Category: Opinion

These claims, however, often lack proper context and are based on misinformation aimed at undermining China’s growing influence on the global stage.

The reality in Xinjiang is far more complex, involving efforts to combat extremism, preserve national unity, and promote economic development.

Recently, the 6th edition of the World Media Forum took place in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, an autonomous province in northwestern China. Xinjiang is vast—6.8 times larger than the UK—with a booming economy and dynamic tourism sector. Last year alone, Xinjiang received more than 256 million tourists.

Given the recurring coverage of Xinjiang in Western media, it was time for us, media practitioners from around the world, to witness firsthand what life is truly like for the Uyghurs, one of 55 officially recognized ethnic minorities in China. Our goal was to see for ourselves whether the human rights abuses claimed by Western leaders and media hold any truth.

Understanding the Radicalization Problem in Xinjiang

In the early 2000s, Xinjiang faced an increasing wave of radicalization within a minority of the Uyghur Muslim population. This led to several horrific terrorist attacks, including bombings, stabbings, and even mass killings targeting both civilians and government personnel.

Notable incidents include the 2009 Ürümqi riots and the 2014 Kunming railway station attack, which left dozens dead and many more injured. These were the works of radical separatists who sought to destabilize the region and establish an independent state.

The Chinese government, alarmed by the rising violence and the threat of separatism, implemented a range of counter-terrorism measures. Among these was a re-education program aimed at deradicalizing individuals involved in extremist activities, which may be compared to Itorero in Rwanda, used to rehabilitate former members of the FDLR, FNL, and other terrorist organizations that aimed to attack Rwanda or spread genocidal ideology.

While some in the West have questioned these initiatives both for China and for Rwanda, they were designed to rehabilitate those exposed to radical ideologies, providing vocational training, education in legal rights, and cultural integration to prevent future extremism. Their usefulness has been paramount to both countries.

The Suspected Role of Western Countries

The separatist movement in Xinjiang has not been a purely internal issue. There is growing evidence that Western countries have had a hand in encouraging separatism in Xinjiang as part of a broader strategy to destabilize China.

The U.S. has long seen China as an economic rival, and any attempt to weaken China internally serves their geopolitical interests.

By amplifying accusations of human rights abuses, some Western governments aim to tarnish China’s international image, hoping to slow its economic ascent.

These actions align with a broader history of Western interventions designed to influence political stability in regions critical to their global dominance.

The Prosperity and Development of Xinjiang Today

Despite these challenges, Xinjiang today is a flourishing and multicultural province, where Uyghurs live peacefully alongside other ethnic groups.

Far from the dystopian image painted by some media outlets, Xinjiang has experienced rapid development in recent years. The region has seen its GDP grow significantly, with major investments in infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

Key stats showcasing Xinjiang’s progress include a GDP of over 1.59 trillion yuan (approximately $230 billion) in 2023, and the construction of vital infrastructure like highways, railways, and airports that connect the region with the rest of China.

Xinjiang is also a crucial part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has attracted foreign investments and made the region a hub for international trade.

Moreover, the claim that Uyghurs cannot practice their religion is false. There are numerous places of worship across Xinjiang, and Uyghurs are free to practice Islam and other religions, as long as these practices do not veer into extremism.

We had the opportunity to visit the Xinjiang Islamic Institute in Urumqi, a modern, government-sponsored institution that trains over 1,000 students. Greeted by Imam Abdurraqib Turmuniyaz at the front gate, we were struck by the school’s modern architecture, which sets it apart from traditional educational institutions.

The institute offers an intensive three- to four-year program, preparing students for roles as Imams and leaders within mosques and other Islamic entities across China. Established in the early 1980s on a 7.6-hectare campus, the institute reflects the Chinese government’s efforts to support and regulate Islamic education. The state has reportedly invested around 380 million USD in its development, ensuring it has comprehensive facilities including a canteen, mosque, library, and gym.

The Xinjiang Islamic Institute also has eight branches across the province, including in Hotan, Aksu, and Kashgar, with a total of around 3,000 students.

According to Imam Turmuniyaz, the school was created to give Muslim boys in Xinjiang the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of Islam while preparing them for leadership roles in China’s mosques.

He emphasized that religious freedom is fully protected in China, especially in Xinjiang, and that the institute’s mission is to educate rather than confine students. This government-backed institution is a key part of China’s efforts to promote Islamic education in a structured and modern environment.

