Grant Norbert

the way Rwandans don’t trust Rwandan therapists… we need to have an honest conversation about our relationship with one another because this mistrust seems to go beyond also therapy. let’s unpack why we don’t trust each other please…

Uyu Mugabo ni umuhanga kabisa.... Niba ushaka umugisha umubyo ukora, ukwiye kujya uha kumafaranga Mama wawe cg bashiki bawe, ni wo mugisha wa mbere.. Gusa nabonye hari abakobwa badakunda abagabo ngo bakunda ba mama babo cyane

Rising inflation: We cannot keep complaining without offering solutions Everywhere you turn across the country, citizens are talking about rising food prices. Many countries face similar pressures, but for a landlocked country like Rwanda, the cost of transporting imports adds to the burden. Families are struggling, businesses are under pressure, some have closed, and salaries no longer stretch as far as they once did. Yet public discussion about practical solutions remains limited. We passionately debate Manchester United, Arsenal, Barcelona and Real Madrid. Can we bring some of that same energy to discussing the cost of living? According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda’s September 2026 Consumer Price Index report, annual inflation reached 17.2%, while prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages rose by 20.9% compared with September 2025. Behind these figures are households making difficult choices about food, school expenses and other basic needs. The National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) has been working to contain inflation. As citizens, we should contribute ideas, ask questions and discuss the trade offs involved. I believe four proposals deserve consideration. BNR could review the Cash Reserve Ratio and assess whether increasing it would help absorb excess liquidity. This requires care; restricting liquidity can also raise borrowing costs and make credit harder for businesses to obtain. BNR should examine what would encourage commercial banks to lend more to productive businesses rather than favour government bonds and Treasury bills. This means understanding the risks banks face and finding practical ways to make business lending more attractive, particularly for activities that increase domestic production. Investing directly in government securities should be simpler and more accessible to ordinary citizens. Clear information and straightforward procedures could broaden participation and encourage savings. This should complement efforts to finance productive investment. Finally, the Ministry of Finance and the Rwanda Revenue Authority should ensure that verified VAT refunds are paid promptly. A business awaiting a refund still needs money to pay suppliers, staff and current tax obligations. Delays can force owners to draw down working capital or borrow simply to keep operating. Where refunds cannot be paid promptly, authorities could examine whether approved amounts can be offset against other tax liabilities, with clear rules and safeguards. This could ease pressure on businesses and help prevent avoidable closures. But monetary policy alone cannot put more beans, maize or potatoes on the market. Monetary, fiscal and agricultural policies must work together. In practice, the central bank and the ministries responsible for finance, agriculture and trade should regularly review the causes of rising prices and agree on actions, responsibilities and deadlines. While the central bank addresses inflationary demand pressures, public spending should prioritise irrigation, storage, feeder roads and efficient transport to help increase supply and reduce the cost of bringing goods to market. The LODA should ensure that the assistance to struggling households should reach those most in need and have clear funding. Agricultural authorities should use harvest forecasts and market information to anticipate shortages. Farmers need seeds and fertilisers on time, reliable advice and access to buyers. Where a shortage is expected, temporary imports could help close the gap, carefully timed to avoid hurting local farmers when their harvest reaches the market. Citizens should also be able to see whether these measures are working. Are food supplies improving? Are transport costs falling? Are retail prices responding? For a family struggling to afford its next meal, coordination between institutions matters only when it brings relief. We do not all need to be economists to contribute to this conversation. But we should make room for it in our universities, businesses, media and everyday discussions. Are we willing to move beyond complaints and help shape solutions? @CentralBankRw @RwandaFinance @RwandaTrade @rrainfo @LODARwanda @PSF_Rwanda

Aissa muremeranya?