Geography and Environment

Activity 21.1

In groups, discuss:i.Means of transport that were used in the past.ii.Means of transport used in Rwanda today.

Transport systems in Rwanda

Types of transport are classified according to the mode used. There are three types, namely, land transport, air transport and water transport.

1. Land transport

Transportation on land follows four types of routes. These are footpaths used by humans or animal portage, roads for vehicles and pipelines for transporting liquids.

(a)  Footpaths

For centuries, people have used human portage to carry goods from one place to another. Animals like donkeys are also driven along footpaths to transport goods. Bicycles and motorbikes sometimes use footpaths if there are no roads.

(b)  Roads

These are used by different types of vehicles carrying goods and passengers. They include cars, buses, lorries and trucks. Motor bikes and bicycles also use roads.

Activity 21.2

Study the photograph below and answer the questions that follow.

1.  Identify the different means of transport that are shown in the photograph.

2.  Describe the advantages and disadvantages of each type of transport shown in the photograph.

3.  What other types of transport are used in Rwanda and and are missing in the photograph?

4.  Suggest a place in Rwanda where the photograph may have been taken.

Share your answers with the other members of your class.

The major roads in Rwanda are tarmac and they link provinces, districts and towns. Rwanda is also connected to the neighbouring countries by tarmac roads.

Apart from footpaths, the rural areas have dry weather roads and some all-weather loose surface roads.

Activity 21.3

Draw the map of Rwanda showing the major transport routes.

(c)  Pipelines

They are constructed to enable transportation of liquids and gas. In Rwanda, there is a large pipeline that transports gas from Rubona on Lake Kivu to Rubavu. Other pipelines are those laid to transport and distribute water in urban areas. Many of the pipes are not visible because they are laid under the surface to avoid obstructions.

2.  Air transport

This is the form of transport that uses aircrafts to transport goods and passengers. In Rwanda, the largest airport is at Kanombe in Kigali City. This is the international airport that links Rwanda to other countries. Another major airport is at Kamembe in Rusizi District. This is a large airport that enables large aircrafts to land. Smaller aircrafts land on small airfields like the ones at Rubavu, Gabiro and Huye. Helicopters are a type of aircrafts that can land in places without an airfield as long as a place has a flat surface.

3. Water transport

This involves transportation of passengers and goods on water using water vessels like ships, motorboats and canoes. Large ships are only used where the water is deep. There are fairly large boats on Lake Kivu used by tourists and fishermen. Smaller lakes like Cyahoha and Ruhondo have smaller boats and canoes. There are also canoes that are used by fishermen on some of the rivers in Rwanda.

21.2 Communication systems in Rwanda

There are different forms of communication used in Rwanda. The oldest forms of communication include signals such as use of smoke, beating drums, whistling and sending messages by word of mouth. These methods are still used especially where other forms are limited.

Activity 21.4

Carry out a research to find out the following:

1.The different traditional methods of communication used in your local area in the past.

2.Make a list of the modern methods of communication used currently indicating the most popular and why.

Mass communication involves enabling a large number of people to receive the same information. Among the types of mass communication used in Rwanda are:

      i.Radio and television

      ii. Newspapers and magazines

      iii.Telephone services

      iv. Internet

      v.Postal services

      vi. Facsimile

(i)  Radio and television

These are electronic media systems. They are effective in sending information to listeners and viewers respectively. They are used for broadcasting news, advertisements, education messages and entertainment. Radios are more widespread even in rural areas of Rwanda because they operate using batteries.

(ii)  Newspapers and magazines

These are classified as print media. They are also used for disseminating news, entertainment advertisements and educational messages. In Rwanda, the New Times newspaper is widely read. There are many local and international magazines sold in the towns in Rwanda.

(iii)  Telephone services

This is the most widespread of the communication systems in Rwanda. The traditional telephones have fixed lines at certain locations like offices. With the introduction of the mobile phones, almost everyone in Rwanda has a phone and can send or receive messages or make calls wherever there is a network. The service providers are private companies such as MTN Company. Use of mobile phones has made both local and international communication extremely fast.