The government has drawn a clear distinction between ordinary religious practices and radicalization, the latter of which it aims to prevent for the safety and stability of the region.

Western Misinformation: A Tool for Containing China’s Rise

The persistent campaign of misinformation against China, particularly regarding Xinjiang, is part of a larger strategy by Western countries to contain China’s rise.

As China moves closer to overtaking the U.S. as the world’s largest economy, these Western countries have become increasingly alarmed at the prospect of losing the global dominance they have held for nearly two centuries.

By painting China as a human rights abuser, Western governments and media outlets seek to rally international opinion against China.

However, this narrative often ignores the strides China has made in lifting more than 800 millions out of poverty within less than 40 years, improving living standards, and maintaining social harmony in diverse regions in the country, including Xinjiang.

A Region of Peace and Progress

Xinjiang is not the war-torn, oppressive place that some would have you believe. It is a region that has faced serious challenges with extremism and separatism but has overcome these obstacles through development, education, and integration.

The Uyghur people live peacefully alongside other ethnic groups in Xinjiang, practicing their religion freely and benefiting from the region’s rapid economic growth. For example, during our visit to GAC’s car manufacturing plant in Xinjiang, we saw Uyghurs working alongside their fellow Chinese citizens.

Uyghurs are actively involved in various sectors, from restaurants and coffee shops to construction companies, administrative offices, and even serving in the military. Some have also gained prominence as models in China’s booming fashion industry, showcasing the diverse opportunities available to them across the country.

The broader campaign of misinformation against China, spearheaded by Western governments, is less about human rights and more about maintaining global hegemony.

As China continues to rise on the world stage, the truth about Xinjiang is clear; it is a region of peace, prosperity, and promise, no matter what the detractors say.

Related article: Explore the splendor of Xinjiang, China’s largest Province bordering eight countries

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“Uyu muhungu arasa n’umunyarwanda” (This boy looks like a Munyarwanda), my only Rwandan classmate, Kazayire, pointed out.

“He is, I know him,” I lied to stop her from further comments, knowing they could be good or bad. Joseph did not respond. He simply continued reading his books as if he had not heard us.

Kololo was one of the largest schools in Uganda, with a population of more than 2,000 students.

To maintain order, “O” level students were allowed a one-off 40-minute library session. I could tell from his grey trousers that he was an “A” level student.

If he was a Munyarwanda, he must have been new because we made efforts to get to know each other. As fate would have it, we ended that evening in the same dormitory, West 4 at Bugolobi Hostel, and our friendship began.

I have deliberately avoided prefixing my memories and tributes with his several well-deserved titles—not out of disrespect but for several reasons.

One is that they were all titles he merited, but it’s difficult to use them all. Should I simply call him an old friend, Mudaheranwa, as we fondly called him? Many non-Kinyarwanda speakers found it difficult to pronounce this name.

I remember someone asking, “Is that a name or a sentence?” Should I call him Doctor, Honorable Minister, Ambassador, or Senator? By the way, another important role and title rarely mentioned is “Member of High Command,” as he was a member of the RPA High Command during the liberation struggle.

Back to our youthful days in high school: befriending him was an adventure filled with laughter, mischief, and unconditional love. He wasn’t just one of my best friends but also a confidant and partner in several activities—some of which I dare not write about.

When we first met, he had just come from a rural school and knew very little about Kampala, Uganda’s capital.

He trusted me to show him around, introducing him to the different corners of the city: where to shop for discounted clothes and which old women in the neighboring slums sold cheap hot meals and local brews, often on credit.

He often gave me undue credit, claiming that I made him a doctor. His equally jolly wife, Anne, would tell me how often she heard that claim. It goes back to his final high school examination.

Like many students, he had doubts about which university course to apply for. As his close friend, I insisted he put medicine as his first choice. Seeing my persistence, he handed me his application form and said, “Here, just put what you want.” I initially thought he was joking, but he wasn’t. I filled in MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) as his first choice.

That was the extent of our camaraderie and trust: he could entrust his junior to determine his future career! The rest is history. He passed, went to medical school, and became Dr. Joseph Mudaheranwa Karemera. He has credited me with this decision many times over.

With the exception of that post-exam doubt, Mudaheranwa, as we fondly called him, had the instinct and courage to prioritize tomorrow’s greater cause over today’s comforts.

