The announcement was made on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, during the U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Luanda, Angola, marking a milestone for the first tri-national Public-Private Partnership (PPP) of its kind, involving Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Rwanda.
The 206 MW hydropower plant, located on the Ruzizi River between western Rwanda and eastern DRC, is expected to deliver reliable electricity to approximately 30 million people across the three nations.
The project will nearly double Burundi’s current power capacity, increase Rwanda’s by 30%, and provide critical baseload power to eastern DRC, fostering economic growth, regional integration, and energy security in one of Africa’s most underserved regions.
Anzana, known for developing and operating power projects across Africa, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, with plans to acquire a minority equity interest in RHPCL.
“As an American company committed to powering opportunities across Africa, Anzana is proud to join RHPCL and the governments of Burundi, DRC, and Rwanda at this pivotal moment,” said Brian Kelly, CEO of Anzana.
“Through this partnership, we are not only powering homes, communities, and industries, we are helping to drive regional integration, strengthen energy security and stability, and pave the way for expanded U.S. investment and trade in Africa’s energy future,” he added.
RHPCL’s Director, Aleem Karmali, echoed this sentiment, stating, ““The Directors of RHPCL are enthusiastic about this potential strategic alliance and, assuming a successful outcome of the partnering process, look forward to harnessing Anzana’s expertise and experience to realize the full potential of the Ruzizi III Project, extending critical energy access and fostering development in the region.”
The two parties aim to finalize a binding Partnership Agreement by September 15, 2025, with Anzana acquiring at least a 10% equity stake in RHPCL.
The agreement will define governance, investment commitments, and future collaboration, setting the stage for a project that promises to transform the energy landscape of Rwanda, Burundi, and the DRC.
The men, identified as Edris Aali, Azad Shojaei, and Rasoul Ahmad-Rasoul, were hanged in a prison in the northwestern city of Urmia after being convicted of cooperating with Israel and importing equipment used in the assassination of Iranian figures, the report said.
Their executions followed full judicial proceedings and were upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court, it added.
Iran has executed several men on charges of spying for Mossad in recent months.
This decision, outlined in a public notice issued on June 24, 2025, aims to allow the RMB to review and enhance the current regulations governing mineral trading licenses.
The suspension is part of a broader initiative to improve service delivery and strengthen regulatory compliance across the mineral trading sector.
The RMB emphasized that this necessary measure will not affect the renewals and amendments of existing licenses, ensuring continuity for current license holders.
Supported by the Government of Ireland, the workshop was a collaborative effort between FAO, Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), and the University College London Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose (IIPP).
This publication captures key insights from the workshop, highlighting Rwanda’s progress in areas such as sustainable farming, food security, and gender inclusion, while underscoring key problems that remain, particularly around malnutrition, climate impacts, and fragmented action.
Working in cross-sectoral groups, participants applied a range of tools to unpack the country’s agrifood challenges, helping to shape a national agrifood strategy that better reflects the complexity of Rwanda’s agrifood systems.
In terms of next steps, Rwanda’s existing innovation efforts, such as policy labs and circular economy pilots, were recognized as valuable opportunities to scale through structured learning and cross-sector coordination.
The workshop introduced participants to a range of methods, as well as institutional and policy tools, to improve agrifood systems transformation.
FAO and IIPP are using insights from the workshop to develop a handbook for facilitators supporting governments interested in improving the design and implementation of agrifood systems policies and plans.
The report is a recommended read for policymakers, development partners, academics, and other stakeholders involved in providing guidance to governments on the sustainable development of agrifood systems.
By rethinking conventional policy processes, policymakers can help drive change – ensuring better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all.
For more insights into Rwanda’s approach to agrifood transformation, access the full report here: [Workshop Report on Agrifood Systems Transformation in Rwanda ->https://openknowledge.fao.org/items/e3f532dd-759c-480a-9b4b-9866aa5b5875]
Links: [Workshop Report on Training for Policymakers on Agrifood Systems Transformation->https://openknowledge.fao.org/items/e3f532dd-759c-480a-9b4b-9866aa5b5875]
Links: [Strategic Plan for the Transformation of Agriculture 2025-2030->chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.minagri.gov.rw/index.php?eID=dumpFile&t=f&f=121834&token=b03443f215e68c19e0523ae2cb91c140262bcaea]
This position was conveyed by Foreign Minister Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, during a phone conversation with Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, on June 24, 2025 as indicated in a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Al Udeid Air Base, situated in the desert southwest of Doha, is the most recent American military installation established in the Middle East.
