Au cœur de l’Afrique, le Rwanda se présente comme un phare de progrès et d’innovation, s’efforçant constamment de renforcer sa position sur la scène mondiale. L’Indice mondial de l’innovation (GII) sert de référence critique pour mesurer les capacités d’innovation à travers le monde, et les performances du Rwanda dans cet indice sont un témoignage de l’engagement du pays en faveur de l’innovation et du développement.

Comprendre l’Indice mondial de l’innovation

L’Indice mondial de l’innovation, désormais à sa 17e édition, est un outil complet qui classe les performances d’innovation des économies mondiales. Depuis sa création en 2007, le GII a été une référence inestimable pour les pays cherchant à développer de nouvelles stratégies d’innovation et de politique économique. Il capture les facettes multi-dimensionnelles de l’innovation à travers environ 80 indicateurs, regroupés en intrants et sorties d’innovation.La 17e édition du GII, qui sera publiée le jeudi 26 septembre 2024, lors d’un événement hybride de 13h30 à 15h30 CEST (heure de Genève), présentera des résultats clés présentés par des ministres, des dirigeants d’entreprise et des experts en innovation. L’événement inclura une discussion de panel sur « Débloquer les promesses de l’entrepreneuriat social », mettant en lumière les dernières tendances mondiales en matière d’innovation face à une croissance économique mondiale lente mais stable, une réduction des financements de l’innovation et une croissance de la productivité morose.

Performances du Rwanda dans l’Indice mondial de l’innovation 2023

Dans la dernière édition de l’Indice mondial de l’innovation 2023, le Rwanda se classe 103e parmi 132 économies, une réalisation notable compte tenu du contexte économique du pays. Le Rwanda se classe 1er parmi les 12 économies à faible revenu et 9e parmi les 28 économies d’Afrique subsaharienne, démontrant que malgré les défis économiques, le Rwanda performe au-dessus des attentes.

Points forts et domaines d’amélioration

Le système d’innovation du Rwanda présente plusieurs points forts qui méritent d’être soulignés :

• Environnement institutionnel : Le Rwanda excelle en stabilité institutionnelle, avec un classement de 33e au niveau mondial dans la catégorie « Institutions ». Cela inclut des politiques solides pour les affaires, qui sont classées 11e au niveau mondial.
• Capital humain et recherche : Le pays a réalisé des progrès significatifs dans l’enseignement supérieur, en particulier dans les diplômés en sciences et en ingénierie, où il se classe 15e au niveau mondial.
• Infrastructure : Les performances du Rwanda en matière d’accès aux TIC et de services en ligne du gouvernement sont louables, se classant 41e au niveau mondial pour les services en ligne du gouvernement.

Cependant, il y a aussi des domaines où le Rwanda peut s’améliorer :

• Sorties d’innovation : Malgré de forts intrants d’innovation, le Rwanda se classe 113e en sorties d’innovation, indiquant un besoin de mieux traduire les investissements en résultats tangibles.
• Sorties créatives : Le pays se classe 117e en sorties créatives, suggérant un besoin de se concentrer davantage sur les industries créatives et le développement de la propriété intellectuelle.

Les sorties créatives invisibles du Rwanda

Bien que le GII fournisse des informations précieuses sur les performances d’innovation du Rwanda, il est crucial de reconnaître que toutes les sorties créatives ne sont pas capturées par les indicateurs utilisés dans l’indice.

• Contributions culturelles : La culture vibrante du Rwanda, y compris les arts traditionnels comme l’Imigongo, joue un rôle vital dans l’écosystème créatif du pays. Ces expressions culturelles, bien que non enregistrées formellement, sont intégrales à l’identité et à l’histoire de l’innovation du Rwanda. En reconnaissant et en valorisant ces contributions, le Rwanda peut favoriser un environnement d’innovation plus inclusif et diversifié.
• Innovations du secteur informel : De nombreuses innovations au Rwanda, en particulier dans le secteur informel, peuvent ne pas être enregistrées ou documentées formellement. Cela inclut les artisans locaux, les fabricants à petite échelle et les projets communautaires. Encourager ces innovateurs à formaliser leur travail et à protéger leur propriété intellectuelle peut aider à mieux capturer le véritable potentiel d’innovation du Rwanda.

