The note was launched in honor of the late former president’s exceptional contributions to the country. Geingob passed away on Feb. 4, 2024, while receiving cancer treatment.
Mbumba, in his keynote address, commended the late president, noting that he was a “nation builder.”
The note cements his vision and contributions to Namibia, with the unique banknote serving as a lasting tribute to his impact on the nation, he said.
The 60-Namibian-dollar note, which is a collector’s item and a one-off print, will be used as legal tender.
Bank of Namibia Governor Johannes Gawaxab explained that Geingob devoted 60 years of his life to the selfless service of this nation, encompassing his time in exile, his return, and his leadership in an independent Namibia.
“Thus, the number 60 carries profound symbolic meaning, reflecting his extensive commitment to the country throughout these decades,” he added.
Gawaxab also said the central bank will introduce a new series of banknotes and coins in June. “This series will incorporate the latest security features while ensuring our banknotes and coins remain modern, resilient, and secure.”
In 2020, to celebrate Namibia’s 30th anniversary of independence, the Bank of Namibia issued its first-ever commemorative banknote, the 30 Namibian dollar note, printed on a polymer substrate for added durability. This note features the faces of Namibian founding President Sam Nujoma, former President Hifikepunye Pohamba, and Geingob, symbolizing the smooth transfer of power and the legacy of peace, stability, and progress.
The incident took place on the Rusizi-Nyamasheke road, just beyond the Kinini trading center in Rwesero Cell, Kagano Sector.
Around 5 pm, as the students were walking home, they reached a spot near Konsaseri when the truck, traveling at high speed, struck Uwamahoro.
Local residents have reported frequent accidents in the area, with crashes occurring almost every three months.
Rwanda National Police Spokesperson for Road Safety, SP Emmanuel Kayigi, attributed the accident to the driver’s recklessness.
“The truck that hit her was crossing the road and veering off its lane. If the driver hadn’t been careless, he wouldn’t have struck her. The truck went off the road near where the child was walking,” SP Kayigi said.
He also mentioned that the community’s request to install road signs near the accident site to indicate the proximity of the school as a preventive measure to reduce future accidents, will be reviewed.
“We didn’t know that accidents were frequent in this area, but based on the information we’ve received, we will work with the relevant authorities to assess its feasibility to reduce accidents, as our priority is ensuring the safety of the people,” he added.
Eyewitnesses described the scene, stating that after hitting the child, the truck dragged her along, leaving parts of her body scattered on the road.
Investigations revealed that the driver and conductor were drinking banana brew found in the vehicle. The driver is currently detained at the Kagano Police Station, while the victim’s body was taken to Kibogora Hospital.
Dr. Butera made this statement on March 6, 2025, during a session with the Committee on Governance Affairs and Gender of the Chamber of Deputies.
He highlighted Rwanda’s commitment to advancing its healthcare sector, ensuring that services previously sought abroad are now available locally.
“We are seeing positive outcomes from these services. So far, 44 kidney transplants have been performed in Rwanda since the program began, and all the patients are doing well,” he said.
Patients in need of a kidney transplant must have a donor, who can be a family member, a friend, or any willing individual who meets the medical requirements.
Before this service was introduced in Rwanda, the government had to send over 70 patients abroad for kidney transplants, costing more than Rwf 800 million.
Typically, undergoing a kidney transplant in India costs between $7,400 and $14,000, depending on factors such as the patient’s age, blood type, and the hospital where the procedure is performed.
Medical experts point out that patients who undergo transplants abroad often face challenges, including difficulties in post-surgery follow-up care once they return home.
In May 2023, King Faisal Hospital in Kigali launched kidney transplant services, a highly specialized procedure that was previously only available abroad at a high cost.
Although official statistics on kidney disease prevalence in Rwanda are not available, studies indicate that up to 10% of the population may suffer from chronic kidney disease, while around 40% may have mild kidney issues that can be treated and fully cured.
Dr. Butera also reported significant progress in heart surgery, with more than 500 procedures successfully conducted since the program’s launch.
