TechPression

Tag: Rwanda

  • Kenyan electric bus manufacturer BasiGo expands to Rwanda

    Kenyan electric bus manufacturer BasiGo expands to Rwanda

    BasiGo, a Kenyan electric bus company, is expanding its reach to Rwanda market. The firm, which recently joined forces with Associated Vehicle Assemblers Ltd (AVA), is expanding into Rwanda with the formation of a new subsidiary called BasiGo Rwanda Ltd., which will compete with its existing Kenyan bus manufacturers.

    To facilitate this growth, AC Mobility, the country’s preeminent supplier of automated fare-collecting systems for public transit, has teamed with BasiGo. BasiGo’s novel Pay-As-You-Drive finance method, which the business has previously been utilizing in Kenya, will be used to provide electric buses to Kigali transport operators by October of this year under the terms of the partnership. 

    Operators may acquire electric buses under this financing model and pay a subscription fee each day to cover the expense of leasing the battery, charging the vehicle overnight at a BasiGo depot, and servicing and maintaining the bus. By using this approach, BasiGo and AC Mobility want to provide Rwandan bus operators with 200 electric buses by the year 2024.

    Read also: Kenya to have rapid charging stations for electric buses – courtesy BasiGo

    Bringing its E-Bus solution to Rwandans  

    Jit Bhattacharya, CEO and co-founder of BasiGo, remarked that “Rwanda has paved the way by developing an enabling ecosystem for E-mobility. Together, BasiGo and AC Mobility, a pioneer in Rwanda’s transportation technology, will hasten the country’s move towards fully electric public transportation. Electric buses will liberate bus companies from ever-increasing fuel costs while simultaneously drastically lowering pollution and carbon dioxide emissions. 

    We’re thrilled to provide a comprehensive E-Bus solution to Rwanda via our Pay-As-You-Drive business model, bringing this innovative technology within reach of any bus operator in the country. 

    Kigali Bus Service, Royal Express, and Volcano Express, three of Kigali’s biggest bus companies, have all signed memoranda of intent with BasiGo and AC Mobility for the test drive. 

    Jones Kizihira, CEO of AC Mobility Rwanda said “We’re excited to work with BasiGo on the electrification of public buses in Rwanda. The nation has undergone significant change, necessitating a more reliable and cost-efficient public transit infrastructure. Rwanda’s move to sustainable transportation will be aided by the electric buses, which will reduce the financial load on public bus carriers. We look forward to leveraging BasiGo’s experience and network to build a strong electric bus business in Rwanda.”

    What to know about BasiGo

    BasiGo, which was established in 2021, was the trailblazer in Nairobi’s transition to electric buses.  BasiGo has made 19 Electric Bus sales to Nairobi public transport companies and secured orders for more than 100 more buses. More than 580,000 people have ridden on BasiGo electric buses, which have logged over 460,000 km on the road. Furthermore, BasiGo has installed the first DC Fast Charging stations for Electric buses in Kenya.

    The expansion of BasiGo to the East African nation comes at a time when the Rwandan government is launching a programme to quickly grow the size of Kigali’s public transport fleet while simultaneously intending to convert 20% of the public bus fleet to electric by 2030.  

    The EV startup and the automaker Associated Vehicle Assemblers Ltd (AVA) joined together earlier this year. The two groups will work together to produce buses in Mombasa, Kenya. Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operators’ input will be used to build 33-seater buses, which would replace the 25-seater buses currently in service.

    The establishment of Kenya’s first public EV charging station in May 2023 was yet another first for the EV startup. The Buru Buru neighbourhood of Nairobi is home to a charging station that is part of the new eMobility tariff network.

  • Rwanda’s Kasha secures $21 million for women’s Health in Africa

    Rwanda’s Kasha secures $21 million for women’s Health in Africa

    In a Series B funding round led by Knife Capital, Rwandan e-commerce business Kasha raised $21 million to change how African women get access to health products. Because of this unique digital retail site, East Africa’s IT scene is changing.

    Joanna Bichsel, the founder and CEO of Kasha, has been encouraging African women for seven years to take care of their health and live life to the fullest. They help women get things safely and cheaply, even if they don’t have a smartphone or internet connection. Kasha is a way to bring people together.

