The announcement was made on October 27, 2026, when King Faisal Hospital hosted a team of transplant surgery specialists from Türkiye’s Acıbadem Healthcare Group.
The visit aims to strengthen cooperation towards introducing liver transplantation in Rwanda, building on kidney transplant services launched at the hospital in May 2023.
King Faisal Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Augustin Sendegeya, said the number of patients requiring liver transplants in Rwanda is increasing, while delays in accessing the procedure can put their lives at risk.
He explained that transplantation may be the only life-saving option when the liver is severely damaged and can no longer perform its essential functions.
Dr. Sendegeya added that liver transplants are expensive abroad, making the introduction of the service in Rwanda an important step towards reducing the financial and logistical challenges faced by patients.
“We have welcomed specialists from Türkiye’s Acıbadem Healthcare Group. We will discuss how to introduce new liver transplant services. We will also collaborate on research and train doctors in kidney and liver transplantation,” he said.
Dr. Sendegeya noted that Rwanda has already made progress in kidney transplantation, with about 115 patients having received the procedure at King Faisal Hospital.
Prof. Hamdi Karakayali, a transplant specialist at Acıbadem Healthcare Group, said diseases affecting the kidneys and liver are increasing worldwide, creating a need to expand treatment capacity.
He described kidney transplantation as a highly effective treatment, noting that success rates can reach 99% when procedures are performed by experienced specialists.
Patients with damaged kidneys can also undergo haemodialysis, a procedure that uses a machine to filter waste and excess fluid from the blood, performing some of the functions of the kidneys.
However, he said, liver failure presents a greater challenge because no machine can fully replace the liver’s functions when the organ is severely damaged.
“Liver diseases are very serious and difficult to treat. When the liver is severely damaged, transplantation may be necessary. Liver transplants have a success rate of more than 90%,” Karakayali said.
He said that during his 33 years in transplant medicine, he had participated in kidney transplants for approximately 3,500 patients and liver transplants for another 2,500.
Karakayali said one of the most rewarding aspects of his work is seeing patients recover and resume their lives, particularly children.
“It makes me happy to see the people I have treated recover, especially children. It is rewarding to treat a child who survives, goes to school and later returns as an adult with a family of their own,” he said.
Organ donation remains a major challenge
Karakayali said the availability of people willing to donate organs remains one of the biggest challenges facing transplantation programmes worldwide.
He explained that organ donation requires more than medical expertise, stressing the importance of following applicable laws and regulations to protect the rights and safety of both donors and recipients.
Türkiye has made progress in living-donor liver transplantation, he said, with approximately 80% of the 1,400 liver transplants performed there involving organs donated by living people.
Living donors can donate part of their liver because the organ has the ability to regenerate.
Liver transplants can also use organs donated by deceased people, subject to the relevant legal and medical requirements.
Karakayali said that although both options are available, securing enough donor organs remains a major challenge.
Doctors performing organ transplants are set to receive specialised training.King Faisal Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Augustin Sendegeya, said the number of patients requiring liver transplants in Rwanda is increasing.Prof. Hamdi Karakayalı, MD is a kidney transplant center specialist at Acibadem Atakent Hospital in Istanbul.The representative of Acıbadem Healthcare Group in Rwanda and other African countries said patients seeking organ transplants in Türkiye receive assistance.Doctors said patients with liver and kidney diseases often require specialised treatment.Transplant specialists from Türkiye are working with Rwandan counterparts to introduce liver transplant services in the country.
The outbreak has claimed 4,887 lives across eight provinces since it was declared in mid-May, making it the largest Ebola outbreak in the country’s history and the second-largest recorded globally.
More than 2,700 children have been infected, according to Save the Children, highlighting the growing impact of the outbreak on vulnerable populations.
Greg Ramm, the organisation’s director in the DRC, described the milestone as a “stark reminder of the scale of this crisis”.
“Behind this milestone are thousands of families facing unimaginable fear and uncertainty, and children are bearing some of the heaviest consequences,” Ramm said.
He added that the outbreak was unfolding in communities already affected by conflict, displacement and food insecurity, making it increasingly difficult for families to access medical services.
“Families are struggling to access health care, health facilities are under immense pressure, and many communities lack the resources needed to prevent transmission and keep children safe,” he said.
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a relatively rare variant for which no approved vaccine is currently available, according to the report.
Difficulties in detecting the virus during the early stages of the outbreak have also complicated efforts to contain its spread.
Attacks on health workers hamper response
Efforts to control the outbreak have also been undermined by violence against health workers.
Last week, a nurse was killed and another health worker seriously injured while responding to an Ebola alert in Tshopo province in the Democratic Republic of Congo according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned the attack, stressing that health workers must be able to carry out their duties safely.
“Everyone working to protect communities from this deadly disease must be able to work in dignity and safety,” he said in a post on X.
WHO Regional Director for Africa Mohamed Janabi also called for the protection of those responding to the outbreak, warning against the consequences of misinformation and fear.
“Those responding to the Ebola outbreak must be protected,” Janabi said.
The insecurity has added to the challenges facing response teams, particularly in areas where mistrust and misinformation discourage residents from reporting symptoms or seeking treatment.
The outbreak has also placed pressure on already strained healthcare facilities, while conflict and displacement have made it more difficult for response teams to reach affected communities.
