The African Management Institute (AMI) and the Rwanda ICT Chamber have signed a one-year agreement to provide business training to entrepreneurs in the ICT sector to reinforce their skills and boost women’s participation in the sector.

The partnership aims to reach more than 2,000 i-workers (i.e. internet workers who include digital services agents, freelancers, digital ambassadors and gig/platform workers).

This is geared to help small businesses tackle the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and equip them with the skills, tools, and strategies to manage risk and identify new opportunities for growth.

The African Management Institute will offer its sponsored virtual Business Survival Bootcamp in English and Kinyarwanda to tech entrepreneurs across the country and enable them to access AMI’s online learning platform.

Through the programme, entrepreneurs learn about risk assessment, scenario planning, cash flow forecasting, and other skills to support their business to grow and thrive.

To date, 114 entrepreneurs have already benefited from AMI’s sponsored programme in partnership with the ICT Chamber and completed AMI’s Business Survival Bootcamp programme.

Members of the ICT Chamber are encouraged to apply directly through bit.ly/AMI-ICT. Yvette Uwimpaye, the founder of the online store Murukali Market Smart, is looking forward to the upcoming training:

“The pandemic affected my business both positively and negatively. We had more customers ordering online, however, they were buying fresh products such as perishable food. It was hard to keep up with the demand due to movement restrictions. This impacted our operations and caused us to lose customers and revenue. I’m excited to take part in the Business Survival Bootcamp because I want to recover losses and make my e-commerce business more profitable,” she said.

AMI Country Director, Malik Shaffy, said, “This partnership is unique because it will also increase the number of women thriving in Rwanda’s digital economy.

As we boost women’s participation in our programmes, I 2 encourage all tech entrepreneurs to visit our website and apply for the Business Survival Bootcamp to gain the skills and network that will help your business to grow.”

Rwanda ICT Chamber CEO, Alex Ntare, shared how the sector will benefit from the partnership: “Over the years we have seen a growing number of women-owned or co-founded technology and ICT enabled businesses, this partnership with AMI has already raised interest among our members especially those participating in the IHUZO digital commerce project, the content in the programs is very relevant to all sizes of businesses especially those affected by COVID-19 and who want to digitalize.”

Industry captains have expressed their confidence in the incoming East African Community (EAC) Secretary General Peter Mathuki.

They want the Kenya politician-cum-business executive to put in gear policy mechanisms that would spur intra-EAC trade to over 30%.

Dr Mathuki assumed office on Friday in Arusha as the sixth secretary general of the six nation economic bloc.

He takes over from Ambassador Liberat Mfumukeko from Burundi whose five year (2016-2021), whose non-renewable term has just ended.

The business leaders under the aegis of the East African Business Council (EABC) convened in Arusha for Dr Mathuki inauguration and urged him to transform the Community.

“As the industry leaders we have analyzed key trade and investment barriers,” they said during a brief meeting at an Arusha hotel.

Until his appointment as the new EAC boss during the February 27 Summit of Heads of State, Dr Mathuki was the executive director of EABC.

They said the East African businesses have failed to take advantage of the EAC Customs Union and Common Market protocols which paved the way for full integration.

Mr John-Bosco Rusagara, speaking on behalf of the EABC chairperson Nick Nesbitt, set the key agenda for the incoming EAC boss.

He appealed for fast-tracking of finalization of the comprehensive review of the EAC Common External Tariff so as to boost industrialization and regional value chains.

Other interventions proposed are quick elimination of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and operationalization of the Committee of Trade Remedies to handle trade disputes.

Others include finalization of the regulations on free movement of services and service suppliers and implementation of the Standardization and Accreditation and Conformity Assessment (SACA)) Bill,2017.

The business leaders have also urged the EAC Secretariat to mainstream and progressively harmonize domestic taxes such as excise duty, value added tax (VAT) and income tax.

Domestication of EAC air space by according national treatment to EAC national air operators, passengers and cargo will reduce air ticket cost.

This, according to the apex body of private sector associations and corporates, would attract more tourists into the region plus boost consolidation and exports of fresh horticultural and fish. On Covid-19, Mr Rusagara, who is an EABC director, called for the need of harmonization of measures and regional coordinated approach in handling the pandemic.

The East Africa private sector was expected to present the regional priority issues during an Evening Gala Dinner with the new EAC Secretary General at an Arusha hotel last night.

The evening reception was organized in partnership with GIZ- Business Scouts for Development Program, funded by the German Ministry for economic cooperation, BMZ.

Dr Mathuki holds a PhD in Strategic Management & Regional Integration from the University of Nairobi, Kenya. At one time (2012-2017) he was a member of the East African Legislative Assembly from Kenya. He is credited for having been instrumental in driving and articulating the private sector priorities in the EAC decision making process during his tenure as the chief executive officer of the Arusha-based EABC. 

Citizen

MTN Rwandacell Plc (MTN Rwanda) is hass announced that it will list on the Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE) on May 4, 2021.
The announcement follows the approval by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and the Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE) of MTN Rwanda’s listing by introduction on the RSE and the approval of Crystal Telecom’s (CTL) shareholders to distribute 20% of MTN Rwanda’s shareholding held by CTL to CTL shareholders effective from the listing date.

The listing of MTN Rwanda will see 1,350,886,600 ordinary shares with a nominal value of Rwf 1 each being registered with the RSE at an initial listing price of Rwf269 per ordinary share.

CTL shareholders will become direct shareholders in MTN Rwanda and be able to trade their MTN Rwanda shares on the RSE.

MTN Rwanda CEO, Mitwa Ng’ambi said that the listing of MTN Rwanda’s shares on the RSE is as an exciting opportunity for the investor community at large to participate directly in the ownership of MTN Rwanda.

“We are also excited to welcome former CTL shareholders as MTN Rwanda shareholders,” she said.

Iza Irame, CTL’s CEO, said that the transaction will allow shareholders to retain their economic interest in MTN Rwanda while gaining from the efficiency and visibility that comes with direct ownership.

MTN Rwanda joining the RSE list of companies is expected to increase the market’s capitalization.

“The company being of a good size adds on the number of leading brands to our Exchange and offers more visibility into the company’s operations to shareholders and the general investing public, which in turn should trigger more interest from potential new investors going forward,” said Celestin Rwabukumba, CEO of the RSE.

MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita called the listing a milestone: “Enabling Rwandans the opportunity to participate in the company’s success is part of our work to promote local ownership and participation in MTN businesses across our markets, and to create shared value.” He added that the listing was particularly significant given the increasing importance of broadband access in driving economic and industrial development across Africa.

More information about the listing and investor relations can be found at www.mtn.co.rw/investors.