The event, which was last held in 2023, is scheduled to return on November 27, 2026, at Kigali Universe.
In a statement announcing the change, Ally Soudy said the event’s name has been changed, while its original concept of bringing together different forms of entertainment will remain.
“Following the Ally Soudy & Friends Live Show, we are pleased to announce that the event has been given a new and original name.
It is now called ‘Cabaret Kigali’, where we will bring together different forms of entertainment. The project aims to promote art, culture, music, comedy, dance and storytelling,” he said.
The event is being organised by Salax Entertainment in partnership with WatuWave.
According to Ally Soudy, Cabaret Kigali will combine live music, comedy, dance, performances by artists and appearances by celebrities in a format inspired by television talk shows.
He said the concept draws inspiration from internationally recognised cabaret shows but will be adapted to reflect Rwanda’s culture, artistic identity and creative expression.
Cabaret Kigali is intended to bring together different forms of entertainment in one event, giving audiences an opportunity to enjoy live performances while creating a platform for artists and other creatives to connect with their fans.
Ally Soudy said the long-term ambition is for Cabaret Kigali to become a leading entertainment platform in Rwanda and across Africa.
The platform is expected to provide opportunities for artists, entertainers, creatives, journalists and industry partners to engage with audiences in a fresh and entertaining way.
The November event will mark the return of Ally Soudy’s entertainment show after its last edition in 2023, while introducing a new identity and broader concept under the Cabaret Kigali brand.
Three people familiar with the matter told Reuters that the model was developed in partnership with Alibaba and trained with support from the Chinese technology company. They spoke anonymously because the information has not been made public.
Apple had previously relied on models from Chinese technology companies to bring generative AI features to its devices in China.
US-developed services such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude are not available in the country.
Apple Intelligence, the company’s suite of AI tools, is expected to launch in China in the coming months after an iOS update.
A China-specific model could give Apple greater control over the AI experience on devices sold in the country.
It could also help the company meet China’s regulatory requirements, which challenge foreign technology companies.
The move comes as Apple faces strong competition from Chinese smartphone makers, including Huawei, that have moved quickly to introduce AI-powered features.
The absence of Apple Intelligence from Chinese iPhones has been cited as one factor affecting the company’s competitiveness as consumers increasingly choose domestic brands with built-in AI assistants.
The development follows a lengthy regulatory process. Last month, China’s Cyberspace Administration registered Apple’s generative AI service, clearing the way for Apple Intelligence to reach Chinese iPhones.
Under the existing arrangement, Alibaba’s Qwen model is expected to be incorporated into the version of Apple Intelligence for compatible iPhone, iPad, Mac and Vision Pro devices sold in China. The service was also expected to include Baidu technology.
Apple recently published a Chinese-language guide showing eligible Mac users in mainland China how to connect Qwen to Siri and Apple’s Writing Tools. Apple later removed the guide without explanation.
Apple’s partnership with Alibaba was first confirmed in February 2025, when Alibaba Chairman Joe Tsai said Apple had selected Alibaba to provide AI technology for its phones in China.
The rollout was later delayed as Apple worked to adapt its features to Chinese regulations.
China remains an important market for Apple, accounting for a significant share of its revenue.
The company’s latest AI strategy could help it strengthen its position while navigating the country’s regulatory environment.
Apple’s latest AI move comes as the company works to strengthen its position in China’s competitive smartphone market.
The complaint was submitted on August 14, 2026, during a ceremony attended by Banyamulenge representatives from different parts of the world and lawyers representing the complainants.
Ahead of the submission, participants held a short march to the ICC headquarters to commemorate Banyamulenge refugees killed in Gatumba, Burundi, in 2004.
The complaint focuses mainly on a series of attacks by forces aligned with the DRC government in Minembwe and surrounding areas, particularly since fighting resumed between government forces and the AFC/M23 rebels.
Innocent Nteziryayo, one of the lawyers representing the complainants, told IGIHE that the complaint names President Félix Tshisekedi, members of his government and officials from Burundi.