“We have performed heart surgeries on 356 children and 186 adults here in Rwanda since we started this initiative,” he stated.
King Faisal Hospital also offers advanced procedures to correct congenital heart defects in children using catheterization technology, which eliminates the need for open-heart surgery.
Dr. Butera emphasized that the number of patients sent abroad for treatment has significantly decreased, thanks to the availability of specialized services within Rwanda.
To further enhance healthcare accessibility, the government has implemented cost reductions on various medical services. For instance, the cost of a full-body scan has been reduced by 65%.
These specialized medical services are now available at King Faisal Hospital, one of the region’s leading healthcare institutions providing world-class medical care.
This year’s Level Up Your Biz edition empowered 40 MTN Agents with essential business skills to enhance their operations. Among them, 10 MTN Agents stood out with the most outstanding solutions to real distribution channel challenges, with the top three winners securing the highest recognition.
Mapula Bodibe, CSI Chairperson and MTN Rwanda Chief Executive Officer highlighted that, beyond providing communication and internet services, the initiative aligns with the telecom’s committment to contributing to Rwanda’s Vision 2050 of becoming a high-income country, .
“By equipping our agents with the necessary training, we empower them to become job creators, driving economic growth and transforming their lives. Inclusion is at the heart of what we do, and we believe that by working together, we can build a future that benefits all Rwandans,” she said.
Bayigana Alexis from Gasabo District clinched first place, winning Rwf 5 million in float, while Dusabimana Adelphine from Rulindo District secured second place with Rwf 3.5 million in float. Tuyishime Baraka from Nyamasheke District earned third place, receiving Rwf 2.5 million in float.
Beyond their cash prizes, the top three winners will also benefit from a revamp of their current working environment, further enhancing their business operations. The remaining seven MTN agents were each awarded Rwf 500,000 in float, reinforcing MTN Rwanda’s commitment to supporting and uplifting its agents.
“At Inkomoko we believe Solutions can be found here. The solutions to many challenges will be found by entrepreneurs on this continent. We are tremendously proud of the 10 agents from the pool of 5,000 who made it out. Our biggest wish is that your businesses will reach a new level and thrive and that this program will change your life,” said Helle Dahl Rasmussen, Business Growth Director, Inkomoko Rwanda.
MTN Rwanda is encouraging organizations across the country to join efforts in advancing Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation, playing an active role in driving sustainable development and achieving the Vision 2050 goal of becoming a high-income nation.
By creating jobs, the people of Rwanda are empowered with economic opportunities that improve their livelihoods, enhance financial inclusion, and drive innovation. This collective effort not only strengthens local businesses and industries but also contributes to a more resilient and self-sustaining economy, paving the way for long-term national prosperity.
{{About MTN Rwandacell }}
MTN Rwandacell Plc (MTN Rwanda) is the market leader in mobile telecommunications in Rwanda. Since 1998, it has continuously invested in expanding and modernising its network and leading digital solutions for Rwanda’s progress.
The telecom offers various services to subscribers, including innovative propositions such as personalised voice and data offers for individuals and corporates with a clear vision to lead the delivery of a bold, new digital world to customers with a belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life.
{{About Inkomoko}}
Inkomoko is a consulting firm that supports micro and small enterprises across Africa so that they can grow to create jobs, improve livelihoods, and create thriving communities. It started its work in Rwanda eleven years ago and has now opened offices in Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Chad.
Dr. Wissing expressed his views in an interview with IGIHE after touring Rwanda’s booth at the trade fair, running from March 4–6, 2025, with over 160 countries taking part.
He was received by Irène Murerwa, the Chief Tourism Officer at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), leading the Rwandan delegation alongside Igor Cesar, the Rwandan Ambassador to Germany.
“It’s a wonderful stand here at the ITB exhibition and Rwanda is presented from its best side. I can recommend discovering Rwanda, an amazing country with wonderful people and beautiful nature,” Dr. Wissing stated, expressing his admiration for the display.
