IHS RWANDA LTD vs IKIGO CY’IMISORO N’AMAHORO (RRA)

IHS RWANDA LTD vs IKIGO CY’IMISORO N’AMAHORO (RRA)

The USD 200,000,000 advanced by IHS Mauritius Rwanda Ltd to IHS Rwanda Ltd did not meet the legal criteria for a loan (no interest, no security, no repayment schedule) and was therefore equity, not debt. Consequently, foreign exchange losses on this amount were not deductible. Depreciation on tower components...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RCOMAA00007/2024/CA CMB RCOMAA00008/2024/CA
Parties
Appellant/respondent: IHS Rwanda Ltd; Respondent/appellant: Ikigo cy’Imisoro n’Amafaranga (RRA)
Court
Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
28 April 2025
Case Number
RCOMAA00007/2024/CA CMB RCOMAA00008/2024/CA
Procedural Posture
Commercial Tax Appeal / Court of Appeal Final Judgment
Outcome
Appeal by RRA allowed; appeal by IHS Rwanda Ltd dismissed.
Legal Topics
Corporate Taxation, Foreign Exchange Losses, Depreciation of Assets, Shareholder Loans, Procedural Requirements in Tax Appeals
Source Language
rw
Tax Law Commercial Law Administrative Law Corporate Taxation Foreign Exchange Losses Depreciation of Assets Shareholder Loans Procedural Requirements in Tax Appeals

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Parties

IHS Rwanda Ltd

Appellant/respondent

Ikigo cy’Imisoro n’Amafaranga (RRA)

Respondent/appellant

Procedural Posture

Commercial Tax Appeal / Court of Appeal Final Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the USD 200,000,000 advanced by IHS Mauritius Rwanda Ltd to IHS Rwanda Ltd constituted a loan or equity for tax purposes
  2. 2 Whether foreign exchange losses on the alleged loan were deductible
  3. 3 Whether depreciation on certain tower components was properly calculated

Ratio Decidendi

The USD 200,000,000 advanced by IHS Mauritius Rwanda Ltd to IHS Rwanda Ltd did not meet the legal criteria for a loan (no interest, no security, no repayment schedule) and was therefore equity, not debt. Consequently, foreign exchange losses on this amount were not deductible. Depreciation on tower components (batteries, cables, lights) was properly calculated at 10% as they are telecommunications assets with a lifespan over 10 years. Losses from 2015 were not properly appealed to the Commissioner General and could not be judicially reviewed. IHS Rwanda Ltd was not entitled to costs or attorney fees as it lost the appeal.

Court Disposition

Appeal by RRA allowed; appeal by IHS Rwanda Ltd dismissed.

Orders

  • The decision of the Rwanda Revenue Authority denying IHS Rwanda Ltd a loss of 18,563,444,415 Frw for the 2017 tax year is upheld.
  • No costs or attorney fees awarded to IHS Rwanda Ltd.