Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

President Kagame visits Azerbaijan: 10 things to know about the country

President Kagame also emphasized that Rwanda and Azerbaijan share many similarities, underlining his wish to further strengthen cooperation in development.

While diplomacy and bilateral cooperation were at the center of the visit, Azerbaijan itself is a country with a rich history, unique culture, diverse geography, and remarkable features.

Azerbaijan is located in the South Caucasus region (in Western Asia), at the crossroads between Europe and Asia. It borders Russia to the north, Armenia to the west, Iran to the south, Turkey through the small Nakhchivan exclave, and the Caspian Sea to the east.

The country covers an area of about 86,600 square kilometers (roughly three-quarters the size of Rwanda multiplied by four) and has a population of about 10.5 million.

Azerbaijan holds a special place on the global stage due to its oil, energy resources, cultural heritage, and strategic location.

Here are 10 remarkable things you should know about this country.

1. The land of eternal flames AND natural fire phenomena

On the Absheron Peninsula near Baku, there are places where natural gas escapes through cracks and burns continuously. For example, Yanar Dagh is a hillside that has flames burning naturally, fed by gas seeps underground.

In addition, the Ateshgah Fire Temple near Baku used to be a site where fire worship (Zoroastrian, Indian Hindu, Sikh) took place, because of natural eternal flames. It is now a museum.

2. First Muslim-majority country to give women the right to vote

Azerbaijan granted women suffrage in 1918, when the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was formed. It was among the earliest Muslim-majority countries to do so.

3. More mud volcanoes than almost anywhere

Azerbaijan has hundreds (over 350, some sources say more than 400) of mud volcanoes, more than most countries. Some are active; they bubble up methane and mud, sometimes dramatically.

4. The world’s smallest books and miniature book museum

In Baku, there is a collection of extremely tiny books, some as small as 2 mm, displayed in a miniature book museum. It’s one of the largest collections of its kind.

5. Baku’s parts below sea level

Some parts of Baku lie significantly below sea level, and as the city area extends into the Caspian Sea shore, there are zones that are underwater or reclaimed. Some sources say that parts of the capital district are 28 meters under the sea.

6. The Nakhchivan exclave, Azerbaijan apart from Azerbaijan

Nakhchivan is an autonomous republic of Azerbaijan that is separated from the main part of the country by Armenia. It borders Iran and Turkey. It has its own government, and its geographic separation gives it a different feel, both historically and culturally.

7. Extreme tea consumption despite not growing much of it locally

Even though Azerbaijan has regions suited for tea cultivation, much of its black tea is imported, about 12,000 tons annually for a population of about 10 million. Tea is deeply embedded in social culture.

8. A “world’s first” in oil history and strategic importance

In the early 1900s, Azerbaijan was one of the world leaders in oil production. For example, in 1901, it produced a massive part of global crude oil output. During WWII, it was a crucial supplier of oil for the Soviet Union.

9. Religion, secularism, and state structure

Even though the vast majority of people in Azerbaijan are Muslim (> 90 %), the country is officially secular. The constitution does not declare an official religion. Religious practice exists, but the state maintains secular governance.

10. Monumental flag and civic display

Baku has a large State Flag Square, huge in size, with a massive flagpole and a giant national flag. In recent years, the flagpole has been upgraded, and the square has become a major symbol of national identity.

At its inauguration in 2010, the flagpole was certified as the world’s tallest by Guinness World Records before being surpassed by a flagpole in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, in 2011.

Azerbaijan is therefore a country with a unique character, from its eternal flames and mud volcanoes to its history of gender equality, its tea culture, and its major oil industry.

President Kagame’s visit highlights how Rwanda and this country can work together in development, culture, and trade.

September 21, 2025
President Kagame hosted to luncheon by Azerbaijani counterpart

The luncheon was attended by Rwanda’s Deputy CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, Juliana Kangeli Muganza; Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Gen (Rtd) James Kabarebe; and Rwanda’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Lt Gen (Rtd) Charles Kayonga.

During the meeting, the two leaders commended the bilateral ties between Rwanda and Azerbaijan and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in key areas including the economy, trade, culture, agriculture, and tourism.

