This milestone places Rwanda among 18 top regulatory authorities globally and one of the first eight in Africa to reach this level, underscoring its commitment to ensuring safe, effective, and high-quality medical products for its population.
This designation follows formal benchmarking by WHO, marking significant progress toward strengthening regulatory systems across the continent. The WHO benchmark, conducted with its Global Benchmarking Tool, evaluates regulatory systems against more than 250 indicators.
Maturity Level 4, the highest level, signifies an advanced regulatory system committed to ongoing improvement, while Maturity Level 3 indicates a stable, well-functioning, and integrated regulatory system.
The WHO global benchmarking process is part of WHO’s program to strengthen regulatory systems, evaluating core functions such as product authorization, market surveillance, and adverse event detection.
Regulatory authorities that reach ML3 and ML4 may qualify as WHO-listed Authorities after additional performance assessments.
Rwanda has attained ML3 level alongside Senegal, joining other African nations including Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.
According to WHO, both Rwanda and Senegal achieved ML3 through an assessment finalized in October 2024, in close collaboration with the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) and the WHO country offices in Rwanda and Senegal.
Commenting on the development, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said: “Achieving Maturity Level 3 is a remarkable achievement for both Senegal and Rwanda, underscoring their commitment to improving public health and regulatory excellence.”
“This milestone marks a step forward in Africa’s journey toward stronger, more resilient health systems that prioritize the safety and efficacy of medical products. Both countries serve as models for the continent and contribute to the collective vision of a healthier Africa,” she added.
Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products, said that this achievement for Senegal and Rwanda reflects the strong commitment of both countries to regulatory excellence.
“Senegal’s achievement also marks a first for a francophone country in Africa to reach ML3, underscoring the momentum toward the future operationalization of the African Medicines Agency. Rwanda’s achievement represents another milestone for the East African Region, being the second country after Tanzania, which became ML3 in 2018,” she noted.
Rwanda’s recognition followed a detailed evaluation conducted by WHO between December 2022 and October 2024. The assessment reviewed Rwanda FDA’s regulatory processes, systems, and compliance with international standards.
Achieving ML3 often takes more than five years, but Rwanda accomplished it in just two, reflecting its strong health sector reforms.
This certification allows Rwanda FDA to oversee the quality of locally manufactured vaccines, enabling them to be exported and recognized internationally. In contrast, medicines produced in countries without ML3 status are restricted from international marketing.
Prof. Emile Bienvenu, Director General of Rwanda FDA, expressed pride in the accomplishment, saying it reinforces Rwanda’s dedication to fostering sustainable investment and development in the health sector.
He also emphasized that while celebrating this milestone, Rwanda FDA will continue striving to maintain high-quality standards in medicines and vaccine regulation to safeguard public health.
Dr. Ngirente addressed the issue on December 6, 2024, during a press briefing on the country’s current state of affairs.
Recently, the government announced a decision to raise pension contributions.
Starting January 2025, pension contributions will rise to 12%, with employees and employers each contributing 6%. This marks an increase from the current combined rate of 6%, where both parties contribute 3%. By 2027, contributions will incrementally reach 20%, achieved through annual 2% increases until 2030.
The Prime Minister attributed the reform to Rwanda’s increasing life expectancy, now averaging 69 years and steadily rising. He noted that this progress means retirees could live as many years in retirement as they spent working, necessitating financial preparedness.
“It is commendable that Rwandans are living longer. However, we must ensure they do not live their later years in hardship,” Dr. Ngirente remarked. “A Rwandan deserves to live a long life and live it well.”
He stressed that the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) manages pension funds to secure citizens’ futures, describing contributions as essential savings.
“When people face challenging times, we return their savings,” Dr. Ngirente explained adding that this reform ensures that retirees can maintain a standard of living similar to when they were employed.
The Prime Minister emphasized that these changes are intended to benefit Rwandans by ensuring that retirees can afford essential needs such as housing and education for their children.
Addressing concerns from those who feel the adjustments may be abrupt or challenging for some employers to implement immediately, Dr. Ngirente assured that the government would support them in the transition.
“For companies that can implement the changes starting January, they should proceed. For those facing difficulties, we will require them to declare their situation transparently. Based on their requests, we will provide guidance and support,” he said.
“We are a government that accompanies its citizens. We will not abandon institutions that may struggle to meet the new requirements in January. There will be no crises. We have also engaged employers, and no employer wants to see an employee who worked for 20 or 30 years unable to afford basic needs like soap,” he added.
The Prime Minister urged all Rwandans to support the decision, emphasizing that it was made with their future well-being in mind.
According to a statement issued by the ministry, the closure is meant to ensure the integrity of the polls.
“The Ministry of the Interior has ordered the temporary closure of all land borders as part of measures to ensure the integrity of the Dec. 7 general elections,” said the statement.
