SEPTEMBER 2017 ISSUE 79 www.hope-mag.com TELLING ’S STORY

RADISSON BLU Africa’s Leading Conference and New Hotel

CONTENTS

HIGHLIGHTS

While BRD in general targets projects worth Rwf 50 million and above, even investors who require less money can have their projects considered through the commercial banks. The investor should however be able to finance at least 30% of the project cost himself. BRD will channel its credit through Bank of Kigali, I&M Bank, BPR and SACCOs. The funds will be allocated to key priority sectors with export development taking the lion’s share with $222m, followed by energy with $185m, agriculture financing at $170m, affordable housing at $66.3m and education financing at $64m. 32 42 DEVELOPMENT BANK OF RWANDA RWANDA REVENUE AUTHORITY

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CONTENTS MTN Rwanda 1 WAKA Fitness Group 2 Bourbon Coffee 3 Airtel Rwanda 5 COVER RADISSON BLU KIGALI SafintraLimited 6 Africa’s Leading Conference Mobisol Limited 8 and New Hotel Hotpoint Limited 9 Lake Kivu Serena Hotel 19 Access Bank Rwanda 23 KCB Bank Rwanda 25 16 AKAGERA MOTORS Airtel Rwanda Tunga 29 Engen Rwanda 35 Grazia Apartments 36 7 EDITORIAL Taxpayer Recognition should induce even more compliance Davis and Shirtliff 40

10 RADISSON BLU Opportunity for Hotels in Africa Riders Lounge 41 13 RADISSON BLU We are joining forces to Bring Herocean Enterprises Limited 51 business to the city’ ProAv Africa Limited 54 15 MTN top management give thank to customers Sinotruk Rwanda Limited 55 16 AKAGERA MOTORS Introduces MCV buses Tigo Rwanda 56 RWANDA DEVELOPMENT BOARD 20 UAP recognises key stakeholders 46

22 ACCESS BANK appreciates customers during 42 BRD Launches Roadshow to meet local customer service week private sector members and investors

24 KCB BANK’S Mobile Loans offer maximum 44 KIGALI MARRIOTT boosts African expansion plan with two awards at WTA convenience and privacy 46 RDB honours customer champions to 26 BRALIRWA Best large taxpayer in Rwanda promote excellent service delivery

28 AIRTEL Rwanda Tunga promotion back 48 MARKEDU empowering SMEs with digital marketing 30 BPR pledges service Excellence 50 VISIONFUND teaches the poor to save and 32 RRA recognizes best taxpayers improve their lives in Nyamagabe BRALIRWA 27 37 NAKUMATT named Best taxpayer in rwanda 52 BRD supports Made - in - rwanda campaign

4 HOPE MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER ISSUE 79

PUBLISHER'S WORD

TEAM TAXPAYER Albert Ndata Allan Migadde Ben Gasore Erwin Winkler RECOGNITION Himbana Alexandre Ishimwe Yvonne Should induce even Keith Ntagozera Latim Lawrence Manzi Joseph more compliance Micheal Balinda Mutabazi Jackson Rumanzi Abraham ff THE GOVERNMENT OF RWANDA HAS ALWAYS STRIVEN TOWARDS Shema Ignace CRAFTING, DRAFTING AND IMPLEMENTING POLICIES AND STRATEGIES Shema Leonard THAT DRIVE THE ECONOMY INTO A DIRECTION THAT ENSURES ASCENDANCE Sindayirwanya Isabelle TOWARDS SELF RELIANCE AND SUSTAINABLE IMPROVEMENT OF Rebero Daniel LIVELIHOODS FOR ALL RWANDANS.

DESIGN & LAYOUT Dani K.

PUBLISHED BY he taxation policy in Rwanda; fair, celebrate its customers, the taxpayers, they are making a statement of recognition, HOPE HOLDINGS LTD affordable and equitable, is one such of the many policies that have been deepening the sense of ownership that instrumental in taking the country stimulates compliance and build better ADVERTISING & Ttowards being a self reliant nation. The relations for better collections. It is imperative GENERAL INQUIRIES contribution of locally generated taxes towards therefore to accentuate, every now and P.O. Box 6176 the financing of national budget has been taking then, the issue of compliance, reminding Kigali-Rwanda to a rising scale. ourselves that we are all partners in national +250 788 524189 development, building the Rwanda we want / +250 788 404138 Such an impact has been realised because of the and capable of contributing to our time- honoured dignity as a country, as a people. [email protected] efforts expended towards enlarging the taxable www.hope-mag.com base through a number of acts that include; systematic attraction of investors, improving the RRA has played its role in setting up Doing Business environment, supporting SMEs structures, elaborating processes, simplifying COPYRIGHT 2013 from being informal to formal active business procedures and building friendly tax-payment Reserved by Hope entities and creating a sense of ownership regimes that we should respect, comply with Magazine, a monthly among taxpayers. When Rwanda Revenue and become deserving partners of our own Magazine is published by Authority sets aside a period of time to growth and national development. HOPE HOLDINGS LIMITED. All rights reserved. We appreciate your feedback. Please keep sending more on [email protected] The opinions expressed or visit www.hope-mag.com, to post your comment on any published in the magazine are not story. We shall pick it and respond to you asap! necessarily those of the editors and publishers of Hope Magazine.

Care is taken to ensure accuracy, Hope Magazine assume no liability for error or omissions in this publication. All Advertisements are taken in good faith, opinions and views contained herein are not necessarily those of the Publisher. All copyrights and trademarks are recognized. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system or transmitted in any form without written permission by Hope Magazine. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts with the purpose of fair review. © 2013

www.hope-mag.com 7

THERE IS STILL A HUGE OPPORTUNITY FOR HOTELS IN AFRICA

� THE RECENTLY HELD AFRICA HOTEL INVESTMENT FORUM ATTRACTED SCORES OF SPECIALISTS IN THE HOTEL AND TOURISM SECTOR TO THE KIGALI CONVENTION CENTRE. YET WHEN IT COMES TO EXPERIENCE IN AND WITH AFRICA, FEW COULD PROBABLY MATCH ANDREW MCLACHLAN, SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA AND THE INDIAN OCEAN AT CARLSON REZIDOR HOTEL GROUP, OPERATORS OF THE RADISSON BLU, RADISSON RED AND PARK INN BY RADISSON BRANDS ACROSS THE CONTINENT.

ANDREW MCLACHLAN Senior Vice-President for Business Development in Africa & the Indian Ocean at Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group

10 RADISSON BLU HOTELS SPECIAL FEATURE

Today we’ve got 8 hotels in Nigeria – 2 open and 6 ope Magazine had the opportunity under development – and we want to add another 8 to sit down with the South-African, in the next five years. Ivory Coast is a good market who has more than 25 years of for us as well. We want to be in Abidjan, but also experience in the hotel sector in elsewhere to make sure we actually have more than Africa, and who today is still based one market. in his native country at Carlson Rezidor Hotel HGroup’s Africa Area Support Office in Cape � Why did you opt for the Radisson Blu and Park Town. Inn by Radisson brands in Africa? � Carlson Rezidor recently launched Radisson Blu is our best known brand, it’s what we ‘Destination 2022,’ a five-year global call the heavy-weight boxer. When we come into expansion drive that also aims to significantly a new country, it’s always first with Radisson Blu; grow your portfolio in Africa. Can you briefly it’s our strongest brand, so we’ll be able to fight for explain the group’s plans for Africa under this market share no matter who is already in the market, program? and we should be able to retain our share against � What are Carlson Rezidor’s key countries whichever competitor follows us in that market. Once What we’re mapping out in Destination 2022 is in Africa and why? we have a Radisson Blu established, we normally how we want to accelerate our growth and our follow it with a Park Inn by Radisson. The difference portfolio in Africa over a period of 5 years. In If we look at key countries, South Africa is our most between the two is the quality and size of the hotels: Africa, between 2014 and now, we have got very important market in Africa, purely because we think a Radisson Blu in Africa is a 5-star hotel, and a Park accelerated growth; we’ve opened a new hotel we can have the most scale there. Today we have Inn by Radisson is typically 3 stars. It’s a little bit like every 60 days on the continent, and we’ve signed 14 hotels in South Africa, 12 which are open and 2 an airplane having business class and economy class, a new hotel deal every 37 days. Today we have a under development. In Destination 2022, we want to it’s the same approach. portfolio of 80 hotels, and 17,000 rooms, and by add another 8 hotels. In East Africa, we’ve identified the end of 2022, we want 125 hotels and 23,000 Ethiopia and as proactive markets. If we look We find that we’d rather come into a new country bedrooms. To do that, we’ve identified 12 Tier-1 at Ethiopia, it’s got the fastest GDP growth in Africa with a Radisson Blu so we can have a more senior cities – where we think we can have multiple and a population of over 100 million people, and we management team as it’s a bigger property; and once hotels in the same city – and 17 proactive cities. think that we can have scale there. we’re established and bring in a Park Inn, we don’t have that same level of investment as when you would We have also started to create business routes We have 4 hotels in Ethiopia today, 1 which is open have brought it in first. We did this in Rwanda: we first within economic communities; take the East and 3 under development – we actually announced 2 came with a Radisson Blu in July 2016, and then we African Community: a businessman who is hotels in Ethiopia during the Africa Hotel Investment followed it with a Park Inn in May of 2017. In leaving Nairobi, will most often be going to Kigali Forum here in Kigali: a Radisson Blu in Bishoftu and we did the same thing. That’s typically the approach or Dar-es-Salaam. So we look at business travel a Park Inn by Radisson in Addis Ababa. We want to because then we make sure that we’re in two price and airlift within a community, and make sure add another 4 hotels, so we aim to have 8 in Ethiopia points in the marketplace. that we provide the correct hotels and locations. by 2022. Kenya is a similar story. In Africa, there are 16 economic communities, We have 3 hotels in Nairobi and we’re focussing on three: the East African today - 1 Park Inn and 1 Community, the Southern Africa Development Radisson Blu which are Community (SADC ) and the Economic operational, and we’ll open our Community for West Africa (Ecowas). And we first Radisson Blu Residence, want to create such business circuits both within which is an extended-stay the Radisson Blu and the Park Inn by Radisson product, in late 2018/early 2019. brands. We want to add another 4 hotels We really want to focus on these two core brands, to Kenya within our Destination and only develop Radisson Red in very selected 2022 strategy. In West Africa, locations because it’s a lifestyle brand, it cannot Nigeria is a very important one go in as many locations as Radisson Blu and for us – it’s a huge market of 180 Park Inn – only 30 days ago, we opened the million people, and even though very first Radisson Red in Cape Town, South it has had a tough three years Africa. In Africa we are adding two new hotel economically, it has long-term brands in 2018. sustainability.