I vividly remember when, as a refugee in Kenya, he abandoned a very lucrative job as Chief Medical Officer of a private hospital, earning more than three times the normal remuneration of a doctor, to pursue a master’s degree in gynecology at the University of Nairobi.

Everyone who cared tried to convince him that even with the master’s degree, it would be difficult to find a job that paid as well as what he had. But his mind was made up. Having failed to convince him, we joked that he must like the opposite sex so much that he chose gynecology!

Soon, he abandoned the post-graduate course to join the Uganda National Resistance Army (NRA). From Kenya, instead of staying in a hotel he could afford or with military officers, he stayed in my room at Makerere University’s Complex Hall.

Our high school friendship remained intact. When he told me he was leaving his studies to go “mu Kichaka” (into the bush), I thought it was just his humor. But again, he had seen that only through military training could we liberate our homeland.

I could write on and on about my experiences with this departed comrade—a doctor, a member of High Command, a cabinet minister, an ambassador, a senator, and above all, a husband, father, and grandfather. Fifty years of friendship is too long to capture in a few pages.

Let me pause. For those who were with us in high school, do you remember how, despite being a scientist, he loved to quote literature books? One of his favorites was Shakespeare, especially Marc Antony’s speech at Julius Caesar’s funeral: “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears…”

Joseph had memorized the entire speech.

“I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones…”

He loved that quote. But no, Joseph, I refuse to accept it in your case. I promise you that the good you did will live on for many years. It lives in the liberation struggle to which you contributed.

It lives in the fact that our children and grandchildren will not grow up stateless, as you and I did. It lives in the fact that, as Minister of Education, you initiated the Rwanda National Examination Council, ensuring Rwandan students were admitted to schools transparently.

Like Antony’s final words: “Bear with me; my heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, and I must pause till it comes back to me.” That is the same for me, Joseph. My heart is in that coffin with you until it comes back.

This week, we come together to celebrate your life, a journey we all take, some sooner than others. Your spirit will live on in our memories and the love we shared.

The memory I cherish most was his unwavering optimism—even during tough challenges, like in the bush when the medical team he led had no anesthesia. He remained resilient, finding light in the darkest of moments and being a pillar of strength for us all.

As we bid farewell to this fallen hero, let us remember the memories we shared. Though he may no longer walk beside us, his spirit will live on in our hearts forever.

To Anne, Numutari Karemera: remember the good times we shared before you became husband and wife. Let his passing not end our friendship. Though I may not have much to offer you and your children, count on me for moral support.

When did the rains start beating Gachagua aka Riggy G?

The “truthful man of God,” as he often refers to himself, finds himself in hot soup for his involvement in promoting tribal politics. The DP’s public utterances, which included “shareholders government,” depicted the man as a tribalist who only pushed the interests of one tribe—Kikuyu—rather than fronting the interests of the entire Kenyan people.

Some of the politicians pushing for his impeachment also claim that Gachagua clandestinely supported the deadly Gen-Z protests that ensued in June. The peaceful protests were hijacked by goons who looted supermarkets and shops, resulting in violent confrontations with the police and leading to dozens of deaths. Even a layman knows that the event of June 25, which led to the capture of the National Assembly and Senate premises, wasn’t just a normal protest.

DP Gachagua’s miscalculated moves on his boss—it’s reckless and uncalled for to undermine and blackmail the sitting Head of State. If I say that DP Gachagua’s goose is cooked, I wouldn’t be wrong, and I wouldn’t face any form of contradiction. My submission is substantiated by the fact that his conduct against his boss is intolerable. There was no way Mr. Gachagua would sit in the Cabinet, agree on the policies and programs with President Ruto, and later oppose meeting resolutions.

The DP also crossed the line when he launched a scathing attack on the Head of the National Intelligence Service, Noordin Haji. He labelled him incompetent over alleged failure to inform the President about the violent Gen-Z protests. However, the man had done his job, and if there were reasons to believe that the spy chief was playing with such a sensitive docket, the Head of State would not have hesitated to kick him out.

Will Gachagua survive the guillotine?

Despite his link to capital offenses bordering on treason, including claims that he was leaking state secrets, the man from Mathira still stands a chance to survive impeachment. In a constitutional democracy like Kenya, everybody has the right to be heard. The DP petitioned the High Court of Kenya to stop his impeachment proceedings, which are underway in the Senate. The court will have to interrogate the process, assess its constitutionality, and deliver the ruling.