“We mainly focused on incidents that occurred in recent months, particularly the drone strikes that destroyed infrastructure in Minembwe and other areas,” he said.
Nteziryayo said the complaint also refers to statements by senior officials that the Banyamulenge representatives consider to be incitement to hatred.
“We also linked them to statements that have been made by senior officials, starting with the President, ministers and various journalists. We also filed a complaint against the Burundian army and its leaders because they allegedly played a role in operations targeting the Banyamulenge and destroying their infrastructure, and there is substantial evidence,” he said.
Another lawyer representing the complainants, Bernard Maingain, said the delegation had come to The Hague to take what he described as a significant step by bringing the case before the ICC Prosecutor’s Office under Article 15 of the Rome Statute.
“We have come to The Hague to take a particularly significant step: to bring before the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, under Article 15 of the Rome Statute, a comprehensive dossier concerning crimes that we believe were committed against the Banyamulenge and fall within the jurisdiction of the ICC,” Me Maingain said.
According to Me Maingain, the move comes after attempts to seek justice through the Congolese judicial system failed to produce results.
He said that despite efforts made over several years, the authorities did not provide an effective response.
“We had no other option but to come before the International Criminal Court,” he said, explaining that the dossier submitted to the Prosecutor includes testimonies, evidence, hate speech and historical analyses.
The lawyer called on the Office of the Prosecutor to examine the material submitted and open investigations into the crimes.
“We will never give up seeking justice for the Banyamulenge population,” Maingain said, stressing the importance of the recent events in Minembwe.
In documents submitted to the ICC Prosecutor’s Office, the complainants contend that residents of Minembwe have been subjected to acts that constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes. They also cite forced displacement on ethnic grounds and acts that they say may amount to genocide.
The dossier includes testimonies from people affected by the bombardments in Minembwe, along with photographs, videos and other analyses intended to document the abuses.
The complainants further testify that some residents were forcibly removed from their homes, while others were displaced, unlawfully detained, tortured or subjected to other forms of cruel or degrading treatment.
The Banyamulenge have named several political, military and administrative officials in the DRC and called for an assessment of their role in the abuses documented in the complaint.
The dossier also mentions armed groups including Wazalendo, Nyatura and the FDLR. The complainants are calling for investigations into the possible role of these groups in attacks against civilians in Minembwe.
They have also asked the ICC Prosecutor’s Office to examine the involvement of Burundian officials whom they accuse of cooperating with DRC authorities in operations carried out in Minembwe.
To support the complaint, the Banyamulenge submitted documents signed by residents, associations and institutions in Minembwe authorising their representatives to act on their behalf in seeking justice.
The institutions cited in the dossier include health centres in the Minembwe highlands, churches, Minembwe General Hospital, universities, primary and secondary schools, and Radio Tuungane de Minembwe.
Their lawyers said they also submitted a list of people who were forcibly displaced, unlawfully detained, tortured or subjected to other forms of mistreatment or degrading treatment.
The Banyamulenge say the 2004 Gatumba massacre, in which many Banyamulenge refugees from the DRC were killed, remains one of the most painful events in the community’s recent history.
Those gathered in The Hague said their decision to approach the ICC was intended to give a voice to people who have suffered abuses and to ensure that the violations in Minembwe receive international attention.
They called on the ICC Prosecutor’s Office to review the documents, testimonies and other evidence submitted and determine whether there are sufficient grounds to open an investigation into the crimes.
The filing in The Hague marks another step by Banyamulenge representatives in what they describe as a broader effort to seek justice for people who have suffered abuses in Minembwe and other conflict-affected areas of eastern DRC.
The complaint was submitted on August 14, 2026, during a ceremony attended by Banyamulenge representatives from different parts of the world and lawyers representing the complainants.Lawyers Innocent Nteziryayo and Bernard Maingain signing the complaint dossier.
Representatives of various Banyamulenge associations also signed.