President Kagame’s visit, which began on September 19, 2025, followed the signing of five bilateral agreements covering agriculture, education, satellite communication services, trade, and public service delivery. Kagame emphasised Rwanda’s commitment to ensuring that the agreements achieve the expected outcomes.

President Aliyev described Rwanda and Azerbaijan as strong partners and welcomed the progress in bilateral relations since they were formally established in 2017.

President Kagame last visited Baku in November 2024 to attend the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29).

September 21, 2025
VRT tried to ‘cheat the rules’ with UCI pass, says Minister Nduhungirehe on blocked journalist

Vercruysse, a political journalist with VRT, was prevented from boarding a Brussels Airlines flight to Kigali on Thursday. Speaking to Belgian media, he suggested the move was linked to his past critical reporting on Rwanda.

In a post on X on Saturday, Nduhungirehe rejected that narrative, instead accusing VRT of deliberately misrepresenting Vercruysse’s role in order to gain access.

“It is not up to Rwanda to provide the slightest explanation to Flemish Belgian television or to the Belgian government. It is rather up to @vrtnws and @vercrus to explain this crude attempt at international deception,” he wrote.

The minister argued that international sporting events follow strict accreditation protocols, typically requiring journalists to hold a valid sports press card, including one from the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). He noted that VRT sought accreditation for a political journalist, rather than a registered sports reporter, which he said amounted to a violation of established rules.

“Sports journalists from all over the world registered with the UCI to cover this major event, the first of its kind on African soil. However, VRT tried to cheat the rules by registering a political journalist known for his systematically hostile positions towards Rwanda,” Nduhungirehe said.

He pointed to Vercruysse’s own public comments as evidence of political intent: “After being prevented from boarding, he declared to the Belgian press: ‘We had also planned to produce a critical report on the host country.’ What on earth do such openly declared intentions have to do with this great sporting celebration?”

The UCI Road World Championships, hosted in Kigali from September 21 to 28, mark the first time the event is being held on the African continent. The Belgian national team is among those from more than 190 countries participating.

September 21, 2025
Bralirwa empowers 100 women with business start-up kits

In April 2025, Bralirwa, Rwanda’s leading beverage company, partnered with Empower Rwanda, a women-led non-governmental organisation committed to equipping women and youth with skills and knowledge for sustainable development, to provide business startup kits to women who successfully completed the NGO’s vocational training programs.

The social impact initiative will support 100 young women, specifically those who became mothers during their teenage years, who were selected from the Muhazi Sector in Rwamagana District and the Kabarore Sector in Gatsibo District in collaboration with their respective local authorities.

The business start-up kits are categorised in the trades of tailoring, culinary arts, and
hairdressing sectors, comprising items such as sewing machines, gas cookers, and professional hairdressing equipment, along with other relevant accessories.

Beneficiaries of the project will be grouped into business groups relative to the vocational training they each have received from Empower Rwanda.

Dr. Olivia Kabatesi, Founder and Country Director of Empower Rwanda, commended
Bralirwa and the support from local authorities as key partners in advancing national
priorities of entrepreneurship, gender inclusion and youth employment.

“Many beneficiaries complete vocational training but lack resources to launch their own
income-generating activities. With the provision of business start-up kits, these women
now have both the expertise and practical tools required to establish sustainable and
profitable enterprises,” said Dr. Olivia Kabatesi.

“This partnership represents a significant step toward bridging the gap between skills development and economic opportunity, and we are grateful for the collaboration that enables women’s economic empowerment and lasting impact in local communities”, she added.

Bralirwa donated 34,000,000 Rwf to fund the social impact project, which will enable
beneficiaries to start small businesses using the provided tool kits. This support aims to
support young women to earn a dignified and sustainable living, uplift their families, and
strengthen their communities.

“Sustainability is an integral part of our business operations under our ‘Brew a Better
World’ agenda. This initiative reflects our deep commitment to caring for people and the
planet, and to building a more sustainable and inclusive future. By empowering women
with the skills and tools to succeed, we are investing not only in their businesses but
also in stronger families and resilient communities” said Ethel Emma-Uche, Bralirwa Managing Director.

