5 Mega Infrastructure Projects In Africa Funded By China

Over the last decade, China has risen to become the single largest trade partner for many African countries. It has also become a major source of financial support for various development projects being undertaken on the continent.
Infrastructure development is a key pillar of the China-Africa relationship. In Africa, infrastructure projects awarded to Chinese companies are financed by their government through loans and grants.
Based on the cost of construction, below are 5 of the mega infrastructure projects in Africa funded by China.

Coastal Railway – Nigeria

 

  This is the largest ever contract awarded to a Chinese company in Africa. The project is worth $12 billion. The deal was signed between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and China Railway Construction Corp (CRCC) on November 19, 2014. The railway is 1,402 km in length and upon completion; it will link Lagos, the nation’s economic capital, with the eastern city of Calabar, passing through 10 states. It will also link cities with the oil rich state of Niger Delta.

Modderfontein New City Project – South Africa

 

 The Modderfontein New City Project, being built on the outskirts of the country’s capital, Johannesburg. The project, worth $ 7 billion, is one of the biggest real estate projects undertaken by a Chinese firm in the country. A Chinese company, Shanghai Zendai, is building the city which will be home to at least 10,000 residents upon completion. The city will have finance and trade facilities, an industrial zone, sports and recreation facilities and an African heritage theme park.

Dangote Cement Plc Expansion

 

 The deal was signed between Africa’s biggest cement producer, owned by the continent’s richest man Aliko Dangote, and Sinoma International Engineering Co. Ltd, a Chinese construction company. It is worth $4.34 billion. The project is an expansion of the Dangote Cement Plc into Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia, Senegal, Mali, Cameroon and Ivory Coast. This will increase cement production by 25 million metric tonnes and boost the overall production to over 70 million metric tonnes annually.

Mphanda Nkuwa Dam and Hydroelectric station project – Mozambique

It is worth $3.1 billion. The deal was signed by the Mozambican government and Export-Import Bank of China on April 21, 2006. The project upon completion would provide 1,500 megawatts of power to the national electricity grid of Mozambique. The project also covers the construction of Moamba-Major Dam that will supply drinking water to the residents of Maputo.

Infrastructure Projects In Malawi

China has funded $1.7 billion worth of infrastructural projects in the Southern Africa country. The deal includes a 300 megawatts coal-powered station at Kam’mwamba worth$667.2 million and reconstruction of the Chileka International Airport at a cost of $285.4 million. Others are the 140km Tsangano-Mwanza (in Tanzania) road construction worth $169.4 million, upgrading of the Phombeya-Makanjira-Nkhotakota-Chatoloma 220 kV power line worth $189.3million and $23 million to fund construction of the Blantyre District Hospital and Cancer Centre

Compiled by Felicia

JUDGE IT BY THE WORD.

                                                       Pst Chris Oyakhilome
Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge (1 Corinthians 14:29).

Sometimes, people receive what they claim to be visions or revelations from the Lord without subjecting such to God’s Word. They don’t take the time to check that such visions and revelations are consistent with the written Word.
For example, a certain man had a vision. He had been a Christian for many years, but he became sick. While on his sick bed, he had a vision where someone, wearing sandals and a white robe, and covered with a cloud, walked into the room. He started looking from the person’s feet upwards to see who it was. As he looked to see his face; the man spoke up and said, “It’s not my will to heal you,” and disappeared.
Although he couldn’t see the face of the one who appeared to him, he believed it was Jesus, because he said he felt the presence of God in the room. Hence, he accepted that it wasn’t the will of God to heal him, and began telling other brethren how it wasn’t God’s will for him to be healed. But that couldn’t be Jesus, or why would anybody think it was Jesus who appeared to the man?
Is it because the person described was in a “white robe,” covered with “white cloud?” Or is it because, as the man said, he “felt” the presence of God in the room? None of these is enough for anyone to assume it was Jesus. You have to understand the interpretation of revelations. If you saw a vision of someone that looked like Jesus, and the person told you something that’s inconsistent with the Scripture, then it’s questionable; you have every right to reject it.
This is something many people are ignorant of. The will of God is clearly expressed in the Scriptures: God wants you well! In 3 John 1:2, He said, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” He’ll never contradict His Word. So, if the voice you’re hearing contradicts the Word of God, that’s a demon talking to you, irrespective of the appearance. Moreover, we’re warned in scriptures not to be deceived, because even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).
Every revelation must be subjected to the Word of God! Don’t accept it just because you saw a vision or because you got it from someone whom you think is spiritual; judge it by the Word. A revelation may not necessarily be perfect and accurate, but every revelation must be consistent with the revealed Word of God. This is another reason you must know the Word for yourself.

