The African Development Fund (ADF) is the concessional window of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group.
Established in 1972, it became operational in 1974. The ADF-recipient countries include those that are increasing their economic capacities and heading toward becoming the new emerging markets, as well as those that remain fragile and need special assistance for basic levels of service delivery.
According to a statement released by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the project aims to build climate resilience in flood-prone catchments of Rusizi and Karongi districts by implementing nature-based flood adaptation and promoting community-led soil conservation and catchment restoration.
Expected outcomes include reduced flood and landslide exposure, decreased soil erosion and water siltation, and improved land productivity.
An estimated 1.2 million residents are expected to gain from improved early warning systems and better protection of key water resources, while over 620,000 people will benefit from reduced flood risk.
Other activities include the reforestation of 10,000 hectares, construction of vegetated flood barriers, and rehabilitation of degraded riverbanks and hillsides.
More than 6,000 people will receive climate adaptation training and 120 technical students will gain practical experience in eco-engineering and water management.
“By using nature as our first line of defence, we are helping Rwandan communities adapt to a changing climate while creating jobs, restoring ecosystems, and securing their future,” said Lazarus Phiri, Principal Water and Sanitation Engineer and project task manager.
Flooding and landslides have repeatedly devastated this region, claiming lives, damaging schools and water systems, and undermining livelihoods.
Through nature-based solutions, such as reforestation, terracing, and riverbank stabilisation, the project will reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and increase agricultural productivity.
According to recent data from the Rwandan Prosecutor General’s Office, over 1,100 people are still wanted for their roles in the Genocide against the Tutsi. Many of them have found refuge in different countries in the region and Europe.
Among them are former businessmen, leaders, and individuals who studied in these countries. Many of them continue to instill hatred and genocide ideology in their children, even in the countries they sought refuge in.
Denial and trivialization of the Genocide against the Tutsi is predominantly led by the children of those directly or indirectly involved in the Genocide, such as members of Jambo ASL, and individuals who support their ideology, including Filip Reyntjens, Pierre Pean, Robin Philpot, Bernard Lugan, Serge Desouter, Madeleine Raffin, Luc De Temmermann, Peter Erlinder, Peter Verlinden, Judi Rever, Charles Onana, and others.
The IBUKA-Europe meeting held on November 1-2, 2025, discussed topics such as combating the increasing genocide ideology, ways to fight it, justice, educating young people about history, and more.
Currently, IBUKA has branches in Belgium, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland.
In an interview with IGIHE, the President of IBUKA in Italy, who also leads IBUKA-Europe, Honorine Mujyambere, explained that they have plans to fight genocide ideology, including delivering talks and testimonies that clearly explain Rwanda’s history, focusing on the youth to prevent any misleading narratives.
“We continue to strengthen our efforts in combating genocide denial, we collaborate more, and we also expand our activities. Being able to reach many people and present the truth about the Genocide against the Tutsi, especially using technology, is another tool in fighting those who deny or distort the Genocide.”
Mujyambere emphasized that all of their activities are closely tied to the youth, as they are the strength of the future and make extensive use of social media. They educate them about history to ensure they play a part in confronting genocide deniers hiding behind social media platforms.
She stated that the only effective tool to eliminate genocide ideology among the youth, especially those from genocidaires’ families, is to educate them and show them the crimes committed by their parents and the severity of those crimes.
She continued, “We show them the crimes their parents committed in Rwanda. Many of them have been convicted by the Gacaca courts or other international criminal courts.”
She added, “In all the countries where IBUKA operates, we have long taken measures to encourage the youth to participate in activities to remember the Genocide, and this is part of what we have discussed, and it is already being done and yielding results.”
Mujyambere explained that their efforts go beyond just awareness campaigns; they also go into schools to teach the history of the Genocide, with some schools beginning to implement these lessons.
She said, “Through delivering talks at universities and higher learning institutions, we now have students writing their final theses about the Genocide. They come to us looking for information. All of this is the result of IBUKA’s discussions in schools.”
{{Europe’s weak commitment to fighting genocide denial}}
In 2015, a British court ruled that five Rwandans charged with involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi would not be sent back to Rwanda for trial.
The court argued that these individuals could not receive fair justice in Rwanda. The individuals involved were Vincent Bajinya, Celestin Ugirashebuja, Charles Munyaneza, Emmanuel Nteziryayo, and Celestin Mutabaruka.
