Canal Plus International has launched Canal Plus Rwanda, an initiative meant to develop and promote the country’s visual and audio industry.

Officially unveiled on Wednesday, November 26 at Marriott Hotel in Kigali, Canal Plus Rwanda aims at enhancing Rwandan arts including movies, sports, music among others - quality-wise, in addition to assisting them reach wider audiences across the African continent and the whole world.

Canal+ International currently operates in over 75 countries across Africa, Asia and Europe. In Africa, it is present in some 20 countries delivering television channels among other products.

In Rwanda, Canal + has been available since 2012 partnering with Tele10 in bringing digital TV services to citizens in various parts of the country; as well as taking local channels like RTV, TV10, TV1, FLASH TV, ISANGO TV, AUTHENTIC TV, BTN, and GENESIS TV to audiences outside the country.

Now, with the newly launched Canal + Rwanda Initiative, their services in Rwanda are set to make a bigger impact in the entertainment and media sectors, by among other things giving training, financing, and promotion platforms to Rwandans working in these industries.

"We are here to develop talents in journalism, production, and other industries. We want to finance and promote local events, and we have already done that even before, for example with the Kigali Audio and Visual Forum and the Tour du Rwanda. But I am sure there are many events that need to be pushed and thanks to Canal+ Rwanda we will do it,” said Sophie Tchatchoua, the head of Canal+ Rwanda.

During its activities in Rwanda even prior to launching Canal + Rwanda, Canal + International has done noticeable work in promoting Rwandan arts. For example, local movies like Petit Pays and Notre Dame du Nil have been given platform on its channels.

"We are here to stay, we are here to develop and we need partnership with every single actor in the media sector. We are here to contribute to the economy, investing in human resources…….and want to create indirect jobs in communication, in distribution, in the technical department,” Tchatchoua said.

Meanwhile, Canal+ has slashed the prices of its products going into the festive season, and now a full package comprising of a decoder, remote and dish goes for only Rwf 10,000.

Speaking to media, Aime Abizera the Head of Sales at Canal Plus said prices are no longer a big problem as it used to be for Rwandans, since Canal + has reduced its tariff significantly, and now bouquets start from only as low as Rwf 5,000 per month; yet this package offers Serie A football matches in addition to over 180 other channels – local and international.

What’s more is that the various bouquet packages offered by Canal + in Rwanda have a uniqueness of Rwandan names for more convenience for the clients when buying subscriptions.

They include "Ikaze” which costs Rwf 5,000 as monthly subscription, "Zamuka” which costs Rwf10,000, "Zamuka na Siporo” which goes for Rwf20,000 and "Ubuki” bouquet worth Rwf30,000 and has all channels.

Sophie Tchatchoua, the head of Canal+ Rwanda, giving her speech at the event.