Lawyers Bernard Maingain and Innocent Nteziryayo during the submission of the complaint to the ICC. Banyamulenge youth led the event on Friday. Lawyer Ruhamira Jean Pierre explaining the sequence of events.
The facility became operational in March 2026, while its avocado and fruit processing equipment line was launched in August 2026. The facility is equipped with modern fruit processing, grading, packaging and cooling equipment designed to prepare avocados and other fruits for international markets.
It is already serving several fruit export companies, including Kumwe Green Farms Ltd, Souk Farms, Kinvest, Proxifresh, Bahage Foods, Sunripe and Green Life.
Among its early clients is Kumwe Green Farms, an exporter of Hass and Fuerte avocados as well as other fresh produce, which now uses the facility to process its exports before shipment.
Founder and CEO of Kumwe Green Farms Ltd, Fred Rwigamba, said the new facility has transformed the company’s operations by replacing labour-intensive manual processes with mechanised systems.
“Previously, we used a traditional method where we spread the avocados on tarpaulins and had people sit down and process them manually,” he said.
“Now, we use these machines, which make the process much faster. It used to take us between five and six days to fill a container, but now it can be done in just one or two days.”
Rwigamba said the equipment has also improved the accuracy of weighing and packaging produce.
“Each carton transported by ship contains four kilograms. Previously, workers estimated the weight by looking at the avocados, and there was no guarantee the measurements were accurate. That was a challenge, but now the machines handle the process, giving us confidence that every carton meets the required standard,” he said.
Beyond processing, Rwigamba said the availability of cold storage is equally important for exporters handling highly perishable produce.
“As you know, fruits are highly perishable agricultural products and need to be stored in a cool environment to prevent them from going bad,” he said.
“We did not have such storage facilities before, and that was one of the reasons some exporters were reluctant to use sea freight. Although shipping by sea takes longer, it is much more affordable.”
He explained that avocados are cooled immediately after processing to maintain their quality throughout the export journey.
“After processing, the avocados are cooled to the required temperature because they spend about three days being transported by truck before reaching Mombasa. Maintaining that temperature is essential to prevent deterioration,” he said.
Cold Solutions Rwanda is located in the Kigali Special Economic Zone in Masoro and forms part of the ARCH Cold Solutions East Africa Fund, managed by UK-based investment firm ARCH Emerging Markets Partners. The fund seeks to expand cold storage infrastructure across East Africa to reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen regional agricultural value chains.
Cold Solutions Rwanda Country Director Julie Igiraneza said the company introduced the fruit processing facility after receiving strong demand from exporters seeking reliable processing and cold chain services.
“We had many people asking us for this service. Some customers even approached us while the project was still under development and told us they wanted to be among the first to use the machines once they arrived. They included Souk Farms, Kumwe Farms and others,” she said.
She said the company plans to expand the facility further by installing more advanced equipment to increase processing capacity.
“We realised this is a very important service, so we are expanding our operations and planning to bring in more advanced equipment that can serve more people at the same time. This is a service that is highly needed in Rwanda and across East Africa,” she said.
The facility is expected to enhance Rwanda’s capacity to preserve fresh produce, reduce post-harvest losses caused by spoilage and improve the competitiveness of the country’s fruit exports.
Cold Solutions Rwanda’s newly opened fruit processing facility in the Kigali Special Economic Zone.Avocados washed and prepared for export at the Cold Solutions Rwanda facility.Workers process avocados using specialised machinery at Cold Solutions Rwanda.The facility strengthens Rwanda’s agricultural value chain and supports the country’s growing horticulture sector.Cold Solutions Rwanda Country Director Julie Igiraneza said the company introduced the fruit processing facility after receiving strong demand from exporters seeking reliable processing and cold chain services.
The new information comes from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey V, known as SDSS-V. It is part of Data Release 20, or DR20, the latest major collection of information from the project.
A spectrum is a way of studying light from an object in space. By breaking light into different parts, scientists can learn about an object’s temperature, movement and chemical makeup.
