Figure 1: Sectoral distribution of FDI projects in Rwanda 2000-2009
3%
5%
3%
2%
33%
8%
11%
15%
20%
Mining and Energy
Hotels and Leisure
Telecommunication
Financial Services
Construction and Real Estate
Manufacturing
Agro-processing and Beverages
Other Services
ICT
As shown in Figure 1, Rwanda’s FDI is focused in service sectors, with only 5 per cent going to manufacturing,
although 11 per cent and 15 per cent have come in the hi-tech sectors of financial services and
telecommunications respectively.
Rwanda provides a number of incentives to both local and foreign investors. This is an important avenue that
can be used strategically by the government to direct FDI towards innovation and to the creative industries.
Such an approach would buttress the specific IP related strategies linked to the objectives of encouraging
innovation and creativity, facilitating technology transfer and investments.
5. Preferred Option
The preferred option for this policy can be broadly split into two key areas: IPR administration and IPR
enforcement. The former should be undertaken largely by RDB, while the latter will involve the use of the
Customs Office, Police and the Commercial Courts. This should be overseen by the new multi-stakeholder
body, the Rwanda Development and Intellectual Property Forum (RDIPF).
5.1 IP administration
The administration of IP involves a set of technical and administrative tasks relating, among others, to:
receiving, examining and granting or refusing applications for IP titles;
processing of renewals such as in the case of trademarks and industrial designs;
addressing opposition applications such as in the case of patents and trademarks;
establishing and managing financial procedures and mechanisms for collection of fees;
maintaining records of granted IP rights as well as archiving; and
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