At Session II of the 19th G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for building a world economy characterized by cooperation, stability, openness, innovation, and eco-friendliness.
Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri
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Rwanda’s unemployment rate drops by 2.7 percent
According to the Labour Force Survey, the unemployment rate stood at 15.3% in August 2024, marking a decline from both the previous year and pre-COVID-19 levels. This translates to 815,000 unemployed individuals out of a working-age population of 8.3 million.
Compared to the same quarter in 2023, the unemployment rate dropped by 2.7 percent, and it decreased by 0.7 percent compared to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.
The survey showed that around 4.5 million Rwandans were employed, while approximately 3 million people were outside the labor force. Those not participating in the labor force included full-time students, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and discouraged job seekers.
The labor force, which combines the employed and unemployed populations, was estimated at 5.3 million people, with labor force participation reaching 64.1%, up from 59.8% in August 2023.
However, disparities persist across gender, age, and geographic areas. The unemployment rate was higher among women (18.5%) compared to men (12.5%) and among youth (18.8%) compared to adults (12.6%). Additionally, rural areas reported a slightly higher unemployment rate (16%) compared to urban areas (13.8%).
The labor force participation rate has steadily risen, driven by an increasing share of the working-age population actively engaging in the labor market.
This improvement is reflected in the reduction of the population outside the labor force, which fell to 35.9% in August 2024 from 40.2% a year earlier.
The distribution of employment across sectors highlights a notable shift in Rwanda’s economic structure. The agriculture sector, historically a key employer, saw its share of employment shrink to 32.6% in August 2024, down from 37.4% a year earlier.
In contrast, the services sector took the lead, employing 45.4% of the workforce compared to 41% in August 2023. Employment in the industrial sector remained relatively stable over the same period.
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Rwandan banks maintain profitability despite increase in non-performing loans to Frw 267 billion
In the same fiscal year, loan approvals surged by 33%, amounting to Frw 2,162.9 billion.
The BNR’s report, presented to both chambers of Parliament on November 18, 2024, highlighted notable changes in the banking sector.
Deposit interest rates in commercial banks rose to an average of 10%, driven by long-term savings, while loan interest rates declined by 15.97%, spurred by the growth of short-term loans.
The increase in the NPL ratio, from 3.6% to 5%, was largely attributed to repayment challenges faced by some large companies. Nevertheless, the banking sector demonstrated resilience, with net profits rising by 36.7% to Frw 132.5 billion in the first half of 2024.
BNR Governor John Rwangombwa explained that the 5% NPL ratio does not threaten the profitability of banks.
He remarked, “Even with this 5%, there are amounts already written off as unrecoverable, which are closely monitored over time.”
Rwangombwa also emphasized that BNR maintains strict oversight to ensure banks can issue loans prudently or recover collateral when necessary.
Despite a strong financial position, the sector faces structural challenges. In 2024, 67% of total deposits were demand deposits, which can be withdrawn at any time, while only 33% were time deposits with maturities of less than a year. This limits banks’ capacity to issue long-term loans.
As of June 2024, the Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR) stood at 135.6%, well above the regulatory minimum of 100%. This indicates a robust liquidity position, bolstered by a 23.1% increase in customer deposits, which accounted for 78.5% of total bank liabilities.
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Pope Francis calls on G20 leaders for urgent action to eradicate hunger and poverty
Through a message read by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, the Pope directed his words to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the current chair of the G20, as the leaders convened in Rio de Janeiro on November 18 and 19.
This two-day summit brought together representatives from 19 nations, the African Union, and the European Union to discuss pressing global issues.
According to Vatican News, the Pope congratulated President Lula for hosting the summit and expressed his hope that the leaders’ discussions would yield meaningful solutions to create a better world and ensure a brighter future for generations to come.
He highlighted the critical and urgent need to eradicate hunger, which he described as a scandal of our time.
Millions of people suffer and die from hunger while vast amounts of food are wasted—a contradiction he called a “criminal act.”
“It is thus evident that immediate and decisive action must be taken to eradicate the scourge of hunger and poverty. Such action must be undertaken in a joint and collaborative manner, with the involvement of the entire international community,” he stated.
Drawing from his encyclical Fratelli Tutti, he emphasized that food is an inalienable right and that allowing hunger to persist represents a profound moral failure.
Pope Francis further pointed to the devastating role of armed conflicts in perpetuating hunger and poverty.
As the Pope said, wars not only destroy lives and communities but also disrupt global supply chains, deepen inequality, and redirect enormous resources toward weaponry rather than human welfare.
He stressed the need to forge new paths to peace, calling for a stable and lasting resolution to conflicts that would restore dignity to those affected.