www.hope-mag.com 11 RADISSON BLU HOTELS SPECIAL FEATURE

� As you mentioned, Carlson Rezidor We can actually discuss issues, share lessons learnt, and Obviously, we’ve been involved in this hotel and currently has a Radisson Blu and a Park Inn engage and help grow our business and our industry. I conference centre from the beginning, back in 2009 by Radisson in Rwanda. Are there any plans think in Africa there is still a huge, long-term opportunity. when it was just a plan on paper. At that stage, the government decided that within East Africa, Rwanda to increase your presence here? There are still a lot of cities which are under-supplied with quality hotels. The industry continues to grow: new wanted to become a centre for MICE business. No, not at the moment. In Rwanda over the rooms in Africa grew by 13% from last year. Generally, last 36 months, a lot of new hotels have been tourism in Africa is growing well because more and more That was the reason for developing such an coming into the market like CityBlue, ourselves, governments recognise it as a very important GDP- amazing conference and convention centre, and Marriott, Ubumwe Grande Hotel which is now contributor. today it definitely is the best convention centre going to change to DoubleTree by Hilton... So in East Africa, and probably within the top 3 or 4 now, from an economic point of view, the city It’s also a very good industry to create a lot of permanent best convention centres on the African continent. needs to keep growing, the convention centre jobs. So tourism is really growing and has a bright future And when you have a big convention centre like needs to establish itself in the marketplace, ahead. There are some common challenges. Access to this, it’s not just beneficial to the Radisson Blu and airlift needs to improve; so I don’t think funding is always difficult, getting the right amount of Hotel, it has huge economic value to the entire there will be too many new hotel rooms being equity is always a bit of a challenge. In some markets it is city – airlines benefit from it, taxis, restaurants, added to Kigali for a long time. infrastructure – you need to bring in everything as there’s even competing hotels benefit from a convention nothing you can source locally, which makes it expensive centre like this. When it’s busy and when it’s full with 5000 delegates, everyone in the city actually We, at the moment, are quite busy getting our to build. Construction skill sets are also a bit of a challenge benefits from that. two hotels up and running well. A new hotel in some markets. In some cases, the governments are normally takes about a 1000 days, or almost not so proactive in supporting the development of hotels four years, to get at a stabilised occupancy, and or the tourism sector. The strategic move for Rwanda to position itself as a that’s what we’re focusing on at the moment. luxury destination, I think that’s a smart move – just But we also have some countries that are very proactive – look at the Seychelles, which also positioned itself � In the context of the ongoing Africa Hotel they provide tax-breaks, duty-free imports, they accelerate as a more exclusive destination rather than a mass Investment Forum, how do you see the the decision-making when you’re presenting your plans market. You should also consider the assets in the country: visiting the gorillas, for instance, there can potential, and near future, of the hotel sector to the municipalities, etc. Airlifts and visas are always a problem: it would be a lot easier if people could move freely only be 8 people per gorilla family for one hour a and tourism in Africa? What do you see as the from one country to another, as opposed to having so many day – so you’ve got to maximise your revenue and main challenges? visa restrictions. As airlifting accrues, more people can do make it more expensive and exclusive. But people business and there will be more demand for hotel rooms. in that market are prepared to pay. So I think it’s The Africa Hotel Investment Forum is a very the right strategy for Rwanda, and we’re obviously important event for the industry in Africa � The Rwandan government has taken the option to very supportive of that. Going back to the MICE – it’s a once-a-year occasion when all the business, the Radisson Blu Hotel works very well mainly promote MICE and high-end tourism? How do stakeholders in the hospitality sector can meet: with the Kigali Convention Bureau, there’s really a bankers, investors, professionals, architects, you assess that choice, and how can Carlson Rezidor strong strategy on how we will get the convention designers, hotel groups,... contribute to it? centre to be busy all the time.

12 HOPE MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER ISSUE 79 RADISSON BLU KIGALI IS AFRICA’S LEADING CONFERENCE AND NEW HOTEL

� THE RADISSON BLU HOTEL IN KIGALI HAS WON THREE MAJOR AWARDS DURING THE WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS AFRICA GALA CEREMONY 2017, WHICH NOT COINCIDENTALLY WAS HELD IN OCTOBER AT THE RADISSON BLU HOTEL AND CONVENTION CENTRE IN KIGALI.

irstly, it was named Rwanda’s Leading Conference Hotel; however, not only did Radisson Blu Kigali beat its Rwandan competitors, it also proved better than any other African hotel in this category Denis Dernault Radisson Blu Kigali's General Manager (2nd left) receives one of the hotel's three trophies as it also scooped the award of Africa’s Leading FConference Hotel. Not bad for a hotel that only opened its doors in July 2016. That is clearly The complex opened its doors with great pomp, well as the launch of the SDG Centre For Africa, the what the jury of the World Travel Awards thought, as the first conference it hosted immediately 2nd Aviation Africa Summit, the launch of the Africa Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), the 2017 because Radisson Blu Kigali also walked away after its inauguration was the 27th African Union with the trophy of Africa’s Leading New Hotel. Global Fund Board Meeting, the Transform Africa Summit. Since then, Radisson Blu Hotel and Summit, the Afreximbank 2017 General Assembly, Conference Centre has been the beating heart and of course the World Travel Awards Africa Gala In the two categories where it took the African of the government’s drive to promote MICE tourism crown, Radisson Blu Kigali will go on to compete Ceremony 2017. Not surprisingly, Rwanda has made (meetings, incentives, conferences, events). It has great strides in MICE tourism since the inauguration with hotels from other continents at the World since hosted numerous prestigious conferences of the Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Centre. Travel Awards Grand Final, to be held on 10th such as the Comesa Global Africa Investment In the 2016 ranking of the International Congress December in Vietnam. Radisson Blu Kigali Summit, the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (both and Convention Associations (ICCA), Rwanda took belongs to the Carlson-Rezidor Hotel Group, in 2016 and 2017), the 28th Meeting of the Parties the 3rd place in Africa, behind only South Africa and and is conjoined twins with the Kigali Convention to the Montreal Protocol, a continental conference Morocco. In 2014, Rwanda was ranked only 13th in Centre. on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as Africa, and 7th in 2015.

Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Centre Staff celebrate the Africa's Leading New Hotel award

www.hope-mag.com 13 ‘WE ARE JOINING FORCES TO BRING BUSINESS TO THE CITY’ Denis Dernault General Manager Radisson Blu Hotel & Conference Centre Kigali

� AFTER JUST 16 MONTHS OF OPERATIONS, THE RADISSON BLU HOTEL & CONFERENCE � So you think the Kigali Convention Centre is CENTRE IN KIGALI HAS ALREADY WON THE WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS FOR LEADING sustainable? NEW HOTEL AND LEADING CONFERENCE HOTEL IN AFRICA. HOPE MAGAZINE CAUGHT I would say the business potential of this complex UP WITH A SATISFIED DENIS DERNAULT, GENERAL MANAGER OF THE COMPLEX. is amazing. First, it’s all about marketing and putting Rwanda, Kigali and this complex on the international market. And this is what is happening � What do the WTA awards mean for you and your But isn’t there a risk of over-supply in this market? with the Rwanda Convention Bureau: at every big team? travel fair, we are present as a destination – not I think at the present time, this is the adequate as Radisson Blu, Marriott etc. It is really a great achievement. When we started in room inventory for the market, because when July 2016, 90% of the employees had never been we are welcoming an international event of exposed to the hospitality sector before they came Whenever we have an extremely potential client, importance, everybody is impacted positively by we are pitching together and we are able to to work with us. In the Western world, people go it. It should stay like this probably for the next two leverage our joint influence. Otherwise, this cannot to hotel school for minimum two years before they years, and then go further, because the MICE work; we have to look at the macroeconomics of set foot in a hotel. business (meetings, incentives, conferences, the city, and at the whole experience we have to events) is going to develop. We are now having offer attendees when they come to the destination. So this is really an exceptional achievement, and great visibility, people have seen we have the I say kudos to them. It’s such a motivation – you know-how here, and I trust that in the next three � So how does Radisson position itself? probably saw how all of them got on the stage years there will be real improvement in the number at the WTA ceremony; it was the hard work, the of international events hosted here. At the Radisson Blu, we consider the other dedication, the commitment that they celebrated hospitality entities as partners as we are focused, there. with our management of KCC, to generate large For example, the trend in Rwanda in the past has size events to benefits all hotels. W e been that the first trimester of a year is always have many global sales offices, and they are also � Radisson Blu Kigali was also named the leading tough for the sector; and this year, it was indeed pitching Kigali. So it’s a cooperation between the conference hotel in Rwanda, which is no mean very difficult. But the first trimester of 2018 looks hotels. And we as Radisson Blu are here to ensure feat given that in the past two years or so, several extremely promising. So that shows MICE is really that this complex shines positively on the rest of high-end hotels have opened in Kigali. developing. the market.

