the company have gone a long way into development. Before, the concept we used to run business with was not easily comprehended by farmers, however, today the 13,800 farmers within the company cooperatives are well aware of the move and the benefits involved.

13,800 FARMERS WITHIN THE COMPANY COOPERATIVES

Within the 6 cooperatives that established Rwashoscco in the beginning, there were 6 washing stations. Today the number of station has increased to 14 while 3 more are still under construction to be completed by the end of the year to make them 17, an achievement that needs not to be left unmentioned.

Cooperative members have had a transformation and improved livelihood. They are all able to educate their children, provide health insurance and take care of their households in the best way possible.

Looking at the last five years, reports by NAEB indicate that Rwashoscco is the company that has the best quality coffee processed to meet both local and international standards offered at best price.

This has been possible due to the standardization of training farmers and process.

For encouragement President Paul Kagame always challenges Rwandans to be bold and proud to produce and consume their own products. Anyway why wouldn’t Rwandans produce best quality coffee, if that is the reason why they don’t consume the home made product?

The capacity is there and Rwandans need to be sure of the quality of what they produce because they can.

“We at RWASHOSCCO want to start from here and

see how we can best use the few resources available to produce what best suits for both local and international market,” Karekezi notes. The coffee at RWASHOSCCO has been produced with maximum care to meet the requirements of the international market,” she underscores.

Maraba coffee is found in all shops, cafes, and supermarkets across the country.

To the Rwandan community, there is no reason for limiting our potential.

“

Together, we must work to bring back and cover what we lost during those hard times two decades ago,” Karekezi says.

Everything is possible when people join efforts and skills especially where we have different talents to perform things. Collective thinking brings good ideas together to identify challenges and find solutions easily.

Expert taster’s testimony Contrary to the typical flavor profiles of African coffees, Rwandan coffee, especially that produced by RWASHOSCCO offers complex and unusual taste that is unique to its regional origin.

“Trying each of our exceptional coffees to find your perfect cup is the way to go,” say Mukandanga Eugenie, in charge of quality and coffee cup tasting at RWASHOSCCO. In her testimony she says, “it is not about producing coffee for the sake

of it, but it requires following the right procedure that we at RWASHOSCCO have maintained; right from the time of picking, washing, drying and roasting. It is also important to be sure of the original state of coffee and this I maintain as first thing while I am executing my duty.”

“As for the RWASHOSCCO coffee, it is up to the cuppers to strengthen our cupping skills and maintain that reputation,” she says. “We all know how to smell coffee and feel the different flavors, its acidity, its aromatic profiles, and its body.“ “Yes, coffee is very complex,” says Eugenie adding that w there are a lot of different things to look at. We are experts in distinguish different flavors found in coffee and we know which ones make a good coffee. “I gained skills on the full composition of coffee. The training I have had has helped me to better describe the coffee I taste every day,” Mukandanga proudly says.

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Real estate impression, a signature of the latest developments in Kigali

CHAMPIONS INVESTMENT COMPANY Ltd

BY GEOFFREY WAKIBI

“The scarcity of business housing in the city was such a challenge to an extent that one was required to engage very expensive commission agents to get an office space with tenancy guarantee that was not assured by landlords”. says Tharcisse Ngabonziza, Chairman Board of Directors at CHIC.

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CHIC A

s practitioners in the real estate industry, in 2008 the Champion Investment Company (CHIC) realized that it was worth investing in the sector with the aim of contributing towards finding solution to the great demand for business accommodation in the city of Kigali.

In the beginning CHIC started with 68 business people that came into agreement to cooperate and invest together. CHIC worked with City of Kigali and the Private sector Federation to come up with one of the modern business structure in Kigali. CHIC is made up of 55 members who are the legal owners of the company.

“The property in Kigali accommodates all kinds of businesses including merchandize, electronics, banks, insurance companies, saloons and clothing shops, pharma-

cies, restaurants and office premises to mention but a few,” Ngabonziza says. CHIC welcomes all business people to come and negotiate and get tenancy agreements with guarantee. One only needs to be sure that he or she operates a legal business activity.

Currently the house is 65% occupied though some parts of the building are still under completion stage.

There is a lot of competition for business premises in the city, however, CHIC has always been very flexible and easy to negotiate with and this explains the reason for the big clientele it has got today. We at CHIC have put lot efforts in encouraging the public to take opportunity to rent with us for the best and spacious working places.

The opening of the shopping Mall attracted the interest of many business people both local and international.

The designers of the project had in mind the need to offer total satisfaction for the best business and office

Tharcisse Ngabonziza,

Olivier Mazimpaka,

Chairman Board of Directors at CHIC

CHIC Managing Director​

working environment. The building was designed by a team of leading experts in the field of construction with capability of providing the best in estate construction in Rwanda.

CHIC business united Rwandans. It is interesting to find a big number of share holders that sometimes don’t know each other but coming together to do business. This is a great achievement for the company.

Some share holders have invested hundreds of millions but because of the good relationship between them, there has never been any kind of misunderstanding between them.

This true spirit of unity is what helps to rebuild Rwanda as a nation.

Apparently the CHIC shopping mall project is almost coming to its completion stage; however there is a lot that needs to be done in the future.

CHIC requested HE President Paul Kagame, during his visit at the mall recently, for another bigger land for expansion of the project which he granted them and truly this is going

to be a big step to further development of the project. At the new plot CHIC plans to set a bigger project for a housing facility.

