The handover ceremony was held on November 15, 2024, at the bank’s headquarters in Kigali. Sayinzoga has been a member of the Board of Directors at Bank of Africa since 2021, contributing significantly to the bank’s strategic development. Ntaganda will remain a member of the board despite stepping down from the chairperson role.
Sayinzoga brings a wealth of experience in banking, having held various leadership roles throughout her career. Within the Bank of Africa, she has played a pivotal role in driving strategic initiatives and spearheading innovative projects. Her extensive expertise positions her well to guide the bank in its next phase of growth.
In her new role, Sayinzoga is tasked with overseeing the implementation of strategies aligned with the bank’s vision and governance priorities. She aims to build on the solid foundation established by her predecessor, who helped position Bank of Africa as a prominent player in Rwanda’s financial market, especially through its technology-driven services.
After assuming her new responsibilities, Sayinzoga expressed her dedication to advancing the bank’s mission.
“The foundation has been established, and Bank of Africa is well-positioned for growth and poised to pursue an assertive market presence. I look forward to working with the management, board, and staff to make a meaningful impact on Rwanda’s financial sector,” she said.
Established in Rwanda in 2015, Bank of Africa – Rwanda is part of the larger Bank of Africa Group, which operates in 18 African countries and extends its reach to France and China. The group is headquartered in Casablanca, Morocco, and Dakar, Senegal.
With 14 branches across Rwanda—eight in Kigali and six in other provinces—Bank of Africa – Rwanda has solidified its reputation as a trusted financial partner, offering innovative and customer-focused banking solutions tailored to the Rwandan market.
Rwanda reported its first case of Marburg virus on September 27, 2024, primarily affecting healthcare workers attending to patients. A total of 66 cases were recorded, with 51 recoveries and 15 fatalities.
On November 15, the Ministry highlighted that 14 days had passed since the last new case was detected in the country, and it had been eight days since the final patient was discharged from the hospital.
Hospitals dedicated to treating Marburg cases have since been closed, and the Ministry confirmed that individuals who had been in contact with patients had completed their monitoring period.
Despite this milestone, authorities stressed that preventive measures remain active, with recovered patients still under medical observation to ensure public safety.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana recently announced that the Marburg outbreak in Rwanda is officially over.
However, he underlined the need for continued surveillance of bats identified as the virus’s source. He shared that the bats linked to the outbreak were located at a mining site near Kigali, and monitoring efforts have been extended to other caves nationwide.
Dr. Nsanzimana noted that advanced technologies are being employed to track these bats and prevent future outbreaks.
The World Health Organization (WHO) explained that an outbreak can only be declared officially over after a 42-day period without new cases, starting from the discharge of the last patient.
The Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) reported on November 16, 2024, that 33 days remain before Rwanda can confirm the virus is no longer present in the country.
These insights emerged during a virtual seminar organized by the Africa-China Review publication, in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda.
The event, themed “24 Years of FOCAC: The Impact of China-Africa Cooperation,” was held on Thursday 14, November and explored the strategic achievements of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), highlighting its role as a model for South-South cooperation.
Since its inception in 2000, FOCAC has become a cornerstone in China-Africa relations, facilitating cooperation through summits held every three years, alternating between China and African nations.
China has remained Africa’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, with bilateral trade reaching a record 282.1 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, and expected to surpass $300 billion in 2035.
The latest summit, held in Beijing in September 2023, marked another milestone, with leaders from over 50 African nations joining Chinese President Xi Jinping and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to strengthen this evolving partnership.
During the summit, Xi called for elevating China-Africa relations to the level of “all-weather” strategic partnerships, a concept aimed at building a long-term, collaborative future for both regions.
To further solidify this commitment, President Xi pledged RMB 360 billion (approximately USD 50.7 billion) in financial support for Africa over the next three years.
These funds will support the implementation of 10 partnership action plans, to be implemented in the next three years, covering areas of; mutual learning among civilizations, trade prosperity, industrial chain cooperation, connectivity, development cooperation, health, agriculture and livelihoods, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, green development and common security.
