The Extraordinary Summit on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTFA) that took place in Kigali, Rwanda last year brought together African leaders during which the agreement for establishing the free trade area was presented for signatures. The agreement was signed by 44 of the 55 African Union (AU) member states adding another 5 during the AU summit in Mauritania in June bringing the total number of committed countries to 49 by the end of July 2018. The Continental Free Trade Area (CTFA), will unleash Africa’s potential assembling a population of 1.2 billion people, with a GDP of $3.4 trillion as the world’s largest free trade area since the inception of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). To leverage on the CFTA cross border opportunities, Africa will require strategic infrastructure; both physical and financial. Physical infrastructure includes transportation networks such as rail, road and power that underpin the economic growth potential and financial infrastructure comprising of institutions that will enable effective operations and empower Africa to unlock and tap into the opportunities underlined by the agreement. Tanzania is known as the trade gateway for the neighbouring land locked countries through the port in Dar es Salaam. According to the Ministry of Trade, the port handles 60% of Rwanda’s exports and imports. Zambia, Malawi, Uganda, Burundi and the Eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) all depend on the port of Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has commenced review of its policies to spur cross border trade in anticipation of the CFTA. In a statement issued by the...

The disagreements between Ugandan and Rwanda governments are inconsequential to the solid relationship between the two countries, government officials say. On Wednesday this week, Rwandan border authorities blocked Ugandan cargo trucks that were heading to Rwanda from Uganda at Gatuna border. By Thursday, hundreds of traders were stuck at the border as the government of Rwanda released a statement issued by the Rwanda Revenue Authority that the move was to allow the upgrading of the One Stop Border Post at Gatuna. The switch was allegedly meant to give the contractor ample time and space to accomplish the work on time.  The Uganda Revenue Authority also advised that all trucks going to Rwanda should go through Mirama hills-Kagitumba Border. However, Ofwono Opondo the Government Spokesperson poked holes into the detail by Rwandan authorities saying that the government had also learnt that Rwanda was preventing some of her people from crossing into Uganda for education and health services. According to OO, if the closure of the border post was to allow construction works, they wouldn't have prevented people from coming to Uganda But, Henry Oryem Okello the State Minister for Foreign Affairs says that Uganda has a long, special and unique history with Rwanda, adding that all will return to normal at some point. Also on Thursday, Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda told Parliament that the events between the borders of Uganda and Rwanda are sad, but Government was working to resolve the crisis. Source: Howwe

Uganda government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo says there what he terms a slight problem with all the three borders with Rwanda. Various reports emerged Thursday claiming that cargo trucks from Uganda had been blocked from crossing into Rwanda at Katuna border. Opondo told journalists in Kampala, there is also a problem at Cyanika and Kagitumba as there is a tension between both countries yet they don’t know why it is escalating high. “There is a slight problem at all the three border points between Uganda and Rwanda.” Opondo said “I don’t know about the tensions being high, but what I know yesterday (Wednesday) at around 6pm, the authorities from Rwanda refused vehicles both private and public from entering Uganda. Uganda provides the everyday necessities of life. They even prevented their own people from coming to buy the daily necessities, he added “If it was construction of the road “they wouldn’t have prevented their people from coming into the country. Our Minister of foreign affairs is in touch with the authorities of Rwanda,” Mr Opondo further noted that by Thursday morning, Rwandan authorities had blocked even school children from crossing into Uganda for studies. “If there’s any other reason beyond the construction works they have given, the honorable Sam Kutesa is in engagement and we hope that this matter will be resolved quickly,” Opondo told The Dailymonitor Recently, Rwanda Revenue Authority  in a letter addressed to the Commissioner for Customs at Uganda Revenue Authority on Wednesday, said heavy trucks would be diverted...

