Recently incorporated into the Volcanoes National Park, Buhanga is not only a haven of natural beauty but also a sacred place steeped in the traditions of Rwanda’s monarchy.
Buhanga Eco Park is a site of historical and cultural importance. Its name, derived from the Kinyarwanda word for “creation,” reflects its profound significance in Rwandan tradition. Legend holds that this forest is where Rwanda’s first king, Gihanga, established the kingdom. For centuries, it served as the coronation ground for Rwandan kings, making it a revered place tied to the country’s origins.
The forest has remained pristine due to its sacred status. Tall Ficus and Drago trees form a lush canopy, creating a serene environment where visitors can wander along trails paved with lava stones. The atmosphere is alive with the sounds of birds and the fluttering of butterflies, adding to the park’s enchanting appeal. It is a sanctuary where nature thrives in harmony with the echoes of history.
Buhanga is home to many remarkable features, including caves and a natural spring called Gihanda. This spring, named after King Gihanga, was integral to the coronation rituals.
Kings would bathe in its waters as part of a ceremonial cleansing before being anointed and crowned. The lava rock platform where they received the instruments of power still stands, surrounded by tales of the blessings and protection the site offered to the kingdom.
Walking through the forest, visitors encounter ancient trees like the “Unity Tree,” or Inyabutatu ya Rwanda, which appears as three trunks intertwined into one. This tree symbolizes the unity of the Rwandan people and serves as a powerful reminder of the country’s shared heritage. Other ancient trees, such as Umusando and Ibigabiro, contribute to the park’s timeless aura, some of them standing tall for over 300 years.
Beyond its cultural significance, Buhanga Eco Park offers a serene escape into nature. The forest is home to species like jackals, porcupines, leopards, and a variety of birds and butterflies. It provides a tranquil environment for anyone seeking peace, adventure, or a deeper connection to Rwanda’s past.
A visit to this sacred forest is a journey into the heart of the country’s identity, where the beauty of nature and the echoes of ancient rituals come together to create an unforgettable experience. For anyone exploring Rwanda, Buhanga is a destination not to be missed.
Brazilian senior officials bid farewell to Xi at the airport.
On the way to the airport, representatives of overseas Chinese, Chinese institutions and students waved the national flags of China and Brazil on both sides of the road, congratulating Xi on the complete success of the visit.
The announcement, made during Xi’s state visit to Brazil, was further bolstered by the leaders’ commitment to align the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Brazil’s development strategies.
{{MUSICAL PRELUDE TO FRIENDSHIP}}
The warmth of China-Brazil relations was on full display during a grand welcoming ceremony hosted by Lula on Wednesday.
The ceremony featured a deeply touching moment: a Brazilian singer performed the iconic Chinese song My Motherland in the Chinese language.
It was a reciprocal gesture. When Lula visited China last year, the Chinese side played the Brazilian song Novo Tempo, or A New Time in English, at the welcoming ceremony.
Both songs carry profound significance in their respective nations. My Motherland, an ode to the Chinese people’s enduring resilience and love for their country, resonates deeply with the Chinese people, while Novo Tempo, with its hopeful lyrics about a brighter future, symbolizes Brazil’s aspirations for progress and renewal even in difficult times.
The choice of the two songs underscores a deep understanding between the two countries: they recognize and honor what each holds most dear.
During his meeting with Lula, Xi said he was deeply touched by the great importance Lula attaches to the China-Brazil relations and his deep friendship toward the Chinese people, as reflected by the grand welcoming ceremony of the highest courtesy accorded to Xi.
Brazil and China are good friends that respect and depend on each other, said Lula at the meeting, adding that China is Brazil’s most important strategic partner, and the Chinese people are the most trustworthy friends of the Brazilian people.
Xi’s visit to Brazil, his fifth to the South American nation, comes as the two major developing countries celebrate five decades of diplomatic relations.
During the meeting, Xi emphasized the deep ties forged over the past half-century, noting the two sides found a right way for major developing countries to get along with each other, one that is based on mutual respect, mutual benefit, amity and win-win cooperation.
Brazil holds a unique place in China’s global partnerships. It is the first country to establish a strategic partnership with China. It is also the first nation in Latin America to enter into a comprehensive strategic partnership with China.
For Julio Bandeira, author of the historical book “Brazil en Route to China,” the Brazilian people have a long history of loving Chinese culture and being close to the Chinese people.
“Today, the overseas Chinese in Brazil have also made great contributions to the Brazilian economy and society,” he said.