Since its creation in 1996, it has functioned as the forward headquarters for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), overseeing U.S. military activities across a vast area that spans from Egypt in the west to Kazakhstan in the east.
Rwanda and Qatar have a strong partnership across various sectors, including investment, tourism, and transportation.
This relationship underscores Rwanda’s commitment to promoting a diplomacy rooted in mutual respect, peace, and development.
Meanwhile, Iran launched attacks on United States military bases in Qatar and Iraq following strikes against it on Sunday, June 22, 2025.
Qatar’s Ministry of Defense released a statement saying the country’s air defense systems intercepted missiles launched by Iran toward the Al-Udeid base, with no casualties reported.
In a briefing to the Security Council on the implementation of its Resolution 2231, which endorses the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the six world powers of Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States, DiCarlo regretted that with less than four months left until the termination of its provisions, the objectives of the resolution and those of the Iran nuclear deal have yet to be fully realized.
Resolution 2231 expires on Oct. 18, 2025.
The nuclear deal, adopted in the summer of 2015 to ensure that Iran’s nuclear program would be exclusively peaceful, has faced many challenges since its inception, including the withdrawal of the United States from the agreement in 2018 during Donald Trump’s first term of office as U.S. president, said DiCarlo.
Over the last few months, participants of the deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), increased their efforts to identify a way forward for full implementation of the plan.
In addition, Iran and the United States engaged in five rounds of bilateral talks, facilitated by Oman, said DiCarlo. “Regrettably, neither of these initiatives produced a way forward to ensuring the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program.”
The military escalation between Israel and Iran since June 13 and U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities on Saturday (New York time) complicated prospects for achieving full implementation of Resolution 2231. Iran’s strikes on Monday on a U.S. military base in Qatar further exacerbated insecurity in an already tense region, she said.
Monday’s announcement by the United States, in coordination with Qatar, of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran is a significant achievement that potentially pulls Iran, Israel and the region back from the brink, she said.
At the heart of this conflict is the nature of Iran’s nuclear program. Following the deadly clashes of the past 12 days, the ceasefire agreement is an opportunity to avoid a catastrophic escalation and achieve a peaceful resolution of the Iran nuclear issue, she said.
“Diplomacy, dialogue and verification remain the best option to ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program and to bring about concrete economic benefits to the people of Iran.”
The United Nations stands ready to support all efforts that advance peace, dialogue and stability in the region, she said.
The floods, which swept through the province earlier this month, have caused widespread loss of life, disruption to livelihoods and significant damage to infrastructure.
“As per the latest report, 94 bodies have been positively identified and handed over to their families, while processes are ongoing to identify the six remaining bodies,” the Eastern Cape provincial government said in a statement.
“Out of the 100 deceased persons, 63 are adults and 37 children, of which 22 are learners,” it said, adding that OR Tambo District, which bore the brunt of the floods, recorded 76 deaths.
“The numbers are likely to increase, as there are individuals that are still reported missing by their families and next of kin, and search operations persist in the affected areas,” the government noted.
Meanwhile, OR Tambo District reported that 95 percent of its affected areas have had water services restored, though some parts remain without water and are being served by water tankers.
The provincial government also assured residents that its teams have been working around the clock to repair damaged infrastructure, restore stability, and ensure access to clean water across the affected areas.
“The government remains committed to accelerating recovery programs and ensuring that displaced and affected communities receive the assistance they need to rebuild their lives,” it said.
Among the most notable changes announced during a recent education conference, is a shift in the structure of senior secondary school subjects.
Moving forward, students will have only three subject choices, a significant reduction from the previous 11 subject combinations.
This article delves into these key changes and examines how they are expected to contribute to the overall advancement of education in Rwanda.
{{Revised subject combinations}}
Previously, students completing the general secondary education cycle and passing the national exams after their third year could choose from 11 subject combinations, spanning general education, technical education, vocational training, and other related fields.
Under the new reforms, the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) has announced that students will only be able to select from three broad learning pathways: Mathematics and Science, Humanities, and Languages.
Dr. Flora Mutezigaju, the Deputy Director-General of the Rwanda Basic Education Board, explained to IGIHE that this new structure is designed to broaden students’ future career options and further develop their areas of expertise.
{{Increased number of subjects}}
Although the three learning pathways will remain, the number of subjects students study will increase based on their chosen pathway.