    This additional cash makes Kasha a tech powerhouse. After expanding into Kenya in 2020, Finnfund, Swedfund, DFC, and Mastercard Corporate led a game-changing $3.6 million Series A financing for Kasha.

    This business excites Knife Capital co-founder Keet van Zyl. He appreciates Kasha’s business concept and commitment to women clients in a market where women-led enterprises are routinely disregarded. Since its Series A closed, Kasha’s annual recurring income has surged 50-fold. The company has succeeded in this field.

    Kasha has always had a goal in mind. Bichsel said that they want to grow quickly and become a major force around the world. As they work to improve the health and well-being of women, they may start an IPO.

    Read also: Rwanda’s Kasha raises $21 million for African women’s healthcare

    Kasha is Pioneering Women-Led startups

    Kasha’s success gives African women-led businesses hope in an area where it has been hard for them to get money. The company has shown how women’s businesses can reach their full potential and break stereotypes and glass ceilings. Last year, only 3% of Africa’s $6 billion venture capital market went to companies led by women. Kasha’s growth is a big step towards gender equality in the digital field.

    Kasha’s growth is a testament to perseverance, ingenuity, and never giving up on a worthy objective. Because they aim to provide high-quality health products to urban and rural residents, the firm has a dedicated following. Kasha’s business concept has succeeded because consumers demand economic health solutions.

    Knife Capital is leading Kasha’s Series B and expanding across Africa. Kasha learns a lot from this. They can develop faster, reach more of Africa, and help millions of women by investing smartly.

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    Kasha shows that businesses run by women can do well by getting into Africa’s huge market. Their idea improves people’s lives and shows how tech-driven Africa can be.

    Kasha’s path shows the strength of vision, tenacity, and unwavering determination in a world that values the opinions of women. They let people with different ideas into the ICT business in Africa. Kasha will give women in the future more power.

  • Rwanda’s Kasha raises $21 million for African women’s healthcare

    Rwanda’s Kasha raises $21 million for African women’s healthcare

    Kasha is a Rwandan online store and last-mile delivery tool for women’s health needs. In a Series B funding round, the company raised $21 million. The new money will be used to help the business grow its platform for getting health care in Africa.

    Knife Capital, a South African venture capital company, led the round of funding. Finnfund, Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Tim Koogle, the former CEO of Yahoo, Beyond Capital Ventures, Altree Capital, Bamboo Capital’s BLOC Smart Africa Fund, and Five35 Ventures were among the other companies that took part in the round.

    In the current economic situation, it is refreshing to find a high-growth, capital-efficient firm that is female-led and geared to service Africa’s vast mass market segment, particularly women clients. This purpose-driven workforce will help us expand into Africa.

    Female healthcare that broadly addresses women’s menstrual and reproductive health has been a subcategory in the African startup ecosystem that has been subtly neglected. This is despite the huge attention investors have given to the African startup ecosystem and private healthcare startups.

    Kasha’s investment shows Africa’s growing interest in women’s health. Only 55% of sub-Saharan African women have contemporary contraception, according to research. Kasha’s platform could close this gap and benefit the health of millions of African women.

    Kasha Founder and CEO Joanna Bichsel stated: We have always known that women are the most influential health customers since they have the highest health requirements and are household health decision-makers, unlocking the rest of the population. Kasha offers a wide range of products, including soap, contraception, and rice, to avoid stigmatizing women’s health products.

    Read also: Payday returns to Rwanda using SpaceX’s Starlink

    African women’s support system Kasha

    In 2018, Joanna Bichsel began Kasha. With its direct-to-consumer model, the company sent health products to Rwandan women and babies. But small stores soon started getting the same things.

    After getting permission to sell drugs to pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics, Klasha went into the wholesale market. Kasha has products that help with the health of newborns, mothers, menstrual cleanliness, family planning, sexual and reproductive health, and diseases that aren’t spread from person to person.

    Kasha is now a digital retail and last-mile distribution tool for pharmaceuticals and FMCGs, with a focus on women’s health and home needs.

    Customers include consumers, small dealers, hospitals, pharmacies, and clinics. This group of people can use Kasha’s website or USSD service to buy sanitary pads, birth control, diapers, and cleaning supplies.