Solutions pratiques pour améliorer les sorties d’innovation

Pour améliorer la praticabilité et l’applicabilité de l’article et pour mieux utiliser le GII, nous pouvons considérer les exemples suivants:

• Soutien aux innovateurs locaux : Établir des programmes qui soutiennent les innovateurs locaux, tels que des incubateurs, des accélérateurs et des initiatives de mentorat, peut aider à traduire les idées innovantes en résultats tangibles. Par exemple, le Fonds d’innovation du Rwanda, qui vise à soutenir les startups et les entreprises en phase de démarrage, peut jouer un rôle crucial dans la promotion de l’innovation.
• Promotion de l’enregistrement de la propriété intellectuelle : Encourager les innovateurs à enregistrer leur propriété intellectuelle peut aider à mieux capturer les sorties créatives du Rwanda. Cela peut être réalisé grâce à des campagnes de sensibilisation, des ateliers et des incitations pour l’enregistrement de la PI.
• Collaboration et partenariats : Favoriser la collaboration entre l’académie, l’industrie et le gouvernement peut faciliter l’échange d’idées et de ressources, conduisant à des solutions plus innovantes. Par exemple, les partenariats entre les universités et les entreprises locales peuvent impulser la recherche et le développement dans des secteurs clés.

Souligner la nécessité de respecter la PI

Promouvoir le respect de la propriété intellectuelle (PI) est essentiel pour améliorer les classements du Rwanda dans le GII. Voici comment nous pouvons souligner cette nécessité :

• Sensibilisation et éducation : Organiser des ateliers et des campagnes de sensibilisation pour éduquer les innovateurs sur l’importance de la protection de la PI peut encourager davantage d’enregistrements formels. Cela inclut mettre en lumière les avantages de la protection de la PI, tels que la reconnaissance accrue et les récompenses financières.
• Incitations pour l’enregistrement de la PI : Offrir des incitations, telles que des réductions d’impôts ou des subventions, pour les innovateurs qui enregistrent leur PI peut motiver davantage d’individus et d’entreprises à formaliser leurs sorties créatives.
• Cadres juridiques : Renforcer les cadres juridiques pour protéger les droits de PI peut fournir un environnement sécurisé pour que les innovateurs investissent dans leurs idées. Cela inclut l’application des lois sur la PI et la mise en place de mécanismes de résolution des litiges.

Regarder vers la prochaine édition de l’Indice mondial de l’innovation

Alors que le monde se prépare pour la publication de la prochaine édition de l’Indice mondial de l’innovation le 26 septembre 2024, le Rwanda peut réfléchir à ses performances actuelles et fixer des objectifs ambitieux d’amélioration. En se concentrant sur des domaines tels que les sorties d’innovation, les industries créatives et la sophistication du marché, le Rwanda peut continuer à grimper dans les classements et consolider sa position de leader en innovation dans la région.En conclusion, l’Indice mondial de l’innovation est un outil puissant qui ne mesure pas seulement l’innovation mais l’inspire également. En comprenant les forces et les faiblesses du Rwanda à travers le GII, les Rwandais peuvent être motivés à être plus créatifs et innovants, conduisant le pays vers un avenir plus brillant et prospère. En reconnaissant les sorties créatives invisibles, en promouvant le respect de la PI et en favorisant des initiatives pratiques d’innovation, le Rwanda peut garantir que son écosystème d’innovation est inclusif, vibrant et compétitif au niveau mondial.

Appel à l’action

Alors que nous regardons vers la prochaine édition de l’indice, embrassons le défi d’innover et faisons du Rwanda un phare de créativité et de progrès en Afrique. Voici quelques étapes que nous pouvons prendre :

• Encourager l’expression culturelle et créative : Soutenir les artistes et les innovateurs locaux en reconnaissant et en valorisant leurs contributions au paysage culturel et créatif du Rwanda.
• Promouvoir l’enregistrement de la PI : Encourager les innovateurs à enregistrer leur propriété intellectuelle pour mieux capturer le véritable potentiel d’innovation du Rwanda.
• Favoriser la collaboration : Promouvoir les partenariats entre l’académie, l’industrie et le gouvernement pour impulser la recherche et le développement dans des secteurs clés.

Pour plus d’informations sur la manière de protéger vos droits de propriété intellectuelle, veuillez visiter le site web de Kings Chambers Associates (https://www.trustlawchambers.com/). Ensemble, nous pouvons inspirer une culture d’innovation au Rwanda, garantissant que le pays continue à prospérer et à innover, tant localement que globalement.

Travaillons ensemble pour débloquer le plein potentiel d’innovation du Rwanda et en faire un leader en créativité et en innovation sur le continent africain.

Auteur: David Bahige - Coauteur: Shifra Mugeni.

Mu mutima wa Afurika, u Rwanda ruri kw’isonga mw’iterambere n’ ubuvumbuzi bw’udushya, rukanahora rutera intambwe mu kuza kwisongo ku rwego mpuzamahanga. Index ya bere y’ ubuvumbuzi bw’udushya(GII) ni ikimenyetso gikomeye kigamije kumenya ubuvumbuzi bw’udushya mu bihugu byose. Iyi index yerekana ko u Rwanda rukomeje gushyira imbaraga  mu buhanzi bw’udushya n’ iterambere.