14 HOPE MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER ISSUE 79 MTN RWANDA SPECIAL FEATURE MTN top management personally says ‘thank you’ to customers ff To celebrate the customer service week, which took place from the 2nd to the 6th October, top executives from leading telecom MTN Rwanda took time to interact with customers and express their appreciation for their loyalty.

erving clients personally at the MTN Rwanda service centre at the Champions Investment Company (CHIC) building, senior management asked customers how they like the company’s services, Sand gave them gifts of appreciation. “We are always striving to meet the needs of our clients, and are committed to provide them the best telecom services,” said Norman Munyampundu, the General Manager of MTN Business.

The company’s CEO, Bart Hofker, said MTN Rwanda cares a lot about people who use its network. “We want customers who are happy with us and keep coming back,” he remarked. And MTN Rwanda seems to be succeeding in keeping its customers happy, as it remains the leading telecom company in the country in terms of customer and revenue numbers with a 42% market share in subscriptions. Norman Munyampundu speaks to journalists at the customer service week

Norman Munyampundu MTN Business General Manager, rewards staff of forex company UAExchange with a handset at the customer service week MTN Rwanda the market leader strives to keep customers happy

MTN Rwanda staff share smiles with a client MTN Service Center at CHIC building

www.hope-mag.com 15 AKAGERA BUSINESS GROUP SPECIAL FEATURE

AKAGERA MOTORS Introduces MCV Buses

ff AKAGERA MOTORS HAS CONCLUDED AN AGREEMENT WITH MANUFACTURING COMMERCIAL VEHICLES (MCV) TO DISTRIBUTE ITS VEHICLES IN RWANDA. THIS WAS ANNOUNCED DURING A CEREMONY TO LAUNCH THE PARTNERSHIP ON 29TH SEPTEMBER 2017.

MCV Bus Model C120

MCV Bus Model S114

ABG MCV Team

ased in Egypt, MCV is a leading manufacturer of buses in the Middle East and Africa. As a daughter company of Daimler AG, it also assembles commercial vehicles of Mercedes-Benz, and is the general distributor in Egypt for the brand.

BWith 6,000 motivated and competent employees and almost 300,000 square meters of well-equipped modern manufacturing MCV Bus Model 260 facilities, MCV’s production capacity amounts to 10,000 buses per year. It has international offices in the UK, the UAE, South Africa, Algeria, Nigeria, Cuba and Singapore.

Akagera Motors will be selling MCV’s full range of buses including mini-buses, intercity buses, high deck coaches, super high-deck coaches, city buses and double-decker buses. MCV Bus Model 240

16 HOPE MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER ISSUE 79 Akagera Motors Rich History The agreement with MCV is another important milestone in Akagera Motors long and rich history, which started in 1997, when two entrepreneurial- minded brothers were seeking a business opportunity in Kigali, Rwanda. Being hard working, determined, passionate and business- minded, the brothers were able to turn Akagera Motors into an automotive powerhouse, which remains one of the country’s major companies.

As more business ventures were added to the company’s portfolio, Akagera Motors became Akagera Business Group (ABG) Ltd. in 2008. Headquartered in Kigali, ABG today consists of nine divisions dealing in automobiles, tires, batteries, lubricants, media, consumer goods, consumer electronics, car rentals, leasing, hardware, paints, design, construction, security and safety systems. MCV Bus Model C120

MCV Bus Model S114

MCV Handover

It has a presence in Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan and the eastern DR Congo. ABG has about 250 employees, including some 10 expatriates of different nationalities throughout the nine divisions. The company’s turnover reached $50 million in 2016.

ABG has qualified and professional front line managers and executives, and a congenial professional work culture based on the Kaizen management system, with a single objective of continuous growth. It uses a divisional structure with clear objectives and growth plans, while division managers are empowered independently, handling delegation of work and bottom-line MCV Bus Model 260 results.

Akagera Motors is enhancing the transport as well. With 20 years of experience, Akagera ABG owns nearly 30,000 square meters of experience for passengers and drivers by Motors has the capability of providing not only infrastructure comprising of office blocks, providing luxurious, safer, comfortable and fuel- sales, but also spare parts and service in a timely warehouses, customs bonded warehouses, yards efficient buses, which benefit the transport owners manner at an affordable rate. and corporate houses.

ff Please contact AKAGERA MOTORS at +250 781 466 886 / [email protected] for any inquires.

www.hope-mag.com 17 Serena HotelS ScoopS Seven titleS at tHe 2017 World travel aWardS These awards are just but a few awards Serena Hotels has won this year. This is proof of the devotion put to providing unmatched guest experiences and quality services across all our properties. Serena goes ‘beyond the boundaries of industry excellence’ and it is indeed a testament that the ‘best is getting better’.

Mara Serena Safari Lodge (MSSL) has not been left behind as it has been nominated on a global scale for the prestigious World’s Leading Safari Resort at the 24th World Travel Awards 2017.

Not only is this safari lodge advantaged to be in one of the most popular and ‘all year round’ safari destinations in Africa, Magical Kenya, but also famous for its unique location, with breath- taking views of the Wildebeest Migration which takes place at the doorstep of the Lodge. Indigenous design, architecture and local materials at MSSL inspired from the Maasai community are integrated with the most modern amenities such as a swimming pool, a wellness gym and spa, complemented by exceptional service.

To vote for Mara Serena Safari Lodge as the “World’s Leading Safari Resort” at the 24th World Travel Awards 2017, we would be grateful if you can take some time to vote using the link: https://www.worldtravelawards.com/ award-worlds-leading-safari-resort-2017

MANAGEMENT

Tourism Promotion Services (TPS), Serena Hotels Serena Hotels offers quality accommodation in a collection of 24 up-market hotels, safari lodges, camps and resorts within 6 countries Serena Hotels scoops seven awards, 2.) Rwanda’s Leading Hotel Suite 7.) Zanzibar Leading Hotel 2017: in the Eastern Africa region (Kenya, including category titles of Leading 2017: Presidential Suite at Kigali Zanzibar Serena Hotel Tanzania, Zanzibar, , Rwanda Hotel Brand in four East African Serena Hotel and Mozambique) and 11 properties Mr. Mahmud Jan Mohamed, countries at the Africa Edition of the in Asia (Afghanistan, Pakistan and 3.) Uganda’s Leading Hotel 2017: Managing Director, Serena Hotels, 2017 World Travel Awards held in Kigali, Tajikistan). These properties are Serena Hotel-a Africa remarked, “We are honoured to Rwanda. strategically located to offer exciting member of the Leading Hotels of be recognized for these awards which circuits for guests in some of the According to the Wall Street Journal, the World demonstrate the level to which our most exquisite and prime locations in the World Travel Awards is regarded as guests and partners uphold our brand. Eastern Africa and Asia. With a focus on the “Oscars” of the travel industry and 4.) Uganda’s Leading Hotel Suite We attribute our win to our unwavering product, service standards and guest recognizes commitment to excellence 2017: Presidential Suite at Lake commitment to meet the needs of satisfaction, Serena Hotels continues across all sectors of the global tourism Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa our guests by offering exceptional in its quest to be the hotel of choice and travel industry. experiences through quality product 5.) Mozambique’s Leading Hotel for the discerning traveller providing and services and through the Brand 2017: Polana Serena Hotel guests with quality accommodation, Serena Hotels clinched the following outstanding commitment of our staff. awards: conference and holiday solutions. 6.) Mozambique’s Leading Hotel We would like to extend our gratitude to our partners, business suppliers and 1.) Rwanda’s Leading Hotel 2017: Suite 2017: Presidential Suite at our staff.” Serena takes pride in the level Kigali Serena Hotel Polana Serena Hotel of personal care and warmth of welcome that it extends to its guests. Each Serena property is designed to complement its environment, while contact information: Website: www.serenahotels.com; nurturing the landscape, culture For more information, contact Serena Hotels at: facebook: www.facebook.com/serenahotels and community that surrounds it. reservations email: [email protected] twitter: www.twitter.com/serenahotels The Serena Group stands out in East African eco-awareness and eco-policy tel:(+250) 788 184 500/ (+250) 252 597 100 Blog: www.theserenaexperience.com implementation.

