Speaking at a press conference in Goma on August 22, 2025, the group explained that its delegates in Doha were tasked only with reviewing the implementation of the ceasefire and the release of prisoners.
Freddy Kaniki Rukema, AFC/M23’s Deputy Coordinator in charge of finance and mobilisation, stated: “None of our representatives traveled to Doha to pursue peace talks. Only two delegates went, tasked specifically with reviewing the issues of prisoner release and the ceasefire.”
He noted that this review is part of the Declaration of Principles signed on July 19 by both the DRC government and AFC/M23, under the mediation of Qatar. According to Kaniki, genuine peace talks can only follow once these initial steps are implemented.
“These are conditions included in the principles we signed. If they are respected, then we may send delegates to address the root causes of the conflict. We do not simply go there without reason,” he added.
The agreement signed in Doha had called for peace talks to begin by August 8, following the enforcement of a permanent ceasefire and the release of prisoners. A peace accord was expected by August 18, but neither milestone has been met.
AFC/M23 claims that around 700 of its members and suspected supporters remain detained by the DRC government, which it also accuses of continuing military offensives against its positions.
For its part, the Congolese government insists that releases will only occur after a peace accord is signed and accuses AFC/M23 of violating the truce.
Qatar has acknowledged setbacks in the process but said it remains in dialogue with both parties to keep the peace initiative on track despite delays.
The Nyagatare hub, established under Heifer’s Rwanda Dairy Market Systems (RDMS) Project, aims to improve smallholder farmers’ access to affordable mechanisation services.
It offers modern tractors, operator training, and a Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) model that enables farmers—especially youth—to acquire tractors with a 5 percent down payment, with the balance repayable over five years from service income.
The launch brought together government officials, partners, and farmers, and featured live tractor demonstrations, equipment handovers, and farmer testimonials highlighting the benefits of mechanisation.
Verena Ruzibuka, Country Director of Heifer Rwanda, noted that since the project’s launch during agricultural seasons A and B, it has already recorded significant success.
Through catalytic financing and the deployment of 15 tractors, the project has supported over 6,000 farmers and cultivated more than 3,000 hectares.
“It is designed to address persistent challenges such as limited access to modern equipment, high labour demands, and low productivity, while promoting sustainable and climate-smart farming practices,” she said.
Ruzibuka emphasized that Heifer’s financing has improved access and availability of mechanisation services over the past seven months, proving strong demand and impact.
“Through this expansion in Nyagatare, we are moving closer to our vision of ensuring every district in Rwanda has access to affordable and reliable mechanisation services. These hubs are not only about tractors, but also about creating a new generation of rural entrepreneurs—from operators and booking agents to technicians—who can transform agriculture into a thriving business sector,” she added.
The Nyagatare mechanisation hub will provide modern tractors and implements to help farmers cultivate larger areas more efficiently, reduce reliance on manual labour, and boost productivity and incomes. It will also serve as a training and service centre for operators, booking agents, and technicians, while integrating Hello Tractor’s digital platform for transparent and convenient service access.
Stephen Gasana, Mayor of Nyagatare, highlighted the importance of the initiative. He explained that 59.3 percent of district residents are crop farmers while 39.2 percent are cattle keepers, both groups requiring these services. In the 2024/25 agricultural season, 83,190 hectares of land were cultivated, producing 261,640 tonnes of selected crops. However, only 7,654 hectares were cultivated using tractors.
“This limited mechanisation negatively impacted yields due to challenges such as incomplete land cultivation and delays in farming activities,” he said.
“We believe that bringing these services closer to farmers will help us implement government policies, including cultivating 70 percent of grazing land. This target was not achieved in time because it required a large labour force within a short period, which was difficult to manage,” he added.
Folu Okunade, Chief Operating Officer of Hello Tractor, which connects tractor owners with farmers in need of mechanisation services, stressed the scale of the challenge across Africa.
“Africa needs five million tractors to close the mechanisation gap. This represents a $122 billion opportunity that must be addressed. In Rwanda specifically, there are only 250 active tractors currently on the market,” he said.
“The country actually needs 26,000 tractors to close that gap and reach the global average, fully servicing its arable land. That represents a $700 million opportunity for Rwanda. We know there are challenges, but we are excited to help tackle them,” he added.
