One of the planes arrived earlier this month and has already begun operations, while the second touched down last night.
Each aircraft has a passenger capacity of 174 and will primarily serve short and medium-haul routes, enhancing connectivity within Africa and beyond.
“With a passenger capacity of 174, these aircraft will primarily operate on short and medium haul routes,” the airline said.
The fleet expansion is part of RwandAir’s broader growth strategy, which also includes the planned arrival of a fourth Airbus A330 later this year.
Speaking in June, Chief Commercial Officer Fouad Caunhye said the new aircraft would be delivered in phases, aiming to meet rising regional and international demand.
In addition to the two new aircraft, RwandAir operates a fleet of 13 planes, including two A330-200s, one A330-300, six Boeing 737 Next Generation jets, two Bombardier CRJ900s, and two De Havilland Dash 8-400s.
The airline’s expansion comes on the heels of its recognition as Best Regional Airline in Africa at the 2025 Skytrax Awards in June.
In a separate announcement this week, the airline unveiled a special promotion offering travellers a 50% discount on tickets booked on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through its official website or mobile app.
The offer is valid for travel until November 30, 2025, with bookings required by September 14, 2025. Destinations covered include Dubai, Johannesburg, Lagos, Paris, Kigali, and more.
“This weekend, your dream trip is half the price,” the airline said.
The agreements, formalised during a visit by Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo, reflect a shared commitment to tackling terrorism and fostering economic growth.
The first agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Mozambique’s Investment and Export Promotion Agency (APIEX), was signed by RDB Chief Executive Officer Jean-Guy Afrika and Mozambique’s High Commissioner to Rwanda, Amade Miquidade.
The MoU aims to expand trade and investment in sectors like agriculture, tourism, and industry, building on prior frameworks to drive economic collaboration.
A second pact, a renewed Status of the Forces Agreement on the Support to Fight Terrorism in Mozambique, was signed by Rwanda’s Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda, and Mozambique’s Minister of National Defence, Cristóvão Artur Chume.
The agreement extends Rwanda’s military support in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, where Rwandan forces have been deployed since 2021 to combat Islamist insurgents.
“Thanks to this cooperation, we can see peace returning to the region,” President Chapo said, acknowledging Rwanda’s role in stabilising Cabo Delgado despite ongoing sporadic attacks.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Paul Kagame emphasised the need for African-led solutions to regional challenges, stating, “Outsourcing the responsibility to external actors will not build lasting peace nor development.”
He highlighted the agreements as a step toward operationalising existing frameworks, noting that Rwanda and Mozambique share “very strong bilateral ties” and a bond as “brothers and sisters.”
President Chapo, making his first visit to Rwanda as Mozambique’s leader, praised the warm welcome in Kigali and the “excellent bilateral conversations” that underscored mutual solidarity.
He invited President Kagame to visit Mozambique and thanked Rwanda for its support in combating terrorism, paying homage to Rwandan forces working alongside Mozambican troops.
Both leaders expressed confidence in the partnership’s future. “We are on the right path to growing an already excellent partnership,” Kagame said.
Chapo echoed this optimism, noting that the agreements would strengthen relations between the two nations and their peoples.
On the second and final day of his visit, Thursday, August 28, President Chapo will meet with Rwandan business leaders interested in exploring investment opportunities in Mozambique. He will also tour the Kigali Special Economic Zone in Masoro to study Rwanda’s industrial development and identify potential areas for cooperation.
The announcement follows recent findings that Rwanda’s air quality is deteriorating due to PM2.5 particles emitted mainly from motor vehicles, with motorcycles alone responsible for 47% of harmful emissions.
Under a Ministerial Order issued on August 25, 2025, motor vehicles used for public passenger transport, cargo, driving schools, school buses, ambulances, and petrol-powered machinery in construction and agriculture will receive inspection certificates valid for six months. All other motor vehicles will be issued certificates valid for one year.
Owners of vehicles that fail inspection will be required to fix defects and present their vehicles for re-testing before being cleared.
The regulation sets a range of fines depending on the severity of the violation. The heaviest penalty, Frw 5 million, applies to those who ignore an order to stop polluting activities. Unauthorised polluting activities attract a fine of Frw 3 million, while breaching rules on air quality preservation is punishable by Frw 2 million. For minor violations of emissions rules, offenders face fines ranging from Frw 25,000 to Frw 1 million, depending on the offence.
In addition, failure to pay fines within seven days will attract an extra 0.5% daily penalty.
Inspection fees have also been set: motorcycles will pay Frw 16,638, small passenger cars Frw 34,940, and medium passenger vehicles or light cargo trucks Frw 51,578, with lower rates for re-inspections.
Officials say the new enforcement regime is part of Rwanda’s broader strategy to improve air quality, including incentives for a shift from fuel-powered motorcycles to electric alternatives.