PRAYER
Dear Lord, thank you for granting me wisdom and insight into your perfect will in all things. The eyes of my understanding have been enlightened to know the hope of your calling, and the riches of the glory of your inheritance in the saints. I express the virtues and excellence of your Spirit today, as your Word finds a vent through me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

1 Corinthians 13:9-10 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Luke 1:57-80, Deuteronomy 8-10
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Acts 28:11-20, Psalm 81-82

3 Ways to Create Opportunities From Rejection

Growing up I always wanted to be an actress. I think it may have started after seeing my mother perform in a stage production of A Raisin in the Sun. So I began my journey towards that goal and ultimately secured an agent. However, there was a time when I went to audition for a play in a community theater and was told I couldn’t audition because there wasn’t a role for a black woman. In fact, the theater owner suggested I look at other options and explained to me that they rarely produced shows for black audiences because “black people don’t go to the theater.” I was so upset and disappointed for that moment but that rejection allowed me to create new opportunities for me and others that I hadn’t expected.

1. Identify your talents and develop a career or business from them
One way to identify your talents is to think about the things you enjoy doing. What are you passionate about? Can those hobbies or personal interests be combined with a specific skill or expertise you have?
Amanda Pekoe of The Pekoe group had a passion for theatre and experience in marketing. So she decided to fuse the two and created a marketing company specializing in Broadway and Off Broadway shows. Amanda felt the need to follow the path that seemed to be laid out in front of her. Her company has been very successful, working with shows like Rock of Ages, Eclipsed and Twelfth Night to name a few.

2. Recognize the gap in an industry or the perceived gap and fill it
How can you fill the gap? Often, ideas come when you’re looking for something to fill a need but are unable to find it.
Though I was disappointed by the theater owner’s response to my interest in auditioning, it really put a spotlight on the lack of diversity in entertainment locally. This led me to not only create projects for diverse audiences, but to also give opportunities for performers gain exposure.

3. Develop relationships with people and discover mentors
When Amanda started the Pekoe group, one of her college professors was instrumental in building her confidence and recommended her for her first big marketing job on Broadway. Mentors come in many varieties. It could be an old college professor, or someone in your professional network. Guidance can also come in the form of blog posts or emails. I have found a lot of inspiration from people like David Siteman Garland and Andrew Warner to name a few who graciously helped me via emails when I launched my first show a few years ago.
If I hadn’t been told no, I wouldn’t have gone on to produce a community festival, now in its fourth year, a web series, a digital media and production company or launch a talent development and brand representation company.
No, can be the start of something big!

Written by Jacqueline Lisenby
 Jacqueline Lisenby is a Digital Talent Brand Manager with Talent House and Producer with Statusj. She is the creator of SheXpo (Side Hustle & Entrepreneurial Expo for Women) and UrbanFest. Jacqueline works with emerging and established talent developing and managing their digital brand while creating partnerships with corporate brands.

German man first to contract Lassa fever outside Africa

An undertaker now being treated in Frankfurt has become the first person ever to contract Lassa fever outside of Africa.
Medical specialists reported on Thursday that the man, from Alzey, Rhineland-Palatinate, is severely ill, but they are still optimistic about his recovery.
The man had worked at a funeral home and had come into contact with the corpse of a dead US citizen who had worked in Togo as a nurse and was then living in Cologne. He had died on February 26th - his cause of death then unknown - and was brought to the Alzey funeral home on March 3rd to be transported back to Togo.
Less than a week later, the Cologne University Hospital discovered that the American had been sick with Lassa. The undertaker had been the only one in contact with the body and tested positive for the virus on Tuesday.
Like Ebola, Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness and is known to exist in West Africa. Symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting and in severe cases facial swelling, as well as bleeding from the mouth, nose, vagina or gastrointestinal tract, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

6 Ways To Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

Identity theft is on the rise — are you doing everything you can to protect yourself?If you’ve ever had your credit card company call to alert you to unsusal charges to your account, then you’re all too familiar with identity theft. As our way of doing business (and pretty much everything) has become more electronically-based, the incidents of identity theft have soared. In 2015, 13.1 million people were victims of identity fraud, according to the 2016 Identity Fraud Study released by Javelin Strategy & Research.

