Gen Touray and his delegation are in Rwanda for a week-long visit aimed at strengthening the partnership between the Police institutions.
IGP Namuhoranye, during the bilateral meeting, stated that the friendship and collaboration between the Rwanda National Police and The Gambia Police Force is a significant step forward and that the visit presents another opportunity for both sides to strengthen relations and expand their partnership.
“This meeting will open many doors for collaboration, paving way for continued knowledge sharing, exchanging experiences and establishing strong partnership strategies. Working together will help us find appropriate solutions to the evolving security challenges as the world continues to advance,” IGP Namuhoranye said
He added: “As we embark on this new chapter of partnership, our goal should focus on building the strength and capacity needed to address common security challenges in both of our countries.”
He underscored that achieving this requires uniting efforts and developing effective strategies to reach shared goals, promoting collaboration, and striving for a common vision.
IGP Namuhoranye expressed gratitude to the leadership of both countries for laying the foundation for this partnership.
In his remarks, Gen Touray stated that his country is on a journey to reform its security institutions, including The Gambia Police Force (GPF), adding that this is an opportunity to build partnerships with other security institutions, including the Rwanda National Police.
Rwanda, he noted, has made tremendous achievements, emphasizing how much they stand to learn from its experiences portrayed both at home and in international peace and security operations.
During this visit, Gen Touray and his delegation will also tour various RNP departments and units in different parts of the country, including training schools.
The council, launched during the 2024 World Bank Group-IMF Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., will focus on providing actionable, scalable policy recommendations to address the global jobs challenge.
This initiative is part of the World Bank’s broader strategy to combat poverty and foster prosperity by prioritizing job creation, particularly for youth and women in emerging and developing economies. The council’s members, a diverse group of global leaders, will offer insights on how to turn the challenge of job creation into an opportunity for growth, innovation, and social stability.
As the world faces an unprecedented demographic shift, with over 1.2 billion people in the Global South expected to reach working age in the next decade, the need for job creation is urgent. It’s estimated that only 420 million jobs will be available for this young workforce, leaving a significant gap that the council aims to address.
The council will meet bi-monthly for up to two years, directly interacting with senior management at the World Bank Group to ensure that its ideas are implemented.
Dr. Mwangi’s appointment highlights his long-standing commitment to socio-economic development, not only in the financial sector but across broader societal initiatives.
He joins the World Bank’s advisory council alongside a distinguished group of global leaders, including Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of Singapore, and Michelle Bachelet, Former President of Chile.
The council, co-chaired by these two influential figures, brings together 14 eminent individuals from diverse sectors such as policymaking, business, academia, and civil society, all of whom have demonstrated exceptional expertise in job creation and development.
Reflecting on his appointment, Dr. Mwangi expressed his honor and commitment to advancing job creation in Africa. He noted, “Over the next decade, the world is expected to experience significant demographic shifts, with one in four people on the planet being African, and more than a third of the world’s young people residing in Africa.”
Dr. Mwangi emphasized the importance of leveraging Africa’s growing youth population to drive economic growth. He highlighted that these demographic changes, driven by progress in health, education, and nutrition across the continent, could lead to a remarkable opportunity for Africa to contribute to global prosperity.
The World Bank’s High-Level Advisory Council on Jobs will meet every two months over an initial period of two years, engaging directly with the World Bank Group’s senior management. The council’s findings and recommendations will inform the Bank’s strategies to support job creation and economic development, particularly in regions that face high unemployment rates and economic inequality.
As part of his commitment to supporting Africa’s development, Dr. Mwangi also shared his intentions to apply the insights gained from the advisory council to further Equity’s own Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan. The plan, which aims to create 50 million jobs across the African continent by 2030, reflects Dr. Mwangi’s dedication to ensuring that Africa’s burgeoning youth population has access to meaningful employment opportunities.
In addition to Dr. Mwangi, the advisory council includes other distinguished members, such as Guy Ryder, Under Secretary General for Policy at the United Nations; Patrick Achi, Former Prime Minister of Cote d’Ivoire; and Sebastien Bazin, Group Chairman and CEO of Accor Group.
These leaders, alongside Dr. Mwangi, bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the council, ensuring that the solutions developed will be grounded in both global best practices and local realities.
In November 2024, the government opted to halt the entry of new petrol-powered motorcycles into Kigali’s market.