This facility will be constructed to have three grades and categories of apartments that will include the Quarter VIP, middle and upper class apartments. The project will have modern shopping arcades, sports centers, conference centers, events and meeting rooms, restaurants and bars, children’s amusement centers, among many. CHIC group is under negations with Kigali prisons authority to accomplish negotiations for us to take over the land and make necessary arrangements for construction to commence. and bars, children’s amusement centers, among many. CHIC group is under negations with Kigali prisons authority to accomplish negotiations for us to take over the land and make necessary arrangements for construction to commence.

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Tenants comfortable with services What they say – Testimonies (I) “It was a great opportunity of getting working space in CHIC shopping mall,” says Habyarimana Vedaste, business man and tenant at CHIC shopping mall.

Habyarimana supplies materials and equipments and electronics. It is a policy of Kigali city that all business people work from smart and presentable premises that march with the standards of a modern world. This is actually what prompted Habyarimana to shift from his former working place to CHIC building. He says that there is no regret when one rents with CHIC.

Habyarimana Vedaste, a tenant business man at CHIC

CHIC shopping mall is very spacious and is built with all the necessary services for a modern business building including a very wide packing, sanitary wash rooms and security.

“Negotiations with CHIC are the easiest I have ever met before,” he says. I was glad allowed 6 months grace period free from rent fee. Moreover the cost of renting at CHIC is very affordable depending on the size of space needed.

Habyarimana’s shop at CHIC, supplies materials and equipments and electronics.

CHIC shopping mall is clearly located within the city one cannot get lost or lose customers when he or she decides to shift to the new premises. (ii) The city of Kigali authority regulated that all traders in Mateos then, had to find other places to do business. This was hard time since it required a lot of lobbying for favorable business space around the city, but to my best luck it was at the same time when CHIC mall was at its final stage of construction,” says Kivengere John, another strong business man, tenant at CHIC, that deals in spirits, whiskies and other alcoholic beverages.

“It was my dream to have a better place to carry out my business. I made a fast decision and came down here focusing on finding solution to one challenge— shortage of good buildings to rent,” he says. He adds that at CHIC mall he found the best place that one can do business, thanks to the team that made this beautiful project materialize. Clients visit my shop with all the comfort and gladness. Doing business at CHIC gives business a fast impression that attracts customers.

John Kivengere, a tenant business man at CHIC

John Kivengere liquors and wines shop at CHIC

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Xi Jinping Holds Talks with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda On March 17, 2017, President Xi Jinping held talks at the Great Hall of the People with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda.

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T

he two heads of state agreed to take the implementation of outcomes of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) as opportunity to actively make innovation in cooperation models and comprehensively deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to elevate the level of bilateral strategic cooperation.

Xi Jinping pointed out that since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations 46 years ago, China and Rwanda have always understood each other, conducted sincere cooperation, continuously enhanced bilateral political mutual trust, achieved rapid development of mutually beneficial cooperation in economy and trade, and enjoyed various and brilliant people-to-people and cultural exchanges,

which shows a sound development momentum of bilateral relations.

At present, the development of China-Rwanda cooperation faces historic opportunities. Both sides should deepen political mutual trust, enhance personnel exchanges in various fields, exchange experience in state governance and administration, and intensify communication and cooperation in international and regional affairs. China supports the Rwandan people to actively explore the development path conforming to its national conditions.

Both sides should advance cooperation in industrialization and agricultural modernization.

The Chinese side is willing to provide supports to the construction of special economic zones in Rwanda, enhance industrial alignment, boost cooperation in production capacity and improve Rwanda’s food security capability.

The two sides should also strengthen cooperation in infrastructure construction, and the Chinese side encourages more Chinese enterprises to participate in the construction of major infrastructure projects in such areas as transportation and energy in the country.

Both countries need to tap cooperation potential in tourism to jointly forge the tourist industry into a new

highlight of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

The two countries should enhance cooperation in peace and security areas, and the Chinese side supports Rwanda to play a greater role in the UN and regional peace-keeping operations.

Xi Jinping stressed that during my visit to Africa in 2013, I proposed to develop China-Africa relations with the concepts featuring sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith and the correct viewpoint of righteousness and benefit.

Rwanda special economic zone

President Xi Jinping of China

President Xi Jinping of China with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda.

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Before the talks, Xi Jinping held a welcoming ceremony for Paul Kagame at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People.

The essence of such concepts is to closely combine China’s development with helping Africa’s growth, in a bid to realize win-win cooperation and common development. China is not only an important advocator and contributor of Africa’s independent and sustainable development, but also a pioneer leading international cooperation with Africa.

No matter how the international situation changes, China’s policy towards Africa remains unchanged, and China will not reduce its steps to boost bilateral friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation. The Chinese side will work with friendly countries in Africa to comprehensively implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Johannesburg Summit, closely combine China-Africa cooperation with Africa’s 2063 Agenda, and support Africa for alliance and self-renewal to achieve the goals of industrialization and agricultural modernization.

Paul Kagame expressed that Rwanda treasures friendly relations and cooperation with China, appreciated China’s valuable contributions to the reconstruction and develop-

ment of Rwanda, and welcomed more Chinese enterprises to increase investment in such areas as agriculture, mining, tourism and infrastructure construction in the country. Appreciating China’s long-term friendly policy towards Africa, the Rwandan side spoke highly of China’s adherence to equal treatment and mutual respect, no demarcation in ideology while developing relations with Africa, and actively devoting itself to deeply promoting Rwanda-China cooperation as well as Africa-China cooperation in various fields within the framework of outcomes of the FOCAC Johannesburg Summit.