 The most common identity fraud scams today include:

• Using someone else’s personal information to file a false tax return—and reap the refund
  
• Piggybacking on someone else’s health insurance for the benefits
  
• Opening new, fraudulent credit card accounts with someone else’s information. (New account fraud rose 113 percent in 2015, according to Javelin Strategy Report, a trend some experts are blaming on the new credit cards that have EMV chips.)
  

  The Latest Identity Scam:

  Last year, the FTC received 221,000 identity theft complaints related to taxes or wages— fully 45 percent of all complaints lodged, says Krebs, who describes tax ID fraud as follows: A thief files a fraudulent tax return using another person’s social security number, and gets the refund sent to a bank account of their choosing.

  How do you Protect Yourself from Identity Theft?

   1) Keep your important papers secure (tax documents, social security card, medicare card, checks, etc.). “Protect your info as your would your cash or your jewelry,” says Krebs. “You want to make sure you’re doing everything you can.” Don’t carry your Social Security card in your purse or wallet, he says, since your Social Security number is the key to much of your personal information. Also shred and properly dispose of documents that have that sensitive information, such as your date of birth, credit card number, bank account numbers, etc.

  2) Consistently monitor your credit reports, credit card statements, and health insurance statements. Go over every charge on your statements. A small charge or retail store account you don’t recognize could be the tip of the fraud iceberg. And be especially careful if you’ve already been the victim of identity theft. “Once someone has your name, social security, and date of birth, you have a much bigger problem,” warns Krebs. “You need to be much more vigilant. Monitor your credit report, but it doesn’t catch everything.” To get your credit report for free try Freecreditreport.com (operated by Experian) or another reputable company such as Equifax or Transunion.
  
  3) Be thoughtful about when and to whom you give your Social Security number.“Your Social Security number is your most sensitive asset,” he says. “A lot of times, it’s asked for, but may not be necessary. These days it’s acceptable to ask why they need your Social Security number and how they will protect it.”
  
  4) Beware of online strangers. “Be alert to online impersonators and telephone impersonators,” advises Krebs. And never click on links sent by a stranger.
  
  5) Make sure your computer system is up-to-date and has the most curent anti-virus software installed. “Microsoft and Apple can identify vulnerabilities, but it only works when people do the updates,” he says. Visit windows.microsoft.com  and macworld.com for easy-to-follow system-update tips. Not sure if you have anti-virus software installed on your computer? Search your Applications (by clicking the Windows icon at the lower left of your screen and then clicking All Apps) for anything that says “malware” or “anti-virus.” If you come up empty-handed, visit toptenreviews.com and search their list of the 2016 best anti virus software .
  
  6) Dispose of your old computer and smartphone safely. “Don’t just throw it away or donate it,” says Krebs. Instead, take it to a computer store or an electronics recycling center — “they will wipe your info as part of their process.” Wary of scammers at stores or centers? Search e-Stewards.org to find a certified electronics recycling drop-off site. And if you really want to thwart would-be thieves, don your protective goggles, locate your computer’s hard drive, and smash it to smithereens with a hammer.
  
