Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

This funding aims to boost research, development, and manufacturing of vaccines targeting infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV, Lassa fever, and Ebola.

According to an EIB statement, the financing will also strengthen the technical skills and expertise of Rwanda-based teams to support local vaccine discovery, manufacturing, and the development of vaccine delivery systems.

This initiative aligns with Rwanda’s broader goal of fostering home-grown healthcare solutions.

The latest health investment from EIB Global is part of the EU’s Global Gateway initiative for Africa, which seeks to unlock critical investments aimed at improving public healthcare access.

EIB Global’s focus is on high-impact investments that enhance healthcare and pharmaceutical manufacturing across Africa, strengthen health resilience, and support equitable access to healthcare on the continent.

Africa bears the highest global disease burden, and more local solutions are necessary to address these challenges. Vaccination plays a crucial role in driving investments toward universal healthcare and is key to achieving 14 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Akagera Medicines Africa was established in Rwanda in July 2022 to advance the pharmaceutical sector both within the country and across the continent. The company is majority-owned by the Republic of Rwanda through the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB).

Speaking at the World Health Summit in Berlin, Germany, where the financing announcement was made, Michael Fairbanks, CEO of Akagera Medicines, praised the European Investment Bank’s support, expressing optimism about building human capacity and specialized infrastructure in Africa to advance vaccine development. The summit runs from October 13 to 15, 2024.

EIB Vice President, Thomas Östros, emphasized the importance of partnerships with both public and private entities in combating deadly diseases.

“The EIB is committed to further strengthening our partnership with local and international players, to scale up investment and support innovative technology together,” he said.

EU Ambassador to Rwanda, Belen Calvo Uyarra, remarked, “Through Global Gateway, the EU is focused on advancing equitable access to health products and local manufacturing in Africa. This investment by EIB with Akagera Medicines marks another important milestone on this journey.”

The financing for Akagera Medicines complements other EU initiatives in Rwanda and the region under the Global Gateway Flagship—Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines, and Health Technologies (MAV+).

This broader effort focuses on supporting the necessary ecosystem for vaccine manufacturing and is backed by the EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund (EU-AITF), which aims to increase infrastructure investment in Sub-Saharan Africa, reduce poverty, and foster economic growth in the region.

The fire caused significant damage to the affected areas, reducing everything inside to ashes. Fortunately, the response by the FRB prevented the fire from spreading to other buildings.

SP Mwiseneza Jean Bosco, the Northern Province Police Spokesperson, confirmed the incident, stating that while the fire has been fully extinguished, the cause remains unknown and is currently under investigation.

“The cause of the fire is not yet known. An investigation has started to determine the cause. The value of the damaged property is still being assessed,” he said.

He also reminded the public to take precautions against fire hazards and emphasized the importance of insuring properties to mitigate potential losses.

“Our message to the public is to avoid anything that could lead to a fire accident because it can result in loss of life and financial damages. We also urge business owners to ensure their businesses are insured,” added SP Mwiseneza.

Eyewitnesses at the scene reported being caught off guard by the fire, which they say originated in the kitchen before rapidly spreading to other parts of the hotel.

Muhabura Hotel, a landmark in Musanze District, has been a staple of the region’s hospitality industry since 1954, marking 70 years of operation this year.

The 6th World Media Summit, held on Monday, October 14, 2024, in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, brought together over 500 participants from 106 countries and regions, including Rwanda.

Under the theme “AI and Media Transformation,” representatives from 208 institutions—ranging from media outlets to government agencies and international organizations—engaged in thoughtful discussions about AI’s transformative effect on the media industry.

The summit delved into how the role of the media is evolving in the face of this technological revolution.

One of the key outcomes of the event was a joint statement that highlighted the need for a balanced approach to adopting AI in media, ensuring that journalistic ethics and professional standards are upheld.

The statement also stressed the importance of enhanced global collaboration to share AI advancements, promoting high-quality development across the industry.

In his keynote address at the opening ceremony on Monday, Fu Hua, president of Xinhua News Agency, emphasized the need for the media to embrace technological advancements while safeguarding the core values of journalism.

“We should proactively align with the technological wave, closely track the advancement of AI, particularly generative technologies like ChatGPT and Sora, and seize every opportunity for media innovation,” he said.

The summit also featured findings from a global survey conducted by the Xinhua Institute, a think tank under Xinhua, as part of a report titled “Responsibility and Mission of News Media in the AI Era.”

The report revealed that over half of the media organizations interviewed had already integrated generative AI into their operations. Technologies like algorithmic recommendations, voice interaction, and image generation are being widely applied across news collection, production, distribution, and audience feedback.

While media leaders acknowledged the immense potential of AI, they also pointed out the critical role humans must continue to play.

Fu Hua cautioned against a purely technology-driven approach: “We should move beyond ‘tech-centric thinking’ and effectively leverage the initiative of editors and reporters. Ultimately, humans must have the final say in human-machine interaction.”

Other media leaders echoed these sentiments, recognizing AI’s valuable contributions to newsrooms while emphasizing that human oversight is essential to maintaining journalistic standards and ensuring the production of high-quality, trustworthy content.

This year’s summit was jointly organized by Xinhua and the Xinjiang regional government.

In addition to discussing the core values of journalism—objectivity and truth—the event offered attendees a unique opportunity to experience Xinjiang’s vibrant culture firsthand.

Ma Xingrui, secretary of the Xinjiang regional committee of the Communist Party of China, described the summit as a valuable chance for journalists to gain deeper insights into Xinjiang’s development.

With its diverse cultural heritage, Xinjiang, which covers about one-sixth of China’s territory, has seen significant economic growth in recent years.