The Mayor of Rwamagana District, Mbonyumuvunyi Radjab, who officiated the launch of the event, commended the great partnership between the private sector, NGOs, and local government in empowering local communities.

“This initiative aligns with the objectives of our National Employment Program, which
focuses on empowering women and youth through skills training and entrepreneurship.
By providing opportunities such as these, BRALIRWA and Empower Rwanda are
contributing to the transformation of lives, helping individuals build brighter futures for themselves and their families,” said Mayor Radjab.

Last year, Bralirwa Plc supported 250 households in Munyiginya sector, Rwamagana district to gain access to safe drinking water through donation of ceramic water filters in partnership with Spouts of Water Rwanda as part of its social impact initiatives.

September 19, 2025
Italian family cycles 1,500km from Zambia to Kigali for UCI World Championships

Matteo Sametti and his four children set off from Kasama, Zambia, on August 21. Riding through Tanzania, Burundi, and finally into Rwanda, the family endured steep climbs and long days on the road before arriving in Kigali mid this week, just in time for the cycling spectacle.

From Kasama, Zambia, to Kigali, Rwanda, Matteo Sametti and his family cycled 1,500 km across steep climbs to enjoy the UCI Road World Championships.

Their incredible determination and spirit of adventure brought them all the way to Kigali. Now it’s your turn to show the same… pic.twitter.com/ueDPR1An9p

— 𝗞𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗶 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 (@Kigali2025) September 18, 2025

“We are very passionate about cycling, and I thought it was a unique opportunity to pass through different countries and cultures with my children,” Sametti said, after arriving in Kigali with his children Winnie, Abraham, Osea, and Giuditta.

“Even if it was a big effort, especially in Burundi and Rwanda, where the mountains are a lot, we enjoyed it very much. We were surprised at how strong and tough the kids were.”

For Sametti, who hails from a cycling-rich region of Italy, the journey was about more than sport. He said cycling offers “the right speed” to connect with people and landscapes.

His children, he added, have inherited the same passion: “Our love for cycling comes from my Italian origin, and I am even surprised that my children share this passion and talent.”

The family praised Rwanda’s roads as well-engineered and well-maintained, noting that mountain routes resembled those in Europe but were less punishing than Burundi’s steep ascents.

“The roads here are very good, very nice, and well studied,” Sametti said.

While they look forward to cheering for Italian riders – with Matteo personally backing Tadej Pogačar and Pellizzari as favourites – family loyalties remain divided.

“Winnie supports Zambia, I support Italy,” Sametti laughed.

The family plans to participate in the social ride on September 20 before settling in as spectators.

The UCI Road World Championships, set for September 21–28, will feature 13 races with 1,400 participants from 109 countries. More than 900 riders will compete for the coveted rainbow jerseys, including Rwanda’s 54-strong delegation, one of the largest at the event.

With 700 accredited journalists, coverage by 80 broadcasters, and a projected global audience of 330 million viewers, Kigali is set to shine as the world’s cycling capital for a week.

For Sametti and his children, the journey itself has already been a victory.

“We can’t believe we are here,” he said. “We are all happy.”

September 19, 2025
Inspiring journey of Rwandan street photographer documenting Rwanda in verse and image

Hirwa’s path to the arts began during his undergraduate studies at Southern New Hampshire University. In 2019, while still a student, he joined the Writivism Mentoring Program, a project by The Center for African Cultural Excellence. Under the mentorship of Nigerian writer Adeola Opeyemi, he learned a lesson that continues to shape his creative process on the importance of showing rather than telling.

“I am greatly indebted to my time in the program and my mentor Adeola Opeyemi,” he reflects.

“That is the first time I learnt to show, not to tell. Even now in my poetry practice, what sets me apart from my earlier version is that I make sure to show, not to tell. And I believe this makes the poetry more visual. I think that rule also influenced my love for photography, at least subconsciously.”