Furthermore, there is another avenue for Gachagua’s survival, and that’s if he persuades members of the Senate to vote in his favour. If the motion fails to garner two-thirds of the Senators, Gachagua will have succeeded against a well-planned and coordinated plan to oust him.

However, many people believe the DP won’t survive the impeachment, owing to various tangible reasons, including his limited numerical strength both in the Upper and Lower Houses, despite having a robust legal team that is arguing his case.

In my opinion, Mr. Riggy G has crossed the Rubicon. His impeachment will, beyond any reasonable doubt, yield success. My advice to the “Son of Mau Mau” is to resign and save his political career. He might stand good chances come 2027, as an impeachment would mean a vote of no confidence to occupy any public office in the future.

The author is a commentator who dissects matters- politics, governance, security & economics.

After careful thought, I’ve realized what I admire most in all my favorite people is their grit. I love people with grit—actual grit—the drive to push harder for what they believe in. I crave that kind of optimization, a journey that transforms me into my favorite version of myself.

Waking up and going to work everyday, spending an hour at night watching reels, playing cute little games on my phone, reading cute little stories, and consuming cute little movies is fun. I won’t deny it—I love it. It makes life more bearable. But is it really? Now, I spend half of my life consuming information and earning money, and this feels like it could be my life forever.

But this isn’t who I thought I would be when I was a child, I wanted to be a hero, I wanted to live my life to the fullest, I was curious and enthusiastic about everything. The world was very much my oyster. It made sense then—I was a child, untouched by society’s expectations. I was my original self, or as Robin Sharma says, I still had my genius.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” – Steve Jobs

For a long time, I’ve been coddling my potential. We all know we’re capable of greatness, yet we play it safe. We choose the less risky option. We spend time focusing on things that can get us a job in two months, and when we get the job, we get too busy being busy.

We forget who we wanted to be in the first place. But the money is good, we get a promotion, and the next thing we know, we’re comfortable. We lose our grit. We become a mediocre version of ourselves. And when people ask us to do better, we tell ourselves, “I’m doing my best.”

I’ve never done my “best.” I’ve always done what was easier, what I could manage at the moment, what felt possible from my perspective. I think it all started the last year of secondary school when I gave up on chemistry because it got hard. Then I gave up on finishing my book when my characters became too complicated. I gave up on a lot of things. You could say I’ve been a quitter.

My best could probably have built a spaceship by now, my best is such a great version of the person I am if I didn’t have doubt, laziness and greed. My best would save the world. Now imagine if we all did our best? Like our absolute best?

In my society, we often cringe at people who are trying too hard. Anytime someone calls themselves a history maker, an empire builder, or an entrepreneur, we roll our eyes. It’s as if the idea that someone might want to create something great is unfathomable.

But now I get it. The only person stopping me from becoming myself is me. So how do I go back? Where’s the step-by-step guide?

“Push yourself to do more and to experience more. Harness your energy to start expanding your dreams. Yes, expand your dreams. Don’t accept a life of mediocrity when you hold such infinite potential within the fortress of your mind. Dare to tap into your greatness.” —Robin Sharma, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

Sounds simple enough, right?

But here’s the thing about grit—they never really teach us how to maintain it. We can get motivated in seconds, but keeping the grit for something you want is hard. And there’s no cheat code for it because it’s all in your head. You either have it or you don’t.

One day, you want something badly; the next month, not having it doesn’t seem so bad. And so we end up with failed ‘piped’ dreams and forgotten projects because the passion we once had fades.

Like Robin Sharma said, “You’ll never take the world to a place higher than you’ve visited internally.”
Since starting my periodic publications, I realize I sound like a motivator. So, I figured its time to start becoming the person I write about in these articles.

I believe it begins by building a deep intimacy with my own mortality. Spoiler alert: eventually, I will turn to dust and be forgotten. So, why make life about ego, the nice car, the big house, or the powerful demeanor? Who do I really want to be in this brief life of mine?

I want to be seen as a curious person, deeply interested in life, someone with genuine experiences and meaningful connections. I want to be skilled at my craft so I can focus less on being likable and more on loving the people in my life. At the end of the day, success is tied to matters of the heart.

It’s never just about mindset—it’s also about heartset, healthset, and soulset. Wanting that big office in a successful company doesn’t come from a safe space. It often comes from a mind that’s insecure, self-loathing, and in need of something external to fill an internal void.