“This service of tractors and related machinery is very beneficial, as it creates jobs in different ways and helps people improve their livelihoods.”
While officiating the launch, Telesphore Ndabamenye, Minister of State for Agriculture and Animal Resources, said mechanisation is central to Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation.
“This launch comes at a time when our country is implementing the National Strategy for Transformation of Agriculture [PSTA 5], which seeks to advance the sector over the next five years. This strategy emphasizes agricultural modernization and the use of environmentally friendly technologies.
In particular, mechanisation plays a critical role in reducing reliance on traditional, labour-intensive methods, enabling timely cultivation of larger plots, increasing productivity, and creating rural jobs—all of which directly raise farmers’ incomes.
By establishing hubs like this, we are putting into practice one of the pillars of PSTA 5, which leverages modern technology and innovation to make agriculture inclusive and transformative,” Ndabamenye said.
“We therefore encourage youth in this district and beyond to take part in this programme, because it is a great opportunity. Since we came here to launch such a centre, we hope that farmers in Nyagatare will start using it effectively, make the most of it, and eventually extend its benefits beyond Nyagatare to other districts as well.”
{{Success stories from the first hub}}
Olivier Niyitegeka, a farmer from Kamate Village, Karangazi Sector in Nyagatare District, explained that using a tractor for cultivation is very different from relying on manual labour.
In the last agricultural season, he cultivated one hectare with a tractor and harvested approximately 7.7 tonnes, compared to his neighbour who cultivated two hectares manually and harvested only 9 tonnes.
“We pay only Frw 85,000 per hectare, which is affordable. When we use a tractor, the soil absorbs water more easily, unlike with manual cultivation, which leaves crops vulnerable to drying when the weather is too hot. That’s what affected my neighbour’s crops. Tractors are efficient and save time,” he said.
Rutayisire Jackson, a dedicated livestock farmer, shared a similar experience. Before connecting with Hello Tractor, he relied on manual labour and traditional tools to cultivate three hectares of Napier grass and two hectares of maize. Meeting the nutritional needs of his eight cows was a constant struggle, especially during dry seasons when fodder shortages were severe.
With access to reliable and timely tractor services, Rutayisire expanded his herd from eight to ten cows.
“My daily milk yield rose from 120 to 170 litres, increasing my daily income from Frw 48,000 to Frw 68,000—a 41.7 percent increase in productivity and a 74.1 percent improvement in cost-benefit ratio.
Even during dry spells, efficient fodder production has helped me maintain milk output and income, making my farm more resilient, profitable, and scalable,” he said.
According to a statement issued by the AEC on Thursday, the Shanghai office will be led by Bieni Da, chief representative of the AEC in China, who is tasked with ensuring that the chamber plays a pivotal role in connecting Chinese businesses and government entities with African stakeholders.
“The objective is clear: to drive impactful, long-term collaboration across strategic sectors of the economy, enabling investments that are mutually beneficial and aligned with both continents’ development goals,” it said.
The AEC, an energy advocacy group based in South Africa, was founded in 2018 with the mandate to promote sustainable investment and best practices within the energy sector in Africa.
In the statement, the AEC noted that despite the continent’s high energy demand, many African energy firms struggle to access the capital needed to scale operations and boost production.
The chamber added that its Shanghai office will play an instrumental part in connecting Chinese companies with African projects, facilitating partnerships, and bringing African opportunities to the Chinese market.
“The AEC wants to see greater Chinese investment across the entire African oil and gas value chain — from upstream projects to downstream infrastructure to manufacturing, power, and technology. China offers significant expertise in these areas, and the Shanghai office will unlock new collaborative opportunities in artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, renewable energy, and more,” NJ Ayuk, executive chairman of the AEC, said in the statement.
The AEC will also organize high-level investment forums in Shanghai to foster continued dialogue and engagement.
“Africa and China have a common goal: to eradicate energy poverty. It is time to walk the walk and bring Chinese expertise and capital to African projects… This office is a testament to making sure we leave our footprint,” Ayuk added.
The Senegalese Ministry of African Integration and Foreign Affairs, in a statement, confirmed that Mame Mandiaye Niang was among those targeted by the sanctions, describing the move as a “serious infringement” on the independence of international justice.