A War of words has ensued between Ugandan and Rwandan authorities following the closure of Katuna-Gatuma border by Rwanda Revenue Authority. On Wednesday, February 28, the taxman issued an order barring cargo tracks from Uganda entering Rwanda to pave the way for upgrade of the one-stop border post. The heavy vehicles were temporarily diverted to other border crossings, Kagitumba. “Rwanda Revenue Authority would like to inform you that with effect from 28th February 2019, all heavy trucks carrying goods destined and those transiting via Gatuna shall be temporarily diverted from Using Gatuna Boarder Post to Kagitimba/Mirama Hills border posts,said Ms. Rosine Uwamariya, the Commissioner for customs. The announcement did not go well with Ugandans. Ugandan government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo reported that their vehicles have been denied entry to Rwanda, a claim that has been rubbished by Rwandan Foreign Affairs Minister Richard Sezibera, “Those who have gone through Kagitumba have crossed,” said Mr. Sezibera. Thereafter, Ugandan government summoned Rwandan envoy to the east African country to give clarification on the standoff at the border. Uganda’s High Commissioner to Rwanda Ms. Olive Woneka was also directed to get an explanation from Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kigali. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has invited Mr. Mugambage (the Ambassador) today to brief Uganda on temporary closure. We are seeking explanation,” reiterated Mr. Opondo. Beyond the cargo trucks issue, Rwandan nationals were reportedly stopped from crossing into Uganda as passenger Service Vehicles were checked. There are claims that Rwandese are being detained and...

Uganda’s Foreign Affairs minister, Sam Kutesa is in touch with Rwandan authorities to resolve any border issues, government has said. “I don't know about the tensions being high, but what I know yesterday (Wednesday) at around 6pm, the authorities from Rwanda refused vehicles both private and public from entering Uganda. Uganda provides the everyday necessities of life. They even prevented their own people from coming to buy the daily necessities," Uganda government spokesperson Mr Ofwono Opondo said on Thursday after reports emerged that cargo trucks from Uganda had been blocked from crossing into Rwanda at Katuna, also known as Gatuna, to pave the way for the upgrade of the one-stop border post, the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) has said. However, Mr Opondo told journalists in Kampala that there's a “slight problem” at all the three border points between Uganda and Rwanda. “If it was construction of the road “they wouldn't have prevented their people from coming into the country. Our Minister of foreign affairs is in touch with the authorities of Rwanda,” he said. Mr Opondo further noted that by Thursday morning, Rwandan authorities had blocked even school children from crossing into Uganda for studies. “If there's any other reason beyond the construction works they have given, the honorable Sam Kutesa is in engagement and we hope that this matter will be resolved quickly,” he said. RRA in a letter addressed to the Commissioner for Customs at Uganda Revenue Authority on Wednesday, said heavy trucks would be diverted to other...

Rwanda-Uganda tensions continued to simmer Thursday when the tiny neighbouring nation blocked its people as well as Ugandan trucks from crossing the border. A source at the Kagitumba/Mirama Hills border posts in Ntungamo district told edge.ug that Rwandans were being picked out of buses coming to Uganda and blocked from crossing the border. “I’m not sure what is going on. We see Rwandans being ordered out of buses and told to say in their side of the border,” a source told this website Thursday afternoon. While responding to the matter, government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo, said “under the spirit of the East African integration, they [Rwanda] shouldn’t be preventing their people from crossing”. “I don’t know about the tensions being high, but what I know yesterday at around 6.00pm the authorities from Rwanda refused vehicles both private and public from entering Uganda,” Opondo noted. He refuted high tensions between Uganda and Rwanda but instead called for calm. Opondo said Rwandan officials claim they are constructing the road via Katuna and advised travellers to use Mirama hills. “If it was construction of the road, they wouldn’t have prevented their people from coming into the country,” Opondo added. Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) said cargo trucks from Uganda were being diverted at Katuna also known as Gatuna to pave the way for the upgrade of the one-stop border post. “In view of the above, Rwanda Revenue Authority would like to inform you that with effect from February 28, 2019, all heavy trucks carrying goods...

Cargo trucks from Uganda have been blocked from crossing into Rwanda at Katuna, also known as Gatuna, to pave the way for the upgrade of the one-stop border post, the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) has said. The taxman, in a letter addressed to the Commissioner for Customs at Uganda Revenue Authority on Wednesday, said heavy trucks would be diverted to other border crossings. "We are considering reducing the traffic of heavy trucks to allow completion of the OSBP infrastructure," read the letter signed by Ms Rosine Uwamariya, the Commissioner for Customs at RRA. "In view of the above, Rwanda Revenue Authority would like to inform you that with effect from February 28, 2019, all heavy trucks carrying goods destined and those transiting via Gatuna shall be temporarily diverted from using Gatuna Border Post to Kagitumba/Mirama Hills border posts," she added. However, the announcement followed complaints on social media of stranded citizens and truck drivers. "Why are our goods being stopped from entering Rwanda? Our friendship still stands," Mr Aaron Ainomugisha posted on Twitter. For ordinary citizens, the deteriorating diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Uganda,that has largely remained at the top, seemed to have moved to the grassroots, interrupting their lives. Both Kampala and Kigali accuse each other of espionage. "But this madness between Rwanda and Uganda must stop. My family from the other side has been blocked from coming to Uganda for our sister's marriage ceremonies!" tweeted Agather Atuhaire, before posing: "How can both be oblivious and ignore the fact...