At the seminar, Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Wang Xuekun affirmed China’s dedication to implementing FOCAC outcomes, expressing China’s commitment to “work with Rwanda and other African brothers and sisters to strengthen South-South cooperation.”
Amb. Wang emphasized China’s willingness to support Africa’s modernization efforts and the vision of a shared future.
Former Somalian Deputy Prime Minister currently serving as a parliamentarian, Mahdi Gulaid reflected on the transformative journey of FOCAC, noting that it represents a unique platform for inclusive growth.
He pointed out that, over the past 24 years, China’s involvement in Africa has spanned critical areas of development including infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture.
Gulaid noted, “This journey is a testament to what can be achieved when regions work together towards shared aspirations.”
The event also addressed China’s development-oriented initiatives, such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and global security frameworks, which support Africa’s industrialization goals.
“China’s collaboration with Africa is rooted in mutual respect and has been instrumental in realizing Africa’s Agenda 2063,” Gulaid added. For instance, in Somalia, Chinese-built infrastructure, such as stadiums and hospitals, has contributed to local economic development.
Rwandan government representative Virgile Rwanyagatare, Director General for Asia, Pacific, and Middle East Affairs, characterized FOCAC as a platform for people-to-people collaboration across diplomacy, economy, and culture.
He commended the enduring partnership between Rwanda and China, which has fostered projects in healthcare, education, and infrastructure, supported by Chinese grants and concessional loans.
Since 2019, China’s investments in Rwanda have surpassed USD 1.2 billion, spanning key sectors like manufacturing, construction, and mining.
“Rwanda is committed to implementing FOCAC outcomes for the social and economic advancement of our people,” Rwanyagatare stated, emphasizing the importance of ongoing collaboration.
China’s contributions to Rwanda are further exemplified by projects like the upgrade of Masaka District Hospital, which will form part of the Kigali University Teaching Hospital (CHUK) and expand its capacity to 837 beds.
The two nations have also seen bilateral trade reach $ 550 million in 2023, with a notable 86.2% increase in Chinese imports from Rwanda.
Rwanyagatare expressed optimism about FOCAC’s role in strengthening Africa-China relations.
Mushahid Hussain, Chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute, remarked that the modernization journeys of China and Africa have become essential components of global progress.
He observed that China’s approach to development, devoid of conditionalities, is based on “peaceful development, win-win cooperation, and inclusivity.”
Hussain praised the BRI as “the most significant global initiative of the 21st century,” advocating for Africa’s continued partnership with China.
Adding to this perspective, Dr. Wang Wen, Executive Dean of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, underscored the FOCAC summit’s impact on strengthening relations.
He highlighted China’s extensive infrastructure projects in Africa, where Chinese enterprises have constructed over 10,000 kilometers of railways, 100,000 kilometers of highways, and built or upgraded numerous ports, medical facilities, and schools.
Dr. Wang remarked, “The FOCAC platform promotes revolutionary development in history,” asserting that FOCAC and similar initiatives are catalysts for economic cooperation.
University of Rwanda lecturer Dr. Ismael Buchanan acknowledged that the China-Africa friendship is rooted in years of support and collaboration, recalling China’s assistance in critical times such as the post-independence era and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He noted that China’s cooperation in human resources, education, and skill development has bridged the skills gap, benefiting more than 200 Rwandan students who have graduated from Chinese institutions.
“China’s support has been vital for Africa’s human resources development, and we are confident in this new chapter of our cooperation,” Buchanan said.
Mubarak Mugabo, a journalist working with Vision Group in Uganda, applauded the opportunities created through FOCAC, which have enabled many Africans, including himself, to pursue higher education in China. Mugabo completed his postgraduate studies at Peking University, an experience he described as transformative.
