China Offers satellite TVs to Residents of Rulindo District in partnership with Star Times and Government of Rwanda

The Chinese government has completed a digital television project that will see more than 6,000 individual households in 300 villages across Rwanda access digital television.

The project, code-named Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages, is among the 10 areas of cooperation agreed on during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in 2015 in Johannesburg South Africa and attended by, among others, the Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Mr. KAYIRANGA Emmanuel, Mayer of Rulindo, said “This day marks strong cooperation between the government of Rwanda and china, China has offered electronic equipment to the residents of Rulindo District including 200 televisions and 30 projectors. “

The project, which was implemented by StarTimes under the supervision of the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda and Ministry of Local Government, was started in June 2018.

Ms. Xing Yuchun, Chargé d'affaires at the Embassy of China in Rwanda,

“It is my great pleasure to enjoy this satellite delivery ceremony, this project is China-Rwanda cooperation project which aims to reduce the digital divide in the rural areas of the country,” she said.

The Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages is a China-Africa cooperation project that seeks to reduce the information divide by offering digital TV in rural areas.

Ms. Assumpta Ingabire, the Permanent Secretary also noted “We sincerely express our appreciation to the government of China for supporting us through Tv penetration program across all districts of the country in an attempted to satisfy residents with accessing digital technology.”

Mr Jess Jing, StarTimes chief executive officer, said villagers will be able to access information on agricultural markets, and with the provision of educational channels on the decoders, they will help sharpen the learning exercise and increase innovation amongst pupils in the science sphere. 

The project will also give happiness to people when they enjoy national or international football leagues, moreover, this project will ensure effective communication in such a way that many Rwandans will easily be reached especially with government programmes since now many rural Rwandans have access to Television.