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Rwanda's sustainable development path: Enhancing climate resilience and biodiversity conservation
Denise NSANGA | 05/09/2023
Rwanda aspires to become a developed climate-resilience, low- carbon economy by 2050, as stated in the Rwanda National Strategy on Climate Change and Low Carbon Development. Several objectives were established to achieve this goal, including social protection, improved health and disaster risk reduction that reduces vulnerability to climate change. To contribute to this noble cause, the Belgian development agency (Enabel) together with Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) are implementing a Sweden-funded project COMBIO - Reducing vulnerability to climate change through enhanced community-based biodiversity conservation in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. The 7-year project, led by the Rwanda Ministry of Environment, aims to increase biodiversity and restore degraded land in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. Enabel is implementing a component related to the establishment and operationalization of 21 Community Biodiversity Sanctuaries (CBS) that spread across the whole seven Districts of Eastern Province. The Sanctuaries size varies between 10 to 20 hectares and for this year, 7 of them have already been chosen to be developed. To achieve this, 45 indigenous tree species have been grown into 7 nurseries distributed in the 7 Districts of the Province. Each community biodiversity sanctuary is an area specifically dedicated to the promotion of the use of native tree and shrub species locally adapted (soil and climate) and being important as well for the biodiversity support and the economic and social aspects of communities.From June to end August 2023, 168,499 seedlings from 45 tree species have been germinated and are now ready for 2023 tree planting season. The rest is still germinating because indigenous tree species germinate at variable pace and rate. They include trees that are highly medicinal/pharmaceutical and ornamental. In terms of agroecology, the growth of indigenous trees will surely contribute to the mitigation of the adverse effects of agricultural practices including alleviating the carbon emitted from Agricultural landscapes, reducing erosion, and protecting soils and their associated micro-fauna.
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Rwandan farmers learnt new technologies in the Libramont Agriculture Trade Fair 2023
Denise NSANGA | 05/09/2023
Private sector actors supported by PRISM-Enabel participated in the Librramont Agriculture Trade Fair 2023 in Belgium from 28th to the 31st of July to learn new technologies and innovations along the pig value chain to improve their production, quality of pork meat and profitability. Four private companies under Rwanda Pig Farmers Association (RPFA) that were facilitated to attend the trade fair had an opportunity to make business to business sessions with larger producers and manufactures to promote collaboration and knowledge transfer in pig value chain. In addition, Rwanda Pig Farmers Association started a collaboration with University of Liege/Department of Veterinary services aimed at technical expertise sharing. At the Libramont Agricultural Trade Fair, RPFA Team had an opportunity to meet with Will Borsus, The Vice President and Minister for the Economy, Foreign Trade, Research and Innovation, Digital, Regional planning, and Agriculture, in conversation, who appreciated the contribution of Belgium in the pig value chain development in Rwanda. Libramont Agricultural Trade Fair takes place every year in Belgium. It is the largest open event in Europe which welcomes nearly 200,000 visitors, 700 exhibitors and 4,000 brands.
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16th National Agriculture Show: Enabel exhibited its contributions to agricultural transformation in Rwanda
Denise NSANGA | 05/09/2023
The 16th edition of the National Agriculture Show took place from 20th to 29th July 2023 at Mulindi Agri-show ground in Gasabo District in the City of Kigali, under the theme: “Transforming Agriculture into a Resilient and Competitive Sector through Technology, Innovation and Investment”. As one of the major development partners of the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) for agriculture sector transformation and modernization in Rwanda, Enabel supported and, together with its partners, participated in the agri show. Organised by the MINAGRI, the annual agri show is a useful platform for farmers, agribusinesses, research institutions, agro-industry, finance institutions and other stakeholders to showcase agricultural technologies and innovations, exchange best practices in the agriculture sector and explore new business opportunities that fast-track agriculture sector. About 300 exhibitors showcased agricultural technologies and innovations with more than 30,000 visitors who came to explore the new technologies and innovative solutions in the agricultural development. Enabel’s implementing partners of PRISM project (Partnership for Resilient and Inclusive Smallholder Market) and Kwihaza projects exhibited various innovations contributing to the transformation of agriculture sector. Those partners include Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), Vétérinaires Sans Frontières-Belgium (VSF-B) and AGRITERRA. Enabel partners with RAB to enhance the capacity of smallholder farmers to fit into commercial oriented system through improved productivity for profit making in the poultry and pig value chains. With Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium, Enabel supports the development of affordable veterinary services to improve animal health services as well as looking for a cost-effective alternative source of protein in poultry and pig feed through farming black soldier fly larvae and use. In partnership with Agriterra, Enabel empowered an Out-Growers Service (OSC) company to increase local production and supply of maize and soya ingredients with reliable market linkage to animal feed companies. Kwihaza Project (2023 - 2026) funded by the European Union and the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency participated in the event. The project focuses on enhancing aquaculture, fisheries and horticulture value chains, while contributing to the EU Action plan on “Transformational climate-smart and inclusive agriculture in Rwanda”.