Kumenya Index ya mbere y’ Ubuvumbuzi bw’udushya 

GII mu cyiciro cya 17, ni igikoresho cy’ingenzi mu kumenya ubuvumbuzi bw’udushya bw’ibihugu byose. Kuva muri 2007, GII ni ikimenyetso gikomeye cyifashishwa n’ bihugu bishaka guteza imbere ubuvumbuzi bw’udushya n’amategeko y’ubukungu. Inakusanya ingero nyinshi z’ubuvumbuzi bw’udushya biturutse mu bipimo mirongo inani (80) byakusanyijwe mu byashyizwe buhanzi bw’udushya n’ ibyabuvuyemo. 

Icyiciro cya 17 cya GII, kizagaragazwa  ku wa 26, Kamena 2024, mu birori bizaba saa 13:30 kugeza 15:30 p.m. CEST (amasaha ya Geneva), ahazerekwa ibyavuye mu bushakashatsi bikaba bizerekanwa naba minisitiri, abayoboye abacuruzi, n’ inararibonye mu byubuvumbuzi bw’udushya. Ibi birori bizatumwirwamo inteko yo kuganira ku bijyanye no kwagura kwihangira imirimo hakazerekanwa ubuvumbuzi bw’udushya ku rwego rw’isi hakoreshejwe izamuka ry’ubukungu ku rwego mpuzamahanga, igabanuka ry’amafaranga akoreshwa mu guhanga udushy, n’igabanuka ry’ umusaruro. 

Ubushobozi bw’ u Rwanda muri Index yo muri 2023 y’ubuvumbuzi bw’udushya ku rwego mpuzamahanga 

Muri index yo muri 2023 ari nayo iheruka, u Rwanda rwaje ku mwanya w’ 103 mu bihugu 132, akaba ari intambwe nziza ugereranyije n’imiterere y’ubukungu. U Rwanda ruri ku mwanya wa mbere mu bihugu 12 bikennye rukaba ku mwanya wa 9 mu bihugu 28 byo munsi y’ubutayu bwa Sahara, byerekana ko nubwo ruhura n’ibibazo by’ubukungu, u Rwanda rwerekana ibikorwa birenze iby’ibiteganyijwe. 

Hari imbaraga zashyizwe mu buhanzi bw’udushya mu Rwanda. 

Inzego z’ibidukikije: U Rwanda ruri ku mwanya wa 33 ku rwego mpuzamahanga mu nzego. Ibi bikuyemo ubushobozi bukomeye mu bucuruzi, aho u Rwanda ruri ku mwanya 11 ku rwego rw’isi. 

Abakozi n’ubushakashatsi: U Rwanda rwateye intambwe ishimishije mu burezi cyane cyane mu bijyanye siyanse n’ubwubatsi (science and engineering) rukaba ruza ku mwanya wa 15 ku rwego mpuzamahanga. 

Ibikorwa Remezo: U Rwanda ruza ku mwanya wa 41 ku rwego mpuzamahanga mu bijyanye n’ikoranabuhanga no gukoreshwa kw’ikoranabuhanga mu gutanga serivisi za leta. 

Ariko hari aho Rwanda rwakongera imbaraga: 

Ibiva mu buhanzi bw’udushya: nubwo u Rwanda rushyira imbaraga mu buhanzi bw’udushya ruri ku mwanya wa 113 mu biva mu buhanzi bw’udushya, ibi bikaba byerekana ko umusaruro ugomba kwiyongera. 

Umusaruro w’ibiva mu buhanzi: u Rwanda ruza ku mwanya wa 117 mu bijyanye n’umusaruro mu biva mu buhanzi (creative output), byerekana ko hakenewe gushyira imbaraga mu buhanzi n’iterambere ry’umutungo bwite mu by’ ubwenge. 

Umusaruro w’ibiva ku buhanzi utagaragara mu Rwanda. 

Nubwo GII itanga ubushisozi ku byerekeranye n’imikorere y’ u Rwanda ku bijyanye no guhanga udushya, ni iby’agacaciro kugaragaza ko ibiva mu buhanzi bitabarwa mu bipimo byifashishwa muri index. 

Umusanzu w’Umuco: Umuco w’ u Rwanda ukubiyemo ubanzi nk’imigongo utanga umusanzu mu buzima bw’igihugu. Uyu muco ni ingenzi ku gihugu n’ubuvumbuzi bwacyo. Kumenya no guha agaciro iyi misanzu byafasha u Rwanda guteza imbere ibishya bidukikije. 

Ubuvumbuzi bw’udushya mu nzego zitandukanye: Ubuvumbuzi bw’udushya mu Rwanda, cyane cyane mu nzego zitandukanye nk’ubuvumbuzi, inganda nto n’ imishinga iyobowe n’abaturage ntabwo utwo dushya twandikwa. Gushishikariza aba bahanzi b’udushya kurinda umutungo wabo bwite mu by’ubwenge bishobora gufata neza ubuvumbuzi bw’udushya mu Rwanda bikerekana naho igihugu kigana muri ubu buhanzi.  

