Rubavu, March 18, 2022- The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) has today distributed smartphones to cross border women traders and will be formally launching 2 modern Cross Border Markets on the 22^nd & 23^rd March 2022 in Western Province, specifically in Rusizi and Nyamasheke Districts, respectively. Bugarama Cross Border Market is situated at Bugarama-Kamanyola Border whereas Rugari Cross Border Market is situated in Nyamasheke district, Rugari sector.

The Ministry of Trade & Industry is committed to facilitate smooth Cross Border Trade by building key trade border infrastructure and building capacity of small-scale traders which will significantly transform how Cross Border Trade is conducted.  With operationalization of Nyamasheke & Bugarama Cross Border Markets, the link between suppliers of goods to the DRC Market will be enhanced and now with the border reopening, this is a good opportunity for cross border trade to retake course.  

The joint initiative under the Greatlakes trade facilitation, a world bank support project is also supported by the Ministry of ICT and Innovation in collaboration with MTN Rwandacell PLC (MTN Rwanda).

As part of the joint initiative, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) has donated 900 smartphones to Women Cross-Border Traders to enable them use cashless transactions in their operations and access other government digitally supported services as part of #Connect Rwanda Initiative. The phones are also enabled with a feedback mechanism commonly referred to as Complaint management system to help cross border traders provide timely concerns to trade facilitation agencies. MTN Rwanda has also offered SIM Card and data to the 900 cross border traders who will receive smartphones donated by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM).

In her remarks during handover, Hon. Minister Beata Habyarimana, the Minister of Trade and Industry said that the “phones were given to traders who had never owned a smartphone before and will help them to communicate with other traders but also access Government digital services that enhances their business.  But also trade-related information in a timely manner.”

She revealed that they have partnered with Ministry of ICT and Innovation as well as MTN Rwanda, adding that the 900 smartphones were given to Cross Border Traders in three western border districts of Nyamasheke, Rusizi and Rubavu with the support of the World Bank’s Great Lakes Trade Facilitation Project. “We have opted to help Cross Border Traders because during Covid-19-induced lockdowns, borders were closed, but they proved that trading was possible by using their simple ways. So, giving them smartphones with different helpful applications will help them to boost their businesses,” she said.

MInister of ICT and Innovation; Hon. Paula Ingabire says “We are excited to join MINICOM in the distribution of the 900 smartphones to women in cross border trade. Integrating technologies in every sector will quicken our economic development as a country & so we believe these women will benefit from owning these smartphones that can enhance their trading activities locally & expose them to larger markets in the region."

According to the latest statistics, the Connect Rwanda Initiative has so far distributed 25,223 smartphones while 49,910 sets have so far been pledged.

Speaking on the handover of the smartphones, Mitwa Ng’ambi, MTN Rwanda Chief Executive Officer expressed “We are thankful to the Ministry of Trade and Industry for honouring their pledge of 900 smartphones as part of the Connect Rwanda initiative. Since the commencement of Connect Rwanda, we have seen 25,223 people being newly connected to the digital world and today we witness 900 more. We, at MTN see ourselves as a partner to Rwanda, on its journey to a fully cashless and digital economy, and therefore are honoured to be part of this joint initiative. We hope that our provision of free SIM Card and data to the 900 traders receiving these smartphones will aid their entry into the digital world. We are also particularly excited about the beneficiaries being women, as we celebrate Women’s month under the theme ‘Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow’. With the continuous adoption of smartphones and digital solutions by women, we will see more of the digital gender gap closing resulting not only in poverty reduction but sustained prosperity”.

Connect Rwanda Initiative seeks to mobilise people to contribute by providing smartphones to Rwandans who cannot afford them. Since its inception in 2019, it has majorly focused on different segments of the population; the unconnected, female farmers, persons with disabilities, individuals in category 1 and 2 of Ubudehe, among others.