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Ultrasound scan services accessible and affordable in Rwanda
Denise NSANGA | 06/07/2023
The vision of the World Health Organization (WHO) is a world where every pregnant woman and newborn receive quality care throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. New guidelines were developed in 2016 to respond to the complex nature of the issues surrounding the Ante Natal Care (ANC) services and practices.WHO recommends all pregnant women to receive one ultrasound (US) scan before 24 weeks to estimate gestational age, improve early detection of anomalies and multiple pregnancies and improve pregnancy experience. In 2018, Rwanda adopted the policy and decided to equip the 500 health centers with ultrasound machine for obstetric and antenatal care services. Initially the US scan services were performed by medical doctors, at hospital level or within private clinics and at a cost of approximately 10€. Enabel/Barame project contributed to the strategy by providing 107 modern US machines and by training two nurses per health centre in six districts. To monitor the performance and effectiveness of this service at health facility level then at national level, a digital tool was designed, built on the existing health information system. Each health center with US machine received a tablet and was trained on how to track pregnant women who come for US scan. Cases which need special care are referred at a higher level for further management.3370 ultrasound scans were so far performed in Karongi and Rusizi districts where the programme started, with an increase of 8% in ANC first visit. 26% of cases were referred to the hospital. Most users were satisfied in terms of accessibility and information received. The key informants found the strategy useful in reducing unnecessary transfers and increasing the utilization of services. Uzamukunda Shakila, a 24-year-old young woman, found at Kabusunzu health center in Nyarugenge District, at her ANC she said: “I was not aware that US scan services could be found at Health Center, when I was told about it, I was happy to go for it. During the scan, I was able to see different parts of my baby. The nurse also made me hear the heartbeats of my baby. Since then, I was assured that I am expecting a healthy baby”Another 39 year old woman called Chantal Uwitonze from the same health center who was coming for her 4th pregnancy test, said: “it is so amazing, I used to make a long distance of about 30 km to go for US scan and pay expensively, before a nurse could come and do some palpation only, you could leave the health center without knowing if what you are expecting is a baby or not, but now with the US scan you see your baby, you hear its heartbeats and they help you even with the estimation of your delivery date”. The US scan services are now accessible, available, and closer to the community for all pregnant women and at an affordable cost, of around 0.2 €.
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Rwanda: Managing newborns with respiratory problems in Barame supported hospitals
Denise NSANGA | 27/06/2023
During the delivery the first sign of live birth is a cry, the baby cries because air enters her lungs which then start to work. A healthy baby will continue to breath normally by her own without any other support. Although there might be other things to be observed during the first 10 minutes of life, breathing is key. Some babies during their early life and likely if they are premature, may have difficulty in breathing (respiratory distress or birth asphyxia) requiring support for breathing to avoid early death or irreversible brain damage due to deprivation of oxygen. For those cases, urgent appropriate measures should be taken by skilled health workers with appropriate equipment.To reduce the neonatal death and the complications related to the respiratory problems that can occur early after birth, Enabel’s Barame project has developed and implemented two strategies at hospital level: (i)staff skills improvement via training and mentorship, and (ii) procurement of equipment.Last year (2022), the project procured an essential device, Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) to reduce the mortality and the complications related to respiratory distress at birth in seven hospitals which did not have it (2 in Rusizi, 2 in Nyamasheke and 3 in Karongi). The CPAP is a breathing therapy device that delivers air to a mask worn over the nose and/or mouth to help consistent breathing for neonates with either upper airway obstruction or respiratory failure; and the health care providers can easily adjust the quantity of needed oxygen. Numerous other equipment was also provided to support treatment and cares for neonates including oxygen cylinders and oxygen concentrators, infant incubator and complete resuscitation kits.care providers from 14 hospitals were trained on management of baby born with respiratory difficulties and distress that include the adequate use of CPAP device, the newborn resuscitations measures and the good and safe use of oxygen. Mentees are now comfortable in using the respiratory machine on newborn babies and to conduct resuscitation on standard way.Mme Manishimwe Annuarite, a nurse from Kinihira hospital, who followed the mentorship said “the use of this breathing machine has helped to reduce the level of not needed quantity oxygen by calibrating and monitoring the right quantity needed by the sick babies. There is a huge difference in using the electrical air-oxygen blending machine compared to mechanical (handmade) equipment we had before. The unnecessary oxygen was considerably reduced, allowing the use of blended air-oxygen at the satisfactory level compatible with the capacity of infants”.Mentors and mentees confirmed that the use of the received machines has shortened the time newborn with breathing difficulties passes on respiratory support and has contributed to reduce the mortality.