He further underscored China’s pivotal role in Uganda’s socio-economic development, particularly in addressing the country’s electricity challenges after independence. Through the construction of hydropower plants and the funding of various infrastructure projects, China has significantly boosted Uganda’s energy capacity.
“Uganda’s electricity generation capacity now stands at 2,000 megawatts, and half of this—1,000 megawatts—has been achieved with funding from China,” he explained. Mugabo also noted that Uganda exports electricity to neighboring countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Kenya, with plans underway to extend exports to South Sudan.
Nigerian scholar Charles Onunaiju, Director of the Center for China Studies, argued that cooperation between China and Africa is key to building a shared future for humanity.
He stressed the importance of strengthening Africa’s domestic capacity through China’s support in infrastructure, suggesting that African nations leverage these opportunities to address strategic vulnerabilities and promote sustainable development.
Kenyan international relations expert Dr. Adhere Cavince reinforced this sentiment, describing China-Africa relations as “the model of South-South cooperation.”
He urged African countries to seek a deeper understanding of China’s development model to replicate some of its successes. However, he also recommended that African nations harmonize their development strategies to expedite regional transformation with the support of development partners.
As China and Africa continue to strengthen their ties, both regions remain committed to supporting each other in achieving their modernization goals.
He made this appeal in a statement following the conclusion of his weeklong mission to Rwanda, which took place from November 4 to 9, 2024.
His visit forms part of preparations for his regular biannual report to the United Nations Security Council.
During his stay, Prosecutor Brammertz held high-level discussions with key Rwandan officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, the Secretary-General of the National Intelligence and Security Service, Mr. Aimable Havugiyaremye, and the Prosecutor General, Angélique Habyarimana.
These meetings focused on reinforcing collaboration in the ongoing pursuit of justice for the atrocities committed three decades ago.
In collaboration with the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Ms. Alice Wairimu Nderitu, and Aegis Trust, Prosecutor Brammertz also spearheaded a series of high-level events in Kigali.
Aegis Trust is an international organization dedicated to preventing genocide, crimes against humanity, and mass atrocities across the globe.
These included a workshop for women community leaders, expert consultations on mediation for prevention, and an international conference on ethnicity and prevention. The initiatives aimed at developing actionable strategies to address challenges in genocide prevention globally.
{{Renewed call for Justice}}
Despite significant progress in holding perpetrators accountable, Prosecutor Brammertz emphasized the pressing need to bring fugitive génocidaires to justice.
“Many perpetrators have been punished for their crimes. But there is still much more work to be done. It is our responsibility to work together to ensure that fugitive génocidaires no longer enjoy safe haven and impunity,” he stated.
There are still over 1,000 fugitive génocidaires around the world. Mr. Brammertz highlighted his Office’s ongoing efforts to locate these individuals and support prosecutions in multiple countries.
“In the last year, my Office has provided legal, evidentiary, investigative, and strategic assistance in response to more than 30 separate requests, including concerning ongoing investigations and prosecutions in Rwanda, France, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, and the United States of America.”
{{Deepening international collaboration}}
The Prosecutor underscored the importance of international cooperation, pointing to the increased collaboration between the Office of the Prosecutor, Rwandan authorities, and justice systems in other countries.
“In addition, my Office has deepened our engagement with these and other partners, including by briefing the Eurojust Genocide Network and convening a trilateral meeting with the Prosecutor General of Rwanda and the Head of the French National Anti-Terrorism Prosecution Office,” he said.
Reflecting on the renewed momentum in Rwanda and internationally, he remarked, “It is evident that in Rwanda and elsewhere, there is a renewed urgency and dedication to achieving more justice for more victims and survivors of the Genocide.”
Brammertz highlighted that his Office is determined to provide national partners with the support and assistance they need to be successful in the courtroom and bring more génocidaires to account.
Through these collective efforts, the IRMCT aims to close the chapter of impunity and honor the memory of those who perished by delivering justice for the survivors and victims of the Genocide.
Elias Sithole, the head of South Africa’s National Disaster Management Center, declared a national disaster in an official notice dated Tuesday, citing the impact of the “severe weather.”