By 2020, at the age of 22, Hirwa was admitted into the MFA program in Creative Writing at Texas State University, moving to the United States a year later. There, he studied under acclaimed poet Naomi Shihab Nye and refined his voice as a poet. His chapbook Hairpins, published by Akashic Books in 2023, was selected by Kwame Dawes and Chris Abani for the African Poetry Book Fund’s chapbook boxset series. The collection, he explains, captured his early 20s’ struggles with identity.

“The book captures my early 20s’ grapple with identity,” he says. “Most of the poems are attempts at understanding my own masculinity. I wrote the book when I was around 23 years old, fresh out of high school and college, and I had questions about where I stood on the spectrum of masculinity. Am I a soft man, am I a tough guy, why does it matter etc. Those are the ideas the book captured.”

Alongside the chapbook, his poems, essays, and fiction have appeared in Wasafiri, Poetry Society of America, Lolwe, and Transition Magazine. Each piece, whether a poem about solitude or an essay on small spaces, reflects his interest in how identity, belonging, and culture intersect.

But Hirwa’s work is not confined to the page. In 2024, shortly after returning to Rwanda, he staged his first solo photography exhibition, Stilettos, Nikes, and a Basketball, at L’Espace in Kigali with support from the Goethe-Institut. The exhibition marked the start of his photography career and a significant return home.

“The solo exhibition was a marker of various shifts in my life,” he explains. “It also meant that this is a person returning home to show home who he has become. Since my photography captures how I see the world, an exhibition like the one at L’Espace was a way to say to my home ‘this is what I have seen’.”

The response from audiences in Kigali was immediate.

“Attendees had good responses to the exhibition. I remember there is this teenage boy I found sitting on the floor reading a piece of text I had printed on a transparent paper and attached on the white floor. He admired the experimental approach to the curation of the physical display of the artworks, and what more can one ask for?”

Hirwa has since participated in group exhibitions at the Kigali Center for Photography and at The Strand in London, expanding the reach of his street photography. His images often portray the quiet dignity of everyday life—motorcycle taxi drivers in colourful vests, children at play, the textures of Kigali’s neighbourhoods.

His forthcoming full-length poetry collection, Dear Zoe, was a finalist for the 2025 Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poetry. The book, still awaiting publication, focuses on the Rwandan diaspora and the ways people sustain cultural identity abroad.

“The book ‘Dear Zoe’ documents the ways in which the Rwandan diaspora makes a living abroad, such as running or working in hair salons, restaurants, and many other jobs and lifestyles in such cities as Dallas and Brussels,” he says.

“I hope when it gets published, it will spark conversations on how the Rwandan diaspora make a living abroad, and their experiences in relation to identity, belonging, and nostalgia.”

Hirwa acknowledges that his influences are wide-ranging. He cites Teju Cole’s Blind Spot as a model for pairing photographs with prose, Joel Meyerowitz’s mastery of street photography, and Warsan Shire’s poetry about migration and belonging.

“The two men, both Cole and Meyerowitz, have taught me to focus on simple things in my artworks in general, both writing and photography,” he notes. “That is why, as a photographer, I am interested in capturing the beauty in the mundane, which reflects my poetry too in a way. As in, what is a day like for a moto driver working in Kigali during weekdays and going to the provinces on the weekend to his wife and kids? That’s where Warsan Shire comes in. Her poetry is about the humanity of people.”

Living and creating between Rwanda and the United States has also shaped his sense of belonging.

“Living transnationally has distracted this sense of belonging to me,” he admits. “When I was in the US, my poetry was my attempt at staying connected to my roots, my Rwandan culture. But it’s a real hustle since being away most times means whether one likes it or not he or she is acculturating, hence trying to keep the writing originally Rwandan becomes hard.”

For Hirwa, poetry, prose, and photography are not separate practices but interconnected modes of expression.

“Yes, they feed into one another because they are on a spectrum of realism versus abstractedness,” he explains. “My poetry is a transcription of my photography, and my essays and pieces of fiction are translations of my poetry.”

Looking ahead, he envisions expanding into film. Inspired by Rwandan filmmaker Kivu Ruhorahoza and Senegalese director Djibril Diop Mambety, he hopes to bring the same attentiveness to story and image into motion pictures.