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Global Gateway: MSc and PhD programmes in Biotechnology launched in partnership between Team Europe and University of Rwanda
Denise NSANGA | 06/04/2023
Kigali, 5 April 2023 - A new MSc programme in Biotechnology was launched today in Rwanda to ensure sustainable local production and improved access to quality-assured vaccines, medicines and health technologies in Africa. In its agenda vision 2050, the Government of Rwanda sets a pathway that will lead the country to living standards of upper middle-income countries by 2035 and high-income countries by 2050. Rwanda is hence targeting to develop high-growth knowledge-driven sectors which can enable the envisioned rapid social economic transformation, while providing the necessary conditions to build required industrial research and development (R&D) capability, including a competent workforce. The MSc in Biotechnology programme, hosted by the University of Rwanda, responds to that vision and has been developed in the broader human capital development program which includes also training of PhDs in Biotechnology. The launch of the programme also follows Government of Rwanda’s vision to become a regional hub for next-generation biomanufacturing. This is supported by the Team Europe’s initiative on manufacturing and access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies in Africa (MAV+) under the EU Global Gateway strategy. At continental level, it equally represents a milestone under the talent development bold programme of the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM). The Ambassador of the European Union to Rwanda, Belén CALVO UYARRA, stated, “The EU in Rwanda and Team Europe are proud to announce the launch of the MSc and PhD programmes in biotechnology at the University of Rwanda. It brings together the expertise of EU member states’ universities to train the future Rwandan workforce on academic and industrial aspects of biotechnology, vaccine development and manufacturing. It is also another important milestone displaying EU’s full commitment to boost local manufacturing capacities in Africa and strengthen pharmaceutical systems and health equity.” The MSc programme, supported through the Kwigira programme of the European Union in Rwanda and Enabel - the Belgian development agency, will be implemented in partnership with different European universities as well as other global academic and research networks. In his remarks, Bert Versmessen, Ambassador of Belgium to Rwanda said: “The launch of this MSc PhD program is a showcase of what Team Europe can contribute to Rwanda’s ambitions in the biotech sector. The first seed of cooperation between Belgian universities and the University of Rwanda was planted 5 years ago with Belgian development funding. Other universities from France and Cameroon have joined the initiative and the EU stepped in with additional funding to turn this into a full-fledged educational program. The students going through this program will become the human capital required to turn Rwanda into a biotech pioneer on the continent.” Developing a pole of competence in biotechnology is one of the toolkits that would strengthen higher learning, research and innovation, and position the country as a benchmark for the sub-region in the field of biotechnology, in particular by promoting the generation and production of added value bio-products and bio-processes of economic importance. “The programme launched today will serve as backbone support for the Government of Rwanda's strategic initiative to establish a biomanufacturing plant to supply the country and continent. Skills delivered through the course will have growing impact on climate change and climate-resilient agriculture” said, Rwandan Minister of State Hon. Dr. Yvan Butera. 25 students (medical doctors, biologists, pharmacists) will be recruited for the MSc programme each intake, aiming to train 100 skilled MSc graduates in 4 years. 5 PhD candidates will also be supported. Lecturers from European countries will provide distance and onsite training, with a common core in the first year and internship training/research responding to local health needs in the second year. About MAV+Following the call by African leaders in April 2021, the Team Europe Initiative on manufacturing and access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies in Africa (MAV+) exists since May 2021. It contributes to create an enabling environment for local manufacturing of health products and helps tackle barriers on both supply and demand sides. MAV+ has already mobilised 1.1 billion and is contributing to several complementary projects across the continent, in close coordination with the PAVM hosted by the Africa CDC. Team Europe is coordinated by the European Commission and integrates EU Member States as well as European financing institutions. About the KWIGIRA programme As part of the MAV+ initiative, the EU-Enabel programme “Kwigira” supports the Rwanda Food and Drug Authority in its regulatory functions, laboratory equipment, the digital transformation and upgrading of pharmaceutical systems, strengthening of quality control laboratories and skills development. It is implemented by Enabel with financing from the European Union. About Global Gateway Global Gateway is the European strategy to boost smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world. Global Gateway investments support efforts in vaccine deployment, infrastructure and production capacities, skills development, regulatory frameworks and universal health coverage. Contact: European Union Flora KAITESI Press and Information Officer Delegation of the European Union to Rwanda Email: Flora.KAITESI@eeas.europa.eu Tel: +250 788 310 471 Enabel Denise Nsanga Communications Officer Enabel in Rwanda Email: denise.nsanga@enabel.be Tel: +250 788 745 939 University of Rwanda Ignatius KABAGAMBE Division Manager for Communication University of Rwanda Email: i.kabagambe@ur.ac.rw; ignatius.rwiyemaho@gmail.com Tel: +250 783 008 76
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Rwanda: Raise awareness on PFMU approach for improving private forest productivity in the Eastern Province
Modeste BIZIMANA | 05/04/2023