Ibisubizo Bifatika byateza imbere ibiva mu buhanzi by’udushya. 

Gufasha abahanzi bo mu gihugu: Gushyiraho gahunda zifasha abahanzi b’udushya nk’ibikorwa byo guhugura byabafasha gushyira ibitekerezo byabo bahanzi mu bikorwa bitanga umusaruro. Urugero, Rwandan Innovation Fund ifasha imishinga mito yafasha mu guteza imbere ubuvumbuzi bw’udushya. 

Guteza imbere kwandikisha umutungo bwite mu by’ubwenge: Gushishikariza abahanzi mu by’ubwenge byafasha mu kumenya neza ibiva mu bihangano by’u Rwanda. 

Ubufatanye: ubufatanye hagati y’abari mu nzego z’amashuri, Leta, n’ubuvumbuzi byafasha mu gutanga ibitekerezo n’ubushobozi byafasha mu gutanga ibisubizo birambye mu buhanzi. Urugero, ubufatanye hagati ya za kaminuza n’ abacuruzi byafasha mu gukora ubushakashatsi n’ iterambere mu nzego zinyuranye. 

Kubaha umutungo bwite wo mu by’ubwenge

Guteza imbere kubaha umutungo bwite wo mu by’ubwenge ni ngombwa mu gushyira u Rwanda imbere ku rutonde iriho muri GII. Byakorwa mu buryo bukurikira: 

Kubimenyekanisha mu Burezi:  gushyiraho inyigisho zitandukanye kumenyekanisha no kwigisha abahanzi ku mpanvu bagomba kurinda umutungo wabo bwite mu by’ubwenge bityo bigafasha mu kwandikisha umutungo wabo bwite mu by’ubwenge, bakaba banakwigishwa inyungu y’amafaranga ibirimo.  

Gushyigikira kwandikisha umutungo bwite mu by’ubwenge: gushyikira birimo imfashanyo, ku bahanzi bandikishije umutungo wabo bwite mu by’ ubwenge bytauma bihutira kwandikisha uwo mutungo wabo. 

Amategeko: gukomeza amategeko mu buryo bwo kurinda uburenganzira mu mutungo bwite mu by’ubwenge byafasha abanhanzi b’udushya kwerekana ibitekerezo byabo. 

Index y’ Ubuvumbuzi bw’udushya ku rwego mpazamhanga y’ubutaha. 

Igihe isi yitegura kumenya index y’ ubuvumbuzi ku rwego rw’Isi ku itariki ya 26 Nzeri 2024, u Rwanda rushobora gusuzuma uko ruhagaze ubu no gushyiraho intego zihambaye zo kwitwara neza kurushaho. Mu gushyira imbaraga mu bice nk’ibisohoka mu buvumbuzi bw’udushya, n’ibindi bikorwa by’ubukorikori, ndetse n’uburyo bw’isoko bushya, u Rwanda rushobora gukomeza kuzamuka mu manota no gushimangira umwanya warwo nk’uruyoboye mu by’udushya mu karere

Mu gusoza, Igipimo Mpuzamahanga cy’Ubuhanga (Global Innovation Index) ni igikoresho gikomeye kitagarukira gusa ku gipimo cy’ubuhanga, ahubwo gishishikariza no guhanga udushya. Kumva imbaraga n’intege nke z’u Rwanda binyuze muri GII bishobora gushishikariza Abanyarwanda kugira ubuhanga n’ubushake bwo guhanga udushya, bityo bigatuma igihugu gitera imbere mu nzira igana ku hazaza heza n’iterambere rirambye. Kumenya no guha agaciro ibitekerezo bitagaragara, kubahiriza umutungo mu by’ubwenge, no guteza imbere ibikorwa bifatika by’ivugurura byatuma u Rwanda rwihaza mu buhanga, rugira ubuzima butarumbiye kandi rushobora guhatana ku rwego mpuzamahanga.

Guhamagarira Gukora

Mu gihe dutegereje icyegeranyo gikurikira, nimucyo twakire umukoro wo guhanga udushya no gutuma u Rwanda ruba icyitegererezo mu bwenge n’iterambere muri Afurika. Dore intambwe dushobora gufata:

Guteza Imbere Umuco no Kwerekana Impano: Tera inkunga abahanzi n’abahanga b’imbere mu gihugu, uzirikana kandi uha agaciro uruhare rwabo mu kubaka umuco n’udushya tw’u Rwanda.