{{SYNERGIZING DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES}}
At the heart of the leaders’ discussions was a commitment to align the BRI with Brazil’s key development strategies. These strategies aim to modernize Brazil’s infrastructure and strengthen regional connectivity, goals that echo the BRI’s mission of enhancing global trade and development through shared infrastructure.
The two sides should deepen cooperation in priority areas such as economy and trade, finance, science and technology, infrastructure and environmental protection, and strengthen cooperation in emerging fields such as energy transition, the digital economy, artificial intelligence and green mining, Xi said when jointly meeting the press with Lula after their talks.
Lula, for his part, highlighted plans to focus on expanding and deepening cooperation in areas such as sustainable development, infrastructure, finance, energy transition, and aerospace.
Concrete projects are already underway. For example, the Belo Monte UHV transmission project, which creates an “electricity expressway” linking north and south of Brazil, has not only provided adequate power to industrial hubs there, but also solved the power shortage problem for over 22 million Brazilians.
Meanwhile, Brazil’s abundant renewable resources, including hydroelectric, solar, and wind energy, align seamlessly with China’s expertise in clean energy technology and manufacturing.
Over the past years, Chinese companies have been actively participating in Brazil’s renewable energy sector, particularly in large-scale solar and wind projects, contributing to job creation and technological upgrades in the country.
In a signed article published in Brazilian media ahead of his visit, Xi called on both countries to “seize the opportunities offered by the times” as the new sci-tech revolution and industrial transformation gather pace.
“We should foster more exemplary projects that align with the trend of the times and deliver lasting benefits to the people, and contribute to the common development of our countries and regions,” Xi wrote.
Gleisi Hoffmann, president of Brazil’s Workers’ Party, highlighted the steady growth of economic and trade relations between Brazil and China over the past 50 years. She noted that the partnership has not only met the needs of both nations but also leveraged their respective strengths to create complementary cooperation.
In recent years, she said, China has achieved remarkable progress in areas such as technology, education, and health. Looking ahead, Hoffmann expressed confidence in the potential to deepen collaboration in these fields, envisioning a future marked by what she described as a “new golden 50 years.”
China is promoting high-quality development with new quality productive forces, said Mayara Araujo, a researcher from Brazil’s Fluminense Federal University, referring to advanced productivity that features high-tech, high efficiency and high quality.
Linking Brazil’s development strategies with the BRI will bring more new opportunities to improve and upgrade cooperation between the two countries, said Araujo.
{{STRENGTHENED VOICE FOR GLOBAL SOUTH}}
The elevation of China-Brazil ties to a community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet came shortly after the 19th G20 Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
With the theme “Building a just world and a sustainable planet,” this G20 summit offered a vital platform for leaders to address urgent global challenges, including hunger, economic inequity, and climate change.
After calling on Monday for a just world of common development and a fair and equitable global governance system, Xi on Wednesday called on both countries to step forward for world peace and justice.
The two sides should practice true multilateralism, speak up and act for justice, and make global governance more just and equitable, Xi said during his meeting with Lula.
As major developing countries, China and Brazil should take the lead in championing discussion and consultation, promoting global solidarity, and jointly tackling global challenges that affect the future of humanity, Xi added.
Brazil and China are both committed to expanding the participation of developing countries in the decision-making processes of international organizations, said Evandro Menezes de Carvalho, professor at Brazil’s Getulio Vargas Foundation.
Moreover, their collaboration within mechanisms such as BRICS demonstrates how they can unite around shared goals and translate that solidarity into concrete actions with substantial impact, said the expert, noting that it is precisely for this reason that an increasing number of developing countries are eager to join these institutions.
China launched a monumental anti-poverty campaign on a scale unseen anywhere in the world in recent years.
In 2021, the country declared a “complete victory” in eradicating absolute poverty, which has lifted 800 million people out of absolute poverty, and met the poverty reduction target of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ahead of schedule.
China’s story is proof that developing countries can eliminate poverty, when there is the endurance, perseverance and striving spirit. If China can make it, other developing countries can make it too. This is what China’s battle against poverty says to the world.
Geologists have detected over 40 gold veins, with a reserve of 300 tonnes of gold, within a depth of 2,000 meters beneath the Wangu gold field in Pingjiang County, according to the bureau.
The site’s gold reserve within the depth of 3,000 meters is further estimated at over 1,000 tonnes, valued at 600 billion yuan (about 83 billion U.S. dollars).
“Many drilled rock cores showed visible gold,” said Chen Rulin, an ore-prospecting expert with the Hunan Province Geological Disaster Survey and Monitoring Institute under the bureau, adding that a tonne of ore in the 2,000-meter range contained a maximum of 138 grams of gold.