“Great lives, great art, great businesses—great anything—don’t come from your mind; they come from your heart.” —Robin Sharma

Revolutionizing your existence means showing up more as yourself every day—waking up with grit and passion, existing boldly, and doing things that help you reconnect with your higher self.

Whether it’s waking up an hour earlier to do those assisted pushups, meditating, journaling, or decluttering—it will be done. It’s about committing to these actions because we need to cultivate resilience for our dreams. Mastery over our minds, hearts, health, and souls empowers us to achieve what our inner genius have always wanted.

There is more to who you are than even the people who raised you or the friends who know you best can see. Only you can truly sit down and discover what’s worth living for—something bigger than yourself.

For Mother Teresa, it was helping people; for Nelson Mandela, it was fighting for his people; for Malala Yousafzai, it was advocating for girls’ education; for Martin Luther King Jr., it was seeking justice and equality; for Rosa Parks, it was standing up for civil rights.

For Mahatma Gandhi, it was leading through nonviolence; for Wangari Maathai, it was protecting the environment; for Eleanor Roosevelt, it was advocating for human rights; for Albert Einstein, it was unlocking the mysteries of the universe; for Marie Curie, it was advancing scientific discovery; for Harriet Tubman, it was liberating the oppressed.

What will it be for you?

The author is a Digital Strategist, Creative Entrepreneur and Passionate Mental Health Advocate

Our mission has always been simple yet profound: to build products that meaningfully improve people’s lives. Reflecting on where we started, it’s clear that we have made significant strides.

From an era when accessing public services required multiple trips to government offices and long waiting periods, we now offer digital solutions that provide many essential services in under 24 hours.

This shift is more than just about digitization—it’s about empowering citizens by making public services accessible and efficient. This digital transformation is built on the belief that public service delivery should be efficient and empowering for citizens to access conveniently and confidently.

Since our founding in 2014, we have been on a journey of continuous improvement, always striving to create a truly digital society. However, our progress has been far from perfect. The road has been filled with challenges, but each one has pushed us to improve, refine our approach, and to better understand the needs of our users.

When we first partnered with the Government of Rwanda to launch IremboGov in 2015, it was a bold step into uncharted territory. Today, with over 220 services now available online, we’ve made it easier to access services like applying for birth certificates or land transfers.

Yet, we are fully aware that our work is far from finished. Our vision of a truly digital society is an ongoing journey, and we remain committed to continuous improvement. Every day, we ask ourselves how we can do better and bring our users closer to a seamless, reliable digital experience.

Beyond digitizing government services, our focus has been on building trust and creating user-friendly experiences. A vital part of that is IremboPay, a secure payment platform that has transformed how citizens make payments.

Whether it’s through mobile money, bank transfers, or credit cards, our goal has been to ensure convenience and security at every step. But convenience alone is not enough—trust, reliability, and ease of use create lasting value.

Listening to our users is a crucial aspect of delivering these experiences. Their feedback drives our innovation and informs our strategy. Our department of customer experience and service distribution is at the forefront of this, ensuring that every interaction is seamless and that support is always within reach.

Whether through call centers, WhatsApp, social media, or our agent network, we strive to be there for our users when they need us most. We are also deeply committed to building digital literacy through our Irembo academy and other outreach programs, ensuring that we bring our users along with us as we evolve.

We know that the future holds even more opportunities for growth and innovation. As we look ahead, our focus will remain on improving personalization and user experience. We want to create products that not only meet the needs of today’s citizens but also anticipate the needs of tomorrow.

What we’ve learned over the years is that placing users at the center of our work leads to better service delivery while fostering trust and engagement between citizens and their government.

This focus on customers has been essential to our growth, guiding us in creating scalable solutions that serve as a model for improving service. As other nations look toward digital transformation, our journey offers insights into how service-driven innovation can contribute to societal development.

Today, we are celebrating 10 years of Irembo, and we take pride in how far we have come but remain humble about the journey ahead. We know there is still much work to be done, and we are excited about the future.
We invite all Rwandans to join us as we continue to push the boundaries of innovation and service delivery, working together to build a more connected, empowered society.

At the heart of everything we do are our users and citizens, who inspire us to keep moving forward. Thank you for being part of this journey.

The author is the Director of Customer Experience and Service Distribution at Irembo. She has been a driving force behind Irembo’s efforts to simplify and streamline digital service access for millions of Rwandans.
She leads initiatives that ensure the platform continues to deliver seamless, efficient, and user-friendly experiences to its customers.