Before the talks, Xi Jinping held a welcoming ceremony for Paul Kagame at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. President Xi Jinping’s wife, Mme. Peng Liyuan, Vice Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Shen Yueyue, State Councilor Yang Jiechi, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Wang Qinmin and other people were present.

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Supporting government programs, steering development of

the transport sector

BY GEOFFREY WAKIBI

S

ince 2010 the Federation of Rwanda Cooperatives of Motorcycle Transporters (FERWACOTAMO) has reached high levels as an organization that has proved itself as a solution to enhance the skills and capacity of motor tax services providers in the country.

According to Ntaganzwa Celestine, president of FERWACOTAM, cooperative business is in line with the government’s strategies for economic

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development and for this matter the federation has continued to work with the government in promoting Motor Taxi transport which has lately been identified as being very affordable and most used form of transport across the country. “The government has been very supportive in our development,” Ntaganzwa says. He adds that the federation has been able to develop motorcycle taxi transport in the country mainly because of the good government policies and visionary leadership.

Future plans “There is still a lot to do and the journey is seemingly still long for us as cooperative members and we believe it is very possible for us to get there, however, all we have to do first is collectively support the continued candidature of Mr. Kagame for the another mandate,” he says. “Getting to our real destination requires that ease of doing things that we have gone through within the past seven years and owing to the growth and development of the cooperative movements in the country,” he notes.

FERWACOTAMO headquarters building plan

Examining the achievements of FERWACOTAMO and considering the past seven years’ government program that is inclined to the presidential manifesto of 2010, the same time of the birth of the federation, motorcycle cooperatives in Rwanda have made big steps to development. “When these cooperatives started in 2009, the number of motorcycle transporters in the entire country, of which I was included, was between 9, 000 and 10, 000,” Ntaganzwa recalls. He continues and says that today the number has greatly increased to 19, 223 fully registered and operating from different cooperatives.

6,250 are still under the process of registration hoping to become full members of FERWACOTAMO. Currently there are 225 cooperatives under the leadership of FERWACOTAMO. “The journey through the past seven years has been long and

despite the fact that the federation has registered great achievements, there have been a few challenges here and there that have time and again fallen into our paths,” Ntaganzwa says.

However, he notes, the challenges have not been so heavy to the extent of failing the taxi-motor operations in the country due to, still, the good government policy that has always supported our operations and activities in the country. Currently the number of cooperatives has risen to 225 under the umbrella of FERWACOTAMO. In the same seven years’ journey while working with the government of Rwanda under the leadership of HE President Paul Kagame, FERWACOTAMO has gained a lot of confidence and zeal to work for the development of the country especially within the transport sector.

FERWACOTAMO is thinking big for the future and is planning bigger steps to further growth. The federation is planning to construct bigger headquarters of three storied infrastructure at Gisozi to handle the big volume of its office operations.

Secondly, FERWACOTAMO would not want to be left out of the many that are working towards self-sustainability and development.

The federation has established saving scheme/pool that has been called ‘twigire motari’ in which members have contributed money to a tune 40 million which they are going to invest into motor cycle selling business. From this we shall be able to place big commercial orders for motorcycles from India and assemble them from Rwanda at a low and fair cost. This will help provide all cooperative members acquire motorcycles and solve their unemployment problem. “We anticipate that by the end of the next seven years the project will have taken shape and operational,” Ntaganzwa says hopefully.

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About FERWACOTAMO FERWACOTAMO is an umbrella organization for Rwanda’s motorcycle taxi cooperatives, with over 25500 known members from 238 cooperatives across the country with one main objective of developing themselves and collectively contribute to the development of the country. The federation started in 2010; just a year cooperative movement in Rwanda was transformed.

FERWACOTAMO is made of eight major associations, which includes; UCOTAMOS, G.M.T.C.U UCOTAMOKI, UCOOMONO, UNESCOM, N.U.C.M.T N.M.C, UCOTMRU. The association contributes more than 1 billion Rwandan francs (more than 1.22M USD) to the country’s revenue per year.

FERWACOTAMO current office

25,500 FERWACOTAMO known members

FERWACOTAMO Association Profile Organization background Under Vision 2020, the Government of Rwanda established a body to set up and manage Cooperatives which are viewed as a potential vehicle through which the Cooperatives members could create employment and expand access to income-generating activities, develop their business potential, including entrepreneurial and managerial capacities through education and training; increase savings and investment, and improve social well-being with special emphasis on gender equality, housing, education, health care and community development. It’s under this general vision of the country that FERWACOTAMO operates.

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Ferwacotamo has several objectives that include; • developing the profession of motorcyclists, • doing advocacy for motorcyclist, • setting up the broad line to serve as reference for motorcyclists, • starting up a compulsory savings fund to support its members and • improving the understanding level of our member

Construction site of FERWACOTAMO headquarters at Gisozi.

Membership FERWACOTAMO, with its 25,500 members from 238 cooperatives grouped into 8 Unions and distributed all over the country, has only 46% of the members that are bike drivers. Of the 46% only 15% are owners. The remaining 85% belongs to 3rd party (not members of the federation).

Ferwacotamo’s target to increase ownership of bikes from 15% to 90% and increase member bike drivers from 46% to 90%.

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Improving farmers’ living conditions, particularly to fight poverty The Government of Rwanda views cooperatives as a potential vehicle through which members in agriculture cooperatives can produce more food, create employment and expand access to profit making activities and increase their incomes for better living and economic growth. According to Twahirwa Tharcisse, head of KOTUKA cooperative, joining hands to work together in cooperatives is the only way to go for the rural farmers in Rwanda.