(iv)  Internet

This is a global network of computers linked to each other and enable people to send and receive electronic mails instantly. This method of communication is only available to those with computers and mobile gargets that are connected to the internet.

(v)  Postal services

This is a system that enables people to post and receive letters and parcels through the post office. The letters or parcels are carried using transportation means from the post office of the sender to that of the receiver. Postal services enable both local and international communication.

(vi)  Facsimile

This is a machine commonly known as fax which sends or receives written information from one person to another where both persons have the machine. The machine uses telephone lines where both machines must be connected. Fax machines are widely used in business transactions.

Activity 21.5

In groups, carry out a research on transport and communication systems used in Rwanda. Choose one type of communication and write a report under the following sub-headings:

1.Type of communication.

2.Economic importance to the country and to individuals.

3.Advantages and disadvantages of using the form of transport and communication.

Present your report for class discussion.

21.3 Advantages and disadvantages of transport and communication systems in Rwanda

Each of the transport and communication systems discussed has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Some of the advantages and disadvantages are outlined below.

21.4 Problems and solutions of transport and communication in Rwanda

Transport and communication systems in Rwanda are not fully developed. This has a negative effect on the progress in the economic development. There are various challenges that the country faces that hinder development of transport and communication.

Activity 21.6

Assume you are a Rwandan trader who imports cars from Japan to sell locally.

1.Use the atlas to find out the sea port on the coast of Africa that you would use and give reasons for your choice.

2.Suggest the advice you would give to the government that would help reduce the cost of transport from the sea port to Rwanda.

Present your report to the class for discussion.

Some of the problems facing transport and communication sector in Rwanda are outlined below.

1.Rugged landscape

Rwanda’s landscape is dominated by hills. As a result, construction of roads is very expensive. Distances to be covered become long as the road has to wind around the steep parts of the landscape. Other areas require expensive bridges to cross steep valleys. Some of the hills are so steep that only footpaths are found on the sides.

2.Inadequate capital

As a developing country, Rwanda needs to distribute the available funds among all the sectors of the economy. Whatever the transport sector is allocated is not always sufficient. Some is used in repairing the existing roads and constructing earth roads in the rural areas. Many parts of the country are therefore not adequately served.The airfields that serve domestic flights always require repairs and improvement to keep them in usable state.

3.The country is landlocked

Rwanda is a landlocked country. This means that the country does not have a direct access to any sea port on the coast of either Indian or Atlantic oceans. The long distances to the seaports makes transportation of trade goods expensive. In addition, there are delays and charges as the goods cross the borders. This affects the country’s overseas trade negatively.

4. Political unrest in the neighbouring countries

When the neighbouring countries experience political unrest, it is not safe for Rwanda to transport her goods to and from the sea ports through unstable countries. This affects trade with overseas countries.

5. Low levels of income

Many people in Rwanda cannot afford to buy items like computers and televisions because their income is so low.

6.  Limited electricity supply

This hinders the use of communication gadgets such as computers and televisions. This is because they operate using electricity. Many rural villages in Rwanda are yet to get electricity.Possible solutions to the problems of transport and communicationThe following are some of the possible solutions:

(i)  As a land locked country, Rwanda has to maintain good relationship with the countries through which her overseas trade goods pass. For instance, in August 2013, the president of Rwanda was involved in the commissioning of one of the berths of the port of Mombasa in Kenya as one of the ports that Rwanda uses to carry out her overseas trade.

Activity 21.7

1.Carry out a research to find out which export goods and import goods for Rwanda pass through each of the sea ports the country uses.

2.Explain reasons why Rwanda prefers some sea ports to others for different goods.

(ii)   Rwanda needs to borrow loans from international funding agencies such as World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) to use in improving her transport and communication systems. Some foreign governments also give the country grants to use on development projects such as road construction. This can enable the country to expand her road network and improve on the existing ones.

(iii)  Rwanda being a member of regional groupings such as the East African Community and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), enables her to transport her goods for overseas countries through the member countries with ease.

(iv) Introduction of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in schools is a way of preparing future generations to be able to use modern communication technology easily in future.