Mujyambere highlighted that the lack of political will is one of the challenges they face in combating genocide denial.
She continued, “These European countries mistakenly believe that Rwanda does not offer human rights protections, which is why they are hesitant to send genocide suspects to Rwanda. In some instances, they even apply minimal effort in following up on these cases, but we will not give up; we will continue to fight.”
However, she noted that some countries, like France, have started to make significant strides in tackling genocide crimes. Recently, France confirmed the involvement of Munyemana Sosthène in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and sentenced him to 24 years in prison.
IBUKA President in Rwanda Dr. Philbert Gakwenzire also highlighted that genocide ideology remains a serious issue in Europe. They work together with IBUKA branches globally to share information, especially since much of the evidence is stored in Rwanda.
He said, “When it comes to fighting genocide ideology, we collaborate with IBUKA branches in various countries. Witnesses, memorial sites, and physical evidence of the Genocide are based in Rwanda. What we do is work with our colleagues representing IBUKA in the diaspora to send them the necessary information.”
He further stated that all countries still harboring genocide suspects should strengthen their efforts to prosecute them so that justice can be served to the victims.
He added, “Although genocide crimes do not expire, the perpetrators age, and the victims also grow older. It is truly tragic that victims of the Genocide may pass away without ever seeing justice done.”
Yoon, who was impeached and removed from office after declaring martial law on December 3, 2024, is currently on trial for several charges, including leading a rebellion.
His successor, President Lee Jae Myung, has approved investigations into Yoon’s martial law actions and other alleged criminal activities involving Yoon’s administration and family.
The charges stem from alleged drone flights that occurred months before martial law was declared. South Korean prosecutors claim that Yoon and his defense officials intentionally heightened the risk of conflict with North Korea.
These flights allegedly involved dropping propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang, a move that North Korea criticized and which South Korea initially denied, later offering no confirmation.
Yoon had cited threats from North Korea in justifying his martial law declaration, but his real motivation appeared to be a conflict with the liberal-led parliament.
According to AP, investigators now allege that the drone flights were part of a strategy to create a pretext for emergency measures.
Yoon, along with two key defense officials, is charged with abuse of power and jeopardizing military security, but his defense has denied his involvement in the drone operation.
In January, state prosecutors indicted Yoon for allegedly directing a rebellion. It’s a grave charge whose conviction only carries the sentence capital punishment or life imprisonment.
The resignations came ahead of the BBC’s expected apology over the controversy on Monday.
“I wanted to let you know that I have decided to leave the BBC after 20 years,” Davie said in his resignation statement, adding that “there have been some mistakes made and as director-general I have to take ultimate responsibility.”
The controversy centered on the Panorama documentary “Trump: A Second Chance?” aired last year. The program was criticized for splicing together clips of Trump’s speech on Jan. 6, 2021 in a way that allegedly gave the misleading impression that he urged his supporters to march to the U.S. Capitol and “fight like hell.”
The Telegraph reported on Nov. 3 that a leaked internal BBC memo by Michael Prescott, a former independent external adviser to the broadcaster’s editorial standards committee, flagged the issue.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said Sunday that there were a series of “very serious allegations” that had been made about the BBC, “the most serious of which is that there is systemic bias in the way that difficult issues are reported at the BBC.”
“I’ve spoken to the chair (of the BBC) this week, I am confident that he is treating this with the seriousness that this demands,” she said when appearing on a BBC current affairs program.
Since the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) mandated flight reduction policy took effect on Friday, the number of canceled flights surged from 202 on Thursday to 1,025 on Friday, and further to 1,566 on Saturday.
The number of air traffic controllers taking leave has risen since the shutdown began on Oct. 1, forcing many others to work overtime.
The U.S. Department of Transportation and the FAA recently announced a 10 percent capacity reduction at 40 major airports across the country starting Friday, aiming to ease staffing pressures and reduce airspace safety risks.
“It’s only going to get worse,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told CNN on Sunday. “I look to the two weeks before Thanksgiving. You’re going to see air travel be reduced to a trickle.”
On the same day, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told CBS that if people are not traveling during Thanksgiving, “we really could be looking at a negative quarter for the fourth quarter.”
In a statement, the ministry said Russian tactical aviation, strike drones, missile troops, and artillery units from the Russian Armed Forces have hit targets in 143 areas.
These include energy facilities supporting Ukraine’s military-industrial complex, transport infrastructure used by Ukrainian troops, as well as temporary deployment sites of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries.