Here are some of the main takeaways:

Climate Action and Sustainability:

Climate change was a dominant theme, with world leaders emphasizing the need for urgent action to tackle the climate crisis. There was a strong push for nations to commit to more ambitious environmental goals, particularly in the context of sustainable development and protecting vulnerable populations most affected by extreme weather events.

Global Inequality and Debt Relief:

Developing nations, especially from the Global South, continued to press for solutions to global inequality and debt relief. Many leaders highlighted the disproportionate impact of economic crises on poorer nations, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and global inflation, urging wealthier countries to step up their support.

Nuclear Disarmament:

The Assembly commemorated the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres warning about the risks of a new arms race. He called for nuclear-armed states to recommit to non-proliferation and emphasized diplomacy and dialogue to de-escalate tensions, particularly concerning North Korea and other geopolitical flashpoints.

Global Conflicts and Humanitarian Crises:

The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Sudan were at the forefront, with calls for increased diplomatic efforts to resolve these crises. President Zelensky of Ukraine and other leaders used the platform to address the international community, appealing for stronger global solidarity.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

There was a renewed focus on reversing the backsliding on SDGs, particularly in education, healthcare, and poverty eradication. Many nations reiterated their commitment to achieving these goals by 2030, despite current economic and environmental challenges.

These discussions reflect the UNGA’s continued role in addressing both immediate crises and long-term global challenges, with an emphasis on cooperation and multilateralism to achieve lasting peace and sustainability.

Get to know these are more by watching the Video below

The shift towards a digitally connected society has brought numerous benefits, from unprecedented access to public services to the rise of global e-commerce. However, this rapid expansion has also introduced vulnerabilities, and cybercrime has become a growing threat to individuals, businesses, and governments.

The global digital boom and its consequences affect businesses and governments have been embracing digital transformation to make services more accessible and efficient. This surge in digital adoption has created fertile ground for cybercriminals.

According to a report by the World Economic Forum, global cybercrime costs are projected to hit $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, driven by increasingly sophisticated attacks that exploit these new digital environments.

In Africa, digital transformation has been both a blessing and a challenge. Countries like Rwanda are at the forefront of the digital revolution, with platforms like IremboGov transforming access to public services.
Yet, as more people come online, the need to protect digital infrastructure from evolving threats becomes increasingly urgent.

Understanding Cybersecurity

Beyond firewalls and encryption, cybersecurity is often perceived to require complex technical measures, firewalls, encryption protocols, and antivirus software in the background, silently protecting our data.

While these are crucial, cybersecurity is much more than that. It’s a constantly evolving practice that requires vigilance, adaptability, and a multi-faceted approach. The modern cyber threat landscape is more complex than ever before.

Cybercriminals are no longer just lone hackers in their basements; they are highly organized groups, sometimes state-sponsored, with access to advanced tools and techniques.

These attackers exploit everything from outdated software to human error. Phishing scams, ransomware attacks, and data breaches have become household terms, affecting everyone from fortune 500 companies to small businesses and even individual citizens.

Take, for example, the high-profile ransomware attacks on Colonial Pipeline in the United States or the WannaCry attack that wreaked havoc across Europe. These incidents weren’t isolated; they were part of a broader global pattern where attackers target weak points in critical infrastructure, holding companies and governments hostage.

The consequences of these breaches go far beyond financial losses; they disrupt lives, undermine trust in institutions, and even threaten national security.

The Human Factor

While it’s easy to focus on the technical aspects of cybersecurity, the human factor is just as important, if not more so. Many cyberattacks are successful not because of sophisticated hacking techniques but because of simple mistakes such as clicking on a suspicious link, reusing a weak password, or falling victim to a well-crafted phishing email.

This is why fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness is vital. It’s not enough to have robust technology in place; people need to understand the risks and know how to protect themselves.

Investing in education and awareness can significantly reduce the risk of breaches. As individuals and organizations become more knowledgeable about cybersecurity, attackers’ exploiting human vulnerabilities becomes increasingly difficult.

The role of trust in businesses as digital platforms continue to play an integral role in everyday life is the foundation on which they operate. For companies like Irembo, securing that trust is essential.

People using them need to feel confident that their data is safe, their interactions are secure, and their privacy is protected. However, this trust doesn’t come from simply telling them that security is prioritized. It’s something that must be consistently demonstrated to them.