The Pope also lamented the vast sums spent on military expenditures and urged leaders to redirect these funds to initiatives aimed at addressing hunger and fostering development in impoverished regions.
The Pope expressed his support for the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty and assured the G20 leaders that the Holy See remains committed to promoting human dignity through the work of Catholic institutions worldwide.
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Sudanese gov’t says open to settling armed conflict, ensuring aid delivery
“The Sudanese government is open to all solutions to end and settle the conflict, and it is also open to delivering humanitarian aid, but the government will not accept this to be exploited to deliver weapons to the rebels instead of delivering food,” Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, chairman of Sudan’s Sovereignty Council and general commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces, told visiting U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello during a meeting, according to Sudan’s Ambassador to the United States Mohamed Abdullah.
Al-Burhan told Perriello that the Sudanese government does not agree for the Adre border crossing with Chad to be exploited in delivering weapons to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Abdullah said.
On Nov. 13, the Sudanese government decided to extend the opening of the Adre border crossing for three months to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the war-affected population in the country.
“The two sides discussed the roadmap and how to stop the war and deliver humanitarian aid, besides the political process as a final solution,” Abdullah said.
Following the meeting, Perriello told reporters that the U.S. would continue to work with the Sudanese authorities to help expand the number of Sudanese people who have access to food, water, and medicine.
Sudan has been engulfed in a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF since mid-April 2023. The deadly conflict has resulted in over 24,850 deaths and displaced more than 14 million people, according to estimates by international organizations.
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Africa CDC pushes for reassessment of U.S. travel advisory on Rwanda
In a letter addressed to Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Mandy Cohen, Director of the US CDC, Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya highlighted Rwanda’s substantial progress in controlling and managing the outbreak.
As of November 17, it has been 18 days since Rwanda reported its last Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) case. All previously infected patients have been successfully discharged, while rigorous monitoring and community follow-up systems remain in place. Additionally, 100% of identified contacts completed the required monitoring period.
Rwanda’s achievement is attributed to the swift and coordinated efforts led by its Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Africa CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO), and international partners.
Key measures included enhanced nationwide surveillance for early case detection, innovative approaches to contact tracing and isolation, upgraded treatment facilities meeting global standards, and widespread public awareness campaigns on prevention.
The Marburg virus outbreak was first declared in Rwanda on September 27, 2024. Since then, the country has worked diligently to contain the virus and prevent its spread within Rwanda and across the continent.
During Africa CDC’s weekly media briefing, Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, stated: “More than a month without a death from Marburg is indicative of the sound progress we have made, but the country remains vigilant.”
Surveillance efforts have been extended to include monitoring fruit bats, the source of the index case, and all caves in the country.
Based on current data, the MVD index case originated from a single zoonotic transmission. Of the 66 reported cases, Rwanda has recorded 51 recoveries. Efforts continue to follow up on survivors and monitor those who have recovered.
Dr. Nsanzimana further noted, “The case fatality rate for those who did not make it has been maintained at 22.7%, which is relatively lower compared to previous outbreaks in the region. The deployment of new tools, therapeutics, and vaccines has contributed significantly to these outcomes.”
Recent evaluations by Africa CDC and WHO acknowledge Rwanda’s progress, confirming a low risk of further MVD transmission. No cases have been reported outside Rwanda or in the United States.
Africa CDC has urged the U.S. HHS and CDC to collaborate with international health agencies to reassess the situation and update the travel advisory to reflect Rwanda’s current epidemiological status.
Dr. Kaseya emphasized that revising the advisory “would recognize Rwanda’s public health achievements while supporting its economic recovery.”
He also reaffirmed the strong partnership between Africa CDC and the United States in advancing global health security.
In a statement released on November 18, 2024, Africa CDC reiterated its commitment to protecting public health across Africa and collaborating with global partners to enhance health security.
Africa CDC, an autonomous public health agency of the African Union, supports member states in strengthening health systems, improving disease surveillance, and enhancing emergency response and disease control efforts.
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EAC Multi-Agency experts convene in Kigali to enhance preparedness against CBRNE threats
This three-day meeting, taking place from November 18 to 20, 2024, aims to establish Standard Operating Procedures and protocols for addressing Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) threats across EAC member states.
In his opening remarks, Brig Gen Dr. Eugene Ngoga, speaking on behalf of the RDF Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), warmly welcomed the experts and highlighted the meeting’s crucial outcomes.
“Your presence here underscores our shared commitment to strengthening the collective security of our region and protecting our people from the complex and evolving challenges posed by CBRNE threats,” he stated.