Disruptive rains, floods, strong winds and hail from Oct. 22 to 29 caused a significant impact in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Limpopo, North West, Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces, Sithole said.
The severe weather resulted in the loss of life, damage to property, infrastructure and the environment as well as the disruption of basic services, he said.
The storms and floods killed at least 10 people and displaced hundreds more in the Eastern Cape alone, according to local media reports.
“After assessing the magnitude and the severity… I classify the impact caused by this severe weather system in the areas listed as a national disaster,” Sithole stated.
The declaration of a national disaster will allow the national government to release funds to the affected provinces, enabling them to address the damage caused by the floods.
Navigating a difficult global landscape, China has remained committed to its regional development goals, focusing on the integration of sustainable technologies and digital advancements, Kasemsit, a member of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), said in a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua.
“China has been a very dedicated and consistent player in whatever they said they would do, and they have been on track,” he said.
From electric vehicles to renewable energy solutions, Kasemsit noted that China’s production and export capacity have enabled cost-effective access to technology, especially in sustainable sectors, essential for emerging economies striving to achieve their environmental targets.
Underscoring the importance of collaborative platforms in addressing common challenges ranging from digital transformation to food security and climate change, Kasemsit praised China’s vision for an Asia-Pacific Community with a Shared Future and highlighted the need for deeper cooperation among the 21 APEC member economies.
“China’s vision of a shared future is more pertinent than ever. We need more platforms to bring people together and discuss different issues that everyone is facing at the same time, so there is no point closing doors and trying to do away with organizations or groupings like APEC,” Kasemsit said.
As APEC heads into the 2024 summit hosted by Peru, Kasemsit expressed optimism about the continuation of inclusive and sustainable themes introduced in previous years while calling for a renewed focus on long-term collaboration, particularly in areas such as climate change, digital transformation and sustainable agriculture.
With steady commitment and collaboration, APEC will continue to advance economic integration, technological adoption and sustainable growth, he said.
APEC gatherings, renowned for blending economic discussions with cultural exchanges, often feature leaders donning local attire for the iconic “family photo.” This no-tie tradition is seen as a way to cut down on the formality that high-level meetings usually involve.
In these meetings, Xi’s remarks showcase not only his eloquence but also his wit, vividly conveying his vision for Asia-Pacific cooperation. Over the years, his incisive words and catchphrases have offered fresh perspectives on advancing regional growth and fostering deeper collaboration among APEC members.
{{SWEET POTATOES}}
During the 2016 APEC gathering, also held in Lima, Xi used an analogy to describe the relationship between China and the wider Asia-Pacific region, comparing it to sweet potatoes, a food native to Latin America.
He explained that while the vines of sweet potatoes may stretch in all directions, they all grow out of their roots. “Similarly, no matter what level of development it may reach, China, with its roots in the Asia-Pacific, will always contribute to the region’s development and prosperity.”
That metaphor holds even truer today. Since joining APEC in 1991, China has become a key trading partner and export market for the majority of APEC members. According to China Customs, China’s trade with APEC economies reached a historic high, surpassing 21 trillion yuan (about 2.92 trillion U.S. dollars) in the first 10 months of 2024, marking a 5.7 percent increase from the previous year and accounting for 59.1 percent of China’s total trade.
In its efforts to promote free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific and beyond, China has reduced its overall tariff level to 7.3 percent.
“China cannot develop in isolation from the Asia-Pacific while the Asia-Pacific cannot prosper without China,” the Chinese leader made these remarks when he debuted at the APEC stage in Bali, Indonesia, in 2013, highlighting the interconnected growth of the region.
Connectivity stands out as one key theme of Xi’s vision for Asia-Pacific development. He once invoked a concept from traditional Chinese medicine to illustrate APEC cooperation: when there is free flow, there is no pain; when there is pain, there is no free flow. “Connectivity makes the economic arteries of the Asia-Pacific flow more smoothly,” he explained.
