Over the past ten years, the firm has generated more than $16 million in revenue, including about $4 million from international service delivery, according to the company’s Managing Director, Habineza Emmanuel.
Habiza disclosed this during the anniversary celebration held on Monday, July 7, 2025.
“We started with very few employees, but now, if we count everyone who has worked with us, it’s over 500 people. We’ve also made significant revenue, with nearly $4 million coming from services offered abroad,” he said.
Sandeep Khapre, CEO of BDO East Africa, recalled that when they launched operations in Rwanda, there was a shortage of professional financial auditors. The firm was determined to employ Rwandans rather than bringing in foreign professionals.
He added that they decided to invest in training local auditors to build a capable workforce.
“At the time, many firms in Rwanda relied on foreign professionals for these services. We made a deliberate decision to train and employ Rwandans — and even have them lead the firm. That’s how we identified leaders like Emmanuel and others who now run the company,” he remarked.
Trond Morten, Chief Strategy and Operations Officer at BDO Global, highlighted the firm’s mission to support Africa in achieving financial and economic progress and to assist both private and public institutions in meeting their goals.
“We serve more than a million clients worldwide, but our main priority is helping them achieve their goals, guiding them on how to grow, how to improve governance in their operations.”
Jean Claude Uwizeyemungu, CEO of Mahwi Grain Millers, who has worked with BDO East Africa (Rwanda) Ltd for the past eight years, praised the firm as a trusted advisor. He credited BDO with helping his company access financial and capital markets.
“Recently, we reached a major milestone by listing our company on the financial and capital markets, and we owe that to BDO. It’s been a long journey, and they helped us secure sufficient financing to pursue our vision,” Uwizeyemungu said.
BDO East Africa (Rwanda) Ltd began operations in Rwanda in 2015 with just three employees. Today, it boasts over 100 full-time staff offering services in financial auditing, economic advisory, development consulting, taxation, technology, and business risk management.
By January 2025, M23 fighters led by Maj Gen Sultani Makenga captured Goma, a city of over two million people, marking a critical blow to the Congolese military. The following month, they advanced into South Kivu, taking Bukavu and several other areas. These rapid gains exposed the vulnerabilities of the Congolese army and its allies, including Burundian forces and the Wazalendo militia.
Corneille Nangaa, leader of the AFC coalition, claims M23 now controls over 34,000 square kilometres across North and South Kivu—territory inhabited by more than 11 million people. But the cost to the Congolese government has gone beyond territorial loss; it has also been economic, military, and institutional.
{{DRC’s loss of land and civilian control}}
The areas lost by Kinshasa include regions rich in natural resources. Rubaya, in Masisi Territory, is one of the world’s largest sources of coltan, a key mineral used in electronics. While mining companies continue operations, the state no longer exercises control—nor does it benefit financially.
M23 also controls major commercial hubs like Bunagana and Goma, which are vital for cross-border trade with Uganda. These cities, previously strong revenue sources for the state, are now under rebel administration.
Across areas from Bunagana to Bukavu, M23 has installed its own civil and military administration, providing basic services and security to the population. Many locals now identify more with M23 than the distant government in Kinshasa. The group has won support, particularly among youth, through messaging that frames its campaign as a revolutionary movement. Recruits are trained at the Rumangabo military base in Rutshuru.
{{Heavy military casualties and defections}}
While no official figures have been released, the scale of military losses is apparent. The Congolese army’s repeated defeats led it to shift strategy, increasingly relying on long-range artillery, combat aircraft, and drones.
The overcrowding of Katindo Military Hospital morgues in Goma prompted urgent requests for additional facilities from Colonel Dr. Muyumba Lubanga. High-ranking officers, including Maj Gen Peter Cirimwami Nkuba—then military commander of North Kivu—were killed in action near Sake in January 2025.
Following the fall of Goma, M23 claimed to have killed many Congolese soldiers and Wazalendo fighters. Survivors fled to Rwanda or crossed Lake Kivu by boat to Bukavu. Others surrendered or defected, some joining M23’s cause and receiving training at Rumangabo under the supervision of Maj Gen Makenga.
{{Billions spent, little gained}}
The DRC government has poured vast sums into the war effort. It purchased tanks, Sukhoi-25 fighter jets, Chinese-made CH-4 drones, and hired European mercenaries reportedly paid up to $6,000 per month. It also financed a Burundian military presence estimated at 5,000 soldiers.