Dr. Wissing, who has visited Rwanda multiple times, also shared his personal experience of the country, assuring potential travelers of Rwanda’s unique offerings.
“I had the opportunity to come to Rwanda several times, and every time it’s really a new discovery of wonderful people, beautiful nature. It’s a country very well developed with good infrastructure and economic growth, and of course, very attractive also for tourists,” he said.
The Rwandan delegation, led by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) alongside the Rwandan Embassy in Germany, is represented at ITB Berlin 2025 by 14 tour operators and travel agents.
The country is showcasing its diverse attractions, travel packages, and unparalleled wildlife experiences to a global audience. Rwanda’s presentation aims to solidify its position as a must-visit destination for international travelers.
Speaking about the importance of Rwanda’s participation in the event, Rwanda’s Ambassador to Germany, Igor Cesar expressed pride in the country’s growing prominence on the world tourism stage, highlighting the presence of over 5,800 tour operators at the exhibition.
“I’m very excited for the opportunity of Rwanda, Visit Rwanda, to be among the prime destinations of the world,” Ambassador Cesar noted.
He emphasized that Rwanda’s participation at the event offers great opportunities for tour operators to connect with the global market and expand their networks.
Known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” Rwanda offers a stunning blend of natural beauty, rich culture, and unique wildlife experiences.
From lush national parks teeming with wildlife to vibrant cities and the hospitality of its people, Rwanda is becoming a top destination for travelers seeking both adventure and relaxation.
Rwanda is particularly renowned for its mountain gorillas and chimpanzee trekking experiences, but it also offers luxury escapes, rugged camping, and much more.
The country’s tourism industry has seen significant growth, with visitor numbers rising from 521,000 in 2021 to 1.4 million in 2023. Projections suggest this number will double by 2029, coinciding with the expansion of RwandAir’s routes and services.
Local tour operators continue to ensure a seamless and memorable experience for visitors, making Rwanda an increasingly popular choice for tourists from around the globe.
Countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany recently announced sanctions against Rwanda, which include halting development cooperation.
These nations accuse Rwanda of having troops in eastern DRC and supporting the M23 armed group.
However, the Rwandan government has strongly rejected these accusations, asserting that Rwandan forces are not on DRC’s territory and are not aiding the M23.
The government further clarified that, instead, the DRC government is cooperating with the FDLR, a terrorist group aimed at destabilizing Rwanda.
Gen (Rtd) Kabarebe emphasized that these countries should be supporting the processes initiated by African leaders to restore peace in eastern DRC, adding that sanctions would not provide a solution.
Gen (Rtd) Kabarebe made the disclosure during a consultation meeting with members of Parliament on March 5, 2025, where he emphasized that the sanctions imposed on Rwanda are driven by the countries’ own interests, particularly their desire for minerals from the DRC.
“All of them are after their own interests in Congo, nothing else. What they see in Congo is minerals,” he said.
Gen (Rtd) Kabarebe pointed to Canada as an example, noting that the country recently halted new trade cooperation with Rwanda.
He highlighted that Canada controls a major mine in the Walikale territory in North Kivu, home to the world’s largest deposit of Cassiterite.
“For Canadians, it’s nothing else. In Walikale, they have the Cassiterite mine, the largest in the world, known as Alpha Mines. There is nothing surprising when they impose sanctions on Rwanda.”
Several European nations, including Belgium, Germany, and France, are home to individuals who spread genocide ideology through social media, published writings, and books.
According to the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), 3,179 people have been investigated for genocide-related offenses between 2019 and 2024.
Deputy Prosecutor General Bonaventure Ruberwa disclosed these efforts during a consultative meeting organized by Rwanda’s Parliament on March 5, 2025.
The discussion focused on the persistence of genocide ideology, its consequences, and strategies to counter it.
Ruberwa emphasized that Rwanda is gathering evidence against individuals living abroad who deny or trivialize the Genocide against the Tutsi, with the goal of prosecuting them in their host countries.
He noted that many of these individuals are concentrated in Belgium and France, despite both nations having laws that criminalize genocide denial.