    Telehealth and credit are two important parts of B2B e-commerce that Kasha has. Kasha connects people who don’t have prescriptions to doctors to show how much they care about proper drug use and health care. The company also gives pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals store credit, which helps them sell more FMCG.

    Joanna Bichsel, the founder who was also a former technology adviser to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, stated that their core strategic focus lies in the health sector, where they aim to excel.

    Rwanda approves Smart Africa Alliance for 2030 Digital Single Market

    Expansion plans

    After closing our Series B, we’re more determined to become Kasha Africa’s leading digital platform for last-mile health access. Joanna Bichsel said East Africa’s mass market need for excellent, affordable health and household products validated our company concept and team.

    Kasha has raised $5 million in startup capital since its founding. After entering Kenya, it was raised in late 2020. After expanding, Kasha received a $3.6 million Series A from Finnfund, Swedfund, DFC, and Mastercard Corporate.

    Rwanda, South Africa, and Kenya have Kasha. The company will expand into other African countries later this year with the fresh capital. Kasha wants to use the cash to develop new goods and services and strengthen existing telemedicine and financial services for women.

  • Rwanda launches online judiciary performance assessment tool

    Rwanda launches online judiciary performance assessment tool

    The Legal Management Performance System (JMPS) is a virtual system that Rwanda’s legal branch has just shown off. This will make it possible for the government to evaluate the work of judicial workers and make sure that the court system is in the best shape possible.

    It’s interesting that this isn’t the first time the court has tried to use technology to improve its efficiency. In 2015, the government released a tool called the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS), which made it much easier for the courts, law enforcement, the prosecutor’s office, and other related groups to work together.

    The JPMS will be used for many things, such as tracking success, allocating budgets, and keeping track of how things are done. It will also help keep track of how well staff is doing by using chores or milestones. Aside from making sure that Rwanda’s justice system works well, stakeholders expect the JPMS to encourage performance growth and bring attention to areas that need it most.

    Read also: Kenya’s Lawyers Hub to help startups meet regulatory compliance

    Chief Justice Faustin Ntazilyayo, who is the president of Rwanda’s Supreme Court, said that JPMS will build on the success of IECMS, a system that made it possible for the court to get better at using technology. He also said that JPMS will make sure that all the work that people in the justice system do is tracked and reviewed. She says that this new trend will be seen at every level of the law.

    The JPMS is a change agent that supports the IECMS, according to Ntazilyayo. Running both simultaneously achieves “fair and timely justice” for everyone. JPMS is two-part. Judges and court registrars will use IECMS but upload their papers to JPMS for the first one. Court employees solely use the JPMS.

    Some workers doubted this strategy, according to the Chief Justice. He believed they would eventually grasp the JPMS. He noted that if they learn about the procedures, “they will better understand their benefits and appreciate how they improve and streamline their tasks.”

    Marie Alice Uwamahoro, a Rwandan Supreme Court Business Analyst, believes the JPMS will make it easier for judges to self-assess. JPMS would also detect things manual reviews missed by digitizing performance evaluation.

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    Rwandan judiciary tools advance technology

    Rwanda has worked hard to unlock technology’s potential. Many African nations can mimic its Irembo platform, which provides many critical services online. It promised laptops for all teachers by 2025. If used properly, the JPMS tool can improve the judiciary. To ensure accuracy, managers should constantly upgrade the system.

    In the end, technology is going to change almost every part of life, including how justice is given. Even though there are some problems, such as low digital literacy and a lack of internet access, investing in the project can help the African justice system in a big way. But tech innovations for government should be backed by the law to reduce the chances of problems when they are used.

    Consider the ongoing dispute between Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, and the two main opposition candidates, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi. Two months ago, the opposition asked the court to let them live stream the case, but the court said no. The request was not legal, which was one of the justifications given by the court. Therefore, new ideas must first receive government approval, no matter how good they may be.

  • Rwanda to introduce virtual visits in prisons

    Rwanda to introduce virtual visits in prisons

    Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, the Minister of Justice, has disclosed that Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS) intends to implement electronic visits in the near future. 

    The Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) held its third leadership retreat on Thursday, June 29, in Nyamata, which is located in the Bugesera area. During the conference, the announcement was made.

    This technology breakthrough aims to change the traditional jail system by providing virtual visitations, which will allow inmates to communicate with their loved ones through digital platforms and provide them with the opportunity to see them more frequently.