BY GEOFFREY WAKIBI

K

OTUKA is a farmers’ cooperative that was established in 2009. It brings together farmers growing especially cereal crops like maize, beans, soya, and millet among others in Rwanda through consolidating land to make it more productive. The main aim of its establishment is to improve farmers’ capacity through operating agriculture projects as a cooperative.

Originary, the cooperative operated in Kicukiro district in Kanombe sector on just 10 hectares of land which later multiplied. Today it has

opened gates to expand to other districts within the country including Nyagatare in Karangazi sector where most of its agricultural activities are executed. The organization has expanded to Bugesera district in Mayange where most of its members and beneficiaries grow maize and soya.

Apparently some KOTUKA members have grown reaching the capacity of producing these crops on over 20 acres of land, producing between 60-100 tons. Many of them that were originary cattle keepers have mixed the activ-

ities and profiting more from the initiative.

KOTUKA cooperative has had its number of members increasing from time to time within just a few years because many farmers have got interested in its profitable agricultural projects and programs. “Today it is comprised of 2,300 members and the number grows bigger every now and then,” Twahirwa notes. He adds that membership only requires one to be a farmer of the specified crops, with ambition, passion and dedicated to agriculture as an economic activity. Special adAPRIL 2017 THE NATION MAGAZINE | 27

KOTUKA members at its EaStern Province Office vantage is enjoyed by those willing farmers that have an acre or so of land for cultivation.

Among the activities of KOTUKA, the organization focuses so much on training of farmers. We work with different organizations in the agricultural sector like MINAGRI and the East African Grain Council (EAGC).

In one of the cooperative developments, EAGC selected KOTUKA coop-

erative to handle responsibilities related to training grain farmers about technicalities that are required by EAGC in matters of production capacity, quality and standards that suit the East African Market. “In this sense, KOTUKA represents Rwanda’s farmers in the EAGC,” Twahirwa notes. The organization is responsible for creating awareness about the activities and requirements of EAGC throughout the country so that

Rwandan farmers can also compete favorably at the East African market.

Future plans “The future for KOTUKA members is very bright and promising,” Twahirrwa says. The organization plans to increase the production capacity for farmers through increasing trainings and awareness about new and modern methods of production.

In the future, KOTUKA has plans to put strategies to increase accessibility of market for its members through research, to know what is required by the demand at both local and international markets. “As representatives of farmers in Rwanda, we shall continue to work closely with EAGC to seek important information regarding market in terms of quality and price,” Twahirwa says.

In its operations, KOTUKA has identified a lot of challenges faced by farmers in this business that need to be handled and addressed with a lot

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of effort. These include lack of modern farming materials like machines, fertilizers, pesticides and so on.

Also is lack of capital, drying stations, storage facilities and market.

“With this we plan to work closely with MINAGRI and EAGC and other stake holders to save the farmers from losses,” he says. “We also plan to work towards advocating and linking farmers to financial institutions to help them access funds to run their business as we increase awareness through trainings in farmer field schools and sensitization,” he adds.

In order to extend our operations and activities throughout the country, KOTUKA, since it is a member of EAGC, has a strategy to set up programs where the cooperative will regularly visit other cooperatives in the country, putting our efforts basically in members’ capacity. Apparently the cooperative has got into contact with about 20 cooperatives in the Northern Province, 25 in the Western Province and now on the move to get in touch with 20 cooperatives in the Southern Province. “ This is an effort that we hope to put up in collaboration with EAGC and we believe that after working with these cooperatives and getting together all

A KOTUKA member at postharvest handling site of maize farmers, we shall accomplish many important programs in trainings and finding solutions to farmers’ challenges.

Message There are so many farmers out there that have not come out to join efforts and skills to improve their capacities.

“To these, I call upon them and encourage them to get together in cooperative, be broad and invest in agri-business because it is a paying

trade. Rwanda and the East African region in general have a very high demand for cereals for food; let us take this opportunity, utilize the resources available to produce for economic growth,” Twahirwa underscores.

The government has done a lot as far as pushing for socio-economic development is concerned. The security that prevails in the country is very vital for growth with which the citizens work in peace and harmony.

“

I thank the government of

Rwanda for these itineraries put in place for the citizens to enjoy. Let us take positively President Paul Kagame comparison of Rwanda to Singapore, a country that has developed from nothing but agriculture! Yes, with determination and working hard, together we can make it!”

KOTUKA maize plantation

Twahirwa hopefully says.

APRIL 2017 THE NATION MAGAZINE | 29

Inspiring maize farmers, improving livelihood

BY GEOFFREY WAKIBI

C

OOPAMA is a farmer cooperative in Mimuli sector Nyagatare district in the Eastern Province which was founded in 2005 by 136 farmers. This followed the attempt of the district authority to farmers to shift from groups to cooperatives. “We started our farming activities on 6 hectares but now we have come 60 hectares of land,” says Ntawuruhunga Faustin, President of COOPAMA. Originary, the farmers practiced mixed farming where they grew maize, beans, millet and others. However, today, they are focused on growing maize. Farmers lacked sufficient storage facilities an issue that has been addressed. Today, we have a storage with the capacity to store over 1500 tonnes we also have a preparation ground we built with 35 million.

Farmers’ livelihoods have changed because they provide they are able to get Medical insurance every year. We have trained them about the sav-

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ing culture and they are now able to save money to facilitate their farming activities. “Today, we are planning to increase our productivity and that is why we want to shift to agro processing whereby we want to maize flour for home consumption and sell.