Kugira Uruhare mu Kwiyandikisha ku Mutungo-Mbonezamvugo: Shishikariza abahanga kwiyandikisha ku mutungo wabo mbonezamvugo mu rwego rwo kumenya ukuri ku bushobozi bw’udushya tw’u Rwanda.

Guteza Imbere Ubufatanye: Shishikariza ubufatanye hagati y’inzego z’amashuri makuru, inganda, na leta mu guteza imbere ubushakashatsi no guhanga udushya mu nzego z’ingenzi.

Kubona amakuru arambuye ku buryo bwo kurengera uburenganzira bwawe bw’umutungo-mbonezamvugo, sura urubuga rwa [Kings Chambers Associates (https://www.trustlawchambers.com/)]. Twese hamwe, dushobora gushishikariza umuco wo guhanga udushya mu Rwanda, tukazirikana ko igihugu gikomeza gutera imbere no guhanga udushya, haba imbere mu gihugu ndetse no ku rwego mpuzamahanga.

Nimucyo dukorere hamwe, dukingure ubushobozi bw’u Rwanda mu guhanga udushya kandi turugire umuyobozi mu bwenge no guhanga udushya muri Afurika.

Yanditswe na: David Bahige – Afatanyije na: Shifra Mugeni.

In the heart of Africa, Rwanda stands as a beacon of progress and innovation, consistently striving to elevate its position on the global stage. The Global Innovation Index (GII) serves as a critical benchmark for measuring innovation capabilities across the world, and Rwanda’s
performance in this index is a testament to the country’s commitment to innovation and development.

Understanding the Global Innovation Index

The Global Innovation Index, now in its 17th edition, is a comprehensive tool that ranks the innovation performance of economies worldwide. Since its inception in 2007, the GII has been an invaluable reference for countries seeking to develop innovation and economic policy strategies. It captures the multi-dimensional facets of innovation through roughly 80 indicators,
grouped into innovation inputs and outputs.

The upcoming 17th edition of the GII, set to be released on Thursday, September 26, 2024, during a hybrid event from 13:30 to 15:30 p.m. CEST (Geneva time), will feature key findings presented by ministers, business leaders, and innovation experts. The event will include a panel
discussion on “Unlocking the Promise of Social Entrepreneurship,” highlighting the latest global innovation trends against a backdrop of steady but slow global economic growth, shrinking innovation finance, and sluggish productivity growth.

Rwanda’s Performance in the Global Innovation Index 2023

In the latest Global Innovation Index 2023, Rwanda ranks 103rd among 132 economies, a notable achievement considering the country’s economic context. Rwanda ranks 1st among the 12 low-income economies and 9th among the 28 economies in Sub-Saharan Africa, demonstrating that despite economic challenges, Rwanda is performing above expectations.

Key Strengths and Areas for Improvement

Rwanda’s innovation system has several strengths that are
worth highlighting:

Institutional Environment: Rwanda excels in institutional stability, with a ranking of 33rd globally in the “Institutions” category. This includes strong policies for doing business, which are ranked 11th globally.
Human Capital and Research: The country has made significant strides in tertiary education, particularly in graduates in science and engineering, where it ranks 15th globally.
Infrastructure: Rwanda’s performance in ICT access and government online services is commendable, ranking 41st globally in government online services.

However, there are also areas where Rwanda can improve:

Innovation Outputs: Despite strong innovation inputs, Rwanda ranks 113th in innovation outputs, indicating a need to better translate investments into tangible outcomes.
Creative Outputs: The country ranks 117th in creative outputs, suggesting a need for more focus on creative industries and intellectual property development.

The Unseen Creative Outputs of Rwanda

While the GII provides valuable insights into Rwanda’s innovation performance, it is crucial to acknowledge that not all creative outputs are captured by the indicators used in the index.

Cultural Contributions: Rwanda’s vibrant culture, including traditional arts like Imigongo, plays a vital role in the country’s creative ecosystem. These cultural expressions, while not formally registered, are integral to Rwanda’s identity and innovation story. By recognizing and valuing these contributions, Rwanda can foster a more inclusive and diverse
innovation environment.
Informal Sector Innovations: Many innovations in Rwanda, particularly in the informal sector, may not be formally registered or documented. This includes local artisans, small-scale manufacturers, and community-driven projects. Encouraging these innovators to formalize their work and protect their intellectual property can help in better capturing Rwanda’s true innovation potential.

Practical Solutions to Improve Innovation Outputs

Support for Local Innovators: Establishing programs that support local innovators, such as incubators, accelerators, and mentorship initiatives, can help translate innovative ideas into tangible outputs. For instance, the Rwanda Innovation Fund, which aims to support startups and early-stage companies, can play a crucial role in fostering innovation.