In 2023, it ranked among the top five provincial-level regions nationwide across six major indicators, including GDP growth, investment, consumption, and income levels.

Situated at the heart of the Silk Road Economic Belt, Xinjiang is increasingly emerging as a vital hub, connecting Asia and Europe while serving as a key gateway for China’s westward expansion.

All photos: Xinhua

IGIHE has learnt that Rees Kinyangi Lulu was taken into custody on October 2, 2024, in connection with misappropriated funds linked to Nobilis Hotel, a property owned by Sonarwa.

He was arrested along with the hotel’s accountant, Aisha Uwamahoro.

Their arrest was confirmed by the spokesperson of the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Dr. Murangira B. Thierry, who stated, “It’s true. They are being investigated for embezzlement and the mismanagement of public assets.”

The case has been forwarded to the prosecution, although investigations are still ongoing.

This advanced satellite, designed by TRL Space Rwanda, is equipped with innovative sensors capable of capturing high-resolution images across a wide color spectrum. The satellite will primarily provide accurate data for agriculture, including crop monitoring and soil analysis.

TRL Space Rwanda, a subsidiary of the Czech-based TRL Space, specializes in small satellites known as CubeSats. The company has been operating in Rwanda for three years and is headquartered at Norrsken House in Kigali.

Most of the engineers working with the company are Rwandans, having received training from European experts.

The satellite, weighing between 10 and 12 kilograms, measures 10 cm by 20 cm by 30 cm.

Construction began this week with a team of 20 engineers, including seven Rwandans. The project is scheduled for completion within the next 20 months, targeting a June 2026 launch date.

Upon completion, the satellite will be shipped to the United States, where it is expected to launch from either Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral in Florida, using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.

Once in orbit, the satellite will operate at an altitude of 510 kilometers for five years, delivering crucial agricultural data. It may also support other sectors, including security and communication.

The Rwanda Space Agency (RSA) is currently setting up a data center to process the satellite’s transmissions. The project has so far attracted an investment of $1 million (approximately Frw1.3 billion), with further investments expected as the project advances.

Petr Kapoum, CEO of TRL Space Rwanda, shared in an interview with IGIHE that the long-term goal is to launch a new satellite every year in Rwanda’s name, ultimately creating a fleet of five satellites. He emphasized that the first launch would unlock numerous opportunities, both for commercial and non-profit applications.

TRL Space Rwanda has ambitious plans to position the country as a hub for small satellite manufacturing. The company is developing infrastructure, including research laboratories, to build and sell satellites to other African nations. Reports indicate that by January 2025, the necessary facilities for satellite assembly and testing will be complete.

Kapoum expressed optimism that Rwanda will become self-sufficient in satellite technology within the next five years, reducing reliance on foreign resources and establishing sustainable infrastructure.

Rwanda currently operates a “Teleport” facility, located in Mwurire, Rwamagana District, designed to receive satellite data. This 20-hectare facility is open to investors seeking to establish their own satellite ground stations.

Investors who prefer not to use Rwanda’s facilities can install antennas at the Teleport, with RSA offering maintenance and essential services such as internet access.

The Teleport is expected to attract interest from countries and investors, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, providing them with the infrastructure to manage satellite missions.

RSA’s CEO, Gaspard Twagirayezu, highlighted the sector’s profitability, encouraging private investors to capitalize on the opportunities within Rwanda’s growing space industry.

The meeting was announced through a post on Rwanda’s Presidency’s X account.

Borgstam, was appointed as the EU’s Special Envoy to the region in July 2024.

The idea to appoint an EU Special Envoy to the region stemmed from ongoing conflicts between countries in the area. The EU believes the envoy can contribute to resolving these issues.

A Swedish diplomat, Johan Borgstam previously served as the EU Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo from 2008 to 2021 and to Ethiopia from 2017 to 2021.

In his current role, Borgstam assists Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in implementing the union’s policies in the Great Lakes Region.

Compiled by Africa Practice, a strategic consulting firm, and Africa No Filter, an advocacy lobby, the study blames the stereotypical portrayal of the continent by Western media for eroding investors’ confidence and stunting growth.

Titled “The Cost of Media Stereotypes to Africa,” the study focuses on electoral processes in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt and the skewed coverage from giant media entities from the Global North.

“African countries receive more media attention during elections, but with a disproportionate focus on negative issues like violence and election fraud,” the study says.

It notes that non-African countries with similar risks during the electioneering period receive more favorable coverage from the Western media, adding that the continent could save up to 0.14 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) annually, subject to positive media sentiment.

According to the study, the 4.2 billion dollars in losses occasioned by negative media coverage annually could fund the education of 12 million African children, and provide immunization to over 73 million children, higher than the combined populations of Angola and Mozambique.

In addition, the funds could help provide clean drinking water to two-thirds of the entire population of Nigeria, the most populous country on the continent estimated at 220 million people, says the study.

Negativity has dominated the discourse around African elections, with 88 percent of media articles about Kenya during polling being biased and sensational, compared to only 48 percent for Malaysia, the study observes.

Improved media sentiment, according to the study, could reduce borrowing rates on the continent by up to 1 percent, boosting macroeconomic stability and investors’ confidence.

Marcus Courage, chief executive officer of Africa Practice, said the study has underscored the urgency to challenge stereotypes about the continent advanced by Western media, rooted in racism and hegemonic attitudes.

Promoting fairer, unbiased and positive reporting about the continent will boost its credit rating and attract foreign direct investments in key sectors like tourism, manufacturing and financial services, Courage said.

Moky Makura, executive director of Africa No Filter, suggested that as the continent mulls establishing its own credit rating agency, governments should amplify positive narratives, including sustained growth, expanding democratic space, innovations and demographic dividend.