In a statement released Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Nicolas Guillou (France), Nazhat Shameem Khan (Fiji), Mame Mandiaye Niang (Senegal), and Kimberly Prost (Canada) of having “directly participated in efforts undertaken by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute U.S. or Israeli nationals without the consent of either country.”
“Senegal calls on the U.S. authorities to lift these sanctions, which constitute a serious violation of the principle of judicial independence and of the right of ICC judges to freely and calmly carry out the mandate entrusted to them by the 125 States Parties to the Rome Statute,” the Senegalese ministry said.
The Rome Statute, which defines the jurisdiction of the ICC, was first ratified by Senegal.
The statement added that Senegal reaffirmed its “full solidarity with Judge Niang” and the other magistrates targeted by the U.S. sanctions, while the Ministry of African Integration and Foreign Affairs assured the ICC of its “steadfast support.”
Marie-Helene Verney, UNHCR’s representative in South Sudan, told Xinhua in an interview that the agency is struggling to provide basic needs such as health and education for more than 550,000 Sudanese refugees, as dwindling funds have already led to food ration cuts.
“We have witnessed ongoing reductions in the capacity of UN agencies to support refugees in South Sudan. Food rations, for example, are lower than before, while UNHCR has managed to maintain essential services such as health and education; indeed, the standards are not as high as they once were,” Verney said in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
Verney noted that despite the financial constraints, UN agencies are engaging with other institutions to sustain refugee support.
“So it is a difficult situation, but there are also some very positive developments, very strong engagement of the banks, World Bank, African Development Bank, on displacement issues and refugees in South Sudan, which gives us some confidence that we can be optimistic,” she said.
The UNHCR official said the greater challenge was the loss of flexible resources that previously allowed UNHCR to respond swiftly to multiple crises in South Sudan.
Since the conflict broke out in Sudan in April 2023, more than 1 million people, including both South Sudanese returnees and Sudanese refugees, have entered South Sudan, further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in South Sudan, caused by conflict, climate shocks like flooding and heatwaves.
According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, over half of South Sudan’s population is experiencing severe food insecurity.
With clear signs of famine risk in specific areas and widespread crisis elsewhere, the UN has urged urgent, multi-sector humanitarian intervention to prevent further deterioration and loss of life.
The inaugural tournament will bring together 80 young players aged 4 to 16 to compete across four categories — from beginners playing 3 holes to advanced juniors tackling the full 18 holes.
The event marks the beginning of a new chapter where Rwanda’s junior golfers will now be part of a regional circuit that links them to peers across East Africa. NCBA’s Junior Golf Series has already grown significantly in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania- attracting over one thousand juniors across the region.
This tournament marks NCBA’s second regional golf expansion to Rwanda, following the launch of the adult series in the country last year. The youth tournament will be followed by three subsequent adult golf tournaments under the same “NCBA Golf Series” banner.
For the Rwanda Golf Union, a key stakeholder in golf development, the priority is clear.
“Developing juniors today means we secure the future of the sport tomorrow. This is a critical step in that direction,” said Amb. Bill Kayonga, Chairman, Rwanda Golf Union.
The title sponsor, NCBA, sees golf as part of a wider investment in sustainability from a human perspective.
“By supporting junior golf, we give youth the chance to build discipline, confidence, and a foundation for a lucrative sports career should they choose. This is part of our sustainability agenda to invest where it truly matters,” said Maurice Toroitich, Managing Director of NCBA Bank Rwanda.
The host and co-sponsor, Kigali Golf Resort & Villas, emphasizes the need to open doors for the next generation.
“Our golf resort was built to open the door for the world of golf to come into Rwanda, and to open its doors to Rwandans of all ages to come, experience, and excel in golf,” said Gaston Gasore, Ag. CEO.
“The juniors are ready because they have been here every day preparing with support from our academy, so this is like a graduation — a milestone celebration of efforts we are making on a daily basis,” he added.
As for the juniors themselves, the moment carries deeper meaning. “I’ve been practicing for this tournament, and I can’t wait to compete. Golf has taught me to be patient and keep going even when I miss a shot,” said seven-year-old Joey Mutaboba, a rising golf star competing in the Intermediate Category.