During his 2013 trip to Indonesia, Xi proposed the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, a pivotal component of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and proposed plans for establishing the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to support the BRI.
To date, more than half of APEC’s 21 economies have engaged in Belt and Road cooperation, with signature projects like the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Indonesia and Chancay Port in Peru aiming to help strengthen trade networks and drive growth across the region.
“President Xi has put forward a series of proposals and initiatives to enhance Asia-Pacific regional cooperation, and the BRI is a major one to promote regional comprehensive connectivity,” said Liu Chenyang, director of the APEC study center at Tianjin-based Nankai University.
“These efforts led by President Xi have also shown the world China’s determination to take root in the Asia-Pacific and benefit the region in the long run,” Liu said.
“A LONE GOOSE CANNOT MAKE A FORMATION”
While hosting the 2014 APEC meeting by Yanqi Lake in Beijing’s northern suburbs, Xi compared the 21 APEC economies to 21 swan geese.
The lake got its beautiful Chinese name because the migrant swan geese would flock there for rest each spring and autumn. In Chinese culture, swan geese symbolize faithfulness, resilience, and determination, flying in unison toward a shared destination despite great distances.
“We are meeting here at Yanqi Lake to enhance cooperation and embark on a new flight to shape a new vision for the development of the Asia-Pacific region,” he said. “A lone goose cannot make a formation.”
As a steadfast champion for unity, Xi called on APEC economies to stay committed to mutually beneficial cooperation and fully leverage each other’s strengths to promote development for all. “We should replace the ‘winner-take-all’ mentality with an all-win approach and work together for great development and prosperity of our region,” he noted.
Founded in 1989, APEC was designed to foster economic growth and facilitate free trade and investment across the Asia-Pacific region. Throughout the years, thanks to the joint efforts of its members, the Asia-Pacific region has served as a vital engine of the world economy, driving what Xi has called “the Asia-Pacific miracle.” The latest IMF data show the region contributes approximately 60 percent to global economic growth.
The APEC economies, covering several continents and home to one-third of the world’s population, vary significantly in their development paths and economic conditions. Acknowledging the differences and divergences among those in the region, Xi emphasized, “Those who cherish the same ideals and follow the same path can be partners, and so can those who seek common ground while reserving differences.”
In 2014, under Xi’s chairmanship, APEC economies endorsed a roadmap to advance the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), initially proposed in 2006 in Hanoi, Vietnam. This endorsement was widely viewed as a milestone, marking the official start of efforts to transform a broad vision into concrete actions aimed at elevating Asia-Pacific regional economic integration to a new level.
Sharing Xi’s vision, Montri Mahaplerkpong, executive board member of the Federation of Thai Industries, said, “Adhering to the objective of driving APEC together, whether in big, small or medium-sized economies, we have plenty of room in this world to move the economy forward together, as long as we have the will to make it better.”
“I believe all 21 APEC member economies could do hand-in-hand collaboration by seeking common ground while shelving differences,” said Montri.
{{IN SAME BOAT}}
“I was looking at the vast ocean when I boarded the ship, and it struck me that we are all indeed fellow passengers in the same boat,” Xi said while addressing the 2018 APEC CEO Summit hosted at a distinctive setting — onboard the giant cruise Pacific Explorer in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
“As we brave the rough waters of the global economy and confront the many risks and challenges, it is all too befitting that we have come together on this ship to chart the course for future development and cooperation,” he noted.
APEC has faced unprecedented challenges in recent years, from trade frictions to geopolitical tensions. Against this backdrop, Xi has consistently championed genuine multilateralism and warned against antagonism and confrontation. “The Asia-Pacific is no one’s backyard and should not become an arena for big power contest,” he emphasized in the 2022 Bangkok meeting.
During the 30th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting held in San Francisco last year, Xi posed a critical question: “Where will Asia-Pacific cooperation be headed in the next 30 years?” And he has provided an answer with Chinese insights — build an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future.