Dr. Gasore, speaking to RBA over the weekend, clarified that this policy specifically targets new entrants into the motorcycle taxi business, with enforcement set to begin on January 1, 2025.
“Anyone entering the motorcycle taxi business will be required to register with RURA and use an electric motorcycle,” he stated.
The initial focus is on motorcycles, with plans to include buses in the near future.
“We are focusing on vehicles operating in specific areas first. While we are evaluating the availability of electric vehicles in these categories, we plan to extend this policy to buses soon,” Dr. Gasore explained.
He further noted, “This is a gradual process that will begin with sectors where the policy will have no disruption to Rwandans’ lives or the economy.”
Dr. Gasore emphasized that the policy will not completely phase out petrol-powered motorcycles in the country. Additionally, motorcycles operating in rural areas will not be affected by this new policy.
“Motorcycles have become a significant part of the transport market, and their adoption has been faster compared to other vehicles. The electric motorcycle market has grown steadily, and we believe it is now capable of supporting itself,” he said.
The Minister also highlighted Rwanda’s expanding electric vehicle infrastructure, including battery swapping stations across Kigali, which will support the new policy.
“This decision is part of a broader effort to address the national issue of air pollution,” Dr. Gasore noted. “It builds on previous initiatives, such as removing taxes on electric and hybrid vehicles.”
As of 2024, over 7,000 electric and hybrid vehicles were on Rwanda’s roads. Dr. Gasore pointed out that while the country is making significant strides, the transition to electric vehicles is a gradual process.
“We can’t achieve this overnight. There are still infrastructure challenges, especially with battery charging capacity. Today, it’s motorcycles; tomorrow, it could be buses. We’re focusing on buses as another possible option because they operate on fixed routes,” he remarked.
Rwanda currently has 24 electric vehicle charging stations, with four dedicated to electric motorcycles. Additionally, 49 locations provide battery swapping services for electric motorcycles.
A preliminary analysis shows that at least 226 charging stations will be needed nationwide to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles.
The organization’s insights were shared during the State of the Map Rwanda 2024 Conference, held on November 29, 2024, under the theme “Empowering Rwanda’s Future: Innovations for a Resilient and Sustainable Tomorrow.”
The conference brought together various stakeholders, including university professors, students, and Eco-Mappers’ partners, to explore the potential of GIS in driving sustainable development and resilience in Rwanda.
Jeanette Rebecca Nyinawumuntu, CEO of EcoMappers Rwanda, underscored the organization’s commitment to environmental and wildlife conservation. She explained that one of their key initiatives is training young people in GIS technology, enabling them to use platforms like OpenStreetMap Rwanda Tools to collect and report critical data from their communities.
“Our goal is to equip young people with the skills and knowledge needed to capture and present valuable information about their local environments using technology,” Nyinawumuntu said.
In the Nyabihu District, specifically in the Shyira Sector, youth are already actively using GIS tools to collect and share data about their communities, helping to highlight local challenges such as health concerns, landslide risks, and environmental issues.
Erias Nyandwi, a lecturer at the University of Rwanda and head of the GIS research department, emphasized the importance of effective mapping systems in addressing climate change-related disasters. He explained how GIS helps monitor real-time events such as heavy rainfall, which could signal potential landslides or floods.
“When residents observe heavy rainfall, they can send the data via their phones to a GIS system, which analyzes it and provides immediate insights. If there’s a risk of a landslide, we can offer timely assistance,” Nyandwi said.
The integration of GIS into health monitoring was also highlighted during the conference. Nyandwi noted that community health workers, stationed in villages across Rwanda, send daily updates about health conditions via text messages.
When this information is processed through GIS systems, it provides valuable insights that can guide public health responses.
Among the many influential participants at this year’s event, Rwanda will emerge as a standout destination with its own dedicated booth. The Rwanda Development Board (RDB), along with over 15 of the country’s top tour operators, will showcase the rich potential of Rwanda as a luxury destination. With a focus on sustainable tourism and a commitment to providing authentic, immersive experiences, Rwanda is positioning itself as a must-visit destination for travelers seeking the best of both adventure and relaxation.