Each learning pathway will consist of four core subjects directly aligned with the student’s area of study, along with an additional three subjects from other fields. Additionally, students will be required to take four mandatory subjects, including ICT, Entrepreneurship, General Knowledge, Religion, and Sports.
For students in the Mathematics and Science pathway, two options will be available. One option focuses on Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology, while the other includes Mathematics, Economics, Geography, and Physics.
Humanities students will study History, Geography, English Literature, and Psychology, alongside Mathematics, French, and Kinyarwanda.
Those pursuing Language studies will focus on Kinyarwanda, English, French, and Swahili, as well as an in-depth study of Literature and Grammar in each language. They will also study Mathematics, History, and Geography.
{{Expanded career opportunities}}
Dr. Mutezigaju emphasized that the new approach will offer students a well-rounded education, equipping them with knowledge in multiple fields.
“All students will study 11 subjects, including seven related to their chosen pathway. This opens up many more opportunities for students, both in terms of post-graduation career prospects and future university studies,” she said.
{{Pathways at every school}}
As part of the reforms, every school must offer at least two learning pathways, giving students a choice between options. An analysis is currently underway to assess which schools are capable of offering all three pathways and those able to accommodate two.
The Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) has emphasized that no school will be allowed to offer the Mathematics and Science pathway unless it has the necessary laboratory facilities. REB also assured that qualified teachers would be provided, and school schedules, textbooks, and computer resources will be updated accordingly.
{{National examinations}}
Students in secondary schools will be required to take national exams in seven subjects relevant to their chosen pathway. The four additional subjects studied by all students will be prepared by the National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA) but administered at the school level.
Some subjects, such as ICT and Sports, will require practical exams, while the Entrepreneurship subject will involve students developing a business proposal aimed at driving change.
Scores from all subjects will be combined with national exam results for a comprehensive evaluation.
{{Implementation timeline}}
While the proposed changes have sparked some questions, REB has confirmed that the reforms will be rolled out gradually.
Dr. Mutezigaju stated that after a thorough evaluation, the changes will begin to be implemented incrementally, starting from the fourth year of secondary school. The changes will be phased in over time, and students in the fifth year will continue with the existing structure until they graduate.
Until then, students will follow the previous curriculum system, ensuring a smooth transition to the new educational framework.
These reforms are expected to provide a more specialized, flexible, and career-focused education system, aligning with Rwanda’s broader goals of improving educational standards and nurturing talent for the future.
The airline’s proactive response aims to provide flexibility and support to travelers affected by the disruptions.
The waiver, coded “WBRIW1DFSME,” allows passengers to make one free change to their travel dates until September 30, 2025.
RwandAir encouraged affected customers to contact its reservations team at reservations@rwandair.com or their travel agent for assistance in rescheduling their journeys.
“We’re pleased to offer this complimentary rebooking waiver to all affected passengers,” the airline stated in its update, emphasizing its commitment to passenger convenience during the crisis.
The cancellations, announced on Monday night, affected flights WB300 and WB303 between Kigali and Doha, as well as all services to and from Dubai.
The decision followed Qatar and the United Arab Emirates’ closure of their airspace in response to a significant military escalation in the Gulf.
Qatar’s air defense systems intercepted multiple Iranian missiles over Doha, launched by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in a strike targeting U.S. forces at Al Udeid Air Base.
The IRGC described the operation as retaliation for alleged U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. Qatar reported no casualties, but the airspace closures disrupted air travel across the region.
Following a brief suspension, Qatar Airways and Dubai Airports have confirmed the resumption of operations.
The 80-year-old leader is set to pick nomination papers this Saturday at the NRM Electoral Commission offices, aiming to retain his positions as NRM chairman and the party’s presidential flag bearer.
NRM Electoral Commission Chairman Dr. Tanga Odoi confirmed during a press conference that Museveni will personally express interest and collect nomination forms for both the party chairperson role and the presidential candidacy.
“Like other candidates, the President and National Chairman of NRM will express interest and also pick nomination forms by himself,” Dr. Tanga told journalists.
The process for expressing interest and collecting nomination forms for all NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) positions will run from June 26 to July 1, with candidate nominations scheduled for July 4.
Meanwhile, the NRM and other parties are actively vetting and clearing candidates, including those for parliamentary and district chairperson positions, a process that entered its second week on Monday.
The January 2026 elections will see Ugandans vote for both the president and lawmakers. Museveni has led Uganda since 1986.