By creating opportunities for children to learn and compete early, the tournament is nurturing tomorrow’s professionals while ensuring the game takes deep root for generations to come.
Over Frw 10 million spread over 6 categories is up for grabs. Dubbed Tangira StartUp TV Contest, the pre-recorded show scheduled to go on air by early November 2025 on Igihe TV seeks to offer a platform for start-up founders to access critical resources they need in their enterprise journey such as mentorship, networking and funds to boost their businesses.
Remmygious Lubega the Executive producer of the show and the CEO at RG-Consult Inc behind the innovation stated that submissions are open up from 20th August 2025 until 8th September 2025.
“Tangira is an opportunity for all Rwandan StartUp Entrepreneurs with ideas and startup businesses to showcase what they have to offer as they race to gain business mentorship, reach wider market of customers/ buyers or investors and access to capital in the form of top prizes” he noted.
Submission is through visiting the website [tangira.rw ->https://tangira.rw/] and uploading a short 90 secs video pitch of your business or idea to the contest portal.
Upon submission contestants will be screened and the top 50 will be shortlisted to give the general public room to vote/ participate on who they think deserves to be on the show.
The Top 12 ranking participants will then get the opportunity to go live on the big screen through a mentorship in Kigali, facing a panel of experienced Judges leading to the elimination stages where Six out of the 12 will be rewarded.
Alex Ntare president of ICT chamber at Private sector Federation(PSF) and a sponsor/ partners of the show expressed optimism at what the show offered Rwanda’s start up ecosystem.
“Am truly humbled for ICT chamber to come through to offer support to this innovation which is designed as a public good, a source of information on platforms where young people are to access while they innovate and comfortably so in Kinyarwanda. We believe this project will support the start-up ecosystem.
“We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to support the next generation of Rwandan start-up founders from this show courtesy of such projects like Tangira StartUp TV Contest,” he said.
Ms. Ines Umurerwa, speaking on behalf of IGIHE Media House, commended the project for its transformative impact.
“We are excited to add valuable content on our channel that is geared to educating our young audience on how to create jobs and how to grow those ideas to big businesses. Through Tangira we see our journey as a media house and how we have now grown because we transmitted our content in Kinyarwanda and stayed with our audience and grew. If we could come this far, we believe that many other local ideas can,” she said.
{{About Tangira start up TV contest}}
Tangira is a Start Up TV contest whose first season is scheduled for airing on Igihe TV (Youtube Channel) by November 2025.
Several key stakeholders have come together to support its creation. This includes Rwanda Development Bank (BRD), Start Up 250, The ICT chamber, The Kigali Universe, RG consult Inc, Igihe, 103.5 Capital FM, ATV, BTN, Itara Production among others.
The contest seeks to enable local entrepreneurs to acquire different business skill sets, visibility, and access to finance and leakage to stakeholders to support growth of the enterprise sector by supporting them.
The project’s goal is also to create a Free source of entrepreneurship content/ Information in the local language that can be helpful for many startups across the country.
By the end of June 2025, the bank’s total assets had risen to Frw 916 billion, reflecting a 12% increase since December 2024. Its loan portfolio expanded by 24% to reach Frw 440 billion.
Almost half of these loans were new, issued mainly through branches across the country, with a large portion allocated to first-time clients, demonstrating the growing confidence customers place in the bank.
Customer deposits also registered growth, rising 12% to Frw 737.7 billion by June 2025. This was largely attributed to branch network expansion and service improvement initiatives.
The bank reported effective cost management, with reduced cost-to-income ratio of 45%.
A substantial share of this spending went toward employee-focused programs, which increased by 27%, reflecting investment in staff training, welfare, and professional development.
According to the bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Benjamin Mutimura, the strong performance was the result of customer trust and the bank’s continued focus on market leadership, strategic partnerships, and a customer-first approach. He stressed that these priorities had consistently delivered positive results.
In addition to financial growth, the bank underscored its broader social contribution, noting that its initiatives had positively impacted the lives of more than 200,000 Rwandans.
Management emphasized that this progress reflects a commitment to inclusive development and shared prosperity, made possible through strong partnerships, employee dedication, and client loyalty. Looking ahead, the bank reaffirmed its focus on innovation, operational efficiency, and customer-centered growth.