The members have managed to increase in number to 164 including 83 women and 81 men. The capacity of production has also increased from 800 kilograms to 5 tonnes of maize.

Faustin added as he also urges farmers to join cooperatives so that they can increase on their productivity while thanking the Rwanda government on the security and the good leadership under President Paul Kagame. The door is open for farmers who wish to join the cooperative and only paying the share is the only obligation. Finally Faustin urges Rwandans to join cooperatives and also cooperative leaders to support their members for development.

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Transforming agricultural practices FOr increased production

BY GEOFFREY WAKIBI

For many years Rwanda has been pushing for a shift from subsistence farming practices toward modern farming as one of the strategies to ensure sustainable food production, as well as improve farmers’ livelihoods through increased income from agroactivities. This is important since a big percentage of the population depends on the agriculture for a living.

S

everal model farmers have come up to give this push a further strength in different districts of Rwanda. One of such initiatives is the Organization Pour le Travoie et le Progre (OTP), a local non government farmers’ organization in Rubavu district in the Western Province of Rwanda.

According to Kimenyi Clement, head of the organization, OTP was formed in 2007 by a group of farmers growing maize and Irish potatoes among others. “The founders of OTP had a common interest of becoming models in farming to work towards developing agriculture activities among residents of Rubavu, commercializing the sector (agri-business), increase their production capacity, increase incomes of the farmers and improve their livelihood. OTP has its head offices in Rubavu district, Kanama sector, Mawoko cell, in the Weastern Province,” he says.

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As the government of Rwanda embarked on encouraging Rwandans to seek means of creating their own jobs to reduce poverty, OTP founder members saw it worthwhile to come together to pave way for transformation of the agriculture sector in Rubavu district and change the trend of the activities involved therein.

Kimenyi tells the Nation Magazine that in the beginning OTP started with 40 share holder members working with the Rwanda Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), a government agency whose objective was to contribute towards the growth of agricultural production through development of appropriate technologies, providing advisory, outreach and extension services to agriculture stakeholders, farmers inclusive. After sometime of gaining experience with RADA, OPT started working with Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB) still following the same objective up to date.

Achievements •

A lot has been achieved though more is still pending. Today OTP is able to compete through bids for local and international markets and most proudly win. The members are very keen with the methods of production that have been introduced to them through trainings which greatly determine the quality and quantity of their products to suit the demands of the market.

•

OTP has trained a good number of members and helped them adopt the new methods, increase productivity, income and improve the welfare.

•

Through the government policy of attracting investment in the country that is open to all, OTP members have taken chance to also take part and invest in the agri-business activities, improve their livelihood and also contribute fairly to national development.

•

OTP is now a self sustained organization with office address in own premises that are fully equipped with all necessary office equipment, vehicles (trucks) which are used to transport members and staff in the field.

•

The organization is now able to employ both professional and casual staff. OTP has a number of employees including agronomists, secretary, monitoring officer, accountant, field trainers and others handling different duties both in offices and fields.

Devotion of members The members of the organization have been very committed to upholding their objectives, a factor that has made them able to increase their productivity, through use of modern farming methods, use of fertilizers and introduction of value addition for their agricultural products.

Today the members are proud to be role models who are able line up for the international market and also train other farmers to take advantage of modern farming.

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OTP partners OTP has been blessed to work with different partners with whom the organization has managed to jointly make necessary research to identify the different challenges and find possible means to address them. Among the different stakeholders, OTP partners with various categories of farmers who are also members from Ngororero, Rubavu and Nyabihu district, many of them practicing agriculture individually, in groups or as cooperatives.

It is to our achievement that we meet with these farmers in farmer field

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studies time and again to review the progress of our activities. Many of these farmers are shareholders that have invested capital which we use in different agri-businesses and get more profit. At the start OTP had no own premises or vehicle which we are glad to posses today.

The other strong partner that has been very vital to the success of our goal is the government of Rwanda. Since we work in line with the government agricultural policies, we work with the districts authorities, Rwanda Development Board, MINAGRI, among others with whom we meet in different meetings and

workshops to share useful ideas and gain more experience and skills in agriculture.

OTP has managed to collaborate with different funders and donors including the government.

Through this we are able to apply for bids for market and RAB with which we cooperate in the process of different activities and programs. The government has always provided us with finance and capital through subsidization in terms of agricultural inputs. RAB has also been very helpful in terms of technical support and training.

Future plan “A lot has been reached; however, there is still a lot we have in plan,� Kimenyi says. Owing to the several challenges that we meet now and then, the organizations plans to find strategies to address these challenges of market, pricing, funds, and advocacy.

OTP plans to increase the quantity and improve the quality of products through establishment of collection centers where the produce from farmers is collected together at one point where they can be stored safely and prepared before being taken to the market.

This will help to identify the performance of particular crop seeds, improve quality of products and also increase farmer profits and food security in the district.

The organization seeks to work with different stake holders and institutions in the agricultural sector to do research for better performance. The research will help to identify production challenges and their solutions. In the same way we plan to give more training to farmers about new findings from the research.

During the year 2017, OTP has plans to diversify its activities to other economic active outside agriculture.

This is particularly in the mining and sand production. This will help increase our capacity to build a stronger foundation for the organization.

Message Generally, all this will be able when we continue to work closely with the government of Rwanda which has been very significant in the current success registered by the organization.

In addition, I would also want to remind fellow citizens that there is no economic activity or venture that doesn’t fetch profit, income or wealth. This is so with agriculture; take for instance the most developed countries like America, Britain and China, to mention but a few. Most of the well-to-do citizens have

indulged themselves in agriculture or farming in one way or the other.

