By
Maxwell Awumah, GNA
Hohoe, June 18, GNA – Dr Edourd Ngirente,
Rwanda’s Prime Minister has launched a $30million National Research and
Innovation Fund that will provide financing to competent innovative research
papers in the field of science and technology.
He said Rwandan researchers especially young
innovators can effective start submitting proposals for their innovative
projects and get funding.
This was contained in a release copied to the
Ghana News Agency.
It said in March this year, Rwandan government
signed a $30million (Rwf25 billion) loan to that effect with African
Development Bank (AfDB) tasked to run the Fund.
According to Finance and Economic Planning
Ministry, the Fund will provide equity financing for tech enabled small and
Medium-size enterprises, train tech-oriented entrepreneurs in business planning
and management, and increase awareness and sensitization with respect to
intellectual property rights.
The Fund will also invest in and develop
world-class innovative businesses in Rwanda and the wider East African region
by providing patient institutional growth capital and deep business support.
According to Prime Minister Ngirente, “the
National Research and Innovation Fund launched today will serve as a major
research funding vehicle through which Rwanda will support research and
research-based innovation activities,” he said at the launching event.
“The rationale behind, is to address key needs
and tap into identified opportunities towards national growth and
competitiveness,” he added.
Government has put much emphasis on science
and technology innovations, to enable young Rwandans get the opportunity to speed
up the country’s efforts to become a middle-income economy.
Several initiatives such as Ms Geek Africa and
Youth Connekt are living examples.
From 200 girls selected across Africa, this
year’s Ms Geek Africa prize was given to Salissou Hassane Yari Latifa from
Niger during Transform Africa Summit in Rwanda’s capital Kigali.
Meanwhile, the launched Fund, which coincided
with the National Research and Innovation Symposium, was reviewed by analysts
as a catalyst to innovation spirit in Africa through supporting and promoting
young innovators in different sectors.
“Under the leadership of H. E Paul
Kagame, the President of the Republic, Rwanda will keep supporting research and
technology with particular emphasis to link our young innovators with the labor
market,” Prime Minister Ngirente told participants at the symposium.
He appealed to participants to use their
expertise and advise the government on how to efficiently build research and
innovation capacity.
GNA