    Although precise operational information was not released, Minister Ugirashebuja assured that the RCS is actively working on the construction of this system. This is despite the fact that specific operational specifics were not disclosed.

    Examples of e-visits conducted in other nations illustrate the steps involved in the procedure. For instance, in Sri Lanka, tourists who wish to apply for online visits must first have their identities registered in order to be considered.

    Read also: FG, SIHI Nigeria Hub Organizes Virtual Cafe For Nigerian Youth

    The registration process

    The provision of a copy of the individual’s national ID or any other official identity document is necessary to complete the registration process. After registering, visitors can use their one-of-a-kind registration number to reserve a visitation time slot; however, this number must first be validated by a corrections officer before the visitation can take place.

    It is only authorised for one member of the inmate’s family to register on their behalf, and it is highly forbidden to share the inmate’s registration number with anyone else. Doing so can result in the suspension of visitation privileges.

    How video calls would be conducted

    During video calls, the registered individual is required to appear, but the inmate may allow others to participate with their permission. In order to maintain safety, correctional personnel listen in on inmates’ video chats and cut off any talk that they deem to be inappropriate or dangerous as soon as they become aware of it. In these kinds of situations, the e-visit service is put on hold for the time being.

    Officials from RCS have emphasised that the implementation of e-visits is still a work in progress that may be susceptible to alterations in the future. After the system has been reviewed and authorised, we will provide in-depth explanations.

    The introduction of e-visits is a big step forward for Rwanda’s judicial system, which comes at a time when the country is making concerted efforts to improve the health of incarcerated individuals and make it easier for them to rejoin society after serving their sentences.

    Remarks from Rwanda’s  Minister of Justice

    Ugirashebuja emphasized that this was a component of the modernization of the policies regarding the administration of criminal justice, stating that  “We are considering the implementation of e-visits in prisons, where inmates will be able to connect, see, and communicate with their family and friends through video platforms, eliminating the need for face-to-face visits.”

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    About Rwanda’s prisons

    RCS runs a total of thirteen (13) correctional facilities, including eight exclusively male facilities (Rwamagana, Bugesera, Nyanza, Huye, Rusizi, Rubavu Muhanga, and Gicumbi), two exclusively female facilities (Ngoma and Nyamagabe), two mixed facilities (Nyarugenge and Musanze), and one exclusively juvenile facility.

    According to the Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research, Rwanda’s prisons are currently at 174% of their capacity, making them the second most overcrowded in the world. Rwanda also has the second highest incarceration population rate (that is, the number of inmates per 100,000 of the national population) outside of the United States.

    The practice of executing criminals by hanging was outlawed in Rwanda, the first country in the African Great Lakes region to do so. In addition, Rwanda became the 100th country in the world to do away with the use of the death penalty. Human rights organizations have voiced their satisfaction with Rwanda’s decision to do away with the death penalty.

  • Ampersand achieves major milestone in Rwanda, Kenya

    Ampersand achieves major milestone in Rwanda, Kenya

    Ampersand, Africa’s first and leading integrated electric motorcycle and transport energy solution provider startup, currently has over 1,000 commercial-use electric motorcycles on Rwandan and Kenyan roads. 

    The Kigali-based electric motorcycle firm offers more than any other electric motorcycle company in Africa, with a goal of 3,000 by the end of 2023.  

    It has developed from a small bootstrapped R&D garage project to Africa’s top electric vehicle company, employing over 200 people throughout Rwanda, Kenya, and Germany.

    “Our team is incredibly proud of this accomplishment,” stated Alp Tilev, Ampersand’s co-founder and CTO. “The community has embraced our e-motos as a dependable, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective mode of transportation.” We are increasing the local production of our battery packs to satisfy rising customer demand for our e-motos and will continue to develop to provide a more sustainable public transport alternative for East Africans.” 

    Four years ago, Ampersand introduced its first electric motorcycles and battery swap stations. Currently, the firm operates a network of 25 battery-change stations across Kenya and Rwanda, allowing riders to switch out drained batteries for fully charged ones in less than two minutes. 

    Ampersand only works with professional delivery and taxi motorcycle drivers, who make 50% more than petrol bike drivers owing to fuel and maintenance savings, all while lowering harmful carbon emissions.  

