The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) report, released on Sunday, November 10, 2024, shows that in October 2024, prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages decreased by 1% year-on-year but increased by 3.7% on a monthly basis.
Additionally, prices for housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels rose by 4.8% year-on-year and 0.8% month-on-month, while transport cost increased by 15.9% year-on-year but remained stable month-on-month.
Meat saw a price increase of 22.4% year-on-year, while milk, cheese and eggs, rose by 14.8%.
Prices of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and narcotics rose by 5.6% annually, while clothing and footwear increased by 5.6%.
The data also indicate that prices for local products increased by 3.3% annually and 1.9% monthly, while imported products rose by 5.5% annually and 0.4% monthly.
Prices for fresh products increased by 0.8% year-on-year and 4.5% month-on-month, while energy prices rose by 1% annually and 0.3% monthly.
Excluding fresh products and energy, the ‘general index’ increased by 5.2% on an annual basis and by 0.7% monthly.
The Urban CPI, considered the primary measure of inflation in Rwanda, is calculated based on approximately 1,622 products across twelve urban centers. In contrast, Rural CPI decreased by 1.5% annually but rose by 2.5% on a monthly basis.
Overall, the national CPI increased by 0.5% year-on-year and by 2.1% month-on-month.
In a statement, Sudan’s Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC), a governmental body that manages humanitarian work, said the accusations made by U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello were part of an organized campaign targeting the commission’s efforts.
“It would have been more realistic and courageous of him (Perriello) to direct his criticism toward the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, which has been looting, detaining, and obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid, besieging those in need, and denying them access to food and medicine,” the Sudanese government said in the statement dated Saturday, November 9, 2024.
The statement indicated that between January 1 and November 6, the HAC had granted 12,170 movement permits to organizations and agencies, allowed 1,073 trucks to enter through the Adre and Tina crossings, and approved 2,985 entry visas for foreign humanitarian workers.
The statement added that the total funds provided by the government in the form of customs and tax exemptions, transportation of aid, and purchase of supplies exceeded 600 million U.S. dollars.
In a post on social media platform X on Wednesday, Perriello said that the HAC prevented 520 of the 550 humanitarian relief trucks from leaving Port Sudan to deliver life-saving supplies to states across the country.
Sudan has been gripped by conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF since mid-April 2023. According to a report by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project on October 14, the ongoing conflict has claimed more than 24,850 lives. The International Organization for Migration estimates that over 14 million people have been displaced within or outside Sudan as of October 29.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the recovery of all cases marks the beginning of a mandatory 42-day countdown to declare the country Marburg-free.
“The outbreak can only be declared over if no new infections arise 42 days after the last confirmed case tests negative,” WHO said in a statement on Saturday, November 9, 2024.
Rwanda has reported no new confirmed cases since October 30, 2024, but Minister of Health Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana stated that contacts of the last patient, along with those of previously discharged patients, will continue to be monitored until the end of their 21-day observation period.
During this period, the ministry is also expected to leverage the country’s extensive network of nearly 60,000 community health workers to conduct active case finding and test any suspected cases, ensuring that no transmission chain is missed.
WHO Representative in Rwanda, Dr. Brian Chirombo, commended the Rwandan government’s efforts in fighting the outbreak and assured continued collaboration until it is conclusively declared over in the country.
“Thanks to the concerted efforts of all involved, Rwanda is successfully emerging from a highly challenging outbreak, effectively mitigating its potentially devastating impacts. I commend the Government of Rwanda for the significant progress achieved. WHO remains committed to supporting these ongoing collaborative efforts until the outbreak is officially declared over,” Dr. Chirombo stated.
Rwanda announced its first-ever Marburg virus outbreak on September 27, 2024. Since then, a total of 66 cases and 15 deaths have been recorded.
The cases were reported in two hospitals in Kigali and among the family of one of the first cases. WHO and Rwandan authorities attribute the rapid and robust response to zero community transmission.
Recently, the Ministry of Health confirmed that the outbreak originated from a mining cave inhabited by fruit bats. Dr. Nsanzimana confirmed that the virus had jumped from animals to humans, with the 27-year-old index case traced back to a cave where mining activities were ongoing.
“We managed to trace back and find that this outbreak came from a zoonotic origin, and we were also able to find the cave where these particular fruit bats were living, with human activity—particularly mining—taking place. That’s where we found our index case,” Dr. Nsanzimana stated.
The appointment followed a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame on Saturday, November 10, 2024.
During the meeting, the Cabinet also made six other appointments to the RBA Board, including the appointment of Viviane Mukakizima as Vice Chairperson. Mukakizima, an experienced civil servant with a strong background in media, has previously worked with various media outlets, including Reuters. She has been working in communications in the Office of the President since 2012.
