United States Agency for Global Media

VOA Kinyarwanda programming available on mobile in Rwanda

May 2, 2016

Washington, D.C. — The Voice of America and the Kigali-based digital media company Hooza have signed an agreement making VOA’s VOA60 Afurika program in Kinyarwanda available to mobile subscribers on the MTN Rwanda and Airtel Rwanda networks.

“Increasingly, people are using their mobile phones to access information that is important to them,” said VOA Africa Division Director Negussie Mengesha. “We are happy to partner with Hooza to give the people of Rwanda the ability to stay abreast of the latest news.”

The 60-second daily news roundup in Kinyarwanda, produced by VOA’s Central Africa Service, will be available to smart and feature phone users by sending the keyword “VOA” to 2656. Subscribers will receive an SMS alert when new content is added and when breaking news occurs. Subscribers also will have access to archived content and can engage with the service by leaving comments on the programs they hear.

About VOA

Since 1996, the Central Africa Service has been the only international source of news and information in Kirundi and Kinyarwanda for Rwanda, Burundi, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Southern Uganda and Northwest Tanzania. VOA broadcasts have a 36 percent audience share in Rwanda. VOA60 Afurika also is available on the service’s mobile site and social media.

Hooza, Ltd. is a media service provider and a digital media and communications consultancy. The firm has more than a decade of experience in broadcast programming and management, with expertise in social development, finance, economics and peace building in Africa’s Great Lakes Region and the East Africa Community. Hooza’s mission is to offer innovative media services and a unique communications expertise. The company can be reached at 250-788-537-894, info@hooza.rw and www.hooza.rw.