The statement said the temporary closure is effective immediately and will end at 6 p.m. local time on Sunday.
The ministry urged all citizens and travelers to and from Ghana to cooperate with the security agencies in the course of enforcing the directive.
Ghana shares borders with Togo in the east, Cote d’Ivoire in the west, and Burkina Faso in the north.
Ghanaian voters will cast their ballots on Saturday to elect a new president and 276 parliamentarians.
As we approach the close of 2024, it is a perfect opportunity to reflect on the remarkable strides made in Rwanda’s agricultural sector.
In this article, we revisit the key moments and significant achievements that have shaped the agricultural landscape of Rwanda throughout 2024, marking it as a transformative year for the sector.
{{17th Rwanda National Agriculture Show}}
One of the key highlights of Rwanda’s agricultural calendar was the 17th Rwanda National Agriculture Show, which took place from July 31 to August 9, 2024, at the Mulindi showground in Gasabo District, Kigali.
This year’s event was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) under the theme “Building Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems.”
The show attracted over 470 exhibitors, showcasing the latest innovations and developments in the agricultural sector.
The exhibition was a vibrant display of cutting-edge technologies aimed at bolstering Rwanda’s food systems, with a focus on climate resilience and sustainability.
Among the notable exhibits were solar-powered irrigation systems, hydroponics, modern livestock management, mechanization technologies, and the integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in farming.
The Rwanda National Agriculture Show serves as a critical platform for stakeholders within the agriculture sector, including individual farmers, farmer organizations, financial service providers, and international entities supporting the industry.
The event provided an opportunity for participants to exchange knowledge, discover new products and services, and foster partnerships that will contribute to the creation of sustainable agricultural systems in Rwanda and the wider region.
At the opening ceremony, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Animal Resources, Eric Rwigamba, underscored the importance of collaboration within the agricultural sector to achieve food security.
He called on stakeholders to identify scalable solutions and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continued investment in agriculture.
{{Rwanda and Guinea sign MoU in agriculture}}
On June 3, 2024, Rwanda and Guinea-Conakry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in agriculture and animal resources.
The agreement, signed by Rwanda’s then Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Ildephonse Musafiri, and his Guinean counterpart, Felix Lamah, outlines areas of collaboration in crop and animal production, pest and disease control, and agricultural research.
The MoU encompasses a variety of initiatives, such as sharing knowledge and expertise in plant production, promoting value addition, and expanding market access for agricultural products.
Additionally, it includes the digitalization of agro-input distribution and agricultural insurance, as well as the fostering of innovation and technology transfer.
This partnership not only aims to improve agricultural productivity in both countries but also strengthens ties between Rwanda and Guinea in the pursuit of sustainable agricultural development.
{{Rwanda presents key investment opportunities in agriculture }}
On October 15, 2024, Rwanda showcased its agricultural investment opportunities at the Hand in Hand Investment Forum in Rome, Italy.
The forum, hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), highlighted the country’s ambition to transform its agricultural sector through substantial investments.
Rwanda presented five key investment opportunities totalling $785 million, focusing on areas with significant growth potential.
These include investments in tea, livestock, potatoes, horticulture, and beef production.
The tea sector alone saw a $289 million investment aimed at expanding cultivation and establishing a new factory in Nyamagabe, while $169.8 million was earmarked for enhancing poultry and pig production.
Additionally, investments of $63.8 million and $222.3 million will support potato production and the expansion of horticulture, respectively, focusing on high-value crops like avocado and chilli peppers.
These investments are aligned with Rwanda’s Fifth Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation (PSTA 5) for 2024-2029, which aims to build resilient and sustainable agri-food systems.
The then Minister of Agriculture, Ildephonse Musafiri, emphasized that these investment opportunities not only promise business growth but also contribute to job creation, especially for women and youth, and to the overall development of the agricultural sector.
{{Rwanda’s agricultural exports reach $3.2 billion over five years}}
Rwanda’s agricultural sector has made significant strides in terms of exports, with revenue from agricultural exports reaching $3.2 billion (over 4.3 trillion Rwandan Francs) between 2020 and 2024. This marked a significant milestone in the country’s agricultural export growth.
In the 2023/2024 fiscal year alone, agricultural exports generated $839.2 million (around Frw1.1 trillion), representing a slight decrease from the previous year.
Despite this, Rwanda continues to see strong export volumes, including 261.6 million kilograms of vegetables, fruits, and flowers, which contributed significantly to the nation’s economy.
Advancements in air transport, particularly through RwandAir, have played a crucial role in expanding Rwanda’s export capacity.
In 2023, RwandAir cargo flights transported 4,595 tons of goods to major international markets, including Dubai, the UK, and Belgium.