  Written by Sara Schwartz

The Tragedy of America's Disappearing Fathers

Walter Dean Myers, a best-selling author of books for teenagers, sometimes visits juvenile detention centers in his home state of New Jersey to hold writing workshops and listen for stories about the lives of young Americans.At times,he cries when he sees teenagers because of their state of delinquencies.
One day, in a juvenile facility near his home in Jersey City, a 15-year-old black boy pulled him aside for a whispered question: Why did he write in "Somewhere in the Darkness" about a boy not meeting his father because the father was in jail? Mr. Myers, a 70-year-old black man, did not answer. He waited. And sure enough, the boy, eyes down, mumbled that he had yet to meet his own father, who was in jail.
Is this not so sad that common to meet young people in our big city schools, foster-care homes and juvenile centers who do not know their dads. Most of those children have come face-to-face with their father at some point; but most have little regular contact with the man, or have any faith that he loves or cares about them.
 When fatherless young people are encouraged to write about their lives, they tell heartbreaking stories about feeling like "throwaway people." In the privacy of the written page, their hard, emotional shells crack open to reveal the uncertainty that comes from not knowing if their father has any interest in them. The stories are like letters to unknown dads – some filled with imaginary scenes about what it might be like to have a dad who comes home and puts his arm around you or plays with you.
 They feel like they've been thrown away because they don't have a father to push them, discipline them, and they give up trying to succeed . . . they don't see themselves as wanted.A regular theme of their stories is that they feel safer in a foster care home or juvenile detention center than on the outside, because they have no father to hold together the family. There is no one at home.
 The extent of the problem is clear. The nation's out-of-wedlock birth rate is 38%. Among white children, 28% are now born to a single mother; among Hispanic children it is 50% and reaches a chilling, disorienting peak of 71% for black children. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, nearly a quarter of America's white children (22%) do not have any male in their homes; nearly a third (31%) of Hispanic children and over half of black children (56%) are fatherless.
This represents a dramatic shift in American life. In the early 1960s, only 2.3% of white children and 24% of black children were born to a single mom. Having a dad, in short, is now a privilege, a ticket to middle-class status on par with getting into a good college.
The odds increase for a child's success with the psychological and financial stability rooted in having two parents. Having two parents means there is a greater likelihood that someone will read to a child as a preschooler, support him through school, and prevent him from dropping out, as well as teaching him how to compete, win and lose and get up to try again, in academics, athletics and the arts. Maybe most important of all is that having a dad at home is almost a certain ticket out of poverty; because about 40% of single-mother families are in poverty.
"If you are concerned about reducing child poverty then you have to focus on missing fathers," says Roland Warren, president of the National Fatherhood Initiative, based in Gaithersburg, Md. This organization works to encourage more men to be involved fathers.
The odds are higher that a child without a dad will have more contact with the drug culture, the police and jail. Even in kindergarten, children living with single parents are more likely to trail children with two parents when it comes to health, cognitive skills and their emotional maturity.
A study of black families 10 years ago, when the out-of-wedlock birthrate was not as high as today, found that single moms reported only 20% of the "baby's daddy" spent time with the child or took a "lot" of interest in the baby. That is quite a contrast to the married black mothers who told researchers that 88% of married black men, or men living with the mother, regularly spent time with the child and took responsibility for the child's well-being.
In his fictional books, Walter Dean Myers has found that the key to reaching young readers is to connect with their "internal life of insecurities and doubts." These doubts and insecurities involve answers to painful questions such as, "do you feel loved, do you ever feel lonely?" These are feelings that are hard to share with a teacher, a coach or even a friend.
More so today than in the past, reaching the heart of insecurity among young people means writing about the hurt of life without a dad. It also means writing about being young and black or brown in the midst of the flood of negative images in rap videos without a positive male role model. These young people see so many others just like them standing on street corners, unconnected to family life and failing at school and work and threatening violence and in so many cases just like them, without an adult male to guide them.
When these children see Barack Obama, Colin Powell or Condoleezza Rice, they tell Walter Dean Myers that those black people must be "special; they are not like me, they don't have the background that I have."
In his own life, Mr. Myers often looked down on the man in his house: his stepfather, who worked as a janitor and was illiterate. He felt this man had little to teach him.
Then his own son complained one day that he, Myers, "sounded just like granddad" when he told the boy to pick up after himself, to work harder and show respect to people.
"I didn't know it at the time," says Mr. Myers of his stepfather, "but just having him around meant I was picking up his discipline, his pride, his work ethic. . ." He adds: "Until I heard it from my son I never understood it."

Written by Juan Williams
 Juan Williams is a writer and political analyst for National Public Radio and Fox News.