    According to Ampersand, it is focused on delivering the future gasoline network and collaborating with a number of motorcycle manufacturers to provide services to this market. Its success, according to the firm, is owed in part to its concentration on R&D from the start since it is the only company in Africa to commercially design and manufacture battery packs for motorcycles on the ground, generating green jobs. 

    Read also: Amazon plans €1 billion Investments on electric vehicle fleet

    Electric vehicle adoption reduced air and sound pollution

    Ampersand riders currently pay less per mile than on fuel-powered bikes or any other electric motorcycle on the market because of the combination of its dependable, smart battery pack, low-cost switch stations, and battery fleet software backend.  

    Transport is one of the most significant contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable mobility for all is one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which means that sustainable transport is critical to attaining the objective of reducing global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels by 2050. 

    Aside from lowering emissions, electrification also reduces air and sound pollution, saves money for African economies, passengers, and commuters, and creates a more robust transport system that is less dependent on fluctuating energy markets. 

    “We believe that e-mobility is the future of transport in Africa, and we are committed to making it as accessible to as many people as possible,” said Josh Whale, Ampersand’s co-founder and CEO. 

    “Our collaborations with fuel network operators such as Total Energies and SP have also been critical to our success, allowing us to expand our network and reach new customers while also laying the groundwork for a low-carbon future for the continent’s existing transport energy infrastructure.” Smart EV regulations in East Africa, particularly in Rwanda and, shortly, Kenya, have created a favourable climate for our expansion. We look forward to growing the number of e-motorcycles and contributing to the development of more sustainable public transport systems for future generations.”

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    What to know about Ampersand

    The startup offers East Africa’s five million taxi motorcyclists with a commercial electric motorcycle that is less expensive from the start, gives a better overall user experience, and needs less consumer behaviour modification. 

    Using locally adapted technology and a viable business model to attain scale, our cars give a higher driving performance, emit 75% less carbon than petrol motorcycles with zero tailpipe emissions, and return over $500 to drivers’ pockets.

    Ampersand debuted 20 e-motos in May 2019, ushering in a new era in African transportation. Since then, it has placed hundreds of e-motos on the road, and they are now commercially operational, transporting people and products across Kigali and Nairobi.

  • Payday returns to Rwanda using SpaceX’s Starlink

    Payday returns to Rwanda using SpaceX’s Starlink

    Payday, the leading Pan-African neobank that issues global (USD, GBP, and EUR) accounts to Africans, has announced its re-entry into Rwanda after the official launch of SpaceX’s Starlink in the East African country. This comes on the heels of Payday’s announcement that it will be offering global accounts to Africans.

    Payday’s re-entry into Rwanda represents an important milestone in the company’s Pan-African and global expansion aspirations, as well as in the company’s blossoming working partnership with Starlink by SpaceX in its capacity as a payment processor for the company. 

    As part of Rwanda’s efforts to accomplish its overall goals for extensive internet access and broadband reach throughout urban and outlying areas, the country’s satellite communications organisation has made it possible for Rwandans to acquire Starlink routers. The news of this availability was announced in February 2023.

    Customers of Payday in Rwanda will soon be able to utilise their virtual cards not only to pay for the routers but also to manage the payments for their subscriptions. Using the Payday App.

    They will be able to send and receive Rwandan Francs (RWF) in addition to United States Dollars, Great British Pounds, and Euros, just like customers in Nigeria.  

    Payday just recently made an announcement regarding a seed financing for $3 million with the intention of obtaining operational licencing in the United Kingdom and Canada, in addition to setting the groundwork for entry into a number of other countries across Europe and Africa, beginning with Nigeria and Rwanda.

    Read also: How to choose between ‘Chipper Cash’ and ‘Payday’

    Remarks from Payday’s Chief Executive Officer

    Payday’s Chief Executive Officer, Favour Ori, issued the following statement in response to the news of the expansion:  “We are excited to expand our digital banking services to Rwanda as well as grow our partnership with Starlink. This not only presents an opportunity for us to play a significant role in driving financial inclusion in the country but also contributing to affordable internet connection regardless of location.”

    “Access to the internet is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for personal and economic growth. We believe in the importance of providing a payment solution that empowers individuals and businesses alike to connect to the digital world and unlock new opportunities for growth and development”. Ori added.