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CENTURYUAP RWANDAUAP PARK RWANDA SPECIALSPECIAL SPECIAL FEATURE FEATURE FEATURE UAP RECOGNISES KEY STAKEHOLDERS during customer service week

�UAP INSURANCE RWANDA JOINED THE REST OF RWANDA AND THE WORLD IN CELEBRATING CUSTOMER SERVICE WEEK, WITH THE COMPANY’S MANAGEMENT MEETING WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS AND CUSTOMERS TO EXPRESS THEIR APPRECIATION FOR THEM AND THEIR CHOICE OF INSURING WITH UAP.

Robin Bairstow (L) I&M Bank CEO receives a gift from Calisto Ogaye the new CEO (R) rewards insurance brokers during the customer service week Ms. Claudine UAP (Rwanda) customer service manager

he week was also an fuel vouchers and bottles of wine, About UAP Insurance Rwanda opportunity for the which were much appreciated. “We insurer to introduce its would like to assure you of our support UAP Insurance Rwanda is a subsidiary of UAP Old Mutual Group an integrated stakeholders to the new and we will keep coming to you to financial services provider comprising Banking, Insurance and Investment CEO, Calisto Ogaye, who streamline our businesses,” said businesses. The East Africa business is headquartered in Kenya with operations took office early September. During Vianney Ngarambe, who works with Tthe week, the company’s management Utmost Insurance Brokers.Theoneste met insurance brokers, direct sales Uwizeyimana, an agent of the direct force executives and agents, staff and sales force, thanked UAP Rwanda customers.Ogaye emphasized that for treating them to a breakfast at UAP considers the customer as king Ubumwe Grand Hotel, and said it and always strives to serve them and was encouraging that UAP recognizes keep them satisfied. their efforts.

“Let’s work together to keep finding “It’s always good to make time to the suitable terms and conditions for meet us,” he noted. Among the our customers,” Ogaye told brokers corporate partners which UAP put during a breakfast meeting at Kigali in the spotlight were I&M Bank Serena hotel.Under the slogan ‘We Rwanda CEO Robin Bairstow, and are good company,’ UAP staff also representatives from Kobil and gave the stakeholders gifts such as Access Bank Rwanda. UAP Insurance agent speaks of the company's inspiring engagement efforts with all stakeholders

20 HOPE MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER ISSUE 79 UAP RWANDA SPECIAL FEATURE

UAP agents treated to a nice breakfast at the Ubumwe Grande Hotel UAP staff (R) warmly serves a client during the customer service week as the insurer appreciated their efforts

We are Good Company The new tagline for Rwanda's leading insurer Cutting cake Appreciating UAP staff during the customer service week in Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan and Our vision is to become Rwanda’s Tanzania. UAP Insurance Rwanda revolutionary financial services commenced operations in October company; one that is committed 2012 to provide General and Health to improving the dignity of life Insurance, with market-led approaches by bringing peace of mind and and capacity to offer differentiated financial freedom to Rwandans. UAP solutions. As evidenced by the firm’s Insurance Rwanda management and customers, UAP Rwanda has a diverse staff have adopted local approaches portfolio of protection solutions for to co-craft solutions for customers customer risks with a customer-centric and served them with world-class focus. UAP’s entry into the Rwanda systems and processes to delight market with innovative solutions has them. We have presence in Kigali, contributed significantly to the scope Musanze, Rubavu, Kayonza, of insurance products available for Muhanga and Rusizi to ensure that customers in the Market. we are accessible to our customers. UAP agent interacting with a client

A group photo of the insurance agents after the breakfast

www.hope-mag.com 21 ACCESS BANK RWANDA SPECIAL FEATURE ACCESS BANK Appreciates Customers during Customer Service Week

ff ACCESS BANK RWANDA TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW APPRECIATION FOR ITS CUSTOMERS DURING THE ANNUAL CUSTOMER SERVICE WEEK THAT RAN FROM 2ND TO 6TH OCTOBER. THE BANK HELD DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES IN ALL ITS BRANCHES, WHICH INCLUDED SERVING CUSTOMERS WITH SOFT DRINKS, COOKIES AND SWEETS AS A HUMBLE SIGN OF APPRECIATION BY THE BANK’S STAFF AND MANAGEMENT. Access Bank Staff serves the client

Kayitesi (L) receives an award from the RDB CEO, Ms. Clare Akamanzi (R) for her exceptional service

hen visiting Access Bank Rwanda’s main branch, customers were always welcomed with a warm smile from all the serving staff. To cap the week, one of the bank’s employees was recognized by the Rwanda WDevelopment Board (RDB) during the Customer Service Week’s closing ceremony at the Kigali Serena Hotel. As one of the fastest growing banks in Rwanda, Access Bank has over the years evolved to become a catalyst for socio-economic development and is on course to becoming one of the top three banks in Rwanda within the next 5 years.

The bank, which offers a wide range of retail products, has its strengths in delivering superior services to its customers with a team that has capacity to serve with the highest level of professional and ethical integrity. The bank’s team boasts of a young and dynamic workforce that seeks to enhance quality and sustainable customer relations. In the last 10 years, Access Bank has been able to develop innovative products with competitive pricing. Access Bank staff always serve clients professionally and with warm smiles Kayitesi (L) Kayitesi's warmly interacte with clients

22 HOPE MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER ISSUE 79 ACCESS BANK RWANDA SPECIAL FEATURE

Access Bank Staff serves the client

This has been mainly done through the migration of cash payments and plastic card payments to payments made over digital channels. These banking solutions including SMS and E-mail alerts, E-statement, Visa cards, as well as payroll management solution. These products are all tailored to meet the needs of its corporate and retail customers.

Access Bank’s business is subdivided in the following departments: Corporate Banking which provides services to multinationals and large domestic clients across a variety of industry sectors; Commercial Banking which covers all non-institutional clients within the value chain of the bank’s large, corporate customers; Personal Banking which concerns all individuals customers. In 2015 and 2016, the company also set up a Public Sector Unit that offers service to public institutions, and Women Banking.

It has been able to attract customers by offering business loans and lines of credit to help commercial and industrial businesses grow and become successful.

Kayitesi (L) Kayitesi's warmly interacte with clients Access Bank Staff The Bank boasts of a young dynamic staff

www.hope-mag.com 23

BRALIRWA SPECIAL FEATURE

BRALIRWA NAMED BEST LARGE TAXPAYER IN RWANDA

ff LEADING BEVERAGE MANUFACTURER BRALIRWA HAS BEEN REWARDED AS THE BEST LARGE TAXPAYER OF 2016 BY RWANDA REVENUE AUTHORITY (RRA. THE SOFT DRINKS AND BEER MANUFACTURER RECEIVED THE ACCOLADE ON NATIONAL TAXPAYERS’ DAY ON FRIDAY 13TH OCTOBER IN A COLORFUL EVENT HOSTED BY RRA TO CELEBRATE THE BEST TAXPAYERS IN THE COUNTRY.

Victor Madiela (C) Bralirwa's MD receives the award for the beverages manufacturer being among the largest tax payers in the country

peaking after receiving the RRA RRA Commissioner-General Richard Tusabe Bralirwa is Rwanda’s leader by market share in award, Bralirwa Managing Director confirmed that Tax compliance rates in the country the beverage industry, dominating the soft drinks Victor Madiela said the firm remains are steadily improving with continued support market with its Coca-Cola line of products and committed to comply with all tax from various economic actors including the private having an equally high share of the beer market. regulations. “At Bralirwa, we are sector. The RRA boss disclosed that the tax body Established in 1957, Bralirwa is a subsidiary of the committed to maintain prudent and ethical had managed to beat its collection target for the Heineken Group which has 75% of the shares. The Sbusiness management standards including prompt last financial year by more than Rwf 8.6 billion with remaining 25% shares are listed on the Rwanda tax payments,” Madiela said. a total revenue of about Rwf 1.1 trillion last year. Stock Exchange since 2013.

26 HOPE MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER ISSUE 79 BRALIRWA SPECIAL FEATURE BRALIRWA DONATES SOLAR KITS TO KAYONZA FAMILIES ff BRALIRWA, THE BIGGEST DRINKS MANUFACTURER IN THE COUNTRY, ON WEDNESDAY SIGNED AN MOU WITH THE DISTRICT OF KAYONZA AND THE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION LIMITED (EDCL) TO SUPPLY SOLAR ELECTRICITY SYSTEMS TO 283 VULNERABLE FAMILIES IN NDEGO SECTOR, WHICH IS ALSO HOME TO BRAMIN MAIZE FARM, PARTLY OWNED BY BRALIRWA.

The donation is worth Rwf 15 million

he solar systems, supplied by Mobisol, consist of a solar panel, a battery, 3 lights, a solar lantern and a phone charger kit. TIt will take one week to install all systems. The managing director of Bralirwa, Victor Madiela, called it a big day for the company’s ambitious corporate social responsibility agenda. “Our Bramin farm provides jobs to some 300 people who live around the farm in Ndego, so we want to support that community,” he said. Yves Nshuti acting managing director EDCL, Freddy Nyangezi corporate affairs manager Bralirwa, Ronald Kiwanuka executive secretary Kayonza district and Victor Madiela Bralirwa’s managing director after signing the MoU.