The tragedy of National bewitchment

When a person have a problem but he does not see it but people around him sees it,then it is an indication that the person is bewitched.
 Every geographical area has its own bewitchment peculiar to that area. The modus operandi of wicked human beings vary from place to place. In attacking their victims what they use also varies from one place to another.
In the books of books,There was a man named Simon.He was a sorcerer and he used sorcery to bewitch people.See,there is something known as sorcery.
 With the weapon of sorcery in the hand of Simon, he bewitched a whole city. So, it is possible to bewitch a whole city and if a whole city could be bewitched, don't be surprised then that a family, land or career could be bewitched. Simon used sorcery and bewitched the people of Samaria.It is also possible that a whole nation can be bewitched.
To bewitch means to capture, control, hypnotize or put a person under a spell. So, bewitchment is not a good thing at all. This is why the Book of books says in Gal 3:1,
O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
What it now means is that when a person is not living in truth,he or she is bewitched.
Many people in our nation are behaving like the people of Samaria that we've just read about. The people of Samaria were under so much suffering but they were smiling, but never realized it. They were working and operating under blindness and illusions and they never knew.
 The people of Samaria were praising the very man who was destroying them the way our youths are praising politicians. The people of Samaria did not know who Simon really was; he was sapping them dry, but they believed he was delivering them from their National problems. He was destroying them thoroughly and properly and was blinding their eyes. They (the Samarians) were hailing their enemies. When a man is bewitched, your enemy looks like your friend and vice versa; you are under a spell - you are bewitched!
Internationally speaking,look at the United States.When a racist and a talkative is not yet their president,he has inserted racism and hate into the American citizens.don't you know that when that kind of person becomes the President of The United States of America,America is finished.When he has done is using the instrument of bewitchment to brainwash many Americans and they dont realise it.
Destruction had already settled over Samaria. Sadness was everywhere even if the people are suffering,they were smiling.
Brainwashing of bewitchment had possessed many people. Nevertheless, they went about well dressed and about their business. Successful businessmen in Samaria were blinded by wicked men. There was sickness in the land, but it never bothered them. There was trouble in the land, but it never bothered them, yet, they felt strangely normal. They thought Simon was the answer to their problems whereas he was the question and the problem.
 So slowly and ironically, the people of Samaria were dying, yet praising the very one who was drowning their boat. Why? They were bewitched.
It was because they have left the place of truth and held unto lies and deception. It blindfolded them that they started to see lies as truth.
Coating a poisonous tablet in gold does not remove the poison or covering a rotten bad egg with flour to make it scotch egg does not remove the spoilage. Cleaning up a pig and installing a pig in an air conditioned room does not affect the nature of the pig. This is what is called bewitchment.
 You started drinking a bottle of beer and you have gotten to a level where the bottle controls you. You now find yourself holding the bottle singing, "I believe I can fly", when you cannot even walk properly. Now, the bottle - an inanimate object - is controlling a huge man. that is bewitchment.
If we don't break free from National bewitchment,it will destroy our nation.

I remain yours
Dipo Olatade

12 Reasons You Should Live in Rwanda

After living in Kigali, Rwanda for the past two and a half years, I can’t speak highly enough about the place. The lively culture, the friendly and innovative people, the delicious food… it’s pure paradise, and there’s no end to the adventures, opportunities, and passionfruit juice you’ll encounter. I could ramble for hours on the topic, but I’ve decided to compile my top reasons to live in Kigali to hopefully convince others to move to the land of a thousand hills.If possible,relocate.


 
1. We play polo – with motorcycles. Without any horses around, we make do. Which means organizing weekend polo matches with required fancy dress (British speak for “costume”) atop your trusty metal and gasoline-powered steed. The moto jousting halftime show was discontinued due to dislocated shoulders, but other than that, it’s just a few scratches here and there. So grab a bottle of cold Primus and join us on the field!


2. Market.

Rwanda is essentially an organic food lover’s dream. All fruit and vegetables are organic, non-GMO, non-hormone, the whole shebang… simply because, it’s all local and natural! There’s nothing more satisfying than taking a Saturday morning trip to Kimironko market and buying the most delicious avocado, carrots, beets, and ginger that only $60 at Whole Foods could buy, and whipping up a frothy fruity cocktail. And if you’re a fellow carnivore, Germany Bakery at MTN Center always has organic ground beef, lamb sausages, and sirloin steaks for ridiculously cheap. Boom, roasted. As in, delicious roasted goat meat.

 
3. Your going away party is a camping trip alongside zebras and buffalo with a whole roasted pig for dinner. When one of my best girlfriends announced she was moving back to the US (she returned to Rwanda about six months later – I’m telling you, this place is hard to leave), we planned an epic camping trip in Akagera Park. We purchased a whole pig (already slaughtered, thank you very much), packed up our trucks, and drove a couple hours east from Kigali. That night we roasted pig for ten hours, sang around the campfire, and watched wildebeest and zebras roam next to our tents. The fact that this is even an option for a weekend activity is pretty breathtaking.
 