The beginning of 2019 has seen exchanges between the Rwandan government and China’s Alibaba Group, as the two sides discussed agro-products exports in Rwanda and a dozen Rwandan officials visited Alibaba’s headquarters in China. These came after Alibaba co-founder and Chairman Jack Ma’s first visit to Africa in 2017 and later visits in 2018, which received a huge attention from African countries and African people. So what is the significance of his footsteps in Africa?  Jack Ma and Alibaba’s presence in Africa can boost the friendship between China and Rwanda, said Yin Qingri, chairman of the Rwanda Chinese Association. As an eminent Chinese enterprise that can contribute to Africa’s development, Alibaba’s entering in Africa can also promote the image of Chinese people and Chinese enterprises in Africa, he said. Footsteps of Jack Ma and Alibaba in Rwanda will “definitely” further strengthen the relations between the peoples of China and Rwanda, said Ismael Buchanan, Dean of the School of Economics and Governance at the University of Rwanda. China has helped many countries in Africa to develop proper infrastructure among other things, most especially roads, railways, schools, ports, recreational facilities and office buildings, whose presence in Africa will help African countries achieve fast social and economic transformation, said Buchanan. Their entering into the Rwandan market will also help enhance the country’s visibility in the international stage as they have global influence, hence promoting Rwanda and China relationship, said Herman Musahara, an associate professor at the University of Rwanda. Through Alibaba’s platform, Rwandan products...

Over the past three decades regional integration schemes have mushroomed across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. Regional integration promotes global advantage for businesses of the regional bloc members by creating common markets which open up borders and eliminate import/export tariffs. This increases the bloc’s global competiveness by marshalling the individual States’ potentials and presents their case in unison. African countries have been working towards integrating at continental level as well as sub-regions. The quest for the East African region to integrate has seen coming together of six states: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda which arguably is a good move. The East African Community (EAC) integration is anchored on four pillars: Customs Union, Common Market, Monetary Union and Political Federation with significant strides already made on the former three. Imperatively, the Political Federation pillar whereby the region envisages a Superstate with a single government makes EAC integration unique. Successful integration needs a ‘forward-looking’ strategy. The European Union is lauded to be the most successful integration scheme and from which lessons are drawn but the on-going Brexit negotiations have apparently cast a shadow on it. The EU has also been through a number of crises that threatened to tear down the Union. These included: the Eurozone Crisis (2009), the Ukrainian Crisis (2014), and the European Migration Crisis (2015). However, the EU has weathered these storms and forged forward albeit at a slower pace. This can be attributed to the firm political will from EU member States and the...

Johannesburg, Jan 11 (Forbes): One of Africa’s long reigning leaders and President to East African country Rwanda says Africa should start engaging in continental trade and maximising export to the world to reduce African dependency on foreign funding. In a recent interview with Forbes Africa Kagame emphasised the importance of localising production and maximising export to the rest of the world, saying that will encourage African economies to be self dependent  and increasing players in the global economy made in the continent. Paul Kagame is the current Chairman of the African Union preceding the role from former Chad Prime Minister and Diplomat, Moussa Faki Mahamat. Kagame assumed his role in the AU from Jan 2018 and has been championing African Economic Development since. The Rwandan president is best known for his diversity in parliament by having a majority parliamentary cabinet represented by women. His made in Rwanda strategy qualified him as African of the year at the 2018 All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) which is an annual event that honors business excellence and leaders who have played a significant role in the business industry and communities. Kagame has spent the previous year improving economic climate and conditions in his home country Rwanda. His most important highlights include securing a contract with Alibaba and improving the ease of doing business in Rwanda which was attested by the world bank. Whilst overcoming the milestones of a painful past that has Rwanda stills in scars, where more than 1 million people lost...