One of the biggest changes in the new release is that it includes optical observations from the Southern Hemisphere for the first time.
These observations were made with a telescope at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile.
They have been combined with observations from the Sloan Foundation Telescope at Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico.
Together, the two locations allow scientists to study objects in the sky from both the northern and southern parts of Earth.
The new data include information on about 1.5 million stars. They also contain about 1.1 million spectra from the Black Hole Mapper programme, covering around 500,000 different objects.
Scientists hope the information will help them better understand supermassive black holes and how they change over time.
Some of the objects have been observed more than once, allowing researchers to compare their changes.
The release also combines optical observations with X-ray information from the eROSITA space telescope.
This gives scientists information about hundreds of thousands of objects that produce X-rays, including active galaxies, galaxy clusters and active stars.
Another important part of the release focuses on the Milky Way and nearby galaxies. Scientists have mapped areas containing glowing gas, young stars and planetary nebulae.
The maps include well-known regions such as the Orion and Rosette nebulae.
The new release also includes 18 scientific catalogues and online tools that make it easier to explore the huge amount of information.
The data are publicly available, meaning scientists, students, teachers and astronomy enthusiasts around the world can use them.
Researchers hope the information will lead to new discoveries about how stars and galaxies form and change.
With DR20, SDSS-V is moving closer to creating a detailed map of the sky across both hemispheres.
The project is giving scientists a powerful new way to study the Universe and understand its many mysteries.
Astronomers have mapped more of the universe using millions of new observations.
Doja Cat made the comments during a social media livestream on August 12, when she offered an unsolicited reaction to Tyga’s latest project.
“Nobody asked me anything about Tyga, but I felt like saying this,” Doja said before calling Tyga a “penis for making an AI album.”
Tyga later addressed her comments during an appearance on TMZ Live, where he responded in a similarly playful manner.
“Listen, I love Doja, but she made a demonic album,” Tyga said, referring to Doja Cat’s recent work. He then added that he still loves her.
The exchange follows Tyga’s earlier explanation of how artificial intelligence was used in the production of $tarface.
In an interview with VIBE, the rapper acknowledged using AI as a creative tool, particularly for sounds inspired by the 1980s. He explained that the technology helped with elements such as synthesizers and guitar sounds.
Tyga has stressed that the use of AI did not mean that a machine created the entire album.
During his TMZ Live appearance, he said he wrote the songs and performed the vocals himself, while AI was used in parts of the production.
The rapper has defended the approach by comparing the current debate over AI with the criticism that surrounded Auto-Tune when it became widely used in music.
According to Tyga, new technology can become another tool for artists when it is used creatively.
$tarface also represents a major change in Tyga’s musical direction. The project introduces $TARFACE as a separate artistic identity and moves away from the sound associated with much of his earlier career.
Tyga previously told PEOPLE that after more than 15 years in the music industry, he wanted to experiment and avoid placing himself in a creative box.
He described $TARFACE as a completely different artist and aesthetic from his previous work.
The controversy has also brought renewed attention to the wider debate over artificial intelligence in music, as artists continue to disagree about how the technology should be used in the creative process.
Doja Cat and Tyga are not strangers to collaboration. The pair previously worked together on the 2019 remix of Doja Cat’s “Juicy” and reunited for “Freaky Deaky” in 2022.
Despite their latest disagreement, Tyga’s response suggested that he did not view Doja Cat’s criticism as a serious personal conflict, maintaining that he still has affection for the fellow artist.
PEOPLE reported that representatives for both artists had been contacted for comment.
Tyga and Doja Cat offered differing views on AI in music
A study led by researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that neurons in the human cortex can process information in remarkably sophisticated ways.
The findings suggest that individual brain cells function more like tiny biological computers than simple on and off switches.
For decades, scientists have focused largely on the number of neurons in the human brain and the vast networks connecting them when trying to understand human intelligence.
The new research suggests that the complexity of individual neurons may also play an important role in explaining abilities such as language, imagination, mathematics and invention.