He emphasized that the forum would enhance the region’s readiness and interoperability to ensure security.
“Through this forum, we are demonstrating the unity that underpins the EAC. Together, we have the opportunity to forge protocols and procedures that will enhance our readiness, improve our interoperability, and ensure the safety and security of our region,” he added.
Colonel Deng Mayom Manyang Malual, Defence Liaison Officer from South Sudan, and representative of the EAC Secretary General, expressed confidence in the meeting’s success.
He praised the diverse group of experts, including doctors, scientists, chemists, military personnel, police officers, and civilians, who have come together to develop a comprehensive document that will guide the military operations of EAC partner states.
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising eight partner states, dedicated to promoting sustainable development and regional integration across sectors such as trade, infrastructure, and health.
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Full Text of Chinese president’s signed article in Brazilian media
Following is an English version of the full text of the article:
{{A Friendship Spanning Vast Oceans: A Voyage Toward a Brighter Shared Future}}
{{By Xi Jinping President of the People’s Republic of China}}
At the invitation of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, I will soon pay a state visit to the Federative Republic of Brazil and attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
Endowed with an expansive land, abundant resources, breathtaking landscapes and a rich tapestry of cultures, Brazil is a favorite destination of the Chinese people. Over two hundred years ago, as Chinese products, such as tea, lychee, spice and porcelain, traversed the oceans to reach the Brazilian shores, trade and economic exchanges began to bridge our two nations and became a bond of friendship between our people.
Fifty years ago, on August 15, 1974, China and Brazil established full diplomatic ties. Our relationship has since withstood the test of a changing international landscape and become increasingly mature and vibrant. This dynamic relationship has not only boosted our respective development but also contributed significantly to world peace and stability. It has established a model for major developing countries to develop win-win cooperation and pursue a shared future.
China and Brazil value mutual respect and treat each other as equals. Our people appreciate and support each other’s choice of development path. Brazil 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. Our relationship has always been a forerunner in the relations between China and fellow developing nations. The two governments have between them a full-fledged mechanism for dialogue and cooperation, of which the high-level commission for coordination and cooperation has been in effective operation for 20 years and played a significant role in coordinating and planning cooperation in various fields and in promoting common development.
China and Brazil value mutual benefit and promote synergy between our comparative strengths as we work hand in hand to advance respective modernization. China has been Brazil’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, and is a major source of foreign investment in Brazil. According to statistics from the Chinese side, China’s annual imports from Brazil in the past three years have stayed above 100 billion U.S. dollars. Thanks to our joint efforts, the structure of trade is becoming increasingly optimized, the level of cooperation is improving, and the scope of shared interests is expanding. Our mutually beneficial cooperation, with no shortage of bright spots and fruitful outcomes in areas of agriculture, infrastructure, energy, resources, green development, technological innovation and finance, has greatly promoted economic and social progress in both countries.
China and Brazil champion openness, inclusiveness and mutual learning, and we share a natural affinity and a common pursuit of all that is beautiful. Brazil’s renowned poets and writers Cecilia Meireles and Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis translated poems from China’s Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), though not directly from Chinese. Their commendable endeavors reflect the resonance between our two cultures that defy time and space. In recent years, music, dance, and other forms of art, along with cuisine and sport, have become a new bridge connecting the people of our two countries, helping to enhance amity and mutual understanding. Brazil’s cute capybaras, bossa nova music, Samba dance, and Capoeira are immensely popular in China. China’s traditional festivals like the Spring Festival and its cultural heritages such as traditional Chinese medicine are increasingly well-known among Brazilians. Our young people, journalists, and academics interact frequently, and subnational exchanges are active and vibrant. Since earlier this year, a series of events have been held in both countries to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, presenting to our people an array of splendid cultural and artistic feasts. In the last couple of days, I received letters from over a hundred Brazilian friends from across sectors, including the Brazil-China Friendship Association, university teachers and students, and the Copacabana Fort Orchestra of Rio de Janeiro. I am profoundly touched by their fervent desire to strengthen the friendship between our two nations.
China and Brazil stay committed to peace, development, fairness and justice. We have similar or identical views on many international and regional issues. Both are staunch defenders of the basic norms of international relations and multilateralism, coordinating closely and consistently within the United Nations, G20, BRICS and other international organizations and multilateral mechanisms on crucial issues, including global governance and climate change. Not long ago, China and Brazil jointly issued a six-point common understanding on political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. Our initiative has received a positive response from the international community. China and Brazil, embracing our roles and responsibilities as major countries, have contributed to a multipolar world, conduced to greater democracy in international relations and injected positive energy into global peace and stability.
