The equipment presented on April 4, 2023, was purchased at a tune of more than Rwf44.6 million through the cooperation between ICGLR and the German Agency for International Cooperation, GIZ.

The equipment will facilitate the production of jewelleries, rings, earrings and other ornaments.

This event which took place at Rutongo Campus in Rulindo District, was attended by Amb.Joao Samuel Caholo, Executive Secretary of the International Conference of the Great Lake Region, Ms. Christina Liesegang, Deputy Head of Cooperation German Embassy Kigali, Dr. Alice Ikuzwe, Deputy Principal in Charge of Academics and Training, Dr. Ivan Twagirishema, Chief Operating Officer at Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) and other stakeholders.

The Deputy Principal in Charge of Academics and Training, Dr. Alice Ikuzwe, thanked ICGLR, GIZ and other partners for providing the equipment, saying that it will help in providing training especially youth and women in order to encourage them to join the mining sector as they number ( of women ) is too small.

She went on saying that in partnership with MIGEPROF, IPRC Kigali/ Rutongo campus started training women with the aim of increasing and promoting gender diversity in the mining sector by equipping beneficiaries with knowledge and skills to increase employability opportunities in mining.

Executive Secretary of the International Conference of the Great Lake Region (ICGLR), Amb. Joao Samuel Caholo said that investing in mining using modern equipment in Rwanda will create jobs in the region and attract different investors.

Ms. Christina Liesegang, Deputy Head of Cooperation German Embassy in Rwanda said that this program is important for Rwanda as a country which wants to be a center for mining in the region.

She went on saying that her country is very proud to see the mining sector in Rwanda develop in a sustainable way, saying that Germany will cooperate with Rutongo Campus to provide training to trainers who will participate in training others.

The equipment which was handed over to IPRC Kigali/ Rutongo campus is composed of machines and their accessories including 4 gemstone performing and sawing machines and their accessories and 3 faceting machines and their accessories.

Figures from RMB indicate that Rwanda generated US$585 million (over Rwf630 billion) from minerals in the first nine months of 2022.

As at December 2022, the mining sector in Rwanda currently employed around 46,000 people with a target to increase the number to more than 100,000 by 2024.

Minerals present in Rwanda include Coltan, Cassiterites, Wolfram, Lithium and Gold among others.

Dr Ikuzwe Alice receiving and Amb. Joao Samuel Caholo exchanging an acknowledgment receipt at the event.

Ms. Christina Liesegang, Deputy Head of Cooperation German Embassy in Rwanda said that this program is important for Rwanda.

The handover ceremony took place at Rutongo Campus in Rulindo District.

The gemstone equipment were donated through the cooperation between ICGLR and the German Agency for International Cooperation.

Dr Ikuzwe Alice also acknowledged the receipt of equipment expected to boost gemstone value chain.

The Executive Secretary of the International Conference of the Great Lake Region ICGLR, Amb. Joao Samuel Caholo signing the document acknowledging receipt of equipment from GIZ.

The equipment will be used to produce various items including jewelries.

The equipment were handed over to the school on 4th April 2023.

Gemstones appear in different colours.