Others appointed to the Board include Solange Ayanone, Michael Butera Mgasa, Kivu Ruhorahoza, David Toovey, and Anitha D. Umuhire.
In his new role as chair of the Board of RBA, Bimpe will be responsible for guiding RBA’s strategic direction and governance. His appointment coincides with significant changes across various departments within the national broadcaster.
Bimpe has served as CEO of Irembo, a Rwandan software company that develops digital platforms for governments and businesses, since 2022.
Before joining Irembo, Bimpe was the Director of Africa Go-To-Market at Zipline, where he led the company’s expansion across the continent. He also held various leadership roles at Zipline, including in partnerships, operations, and national implementations.
During the Saturday Cabinet meeting, several key figures were also appointed to various positions across key institutions, including the President’s Office, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), and the Rwanda Elders Advisory Forum.
Pierre Damien Habumuremyi, former Prime Minister, was appointed to the Rwanda Elders Advisory Forum as a council member. He was appointed alongside Ambassador Dieudonné Sebashongore, who had served as Rwanda’s envoy to Belgium since 2020, and Ambassador Zaina Nyiramatama, the former Rwandan ambassador to Morocco.
Other appointments included Claudine Uwera, named Senior Strategic Advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister. Uwera had previously served as Minister of State for Economic Planning in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. Maëva Seka Haguma was appointed Deputy Principal Private Secretary in the President’s Office, and Michelle Umurungi was named Chief Investment Officer at RDB, following her tenure as Deputy Managing Director at Norrsken.
Media reports indicate that Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign is grappling with significant financial challenges after ending its campaign with a debt of about $20 million despite raising over $1 billion.
In a post on X sent out on Sunday morning, Trump appeared to mock his rivals, saying, “I am very surprised that the Democrats, who fought a hard and valiant fight in the 2020 Presidential Election, raising a record amount of money, didn’t have lots of $’s left over.”
Touting the Democrats’ financial struggles, Trump highlighted his campaign’s triumphs through low-cost “earned media,” suggesting that Republicans might want to step in and cover the Democrats’ mounting debts.
“Now they are being squeezed by vendors and others. Whatever we can do to help them during this difficult period, I would strongly recommend we, as a Party and for the sake of desperately needed UNITY, do. We have a lot of money left over in that our biggest asset in the campaign was ‘Earned Media,’ and that doesn’t cost very much. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he wrote.
Trump’s comments come amid reports that staff and vendors who worked with Harris fear they won’t be paid.
At the centre of the debt claims are allegations that lavish concerts, which featured Jon Bon Jovi, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga, cost a significant amount, pushing the Democrats’ campaign into its current financial constraints.
Harris’ campaign also spent a substantial six-figure sum to build a set for her appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast. Additionally, there are reports that her campaign allocated $1 million to Oprah Winfrey’s production company, Harpo Productions.
Trump, who served as the 45th President of the United States, pulled off a comeback to the White House after winning 312 electoral college votes against Harris’ 226 in the elections held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Youth Connekt Africa Summit in Kigali on Friday, November 8, 2024, the Rwandan Head of State emphasized the need for leadership that prioritizes actionable change, urging leaders to align their words with practical, impactful solutions.
“We should get tired of saying the right things for so long. We want to see the right things happen,” President Kagame stated during a panel discussion at the Kigali Convention Center.
“At a personal level, I have been on this stage saying many things, even repeating myself, and then I see my brothers and sisters, my colleagues, saying the same things over and over. But we need to ask ourselves, even before anyone else asks us, what is there to show for what we have been saying? We really need to get tired of this,” he emphasized.
President Kagame acknowledged that Africa holds incredible potential with its young workforce. He noted that for Africa to position itself as a leading source of global talent, priority should be on improving quality and creating an enabling political environment for young people to thrive.
“Sometimes we forget that beyond providing education and healthcare, and encouraging their participation in their own growth and that of their country, there has to be an environment that allows everything to happen—a political framework that ensures stability, enabling all the actions we talk about,” President Kagame explained.
He added, “We must build infrastructure that serves young people, and from there, they will excel in entrepreneurship, innovation, or whatever careers can earn them a good living, which everyone aspires to. Africa has everything to be where we want to be. If we fail, we can only blame ourselves.”
Under President Kagame’s leadership, Rwanda has been at the forefront of youth-driven innovation, setting an example with its commitment to fostering youth development through various initiatives like YouthConnekt.
Launched in 2012 by the Government of Rwanda and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the YouthConnekt program aims to empower young people by connecting them with resources, skills, role models, and peers to help them achieve socio-economic success.
The seventh edition of the Youth Connekt Africa Summit, held under the theme “Jobs for Youth Through Innovative Skilling”, has brought together more than 3,000 youths from across Africa.
During the panel discussion on intergenerational dialogue, focused on advancing Africa’s future, President Kagame was joined by Lesotho’s Prime Minister Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane and Mumbi Ndung’u, the Founder and Chief Changemaker of Power Learn.