“For some time now, we have observed that many of these individuals are in Belgium. Most of them are children of parents who committed the Genocide against the Tutsi. They established an organization called Jambo News, which runs media platforms that extensively spread genocide ideology. Others, like Father Thomas Nahimana, use social media to deny and trivialize the Genocide,” he said.
The NPPA is taking concrete steps to collect evidence, particularly in countries such as France and Belgium, where legal frameworks allow the prosecution of individuals, regardless of nationality, who engage in genocide denial while residing there.
“We are compiling evidence to file cases in these countries, given that their laws permit prosecuting individuals, whether citizens or foreigners, who spread genocide denial while on their soil,” Ruberwa explained.
He also urged the public to report any materials, such as books, articles, or social media content, that promote genocide denial or ideology so they can be used as evidence in legal proceedings.
“We call for cooperation in investigations to ensure these individuals face justice in their host countries. If you come across books, articles, or social media content that promote genocide denial, please report them. This is especially critical as young people are increasingly exposed to these messages through platforms like Jambo News,” he stated.
Rwanda’s Parliament has also raised concerns about the influence of anti-Rwanda rhetoric on communities living near border regions.
Lawmakers warned that some residents consume online content from individuals abroad who oppose Rwanda, potentially misleading them if they lack proper analytical skills and critical thinking.
Speaking at a consultative meeting with members of Rwanda’s Parliament on March 5, 2025, Gen (Rtd) Kabarebe discussed the spread of genocidal ideology in the region, its consequences, and strategies to counter it.
He disclosed that Tshisekedi became convinced of his ability to take over Rwanda when he aligned himself with the FDLR terrorist group in the fight against the M23 rebels.
According to Gen (Rtd) Kabarebe, Tshisekedi’s hostility toward M23 intensified after the group was excluded from peace talks in Nairobi in April 2022. He vowed to eliminate them and “send them back to Rwanda” simply because many of their fighters spoke Kinyarwanda.
“Instead of solely targeting M23, Tshisekedi turned his aggression toward Rwanda. He openly declared that he would fire at M23 fighters and drive them into Rwanda just because they spoke Kinyarwanda and shared aspects of Rwandan culture,” Gen (Rtd) Kabarebe explained.
He further revealed that Tshisekedi, along with FDLR leaders and his military generals, devised a plan to invade Rwanda after defeating M23 in North Kivu. The ultimate goal was to overthrow the Rwandan government, and Tshisekedi envisioned himself raising the DRC flag in Kigali.
“When Tshisekedi launched his offensive against M23, he relied on FDLR forces. The FDLR assured him they would crush M23, pursue them into Rwanda, and that by the time the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting [CHOGM] took place in Kigali on June 20, 2022, he would already be in the Rwandan capital, having hoisted the DRC flag. His generals and the FDLR fed him these illusions, and he believed them,” Gen (Rtd) Kabarebe stated.
The CHOGM summit, which brings together leaders from English-speaking nations, was held in Kigali from June 20 to 25, 2022. This event occurred shortly after FDLR and DRC military forces shelled Rwanda’s Musanze District in May and June of that year.
Gen (Rtd) Kabarebe attributed Tshisekedi’s misguided belief in an easy victory to his lack of military experience.
“He was a new president, a civilian with no understanding of warfare. The FDLR convinced him he would win, and he fell for it. He truly believed he could defeat Rwanda and intensified his efforts,” he said.
Despite calls from East African Community (EAC) heads of state urging him to halt attacks on Rwanda, Tshisekedi refused. Instead, he bolstered his military capabilities, preparing for direct confrontation with Rwanda.
As part of this strategy, he collaborated with various militias under the Wazalendo alliance, a coalition known for its anti-Rwandan and anti-Tutsi ideology.
“The Wazalendo militias, especially the Nyatura faction, were created by the FDLR, which embedded its commanders within their ranks to strengthen their influence. Essentially, these so-called Congolese ‘patriotic’ forces are an extension of the FDLR,” Gen (Rtd) Kabarebe explained.