Victor Madiela (C) Bralirwa's MD receives the award for the beverages manufacturer being among the largest tax payers in the country Signing MoU Bralirwa’s Victor Madiela and Yves Nshuti of EDCL Mobisol Rwanda representative demonstrates solar systems

For example, we have a permanent are very grateful for the good cooperation director of EDCL, remarked that Bralirwa’s ambulance at the farm which is there for with Bramin and Bralirawa. “In the name initiative contributes to achieving universal the community.” “Today we sign this MoU to of the mayor and the population, I want to access to electricity by 2024. “We appreciate provide electricity to Ndego sector, and it will thank Bralirwa for this donation,” he said. “It this effort by Bralirwa, which is not in the not be the last such MoU,” Madiela added. will bring relief as Ndego is one of the few business of electrification,” Nshuti observed. The executive secretary of Kayonza district, sectors in the district which still doesn’t have “And we encourage other companies to Ronald Kiwanuka, said the local authorities electricity.” Yves Nshuti, the acting managing follow this example.”

www.hope-mag.com 27 AIRTEL RWANDA SPECIAL FEATURE Airtel Rwanda Tunga Promotion Back 12 Motorcycles and brand new car to be won

... THE LEADING TELECO- MMUNICATIONS COMPANY AIRTEL Airtel customers to win 12 motorcycles in 12 weeks RWANDA HAS TODAY ANNOUNCED A Grand prize of a brand new Toyota Avanza car to be won MEGA PROMOTION DUBBED TUNGA Airtel airtime up for grabs daily WHICH WILL SEE 12 CUSTOMERS AWARDED 12 MOTORCYCLES IN 12 WEEKS For us at Airtel, the time is NOW for our customers Note: All winners will receive a call from AND ONE WINNER WILL WALK AWAY to live their dream by becoming one of the lucky an Airtel Rwanda official on the number WITH A BRAND NEW TOYOTA AVANZA CAR winners and proud owners of brand new motorcycles 0731000000 notifying them on the date to AT THE END OF THE PROMOTION ... and a brand new car,” Abindabizemu said. redeem their rewards. Rewards can only be redeemed by the SIM Card holder whose KYC matches his/her valid Identification Card.

About Bharti Airtel

Bharti Airtel Limited is a leading global tele- communications company with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa. Headquartered in New Delhi, India, the company ranks amongst the top 3 mobile service providers globally in terms of subscribers. In India, the company’s product offerings include 2G, 3G and 4G wireless services, mobile commerce, fixed line services, high speed DSL broadband, IPTV, DTH, enterprise services including national & international long distance services to carriers. In the rest of the geographies, it offers 2G, 3G and 4G wireless services and mobile commerce. Bharti Airtel had over 353 million customers across its operations at the end of January 2016. To know more please visit, Moses Abindabizemu Commercial Director and www.airtel.com Meddy Ngabo the brand Ambassador for Tunga promotion at the Launch

he promotion is set out as a trivia challenge He added, “With promotions such as where customers will participate and these, our customers can be able to stand a chance to win a motorcycle and a have fun while using the Airtel network brand new car. Customers will be required as well as acquire knowledge about to send the text message “1” to 155 or call various subjects and ultimately stand a 155 and will automatically be entered into the game chance to win.” During the promotions, Tand can start playing by answering questions. The customers will each earn 100 points for message will cost only Rwf 100 and the promotion every correct answer and will receive 50 is open to all Airtel Rwanda customers. points for attempting even if they get the answer wrong and the customer wins a To check points accumulated, the customer will bonus worth 11Rwf per SMS to be used dial *155# Speaking at the launch of the TUNGA on Airtel to Airtel SMSs. promotion, Airtel Rwanda Commercial Director, Mr. Moses Abindabizemu thanked Airtel customers for Additionally, calls to 155 costs 100Rwf/ their support and encouraged the public to take part in response to a question. Each week a the campaign saying anyone could be a winner. “We motorcycle will be won and a grand prize are happy to reward our customers for the loyalty they of brand new car will be handed over to Mose Abindabizemu Airtel Commercial Director poses have showed us the past year and continue to show us. the winner to end the promotion. with Meddy Ngabo on the launch of Tunga Promotion

28 HOPE MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER ISSUE 79

BPR BANK SPECIAL FEATURE

BPR PLEDGES SERVICE EXCELLENCE DURING THE CUSTOMER SERVICE WEEK

ff TO CELEBRATE CUSTOMER SERVICE WEEK, BPR TOOK A SERIES OF INITIATIVES IN ITS BRANCHES TO THANK ITS CUSTOMERS FOR BEING LOYAL TO THEM.

Eric Rutabana (second left) Country head of corporate & investment banking Prossie (L) - Head of marketing & communications Afrique RAMBA and (second right) Shema Xavier Mugisha Head of Retail banking

he bank’s Country Head of Corporate and Investment The annual Customer Service Week seeks Banking, Eric Rutabana, said all staff including to celebrate all key players in the customer senior management were actively involved in experience: reaching out to clients, serving and interacting with them, and showing their appreciation with small front-line service representatives, sales professionals, gifts. Rutabana said the bank makes sure to offer modern marketers, customers, support staff and top management. Tbanking services for its customers’ convenience – such as ATMs, This year’s theme was “Building trust” which is key to building online and internet banking services and the 24-hour call center. strong, sustainable productive relationships with clients.

30 HOPE MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER ISSUE 79 BPR BANK SPECIAL FEATURE

“Ideally, here at BPR we are prepared to make merry with customers during the week which will be one of celebrations and recognition,” Rutabana observed. “But it should also be a week where we go the extra mile to listen to our customers to build trust and have direct and measurable results of our employees’ efforts in offering quality customer service.”

Earlier this year, BPR was recognized as the best bank in Rwanda at the annual Banker Africa 2017 awards for the East African region, held in Nairobi, Kenya. “We want to maintain this standard as the number one customer service bank in Rwanda.

Clients visiting BPR's branches are warmly welcomed

BPR Rusizi branch staff welcoming a customer Prossie Kalisa BPR's Head of Marketing & Communication shares during the customer service week celebrations a light moment with a customer during the customer service week

Shema Mugisha BPR's country head of retail thanked Shema Mugisha BPR's country head of retail thanked customers for their loyality during customer service week customers for their loyality during customer service week

The customer service week is an opportunity Earlier this year, BPR was recognized as the best bank in for us to review how we can keep measuring up to and even surpass our clients’ Rwanda at the annual Banker Africa 2017 awards for the East expectations,” Rutabana noted. At the end African region, held in Nairobi, Kenya. “We want to maintain this of the week, some of BPR’s employees who had excelled in providing the best customer standard as the number one customer service bank in Rwanda. service were rewarded to boost their professional commitment and encourage them to continue offering quality service.

www.hope-mag.com 31 RWANDA REVENUE AUTHORITY SPECIAL FEATURE

RRA RECOGNIZES BEST TAXPAYERS as it seeks to further increase compliance

The event's winners across all categories posed for a group photo with senior government officials after the event

ff RWANDA REVENUE AUTHORITY (RRA) ON 13TH OCTOBER HELD ITS ANNUAL NATIONAL TAXPAYERS’ DAY TO SHOW ITS APPRECIATION OF COMPLIANT TAXPAYERS’ CONTRIBUTION TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND TO SENSITISE OTHERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PAYING TAXES.

he event at the Radisson Blu Hotel year 2016/17, exceeding its target by Rwf 8.6 Lando got trophies for efficiently using and Kigali Convention Center (KCC) billion. Local government revenue collections electronic billing machines (EBM) in their was held under the theme ‘My Tax, also increased in comparison to previous years, daily transactions. My Development, My Dignity,’ which with Rwf 47.9 billion collected at the district the guest of honour, Prime Minister level, falling slightly short of the target of Rwf Awards were also given to the best small, Edouard Ngirente, reflected the fact that taxes are 49.2 billion yet still far exceeding the Rwf 40.5 medium and large taxpayers. In the last Tone of the best ways to build a self-reliant country. billion raised in the financial year 2015/16. category, Bralirwa, MTN Rwanda, the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority, and Zigama CSS were This theme reminds us of everyone’s contribution The taxpayers’ awards were divided in eight the winners, while the best medium taxpayers in building and developing our country,” he said. categories. Nakumatt supermarket, Le were Acquired Boot Training company, Wood RRA collected Rwf 1.1 trillion in the financial supermarket, Sulfo Rwanda, and Hotel Chez Case Technology and Mute Line International.

32 HOPE MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER ISSUE 79 RWANDA REVENUE AUTHORITY SPECIAL FEATURE

Among small taxpayers, the trophies went to In the lead-up to the celebration of Remote Partners, Fonda Tea Company, and the ‘2017 Taxpayers ‘Appreciation Transunion Rwanda. The best taxpayers at Day,’ RRA held awareness events the provincial level were also recognized, across the country such as with Track Solution, Governors Camp meetings with business owners Rwanda, Centre Bon Conseil, and Amako and appreciation of most compliant Paints walking away with the prizes. taxpayers at the provincial level. RRA Commissioner General In the category ‘Made in Rwanda,’ the Richard Tusabe thanked taxpayers winners were East African Granite for increased compliance, and Industries, Stoke Building, and Africa promised more efforts to make it Improved Foods Rwanda. RRA also showed easy for businesses to pay their special recognition to the Rwanda Defence taxes. He also attributed this Force (RDF) and the Rwanda National success to the use of modern Police (RNP) for being valuable partners in technologies and increased dealing with defaulters and fraudsters, and quality of service delivery and ensuring transparency in services delivery. Robin Bairstow I&M Bank Rwanda's MD during the event transparency.