Promoting Intellectual Property Registration: Encouraging innovators to
register their intellectual property can help in better capturing Rwanda’s creative outputs. This can be achieved through awareness campaigns, workshops, and incentives for IP registration.
Collaboration and Partnerships: Fostering collaboration between academia,
industry, and government can facilitate the exchange of ideas and resources, leading to more innovative solutions. For example, partnerships between universities and local businesses can drive research and development in key sectors.

Stressing the Need for IP Respect

Promoting respect for intellectual property (IP) is essential for improving Rwanda’s rankings in the GII. Here’s how we can stress this need:

Awareness and Education: Conducting workshops and awareness campaigns to educate innovators about the importance of IP protection can encourage more formal registrations. This includes highlighting the benefits of IP protection, such as increased recognition and financial rewards.
Incentives for IP Registration: Offering incentives, such as tax breaks or grants, for innovators who register their IP can motivate more individuals and businesses to formalize their creative outputs.
Legal Frameworks: Strengthening legal frameworks to protect IP rights can provide a secure environment for innovators to invest in their ideas. This includes enforcing IP laws and providing mechanisms for dispute resolution.

Looking Forward to the Next Global Innovation Index

As the world prepares for the release of the next Global Innovation Index on September 26, 2024, Rwanda can reflect on its current performance and set ambitious goals for improvement.
By focusing on areas such as innovation outputs, creative industries, and market sophistication, Rwanda can continue to climb the ranks and solidify its position as a leader in innovation within the region.

In conclusion, the Global Innovation Index is a powerful tool that not only measures innovation but also inspires it. By understanding Rwanda’s strengths and weaknesses through the GII, Rwandans can be motivated to be more creative and innovative, driving the country towards a
brighter, more prosperous future. By acknowledging the unseen creative outputs, promoting IP respect, and fostering practical innovation initiatives, Rwanda can ensure that its innovation ecosystem is inclusive, vibrant, and globally competitive.

Call to Action

As we look forward to the next index, let us embrace the challenge to innovate and make Rwanda a beacon of creativity and progress in Africa. Here are some steps we can take:

Encourage Cultural and Creative Expression: Support local artists and
innovators by recognizing and valuing their contributions to Rwanda’s cultural and creative landscape.
Promote IP Registration: Encourage innovators to register their intellectual property to better capture Rwanda’s true innovation potential.
Foster Collaboration: Promote partnerships between academia, industry, and government to drive research and development in key sectors.

For more information on how to protect your intellectual property rights, please visit the [Kings Chambers Associates website (https://www.trustlawchambers.com/). Together, we can inspire a culture
of innovation in Rwanda, ensuring that the country continues to thrive and innovate, both locally and globally.

Let’s work together to unlock Rwanda’s full innovation potential and make it a leader in creativity and innovation on the African continent.

Author: David Bahige – Co-author: Shifra Mugeni.

Since March 18, 2020, the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) has exceptionally authorized banks to restructure loans of borrowers facing temporary cash flow challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic this authorisation will remain in effect until 31st May, 2021. A loan to a particular borrower can be restructured up to four times during this period.

In this context, a loan restructure entails adjusting the terms of the original loan contract to better suit the borrowers’ ability to repay the loan.  It is considered by a bank upon receiving a request from its borrower.

Without BNR blanket authorisation, banks would only be able to restructure loans under much stricter conditions in view of BNR’s regulatory requirements on provisioning and classification. Fewer borrowers would have been entitled to have their loans restructured. Consequently, many of them would have ended up defaulting on their loans and facing financial ruin with the banks going after their property if it was given as collateral. It was therefore a very timely intervention by BNR.

It resulted in many banks inviting their clients who were or are facing financial challenges to apply for their loans to be restructured which is the right thing to do.

However, the language used by the banks to advertise or invite borrowers can be misleading as some borrowers will tend to interpret them based on their literal meaning.  In their communications to their borrowers, the banks will often refer to the loan restructuring as a “payment holiday”, “grace period”  or “moratorium”.

Several borrowers understand these terms to mean that their bank is literally granting them a holiday from their financial obligations without any negative consequences.  But it is a misunderstanding. While it is true that they will indeed be free of some or all of their financial obligations for the period of the “holiday”, that holiday may also come at a financial cost to them.

The monthly repayment obligations on a loan constitute of two components: principal and interest. When you ask for a payment holiday/moratorium, it can either be a suspension of your principal payments or a suspension of your total monthly obligations ie (principal and interest). Many borrowers opt for the latter.

If you opt for a suspension of only your principal payments that means you will continue paying the interest for the period of the payment holiday. Say you have an outstanding loan of Rwf 55 million with the bank. Your current monthly repayment is Rwf 1.2 million and it constitutes of Rwf 1 million as interest and Rwf 200,000 as principal. If you ask for a 3 months payment holiday on the principal, it means you will continue paying the interest of Rwf 1 million. In which case it is indeed a holiday as there is no extra financial cost to you besides extending your loan maturity date by the period of the holiday ie if your loan was to be repaid within 10 months, and you ask for a 3 months holiday, it will now be repaid within 13 months.