Rwanda’s government has set an ambitious goal to double its exports to $7.3 billion over the next five years, with agricultural exports expected to grow significantly as part of this vision.
{{Rwanda hosts Africa Food Systems Forum 2024}}
From September 2-6, 2024, Rwanda hosted the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum) in Kigali. The forum brought together over 4,900 participants from across the globe to engage in discussions aimed at transforming Africa’s food systems.
The theme for this year’s forum was “Innovate, Accelerate, and Scale: Delivering Food Systems Transformation in a Digital and Climate Era.”
The forum addressed critical issues such as climate resilience, digital technologies, and the need for inclusive food systems across the African continent.
Rwanda’s Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente, called for governments to utilize digital technologies and implement climate-resilient practices to ensure food security for all Africans.
He also emphasized the importance of collaboration between governments, the private sector, and other stakeholders to drive the transformation of agriculture and secure sustainable food systems.
The AFS Forum provided a platform for sharing innovative policies, business models, and technologies that will help move Africa’s food systems forward.
Rwanda’s commitment to embracing innovation and evidence-based policymaking in its agricultural sector was highlighted as a key driver of the country’s ongoing transformation.
{{Rwanda hosts the 6th African Tea Convention and Exhibition}}
In October 2024, Rwanda also had the honour of hosting the 6th African Tea Convention and Exhibition in Kigali.
The event, held from October 9-11 at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village, brought together industry leaders, innovators, and tea enthusiasts from around the world to discuss the future of tea in Africa.
The convention, under the theme “Harmony in the Cup: Promoting Tea for People and the Planet,” attracted 476 delegates, including 108 international participants.
The exhibition showcased a wide array of tea-related products, advanced technologies, and sustainability practices in the tea industry.
The event underscored the importance of promoting environmentally-friendly practices and innovations within the tea sector.
Rwanda, known for its high-quality tea production, was able to demonstrate its leadership in the industry while fostering global collaborations.
{{Rwanda showcases its floriculture at IFTF 2024 in the Netherlands}}
Rwanda’s floriculture sector also took centre stage on the global stage in early November 2024 at the 14th edition of the International Flower Trade Fair (IFTF) in the Netherlands.
As one of the world’s largest flower trade events, IFTF 2024 attracted a record number of exhibitors, including Rwanda’s delegation, which showcased premium flowers under the Rwanda Fresh brand.
The event provided a platform for Rwanda to engage with international buyers, strengthen its position in the global flower market, and showcase the country’s commitment to sustainable floriculture practices.
Rwanda’s participation at IFTF 2024 was a strategic move to elevate its floriculture industry, with experts like Ms. Janet Basiima, Division Manager at the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), highlighting the opportunity to elevate Rwanda’s flowers on a global scale.
The victim was reportedly visiting a worker at Rutatina’s farm in Murundi Sector, Kayonza District. The incident allegedly occurred on November 27, 2024, when farm workers, acting under Rutatina’s instructions, attacked the visitor.
Medical reports from the hospital where the victim sought treatment confirm that their condition is steadily improving.
RIB has announced that the case file involving Rutatina and ten of his workers will be handed over to the Prosecution this Friday.
The Bureau has advised citizens to avoid taking justice into their own hands, as such actions are punishable by law. Instead, Rwandans are encouraged to report any grievances to the relevant authorities.
Maj Gen (Rtd) Rutatina retired from the Rwanda Defense Force in 2016, where he previously served as the Head of Military Intelligence (J2).
The announcement was made on December 5, 2024, by Théophile Mbonera, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, during an event hosted by the Legal Aid Forum (LAF) in collaboration with Kenya’s Kituo Cha Sheria, a legal advice center.
The event presented findings from a study conducted between late 2022 and 2023 on the impact of digitization in advancing justice systems in Rwanda and Kenya after Covid-19 pandemic.
The annual number of new cases in Rwandan courts rose from 75,000 in the 2019–2020 period to 89,000 in 2023–2024. This increase highlights how digital tools like IECMS have streamlined judicial processes and enhanced efficiency.
Technology has also played a pivotal role in the operations of mediation committees, known locally as Abunzi, through a system called Ganubutabera. Between June 2023 and June 2024, these committees handled 23,000 cases, achieving an impressive 99% resolution rate.
Despite these advancements, challenges persist, particularly for individuals who are illiterate or live in areas with limited internet access or electricity.
LAF Executive Director Andrews Kananga pointed out that while many Rwandans have embraced digital tools, the study revealed ongoing issues such as literacy barriers, limited connectivity in rural areas, and data security risks associated with using cyber cafés for legal processes.
To address these challenges, the Ministry of Justice has implemented measures such as training individuals to assist citizens in navigating IECMS at cyber cafés. However, concerns about privacy and data protection remain, as sensitive personal information may not always be adequately safeguarded.