    How to choose between ‘Chipper Cash’ and ‘Payday’

    Kigali Financial Centre acting CIO’s statement

    Payday was established in June 2021 in the capital city of Kigali, Rwanda. The company provides African remote employees, freelancers, business owners, and digital professionals with payments that are both seamless and borderless. This permits worldwide payment processing from over 130 nations, which enables Africans to work remotely for international organisations, be paid in the currency of their choice regardless of location, and withdraw money in the currency of their choice

    Jean-Marie Kananura, who is acting as the Chief Investment Officer at the Kigali Financial Centre, made the following statement regarding the expansion into Rwanda“We are very happy to witness Payday’s continuous growth.

    This is a testimony that Kigali International Financial Center has put in place a trusted framework for Rwandan-based startups to raise capital and scale up globally. Ahead of our Inclusive Fintech Forum in June, we aim to highlight these successes that will continuously position Rwanda as the home of fintech on the continent”.

    Payday’s innovative banking solutions are anticipated to play a significant role in the country’s achievement of its ambitious objective of achieving 90% financial inclusion by the year 2024. The country’s goal is to reach this goal by 2024.

    Payday is planning to broaden its customer base and solidify its position as a market leader in Rwanda and throughout the East African area with the help of this most recent launch.

  • Rwanda approves Smart Africa Alliance for 2030 Digital Single Market

    Rwanda approves Smart Africa Alliance for 2030 Digital Single Market

    Rwanda’s parliament has adopted the Smart Africa Alliance accord, which will accelerate the continent’s growth.

    The April 20th approval of the alliance intends to transform Africa into a digital single market by 2030. It is also intended to promote the use of technology and innovation throughout the African continent.

    The move was announced by the Minister of ICT and Innovation Paula Ingabire after 20-member countries accepted the agreement during the 10th Smart Africa Board Meeting on November 10, 2021, and it was very warmly greeted by the full session of the Chamber of Deputies. The presentation by Paula Ingabire was enthusiastically received.

    Rwanda is actively aiming to further establish itself as a prominent participant in Africa’s digital economy following the successful adoption of e-government and e-commerce initiatives in recent years. This comes at a time when Rwanda is striving to solidify its position as a leader in Africa’s digital economy.

    Ingabire noted that ratifying the agreement prior to the sixth Transform Africa Summit, which is slated to take place in Zimbabwe at Victoria Falls from April 26 to April 28, is critical.

    The Smart Africa Alliance was founded in 2013, and it presently has 36 member countries, as well as international organisations and global corporate sector entities charged with pushing Africa’s digital agenda.

    The African heads of state have made a brave and forward-thinking vow to accelerate the continent’s socioeconomic progress in a sustainable manner, lending weight to the alliance.

    By making broadband internet more affordable and increasing the use of information and communication technology, Africa will be welcomed into the knowledge economy.

    As the cost of connectivity remains a significant barrier to widespread broadband adoption across the continent, the Minister claims that the Smart Africa alliance is working to address the issue of roaming restrictions.

    According to Ingabire, each country must have a project in each of its member countries and ensure that the project’s implementation and championing are maximised.

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    The Smart City Initiative

    She said that there is a Smart City initiative in Rwanda, which provides a framework to help local communities in their attempts to harness ICT and deliver higher-quality services for everybody.

    In addition, Rwanda has promised to collaborate closely with the other members of the alliance in order to encourage the adoption of common ICT policies and standards throughout the continent. This is being done with the intention of developing a digital ecosystem that is more interconnected and inclusive, as well as one that provides internet access that is both easy and inexpensive.

    The ICT Minister said that “in order to meet international capacities, Starlink was licensed to operate in the country, which increased the competition for the existing internet-selling companies.

    “This led to a reduction of price for internet packages. As the price goes down, everyone will be able to access the internet with less amount of money charged.”

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    Smart Africa Alliance

    Smart Africa is a bold and creative pledge by African Heads of State and Government to accelerate sustainable socioeconomic development on the continent.

    This is to ensure that Africa transitions into a knowledge economy via cheap broadband access and the use of Information and Communications Technologies.