If however you opt for a payment holiday on your total monthly obligation, which is what most borrowers go for, there is a financial cost to you. The bank capitalizes the interest. This means that the bank adds the interest that you were supposed to pay during the holiday to the total amount of the outstanding principal that you owe the bank.  Say you have an outstanding loan balance of Rwf 55 million with the bank. Your current monthly repayment constitutes of Rwf 1 million as interest and Rwf 200,000 as principal. If you ask for a 3 months payment holiday on the total monthly obligation, it means you will pay nothing during the 3 months. But there is a financial cost to you. The total interest you were supposed to pay in the 3 months ie Rwf 3million will be added to your outstanding loan balance of Rwf 55 million. So you will now owe the Bank Rwf 58 million. 

And when the holiday is over, the bank will be charging you interest on Rwf 58 million not the original Rwf 55 million which you owed. Consequently, your monthly loan repayment of Rwf 1.2 million will increase after enjoying your holiday.

In light of the above, it is important to ask yourself if you really need the payment holiday in the first place.

Many borrowers’ incomes continue to be negatively affected by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on our economy. It therefore makes sense to consider requesting your bank to a payment holiday if you have been directly affected and are struggling to meet your financial obligations.

However, if you find that you still have sufficient surplus funds left then it may not be advisable to go for the loan restructuring. Or if you do, it may be advisable to go for a payment holiday option which only suspends the payment of the principal and you continue paying the interest. Ofcourse you will have to consider whether your surplus funds will be able to meet your current and future cash flow needs in case your revenues continue to dip.

Loan restructuring is meant to restore financial health and stability to those who are facing genuine cash flow issues and have absolutely no other option. It is best advised to avoid loan restructuring and continue repaying your monthly if you are able to.

Restructuring loans makes little financial sense due to the increased interest burden. Many borrowers will still find that they need to request for loan restructuring due to their current cash flow issues. Banks should endeavour to explain better to their borrowers the financial cost of this holiday so that they make informed decisions.  Otherwise, the borrowers will be in for a rude awakening when their ‘holiday’ comes to an end.

By Richard Balenzi Published : February 02, 2021

One relationship that is likely to be affected during this lockdown period is that of landlords and tenants of commercial spaces in Kigali.

Tenants of commercial buildings that are required to stay closed may wonder whether they are still contractually obliged to pay rent to their landlords for the period that they have not been able to access the premises.

As with many legal questions, the answer is not very straightforward. For guidance, it is imperative to consider the positions of the law governing contracts and the tenancy contract.

The Law governing contracts in Rwanda recognizes that there are certain circumstances beyond a party’s control that make it impossible for the party to perform its obligations (a force majeure event). According to the law, the consequence of a force majeure event is that neither party to the contract is liable for failure to perform its obligations where the failure is caused by the force majeure event.

A tenant may thus argue that the lockdown restrictions which are not the fault of either party make it impossible for the landlord to grant access to the premises to the tenant and that therefore both landlord’s obligation to provide the premises to the tenant and the tenant’s obligation to pay rent for the period are extinguished.

However, it is not clear whether this is the correct interpretation as the law does not specifically provide a detailed list of what kind of events may constitute force majeure. The assumption is that parties will define for themselves what constitutes force majeure in their contracts. Or perhaps the parties will agree upon its occurrence that what has occurred is a force majeure event. In practice, it is not easy to agree on this after the fact.

With regards to contracts, and more particularly tenancy contracts, landlords and tenants could stipulate that lockdown restrictions would constitute a force majeure event which would cause the suspension of the performance of their mutual obligations for the period of the lockdown. However, many rental contracts do not currently have force majeure clauses and therefore you will still not find any answers from examining them.

In view of the limitations of the law and most tenancy contracts, it might be best to consider some practical solutions. Possible solutions may include negotiating a temporary adjustment of the rent payment terms: a reduction in rent, or a waiver of rent payment for the lockdown period, or a postponement of rent payment. 

In exchange, the tenant could agree to extend the tenancy contract for a longer period.  It is best to approach such negotiations with a view to achieving a win-win solution for both the landlord and the tenant.

By Richard Balenzi Published : January 24, 2021 

Courts around the country will carry out mass trials of corruption related cases as part of an ongoing anti-corruption drive in the judiciary which was launched yesterday.

This was announced on Monday by the Chief Justice, Prof. Sam Rugege, who said that 117 cases of corruption related cases will be tried this week.

Under the theme “corruption is bad for the country’s development, let’s all condemn it,” the Chief Justice launched the anti-corruption ‘week’ in the judiciary from his office in Kigali in the presence of the Prosecutor General Jean Bosco Mutangana and other officials.