For now, Hirwa remains rooted in Kigali, balancing writing with photography and documenting Rwanda with the same patience he first learned under mentorship. Whether in verse or image, his work is an evolving archive of how Rwandans see themselves, at home and abroad.

September 19, 2025
Kigali ready to host UCI competition as preparations wrap up (Photos)

The championships will begin with the women’s and men’s time trials. Afghan rider Yulduz Hashimi will be the first woman off the start line at 10 a.m.

Race routes across the city have been finalised, with road signage and protective barriers in place to ensure both rider safety and a clear viewing experience for fans. The starting point at BK Arena and the finish at the junction near Kigali Convention Centre are fully set up.

Elite cyclists from more than 100 countries have arrived in Kigali ahead of the competition, familiarising themselves with the streets and completing training sessions to prepare for the week-long event.

Fan zones with food and seating areas have been arranged along the course, while VIP guests will have dedicated viewing areas to follow the action up close. A total of 917 competitors will take part in the championships, showcasing the world’s top cycling talent on Kigali’s roads.

Meanwhile, the Rwanda National Police has issued a [detailed plan of road closures and alternative routes ->https://en.igihe.com/sports/article/uci-2025-kigali-road-closures-and-alternative-routes?var_mode=calcul]to help residents and motorists navigate the city during the competition.

September 19, 2025
Saudi Al Kathiri subsidiary signs MoU to build 10,000 housing units in Rwanda

Saudi Arabian financial news outlet Argaam reports that the MoU signed on September 17 is non-binding and will remain valid for five years. The agreement may be renewed, amended, or terminated by mutual written consent of the parties.

Under the agreement, the firm is expected to prepare a comprehensive implementation proposal covering technical, financial, and execution aspects of the project, which will be submitted to the relevant Rwandan authorities for approval.

At this stage, the company stressed that the financial impact of the MoU remains unknown.

The MoU is part of Al Kathiri’s broader strategy to expand into international markets and export modern construction technologies abroad.

The company, founded in 2016, specialises in advanced building systems and the manufacture of ready-mixed concrete products for the modern construction technology sector. Based in Riyadh, it works to provide solutions for energy-efficient and sustainable construction in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.

September 19, 2025
Egypt says stolen pharaoh’s gold bracelet melted down, sold for $4,000

According to the ministry, a restoration specialist took the artifact and sold it to a silver jeweler she knew. The silver jeweler then sold it to a gold jeweler for 180,000 Egyptian pounds (about 3,735 U.S. dollars), who subsequently sold it for 194,000 Egyptian pounds to a gold smelter. The smelter melted the bracelet along with other jewelry before reshaping it.

The ministry said all four suspects confessed, and the money involved was seized. Legal action has been taken against them.

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities reported the bracelet’s disappearance on Tuesday. The item belonged to King Amenemope, a pharaoh of ancient Egypt’s 21st Dynasty who ruled from 993 to 984 BC. The bracelet, decorated with a lapis lazuli bead, vanished from a safe in the conservation laboratory on the museum’s second floor.

In response, the antiquities ministry formed a special committee to review the lab’s artifacts and circulated a photo of the missing bracelet at Egypt’s airports, seaports, and land border crossings.

The EMC is the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East, housing over 170,000 artefacts. It has the largest collection of pharaonic antiquities in the world, according to the museum’s official website.

Museums housing ancient artefacts are a vital pillar for attracting tourists and a significant source of foreign currency in Egypt.

September 19, 2025
PFL Africa’s Rwanda semi-finals to inspire youth, says GM Elias Schulze (Video)

While smaller, local events have previously been held, this marks the first time a major global promotion is bringing a high-stakes, international tournament to the region, solidifying Rwanda’s role as a growing hub for world-class sporting events.

In an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Elias Schulze, General Manager of PFL Africa, shared his vision for the event, emphasising its potential to inspire Rwandan youth and cement the country’s role as a growing sports hub.