The research was led by Professors Idan Segev and Mickey London, together with PhD students Ido Aizenbud and Daniela Yoeli at the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences.
The team also collaborated with Professor Chris de Kock of the Free University in Amsterdam.
To measure the computing power of individual neurons, researchers developed a new approach combining computer modelling and artificial intelligence.
They examined how difficult it would be for an artificial neural network to reproduce the relationship between information entering a biological neuron and the response it produces.
The researchers found that human cortical neurons have highly complex branching structures known as dendritic trees, along with distinctive electrical properties that allow them to perform sophisticated computations.
These abilities enable individual neurons to process complex information, including visual signals.
The findings challenge the traditional view of neurons as relatively simple components whose main role is to transmit signals through the brain.
Instead, the researchers suggest that a single human cortical neuron can operate as a powerful computing unit, with capabilities comparable to those of a deep neural network.
Professor Segev said the findings show that a single human neuron is an “extraordinarily sophisticated computing device,” highlighting how much processing power may exist within individual brain cells.
The discovery could also influence the development of artificial intelligence. Modern AI systems generally rely on simplified artificial units inspired by neurons.
The researchers suggest that future brain-inspired AI could instead use artificial units designed to reproduce some of the deeper computational abilities found in biological neurons.
The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, provides a new perspective on the biological foundations of human intelligence.
It also gives scientists a framework for studying how the physical structure of individual brain cells is connected to their ability to process information.
The researchers believe this approach could contribute to a better understanding of how the human brain produces thought, learning and other complex cognitive abilities.
Scientists have uncovered extraordinary computing power in individual human brain cells
The event was the first total solar eclipse visible in Western Europe since 1999, attracting large crowds of residents, tourists and astronomy enthusiasts who travelled to locations along the path of totality.
In Spain, the eclipse crossed the northern part of the country before reaching the Balearic Islands.
Up to six million visitors were expected to gather at viewing locations, with authorities preparing extensive security and safety measures for the large crowds.
In Buitrago de Lozoya, north of Madrid, spectators watched as the sky darkened during the evening.
The eclipse reached the area at around 8:30 p.m., with totality lasting for nearly a minute. As the Moon completely covered the Sun, spectators applauded and reacted with excitement to the sudden darkness.
The event also attracted well-known figures, including Queen guitarist Brian May, who travelled to Spain to experience the eclipse.
Authorities had prepared for the large influx of visitors, particularly because the eclipse coincided with Spain’s peak wildfire season.
Thousands of police officers and other emergency personnel were deployed to help manage crowds and traffic and respond to potential emergencies.
The eclipse provided an important boost for tourism, with visitors travelling to rural areas and lesser-known destinations to find a good view of the phenomenon.
Several locations had prepared special observation sites and activities for tourists and local residents.
Iceland was another major destination for eclipse watchers. Up to 80,000 visitors travelled to the country, particularly its western regions, where totality was visible.
However, cloud cover and rainy weather affected visibility in some areas.
Despite the challenges, crowds gathered in Reykjavik and other locations, with many people equipped with protective glasses and other eclipse-viewing equipment.
The eclipse was also visible as a partial solar eclipse across other parts of Europe, including the United Kingdom, France and Germany, allowing millions more people to observe the Moon covering part of the Sun.
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s visible disk. During totality, the sky becomes dark and the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona, becomes visible.
For Spain, the 2026 eclipse is part of a rare sequence of major solar events.
The country is expected to experience another total solar eclipse in 2027, followed by an annular eclipse in 2028, forming what has been described as the “Iberian Eclipse Trio.”
Rare total solar eclipse drew millions to Spain and Iceland
Amb. Ngarambe argues that Habyarimana’s involvement in the ideology that ultimately contributed to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi began decades before the genocide itself.
Speaking to IGIHE, Amb. Ngarambe drew on his book, Le génocide contre les Tutsi au Rwanda en 1994. Conséquences inéluctables des politiques criminelles et des crimes politiques de 1959 à 1994, in which he examines the political developments and violence that preceded the genocide.
