Rwanda Development Board

Last updated
Rwanda Development Board
TypeParastatal
IndustryInvestment & Export promotion, Tourism & Conservation
Founded2009
Headquarters Kigali, Rwanda
Key people
 Francis Gatare
(Executive Director & CEO)
ProductsInvestment licenses, tax waivers, investment advisory, serviced land, SME training, tourism permits
Website Homepage

Rwanda Development Board (RDB), is a government department that integrates all government agencies responsible for the attraction, retention and facilitation of investments in the national economy. [1] Since September 2023, The Chief Executive Officer of RDB is Francis Gatare who replaced Clare Akamanzi. [2]

Contents

Location

The headquarters of RDB are located on KG 220 Street, in Kigali, the capital and largest city of Rwanda. [3]

Overview

The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) was established in 2009 to coordinate, spur and promote national economic development. RDB includes agencies responsible for "business registration, investment promotion, environmental clearances, privatization and specialist agencies which support the priority sectors of ICT and tourism as well as SMEs and human capacity development in the private sector". [1] The Executive Director's position, is a cabinet-level position and the incumbent is appointed by and reports directly to the president of Rwanda. [1] [4] RDB measures its achievements in (a) direct foreign and domestic investments, (b) increased exports and (c) number of jobs created. [5]

Management

As of September 2017, the senior managers in the RDB include the following: [6]

  1. Clare Akamanzi – executive director and chief executive officer
  2. Emmanuel Hategeka – chief operating officer
  3. Mark Nkurunziza – chief financial officer
  4. Belise Kariza – chief tourism officer
  5. Winifred Ngangure – acting head of the Investment Promotion Department
  6. Eugene Mutangana – head of the Conservation Department
  7. Louise Kanyonga – registrar general

Visit Rwanda sponsorship

In May 2018, Arsenal announced Visit Rwanda as the club's first official shirt sleeve sponsor and the club's official tourism partner in a three-year £10 million per year deal. The deal was extended to another four years in 2021. [7] [8]

In December 2019, Paris Saint-Germain signed a three-year €8-10 million per year deal with Visit Rwanda as the club's official tourism partner. The Visit Rwanda logo will also appear on the back of the men's training kit and on the shirt sleeve of the women's team's kit. [9] [10] [11] In May 2023, the deal was extended to 2025. [12]

In May 2021, the Basketball Africa League (BAL) signed a sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda as a founding and host partner of the BAL. Visit Rwanda will be showcased on BAL team uniforms. [13] The deal was extended to another five years in 2023. [14]

In August 2023, Bayern Munich signed a five year partnership deal with Visit Rwanda as a football development and tourism promotion partner. [15]

The sponsorship deals has been met with criticism due to the human rights abuse allegations in Rwanda and that Rwanda president Paul Kagame is using sportswashing to enhance the country's reputation. [16] [17]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 TIGC (28 March 2017). "Business Registration in Rwanda: The Rwanda Development Board, A One-Stop Shop for Investors". Kigali: Theiguides.org (TIGC). Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  2. ↑ "https://twitter.com/PrimatureRwanda/status/1707114486023213179?s=20". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2023-09-27.{{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  3. ↑ RDB (5 September 2017). "Rwanda Development Board: Contact Us – Address". Kigali: Rwanda Development Board(RDB). Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  4. ↑ Kimenyi, Felly (31 August 2017). "Rwanda gets new Cabinet, who is in?". New Times (Rwanda) . Kigali. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  5. ↑ Administrator (3 September 2013). "Rwanda is developing a world-class business climate to attract investors: Vivian Kayitesi, Head of the Investment Promotion and Implementation Department, Rwanda Development Board". Singapore: Macigindaba.com. Archived from the original on 5 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  6. ↑ RDB (5 September 2017). "Rwanda Development Board: Senior Management". Kigali: Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  7. ↑ Meyers, Billy (2023-01-14). "Why Arsenal have Visit Rwanda on their shirts". HITC.
  8. ↑ Dixon, Ed (2021-08-17). "Report: Arsenal and Visit Rwanda seal "UK£40m" sleeve sponsorship extension". SportsPro.
  9. ↑ "Rwanda signs deal with Paris St Germain to promote tourism". Reuters. 2019-12-04.
  10. ↑ "Paris Saint-Germain Signs Visit Rwanda Training + Women's Main Shirt Deal". Footy Headlines. 2019-12-04.
  11. ↑ Bates, Pearce (2019-12-05). "PSG confirm Visit Rwanda training kit deal". SportsPro.
  12. ↑ Mahadik, Gauresh (2023-05-11). "PSG land sponsorship extension with Visit Rwanda". SportsMint Media. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  13. ↑ "VISIT RWANDA AND RWANDAIR JOIN BASKETBALL AFRICA LEAGUE AS OFFICIAL PARTNERS". www.rwandair.com. May 13, 2021. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  14. ↑ "Basketball Africa League And Rwanda Announce Five Year Extension". www.africa.com. 2023-07-10. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  15. ↑ "FC Bayern and Visit Rwanda agree partnership until 2028". fcbayern.com. 27 August 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  16. ↑ Smith, Alan (2021-09-21). "Arsenal face moral and social questions over Visit Rwanda sponsorship deal". Football.London.
  17. ↑ Millar, Colin (2022-02-21). "Arsenal's Visit Rwanda sponsorship and the dark side to a sportswashing agenda". The Mirror.

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