“It is high time we woke up, fight our challenges in agriculture like infertility and draught, and make the land productive as a way of increasing productivity for increased socio-economic growth and development.”

Kimenyi says.

“

I want to show my gratitude on behalf of the entire organization, members and beneficiaries to the government, especially President Paul Kagame for his visionary approaches to national issues, support, sensitization, advice and encouragement to Rwandans to come up and work for the development of their own nation.” Kimenyi says.

APRIL 2017 THE NATION MAGAZINE | 35

A true partnership between Rwanda and UK

M

y visit to Rwanda comes at an historic time for Britain. My home has begun the process of leaving the European Union, and concentrate on becoming an outward-facing, global, free-trading nation.

I was born in East Africa and this is a region of the world that I am truly passionate about. And, as the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Rwanda, I am determined to ensure that one of the many advantages of Brexit is a strengthening of the partnership be-

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tween the UK and Rwanda.

We have already started to make progress. In May the first Rwanda Air flight to London will depart Kigali International Airport.

These flights are a bridge connecting our two nations, and I am delighted that the efforts of so many Government officials – and others – in London and Kigali have helped to bring about this historic connection.

But there is a lot more we can do. Rwanda has made amazing progress over the

past twenty-three years and is one of the best places to do business in Africa. It should be a magnet to British businesses; and likewise there are dozens of amazing Rwandan goods and services that should be available to purchase in Britain.

As Prime Minister Theresa May’s Trade Envoy to Rwanda, my role is simple: Help to create new opportunities in Rwanda so it can industrialise faster, trade more and create new and productive jobs for its growing young population.

RwandAir flights are a bridge connecting our two nations and our team is reviewing UKRwanda relations to see what we can do to make trading easier.

During my visit to Rwanda, I met Government ministers and officials as well as many businesses. I believe we are natural partners, through our shared language, values and Commonwealth membership, and I want to start a revolution in trade between our nations.

As well as the Rwand Air flights to London, UK Visas and Immigration recently announced priority Visa service for Rwandan residents, making it easier than ever before to travel to the UK. And today I’m delighted

to announce that the coverage limit of UK Export Finance in Rwanda has been doubled, from £50m to £100m. This move is a clear demonstration of the UK Government’s commitment to enhanced trade relations with Rwanda.

Quite simply, British companies and their Rwandan buyers now have access to an extra £50m to help them bring British products, services and expertise into the Rwandan market.

I believe this is important.

It’s a vote of confidence

to Rwanda that we want to do more trade with you, and we want to make that trade as easy as possible. It can help to fund everything from major infrastructure projects through to smaller commercial deals, and will be of great mutual benefit to our two great nations.

Rwanda is one of the most brilliant countries I have ever visited. With its well-educated workforce, good infrastructure links and strong reputation for ‘ease of doing business’, it has set an example for so many other countries to

follow.

Similarly, Britain is a global outward-looking nation that has decided to embrace the wider-world.

Our nations are already great partners in many areas, and I believe – with the forthcoming flights and increase in UK Export Finance coverage - we now have the foundations to take our trade relationship to another level.

The writer is the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Rwanda

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Complete healthcare solutions brought into the access of all Rwandans

BY GEOFFREY WAKIBI

BY GEOFFREY WAKIBI

R

wanda has had very tremendous improvement in service delivery in many of its sectors. There is a lot of development in how goods and services reach the people that need them, considering where, when, how and at what cost.

Yes, growth of any sort requires such kinds of big steps.

At Pyramid Pharma Rwanda ltd, a private company in Rwanda that deals in wholesale and distribution of quality pharmaceuticals, laboratory, medical and surgical equipment and devices and also offers after sales service, all trade activities are committed to providing a complete package of healthcare solutions catering for all needs of different clients with no hesitation to deliver them by a knock at their gates.

IN

According to Pierre Rugimbanya General Manager Pyramid Pharma Rwanda Ltd in Gatenga sector Kicukiro district in Kigali city, the company started by importing and distributing pharmaceuticals from local and international manufacturers and then selling to healthcare providers and wholesalers in Tanzania. Today Pyramid Pharma is committed to Africa and has its brand footprint in 7 countries of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Burundi & Mozambique.

7

In Rwanda, Pyramid Pharma Ltd was started by two practitioners in the field of pharmaceuticals. It was incorporated on the 25th of April 2012 with its Company Registration Number 102652018.

AFRICAN COUNTRIES

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According to the General Manager, the beginning was not so easy but he says that the Ministry of Health as very helpful. “The difference that we intended to bring up when we started was to put more efforts in the im-

“ Pyramid is here to work with the government of Rwanda to promote and support the achievements of the government strategies of EDPRS, SDGs, and Vision 2020. We are proactive in seeking solutions and selfdriven to solve problems.”

Pierre Rugimbanya, General Manager Pyramid Pharma Rwanda Ltd says. ierre Rugimbanya General Manager Pyramid Pharma Rwanda Ltd

provement of medical services in the country, a notion that was in line with the government strategies for socio-economic development of this country. For example as we trade we pay taxes which have contributed greatly to national rebuilding,” he explains.

“Since then the company has been importing some of the world’s best quality medical equipments that suit the needs of Rwandans from Europe and USA. We ensure to bring to our clients standard equipments at low costs that are always beyond their expectations,” Rugimbanya says. He adds that Pyramid Pharma has always worked against aving Rwanda the dumping desti-

nation for poor and sub-standard medical equipment like medicines.