According to Africa Intelligence, military spending rose from $459 million in 2021 to $700 million in 2022, then to $1 billion in 2023. Between January and April 2025 alone, the DRC spent another $1 billion, largely due to a pay raise for soldiers after the loss of Goma and Bukavu.
Despite these investments, the M23 continued to advance, undermining the state’s objectives and raising questions about the effectiveness of Kinshasa’s strategy.
{{Loss of revenue and tax base}}
With M23 controlling border towns such as Bunagana, Goma, and Bukavu, the group has taken over customs operations, sidelining the official immigration and tax authorities (DGM). This has enabled M23 to dominate cross-border trade and daily customs revenue.
Rene Tapsoba, IMF’s country representative, recently told Reuters that the DRC’s inability to control mineral-rich regions in the east could reduce national tax revenue by 4% this year.
In response, the DRC government has cut budgets for several ministries and reduced salaries of state-owned enterprise executives. Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka announced in May 2025 that the war has cost the country 1.7% of its total national budget.
“We’re in an active war in the east, and it’s severely cutting into our finances,” she said. “In the last cabinet meeting, we approved a revised budget to be presented to Parliament. We’ve lost 1.7% of our fiscal resources, mostly redirected toward security.”
{{Weapons and equipment lost to rebels}}
During the capture of Goma and surrounding areas, M23 seized a range of Congolese military equipment—Sukhoi jets, drones, BM-Grad rocket launchers, RPGs, AK-47s, and mortars. The battle also resulted in the loss of four CH-4 drones, three of which were shot down, and one crashed near Kavumu airport in South Kivu.
M23 also captured military trucks and several jeeps, now used for transporting their fighters and maintaining control of occupied zones. The group openly admits that most of its arsenal has been acquired from the Congolese military during battle.
As the war drags on, the DRC continues to haemorrhage resources, losing land, lives, revenue, and military hardware. Meanwhile, M23 not only holds strategic ground but appears to be consolidating civilian control, deepening the crisis facing Kinshasa both militarily and politically.
According to the ICC, Akhundzada, the Taliban’s Supreme leader, and Haqqani, the Chief of Justice, are charged with persecution “on the gender grounds”, a grave offence under the Rome Statute.
This crackdown stems from widespread reports of severe restrictions and abuses targeted at women and girls since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
“Pre-Trial Chamber II considered that the Taliban have implemented a governmental policy that resulted in severe violations of fundamental rights and freedoms of the civilian population of Afghanistan, in connection with conducts of murder, imprisonment, torture, rape and enforced disappearance,” ICC said in a statement released on Tiesday, July 8.
According to the ICC, while the Taliban have imposed certain rules and prohibitions on the population as a whole, they have specifically targeted girls and women by reason of their gender, depriving them of fundamental rights and freedoms.
“Specifically, the Taliban severely deprived, through decrees and edicts, girls and women of the rights to education, privacy and family life and the freedoms of movement, expression, thought, conscience and religion.”
In addition, other persons were targeted because certain expressions of sexuality and/or gender identity were regarded as inconsistent with the Taliban’s policy on gender.
Furthermore, the Chamber found that individuals perceived as opposing these policies, even passively or through omission, were also targeted by the Taliban. This included those described as “allies of girls and women”, who were viewed as political opponents.
“The Chamber has decided that the warrants will remain under seal at this stage, in order to protect victims and witnesses and safeguard the proceedings,” the statement added.
“Nevertheless, the Chamber considered that the conduct addressed is ongoing and that public awareness of the warrants may contribute to the prevention of the further commission of these crimes. Accordingly, the Chamber found that it is in the interests of justice to publicly disclose the existence of these warrants.”
The Taliban dismissed the ICC’s warrants as “baseless rhetoric,” with spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid defending the leadership by claiming they uphold justice based on “the sacred laws of Islamic Sharia.” The clash between the ICC’s global mandate and the Taliban’s defiant stance makes this a developing story to watch.
While ICC’s recent actions send a powerful message, the true challenge lies in their enforcement. Although Afghanistan was a member of the ICC under the previous government, the Taliban, now firmly in control, has rejected this status. This means the prospects of any arrests happening soon are slim.
