City targets Rwf400 million from outdoor advertising

City of Kigali authorities are targeting to collect close to Rwf400m annually from fees charged on advertisement space in the city. Apart from the normal revenues from designated advertisement space for billboards, the city authorities have now turned to small and medium businesses’ sign posts and antennas that have been erected on city buildings.In an interview with The New Times, the City tax inspector, Jacques Masenga, clarified that the campaign will only target sign posts and antennas that have been ignored before.“The new campaign will target sign posts that advertise services or goods and antennas on several public buildings. “This area has been ignored before and I think it’s a new avenue for the city’s income”Masenga clarified that before antennas have been paying only rent for the space they occupy.However in the new changes, antennas will be paid for depending on length from the buildings’ foundation. The cost of sign posts varies depending on the size; a square metre costs Rwf10, 000 and Rwf5000 for the sign post below the square meter.For antennas, the cost is Rwf1000 per meter from the foundation of the building and Rwf2, 000 per metre above the house. The charges will be paid annually.Sign posts that will face charges are those advertising services or goods.According to Masenga, sign post indicating the business and the location are exempted from the charges.Banners have also been targeted in this campaign. A banner will be charged Rwf10, 000 per day according to Masenga.“Everybody who wants to put any kind of banner should first seek permission from the sector authorities as required by law,” he said.However, business people, The New Times talked to, said they are not aware of the decision and the new directive will be another burden on them as they pay other taxes.“I am not aware of that because nobody has told me about it, I think it will not be a good decision, we have small businesses and we pay other taxes, after I am told how much I am supposed to pay, I will weigh my options; I may end up removing my sign post,” said a pharmacist who preferred anonymity. “I think these are not things to be paid for, these are small sign posts to let people know what we sell in order to improve our lives as leaders always advise us to do, we should not be charged for them,” complained another retail store owner.

National

City targets Rwf400 million from outdoor advertising