Habyarimana was born in 1937, nearly two decades before the publication of the document commonly known as the “Hutu Manifesto.”
According to Amb. Ngarambe, the young Habyarimana grew up in an environment increasingly influenced by ideas promoted through the manifesto, which advocated for what its authors presented as Hutu interests.
Amb. Ngarambe said that in 1960, a year after the beginning of what became known as the “Hutu Revolution,” Habyarimana joined the military through a programme associated with Belgian colonial official Colonel Guy Logiest.
He argues that Logiest was seeking to establish a predominantly Hutu military force and that Habyarimana was among the young recruits shaped by that environment.
“In this army, Logiest saw Habyarimana as someone who could represent this Hutu youth, which had been prepared to kill Tutsis without hesitation. He had been exposed to this ideology when he was around 20 years old, during his military training,” Amb. Ngarambe said.
From military service to political power
Amb. Ngarambe said that after completing his military training, Habyarimana became involved in military operations against attacks by forces known as the Inyenzi in 1962 and 1963.
He alleges that alongside military operations against the insurgents, Tutsi civilians were also killed in retaliatory violence.
Between 1963 and 1964, according to Amb. Ngarambe, Habyarimana rose to positions of increasing authority within the national army and security structures.
He argues that during this period, violence against Tutsis continued, with the support of the PARMEHUTU political movement.
“Generally speaking, we can say that the genocidal ideology in Habyarimana did not emerge in the 1990s or the 1980s. It began with the establishment of PARMEHUTU and the dissemination of the Hutu Manifesto,” Amb. Ngarambe said.
He added that while anti-Tutsi violence had already occurred during the government of President Grégoire Kayibanda, Habyarimana inherited and maintained elements of the political system and ideology that had emerged during that period.
Amb. Ngarambe also portrays Habyarimana as a politically ambitious young officer who sought power at an early age.
He said Habyarimana was only 26 when he became commander of Rwanda’s armed forces and that he already had ambitions of eventually becoming Head of State.
“At the age of 26, when he became commander of Rwanda’s army, he already had ambitions to become Head of State. From that point, he began to become deceptive and sought to control those around him, using lies to steer them in the direction he wanted,” Amb. Ngarambe said.
Consolidating power
Following the overthrow of Kayibanda in 1973, Habyarimana assumed power and established a new political order.
Amb. Ngarambe argues that after the coup and the subsequent killing of Kayibanda and politicians from southern Rwanda, Habyarimana sought to consolidate his support among Hutus from the region.
Although Colonel Théoneste Lizinde was later prosecuted by a military court in Ruhengeri in connection with the killing of politicians from southern Rwanda, Amb. Ngarambe maintains that the operation could not have taken place without Habyarimana’s knowledge.
“Lizinde played a role, but his superior was Colonel Ntibitura, who supported Habyarimana and reported to him on a daily basis,” Amb. Ngarambe said.
He further linked the killings to the leadership of Ruhengeri Prefecture at the time, arguing that the political hierarchy made it unlikely that such actions could have occurred without the knowledge of senior authorities.
The rise of Hutu Power
Amb. Ngarambe said that the political mobilisation intensified particularly from 1993, as Habyarimana and his allies sought to strengthen what became known as Hutu Power.
According to him, mobilisation efforts extended to local administrative structures, where individuals were encouraged to portray Tutsis as a common enemy.
“He implemented a systematic and organised approach aimed at spreading genocidal ideology among Rwandans, particularly Hutus, preparing them from childhood and from primary school,” Amb. Ngarambe said.
The outbreak of war on October 1, 1990, when the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) launched an armed invasion from Uganda, further transformed Rwanda’s political environment.
Amb. Ngarambe argues that Habyarimana used the conflict to intensify calls for Hutu unity and anti-Tutsi mobilisation.