Today, Rwanda is striving to build resiliency to Climate change through increasing and maintaining achieved forest cover of 30.4% and promotion of sustainable forest management with ensured impact to climate change effects and provision of forest goods and services for sustainable development for the country. TREPA (Transforming Eastern Province through Adaptation) project is one of the country efforts financed by Green Climate Fund (GCF) to restore degraded lands through forests and agroforestry landscapes restoration in all 7 Districts of the Eastern Province so as to build resilience of Rwandan Eastern Province community to climate change impacts. In 6-years (2021-2027), TREPA Project will support restoration of around 60,000 ha of degraded landscapes with 6,545 ha of small-holder private woodlots. To achieve a such transformation change in Eastern province, TREPA plans to use Private Forest Management Unit (PFMU) approach, an approach that consists of consolidating degraded private forests into one unity(20-100ha) to be managed by the cooperative of forest owners according to elaborated simplified forest management plan (SFMP). The Forest Management Unit (FMU) approach is recommended by the forest policy action (NFP, 2018) and the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1; 2017-2024) to improve forestry sector performance towards sustainable forest management. This approach was piloted in Rwamagana, Gicumbi, Gakenke and Rulindo districts through the support of the former Belgian funded FMBE project (2017-2021) and has achieved impressive success. To this end, 18 PFMUs that count about 890 ha were established and are well managed by formed cooperatives to produce goods and ecological services. In environment protection perspective, restored PFMUs are contributing to the environment protection through direct effects to soil erosion, water catchment and climate regulation, and CO2 sequestration. It is expected an improve productivity of 13 m3/ha/year in restored PFMUs and an increased (10 times) carbon sequestration over the next 20 years (1.078.569 tons of CO2 compared to only 174.597 tons in business as usual-BAU). In that context of implementing TREPA project, Enabel in collaboration with Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA) and other project implementers such as IUCN, ICRAF, CordAid and World Vision, is organizing a study tour for new PFMU cooperative leaders to learn from the successful PFMU sites as part of awareness. The study tour is taking place in PFMU Cooperative (KOTABB and KOTIGA) located respectively in Fumbwe and Gahengeri Sectors of Rwamagana District. The PFMUs have been established in planting season 2018/2019 and are about the first cutting. At Fumbwe and Gahengeri PFMU sites, Community Leaders from newly mapped 46 PFMUs sites that correspond to 46 pre-cooperative committees from seven districts of Eastern Province observe and exchange with their colleagues PFMU practitioners (KOTABB and KOTIGA PFMU Cooperative leaders) of Rwamagana District. In this tour, PFMU cooperative leaders are accompanied by their local authorities and technicians including Cell Officer, Sector executive Secretary and Sector Forest Officers, V/C/Mayor in Charge of economic Affairs, District Forest Officers, Staff in charge of Cooperative at district level to learn together on the PFMU approach.During the study tour, PFMU cooperative leaders described to their colleagues the journey undertaken in PFMU establishment till the current status and highlighted faced challenges and key points to be taken into consideration to succeed in new PFMU establishment. On the other hand, Rwamagana local leaders and technicians informed the participants especially their counterparts the role played by local authorities to get PFMU approach adopted by forest owners. Participants from TREPA intervention areas have been impressed and motivated by seeing such consolidated private forests, productive plantations of Eucalyptus spp (never seen in their areas) that are growing well and providing important ecosystem functions in their 4 years of establishment. Observed current status of established PFMU and testimonials given by their colleagues forest practitioners, most importantly, the regret of some farmers who refused to join approach, have impressed more. The PFMU leaders and authorities from TREPA intervention areas show more interest in PFMU and commit to change their working mode from business as usual to sustainable forest management through running this PFMU approach. Generally, PFMU leaders, authorities and technicians from TREPA intervention areas have seen that it is possible to have a well consolidated forest, to transform degraded forest into productive one and that nothing is impossible for committed and working together people. From that position, they committee to run and valorize this PFMU approach together since they have clearly seen and understood all processes behind PFMU establishment.
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Rwanda: Launch of the KWIHAZA project : Transformation Towards Sustainable Food Systems
Denise NSANGA | 23/03/2023
Kigali – 22 March, 2023 - The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) jointly with the European Union, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency (LuxDev) and the Belgian development agency (Enabel) launched the "KWIHAZA" project supporting Transformation Towards Sustainable Food Systems. This 4-year programme (2023-2026) will develop the value chains in the aquaculture, fishery and horticulture sectors. Smallholder producers in these sectors are characterized by low production and profitability and need more technical competence. While there are many opportunities in domestic and foreign markets, the development of sectors is constrained by many factors, including low trust and weak relations between smallholder producers and other value chain actors; poor processing and cold chain infrastructure and logistics; limited access to finance, and weakly implemented quality assurance systems, norms, and standards, among others. With funding of the European Union and Luxembourg (10 million euros and 5.5 million euros respectively), KWIHAZA project will promote the development of aquaculture, fishery and horticulture sectors by providing training to smallholders and setting up research centers to improve the quality and meet market standards. In this framework KWIHAZA will also help develop the flow of quality produce in selected values chains through secondary markets to the Kigali Wholesales Market of Fresh Produce in the process of conceptualisation. The initiative also aims at promoting the consumption of healthy and sustainably produced local food and increasing farmers’ income.The Ambassador of the European Union to Rwanda, H.E. Belén Calvo Uvarra stressed: “Aligned to the priorities of the Rwandan Government, KWIHAZA project will build the capacities of smallholder groups, SMEs, cooperatives and aspiring young entrepreneurs to be active in aquaculture, fishery, and horticultural value chains, to improve the quality and quantity of produce, minimize post-harvest losses and enhance access to local and regional markets. The project will contribute to creating decent jobs and more sustainable food systems.’’ Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Ildephonse Musafiri, said: “It is my privilege and great honor to officiate the launch of the KWIHAZA PROJECT under the theme of, “Transformation towards sustainable food systems”, which I believe will leave a transformative impact in the development of Rwanda’s aquaculture, fishery and horticulture sectors for the next four years”. He added: “Any investment in the agriculture sector is an investment to the national economy since in Rwanda agriculture is the dominant sector in the nation’s economy”. KWIHAZA project will be implemented by the Belgian development agency Enabel together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources through the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) and other government institutions including National Agriculture Exports Board (NAEB), Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA), Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), University of Rwanda (UR) – Rwasave Research Center, Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) and districts.