Liu Yongjun, vice head of the bureau, said that new ore prospecting technologies, such as 3D geological modeling, had been used at the Wangu gold field.
Gold was also found during drills around the site’s peripheral areas, unearthing promising prospects, Liu said.
The joint call by the AU, the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) was made in a joint statement issued late Wednesday on the occasion of Africa Industrialization Day, which is commemorated every year on Nov. 20 in line with African leaders’ decision in 1989.
Reaffirming their joint commitment to advancing inclusive, sustainable, and resilient industrialization as a pathway for Africa’s structural transformation, the three organizations underscored that industrialization remains the linchpin of Africa’s development ambition.
Noting that industrialization is crucial to address Africa’s socioeconomic challenges, such as poverty, unemployment and inequality, they emphasized the need to build Africa’s resilience amid challenges in the global industrial landscape, which is increasingly shaped by global supply chain disruptions, the economic consequences of geopolitical conflicts and environmental challenges.
“These events underscore the necessity for Africa to build resilient industries capable of navigating such external shocks. Africa must seize opportunities to diversify its industrial base, leveraging its natural resource endowment, youthful population, innovation and rising middle class,” the joint statement read.
They also emphasized the urgent need for Africa to be fully part of the fourth industrial revolution and utilize emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, blockchain, robotics, and 3D printing technology to build industries that are beneficial to current and future generations.
The three organizations highlighted the importance of creating conducive environments for investments in infrastructure, skill development, and industrial productivity, emphasizing the role of the private sector in advancing innovation and competitiveness.
Underscoring the collective need to advance Africa’s economic diversification in line with the AU’s 50-year continental development blueprint Agenda 2063, the three organizations called on partners and stakeholders to join forces to expedite Africa’s industrialization.
“Our shared efforts will drive the continent towards greater economic resilience, social equity, and environmental sustainability, ensuring that Africa takes its rightful place as a global industrial powerhouse,” the joint statement said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a message issued Wednesday on the 35th anniversary of Africa Industrialization Day, urged Africa to harness the transformative potential of technology and advance inclusive and environmentally conscious development and economic growth.
Speaking to Rádio Moçambique in Harare, Zimbabwe, after the conclusion of an extraordinary Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit, Nyusi highlighted the significance of the EU’s contribution to bolstering the efforts of Rwandan forces operating alongside Mozambican troops in the troubled northern region.
Addressing questions on why the funding was allocated directly to Rwanda instead of Mozambique, Nyusi clarified that Mozambique already receives substantial EU support across various sectors. This includes military training and strategic initiatives amounting to €800 million.
The EU Council’s approval, announced on November 18, 2024, under the European Peace Facility (EPF) supplements the €20 million pledged in late 2022 and aims to strengthen the operational capacity of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) in Cabo Delgado.
The new funds will facilitate the acquisition of personal equipment and cover strategic airlift costs to sustain the Rwandan deployment.
Rwandan troops were first deployed in Cabo Delgado in July 2021 at the request of Mozambique’s government.
Their mission has been critical in countering terrorism, which had claimed over 3,000 civilian lives and displaced more than 800,000 people prior to their intervention. The insurgency also halted development projects in areas under terrorist control.
Over the past three years, Rwandan forces, in collaboration with Mozambican troops, have made significant progress in dismantling the Al Sunna Wa Jama (ASWJ) terrorist group.
They successfully cleared key strongholds such as Mocimboa da Praia and Palma, enabling thousands of internally displaced persons to return to their communities and resume their lives.
IGP Namuhoranye, during the bilateral meeting, said that the visit is important to establish partnerships in an effort to create a safer world.
“This is an occasion for us to create a conducive environment for our future endeavors particularly focusing on sharing experience on international policing, exchanging information on fighting transnational organized crime, and partnering in capacity building,” IGP Namuhoranye said.
He emphasized that the RNP is ready and committed to work with Hunan Public Security Department in all areas of mutual interest.
Mr. Liangyong, on his part, said that Rwanda and China enjoy stronger cooperation and that the two Heads of State laid a firm ground for comprehensive partnership, including security.
“China and Rwanda are among the safest countries in the world, and Rwanda and Hunan Province have big potentials in many sectors of development.
Our leaders have entrusted us to enhance the partnership and we are here to set up mechanisms for stronger cooperation, strengthen operation capabilities of our law enforcement agencies, including training, friendly visits, exchange of programmes and trainers, learn from each other, enhance our mutual understanding and trust,” Mr. Liangyong said.
For the period ending September 30, 2024, the bank’s financial results highlighted robust growth across several key metrics.
Net interest income grew significantly by 42%, reaching Frw35 billion, while net operating income rose by 28% to Frw42 billion compared to the same period in the previous year.