Vision and mission statement Pyramid has a vision to see all Rwandans get access to affordable quality medical services through their

THE BES T CHOICE IN HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS collaboration with the best service providers and manufactures of medical goods and services.

“We envision to being the best choice in healthcare solutions in the country,” says Rugimbanya. As

our mission, in a bid to promote healthcare and the medical sector, we strive to provide complete health services at your reach at any time need and at affordable means.

He adds.

Because of the services provided by Pyramid Pharma, it is of no need for one to journey out of Rwanda for special medical attention since all requirement needed here.

Pyramid Pharma is working in a sector that pioneers global wellbeing.

Staying at the forefront requires dedication to our clients and believes that with hard work the organization can reach our goals and prosper.

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Pharmacy The main aim here is to provide affordable healthcare solutions that ensure quality products reach the right place at the right time. Working in close partnership with manufacturers, wholesalers, and accredited drug shops and pharmacies, Pyramid Pharma is committed to improve healthcare in the local communities that they serve and to help their customers and patients meet their healthcare needs.

Diagnostic Our specialized diagnostic division provides solutions and innovative products to our customers. We believe that understanding our clients’ needs and offering consultative proposals reflects our partnership spirit.

Pyramid Pharma is committed to improve healthcare in the local communities.

Medical & Surgical Our Medical division provides our clients with health care solutions including Theatre and ICU items, Vital Signs Monitors, Orthopedic equipment and Surgical Equipment.

We offer tools and equipment required in the examination

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and treatment of Ear Nose and Throat – ENT. These include tools for Sinus Surgery, Powered tools for ENT, ENT implants, Manual Tools.

Pyramid Pharma supplies diagnostics and management tools of life threatening conditions requiring sophisticated organ support and invasive monitoring. It covers intensive care ventilators, anesthesia system and accessories.

The product range covers disinfectors, sterilizers, as well as services and consulting in building the hospital Central Sterilization Department.

Pyramid Pharma deals in imaging technology machines of X-ray, MRI, ultrasound & endoscopy.

Services The technical department is in charge of supporting the delivery of service to customers.

The company has a formidable team of professionals with years of experience and certified training in technical fields.

The engineers perform installations and initial operator training when a machine is first delivered to a customer site.

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UNIVERSITY OF RWANDA, COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCE (UR-CMHS)

School of Dentistry (SoD) recognizing the World Oral Health Day at THE University of Rwanda College of Medicine & Health Science (UR-CMHS)

BY GEOFFREY WAKIBI

The day aims at raising awareness of the importance of good oral health and its significance in safeguarding general health and well-being.

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W

orld Oral Health Day that was launched in 2013, renowned globally and recognized every year on 20th March is a very significant day to the University of Rwanda College of Medicine & Health Science (UR-CMHS), especially the School of dentistry since it promotes the exclusive activities, vision and mission of the college’s school of dentistry.

World Dental Federation drew and launched the master plan of this special health day that is implemented through an international awareness campaign that since then has been adapted and promoted locally by national dental associations in over 140 countries worldwide.

At University of Rwanda College of Medicine and Health Sciences, the celebrations included several activities engaging the community with oral health awareness, education and screenings and it was also a wonderful way to promote the UR School of Dentistry and services offered to the population.

According to the Acting Dean Dr. Chrispinus Mumena, the main activities carried out by the School of Dentistry go with this year’s theme “Live Mouth Smart. “Our focus today is to prevent the oral diseases by giving oral education, screening to identify the diseases and promote oral Hygiene by giving free toothpaste and toothbrushes”, said Mumena.

World Oral Health day at UR-CMHS

Rwanda Dental Surgeons (RDS) statistics indicate that over 90 percent of 12million Rwandans are possibly living with dental problems but unaware. “The only way to reduce these alarming statistics is for citizens to take periodic dental checkups,” Mumena says. He adds that it is important to take at least one dental checkup annually.

He told The Nation Magazine that very few Rwandans know how to prevent dental infections and yet most of them are preventable through proper oral health care.

At the event, the school of dentistry entailed that all Rwandans benefit from the day.

“The government of Rwanda seeks to have a health population through improvement of health awareness, and this is why we join the rest of the world to recognize the day as a very special one,” he says.

World Oral Health Day is observed annually on 20 March, and launches a year-long campaign dedicated to raising global awareness of the issues around oral health and the importance of oral hygiene so that governments, health associations and the general public can work together to achieve healthier mouths and happier lives

Dr. Chrispinus Mumena, Acting Dean of UR-SoD APRIL 2017 THE NATION MAGAZINE | 45

Introducing new high tech fire-explosion safety systems in Rwanda

BY GEOFFREY WAKIBI

Owing to the peace and security that are prevailing in this country today, Rwandans find opportunities and ample time and space to do various researches on things that they feel would be very helpful to them especially when it comes to saving life, property, and improving economic status of the country.

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Y

es, as there are several cases of fire explosions time and again within our Towns and Cities, several research and development teams in Rwanda are trying to make findings on how Rwandans can be saved from cases of fire and explosions.

DERPCAMU LTD, a local company in Rwanda that has been distributing medical equipment and laboratory reagents to Rwandans and the European Union since 2010, is here to introduce to you a new fire and explosion control technology. Apparently the company is making research to find out how best Rwandans can benefit from the most current new technology that has been designed to prevent any fuel discharge explosion from occurring within an environment resulting from any kind of source.

These fire explosions are normally initiated by the concentration of gas, heat, fuel gases leaks, sparks and or electrostatic discharges.

Nature of the technology The new technology involves using the Aluminum D’alloy, a technology that is used to stop fire and explosion from any object to burn what is contained inside containers, rooms, buildings etc.