Additionally, the ministry said that over the past 24 hours, Russian air defense forces shot down one Neptune long-range cruise missile, seven U.S.-made HIMARS rockets and 247 Ukrainian drones.
According to the ministry, a total of 95,801 Ukrainian drones have been destroyed since the start of its special military operation.
The announcement, made recently, places the company among 33 pioneering organizations and schools selected from submissions across 173 countries, recognizing their innovative approach to solving one of Africa’s most urgent challenges: access to safe drinking water.
Founded in 2017, IRIBA Water Group has emerged as a leader in developing solar-powered smart water ATMs equipped with UV and RO purification systems, mobile payment options, and digital monitoring.
The enterprise’s innovative model has already reached over 517,000 people through 203 water ATMs, transforming the health and well-being of vulnerable communities while creating 194 jobs across Rwanda.
“At IRIBA, we believe no one should suffer or die due to the lack of something as basic and essential as safe drinking water. Our mission is to ensure safe water for all, transforming health outcomes and building resilient communities across Africa,” says the management of IRIBA Water Group, highlighting that access to clean water is a fundamental human right.
The company’s holistic approach goes beyond technology. IRIBA Water Group actively engages communities through educational initiatives, reaching over 2.8 million people with vital WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) practices, and empowers women and youth through its franchise model, creating sustainable economic opportunities that extend beyond water access.
With water scarcity affecting millions across Africa – where 700 million people lack access to safe drinking water, and 80% of illnesses are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions- IRIBA Water Group’s solutions are both timely and impactful, driving positive change where it is needed the most.
The company’s model combines innovation, sustainability, empowerment, integrity, and measurable impact, ensuring that every initiative not only improves access to water but also contributes to socio-economic development across Africa.
The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s pioneering award recognizing excellence in sustainability, celebrates innovative solutions to global challenges.
This year’s finalists, including IRIBA Water Group, represent inclusive, tech-enabled, and locally adapted solutions tackling urgent issues such as clean energy, safe water, nutritious food, quality healthcare, and climate resilience.
The Prize’s global impact has already touched over 400 million lives, demonstrating the power of innovation to transform communities and shape a sustainable future.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, believed that sustainable progress begins with empowering people and meeting their most fundamental needs.
His vision of inclusive, people-centered development continues to inspire the Zayed Sustainability Prize – and is vividly reflected in their selection of finalists.
In many ways, IRIBA embodies the principles Sheikh Zayed championed: innovation with purpose, sustainability anchored in community well-being, and development that leaves no one behind.
By merging solar technology, digital monitoring, and community-driven entrepreneurship, IRIBA turns water access into a catalyst for social and economic transformation. Each smart water ATM not only delivers clean, affordable water but also supports local jobs, women-led franchises, and healthier communities.
IRIBA’s approach demonstrates that sustainable development is not just about technology – it is about dignity, opportunity, and inclusion. In translating innovation into impact by creating practical, scalable solutions that drive positive change, while inspiring others across Africa to reimagine what sustainable progress can look like.
The winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize 2026 will be announced in January 2026, during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
Whether or not it takes home the top honour, IRIBA Water Group’s work stands as proof that homegrown African innovation can drive global impact, delivering safe water, dignity, and opportunity, one drop at a time.
This modern Believers International Hospital and Research Center in Rwanda is expected to reduce the number of Rwandans seeking medical specialists abroad for complex illnesses.
Once completed, the facility owned by the Indian based church, will attract specialists in various medical fields, including cardiology, which will help reduce the number of people traveling overseas for treatment and contribute to the growth of medical tourism in Rwanda, positioning the country as a hub for advanced healthcare.
The construction of this hospital began on October 1, 2023, in Kicukiro District, Kanombe sector, near Busanza. It will also include a university dedicated to training medical professionals, aiming to assist Rwanda in becoming a hub for cutting-edge medical care.
The hospital will feature 300 patient beds, with specialized doctors from different countries, as well as a university and research center that will contribute to the advancement of healthcare in Africa. Once the building is completed, plans will follow to construct accommodation for the doctors and university buildings to support the education of Rwandans.
With construction progressing as expected, the facility is set to be completed by 2026.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Simon, a representative of the church, shared that this is the second hospital built by the organization, and the decision to construct it in Rwanda was influenced by the country’s good governance.