Rwanda’s presence at ILTM 2024 is a testament to the country’s growing appeal as a luxury travel hub. The country’s stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and thriving cultural heritage make it a prime location for luxury safaris, exclusive cultural experiences, and high-end accommodations. ILTM offers Rwanda an ideal stage to demonstrate its eco-friendly approach to tourism while attracting a global audience of travel advisors and industry influencers.
One of the key highlights of ILTM is the opportunity for face-to-face meetings with an exclusive group of 1,850 highly qualified luxury travel advisors from around the world.
These carefully selected buyers are experts in the luxury travel sector, providing Rwanda with the chance to build valuable relationships and promote its offerings to a global audience. Additionally, the event attracts some of the most influential personalities in the luxury travel market, including renowned editors, freelancers, and social media influencers.
For Rwanda, this presents an unparalleled opportunity to strengthen its international brand presence and connect with those who can help elevate its status on the global stage.
ILTM 2024 is more than just a business event; it is a celebration of luxury travel, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the French Riviera. The event features elegant evening networking opportunities where participants can forge lasting connections in a relaxed and picturesque environment. For those looking to maximize their ILTM experience, the event encourages early preparation, including creating a detailed profile and collaborating with an account manager to ensure the most effective exhibition strategy.
In addition to its business opportunities, ILTM also provides a platform to highlight the incredible tourism potential of destinations like Rwanda. As the country continues to develop its luxury tourism sector, the Rwanda team’s participation in Cannes will help cement its place as a rising star in the luxury travel industry.
{{Some photos showcasing Rwanda’s participation at ILTM Cannes 2024}}
Ruto was appointed at the 24th Summit of EAC Heads of State in Arusha, Tanzania.
Initially, there were expectations that President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo would assume the chairmanship. However, Tshisekedi was absent from the summit and did not send a representative.
Ruto will lead the EAC until the 25th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State next year. The 24th Ordinary Summit convened the region’s leaders to discuss critical issues shaping the future of East Africa.
This summit, held under the theme of the EAC’s 25th Anniversary, also served as a platform to reflect on the achievements of the past 25 years and plan for deeper regional integration.
Key agenda items included strengthening economic resilience, advancing peace and security, and promoting initiatives to boost intra-regional trade and development.
The election of President Ruto was confirmed on Saturday, following a vote by the Heads of State from the seven EAC member countries: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, and Somalia.
After assuming chairmanship, Ruto took the opportunity to commend President Salva Kiir for his successful leadership of the community over the past year.
“Congratulations, Your Excellency; you made all of us proud,” Ruto said. “Under his leadership, the EAC has made immense strides in deepening integration and achieving progress in key areas that define our shared aspirations. His efforts and dedication deserve our utmost gratitude.”
Ruto also pledged to work closely with other regional leaders to advance the mission and vision of the community.
The boxes, including banned skin bleaching lotions, had been covered with charcoal bags in an attempt evade taxes.
It was stopped shortly after take-off from the border after information emerged that it had other goods covered under charcoal bags.
The trailer was enroute from Tanzania, and the driver had declared to customs that he was carrying only charcoal bags.
Two people, including the driver and the alleged owner of the smuggled goods, have since been arrested.
Further investigations later recovered other big quantities of vehicle spare parts at the suspect’s home in Kigali.
Jean Paulin Uwitonze, Assistant Commissioner in charge of Taxpayer Services and Communications Division at RRA, while addressing the media on Friday, November 29, in Kigali, said that the importer had evaded taxes amounting to Frw77 million.
He added that these are results of close collaboration with law enforcement agencies against smuggling and fraud, including over 2 tonnes of smuggled second-hand clothes, which were auctioned recently.
The Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Boniface Rutikanga, said that one of the responsibilities of the force is to detect, prevent and fight anything that is against the law, affects the national economy and the wellbeing of Rwandans, including smuggling, a reason why the Revenue Protection Unit was created.
“We all thrive on the economy of the country, which can be affected by such fraudulent businesses. These operations are meant to protect legal businesses, protect Rwandans from substandard and harmful products, which can be brought into the country through such unlawful means,” ACP Rutikanga said.
He added that individuals engaged in smuggling and fraud are the same people, who sometimes attempt to de-campaign the national policy on the use of EBM.
“There are some people, who want to thrive on such fraudulent businesses and when they are identified, they try to use the media; they will not succeed. We also urge the media to background checks not to be used by such people,” he added.
He cautioned that attempts to use such shortcuts to get rich can lead to business downfall.