Richard Tusabe RRA Commissioner General makes keynote address during the event RRA hosted taxpayers at the Radisson Blu & Kigali Convention Center during the National Taxpayers' Day

Everyone’s obligation He highlighted electronic At the occasion, Prime Minister Ngirente payment systems that have underlined the importance of taxes to made it easier for people to pay help the country become self-reliant, and their taxes. “The private sector urged those who still fail to comply with is a key player in achieving the tax regulation to change their ways. the tax target; it represents “We need to realise that no country can 79% of our revenue, which is develop without the contribution of its something we applaud. We citizens through taxes,” he observed. are committed to continue improving our services with “We attribute the development we see in all better approaches to make it sectors to increased taxpaying compliance, easier for all taxpayers to meet but we still want to achieve more. Therefore, their obligations quickly, easily we remind those who do not pay their taxes and cost-efficiently. But we will well and those who do not pay them at all also make sure that those who to change their mind-set and understand do not abide by the rules get that paying taxes is everyone’s obligation.” punished,” Tusabe said. Zigama CSS recognized among the largest tax payers

www.hope-mag.com 33 RRA SPECIAL FEATURE

Victor Madiela (C) Bralirwa's Managing Director receives the award among the largest tax payers in the country Rwanda National Police awarded for aiding RRA enforce tax payment

Adan Ramata Nakumatt Rwanda Country Manager Annual National Taxpayers’ Day receives an award for efficient use of EBM Richard Tusabe RRA's CG and Uzziel Ndagijimana Finance Minister

Private sector growth Also, he asked for the tax on casual labourers to According to Tusabe, this means that RRA be removed, and that the 5-year period for loss will have to improve its efficiency to ensure Speaking on behalf of taxpayers, the chairman of carried forward would become unlimited as it is tax compliance and widen the tax base, the Private Sector Federation (PSF), Benjamin the case in some other countries because it is among others through public sensitisation Gasamagera, thanked RRA for providing not easy to recover from loss in only five years. campaigns. “We are going to continue with technology to businesses to make paying taxes sensitization to ensure that tools such as easy. A better future ahead EBMs are put to proper use and that the general public is aware of its role in tax “The fact that the private sector has paid 79% of For the current fiscal year 2017/18, RRA targets compliance,” he said. the taxes is something to be proud of, not only to collect Rwf 1.2 trillion, which accounts for because of the contribution to the development 57.3% of the Rwf-2.1-trillion national budget. With about 16,000 EBMs currently in use, of the country, but also because it is a sign of how Local governments taxes are targeted at Rwf RRA is looking at the introduction of a the private investment has grown,” he remarked. 51.5 billion, an increase of Rwf 3.6 billion or 7.5% version compatible with the electronic While he called upon all businesspeople who are in comparison to the previous financial year. environment that is being promoted as part still lagging behind in paying taxes to change of the cashless economy. The tax body is their mind-set, he also requested RRA to address RRA will continue to use the latest technologies also looking to introduce an application that some remaining challenges. to facilitate tax collection, declaration and can be used in place of the actual machines, payment, by enhancing the use of tools such thereby cutting the cost of distributing the “The delay of 90 days to pay the VAT refund as electronic filing, mobile declaration, mobile EBMs and increasing compliance. should be adjusted and made the same as the payment, EBMs, and MobiCash, among others. 15-day deadline for businesses to pay taxes Despite an increase of about Rwf 140.7 billion “We will add about 10,000 machines this and fines,” Gasamagera said, explaining that for national spending as outlined in the 2017/18 fiscal year, especially for risk sectors,” the longer delay for refunds incurs losses budget, the government has chosen not to Tusabe noted. “It will not be a one-size- to entrepreneurs as they could be used for impose additional taxes but tighten revenue fits-all, but tailored in terms of complexity investment and operations if paid in time. collection measures. and the nature of their operations.”

34 HOPE MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER ISSUE 79

NAKUMATT SPECIAL FEATURE

Nakumatt Rwanda Country Manager Adan Ramata receiving the Best Taxpapyer Award from Chairperson of Private Sector Federation (PSF), Benjamin Gasamagera

The firm also received the best Electronic Billing Machine (EBM) user award. Speaking at the event, RRA Commissioner-General Richard Tusabe confirmed that Tax compliance rates in the country are steadily edging up with continue support from various economic fronts including the private sector.

The RRA Boss disclosed that the Tax body had managed to beat its collection target in the last financial year by more NAKUMATT than Rwf8.6 billion based on a total collection of than Rwf1,102.8 billion last year. Speaking moments after receiving the RRA awards, Nakumatt Rwanda named Best Taxpayer Country Manager Adan Ramata said the firm would continue maintaining prudent tax management systems to support Tax in Rw anda Collection and settlement initiatives in Rwanda.

“At Nakumatt we remain committed to maintainining prudent and ethical business management standards � REGIONAL RETAILER NAKUMATT HOLDINGS RWANDA BASED including prompt tax payments,” Ramata SUBSIDIARY HAS BEEN NAMED THE BEST TAX PAPER BY THE RWANDA said. The retailer he said had successfully REVENUE AUTHORITY.NAKUMATT RWANDA WHICH OPERATES 3 managed to integrate Electronic Billing RETAIL STORES IN KIGALI, RWANDA WAS ADJUDGED THE BEST TAX Machines (EBM) across the branch network in Rwanda. Last year, Nakumatt PAPER ON FRIDAY EVENING AT A COLOURFUL EVENT HOSTED BY THE Rwanda opened its third Nakumatt store RRA TO CELEBRATE TAX PAYERS IN THE COUNTRY. AT THE EVENT, in the country nine years since the firm NAKUMATT RWANDA PICKED THE 2016 BEST TAXPAYER AWARD. first entered the fast growing country.

www.hope-mag.com 37

DEVELOPMENT BANK OF RWANDA SPECIAL FEATURE

BRD LAUNCHES ROADSHOW to meet local potential private sector members and investors

ff THE DEVELOPMENT BANK OF RWANDA (BRD) HAS LAUNCHED A COUNTRYWIDE CAMPAIGN TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL BANKABLE PROJECTS IN PRIORITY SECTORS.

Dr Livingstone Byamungu, Chief Investment Officer at BRD, explains to Bugesera investors the details of the investment fund and key priority sectors

he campaign, which started in through the refinancing model and funds Nyamata, Bugesera District, are made accessible through its financing seeks to dicuss with private partners including MFIs, SACCOs and sector members and potential commercial banks. BRD also partners with local investors in education, the Government, PSF, RSSB and other agriculture, energy, housing, exports as agencies to implement the plan. Twell as special projects and infrastructure. “The aim of this campaign is to meet BRD in its new 5 year Strategic plan investors with ongoing projects and those (2016-2020) has earmarked $707.3 with project proposals to see how we can million, with which it plans to finance help them develop and thus increase their directly to project promoters as well as contribution to national development,” Eric Higiro Chairman PSF Bugesera district highlights on the private sector in the district

42 HOPE MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER ISSUE 79 DEVELOPMENT BANK OF RWANDA SPECIAL FEATURE

said Livingstone Byamungu, the Chief Investment medium entrepreneurs have equal opportunities affordable housing, education as well as special Officer at BRD. He said BRD’s meetings with to access the bank’s credit, through the MFIs, projects and infrastructure considered as social investors is not only a platform for the bank to SACCOs and commercial banks. He said that, goods which include the services sector and explain new opportunities that help investors grow while BRD generally targets projects worth Rwf50 medical facilities like clinics and hospitals, their businesses, but also the Bank’s products million and above, even investors who require markets, furniture and welding centres, and and services, and most of all its new mandate less money can have their projects considered factories for construction and building materials which is strictly a development Bank. through BRD’s financing partners. among others.

Benjamin Manzi BRD Exports Senior Manager Eric Ruzindaza vice-mayor of Bugesera Prime Insurance representative talks explains the benefits of BRD's investment fund district in charge of Economic Affairs about the importance of insurance for investors

Bugesera district investors at the launch of BRD's countrywide outreach campaign

The chairperson of PSF in Bugesera, Eugene The prospective investor should, Higiro, thanked BRD, saying the funds will promote however, be able to finance at least the private sector in various ways and help the 30 per cent of the project cost.BRD business community contribute towards national will channel its credit through Bank development. Eric Ruzindaza, the Bugesera vice- of Kigali, I&M Bank, Urwego, BPR, mayor in charge of economic affairs, urged people MFIs and SACCOs. to seize the opportunity and approach BRD. In the 5-year strategic plan The outreach campaign ends in January, and implementation, the funds will be will cover all the districts. Dr. Livingstone allocated to key priority sectors Byamungu, also made it clear that BRD does including exports financing, not only target big investors, but that small and followed by energy, agriculture, Dr Livingstone Byamungu BRD Chief Investment Officer responds to questions by investors

www.hope-mag.com 43 MARRIOTT HOTEL RWANDA SPECIAL FEATURE KIGALI MARRIOTT boosts African expansion plan with two awards at WTA

� BARELY ONE YEAR AFTER OPENING ITS DOORS, KIGALI MARRIOTT HOTEL HAS ALREADY BEEN RECOGNISED AT THE WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS, THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY’S LEADING AWARDS PROGRAMME.

uring the World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony 2017 held in Kigali early October, Kigali Marriott was named Rwanda’s leading business hotel and Rwanda’s leading city hotel – which is a testimony to the hotel’s success in bringing out the Marriott Hotel brand’s values Dwhich target business and sophisticated travellers.