The bank’s profit before tax was estimated at Frw18 billion, reflecting a substantial 66% increase. After accounting for taxes, the bank retained a net profit of Frw12 billion.
The bank also reported strong growth in its loan portfolio, with total loans issued reaching Frw348 billion by the end of the quarter.
Deposits increased by 22% since December 2023, climbing to Frw659 billion by September 30, 2024.
Shareholders’ funds experienced a 13% rise, driven by an 18% increase in retained earnings, which now total Frw65.6 billion.
These achievements were largely attributed to a robust loan book, strategic investments in securities, and higher interest-bearing cash balances.
Growth was particularly pronounced in the MSME and retail loan segments, reflecting the bank’s targeted efforts to serve these markets.
The bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Benjamin Mutimura, attributed the strong performance to a combination of strategic focus and adaptability.
He emphasized that despite global economic challenges, including rising interest rates, higher technological costs, and the devaluation of the Rwandan Franc, the bank successfully navigated these obstacles.
This was achieved through leveraging opportunities presented by steady economic growth, stabilizing inflation, and emerging markets such as climate finance.
Mutimura also noted that the bank’s continued emphasis on serving MSMEs and retail customers contributed significantly to its market share growth, which has been advancing at a double-digit rate across key performance indicators.
I&M Bank Rwanda, which began operations in 1963 under the name BCR and is now the oldest commercial bank in the country, has consistently demonstrated its commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.
Listed on the Rwanda Stock Exchange since 2017, the bank was recently recognized for the second time as Rwanda’s Best SME Bank by the Global Banking and Finance Review.
To further enhance its service delivery, the bank launched the Karame campaign, an initiative designed to provide customers with loan services within just 24 hours, ensuring fast and efficient financial support.
The RGS, an annual independent publication by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), assesses governance in Rwanda using comprehensive primary and secondary data sources.
It is designed to generate credible, reliable data on governance issues, serve as a practical tool to drive policy reform, and provide actionable recommendations for improvement while contributing to the broader knowledge of Rwanda’s governance landscape.
Since its inception in 2010, the RGS has been a vital instrument for monitoring progress and identifying challenges in governance. Among the eight key pillars evaluated in 2024, the security and safety pillar once again ranked the highest, improving slightly from its score of 93.63% in 2023.
Despite this positive trend, specific concerns related to personal and property safety were highlighted, with this indicator scoring 87.51%, tempering the overall increase in the security pillar’s performance.
General national security was rated at 95.54%, while efforts to maintain security achieved an impressive score of 96.92%.
Additionally, the emphasis on national unity, reconciliation, and social cohesion contributed to a strong score of 95.32%, reflecting the continued prioritization of stability and harmony in the country.
Other pillars of governance showed mixed results. The rule of law pillar experienced a slight decline, scoring 88.51% compared to 88.89% in 2023.
Political rights and civil liberties remained stable at 88.00%, a marginal decrease from 88.01% the previous year.
However, the pillar addressing corruption, transparency, and accountability experienced a notable drop, declining from 88.97% in 2023 to 86.64%. In contrast, the participation and inclusiveness pillar saw improvement, rising to 85.84% from 84.04%.
Within this pillar, indicators such as citizen participation in governance scored 88.06%, the participation of non-state actors reached 78.89%, and decentralization achieved 89.24%. Power-sharing and inclusiveness received the highest rating at 93.80%, while gender equality in leadership stood at 79.20%.
Meanwhile, the quality in service delivery pillar experienced a significant decline, dropping from 79.98% in 2023 to 75.79%. The human and social development pillar also scored relatively low at 75.21%, with social protection ranking the lowest in this category at 67.82%, while the health indicator performed the best with a score of 87.80%.
Dr. Doris Uwicyeza Picard, CEO of the Rwanda Governance Board, highlighted the RGS’s evidence-based approach, which incorporates advanced research methods contextualized to Rwanda’s realities.
She emphasized that the RGS leverages both global indicators tailored to the local context and data from citizen and expert perception surveys.
“The objectives of RGS are to generate credible and reliable data on governance and serve as an evidence-based source to inform policy, decision-making, and implementation,” Dr. Uwicyeza stated.
The insights provided by the scorecard enable stakeholders to identify areas of excellence and those requiring improvement in the governance framework.
Dr. Fatmata Lovetta Sesay, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Rwanda, praised the RGS findings, particularly the high ratings in the security and safety pillar.
She noted, “The launch of this scorecard marks a significant milestone in Rwanda’s ongoing efforts to ensure that governance remains responsive and effective for all citizens.”