Despite this hurdle, human rights groups worldwide, including Amnesty International, have praised the ICC’s move as a crucial beacon of hope for Afghan women and girls facing severe oppression.
In a statement, Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard highlighted the importance of this decision, saying it “gives hope to Afghan women, girls, and all those persecuted on the basis of gender identity or expression.”
Trump made the revelations in his Tuesday cabinet meeting at the White House, a day after FIFA President Gianni Infantino unveiled the organisation’s new offices in Trump Tower. The offices will also house the Club World Cup trophy until the tournament’s conclusion.
“I’ll be going to the game,” Trump told reporters after he was asked if he would be attending the final in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Earlier, Infantino praised the cooperation received from U.S. leadership: “We’ve had tremendous support from the government, the President, and the White House team working on the current FIFA Club World Cup as well as next year’s FIFA World Cup.”
President Trump, whose tower has 58 floors, has long expressed a strong interest in sports and made headlines in February when he became the first sitting U.S. president to attend a Super Bowl game.
The FIFA Club World Cup, featuring 32 teams from around the globe, is doubling as a major test event ahead of the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the United States will co-host with Canada and Mexico. The 2026 tournament will see participation grow to 48 national teams, making it the largest World Cup in history.
MetLife Stadium, home to the NFL’s New York Jets and New York Giants, will host both the upcoming Club World Cup final and the 2026 World Cup final.
The agency addressed the progress and challenges of the project during a briefing on issues raised in the Office of the Auditor General’s report for the fiscal year ending June 2024.
RISA’s Director General, Innocent Muhizi, explained that the initiatives under the Rwanda Digital Acceleration Project, which aims to advance technology, including the development of the Digital National ID system, have made significant progress.
He clarified that previous delays have been resolved and that the current phase is progressing rapidly.
“Within the next three to four months, we will begin the initial activities for data collection and entry (pre-enrolment exercise). To be clear, the project’s implementation is led by NIDA, and they will begin inputting data,” he said.
Muhizi further noted that biometric data collection for the new system will be more comprehensive than what was required for the current ID.
“Previously, when applying for a national ID, only two fingerprints were taken. Now, all ten fingers will be recorded, along with an iris scan. This means that, whereas today you are required to present your national ID to open a bank account, in the future you’ll be able to do so digitally and securely—even if you are not physically present,” he explained.
Once the digital ID system becomes operational, individuals will be able to access services remotely.
“In other words, even without being physically present, you’ll be able to complete financial transactions. By using your fingerprint, iris scan, or other biometric methods, we will introduce a smartphone application that allows you to verify your identity simply by saying, ‘This is me,’ and the system will confirm it. This isn’t possible today because our current ID lacks such features,” he added.
Josephine Mukesha, Director General of the National Identification Agency (NIDA), speaking in an interview with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, announced that data collection for the Digital National ID system will begin in July 2025.
“With the new digital ID, we will no longer issue IDs starting at age 16. Instead, everyone will be assigned an ID from birth. We will collect photographs and biometric data from young children. The key difference is that the new ID will exist in three versions. Those who wish can still use the current physical ID, but it will contain less personal information. Today’s IDs display age and other data that don’t necessarily need to be shared with everyone,” she said.
The digital ID will include names and photos, along with a QR code containing additional data that can be accessed based on the viewer’s authorisation level.
She cited the example of entering a venue with an age restriction:
“If a place requires someone to be 18 or older, the digital ID can confirm that without revealing your name or other personal details. Having a digital ID allows you to choose what information to share based on the service you’re accessing.”
The digital ID will also be available on mobile phones, allowing holders to display only relevant information depending on the situation. Alternatively, someone may request the ID number and verify biometric data for authentication.
Any action involving the data on a person’s digital ID will require their approval. Individuals will have the right to authorise which organisations or persons can access their data, and to object to any misuse.
Mukesha added, “What we are currently doing is building the systems that will enable this process. Before launching, we want everyone to verify that the data we already have is accurate. Sometimes, people discover errors—such as a misspelt parent’s name—when applying for services or documents. We want individuals to confirm their information before receiving their digital ID.”
Data verification activities are expected to begin in July 2025.
“We want to stay up to date by ensuring everyone is registered, including children and entire families. Remember, for anyone under 18, a parent or legal guardian must give consent. We plan to make this process convenient by allowing family members to verify data together,” she said.