(v) By the year 2020, Rwanda government intends to connect electricity to every household in the country. This will enable more people to use communication gargets that operate using electricity.

(vi) Maintaining political stability enables a country to undertake development projects faster. Rwanda has maintained peace for many years and this has helped the government to develop different areas of the economy including the transport and communication sector.

21.5 Trade in Rwanda

Trade is buying and selling of goods. Trade can be very small scale involving local people who buy and sell small quantities of items like vegetables, fruits, sugar or maize flour in the local shopping centres or in the open air markets.

21.5.1 Types of Trade

There are two categories of trade. These are:

      (i) Domestic or internal trade

      (ii) International trade

(i) Domestic or internal trade

Domestic trade is the buying and selling of goods within the country. Some of the goods sold are locally produced while others may be imported. Domestic trade is in two forms:

   (i)Wholesale trade

   (ii)Retail trade

Wholesale trade involves buying and selling goods in bulk from a factory or from whole sale shops. The buyers pay for the goods at whole sale price because they buy in bulk.The wholesalers get their merchandise from factories at factory price. Whole sale trade is mainly in urban centres. For instance there are large wholesale shops in Kigali city such as those selling household consumer goods.

Retail trade involves selling and buying goods in small quantities for individual use. The retail trader may have bought the goods from a whole sale shop. A retail trader buys goods in bulk from a wholesale shop then sells each unit separately. For example, the Nakumatt Supermarket in Kigali is a retail shop where goods are sold in single items.

Other retail traders are like the farmers who sell what they have produced from their farms in the local open air markets.

Activity 21.8

With the assistance of your teacher, conduct a field study in the local open air market and make a report of your findings under the following sub-headings.

1. Name of the market and location.

2. Goods sold and where the traders get them from.

3. Types of transport used to carry goods to the market.

4.  Categories of people who come to buy.

Share your findings with the other members of your class.

(ii) International trade

International trade involves trade between countries. When the trade is between two countries, it is referred to as bilateral trade. An example is the trade between Rwanda and Uganda. If there are more than two countries involved, it is known as multilateral trade. An example is the trade among the East African Community member states. The goods that Rwanda buys from other countries are the imports like petroleum products chemicals and machinery. The goods Rwanda sells to other countries are the exports like tea, coffee and minerals.

21.5.2 Importance of trade in Rwanda

Trade is very important for the economy of any country. It enables the country and individuals to earn income.

Activity 21.9

In groups, carry out a research on the importance of trade and compile a report for class discussion.

For Rwanda, the following are some of the reasons international trade is such an important sector of the economy.

(i)  Rwanda like any other country is not self-sufficient with all the requirements. The country does not produce goods like machinery, petroleum and chemicals. To meet their need, the country must import these items.

(ii)  Rwanda requires foreign currency to be able to pay for her imports. The country earns some of the foreign exchange by selling exports like tea, coffee and minerals.

(iii)  Maintaining friendly relations with other countries. Trade facilitates good relations between Rwanda and her trading partners both in Africa and the rest of the world.

(iv)  It promotes development of transport and communication systems between Rwanda and her trading partners. Rwanda is linked to the neighbouring countries by well-maintained tarmac roads which provide ease in movement of trade goods.

Internal trade is important to both the individual traders and the government.

(i)  The government gains by levying taxes on the trade goods. For instance, large scale traders pay income tax for doing the business. The goods sold are charged Value Added Tax (VAT) which is an income for the government.

(ii)  International trade encourages good relationship between trading partner countries. Rwanda is friendly to countries that are members of COMESA and East African Community who are her main trading partners.

(iii)  Individuals generate income which enables them to improve their standard of living.

(iv)  Trade creates employment opportunities where some of those seeking jobs get employed. For instance some people are employed as shop managers, cashiers and shop attendants.

(v)  Trade promotes local production of commodities. For example, farmers are assured of market for their produce. This makes them put effort to increase the output.

(vi)  Trade encourages development of transport facilities. For instance, feeder roads have been extended to the rural areas in Rwanda to enable farmers to transport farm produce to the markets.