The awards also come as a boost for the company’s ventures in Africa, as Kigali Marriott was only Marriott’s first hotel in sub-Saharan Africa, and it has an ambitious expansion plan on the continent. Indeed, during the Africa Hotel Investment Forum, which followed the WTA Gala, Marriott International announced further expansion in Africa with seven new hotel signings.

The company is targeting over 200 hotels with 37,000 rooms open or in the pipeline by 2022, equating to around $8.5 billion of capital investment by its real estate partners and reinforcing its continued commitment to expansion in Africa and solidifying its leadership on the continent.

Rex Nijhof General Manager of Kigali Marriott Hotel (C) with Graham Cooke President and Founder of the World Travel Awards (L)

The investment is expected to generate growth,” said Alex Kyriakidis, the President substantial economic activity and around and Managing Director for the Middle East and 50,000 direct and indirect jobs once the hotels Africa at Marriott International. open. “Africa today makes a very compelling story. We are seeing unprecedented traction “We have always believed in the potential of for our brands, driving our momentum of Africa and the opportunities the continent has Marriott Hotel Building to offer. With economic growth, a rising middle class and rapid urbanization, the demand for travel and high quality lodging is growing, providing us with a significant opportunity to enhance our footprint and play our part in supporting many emerging markets across the continent,” he added.

Today, Marriott International has a strong footprint across Africa operating 140 hotels with close to 24,000 rooms across 12 brands. Marriott Hotel Cucina Italian Restaurant Marriott Hotel Iriba Terrace

44 HOPE MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER ISSUE 79

RWANDA DEVELOPMENT BOARD SPECIAL FEATURE

RDB HONOURS CUSTOMER CHAMPIONS TO PROMOTE EXCELLENT SERVICE DELIVERY

Clare Akamanzi BRD CEO awards Antoinette Kayitesi, a customer service agent at Access Bank

ff AS RWANDA JOINED THE REST OF THE WORLD TO CELEBRATE THE CUSTOMER SERVICE WEEK WITH THE THEME “BUILDING TRUST,” OFFICIALS AT THE RWANDA DEVELOPMENT BOARD (RDB) EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF TRUST BETWEEN AN ORGANISATION AND ITS CUSTOMERS, AND BETWEEN CO-WORKERS.

uring the week, which takes Bank Rwanda, which sent personalised tweets tweet, and many concurred. Other nominees were place every year in the first week to all its customers. The week was closed with Etienne Uwiringiyimana, an official at Nyaruguru of October, private and public a ceremony during which exceptional customer District; Evelyne Muteeteri, a customer care officer institutions took special initiatives service providers (individuals or institutions) were at the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB); ranging from giving gifts to customers recognised, nominated by the public via social Jean Pierre Kizito who works at the Ministry of to managers showing special appreciation to their media. While all of them were worthy recipients Justice; Morris Ndekwe from Vine Pharmacy in Demployees. “All customer service providers in and received a lot of applause, some of them Kigali; Lillian Ingabire, a procurement officer at Rwanda were urged to celebrate the service stood out. RISA; Denis Ngoga, an employee at Galaxy Hotel week and this was successfully done,” said Belise Rwanda; Sylivanus Kagiraneza, a security officer Kariza, the Chief Tourism Officer at RDB. There was a lot for excitement, for instance, at at I&M Bank with an eternal natural smile; and Dr. the nominations of Senior Sergeant Alex Murenzi, Mohamed Okasha. “We observed a lot of activities during the week an officer at the police’s traffic department, and through different platforms such as Facebook Antoinette Kayitesi, a former security officer at At the ceremony, Kariza observed that good and Twitter.” “We saw managers writing notes Access Bank who was later promoted to her customer service should however be a permanent by hand to acknowledge a job well done, while current post of a customer service agent. “I believe attitude, and not just for one week. “I think others sent e-cards to highlight the contribution everyone who goes through Gishushu can testify customer care should not end this week, it should of employees and show their appreciation,” she that this police officer Murenzi, ed. absolutely be a culture and it should keep improving,” she added. Kariza particularly commended KCB deserves this award,” Kariza commented in a noted.

46 HOPE MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER ISSUE 79 RWANDA DEVELOPMENT BOARD SPECIAL FEATURE

Clare Akamanzi RDB CEO explained the purpose of the customer service week Customer Service Week Guests at the ceremony

Changing the mindset have come from far, now the achievement in the employee in an organization, top or bottom. The area of service delivery by the Rwandan police attitude, ambition and thinking should be driven Clare Akamanzi the RDB CEO, for her part paid as an institution is worth celebrating,” Akamanzi by the spirit of treating our citizens and clients tribute to President Paul Kagame for cultivating said. The immigration services, in her opinion, in a dignified manner,” he added. Munyeshyaka good service among Rwandans. “This is very are an example of people who go beyond their noted that the culture of customer care should not important and we are proud as Rwandans; many duty to serve their clients. “When people come be seen as the duty of frontline employees, and would recognize that the President did start a page to pick their passports or visa on their birthday, called on all institutions’ leadership to embrace of good customer care and asked to observe it at the immigration department surprises them with it in every action plan they make. He suggested individual, institutional and country level. Today, flowers,” Akamanzi said to much applause. that institutions make performance contracts on we have managed to change the mindset towards customer service. He also called on Rwandans customer service,” she observed. Call to emulate winners to live by their core values. “I would like to stress again the need to be respectful, friendly, polite Akamanzi explained that the purpose of celebrating For the Minister for Trade and Industry, Vincent and well-mannered towards others to contribute customer service week is to enable economic Munyeshyaka, the awards are an incentive for to good customer service,” he remarked. actors to assess progress and outstanding good customer care, which is a prerequisite challenges. “We look back and celebrate where we for the service-based economy that Rwanda The Minister said the customer service week have come from; we celebrate the achievements envisages. “Today’s recognition is a clear should be an opportunity for workers and and progress, and also challenge ourselves on message to others to emulate the winners and Rwandans in general to reflect on the work they remaining problems,” she said. The RDB CEO provide good customer care to their clients,” he do and make new commitments to deliver good also made a special reference to the police and observed. “As the government strives to build services. “Thank you to all of the bright, innovative the immigration services, which she said had a service-based economy, we cannot achieve and hard-working companies that have come here made great strides in improving in customer anything if the services we are providing are tonight,” he concluded the ceremony. “You are the care and created a memorable impression in her. poor. Therefore, it is crucial to understand what reason why we are all here tonight, and your hard She recalled for instance that a long time ago, a is needed to provide good customer care and work is benefitting our country as a whole. You police officer asked her if it was indeed necessary this exercise should be carried out by every are a role model to other aspiring entrepreneurs to smile when he stopped a car. “Indeed, we Rwandan, every businessperson, and every all over Rwanda.”

Minister Vincent Munyeshyaka called for Dr Mohamed Okasha is all smiles as he receives his awards from Minister Munyeshyaka others to emulate the customer champions

www.hope-mag.com 47 Particpants in the Kigali Masterclass with their certificates How MARKEDU is empowering SMEs with digital marketing

ff IF YOU’RE THE OWNER OF A SMALL OR MEDIUM COMPANY IN THIS DIGITAL AGE, IT MIGHT BE TEMPTING NOT TO SPEND MONEY ON ADVERTISING AND JUST SET UP SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS THROUGH WHICH TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS. THAT MAY NOT BE SUCH A GOOD IDEA, THOUGH. NOT ONLY MIGHT YOUR POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS NOT BE THERE, BUT EVEN IF THEY ARE YOU WILL REQUIRE SOME MARKETING KNOWLEDGE TO GET THEM ENGAGED. AND IF YOU DON’T HAVE A GOOD WEBSITE AS A FOUNDATION, ALL YOUR TWEETS AND FACEBOOK POSTS ARE PROBABLY FUTILE.

hese and other very practical tips And in his view, emerging markets are exactly the But with social media, content marketing and and knowledge were the subject of right environment for digital marketing. “Look at the various types of paid advertising, even a small the first one-day Digital Marketing whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs that is thriving bootstrapped business can actually find an Masterclass organised by Markedu right now in East Africa; a lot of brilliant things that audience.” He also thinks that digital marketing in Kigali in October, presented by the are being done that solve real problems,” Leander is the way to go for SMEs, which constitute the company’s founder and director Michael Leander. says. “But for people to know about it, it’s very majority of companies in an emerging market like TLeander knows what he is talking about. Before expensive if you use traditional channels. Rwanda’s. “I actually think it levels the playing creating Markedu, he had a career of 20-odd years field. Look at Europe 15 years ago; the internet first in the corporate world as a CEO and chief was not a new thing then, and SMEs who didn’t marketing officer mainly in northern Europe, and have the funds or skills were able to level the later as an entrepreneur with his own publishing, playing field because the larger companies kept consulting and tech companies. doing what they had always done.

He founded Markedu in 2009, starting with SMEs with all their constraints would see digital as webinars on direct and digital marketing and later a way to actually compete with the big guys – they evolving into events, first in Europe, and then could reach customers in a better and cheaper looking at East Africa. “Our main objective now is way, engage with them by showing much more who to go into emerging markets and train primarily in they were by having a great website, educate with digital marketing,” Leander tells Hope Magazine. a blog, maybe written by friends or family,” Leander “We do it with events like the Kigali masterclass, explains. “In other words, SMEs can move on a and hopefully get people interested enough to good idea and immediately make it happen; in a do bigger programs with an actual accredited large corporation you need a plan and a big agency Michael Leander certificate in digital marketing.” Markedu founder and director to do it, and it takes forever,” he adds.