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Rwanda: Livestock Farmer Field School, path to business-oriented farming
Denise NSANGA | 20/03/2023
PRISM-Enabel livestock programme aims at empowering poultry and pig farmers to transition from traditional to commercial-oriented livestock farming by improving animal husbandry practices and business management skills to increase productivity, profitability, and job creation. Through the Livestock Farmer Field School (LFFS) approach, smallholder farmers were trained on practical poultry and pig husbandry practices as well as farm business skills. Such husbandry and entrepreneurial related competencies contributed to catalyze a market-driven poultry and pig farming systems. In addition, gained knowledge increased their resilience to environmental and economic challenges. From traditional to modern and market-oriented pig breeder Mrs Anastasie Uwimabera is running a pig farm in Nyamabuye sector, Muhanga district. The LFFS enhanced her farming capacity and improved her entrepreneurship and management skills to run her farm as an enterprise. "I used to feed my pigs with poor quality feeds like food leftovers from restaurants and shed cleanliness was not satisfactory, this caused warms and other bacterial infections leading to poor growth and sometimes deaths. The training I got from Enabel gave me skills on how to feed animals on a balanced diet, provide clean water and keep the animals in a clean shelter; all this brought a big improvement as the pigs are healthier and grow faster leading to good prices. Anastasie Uwimabera Anastasie’s pig farm started in 2019 with eight female pigs and one male of low-quality indigenous breed. Due to poor management practices, the returns were often low. The situation changed for the better when she acquired new skills through Livestock Farmer Field School in 2021, provided by Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) and PRISM-Enabel, on how to choose the best animals for breeding, feeding, health practices and business management, which helped to increase her benefits. “I supply both piglets and mature animals respectively for rearing and slaughter. I sell my hybrid piglets at FRW 30,000 each. The price for slaughter animals depends on the weight. A kilo of pork is between FRW 1,800-2,500. Recently, I sold a pig that weighed more than 120kgs for FRW250, 000 thanks to the improved husbandry practices received from the project. Since the last three months, I have sold about 2 tons of pork and I have earned a gross income of Rwf 4,000,000, which is much higher than before I got the training, I was selling less than 500kg” she said. Equipped with the modern skills, Anastasie plans to expand her business to supply the growing market for animals for both breeding and slaughter. She aims at increasing her farm from 150 to 1,000 pigs in the next two years. Job creation Pig farming is an entry point for job creation for youth. Anastasie Uwimabera currently employs ten occasional labors and two permanent employees who ensure the reparation and maintenance of farm, off-loading of feeds, loading of animals to market, cleaning of farm and washing of animals. In partnership with RAB, PRISM-Enabel trained 300 lead farmers, including 205 in poultry and 95 in pig farming, in Improved Livestock and Business Management. The same group also got training sessions through Farmer Business Schools (FBS) to help them improve entrepreneurship and management skills. In turn, these lead farmers formed and trained 600 farmer groups (410 in poultry and 190 pig farming) of 25-30 producers each, totaling around 18,000 pig and poultry farmers across the ten districts of project intervention, namely Rwamagana and Bugesera in Eastern Province, Muhanga, Gisagara and Nyamagabe in Southern Province, Gicumbi, Rulindo and Musanze in Northern province, Rubavu and Rusizi in Western province.