“The former Rwandan Ambassador to India visited our hospital, saw the equipment and services we offer, and asked our church leaders if we could bring such infrastructure to Rwanda. We initially hesitated to bring such a project to Africa,” said Simon. “When we arrived in Rwanda, our mindset quickly changed. Rwanda is unique, it’s a peaceful, clean country with exceptional leadership under President Kagame. After seeing all this, we realized there was no better place to build the hospital than here.”
Rwanda is among African countries with patients seeking treatment in India for complex medical conditions.
Nshimiyimana Costica, overseeing construction activities emphasized that the hospital is being constructed with high-quality materials, including steel and durable bricks, making it resilient to earthquakes in the region.
“I would say we are about 65-70% finished with the construction. We base this estimate on the work already completed, and the remaining 30% will be completed soon.”
The hospital is being built with locally sourced materials, such as sand, cement from Cimerwa, bricks from Sunshine Rwanda Ltd, and Rutare Bricks and Ceramics, ensuring that 90% of the materials are sourced from Rwanda.
This state-of-the-art hospital to be completed at a cost of Frw77 billion, is expected to benefit both Rwandans and the world at large in terms of healthcare, research, and education. Since the project’s inception, more than 700 Rwandans have been employed.
“The project benefits the Rwandan population as the primary stakeholders,” said Nshimiyimana.
When completed, the hospital will be equipped with advanced medical technology, including cardiology treatments, a Cath Lab for heart disease treatments, two MRI machines, four X-ray machines, mammography for breast disease diagnosis, and more than eight operating theaters, allowing up to eight people to undergo surgery at the same time.
The hospital will be of international standards, capable of hosting heads of state and dignitaries who may seek medical services while visiting Rwanda.
All specialized doctors will be from abroad, including India, the United States, and other countries, while nurses and other staff will come from Rwanda.
Additionally, the church plans to engage with the Rwandan government to ensure that people covered by all insurance schemes in the country, including Mutuelle de Santé, will be able to access treatment at this hospital.
According to a statement released by the U.S. Department of State,this significant step was taken during the fourth meeting of the Joint Oversight Committee (JOC), held in Washington, D.C. The JOC brings together the DRC and Rwanda, with the support of the United States, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union mediator), and the African Union Commission.
The REIF is a key component of the Peace Agreement signed in June 2025. It outlines key areas for fostering economic cooperation and development between the two nations, demonstrating the tangible benefits of peace and creating opportunities for investment and growth that directly benefit people in the region.
Under Secretary Hooker and U.S. Senior Advisor for Africa Boulos oversaw the initialing of the framework, reinforcing the commitment of the international community to supporting economic integration as a vital aspect of the peace process.
The successful implementation of the REIF, however, hinges on the fulfillment of additional operational agreements, particularly the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and Operational Order (OPORD) that outline the peace process’s security and military provisions.
While the signing of the REIF was hailed as a significant breakthrough, it also underscores the ongoing need for further progress in the peace process.
The Joint Oversight Committee reaffirmed the necessity of upholding commitments made under the Peace Agreement, including actions to neutralize the FDLR terrorist group and associated groups to be followed by the lifting of defensive measures.
The Parties reaffirmed their commitment to refrain from hostile actions or rhetoric, particularly political attacks or language that would undermine or complicate the full implementation of the Peace Agreement, including in international fora.
The State of Qatar provided an update on the ongoing negotiations in Doha between the DRC and AFC/M23, highlighting progress on key issues, including prisoner exchanges.
The Committee also welcomed the first convening of the Doha ceasefire monitoring mechanism on November 5 and expressed strong support for these efforts and emphasized the critical role of the Doha process in advancing the broader implementation of the Peace Agreement.
The Parties expressed a shared commitment to maintaining momentum in the peace process and continuing to build on the progress achieved.
The Governments of the DRC and Rwanda expressed their gratitude to the United States, Qatar, the African Union, and Togo for their steadfast support in advancing peace and stability in eastern DRC and the broader Great Lakes region.
These new prices were released on the night of Friday, November 7, 2025, and will be in effect for the next two months.
They replace the prices set in September 2025, when a liter of petrol was priced at Frw 1,862 and diesel at Frw 1,808. This means the price of petrol has increased by Frw 127 per liter, while the price of diesel has gone up by Frw 92 per liter.
RURA explained that , in response to rising pump prices influenced by global trends, the government has continued to strengthen fuel reserves and prudent macroeconomic management to protect consumers and maintain market stability.
The new prices take effect on November 8, 2025.