Established in 1963 under the name Banque Commerciale du Rwanda (BCR), I&M Bank Rwanda is the country’s oldest commercial bank. It has been listed on the Rwanda Stock Exchange since March 2017.
At the primary level, the best performer was Arakaza Leo Victor from Wisdom School in Musanze District, who scored 99.4%. He was followed by Impano Brave Gloria from Bugesera District (98.8%), Ihirwe Kanimba Honnette from New Vision Primary School in Huye District (98.8%), Duhirwe Gall Gavin Darcy from École Internationale La Racine in Bugesera District (98.8%), Nsengiyumva Joannah Holiness from Bugesera District (98.8%), and Ashimwe Keza Gerardine from Bugesera District (98.8%).
Because five candidates tied with the same score of 98.8%, six students were recognized in this category instead of the usual top five.
Overall, 15,695 pupils completing primary school were placed in boarding secondary schools, while more than 150,000 were admitted into day schools.
Among the primary school laureates, Nsengiyumva Joannah Holiness highlighted prayer, faith in God, and consistent study as the main factors behind her success.
“The first thing that helped me was prayer and trust in God, because nothing is possible without Him. The second was studying diligently and using time wisely,” she said, adding that she aspires to become a doctor.
At the ordinary level of secondary education, the top performer was Izere Hennock Tresor of E.S Kanombe in Kicukiro District, who scored 98.67%. Other top students included Uwumuremyi Albert of Hope Haven School in Gasabo District (98.00%), Ineza Flora Elyse of Hope Haven School (97.89%), Ndayishimiye Jean D’Amour of Haven School in Gasabo (97.89%), and Agaba Happy Jean Eudes of Petit Séminaire St Aloys in Rusizi District (97.78%).
The Ministry of Education awarded the best performers with school materials, laptops, and a full year of tuition coverage for those continuing in public or government-supported schools.
Izere Hennock Tresor, who topped the ordinary level, attributed his success to five key factors: faith in God, support from his parents, studying in a good school with quality teaching, his personal commitment and effort, and encouragement from his siblings.
“Studying wasn’t very difficult to the point of staying up late at night, but I made sure to dedicate quality time to it and focus whenever I had tasks to complete,” he explained.
He acknowledged facing challenges particularly in Kinyarwanda but said he overcame them through extra effort and discipline. Izere expressed his ambition to pursue studies in technology, inspired by global trends, and emphasized his determination to excel in the field.
Although he sat for the exams aiming to achieve high marks, he admitted he had not expected to emerge as the country’s top student.
“I told myself I should at least try to be among the top students, but I also knew there are many brilliant learners across the country who study even harder. I didn’t imagine I would be number one,” he said.
The announcement was made in a statement issued by the RNP on August 19, 2025, through its official X account.
The statement followed discussions aired on TV1 and later circulated on social media, in which media personality Kakooza Nkuliza Charles (KNC) and journalist Mutabaruka Angelbert raised concerns that some foreigners in Rwanda act with impunity, including physically assaulting citizens.
KNC argued that just as the Government of Rwanda continues to prioritize the fight against violence, assault, and battery among its citizens, the same standards should be applied to foreign residents.
In its response, the Rwanda National Police stressed that the matter is well known and has been under close monitoring by relevant institutions.
“This issue has been under investigation by institutions including the Police, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau [RIB], the National Public Prosecution Authority [NPPA], and the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration. Measures have already been taken,” the Police stated.
According to the RNP, in the past year, over 240 people were handed over to judicial authorities for crimes including assault, battery, and theft, while 64 foreigners were repatriated to their countries of origin.
The Police reaffirmed that no one is above the law in Rwanda and emphasized that all offenders, regardless of nationality, are held accountable without exception.
“We will continue to work closely with embassy officials representing their countries in Rwanda to encourage their citizens to comply with national laws,” the statement added.
Reports of violent conduct among some foreign residents have frequently been linked to students from countries such as South Sudan and others pursuing studies in Rwanda, with cases often involving drunkenness, assault, and theft.
Rwanda remains one of the African countries most open to foreign nationals, welcoming those who wish to invest or pursue education.
In recent years, the country has attracted thousands of young people from across the continent, many of whom are enrolled in private universities operating in Rwanda.