    The Transform Africa Summit, held in Kigali, Rwanda, from the 28th to the 31st of October 2013, resulted in the adoption of the Smart Africa Manifesto document by seven (7) African Heads of State (Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Mali, Gabon, and Burkina Faso), in which they committed to providing leadership in accelerating socio-economic development through ICTs.

    The SMART Africa Manifesto was supported by the African Union Heads of State and Government during the 22nd Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in Addis Ababa on the 30th and 31st of January 2014. This move elevates the Manifesto to the forefront of Africa’s ICT agenda, moving it beyond the Summit’s initial seven signatories to all 53 African nations.

    Since then, the Smart Africa Alliance has expanded to encompass 36 African nations and nearly 1 billion people.

  • Rwanda, UNEP, Others Secure Funding For Eco-Friendly Fridges, Air Conditioners

    Rwanda, UNEP, Others Secure Funding For Eco-Friendly Fridges, Air Conditioners

    Rwanda, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the University of Birmingham, and other project partners will share £4 million in order to eliminate dangerous emissions from aged air conditioning, refrigeration, and cold supply networks.

    The environmentally beneficial funding was revealed on April 20, with the goal of preserving the ozone layer, which protects the world from UV radiation.

    Funding will be awarded in May of this year as part of Defra’s Sustainable Cooling and Cold Chain Solutions programme.

    Thérèse Coffey, the United Kingdom’s secretary of state for the environment, stated, “This funding will help developing countries play their part in tackling climate change and communities around the world with more efficient food and medicine storage – as well as support farmers to increase their productivity.”

    The investment will also help to improve the management of the refrigerated chain for fruits and vegetables.

    Read also: Nigeria, UNIDO, GEF Partner To Meet Clean Energy, Climate Action SDGs

    How Poor Cold-Chain Management Is Affecting Food Production

    Small-holder farmers produce 80 percent of the food produced in Sub-Saharan Africa; around 37 percent of all food is wasted between production and consumption, and nearly 50 percent of fruits and vegetables are lost owing to poor cold-chain management.

    Currently, in developing economies, a lack of adequate cold storage and refrigerated transport vehicles contributes to over 1.5 million vaccine-preventable deaths per year.

    According to estimates, 25% of vaccinations arrive at their destination with impaired efficacy, owing mostly to breaks in cold chains.

    Officials from Rwanda’s Ministry of Environment confirmed the country’s commitment to establishing the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES) headquarters in Kigali, which is set to open in late 2023.

    Cold Economy Professor at the University of Birmingham and Heriot-Watt University, Professor Toby Peters, is leading the collaboration of UK universities supporting this project in Africa and India.

    “Sustainable and equitable cooling and cold-chain infrastructure is now more critical than ever in a warming world,” he said. Food preservation is just as vital as food production.

    For the first time, this plan provides an integrated approach that includes on-the-ground training and support for subsistence farmers and their communities, viable business models, and a network of qualified engineers to assist with equipment installation and maintenance.”

    Professor Peters explained that doing so will allow ACES to address multiple global challenges at the same time, including “mitigating climate change and the environmental impacts of meeting new cooling demand; reducing food loss and converting it into increased farmer incomes, food security, and consumer affordability; and designing the next generation of efficient, resilient, responsive, and sustainable vaccine cold-chains.”

    In addition to financing pledges from the United Kingdom, the Rwandan government is overseeing the building of critical campus infrastructure to support the Centre.

    The University of Birmingham, Heriot-Watt University, Cranfield University, and London South Bank University are leading a consortium of Rwandan and UK universities in developing the Centre’s teaching and research programmes, which will provide a pipeline of skills, expertise, and innovation in cooling technology solutions, systems, and models.

    The UK’s ACES funding is assisting in the construction of Specialised Outreach and information Establishments (SPOKEs) to transfer information and implement solutions across Africa, with the first of these being established in Kenya, as well as giving technical help to duplicate the model in Telangana and Haryana, India.

    Defra has allocated an additional £1.2 million to project partners to support the development of roadmaps and digital tools to help developing countries design equitable, resilient, and cost-effective approaches, quantify the full economic, environmental, and societal impact, and understand the policy landscape required to implement new approaches.

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    Rwanda’s Plans For Ozone-Safe Electronic Appliances

    Rwanda is contemplating a new mechanism to facilitate access to inexpensive, ozone-safe refrigerators and air conditioners that do not contribute to climate change.