Prime Minister Matekane urged young people to harness digital solutions available to them today to realize their dreams, including access to credit facilities.
Reflecting on challenges faced by African youth in a rapidly changing world, Mumbi encouraged young people to leverage access to information to drive change within their communities and elevate themselves.
“We have quite an advantage because we have been brought up in a generation where we have access to information. If we look at what we can do with that information, how we can empower ourselves to create change, I think it would take us to the next level where we can rely heavily on ourselves,” she said.
Ahunna Eziakonwa, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa, emphasized the importance of empowering Africa’s youth. She warned that without equipping young Africans, the continent risks losing its values and resources to others.
“Africans, young women and men, have what it takes to conduct their own affairs and lead their own destiny, so never again should you walk out of any room doubting your own ability,” Eziakonwa stated.
Local media reports indicate that Engonga was dismissed for “irregularities” and “inappropriate conduct” under a decree issued by Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo on Thursday, November 7, 2024.
Engonga has been trending on social media for most of the week after a recent investigation uncovered more than 400 explicit videos featuring him with multiple women, including relatives and wives of high-ranking officials, even the President’s sister.
The videos, filmed in offices, hotels, and restrooms, were leaked online after Engonga was arrested on unrelated corruption charges. Local media reported that the footage was discovered in his personal office and appeared to have been recorded with the consent of the women involved.
The videos have caused an uproar on social media, with Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President, Teodoro Mangue, vowing to take “severe measures” against officials involved in sexual activities in their offices.
“We will proceed with the immediate suspension of all officials engaging in sexual relations in the country’s ministries,” the Vice President stated on his X page on Monday, adding that the acts constitute violations of the code of conduct and public ethics laws.
The country’s Attorney General also weighed in on the matter, stating that while the recordings appeared consensual, Engonga could face charges for “public health crimes” if he has a sexually transmitted infection.
Equatorial Guinea’s First Lady condemned the acts as well, saying they were “distorting the image and reputation of the Guineo-Ecuadorian woman.”
Engonga is the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjo, president of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). The 54-year-old is married and has six children.
The agreement, formalized at the 2024 Lagos International Trade Fair, was signed between the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and Rwanda’s Private Sector Federation (PSF) on the sidelines of the ongoing trade event in Lagos. Kanamugire Callixte, Deputy CEO of PSF Rwanda, and Gabriel Idahosa, President of the LCCI, represented their respective organizations at the signing ceremony.
Under the MoU, LCCI and PSF Rwanda will collaborate in several areas, including facilitating trade by streamlining procedures, reducing barriers, and promoting the exchange of goods and services between Nigeria and Rwanda; and promoting investment by identifying opportunities in both countries, organizing trade missions, and fostering business partnerships.
Other priority areas include sharing information by exchanging data on market trends, trade regulations, and investment incentives to aid business decision-making; building capacity through joint workshops, training programs, and knowledge-sharing initiatives to enhance business competitiveness in both countries; and hosting events to organize trade fairs, exhibitions, and business forums for networking and partnership-building.
The MoU identifies specific sectors for collaboration, such as agriculture (with a focus on Rwandan coffee and tea production), energy, manufacturing, technology, and creative industries.
Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Christophe Bazivamo, praised the agreement as a testament to the two countries’ shared vision of prosperity.
“This MoU is a testament to our shared vision—a vision of a vibrant and interconnected African business landscape where Rwanda and Nigeria stand as beacons of economic collaboration and mutual growth,” he said.
“The Rwandan government is fully committed to supporting this endeavour. We have implemented policies to streamline business procedures, enhance infrastructure, and promote a conducive investment climate.”
The Lagos International Trade Fair, which kicked off on November 1, 2024, is the largest international exhibition in West Africa. During the 10-day event, participants have a chance to network with potential buyers and create business partnerships.
In a statement, the Office of the Government Spokesperson said the donation, part of ongoing international relief efforts, consists of over 19 tons of supplies, including fortified food for children, medicines, and medical supplies.
The consignment, transported by the national carrier RwandAir, was received by the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization in Amman.
Rwanda reiterated the call for “an end to the conflict and the protection of civilian lives.”
This is the second shipment Rwanda has sent to Gaza since the latest conflict began in October 2023. In late October 2023, the government of Rwanda dispatched 16 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza, which included essential medicines, food, and water.
The recent conflict in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, involving rocket fire, ground incursions, and assaults on civilians near the Gaza border. Israel responded with airstrikes and a military campaign targeting Hamas infrastructure in Gaza.
The conflict has since resulted in extensive fighting, leading to over 40,000 deaths and widespread destruction, drawing global attention and calls for humanitarian aid and diplomatic interventions.