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EU-Enabel contribution to Rwanda’s Health workforce through Master and PhD programmes in Biotechnology
Denise NSANGA | 16/03/2023
Enabel through Access to quality vaccines, medicines, and health technology in Rwanda – KWIGIRA Project, funded by the European Union has an objective to ensure access to quality vaccines, medicines and health technology in Rwanda by assisting Rwanda Foods and Drugs Authority (FDA) to protect public health and to reach Maturity Level 3 (ML3) of World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT) to be able to attract Rwanda pharmaceutical investments and protect public health. WHO maturity level 3 refers to a stable, effective, and well-functioning regulatory institution which is required to guarantee quality of products. Strengthening Rwanda FDA to attain WHO ML3 and beyond will facilitate the Government of Rwanda’s vision for vaccine and other essential health products manufacturing in the country and reduce on dependence of medical products imported, not only for Rwanda but also for the region. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the underlying critical issue of access to vaccines has shown Africa’s vulnerability. The recent strategic initiative by the Government of Rwanda to establish a vaccines manufacturing plant is among the solutions to addressing this challenge. Beyond the health sector, the growing impact of climate change demands rapid responses in terms of climate-resilient agriculture to ensure food security. Biotechnology and its applications also span across other strategic sectors including food, water, environment and waste management industries. Thus, developing a pole of competence in Biotechnology appears to be one of the toolkits for strengthening higher learning training, research and innovation, and of positioning the country as a benchmark for the sub-region in the field of Biotechnology, in particular by promoting the generation and production of added value bio-products and bio-processes of economic importance. This programme, funded by the European Union, is tailored to national needs and societal demands, while improving professional skills in the field.Candidates are from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine and the College of Science and Technology. “Training is paramount in this project to ensure skilled Human Resources. The MSc and PhD in Biotechnology will strengthen Rwanda’s ambition in the vaccines, medicines and other bio-products manufacturing thus achieving the third Sustainable Development Goal “Good Health and Well-being” said Dirk Deprez, Resident Representative of Enabel in Rwanda. In August 2022, in partnership with Academie de recherche et d’enseignement superieur (ARES) a validation workshop was conducted in Kigali to validate the curriculum. This validation workshop brought together different stakeholders including the University of Rwanda (UR), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Université de Grenoble, University of Cameroun as well as University of New York – Abu Dhabi. The universities that are partnering with the University of Rwanda in this undertaking have a long-standing history of coordination and collaboration with the UR in the past. The MSc. provides a good opportunity to foster this relationship. The two partner universities also have excellent science and research programmes that will support the UR in achieving the vision of Rwanda to improve professional skills in field of Biotechnology and manufacturing of vaccines. The 2-year Program of master's in biotechnology is expected to be launched in 2023 after its accreditation from Rwanda's High Education Council. The first cohort of 25 Master’s and 5 PhD students in Biotechnology will be financed through the Kwigira Project.
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Rwanda’s potential to lead the Circular Economy transition in Africa
Denise NSANGA | 13/03/2023
Many African countries, including Rwanda, face a growing waste management challenge due to economic growth, increasing population and rising urbanisation. According to Rwanda National circular economy - Action plan and roadmap by the Ministry of Environment (MOE) and UNDP, in Rwanda, solid waste generation is expected to rise by 14% increase between 2020 and 2035. Efforts, especially related to plastics, have brought great success and resulted in Rwanda having the reputation of being the cleanest African country. While the waste sector is an important sector to enable the circular economy, besides solving pressing waste challenges, the concept also provides various opportunities to transform other economically relevant sectors while generating jobs, offering a more sustainable and interdependent economy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Rwanda is one of the African countries that is relatively advanced on its circular economy journey. For over a decade, it has taken a proactive approach and put environment and climate change at the heart of all the country’s policies, programmes and plans as seen by its Vision 2020 initiative which aimed to integrate green growth and climate resilience strategies. Rwanda had a pioneering role in the co-founding of the African Circular Economy Alliance first launched at the World Economic Forum in Kigali in 2016. It also has a track record of being a test location for trialing innovative approaches before launching in other parts of Africa, as demonstrated by drone and smart city initiatives. From 8-10 March 2023, Enabel’s Urban Economic Development initiative (UEDI) and the National Industrial Research and Development Agency (NIRDA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment (MOE), VITO&OVO and other partners organized a 3-day boost camp to train and coach 10 selected local construction companies on circular economy approaches in construction sector in Rwanda under incubation. It was also an occasion for students from universities to share experiences among themselves and fetch relevant skills from the coaches. Robin Thiers 1st secretary in development embassy Belgium said 'Rwanda Population in cities is increasing with high construction boom in urban area. We are proud to work with Rwandan government to promote urban planning and sustainable organization as one of the main pillars of Belgian Cooperation'. ‘The project is about much more than circularity alone' said Dirk Deprez, Resident Representative of Enabel in Rwanda. 'With this, we want to contribute to Rwanda's urbanisation ambitions and the creation of jobs in a green and circular economy' he noted.'Applying circular principles to buildings means looking at the full life cycle of a building, including its design, construction and deconstruction and the materials used. Promoting circularity in construction offers many opportunities including increasing employment, reducing transportations costs and emissions, thus reducing pressure on our natural resources' stated Christian TWAHIRWA, Head of Knowledge Management and Operational Monitoring at NIRDA.Participants to the boost camp affirm they expected much from the programme: 'We were very keen to participate in this circular economy project, this will allow us to further expand our network and we can also get more access to finance.' said Eric Nshimiyimana, RCGF Managing Director. “Our activities are environmentally friendly we use only wood cuttings, maize leftover no single tree used to burn bricks. Carbon emission reduces from 90-98%, the broken bricks are then recycled to make roofing” said Immaculée MUKAMUSONI Managing Director, Kigali Bricks ltd. As part of wider initiatives by Enabel, VITO has lots of experiences in projects around circular economy and specifically around circular construction. VITO and OVO delegation aimed at ensuring exchange learning of entrepreneurs between Belgium and Rwanda, to establish guidelines to promote circularity.