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And a website is similar. What we see in Rwanda right Essentials for SME now is that there doesn’t seem to be a lot of focus in Participants’ digital marketing getting that right, to say the least. reactions While not divulging all the secrets you will learn 2 Don’t over-estimate the power of in a digital marketing masterclass, Leander social media was kind enough to share with Hope Magazine four essentials in digital marketing for SMEs. While it’s great to get engagement, and relatively easy to get it, all social media today are advertising 1 Have a good web presence platforms. It’s proven that you don’t get successful unless you put money into advertising; you have to You should have a core website which has boost your post, you have to run actual campaigns and all the information required for someone to so on. A lot of small businesses, especially, think they make a decision, either about purchasing or can just have a good presence on social media and about getting in touch with the company. The everything is going to be great. It is not. web presence has to be anchored into the e-marketing ecosystem. 3 Know your marketing foundation Rupak Gorajia, Marketing There might be an e-commerce component, All the marketing things about positioning, value director at Akagera proposition and knowing your audience, they still count depending on what you’re selling, and there Business Group could be a blog involved as well. That is really a lot to become successful digitally. And that’s where the starting point. You have to see it like this: if a lot of SMEs go wrong. They go with the channel: I attended this training to see if I you’re a retailer, the essence is that the better they see that Facebook is popular so they want to be could progress my knowledge in you display the goods, the more active you are on Facebook. They don’t ask themselves: 1) is my digital marketing for our company in creating offers and so on, the more sales audience there, 2) what do they do there? If you’re in on our social media presence, you’re going to get. a B2B context, Facebook often doesn’t work because our website and actual physical people are there in a private context, not for business. presence as well. The training is going well so far, I learned a couple 4 Understand direct of things that we can apply to our marketing principles business and also about our clients and how we can start new business Digital marketing is a direct marketing products and services. So I think it’s channel, so you need to understand direct good; we have a couple of hours to marketing principles. This has to do with go so I hope to learn more. psychology: how do you get people to engage, how do you create an emotional connection with your message and – very importantly – carefully detail the flow that you take an audience through in order to get a sale. They say retail is detail, but I would say, so is digital.

Yvonne Ishimwe (L) and Isabelle Sindayirwanya (R) For more information on future workshops, check from Hope Magazine improved their digital marketing http://www.markedu.com/ skills at the Masterclass

Marie-Claire Muneza, Marketing, Media and Sponsorship Specialist at Tigo Rwanda I was interested because of my working experience in digital marketing, and I wanted to learn from Markedu about the channels where marketers can best push the brand and products and so far we have learned a lot. Nowadays, we’re moving from outdoor advertising to online, so getting more knowledge is helping us to get to know where we can push the brand with a lot of impact to reach the customers. Michael Leander Markedu founder and director at the masterclass in Kigali

www.hope-mag.com 49 VISION FUND SPECIAL FEATURE In Nyamagabe VisionFund taught the poor residents to save and improve their lives

ff MANY PEOPLE THINK THAT SAVING MONEY, AND THEN INVESTING First they received some basic financial training IT IN BUSINESS, IS ONLY POSSIBLE WHEN YOU HAVE A BIG INCOME. to better manage the revenue from their small businesses, and then they could apply for a YET AT VISIONFUND RWANDA (VFR), ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S BIGGEST loan. Itangishaka took out a loan of Rwf 200,000, MICRO-FINANCE COMPANIES, THEY PROVE EVERY DAY THAT EVEN SMALL which she used to expand her business selling vegetables, fruits, clothes etc. Over the years EARNERS CAN SAVE, PROVIDED THEY MANAGE THEIR MONEY WELL. she received more credit (VFR’s condition for allocating a new loan is that the previous one has been paid back) and it turned her life around.

iviane Itangishaka has experienced She can now easily pay school fees for her that first-hand, thanks to VFR. Today, children and health insurance for her family, and she heads the Twiteganirize savings has even bough goats and a cow. What is more, group, which consists of 30 residents with the knowledge on financial management got from Cyibumba village in Nyamagabe district, V from VFR, she is now helping elderly women in her and she affirms she has a good life. But only five church to develop themselves by creating small years ago, things were very different. income-generating activities and saving money little by little. Other members of the Twiteganirize At the time, Itangishaka (who is now 41 years old, group have fared as well as Itangishaka. married and mother of 5 children), was running a small business selling fruit and clothing; while she Their businesses have expanded, their children managed to get food on the table for her family, are well fed and go to school, they have good she didn’t think saving was possible and had sanitation and have renovated their houses and never set foot in a bank. But in 2012, under the often installed solar energy systems, and they impulse of World Vision, several residents from bought cattle. Thus, with just a little help from Cyibumba created the Twiteganirize group and World Vision and VFR, these Cyibumba residents were put in contact with VFR, which helps poor who thought they were too poor to save have people to improve their lives through small loans, managed to do so, to get loans and pay them and thus ensure a better future for their children. Viviane Itangishaka with a cow she managed to buy thanks to the VFR loans back, to lead good lives and feel that they are valuable members of the community.

Members of the Twiteganirize group Viviane Itangishaka with her two children

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DEVELOPMENT BANK OF RWANDA SPECIAL FEATURE

BRD BOOSTS POULTRY SECTOR IN SUPPORT OF MADE-IN-RWANDA CAMPAIGN

ff THE HUMBLE CHICKEN MIGHT BE A NOISY AND ANNOYING BIRD, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO TWO KEY GOVERNMENT POLICIES – INCREASING EXPORTS AND IMPORT SUBSTITUTION THROUGH THE PROMOTION OF MADE-IN-RWANDA PRODUCTS – IT HAS A REMARKABLE POTENTIAL. IT IS THEREFORE NO SURPRISE THAT THE GOVERNMENT MADE A LOT OF EFFORT TO HAVE THE FIRST POULTRY AFRICA 2017 CONFERENCE AND EXPO IN RWANDA, WHICH WAS HELD ON 4TH AND 5TH OCTOBER AND ATTRACTED SOME 1,000 PARTICIPANTS FROM AFRICA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD.

Livingstone Byamungu (R) BRD chief investoment officer Jean-Claude Kayisinga (C), Minagri permanent secretary, give explanations on Poultry Africa

uring the conference there were farmers and traders, and to get acquainted with The involvement of the latter is no coincidence, seminars focusing on the best the latest technology to maximize the benefits as BRD is Rwanda’s leading lender in agriculture, practices with regards to breeding from Rwanda’s growing poultry sector. The event especially to promote and boost modern agriculture. and hatching, health and nutrition, was organized by VIV Worldwide in collaboration As such, it has financed several businesses in farm management as well as with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the poultry sector. One such venture BRD has animal welfare, while the expo taking place on the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI) and the supported is the Icyerekezo Poultry Farm, set up Dthe sidelines presented network opportunities for Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD). by Vincent Gakwandi in Gasharu Sector in Kicukiro.

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Gakwandi started the enterprise in 2012, “So I wanted to give it a try and see whether I as he saw a gap in the market, particularly could succeed,” he says. To get familiar with in the production of eggs. He had noticed the business, he visited different countries that most eggs consumed in Rwanda including Serbia, Turkey, and Uganda. were important, yet he had seen friends Gakwandi says when he started, his aim in Uganda become rich through poultry was to ensure that the high demand for eggs farming. on the Rwandan market is met locally, all the time, and without any hiccups in supply. Even today, Rwanda still imports about 300,000 eggs from Uganda every week He started with just 2,000 chicks, and one and 150,000 day old-chicks every year later, the farm had already grown to month, and more come in from Kenya 5,000 birds. That is when he realized he and sometimes Belgium. As such, needed financial support to develop the egg production was a relatively virgin business. He approached BRD, which sector with little competition, especially supported the venture and gave him finance compared to the clearing and forwarding for 8000 more chicks, a poultry house, and business Gakwandi was involved in, so Rwf63.5 million payable in five years at an Jean Baptiste Musabyimana CEO of Abusol he decided to move. interest rate of 16%. eggs and chicken feed supplier speaking at Africa Poultry

Icyerekezo Poultry Farm employs 13 people Icyerekezo Poultry Farm which started with 2,000 chickens and produces 65,000 eggs per day in 2012, now had more than 25,000 thanks to BRD's support

“Initially I had one poultry house, but now I have constructed six more that can accommodate 25,000 chickens. There are challenges, of course, but it doesn’t stop me and I’m still trying to improve the farm,” he says.

The farm now employs 13 people and produces 65,000 eggs per day. The big challenge for the poultry industry, Livingstone Byamungu (R) BRD chief investoment officer Jean-Claude Kayisinga (C), Minagri permanent secretary, give explanations on Poultry Africa Gakwandi says, is that it is not well developed; management skills and feeds are lacking, while medicine for the animals is expensive. Therefore, his wish had been for BRD to invite experts and experienced specialists in all aspects of the poultry value chain, and to provide trainings. With the Poultry Africa 2017 conference and expo, the development bank has delivered. Gerardine Mukeshimana Agriculture Minister visits the Africa Poultry 2017 expo

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