Today’s world is undergoing an accelerating transformation unseen in a century. New challenges and new changes continue to arise. As a Chinese saying goes, “In a race of a hundred boats, those who row hardest will lead; among a thousand sails competing, those who advance most bravely will win.” As major developing countries in the eastern and western hemispheres respectively and important members of BRICS, China and Brazil should unite more closely, row hardest and advance most bravely. We should pioneer new routes together and jointly set sail on a voyage toward a brighter shared future that belongs to both our people and the whole of humanity.
Our two countries should stay the course of friendly relations. We should remain committed to mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual learning. We should further intensify exchanges at all levels and across all fields, including between the governments, political parties, and legislatures, and step up the exchange of experience in state governance and national development. We should continuously strengthen strategic mutual trust and cement the political foundation of our bilateral relations. We should fully leverage the role of the China-Brazil high-level coordination and cooperation commission (COSBAN), the comprehensive strategic dialogue and other cooperation mechanisms to build a stable and mature major-country relationship and ensure its steady and sustained growth.
Our two countries should foster new growth drivers for mutually beneficial cooperation. Both China and Brazil prioritize accelerating economic development and improving people’s livelihoods and both are forging ahead on the path of modernization. At present, as the new sci-tech revolution and industrial transformation gather pace, our two countries must seize the opportunities offered by the times. We should promote synergy between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Brazil’s development strategies, and we should keep enhancing the strategic impacts of our mutually beneficial cooperation, broaden its scope, and break new ground. We should foster more exemplary projects that align with the trends of the times, deliver lasting benefits to the people, and contribute to the common development of our countries and regions.
Our two countries should solidify the foundation of people-to-people friendship. China and Brazil boast rich, diverse and uniquely fascinating cultures that are complementary and drawn to each other. We should uphold openness and inclusiveness, values that are imbued in our traditions, and deepen our exchanges and cooperation in the areas of culture, education, science and technology, health, sports, tourism, and at the subnational levels. This will help our people view each other’s countries in a more accurate, multidimensional, and vivid light, and cultivate more people-to-people ambassadors who will carry forward the China-Brazil traditional friendship. Friendly exchanges, in turn, enhance harmony and mutual enrichment between our civilizations and make the garden of human civilization more colorful and more vibrant.
Our two countries should strengthen solidarity, support each other and fulfill our responsibilities as major countries. Despite its collective rise, the Global South has yet to have its voice and demands fully heard and reflected in the existing international governance system. As two of the world’s major developing countries, China and Brazil should take on the mantle of historical duty and responsibilities. We must work together with others in the Global South to resolutely safeguard the developing nations’ common interests, address global challenges through cooperation, and promote a global governance system that is fairer and more equitable. China and Brazil should make our distinctive contribution to world peace, stability and common development.
Another reason for my visit to Brazil this time is to attend the summit of the G20, an important platform for international economic cooperation. Following its assumption of the presidency, Brazil has established the summit theme as “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet” and made active efforts to advance G20 cooperation in various areas, laying a good foundation for the success of the summit in Rio de Janeiro. President Lula has placed fighting hunger and poverty high on the summit’s agenda and proposed the establishment of a Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. China highly commends and will actively support his initiative.
Building a just world requires the G20 to honor the principles of mutual respect, equal-footed cooperation and mutual benefit, and support Global South countries in achieving greater development. Development must be placed at the center of G20 cooperation, and the attainment of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development must be a top priority. A global partnership for sustainable development must be built, and global development must be more inclusive, beneficial to all and more resilient. It is important to press ahead with the reform of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organization and to increase the representation and voice of the Global South. Macroeconomic policy coordination must be stepped up, and trade and investment liberalization and facilitation promoted, to create an open, inclusive, and non-discriminatory environment for international economic cooperation.
Building a sustainable planet requires the G20 to promote sustainable production and lifestyle as a way to achieve harmony between humanity and nature. The G20 must advance international cooperation in such areas as green and low-carbon development, environmental protection, energy transition and climate change response. It must honor the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and provide more funding, technology and capacity-building support to Global South countries. Thirty-two years ago, the UN Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro produced important outcomes such as Agenda 21. This time again in Rio, an important topic for discussion at the G20 leaders’ meeting is global green and low-carbon development, and I hope the summit will provide stronger momentum and greater confidence for global sustainable development.
I am confident that the Rio de Janeiro Summit will achieve fruitful outcomes and leave a distinct Brazilian mark on G20’s history. I also look forward to working with President Lula to usher in a new “golden 50 years” for China-Brazil relations, and promote a more just and sustainable community with a shared future.