“When the war began, Habyarimana appeared to see it as an opportunity. He said, ‘I am going to solve the problem now; I am going to unite the Hutus,’” Amb. Ngarambe said.
He described Habyarimana and his political allies as being at the centre of a campaign that increasingly portrayed the conflict with the RPF as a broader struggle between Hutus and Tutsis.
Amb. Ngarambe also identified Ferdinand Nahimana, Jean-Bosco Barayagwiza and others as key figures in the propaganda campaign that promoted anti-Tutsi narratives.
According to him, the messaging portrayed Rwanda as having been attacked by Inyenzi who had come from Uganda alongside Ugandans, encouraging Hutus to believe they needed to defend themselves against the perceived threat.
From decades of division to genocide
Habyarimana was killed on April 6, 1994, when the plane carrying him and Burundian President Cyprien Ntaryamira was shot down near Kigali.
The following day, organised killings began in Kigali and rapidly spread across the country.
Over approximately 100 days, more than one million Tutsis were killed.
The Genocide against the Tutsi remains one of the most devastating crimes against humanity of the 20th century.
Amb. Ngarambe’s account places Habyarimana’s political trajectory within a much longer history of ethnic discrimination, political violence and extremist mobilisation, arguing that the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994 was not an isolated event but the culmination of years of ideological preparation, institutionalised discrimination and escalating violence.
Habyarimana was the first commander of Rwanda’s army established under Belgian rule.
Before venturing into the creative industry, Dufatanye was a primary school teacher, where he taught English.
Speaking to IGIHE, he said he completed his education up to university level, where he trained as a teacher before joining the education sector.
When the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted economic activities and led to the loss of many jobs, Dufatanye was among those who were affected. Faced with the challenge of finding a new source of income, he began looking for a skill he could turn into a livelihood.
“I started by making face masks. I watched videos online to learn how they were made, then made them by hand. Fortunately, I found someone who ordered 1,000 masks from me at Rwf200 each. The money I earned from that work became the capital I used to start looking for something else to do,” he said.
She later turned to weaving, a skill he already had. Together with some of his relatives, she began making woven products from home and selling them to customers.
In 2021, Dufatanye established his own business, Izuba. He initially operated from premises used by other artisans before eventually seeking an independent workspace.
A major turning point came in 2026, when he secured financing from Numida Technologies, enabling him to establish a dedicated workplace and expand his operations.
“We met Numida when they found me where I was working. They explained their services to me, and I decided to give them a try. I took the loan and repaid it successfully. They later gave me another loan, which enabled me to move to this place and expand my business,” he said.
Today, Dufatanye has three permanent employees and works with about 30 casual workers whenever he receives large orders. All of them are women.
His ambition is to grow the business further and create more employment opportunities.
“Over the next five years, I hope to have the capacity to employ at least 300 women and to start exporting my products to international markets,” he said.
Numida supports small businesses
Hakizimana Cyprien, an employee of Numida Technologies, said the company provides financing to entrepreneurs at different stages of business development.
“At Numida, we provide loans to everyone, including men, women and young people who have businesses. We support businesses ranging from small and medium enterprises to those that are beginning to grow into larger businesses and want to expand further,” he said.
Numida Technologies was established in 2016. It expanded its operations to Uganda in 2023, entered Kenya in 2026 and began operating in Rwanda the same year.
The company provides loans ranging from Rwf100,000 to Rwf12 million, depending on the nature and stage of a borrower’s business.
First-time borrowers, however, can access loans of up to Rwf2 million, according to the company.
For Dufatanye, what began as a search for an alternative source of income during a period of economic uncertainty has grown into a business with ambitions of employing hundreds of women and reaching international markets.
Izuba craft shop showcases a wide range of locally made products from Rwanda.Karitasi Dufatanye creates a variety of locally made products in Rwanda.Dufatanye says she can provide work for up to 30 women when she receives large orders.Covid-19 inspired Karitasi Dufatanye to establish Izuba, a homegrown crafts business.Dufatanye says additional capital would enable him to expand his clothing production.