4. It’s sunny and 75 degrees every. Single. Day. Think of it as an endless summer. Without seasons to give us a sense of time, why do you think so many expats disappear to Rwanda for years on end? It’s like a dream you never want to wake up from.

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5. Witness a revolution in women’s education. Rwanda is known for its emphasis on female leadership (it’s the only country to have a female majority in Parliament). Institutions like the Akilah Institute are making sure that legacy continues, by being the only all-female college in East Africa and paving the road for a future generation of female business leaders. Visit the campus for your daily dose of inspiration and to hire your next business manager. *Disclaimer: My sister Elizabeth founded Akilah, which is why it’s so badass.

 
6. Why goes clothes shopping when you can design your own clothes out of a beautiful fabric called kitenge, for about $15/dress? Find a tailor you love, design your dress, and voila, you have a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that screams East African chic. The Rwandan fashion industry is quickly growing, with jewelry and apparel by local designers to fill your wardrobe for the endless summer. Other creative inventions I’ve seen include rompers, bowties, and blazers.

 
7. Rwandan cuisine brings a whole lot of deliciousness to the table. Beyond your typical Rwandan meal of rice and beans, the goat meat brochettes (kebabs), matoke (grilled plantains), and isombe (steamed cassava leaves) are local delicacies you can get easily hooked on. If you love your fish, don’t worry, Lake Kivu and Tanganyika have plenty of tilapia and sambaza (fried sardines) to keep you satisfied. Just make sure you balance out all the carbs with plenty of veggies and goat meat.

 
8. Perceived “third world disadvantages” (no electricity, water, internet, cable) are, in fact, advantages. Without the everyday, run-of-the-mill weekend activities like movie theaters, malls, and theme parks to rely on, we get creative in Kigali. Pool parties, board games (Settlers of Catan has a huge Rwanda fanbase), bar crawls, you name it (see #1). The social scene is always full of fun and creative activities, making for a tightknit community that enjoys trying new adventures. One friend of mine decided to organize a marathon through the Nyungwe rainforest to celebrate his 30th birthday, which has become an annual event; this year around 90 people turned out for the adventure. Some of the park rangers got confused and tried intimidating us with their AK-47’s, but with seasoned war-zone videographers leading the pack, who is going to stop us?
 
9. Be front and center to observe one of the world’s most inspiring political leaders. Paul Kagame, as controversial as he may be, is undeniably an effective and determined visionary who has led his country from civil war to economic success in just twenty years. The international media is constantly infatuated with his government’s progress, and being on the ground in Kigali to witness it firsthand is truly inspiring. Whether it’s the country’s first bond issuance to raise development capital, their alleged involvement in Congo’s affairs, or the twentieth anniversary of the ’94 genocide, the international spotlight is permanently fixated on the tiny East African country, and you get to watch it front and center.

 
10. “Roadtrip!” to Tanzania, Burundi, Congo, or Uganda. As they say, Rwanda is small, but nice! This means it takes about eight hours to drive from one side to the other, making it easy to get to any of the four beautifully different surrounding countries. On any given Saturday, take a bus to the waterfalls in Tanzania, the rainforest in Burundi, the lakes in Uganda, or the volcanoes in Congo. Guerrilla warfare in Congo is optional. If you’re looking to go further afield, dream destinations like Zanzibar, Masai Mara, and Ngorogoro Crater are a short flight away!

 
11. You meet the coolest people from all over the world – and Rwandans ARE some of the coolest people in the world. If you live in Rwanda, you’re probably really cool, adventurous, innovative, reckless, inspiring, or a combination of the above. And you probably have an awesome story to go along with it. Rwandans and expats alike contribute to create one of the most entrepreneurial and inspiring environments I’ve ever experienced, and it’s amazing to be a part of it. Why wouldn’t you want to surround yourself with these people!?

 
12. You tryin’ to start something? Do it. And no, I don’t mean a riot or political revolution. As Rwanda continues to grow, it’s in that sweet spot where there’s a lot of demand and not a whole lot of supply. Not much yoga happening? Start a yoga company. No artistic community? Open an art gallery and workshop centre. No online resource for things to do and see? Build a profitable website curating awesome reviews and articles. Entrepreneurialism is second nature to Rwandans, and it’s easy to get infected by this bug once you’re on the ground. So roll up your sleeves and dive in!

Written by Mary P