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Kigali-Rwanda: Community-Based Processes Forum for Climate Resilient Design
Denise NSANGA | 27/02/2023
East Africa holds sources of existing inspiring projects, with approaches that develop the local potentials, that are co-created and co-owned by the local communities, use locally available labor, materials, and technologies.From 15-16 February 2023, a Community Based Processes Forum was organized in Kigali, Rwanda to discuss how best to engage the community in construction and urbanism projects. Hosted by the University of Rwanda, College of Science and Technology, the forum brought together the Rwanda’s Ministry of Environment (MININFRA), Rwanda Housing Authority, Rwanda’s Ministry of Local Government as well as Architecture students Uganda, Kenya, Burundi and Rwanda to discuss community involvement for a successful design that helps the communities develop and take ownership, and which makes the projects more sustainable in both socio-economic and environmental aspects. In his remarks, Jean-Michel, the Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Belgium to Rwanda asserted the importance of community involvement in socio-economic development: “Community based processes(CBP) are really key for us because our approaches are based on participation of the community not only in urbanization but also in all other aspects of the development” he noted. The ministry of infrastructure tasked architects to work closely with communities in incorporating climate resilience apparatuses in construction project design and implementations. “The role of the community in driving implementation of SDGs through relevant infrastructure development projects and programs can’t be under-estimated”. Government has been very critical in these initiatives especially building from the famous community work “Umuganda” and the development of basic Infrastructures commonly called “Ubudehe” said Edward Kyazze Division Manager Urbanization Human Settlement and Housing, MININFRA. Addressing around 200 participants of the forum, Dr. Ignace GATARE, Principal of the College of Science and Technology at the University of Rwanda said “Community based processes are such significant approaches to dealing with complex problems especially in urbanizing environment to respond to the community needs. This further plays significant roles in nurturing ownerships.” “The community has the knowledge that can guide the architects in incorporating climate resilience in construction projects, thus the infrastructure is for the community and it’s the community to own and manage it” indicated Mattias Piani, Intervention Manager for Enabel’s Urban Economic Development initiative (UEDi). Prior to the workshop, Architecture students from various universities had an ample time to carry field work and going forward learnt a lot from the communities. They found out that communities have lots of knowledge and are therefore the knowledge base. The take home, they say, is to ensure the involvement of communities in any project to be carried out.
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Rwanda : Client-centered communication, key approach for Gender-based Violence case management
Denise NSANGA | 24/02/2023
Client-centered communication and active listening are very important when working with people who are directly affected by any form of gender-based violence. Rwandans who are affected by domestic violence, specifically women and children victims of sexual assault, need psycho-social, legal and medical support from professionals who actively listen and support them in a client-centered manner. Enabel’s Barame Project and the GIZ’s Prevention of Sexual and gender-based Violence Project joined forces under their mandate of strengthening psychosocial, legal and medical services offered to persons affected by gender-based violence.From 21 to 23 February, Enabel, GIZ and their Rwandan partners conducted a workshop on client-centered communication and active listening to tackle identified gaps in terms of communication with the vulnerable target groups, especially those sexually assaulted. The workshop brought together professionals from Enabel’s Barame project and GIZ partners, including health centres, Isange One Stop Centres, Haguruka Association and Health Development Initiative, who are working in psychosocial support and legal aid for GBV victims. Participants of the workshop were equipped with skills in methods of client-centered communication, active listening as well as self-care, which is key to providing need-based support to people affected by gender-based violence. This training also provided participants with methods in dealing with the psychological problems that professionals who work with gender-based violence victims often face: triggering negative emotions and stress which can affect their performance and hence reduce the quality of care provided to the GBV service beneficiaries. “I learned how to better listen to my clients and how to develop a solution together with my client who is seeking support” said one participant working in face-to-face counselling. “We tended to rush into handing out solutions and my take-away is that there is a better way to listen empathically to better understand the situation and needs of the client. Instead of imposing a solution I think I will now listen with empathy and we develop a solution together with the client” she added. To further support the integration of the acquired skills into the daily work, both Enabel and GIZ projects will support the creation of local communities of practice and refresher workshops.