The government is also advancing initiatives like the “Byikorere” program, which aims to empower citizens to independently use digital justice platforms. Continuous awareness campaigns and skills training are considered essential to ensure broader access and usability.
Mbonera emphasized the importance of these efforts, noting that cyber café services will remain available until digital tools are fully accessible to all citizens. He also acknowledged the significant contributions of non-governmental organizations like LAF in expanding access to justice.
Over the years, LAF has been instrumental in providing legal aid in 120,000 cases, representing 430 individuals in court, advising 14,000 others, and resolving 1,263 cases through mediation. The organization has also facilitated specialized services such as advocacy and DNA testing in 62 cases.
Rwanda’s continued investment in technology, combined with partnerships with civil society organizations, is expected to further enhance its justice system, ensuring it becomes more accessible and efficient for all citizens.
The report, launched at the African Investment Forum on December 4, reveals that the sector reached $1.3 billion in 2024 and is expected to continue expanding rapidly in the coming years.
A key driver of this growth is the $2 billion Bugesera International Airport project, one of the largest infrastructure initiatives in the country.
In addition to the airport project, the report highlights that Rwanda’s construction growth is supported by the implementation of new strategies aimed at boosting key industries, particularly in pharmaceuticals and ICT.
Across East Africa, the construction sector reached $48.1 billion in 2024, accounting for a quarter of Africa’s total construction value.
The region is projected to see this figure nearly double by 2028, reaching $73 billion. Key contributors to this growth include Tanzania’s focus on modern railway construction, Ethiopia’s industrial park developments, and Kenya’s $3.4 billion oil exploration project in South Lokichar, set to commence between 2024 and 2025.
Rwanda’s continued infrastructure development positions it as one of the fastest-growing construction markets in Africa over the next decade.
The agreement was signed on Thursday, December 5, in Kigali between the Inspector General of Police (IGP) CG Felix Namuhoranye and his visiting counterpart of The Gambia, Gen. Seedy Muctar Touray.
Gen. Touray and his delegation arrived in Rwanda on December 1, for a week-long visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two police institutions.
The cooperation pact guides the two institutions to work together in activities related to fighting transnational crimes and terrorism, exchange of information, training and expertise, among others.
During the bilateral meeting on Monday, December 2, IGP Namuhoranye said that the friendship and collaboration between the RNP and Gambia Police Force is a significant step forward and an opportunity for both sides to strengthen relations, expand their partnership, share knowledge and experience, and to find appropriate solutions to the evolving security challenges.
Gen. Touray also said that this partnership is in the right direction as government of The Gambia is on a journey to reform its security institutions, including Gambia Police Force.
He added that cooperation with the RNP presents an opportunity to learn from each other, particularly learn from Rwanda’s experience in international peace and security operations.
Kigali has recently witnessed a growing urban mobility problem and a high volume of traffic requiring significant adjustments to urban transport design and systems.
Congestion and long queues are prevalent at most major junctions, increasing operating costs, travel times, disruption, and traffic conflicts.
Through “Kigali Urban Transport Improvement Project”, Rwanda seeks to put an end to that and improve the efficiency, inclusivity and safety of road transport mobility.
The funds to support this initiative were agreed at the Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan on 2 December.
The lack of an inclusive urban mobility system, such as dedicated bus lanes, a non-motorised transport system and limited integration between different public transport networks, exacerbates transport problems and has led citizens to opt for motorbike taxis, the number of which is increasing in urban areas, putting users at risk of accidents.
According to Aïssa Touré Sarr, the African Development Bank’s Country Manager for Rwanda, the project will focus on improving three of the seven crucial junctions identified as bottlenecks so as to have more efficient, sustainable and user-friendly urban transport infrastructure.
“Ultimately, the investments should make it possible to mitigate the current and future challenges of urban mobility in Kigali and pave the way for a just transition to a more sustainable and efficient urban transport system, thereby transforming into a low-carbon sector,” she said.
The project provides for the construction of prioritised junctions with provisions for public transport (bus lanes) and non-motorised traffic at the three junctions in question.
It also includes the building of infrastructure to help uplift the social status of communities in Kigali, including the upgrading of bus stops, and safe and well-lit public transport stations that are convenient for nursing mothers and pregnant women, and that will protect waiting bus travellers from the rain.
Pavements and pedestrian crossings to accommodate all citizens, including people with disabilities, will be installed to improve mobility and safety.
The 2022 Population Census indicates that the city of Kigali, which boasted a population of 1.7 million that is expected to grow to 3.8 million by 2050.
[Click this link to view the list of graduands and read the message from the Vice-Chancellor: Mount Kenya University 26th Graduation->file:///C:/Users/LENOVO/Downloads/MKU%20DEC%202024%20GRADUATES.pdf]