Dr. Thierry Murangira, the spokesperson for Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) said that the dossier for the two suspects has been transferred to prosecution.
“Smuggling and fraud carry severe penalties, including a prison sentence of five years and a fine of 50 percent of the total value of the smuggled goods, or one of these penalties,” Dr. Murangira said.
The vehicle spare parts are among smuggled goods at the RRA stores in Kigali Special Economic Zone in Masoro, Gasabo District, seized over the past few months, mainly wines and spirits, and second-hand clothes.
Meanwhile, Uwitonze said that RRA conducts stock analysis in businesses.
“It is through stock analysis that we discover smuggled liquors, forged tax stamps, and tax seals traders taken from cheaper liquors to expensive ones so as to evade taxes,” Uwitonze said.
The summit, themed “Promoting Trade, Sustainable Development, and Peace and Security for Improved Livelihoods,” coincides with the EAC’s 25th anniversary celebration.
Upon arrival at the airport, President Kagame was welcomed by Shariff Ali Shariff, the Minister of State in the President’s Office for Work, Economy, and Investment of Zanzibar.
Along with President Kagame, other EAC Heads of State who have already arrived in Arusha include William Ruto of Kenya, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit, who also serves as the current EAC Chairperson.
Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye is represented by Vice President Prosper Bazombanza.
EAC Secretary-General Veronica Nduva also jointed the the opening of the 24th Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State.
It remains uncertain whether Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo will attend, as he did not participate in the extraordinary summit held in June 2024, in protest of President Ruto’s comments regarding the M23 armed group not being Rwandan.
Over the past 25 years, the EAC has significantly expanded, growing from three founding members in July 1999 to eight current member states. While the community strives for political integration, this goal is often hindered by ongoing conflicts among its member states.
According to the EAC Secretariat, the Summit of EAC Heads of State acknowledged that the establishment of a Federation was first agreed upon in 1963 by the EAC’s Founding Fathers—President Jomo Kenyatta (Kenya), Dr. Apollo Milton Obote (Uganda), and Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere (Tanganyika, now Tanzania). However, it was noted that the bureaucrats entrusted with advancing this goal failed to follow up on the matter.
It was noted that Tanganyika and Zanzibar went ahead to form the United Republic of Tanzania, adding that the federation should be extended to transform the region into one as envisaged by the three Founding Fathers.
The Summit members were speaking on November 29, 2024 at the Arusha International Conference Grounds in Arusha, Tanzania during the High-Level Side Event on the EAC’s 25th Anniversary.
The EAC leaders further agreed on the need to fully operationalise the Customs Union and Common Market protocols to enhance intra-regional trade which is still relatively low.
In his remarks, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said that EAC should be celebrating more than 1,000 years of trade interconnectedness within the region instead of focusing on the achievements of the past 25 years only.
President Museveni said that East Africa’s Coastal, Great Lakes and Lake Victoria Basin regions were a Connected Trade Area (CTA) interlinked by trade routes along the current Central and Northern Transport Corridors extending all the way to Mesopotamia in present day Iraq. The partition of Africa into spheres of influence in 1884 by the European colonial powers disconnected the CTA by segmenting it into separate countries.
“The colonial powers succeeded due to the region’s internal weaknesses. We became a DTA – disconnected trade area. Kenyatta, Obote and Museveni took the bold step to form the East African Federation in 1963 in a brave effort to dismantle this DTA,” said President Museveni.
“However, some actors let us down and did not follow up on the three President’s idea of forming a political federation. Tanganyika linked up with Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanzania, which played a significant role in liberating southern Africa from the yokes of colonialism,” said President Museveni.
President Museveni said that the formation of the East African Federation would have forestalled Idi Amin’s ascendancy to power in Uganda, solved in good time the problems Burundi and Rwanda, and mitigated the internal conflicts in the Federal Republic of Somalia and South Sudan that caused much suffering to the people of the two countries.
President Museveni affirmed that Uganda was fully committed to promoting free trade in East Africa and was against the practice of banning products, delicensing products to deny them market access or protecting markets to limit competition for locally produced commodities.
On his part, Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto said that a survey taken way back in 2010 indicated that East Africans were fully behind the integration process and supported the establishment of a political federation.