According to the Office of the President, the two Heads of State immediately held a tête-à-tête meeting to discuss key areas of ongoing bilateral cooperation.
Earlier in the day, President Chapo was welcomed at Kigali International Airport by senior government officials, including Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Gen (Rtd) James Kabarebe.
Also present were Rwanda Defence Force Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Mubarakh Muganga, Inspector General of Police, CP Felix Namuhoranye, and Secretary General of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISSR), Aimable Havugiyaremye.
This marks President Chapo’s first visit to Rwanda since taking office in January this year.
The visit seeks to deepen collaboration in priority sectors, particularly defence and security cooperation — with Rwanda continuing to support Mozambique in its fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado Province — as well as broader economic ties.
As part of his itinerary, President Chapo is expected to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi, where he will pay tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and reflect on Rwanda’s resilience and recovery.
On Thursday, August 28, President Chapo will engage with Rwandan business leaders interested in exploring investment opportunities in Mozambique. He will also tour the Kigali Special Economic Zone in Masoro to learn from Rwanda’s industrial development and identify potential areas for cooperation.
The company stressed that the incident was confined to a business-related system. As Google explained, “This issue did not impact consumer Gmail or Google Cloud customer data, and no passwords were compromised.”
Despite these assurances, cybercriminals have been quick to exploit the situation. Reports indicate a surge in phishing emails and vishing calls, with scammers impersonating Google employees.
Many of these fraudulent calls have come from numbers beginning with the 650 area code, which is tied to Google’s California headquarters, giving the impression of authenticity.
Victims have described receiving alarming calls in which they were told their accounts had been hacked and were pressured into resetting their passwords. Once the new credentials were provided, attackers gained full access, locking out the rightful owners.
According to Fox News Technology, security experts have highlighted risks facing Google Cloud customers through what is known as the “dangling bucket” vulnerability. This occurs when outdated or abandoned cloud storage addresses remain active, creating openings for hackers to inject malware or steal data.
Although no consumer passwords were exposed in the Salesforce breach, experts warn that even partial leaks can give cybercriminals the tools to mount larger, more damaging attacks.
The incident illustrates how quickly attackers can weaponize information that might appear relatively harmless on its own. It also underscores how social engineering tactics convincing people to hand over sensitive details remain one of the most effective ways to compromise digital accounts. With Gmail and Google Cloud serving close to 2.5 billion users, the potential scale of harm is enormous.
Google has urged users to remain vigilant and to strengthen their account protections. In its statement, the company encouraged people to review their account activity through Google’s Security Checkup, to use strong and unique passwords, and to adopt two-factor authentication.
It also recommended the use of passkeys, describing them as a “more secure, phishing-resistant” method of logging in. Importantly, Google reminded users that it does not call customers to request password resets or verification codes, warning that such calls are almost certainly fraudulent.
The initiative, led by Ropeways Transit Rwanda Limited (RTRL), seeks to tackle traffic congestion in the capital while offering a greener alternative to road transport. Rather than replacing existing systems, the project is designed to complement Kigali’s urban growth.
The idea was conceived in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when RTRL Chief Executive, Muyiwa Omololu. With Kigali’s hilly terrain, fast-growing population, and limited road expansion capacity, Omololu saw an opportunity to explore aerial transport.
“Road construction and maintenance require huge government spending. Kigali is expanding rapidly. The alternative is to take transport into the skies,” he said.
Drawing inspiration from systems in La Paz, Medellín, and Mexico City, Omololu believes Kigali is well-placed to become the first African city to implement a large-scale cable car network.
Plans call for nine routes, linking high-traffic areas from residential zones to business districts, sports facilities, and leisure centres.
The Rwandan government has already granted RTRL approval to proceed, starting with two routes in phases. The first will connect Nyabugogo Bus Station to downtown Kigali, while the second—dubbed Route 10—will link the Kigali Convention Centre (KCC) to Remera, home to Amahoro Stadium, BK Arena, and Zaria Court.
These initial routes, costing $100 million (approximately Rwf 145 billion), are expected to take 24 months to complete. A later extension will reach Sonatube and Gatenga, with the system eventually carrying up to 5,000 passengers per direction, per hour—equivalent to removing 2,000 cars or 5,000 motorcycles from Kigali’s roads.
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Omololu confirmed that discussions are underway with Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote to participate in financing the project.
Dangote, recently appointed to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab, is part of a global initiative linking private sector leaders to solutions for investment challenges in developing economies.
So far, the African Development Bank has pledged $500,000 (about Rwf 725 million)grant for preparatory feasibility studies, while Afreximbank, Africa50, and the Africa Finance Corporation have all signalled investment commitments.
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The system will be built by Doppelmayr, an Austrian company and global leader in cableway construction, with support from Outdoor Engineers (Switzerland) and Rwanda’s Planet Projects.