Mukesha also emphasised the need to reach communities directly in order to accelerate the process and ensure no one is left behind.
RISA’s Director General, Innocent Muhizi, reiterated that the Digital National ID project is progressing steadily and is now approaching the critical stage of data integration.
RISA noted that its technology projects have now reached a phase of acceleration, following initial delays during the early stages of implementation.
Landing at Kigali International Airport on Tuesday morning, Teacher Mpamire was warmly received by the event’s organising team, who are behind the fast-rising Gen-Z Comedy series, now a staple on Kigali’s entertainment calendar with two editions each month.
Mpamire was all smiles as he waved the Rwandan flag handed to him upon arrival, a gesture he said made him feel right at home.
“I love Rwanda. From the moment I started performing here, the people have always shown me so much love—and I love them back. Every time I’m here, it feels like home. Rwanda is truly my second country after Uganda,” he shared.
This marks Teacher Mpamire’s second appearance at Gen-Z Comedy, and this time, the show is themed around #Kwibohora31, commemorating Rwanda’s 31st Liberation Anniversary.
He will be sharing the stage with a stellar lineup of Rwandan comedians, including Umushumba, Pirate, Rumi, Kadudu, Joseph, and Dudu—promising a night packed with laughter and energy.
Gen-Z Comedy has quickly earned a loyal following for its fresh take on stand-up, spotlighting both rising and established acts who reflect the voice and humour of the younger generation.
Since 2021, the Rwanda Youth Tour has brought together Rwandan youth living abroad for a two-week immersive experience that connects them with their roots while encouraging engagement in national development.
This year’s delegation includes participants, mostly students, from the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Uganda, Senegal, Belgium, and Canada. For some, it is their first time visiting Rwanda, having either been born abroad or left at a young age.
The programme began with a guided tour of Nyandungu Eco Park in Kigali, following an official welcome by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MINAFFET) and the Ministry of Youth and Arts Development.
Speaking at the welcoming ceremony, Virgile Rwanyagatare, Director for Asia Pacific and the Middle East at MINAFFET, commended the participants’ enthusiasm and sense of belonging.
“These are passionate young Rwandans who love their country and its history, and who are eager to contribute to its future. Rwanda is proud to welcome them home—to show them where the country stands today, where it has come from, and to educate them about the Genocide against the Tutsi. This journey helps them understand Rwanda’s transformation and the role they can play in its continued progress,” he said.
Rwanyagatare also noted that since the inception of the Rwanda Youth Tour five years ago, diaspora youth have increasingly contributed to the country’s development through academic pursuits, professional expertise, and investment initiatives.
Sandrine Umutoni, State Minister for Youth and Arts Development, underscored the importance of correcting misconceptions among diaspora youth.
“Many arrive believing they know Rwanda’s history, but often lack the full picture, such as what triggered the Genocide against the Tutsi, how it was stopped, and how peace and unity were restored. Those who return more than once begin to grasp the foundational values of our nation: reconciliation, resilience, and inclusivity,” she said.
During the event, four participants shared their initial impressions and hopes for the tour, which focuses on exploring Rwanda’s history, culture, and development journey.
Among them, Linnah Mukandori expressed her heartfelt connection to Rwanda, saying:
“I have missed my country so much. I missed speaking Kinyarwanda and hearing others speak it. I missed everything about Rwanda, and that is why this trip means so much to me.”
Some of them, like Emech from Belgium, look forward to sharing their experiences with their friends when back home.
“I want to discover the country and share my experiences on why they should visit Rwanda,” he remarked.
Watch this video to learn more about the tour and the students’ experiences.
The event drew more than 700 guests, including members of the Rwandan diaspora, Ugandan government officials, the diplomatic corps, students, and friends of Rwanda.
In his keynote address, Amb. Rutabana described July 4, 1994, as “the true liberation” of Rwanda, a moment that marked the rebirth of a nation that had nearly collapsed under the weight of the Genocide against the Tutsi, division, and failed post-independence leadership.
“Rwanda got her Independence from colonialism, on the 1st of July 1962. However, the post- colonial governments did not bring any fundamental change to the lives of the people. In fact, they added more impetus to the plight of divisive and sectarian policies of colonial masters,” he said, citing the discriminatory regimes of Presidents Kayibanda and Habyarimana.