On January 27, 2025, when M23 captured the city of Goma, the DRC army, FDLR, and Wazalendo forces launched an attack on Rwanda’s Rubavu District, killing 16 civilians. Gen (Rtd) Kabarebe revealed that this assault had been planned in advance.
Following M23’s takeover of Goma, Rwanda’s government confirmed intelligence reports indicating that DRC forces, in collaboration with the FDLR, had planned a major offensive against Rwanda. Heavy DRC artillery had been positioned facing Rwanda, ready for an attack.
However, Gen (Rtd) Kabarebe emphasized that Tshisekedi’s plan to invade Rwanda ultimately failed. He credited Rwanda’s robust defense strategies, reinforced after previous attacks on Musanze, for successfully repelling threats, including the attempted invasion on January 27.
He made these remarks during a consultative meeting organized by Parliament on March 5, 2025. The discussion focused on the prevalence of genocide ideology in the region, its consequences, and strategies for combating it.
Gen (Rtd) Kabarebe highlighted that the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) involves multiple armed groups, including the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), the FDLR genocidal terrorist group, and SAMIRDC. Notably, he pointed out the presence of European mercenaries fighting illegally under international law.
“The international community has never addressed the issue of mercenaries in the DRC, despite it being a clear violation of international law. When it was suggested that they exit Goma through Rwanda on their way home, there was strong opposition,” he stated.
“Western nations objected. Some embassies here strongly opposed the idea, warning us not to allow these individuals to leave MONUSCO camps and cross into Rwanda. What were they afraid of? They feared humiliation. They did not want to be exposed.”
He further explained that these countries deliberately concealed the presence of mercenaries to avoid disgrace.
“They completely covered it up to ensure these mercenaries remained unknown to the public. Another major concern was the optics of Rwandan soldiers and police searching White individuals at the border. Had these mercenaries been Black, their presence would have been acknowledged and widely reported. However, because they were White, they were shielded from public scrutiny, even to this day.”
In late January 2025, more than 280 mercenaries were escorted through the Rwanda-DRC border after being captured by the M23 rebel group.
These mercenaries, belonging to the Romanian-based RALF group, had been fighting alongside the Congolese Army against M23 since 2022.
This comes in the wake of allegations of supporting the M23 rebel group during the fighting with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)’s army and its coalition.
Rwanda has repeatedly denied these claims while raising concerns about the DRC’s collaboration with the FDLR, a genocidal terrorist group that threatens its security.
In a statement released on March 4, 2025, Germany announced that it will suspend new financial commitments, review existing development cooperation with Rwanda, and halt high-level participation in development-related events organized by the Rwandan government.
Rwanda, in response, criticized Germany’s stance as “wrong and counterproductive,” accusing Berlin of reinforcing the DRC’s aggressive posture and prolonging the conflict.
“Germany contradicts its own claims of supporting the African-led process to resolve the conflict in eastern DRC by letting the DRC off the hook for numerous violations,” Rwanda’s Foreign Ministry stated.
The statement further condemned Germany for failing to acknowledge the threat posed by the DRC-backed FDLR militia, which has targeted both Rwandan security and Congolese Tutsi communities.
“For a country which prides itself on taking seriously the warning signs of ethnic extremism, Germany shows an utter lack of courage by ignoring the threat posed by DRC-backed FDLR genocidal militias,” the statement read.
Rwanda also called out Germany for adopting a one-sided approach, arguing that historical responsibility for the region’s instability should warrant a more balanced and constructive engagement.
“Countries like Germany that bear a historical responsibility for the recurring instability in this region should know better than to apply one-sided, coercive measures,” the statement emphasized.
Despite Germany’s actions, Rwanda reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding national security while continuing to engage in the regional peace process.
“Rwanda will continue to protect its national security while remaining fully engaged in the ongoing regional peace process,” the government declared.
Germany’s move comes amid ongoing tensions in the Great Lakes region, where Rwanda has consistently called for international actors to take a more impartial approach in addressing security concerns.