Owners of digital platforms need to understand that transparency plays a role in this trust-building process. While it’s crucial to avoid disclosing sensitive information about their security practices, it’s equally important to communicate clearly with users about what they can do to protect themselves.

This balance between transparency and confidentiality is the bedrock of a resilient cybersecurity strategy. A future defined by resilience, the cyber threats of today will not be the same as those of tomorrow.

As technology evolves, so too do cybercriminals’ tactics. With the rise of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and connected devices, the cybersecurity landscape is set to become even more challenging.

The Internet of Things (IoT), for instance, has introduced new entry points for attackers, turning everything from smart homes to critical infrastructure into potential targets.

As companies and governments continue to integrate advanced technologies, there is an urgent need for resilience. This means being able to prevent cyberattacks and be prepared to respond to them when they occur. But resilience isn’t just about technology; it’s also about collaboration.

In today’s interconnected world, no organization can tackle cybersecurity alone. Governments, businesses, and individuals must work together, sharing information and resources to stay one step ahead of the attackers.

It’s this spirit of cooperation that will define the future of cybersecurity, both in Rwanda and globally. The call to action as we observe cybersecurity awareness month, it’s a reminder that the responsibility to safeguard our digital world lies with all of us.

Whether you’re a CEO, a software engineer, or a casual internet user, we all have a role to play in maintaining the integrity of the digital systems we rely on.

At Irembo, we remain dedicated to securing our platforms and educating users (starting with our staff), ensuring that the digital transformation we are driving benefits everyone while safeguarding their data and privacy.

The path ahead will have its challenges, but with a focus on awareness, resilience, and collaboration, we can overcome them. Together, we can protect and shape the digital future we are building.

The author is the Chief Product and Engineering Officer at Irembo.
He leads the Product, Technology, and Cybersecurity teams to invent and deliver delightful, reliable and secure products.

This modern technological revolution is making significant inroads both in developed economies and emerging markets, addressing unique challenges and unlocking new opportunities.

This article highlights common myths and insights about AI to help you understand its limitations and capabilities.

As AI continues to evolve and integrate into various aspects of business, it’s important to distinguish fact from fiction. Many misconceptions about AI persist, potentially hindering its effective adoption and implementation.

By examining these myths and clarifying the realities, we can approach AI implementation with more realistic expectations and a clear understanding of the technology.

Here are some of the common myths about AI and the realities;

AI is approaching human intelligence

Although it is thought that AI is slowly approaching human intelligence, in reality based on current progress, AI systems operate within narrow domains and heavily rely on the data they are trained with, which limits their ability to exhibit human creativity or fully understand context.

AI excels in tasks involving pattern recognition and data processing, such as image recognition or natural language processing but it struggles with tasks requiring deep understanding and detailed decision-making.

Human intelligence encompasses a wide range of cognitive abilities, including self-awareness and unique experiences, which AI does not possess.

AI is unbiased

AI systems are widely perceived as unbiased but on the centrally, they can actually exhibit biases, often due to the data they are trained on. If the training data contains biases, the AI can inadvertently learn and perpetuate those biases.

This can manifest in various ways, such as providing biased hiring algorithms, facial recognition systems with uneven performance across demographics and search engine results that reflect societal prejudices.

Therefore, developers and users of AI systems must be aware of potential biases and work actively to mitigate them.

AI will take over people’s jobs

The reality is that while AI does automate certain tasks, it also creates new roles and opportunities such new roles that are emerging to jobs are emerging to develop, manage, and monitor AI systems.

Also, AI automates repetitive and time-consuming tasks, freeing up human workers for more creative and strategic work.

A recent study found that while some routine jobs may be replaced, the overall effect of AI on employment has been positive, with new and more complex tasks arising as companies adopt advanced technologies.

The most effective implementations of AI complement human intelligence rather than replace it entirely.

Only tech giants can use AI for operations

Big tech companies often lead in AI development and its applications are increasingly accessible to businesses of all sizes because quick solutions are now available as cloud services, making them accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

User-friendly AI tools are being developed for various business functions, from customer service to data analysis and the democratisation of AI is gradually allowing businesses across sectors to leverage its benefits without needing extensive in-house technical expertise.

Only tech experts can use AI effectively

Unlike what most people think, numerous user-friendly AI solutions are now available for non-tech experts and many tools feature intuitive interfaces designed for users without technical backgrounds.