He recounted how years of marginalisation and exile, particularly of Tutsis, created the conditions for an inevitable revolution.
“In 1987, the Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF) was formed with the aim of liberating the motherland,” he said, tracing the movement’s military campaign that began in 1990 and culminated in the Rwandese Patriotic Army (RPA) capturing Kigali on July 4, 1994—effectively ending the Genocide against the Tutsi.
Amb. Rutabana praised the leadership of President Paul Kagame for transforming Rwanda from a nation on the brink of collapse into one of stability, reconciliation, and development.
“The journey has been long and difficult but thanks to the able and transformational leadership of H.E. Paul Kagame, which charted a clear and shared vision, with inclusive policies and equal opportunities to all, considerable achievements have been made,” he said, highlighting that life expectancy has risen to nearly 70 years, school attendance is improving, and Rwanda is now the second-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping missions globally.
He also paid tribute to Uganda for its historical support during Rwanda’s most difficult years. “We did not walk this long journey alone. We have had the valuable support of many partners, including Uganda,” he said, echoing President Kagame’s remarks during the 30th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi, acknowledging Uganda’s role in carrying “the burden of Rwanda’s internal problems for so many years.”
Amb. Rutabana also noted improved bilateral relations between Rwanda and Uganda, underscoring recent high-level engagements between the two countries’ military and government officials. He cited the 11th session of the Uganda-Rwanda Joint Permanent Commission in 2023 as a milestone that laid the groundwork for enhanced cooperation in areas including diplomacy, migration, justice, and cross-border trade.
The Guest of Honour, Amb. Dr. Mohamed A. Kisuule, commended Rwanda’s resilience and transformation.
The evening concluded with a toast to Presidents Yoweri Museveni and Kagame, as well as a cake-cutting ceremony symbolising continued unity and friendship between Rwanda and Uganda.
Musical and cultural performances by the Makerere University choir, a Rwandan traditional dance troupe, and Milly’s Band added colour to the event, while guests were encouraged to “Visit Rwanda” and explore its natural beauty and growing tourism industry.
In a joint statement on Monday, July 7, the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) and National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA) announced that the exams will be conducted in 1,595 centres across the country and will run until July 18, 2025.
This year’s cohort comprises 149,134 Ordinary Level (O-Level) candidates and 106,364 Advanced Level (A-Level) candidates.
For the O-Level examinations, 82,412 girls and 66,722 boys are registered to sit their exams in 715 centres nationwide.
At the A-Level, 101,081 are school-based candidates, including 55,435 girls and 45,646 boys, while 5,283 are private candidates (3,382 girls and 1,901 boys). The exams will be conducted in 880 centres.
MINEDUC and NESA reaffirmed commitment to inclusive education, revealing that 459 O-Level and 323 A-Level candidates with disabilities will receive tailored support.
“This includes Braille and large-print exam papers, assistive devices, the use of scribes, and extended time allowance during examinations,” the statement reads.
NESA, which is coordinating the exams, is a public institution under the Ministry of Education tasked with conducting assessments and ensuring school quality.
The Investigative Committee of Russia announced that the body of the 53-year-old former minister was discovered in the Odintsovo district, a suburb of Moscow. The primary hypothesis under investigation is suicide.
Starovoyt had been appointed transport minister in May 2024, after previously serving as governor of the strategically sensitive Kursk region, which experienced significant conflict during a Ukrainian cross-border incursion.
The Kremlin issued a decree earlier Monday removing Starovoyt from his post without providing a reason. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated the dismissal was “not linked to a loss of trust,” despite speculation to the contrary.
Starovoyt’s firing followed a weekend marked by travel disruptions at Russian airports amid Ukrainian drone attacks, and came amid reports of a corruption probe tied to embezzlement of funds intended for border fortifications in the Kursk region. Some analysts have suggested Starovoyt’s removal could be connected to this ongoing investigation, though this has not been officially confirmed.
Shortly after the dismissal, President Putin met with Starovoyt’s deputy, Andrei Nikitin, appointing him as acting transport minister. Nikitin, former governor of the Novgorod region, emphasised plans to modernise the transport sector, including digitalisation and improving cross-border logistics.
Starovoyt’s death adds a tragic dimension to a challenging period for Russia’s transport infrastructure, which is currently grappling with supply shortages and financial pressures.
An official investigation is ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the death.