Omololu stressed that safety is paramount, citing Doppelmayr’s recovery concept, which allows cabins to automatically descend to the nearest station in case of a power cut. Sensors will also detect and halt operations if obstacles are detected on the lines.
The cable car system is expected to create around 3,000 jobs in its first phase. Rwandans will receive training to operate and maintain the technology, ensuring long-term local management.
Each cabin will carry 10 passengers, consuming minimal power—comparable to a hair dryer every two kilometres.
The project aligns with Rwanda’s climate targets to cut emissions by 38% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. According to Omololu, transporting 10,000 people per hour could remove up to 2,000 vehicles from the city’s roads.
Real estate and business owners also stand to benefit, as land values around the stations are expected to rise, attracting new developments.
To familiarise the public with the technology, RTRL plans a Public Adoption Programme, including study visits to Bolivia’s Mi Teleférico and the creation of a demonstration site in Kigali.
Feasibility studies are set to conclude this year. If financing is secured on time, construction could begin in 2026, lasting 18–24 months, with operations expected to launch in 2028.
Addressing the ongoing war, Trump made it clear that the United States will no longer tolerate diplomatic deadlock.
“If they don’t start talking, there will be massive sanctions or tariffs, or both,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday, stressing that his administration is prepared to act decisively. He explained that it would ultimately fall on him to determine which side is responsible for obstructing progress.
“It’s my responsibility to figure out where the fault lies,” he added.
Traditionally, Washington has placed the greatest pressure on Moscow. However, Trump’s remarks suggest a shift in approach, as he signaled that Ukraine could also be subject to punitive measures if peace negotiations continue to stall.
“We’re not just going to keep giving and giving while nothing happens,” the president stated.
The warning underscores Trump’s belief in the power of economic leverage. He emphasized that tariffs or sanctions could be imposed swiftly if the situation does not improve.
“We will act quickly, and we will act strongly,” he declared.
Trump’s comments come at a time when global pressure is mounting for a resolution to the conflict.
By directly threatening both sides, he introduced a new element of unpredictability into U.S. foreign policy, signaling that America’s priority is not simply to back one side, but to push both leaders — Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskiy — toward the negotiating table.
The delegation included U.S. Representatives Austin Scott of Georgia and Salud Carbajal of California, both members of the House Armed Services Committee, along with Jimmy Panetta of California, who serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means.
According to a communique from the Office of the President, talks between the Head of State and the visiting lawmakers centred on strengthening existing partnerships between Rwanda and the United States in areas such as regional security, education, and health.
The visit follows recent U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which resulted in the signing of a peace agreement in Washington on June 27, 2025. The accord committed both countries to ending hostilities and working together to promote economic development.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump emphasised that his administration is making strong progress and insisted that “it does have to end,” reiterating a sense of urgency amid a devastating humanitarian crisis.
He, however, provided few specifics to support his prediction.
Trump later appeared to defer to Special Envoy Steve Witkoff for further details on diplomatic efforts, who echoed praise for the president’s leadership in advancing peace talks farther than contemplated.
Trump also acknowledged the deep-rooted nature of the conflict, saying it is “a hard thing to say” that it will end soon, given that tensions in the region have spanned generations. Still, he maintained an optimistic outlook, asserting that the current efforts were producing positive momentum.
Analysts and observers note that Trump has frequently employed similar short-term timelines—most commonly a “two-week” window—to forecast resolution of various international issues, from the Russia-Ukraine war to nuclear negotiations with Iran and trade discussions. These forecasts, however, have often fallen short of fruition.
Meanwhile, the situation on the ground remains daunting. Israel has made clear that it is not inclined toward a phased ceasefire proposal accepted by Hamas. Instead, the Israeli government is proceeding with plans to advance into Gaza City, a campaign expected to span several more months.
At the same time, 25 other defendants, including journalists and Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) employees, have been released on bail.
The case involves 28 individuals in total, including three RDF officers, two RCS staff, and several civilians, including sports journalists and APR FC supporters.
The disputed tickets are linked to APR FC’s trip to Egypt in September 2024 to play against Pyramids FC in the CAF Champions League, as well as other trips involving RCS officers.
During a hearing on August 18, the prosecution requested 30 days’ provisional detention for the defendants, while the accused asked to be tried without detention.
Today, the military tribunal ruled that the three RDF officers—Major Vincent Murigande, Captain Peninah Umurungi, and Captain Peninah Mutoni—should remain in remand, citing sufficient grounds to justify continued detention.
Meanwhile, the court granted provisional release to the other 25 defendants, including RCS officers CSP Hillary Sengabo and CSP Olive Mukantabana, journalists Reagan ‘Rugaju’ Ndayishimiye and Ricard Ishimwe, and former journalist Mucyo ‘Antha’ Biganiro, citing insufficient grounds to continue holding them in custody.