President Ruto hailed the Republics of Burundi, Uganda and Kenya, which have already undertaken national consultations on the drafting of the constitution for the EAC Political Confederation, and thanked Rwanda, South Sudan and Tanzania for having set dates for national consultations on the process.
President Ruto said that EAC was the foremost regional economic community in Africa with intra-regional trade standing between 25 – 28%, which is the highest in Africa.
On trade, President Ruto disclosed that more Partner States were benefiting from the share of intra-regional trade with Tanzania having overtaken Kenya in terms of the volumes of intra-regional trade.
The Kenyan Head of State underscored the importance of peace and security as prerequisites for local and foreign direct investment, adding that it should be a collective responsibility of Partner States to keep the region peaceful and to invest in its stability.
President Ruto said that towards that end, Kenya had provided a forum for South Sudan’s political actors to talk to one another in order to stabilise the country. Kenya was also working with Somalia and Uganda to reduce tension and stabilise the Horn of Africa region.
President Ruto said that Kenya was in agreement with the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s desire to merge the Luanda and Nairobi peace process under the Luanda process, adding that Kenya had no reservations with the Nairobi Process mediator, retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, being enjoined to the Luanda process.
Speaking at the event, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan underscored her country’s commitment to promoting environmental conservation and combating climate change through transition to clean energy and an aggressive afforestation programme.
On his part, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said that his country’s entry into the EAC was the culmination of a long desire to join her neighbours in East Africa as part of a robust economic and political entity.
Also present at the event were Burundian Vice President Prosper Bazombanza, EAC Secretary General Veronica Nduva, Ministers, Members of the Diplomatic Community, Development Partners, among other delegates.
The launch of this initiative took place during a key workshop held in Addis Ababa from November 27 to 29, 2024.
The strategy focuses on strengthening integrated health systems, with a special emphasis on the prevention and control of major health threats like HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis, and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
In his opening speech, Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, expressed the significance of the event, stating, “It is indeed an honour to address you today and to participate in this important workshop with the expectation that we come out of it stronger with strategies and renewed commitments for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, Hepatitis and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) on the continent.”
Delegates from all 55 African Union Member States gathered at the workshop, where they reviewed and endorsed the Africa CDC’s blueprint for 2024–2027.
This plan is not only a reflection of the continent’s commitment to addressing urgent health concerns but also aims to integrate prevention and control strategies into the national health systems of all African countries.
The challenges in Africa are severe, with infectious diseases continuing to have a disproportionate impact. The continent accounts for 94% of global malaria cases and 95% of malaria-related deaths.
Moreover, it carries 40% of the world’s burden of NTDs, with every African country facing at least one endemic NTD. Despite this, the region faces significant barriers to progress, including underfunding, weak health systems, limited research, and poor access to treatment.
Dr. Kaseya, addressing these challenges, called for a unified effort to change the current health narrative in Africa. “We need to brace up to change this narrative by intensifying our efforts to find lasting solutions for the control and eventual elimination of these diseases,” he said, reinforcing the need for urgency and commitment in the battle against these widespread health threats.
The workshop focused on several key objectives, including validating strategic priorities for disease prevention and control across HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB, hepatitis, and NTDs. It also aimed to engage stakeholders to strengthen multisectoral collaboration and finalize a detailed implementation plan, complete with clear monitoring and evaluation indicators.
Another crucial element discussed was the establishment of sustainable partnerships to support long-term health system strengthening across the continent.
This initiative aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Africa CDC’s “New Public Health Order,” which emphasizes boosting Africa’s self-reliance in health security.
Political leadership will play a critical role in driving these efforts forward, and several African leaders have taken on specific health-related initiatives.
Among them are Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, who will serve as the Champion for Pandemic Preparedness and Response; Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, Champion for Health Workforce and Community Development; Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, Champion for Cholera Elimination; and William Ruto of Kenya, Champion for Local Manufacturing.
As the workshop came to a close, delegates produced a validated strategic priorities document and a costed implementation plan, which will serve as a roadmap for improving health responses across Africa.
Dr. Kaseya remarked on the transformative role of Member States in this endeavor, stating, “The involvement of Member States is transformative. Together, we will create a more resilient, integrated, and inclusive health future for Africa.”
This strategic blueprint represents a critical step toward tackling the health challenges that have long plagued the continent, with the Africa CDC leading the charge for a healthier and more resilient Africa.