“All Rwandans and public servants should stand up against corruption and focus more on economic activities. Money spent on corruption could be spent on development projects such as roads, schools, hospitals, and any other public interest works,” Rugege said as he launched the anti-graft campaign.

Corruption related cases which will be tried this week mostly include petty bribes such as drivers who tried to bribe police officers and local officials who asked for benefits where there weren’t due to render services.

But Mutangana said that the cases also include some that involve a lot of money, such as corruption among people with responsibilities who asked for unjustified benefits, officials who paid contractors before they could finish their work, as well as other financial crimes.

“It’s more than money related cases but also some of the cases involve the management of big contracts whereby some people poorly handled them,” the prosecutor general said.

During the anti-corruption week, different activities have been organised to fight the vice, such as sensitisation campaigns in courts across the country, radio and television talk shows, as well as trying pending corruption cases.

Rugege said that fighting corruption is a sign of patriotism among citizens and urged everyone to report corruption wherever it is found whether it involves the judges, prosecutors, lawyers, or any other members of society.

“Fighting corruption is a sign of patriotism. If we love our country, we all have to fight corruption,” he said.

The one-week anti-corruption campaign that targets the judiciary is an annual campaign through which judges, lawyers, prosecutors, police officers, and other public servants working in the judicial sector dedicate their efforts towards fighting the vice through deeper sensitisation.

Last year’s campaign was conducted under the theme of ‘Rights are not bought’ and the drive saw 27 rulings on corruption cases delivered.

Rugege said that though efforts against corruption within the judiciary have to be sustained, the vice has been decreasing among judges and court clerks, with only one court agent dismissed last year over corruption.

From 2005 up until last year, 35 court staffers (judges and court registrars) had been dismissed due to corruption.

“The number of those who get fired due to corruption is decreasing and that’s a good thing,” Rugege told journalists at the launch of the anti-graft week yesterday.

Rwanda remains the 3rd least corrupt country in Africa, according to the corruption perceptions index report by Transparency International released last year.

But a study by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) indicates that more efforts are still needed to fight corruption and injustice.

The 2017 Citizen Report Card (CRC) indicated that 11.8 percent of respondents said that they faced injustice in the last 12 months, while 3.9 percent had encountered corruption.

The local capital market is upbeat following the passing of the income tax Bill by the lower house of Parliament last week. According to the Capital Market Authority (CMA), the development is “one among several initiatives by the government geared at supporting the development of the local capital market”.

“The tax incentives in the Bill will be a boost to other initiatives by the CMA to maintain a conducive environment to ease access to long-term funding through the capital markets,” said Eric Bundugu, the CMA acting executive director.

The new income tax law will give tax incentives for companies that will list on the country’s capital market. For instance, companies will pay income tax at 20 per cent if they list at least 40 per cent of their shares on the Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE), 25 per cent for those that will sell 30 per cent of their shares to the public, while corporate income tax rate will be 28 per cent for any firm that lists 20 per cent stake on RSE under the new law. It will replace law No.16/2005 of 18/08/2005 on direct income taxes.

Bundugu said the new law will encourage SMEs to come to the market to raise development finance. Though government passed the law for alternative market segment over three years ago, SMEs have shied away from listing on the local bourse. This despite the fact that disclosure requirements for small-and-medium firms were relaxed.

Pierre-Celestin Rwabukumba, the RSE chief executive, welcomed the move, saying it will greatly benefit entrepreneurs that come to the market. “You save on income tax at only one cost; opening up and disclosing on business as well as ensuring good governance and accountability,” he noted.

There are four local firms listed on RSE of the eight companies on the bourse.

Kings Chambers Associates, one of the top firms in the country, would like to see more young lawyers join the profession to fill the growing demand for professionals.

This was the message at a dinner Kings Chambers Associates (TLC) hosted for in honor of its clients.

The event was held at the Kigali Convention Center.

Philip Coulson, the chairman Kings Chambers Associates advisory board also spoke about the core principles that lawyers should live and work by. He cited commitment, trust, integrity, and excellence as fundamental to the success of the profession.

Rwanda is a good environment to work in. Fighting corruption is at the heart of the government’s priorities, as well as eliminating graft in courts.

Coulson added that as Rwandan economy is growing, the role of young lawyers going in line with the future and country’s visions is very critical.

Kings Chambers Associates has 13 advocates who provide legal advice and support to different companies and institutions with a target to increase to about 50.

Richard Mugisha, the founder of TLC, reassured his clients that improving services is one of their commitments, moving forward.

TLC has so far served about 1,000 local and international clients mainly companies and institutions.

It was created in 2004 as a corporate and commercial law firm.

One of the clients, Charles Furaha, Ecobank’s head of legal and company secretary said a good relationship with lawyers contributes to the development of the company.