    According to information provided by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority, there is a programme called ” A green on-wage financing mechanism ” that aims to make energy-efficient and climate-friendly refrigerators and air conditioners more affordable.

    The programme is part of the Rwanda Cooling Finance Initiative (R-COOL FI), which aims to promote energy-efficient and climate-friendly cooling and the recycling of inefficient existing systems.

    By 2024, the initiative hopes to generate $4 million in financing to support the procurement of 12,500 climate-friendly and energy-efficient cooling products in Rwanda.

    She stated that energy-efficient and eco-friendly refrigerators and air conditioners are available at a discount through credit.

    As part of implementing the Montreal Protocols, Rwanda reduced by 54% by the year 2020 its importation of ozone-depleting hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).

  • Flutterwave plans to open new office in Rwanda

    Flutterwave plans to open new office in Rwanda

    Flutterwave has obtained complete operating permits in Rwanda and Egypt as part of its African growth strategy after acquiring an electronic money issuer license that enables the business to obtain all kinds of payment instruments.

    Through the licenses in Rwanda, Flutterwave users have access to additional services such as outbound and inbound remittance services, electronic transfers, and money deposits and withdrawals for approximately 13 million Rwandans.

    According to Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, CEO of Flutterwave, Rwanda is essential to their aspirations for expansion in East Africa. He emphasized the firm’s dedication to bridging Africa’s financial divide and equipping MSMEs with the resources they need to grow their enterprises and the continent’s economy.

    We have remained dedicated to our vision of using payments to link all of Africa to the rest of the globe from the time of our first transaction to the present when there have been over 400 million. Rwanda has always been significant to our expansion goals in East Africa as a nation widely renowned for encouraging innovation and the use of digital technologies, he said.

    “The licenses will enable us to provide safe, secure, and seamless payment services for individuals and businesses in Rwanda,” said Flutterwave’s East Africa Regional Lead, Regulatory and Government Affairs, Leah Uwihoreye. Flutterwave’s East African expansion begins here.

    Flutterwave announced its Payment Services Provider and Payments Facilitator licenses in Egypt two months ago. The licenses will make the platform one of Egypt’s few payment service providers with local and worldwide settlements.

    Aalaa Gamal, Regional Manager, North Africa in Expansion & Partnerships, Egypt, said, “We’re excited to receive the payment services provider and facilitator licenses in Egypt.” Our licenses will make us Egypt’s foremost payment processor and digital transformation partner for global settlements, enabling our customers to grow quickly. “This is the start of our strategic successes in North Africa and the Middle East.”

    Read also: Flutterwave partners Africa Fintech Summit as Lead Sponsor

    Flutterwave’s other African operations

    Flutterwave, which is Africa’s most valuable startup, also said it wants to open an office in Nairobi, Kenya, as part of its plans to grow its services in East Africa. The payments giant has had a lot of trouble with the Kenyan government, and it still doesn’t have a license to operate in the country fully.

    Oluwabankole Falade, Flutterwave’s top regulatory and government relations officer, said this at the third AmCham Business Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, last week.

    More than 500 East African and American officials were there

    The US Department of Commerce, the US Chamber of Commerce’s Africa Business Centre, and US investors will meet with East African delegates, a high-level US government delegation, US investors, and East African businesses and officials to discuss new ways to do business with Kenya and the rest of East Africa.

    Mr. Falade added, “We recognise Kenya’s invaluable role in the East African region and its business-friendly environment and digital capability.” “As a San Francisco-based company with African roots, we understand the importance of empowering small business owners, an objective shared by the Kenyan administration.”

    Egypt Approves Flutterwave Payment Processing Certificate

    Flutterwave’s Kenyan difficulties

    The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) froze a number of Flutterwave’s bank accounts in Kenya following multiple charges, including assertions that the company was a major player in a money laundering network there.

    The state froze approximately 52 million USD of Flutterwave’s assets. Earlier this year, the Kenyan government dropped the financial impropriety case against the Nigerian fintech company.

    There are rumors that the CEO of Flutterwave, Gbenga Agboola, recently went to the country to fix the problem with the frozen money. The company has not, however, used the Central Bank of Kenya’s funding services. If the company opens a regional office in Nairobi, it might be able to do better in the country.