The victory, hailed by a host of African and world leaders, is historic, as Trump becomes only the second president to make a comeback to the White House, following Grover Cleveland’s return 132 years ago.
He served as the 45th President of the United States from 2016 to 2020, when Democrat Joe Biden ascended to the presidency in a disputed election that saw Trump supporters attack the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021.
The agitated Republican supporters sought to keep Trump in power by preventing a joint session of Congress from counting the Electoral College votes to certify Biden’s victory.
With his return to power, dozens of African heads of state have congratulated him, with some hoping for a diplomatic reset with America and others aiming for reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the United States.
Trump has consistently promoted the America First policy, which many world leaders view as a reflection of a desire to limit U.S. interference abroad.
As Trump prepares to assume office for a second non-consecutive term, we highlight some of his initiatives in Africa that shaped his first term.
{{Prosper Africa}}
The Trump administration launched the Prosper Africa initiative in 2018 with the aim of increasing two-way trade and investment between the United States and African countries.
The program sought to encourage private sector engagement in Africa, fostering economic opportunities by simplifying access for American businesses to African markets.
This partnership has created thousands of jobs and opened new markets for both regions.
Additionally, Prosper Africa has played a vital role in strengthening U.S.-Africa trade under frameworks such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
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Trump’s administration was keen on renegotiating and strengthening bilateral trade agreements with partner states such as Kenya under a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which was later discontinued by the Biden administration in favor of the US-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP).
Notably, unlike the Trump-era FTA, STIP does not capture tariff barriers for American firms doing business in Kenya.
Pundits say Trump’s agreement with Kenya was part of a broader strategy to encourage African countries to engage more with the U.S. on a trade basis rather than through traditional aid frameworks.
{{Support for Counterterrorism Efforts
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During Trump’s first term, U.S. support for counterterrorism efforts in Africa was a critical aspect of his foreign policy, with a focus on combating extremist groups that posed threats to regional stability and global security. The U.S. military maintained a significant presence in countries affected by terrorism, particularly in East and West Africa.
In East Africa, the primary focus was on Somalia, where the extremist group Al-Shabaab, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda, continued to wreak havoc. The U.S. supported the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Somali forces through training, intelligence sharing, and direct military assistance. The Trump administration authorized airstrikes against Al-Shabaab targets to disrupt their operations and degrade their capabilities. For example, in 2017, the U.S. launched a series of strikes that targeted Al-Shabaab leaders and training camps, severely disrupting their operations.
In West Africa, U.S. efforts centered on groups like ISIS-affiliated organizations and Boko Haram, a terrorist group active in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin region. The U.S. military supported the governments of Nigeria, Niger, and Chad by providing training and equipment to local forces fighting ISIS and Boko Haram. In 2018, the U.S. approved the sale of military equipment to Niger to bolster its counterterrorism capabilities. This partnership aimed to enhance the operational effectiveness of local armies in the fight against groups that had pledged allegiance to ISIS in the Sahel and beyond.
Diminished Aid with Focus on Self-Reliance
During his presidency, Trump proposed significant cuts to U.S. foreign aid, signaling a shift toward a more self-reliant approach in dealing with Africa and other regions. This shift was central to his “America First” policy, which aimed at reducing the U.S.’s financial commitments abroad and encouraging African nations to take greater responsibility for their own economic growth and stability.
One of the most notable examples of this shift was the administration’s proposal to reduce funding for U.S. development aid programs, such as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). In the 2020 budget, Trump sought to cut foreign aid by about 21%, including cuts to various programs aimed at addressing poverty, health, and education across the African continent.
While this approach was welcomed by some African leaders who viewed it as a step toward economic independence, critics argued that it risked undermining important development programs that help address immediate needs such as health crises and poverty alleviation.
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While his administration initially sought to cut funding for programs like the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), public pressure led to the continuation of support for critical health initiatives. PEPFAR funding was preserved and continued to play a vital role in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment across Africa.
{{China Counter-Strategy
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Trump’s approach to Africa was also shaped by a broader geopolitical strategy to counter China’s growing influence on the continent. U.S. officials voiced concerns about what they termed as Chinese debt-trap diplomacy and emphasized American investments as alternatives to Chinese loans.
This strategy has contributed to the continued tensions between China and the United States to date as each seeks dominance in the region.
Overall, while Trump’s initiatives were welcomed by some leaders in Africa, they were viewed by his critics as transactional, with a stronger emphasis on economic and security interests.
As he prepares to assume his new mandate, it remains to be seen how these previous policies will shape America’s policies in Africa. But there is a growing concern about his hard stance on immigration and threats to deport persons with no permission to reside in the United States.
This is particularly concerning considering that in 2022, around 13,000 African migrants were recorded at the US-Mexico border, according to US Customs and Border Protection data. By 2023, this figure had quadrupled to 58,000. Some migrants are seeking refuge abroad due to challenges related to war and poverty.