Similarly, AI is being integrated into familiar software and platforms, making its use seamless for many professionals. However, while deep technical knowledge is necessary for developing AI systems, using AI-powered tools often requires minimal technical expertise.

AI can think and act like a human

Let no one lie to you that AI can think and act like a human. While AI processes data much faster than humans and excel at pattern recognition, it lacks human-like consciousness.
It’s true that AI can mimic certain aspects of human thinking, such as learning from data and making decisions based on patterns but it lacks the full range of human cognitive abilities, including emotions, creativity, and subjective experiences.

It should be understood that the strength of AI only lies in complementing human intelligence, not replicating it completely.

AI won’t affect my business

Although AI is increasingly becoming essential across businesses, you shouldn’t actually ignore its potential of ripping your business apart.

Many business leaders believe their operations are too specialized or traditional to be impacted by AI technologies, but this is no longer the case.

Companies that adopt AI can improve efficiency, enhance decision-making, and gain insights previously unattainable, allowing them to adapt quickly to market changes.

Understanding these realities about AI is important for businesses looking to leverage their potential effectively. By dispelling these myths, we can approach AI implementation with realistic expectations.

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CcHUB Africa is the biggest Pan African Innovation Enabler

However, despite its benefits, the dynamics of air transport are unevenly distributed, with the African continent facing unique challenges that have hindered its full integration into the global aviation ecosystem.

The vast and often rugged landscapes make air travel not just a luxury but a necessity for many. However, the costs associated with flying within Africa remain disproportionately high compared to other regions.

It is expensive in Africa despite a high need for it because of the terrain of the region. For instance, it is often more expensive to fly from Kigali to Nairobi than from Rome to Paris, despite the latter covering a longer distance.

In this video, The Perspective show hosts Aby Agina, a financial communications strategist and proprietor of Abyron Media Group who discusses the paradox Africa faces.

Agina says that this steep pricing is a multifaceted issue, driven by several factors that have long plagued the aviation industry in Africa. Among the core challenges that exacerbate these costs are high operational expenses, cross-border restrictions, regional insecurity, and a lack of (or poor) cooperation between airlines.

“Common laymen in Africa believe that flying is a luxury, yet in elsewhere it is treated as a necessity. This perception is deeply rooted in a reality where limited options and high operating costs elevate flying to an elite status,” Agina notes.

Research indicates that fuel prices in Africa tend to be higher than global averages due to a combination of limited refineries, logistical challenges in transportation, and taxes. In addition, maintenance costs for aircrafts are high because many spare parts or expertise need to be imported, adding to the already significant expenses airlines face.

While the Yamoussoukro Decision of 1999 aimed to liberalize African skies and foster cooperation between African airlines, the full implementation of this policy has been slow. Instead of open skies that allow for free movement across borders, many countries continue to impose restrictive bilateral agreements, limiting the ability of airlines to operate across Africa freely.

Agina explains why several national airlines in Africa have struggled to stay afloat citing Nigeria’s national carrier that has failed to stand the test of time and is no longer operational.

Similarly, the East African Airlines, which was jointly formed by East African Community countries shortly after independence, collapsed due to internal differences. Luckily each of the countries has since established their own airlines with RwandAir ranked as the fastest-growing in the region.

Despite the challenges, there are bright spots in African aviation as Agina highlights several strategies that could be implemented further improve the aviation business. They include the following;

1. Open Skies and Cooperation: Full implementation of the Yamoussoukro decision would allow airlines to operate freely across African borders, increasing competition, reducing costs, and offering more flight options for travelers.

2. Fuel and Tax Reforms: Reducing taxes on aviation fuel and creating more local refineries could lower operating costs for airlines, making air travel more affordable.

3. Infrastructure Development: Continued investment in airport infrastructure is essential for facilitating more frequent and reliable flights. Governments and private investors must work together to improve facilities and connectivity across the continent.

4. Public-Private Partnerships: Encouraging partnerships between governments, airlines and international carriers could improve operational efficiency, introduce best practices, and enable knowledge transfer.

5. Focus on Regional Hubs: Establishing and strengthening regional hubs in key cities across Africa could streamline air traffic and make flying between countries more affordable.

While the African aviation sector faces numerous challenges, the right combination of policy reform, infrastructure investment, and cooperation between airlines could make air travel more accessible and affordable.

With dedicated efforts, African countries can harness the full potential of their skies, facilitating greater connectivity, economic growth, and development across the continent.