21.5.3 Problems affecting trade and possible solutions in Rwanda

Activity 21.10

Draw a map of Africa showing the position of Rwanda in relation to other countries in Africa.

1.Indicate the sea ports along both the coast of Indian and Atlantic Oceans.

2.Draw the roads that connect Rwanda to the sea ports.

3.Write a paragraph on the sea port you would prefer to use for exports and imports and give reasons for choosing that port.

Trade in Rwanda is affected by a number of factors some of which are outlined below.

(a)  The landlocked position

This affects Rwanda’s trade with overseas countries. Goods have to pass through other countries which requires Rwanda to pay certain charges to those countries. In addition, there are delays at the border points as goods have to be checked before they are allowed to pass through.

(b)  Long distances to the sea ports

The distances to the sea ports from Rwanda are very long. For example, from Kigali to Mombasa, it is 1477 kilometres while it is 1460 kilometres to Dar-es salaam. As a result, goods take days to be moved from Rwanda to the ports and from the ports to Rwanda by road.

(c)  High transport costs

The cost of transporting good to and from the sea ports is very high. This makes international trade for Rwanda very expensive.

(d)  Low income levels

Many Rwandans have low incomes. This is a limitation to the local market because many people are not able to pay for certain goods.

(e)  Use of different currencies

International trade is transacted using foreign currency. For Rwanda to buy goods from Uganda or Kenya, it has to be converted into international currency, mainly US dollars. The local currency is very weak compared to the US dollar. This makes imported goods expensive to pay for.

(f)  Language barrier

Rwandan neighbouring countries such as Tanzania and Kenya use Kiswahili and English to communicate. Many Rwandans are not fluent in the two languages and this makes communication difficult when transacting business between individuals from the different countries.

(g) Poor roads

Murram roads in most rural parts of Rwanda are not usable during the wet seasons. This makes movement of trade goods to markets difficult.

  Production of similar goods

Rwanda and her main trading partners within the Eastern African region produce similar goods. For instance, they all produce sugar, maize, tea and coffee. This limits market for Rwanda’s exports to the region.

Possible solutions to the problems affecting trade

Activity 21.11

In groups, suggest possible solutions for the problems facing trade in Rwanda.Compile a report for presentation in a class discussion.

(i)  Rwanda is a member of the regional trading blocs such as COMESA and East African Community. This reduces the cost of trade with the other member countries.

(ii)  To improve internal trade, Rwanda has been constructing more roads in the rural areas which can be used all the year round. This is in order to make movement of goods easier for traders.

(iii)  Rwanda Government is encouraging the citizens to learn both English and Kiswahili. For example, English has been made the medium of instructions in schools. This will make trading with people from the neighbouring countries easier in future.

(iv)  Creating more employment opportunities in the country will enable the local people to be able to buy goods. This is a way of expanding the local market.

21.5.4 Regional and international trade partners with Rwanda

Rwanda’s international trade includes trading with the countries within East and central Africa, the rest of Africa and many other countries in the world.

Activity 21.12

Use the Internet to research on Rwanda’s trading partners in the region and in the rest of the world. Share your findings in class.

The main trading partners in the immediate region are the members of the East African Community. Among them are Kenya and Uganda. Others are Tanzania, Burundi and South Sudan. Rwanda imports as well as exporting her products to these countries.

Within the rest of the African region, Rwanda trades with the COMESA member states which are shown in the map of Africa below.

Rwanda also trades with overseas countries where products that are not available in the African region are imported from. Products like machinery and vehicles are imported from the rest of the world. The main trading partners which provide some of the imports to Rwanda include countries such as China, Germany, United States, United Kingdom, France, Israel, Thailand, Japan and Belgium.

END OF UNIT REVISION EXERCISE

1.Describe the different types of transport and communication systems in Rwanda.

2.Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of:

   (i)  Air transport

   (ii) Road transport

   (iii)  Telephone

    (iv)  Radio and television

3.Explain three problems that Rwanda experiences due to being landlocked.

4.Describe the internal types of trade in Rwanda.

5.Explain the problems that Rwanda experiences in carrying out overseas trade.