Featuring top-tier fighters from across the continent, the main card includes thrilling matchups across four weight classes: Patrick Ocheme (Nigeria) vs. Abdoul Razac Sankara (Burkina Faso) in the featherweight division; Nkosi Ndebele (South Africa) vs. Simbarashe Hokonya (Zimbabwe) in bantamweight; Shido Boris Esperança (Angola) vs. Octave Ayinda (Cameroon) in welterweight; and Maxwell Djantou Nana (Cameroon) vs. Justin Clarke (South Africa) in heavyweight.

The athletes, described by Schulze as “proven rock stars,” have advanced through gruelling quarterfinals to compete for a spot in the finals in Benin this December.

“This is really showcasing the exceptional talent that has developed up till now,” said Schulze, describing the high-calibre fighters competing in four weight classes.

Broadcast to 40 million households across the continent via Canal+, SuperSport, and other platforms, the semi-finals will also reach global audiences, putting Rwanda in the spotlight.

{{Perfect stage for MMA
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Schulze, who first visited Rwanda in 2006 as an intern, marvelled at the country’s transformation over the past two decades.

“The infrastructure development is enormous,” he noted, praising the government and private sector’s investment in sport and culture. BK Arena, opened in 2019 with a 10,000-seat capacity, is a centrepiece of this progress.

“It rivals venues in Paris, London, or Dallas,” Schulze declared, citing its cleanliness, modern amenities, and ability to host world-class events. “You won’t know the difference.”

The arena’s selection for the semi-finals underscores Rwanda’s growing reputation as a rising hub for international sporting events, from the Basketball Africa League to cycling and now MMA.

Schulze credited Rwanda’s visa-free policy for Africans and streamlined processes for international visitors, which facilitate events like PFL’s by enabling fighters and fans from countries like Uganda and Kenya to attend.

“Rwanda has built an ecosystem for sports, not just for East Africa but for the world,” he said.

{{Inspiring youth through resilience and discipline
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A core mission of PFL Africa, inspired by chairman Francis Ngannou’s own journey, is to create a global-quality MMA ecosystem where African athletes can thrive without leaving the continent. Schulze emphasised the sport’s alignment with Rwanda’s ethos of resilience, self-mastery, and discipline—qualities he sees reflected in both MMA fighters and the nation’s post-1994 recovery.

“When I think of Rwanda, I think of getting knocked down but saying, ‘Next time, I’ll win,’” he said. “That’s what MMA is about.”

The event aims to inspire Rwandan youth through community engagement. PFL Africa is collaborating with Rwanda’s Ministry of Sports and local combat sports federations to organise activities during fight week, including gym visits and school programs.

“I was on the phone with Francis [Ngannou] yesterday, and he was talking about how self-discipline is so important, both when you haven’t made success yet and even when you’re successful,” Schulze shared. “That message of self-mastery and resilience is what the youth need, and we hope to bring it through our athletes, with activities in gyms or schools during fight week.”

Adding a local flavour, the event features fighter James Opio, who grew up in Rwanda before relocating to Uganda. Schulze highlighted Opio’s “homecoming” as a key draw, urging Rwandans to support him.

“Come out for James, or for rockstar fighters like Ochi, Sankara, and Ndebele,” Schulze said. “This is the peak of the sport.”

Looking ahead, Schulze envisions Rwanda as the heart of MMA in East Africa, potentially across the continent.

“We want to pull top talent and grow local federations,” he said, describing PFL’s “pull and grow” model.

By empowering athletes, including women who compete for equal prizes, and fostering inspiring stories like Ngannou’s, PFL Africa aims to make MMA a top sport alongside football and basketball.

“Rwanda has the potential to be associated with the explosion of this sport,” Schulze added.

The semi-finals, with early-bird tickets already selling out, promise an “engaging, dynamic, entertaining” spectacle, according to Schulze. “Come out on October 18,” he urged. “You won’t be disappointed.”

The semi-finals are expected to boost the local economy, with thousands of attendees, including international visitors, filling hotels, restaurants, and local businesses. Schulze noted that 80 people, including 50–60 fighters and their teams, will be flown in, likely with RwandAir, while local vendors at BK Arena will see increased activity.

September 18, 2025