The new technology was invented, manufactured and is licensed by the Spanish company known as TecnoKontrol based in Spain.

The device is installed as a sheet of paper or mesh inside objects like walls for fire door safety internal protection or as Alum-bullets in fuel tanks and gas cylinders etc.

Refueling-Airplane

Technokontrol fuel barrel ignition and welding test

TechnoKontrol­Petrol Station Anti­Explosion Safety System (TK­ PSAXSS) Since the world over has had several explosions every year, TechnoKontrol development team has designed the new VI Generation, an original prod-

Ngendabanga Gabriel, Managing Director of DERPCAMU LTD

uct called the TechnoKontrol Petrol Station Anti­ E xplosion Safety System (TK­PSAXSS), which by using it one can ward off fuel discharge explosion from occurring within the petroleum deposit environment.

According to Engineer Ngendabanga Gabriel, Managing Director of DERPCAMU LTD many people believe that underground fuel deposits do not explode but scientists refute this and say that this has happened on so many occasions in different parts of the world. “I can assure you that underground fuel deposits can explode and cause damage that is equivalent to that of a semi nuclear explosion,” he told The Nation Magazine.

“It is very common to have such explosions at petrol stations and this reason Rwandans should embrace and benefit from this new technology since within years to come there will be no speculated or secluded spaces for petrol stations alone due to the fast growing expansion and urbanization in the capital of Kigali,” Engineer Ngendabanga Gabriel explains.

Petrol or gas fumes are heavier than

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air and when a customer refuels their vehicle with petrol or gas, fumes can be leaked. These fumes are invisible to the naked eye and due to their weight, the fumes may be pushed downwards or upwards from underground tanks because of too much pressure and when these mix with air, they can cause a very hazardous explosive atmosphere. To this disadvantage, just a single ignite or electrostatic charge can make these fumes turn into fireball explosions.

“With the new technology, Engineer Ngendabanga Gabriel says, the specially designed alloy which is 100% anti explosive can be designed within the petrol station to alleviate this risk. Most importantly, the product is not only non combustible and easy to maintain but it has already been used under EU safety directives.

Understanding the TK­ PSAXSS Petro-chemical industries are employing the unique system to prevent possibilities of explosions within their fuel deposit communication infrastructure. It is very effective and easy to incorporate into any business undertaking’s existing budget Petrol Station or Depot are able to operate safely and to naturally discharge their fuels with total security that no explosion will occur as any fumes leaked will not be diffused and therefore will not be able to ignite.

Airplane crash always takes fire and get difficult to stop that fire then kills passengers when it is without aluminum d’alloy, while aluminum d’alloy is introduced in fuell tanks of the airplain, automatically, fire and explosion are under control for 20 years without explosion, without evaporation without fire. The same, petrol stations and depot of fuel using the aluminum d’alloy prevents evaporation 30% per year and control fire and explosion within 20 year.

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Technokontrol Jumbo tank vaporization test

User’s benefits: •

It is easy to modify so that it can be attached into any existing maintenance pit cover.

•

It cannot be accessed by any intruder since it contains an anti theft system that does not interfere with the entrance or exit of authorized personnel.

•

It can be easily transferred and reused.

•

It 100% eco-friendly.

It is 100% recyclable.

•

It is easy to clean and maintain.

•

The system can be installed with minimal disruption or closure of the tank while refueling or giving is going on.

100%

guarantee OF SAFETY FOR COOKING GAS USING ALUMINIUM D’aLLOY Research is still going on in Rwanda for the next two months and after positive results are reached, DERPCAMU LTD management will invite the development team of TechnoKontrol to demonstrate to the government of Rwanda and the stakeholders concerned to get clearance from the Rwandan authority for its importation and distribution into the country by the end of July this year.

“We can ensure that our clients will receive a finished product which meets (if not surpasses) all the highest possible International Accident, Health & Safety Standards including standards on explosion prevention systems, petroleum spirit for use in both motor vehicle and plastic containers etc,” Ngendabanga maintains.

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GATE HILLS ESTATE The essence of excellent living environment in Kanombe Situated in Kicukiro district in an outstanding location, Gate Hills Estate offers a unique and enviable investment to buyers and occupiers in Kigali.

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Gate Hills Estates in Kanombe district

G

ate Hills Estate is one of Rwanda’s infrastructure developments that are endowed with easy access to major city amenities. Gate hills Estate is one among the best homes who ever needs comfort will get it all there. One of the landmarks in the neighborhood is the Kigali International Airport with a location that offers amazing views of Rusororo and Masoro hills. Other close landmarks include Kanombe Hospital, La Palace Hotel, Kigali Economic Zone, Sano Amusement Park, Schools and much more.

Within walking distance from public transportation, a market and trading center, one meets the estate’s bungalows that offer a pleasant and well-designed plan. Gate Hills Estate offers various forms of functional features that come along with comfortable living within the confines of gated communities offer.

The layouts of various housing components such as of 3 bedrooms –the master room ensuite, 2 baths rooms, fully fitted kitchen, fair size dining and living room area, fitted floor to ceiling wardrobes, decorative ceilings, fully fitted external kitchen, helps quarters, beautiful gardens within a paved estate and the best gardens ever.

Century real estate, the constructors of the estate envisions that Gate hills estate will rapidly appreciate in value at a rate of about 18% per annum due to the increasing development in the area.

The ideal to establish the estate is largely informed by the observation that Rwanda’s economic growth is one of the fastest in the region offering a good prospect for real estate developers.

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