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Rwanda: Hospital Biomedical Engineers trained for better management of health infrastructure
Denise NSANGA | 24/02/2023
Enabel’s Barame project, in collaboration with Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) through its Medical Technology Division (MTD) and the Maternal, Child, and Community Health Division (MCCH), organized a training workshop, from 13-17 February 2023, on the maintenance of infrastructures in health facilities. The five-day workshop session held in Muhanga district, brought together infrastructure engineers and biomedical technicians from 16 hospitals from seven districts of intervention of Barame project.They had an interactive and sharing experience on properly managing infrastructures and equipment under their daily responsibilities. According to the participants, the technical teams intervened in medical infrastructure only on call, resulting in a stressful situation for the technician as well as the hospital medical staff. It was also not easy for the biomedical technicians to be able to provide the required support that could meet the hospital accreditation processes, thus leading to poor qualifications of the health infrastructure when it came to ranking. Currently, there are not enough civil engineers at the district level responsible for all infrastructure, including health. In many situations, they are overloaded; their efforts mainly focus on preparing the terms of reference for various infrastructures, supervising construction works, and proceeding to acceptance when construction is complete. The infrastructure engineer's time is limited and does not allow them to follow up on the maintenance of existing infrastructure. Biomedical technicians were identified to backstop district infrastructure engineers purposely to avoid delays in making the health facility a conducive environment for patients. Having limited infrastructure skills, it was worth building their capacity and transferring some skills and knowledge on maintenance management. During this workshop, it was an opportunity to leverage participants on what is critical for health infrastructure maintenance, including preventive maintenance and inherent risks of losses when not done. As result of the training, participants increased the feeling of ownership of health facility maintenance and collaboration. They created a communication platform and different reporting templates to help with quick intervention and appropriate management. A clear plan and a framework contract in place will alleviate the burden on Biomedical and infrastructure engineering staff from urgent calls for maintenance, which used to compromise their capacity to deliver the best service at the right time. The biomedical engineer, whose time is split into equipment maintenance and infrastructure, will now be able to allocate her/his time for both services while waiting for hospitals to recruit a permanent infrastructure officer, where needed, to take full responsibility.
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Improvment of biodiversity in degraded landscapes of Rwanda’s Eastern Province through innovative approaches
Denise NSANGA | 13/02/2023
Enabel in collaboration with Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA), Rwanda’s Ministry of Environment and World Vision has been conducting consultation meetings with District officials and technicians from the Eastern Province of Rwanda on approaches to increase and improve biodiversity in the seven District of the Eastern Province namely Bugesera, Gatsibo, Kayonza, Kirehe, Ngoma, Nyagatare and Rwamagana. The approaches include Biodiversity Sancta and Private Forest Management Unit (PFMU). Biodiversity Sancta is an innovative approach developed under COMBIO project to promote biodiversity in degraded landscapes of Rwanda’s Eastern Province using local community. Biodiversity sancta is an area of around 15-20ha dedicated for native tree species production, planting and valorization through establishment and maintenance on different compartments such as Nursery, botanical garden, pharmacopeia and Essential oil native species garden, fruit tree orchards, Native shrubs seed stand etc, all managed by local community groups organized into cooperatives. Biodiversity sancta will be benefiting community living around it and the country in general through the supply of sufficient quality native germplasm, supporting pollination and beekeeping value chains, traditional medicine and essential oil, ecotourism etc. It will promote easy access and promotion of native fruits and will support awareness and education of communities on the use of native species. Private Forest Management Unit – PFMU, (Impuzamashyamba in local language, Kinyarwanda) is an approach developed and successfully piloted in Rwamagana, Gicumbi, Gakenke and Rulindo districts in the former Belgian funded FMBE project to support smallholder private forest owners in the conversion of their degraded old forest into productive forest and ensure their sustainable management in the years ahead following a designed SFMP for each restored PFMU. TREPA will support the restoration of 6,545 ha of private forests through PFMU approach. Both Biodiversity Sancta and PFMU approaches will be used in recently launched Green Climate Fund-GCF funded TREPA project and the Swedish International Development Agency-SIDA funded COMBIO Project to support restoration of degraded landscapes through forests and agroforestry landscapes restoration and promotion of diverse native tree species to boost biodiversity in the seven districts of Eastern Province of Rwanda. About COMBIO and linkage with TREPA project COMBIO project entitled “Reducing vulnerability to climate change through enhanced Community-based Biodiversity conservation in the Eastern Province of Rwanda” is a six-year project (2021-2027) funded by SIDA to support the restoration and improved management of eight natural forests protected by 2015 ministerial decree and increase the use of native tree species in productive areas restored by TREPA (Transforming the Eastern Province through Adaptation) Project. COMBIO project was developed to complement TREPA restoration efforts and will be supporting in promoting the use of diversified native species to restore and protect biodiversity over the targeted TREPA landscapes of the Eastern Province. COMBIO will support establishment and maintenance of 3-5 biodiversity sancta per District and the integration of native species over the 50,000 ha of agroforestry and silvopastoral landscapes at a rate of 16% of native trees/shrubs and over the 10.000 ha of public and small holder forests at a rate of 5% of native trees.