“Community” has always been the keyword of Xi’s foreign policy. At his APEC debut in 2013, Xi urged member economies to strengthen “the sense of community of common destiny.” Five years later in Port Moresby, he advocated for jointly building “a community with a shared future in the Asia-Pacific” to address common challenges.
In 2020, as the world grappled with the pandemic and its economic fallout, Xi, while attending the annual APEC gathering via video link, elaborated on his vision to build an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future featuring openness and inclusiveness, innovation-driven growth, greater connectivity, and mutually beneficial cooperation.
The 2020 meeting saw APEC members adopt the Putrajaya Vision 2040 as the guiding framework for future work, calling for the creation of an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community.
As Xi prepares to join other Asia-Pacific leaders for discussions under the theme of “Empower. Include. Grow,” observers have set their expectations for the upcoming meeting in Lima.
“The role of APEC in facilitating dialogue among political and economic leaders is more crucial than ever at this time of growing protectionism and economic decoupling,” said Hans Hendrischke, professor of Chinese business and management at the University of Sydney Business School.
China has always been active in pushing emerging market economies and developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region to realize more efficient development, said Dora Isabel Gonzalez, a researcher at the Faculty of Higher Studies of the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Acatlan.
“I believe President Xi’s trip to Peru will strongly promote economic, trade and investment cooperation and sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region and even globally,” said Gonzalez.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in Charge of Operations, CP Vincent Sano, presided over the pass-out of the 14th intake.
The PTCC was designed to expand the tactical command that shapes leadership, strengthens decision-making abilities and reinforces the importance of teamwork and communication.
DIGP Sano said that the skills acquired are essential for training environments and in real-world scenarios where the stakes are high but with a thin margin for errors.
“The complexities of modern law enforcement demand a continual enhancement of skills, knowledge and strategies. You have all demonstrated a profound understanding of these demands,” DIGP Sano said.
He reminded them that leadership in a tactical setting is more than just making decisions. “It’s about understanding the terrain, knowing your team, adapting to changing conditions, and having the foresight to anticipate what lies ahead; it’s all about accountability, both to those you lead and to the mission at hand.”
He urged the trainees to always remember the Rwanda National Police (RNP) core values of ‘Service, Protection and Integrity’ as principles that will guide them through most challenging situations, and to remain a pillar of trust.
The five-month course covered key aspects related to communication, special operations, routine and operational staff work, policing strategies, laws, crime investigation, and leadership, command and management, among others.
The Commandant of PTS, Commissioners of Police (CP) Robert Niyonshuti, said that course participants engaged in Command Post and Field Training Exercises, including tutorial and final exercises.
They also visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial and the Museum for the Campaign against Genocide.
“These visits were a powerful reminder of the role police officers play in protecting human rights, promoting justice, and fostering social harmony,” CP Niyonshuti said.
The agreement was formalized on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, in Warsaw.
Rwanda was represented by ambassador to the country, Prof. Anastase Shyaka at the signing ceremony while Poland was represented by Lasek Maciej, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure and the government’s plenipotentiary for the aviation sector.
Lasek described the agreement as a milestone that strengthens ties between the two nations.
“I am convinced that direct connections between Poland and Rwanda will contribute to increased trade, tourism, and stronger bonds between our nations.”
Prof. Shyaka, speaking to IGIHE, highlighted that the agreement will significantly enhance economic and tourism cooperation.
He emphasized that it lays the groundwork for RwandAir and Polish national carrier to establish partnerships, facilitating travel not only between Poland and Rwanda but also with neighboring European countries.
{{Unlimited opportunities}}
The agreement grants airlines from both countries the freedom to operate an unlimited number of passenger and cargo flights.
This initiative aligns with a broader strategy to develop an air network connecting Europe and Africa.
Establishing this direct flight connection marks a significant step forward in strengthening Poland-Rwanda relations and engaging both countries in a path toward sustainable and mutually beneficial cooperation.