Regional spread raises concern
The outbreak has extended beyond the DRC, with Kenya and Nigeria reporting cases linked to the ongoing crisis. Health authorities are intensifying surveillance and coordination as they seek to prevent further transmission.
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Director-General Jean Kaseya has called for a stronger and faster continental response.
“Ebola is crossing borders,” Kaseya said. “We have the expertise and the capacity on this continent. We must mobilise them together to stop this outbreak and save lives.”
Kenya has reported deaths linked to the outbreak, while almost 100 close contacts of other cases remained in quarantine, according to ABC News.
Uganda, which shares a border with the DRC, has introduced restrictions on non-essential travel to and from the neighbouring country. Returning citizens are also expected to undergo a 21-day quarantine under the measures.
The developments have renewed concerns about cross-border transmission and the need for countries to strengthen screening, contact tracing and emergency preparedness.
A healthcare worker decontaminates his colleague after he entered the house of an old woman, suspected of dying of Ebola, in the eastern Congolese town of Beni in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Oct. 8, 2019. Zohra Bensemra/Reuters
Tura Neza addresses one of the biggest barriers to home ownership: the substantial upfront financial commitment.
The solution is designed to finance up to 100% of the property’s purchase price, with an additional 5% towards eligible acquisition costs, subject to credit approval and applicable lending conditions.
The launch also featured Open Homes, (www.open homes.rw) a digital property and home-financing platform connecting prospective homeowners with verified property opportunities, developers and mortgage-financing institutions. The platform enables customers to discover properties, assess their financial readiness, undertake mortgage prequalification and begin the financing process online.
Prospective homeowners, including Rwandans living abroad, can begin exploring properties and submitting their financing enquiries through Open Homes (www.openhomes.rw)
Bringing Rwanda’s housing industry together
The launch convened banking executives, property developers and real estate professionals to examine practical solutions to Rwanda’s housing challenges.
Moderated by Babu Emile, the panel featured Charles Haba, who discussed property-market dynamics and buyer affordability; Amos Furaha, who explored housing development, supply and construction costs; and Sam Gatari, NCBA’s Head of Retail Banking, who addressed mortgage accessibility and responsible financing.
The discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration between developers, financial institutions and technology platforms in addressing Rwanda’s housing needs.
National projections indicate Rwanda requires approximately 150,000 new dwellings annually, while the latest NISR household survey shows that 60.6% of Kigali households live in rented accommodation.
Strategic partnership with Masaka Views
A highlight of the event was the signing of an MoU between NCBA and Masaka Views, a residential development in Kigali’s Masaka area comprising a planned 382 housing units.
The partnership will connect prospective buyers with NCBA’s home-financing solutions, demonstrating how collaboration between banks and developers can translate housing demand into ownership opportunities.
Liz Haylett of Masaka Views welcomed the partnership: “Building quality homes is only part of the solution. Buyers also need access to financing that makes ownership achievable. Our partnership with NCBA brings these elements together and creates a more practical pathway for prospective homeowners.”
NCBA sets ambitious home ownership agenda
Speaking at the launch, Emmanuella Nzahabonimana, COO of NCBA Bank Rwanda, outlined the Bank’s ambition to take a leading role in expanding home ownership over the next year.
“We intend to lead a deliberate drive to make home ownership more accessible to Rwandans. Tura Neza 105% is an important first step, but our ambition extends beyond a home loans product. We want to build an ecosystem that brings together developers, property opportunities, technology and financing, helping more Rwandans turn the ambition of owning a home into reality.”
Over the next year, NCBA plans to strengthen partnerships with property developers, expand awareness of mortgage-financing opportunities and leverage digital platforms such as Open Homes to reach prospective homeowners across Rwanda and internationally.
Diaspora banking will be a key priority, with the Bank seeking to make it easier for Rwandans living abroad to identify investment properties, explore financing options and begin their home-ownership journey remotely.
Through its retail, corporate and digital banking capabilities, NCBA aims to position home ownership as a major area of growth, combining innovative financing with greater access to property information and a simpler customer experience.
Rwandans interested in purchasing a home can begin their journey today through Open Homes, where they can explore property opportunities and initiate the home-financing prequalification process.
Masaka Views has partnered with NCBA Bank Rwanda to improve access to financing for prospective homebuyers interested in its residential development.The signed MoU will see NCBA Bank Rwanda and Masaka Views work together to make home ownership more accessible through tailored financing options for prospective buyers.NCBA Bank Rwanda and Masaka Views have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand access to home financing for prospective homeowners.Masaka Views, a residential development in Kigali, plans to deliver 382 housing units under its development programme.
His arrival was confirmed by the Office of the Prime Minister in a post on X.
The summit is scheduled for October 28–29, 2026, in Moscow. It will coincide with the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, which will focus on expanding cooperation between Russia and African countries.
According to the programme released by the organisers, discussions will cover trade, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, healthcare and technology. Artificial intelligence, nuclear technology, research cooperation and skills development are also expected to feature.
The Russia-Africa summits began in 2019, when the inaugural meeting was held in Sochi on October 23–24. It was co-chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who was then chairperson of the African Union.
The first summit sought to strengthen trade and economic cooperation while establishing a platform for discussions on shared interests. More than 3,000 delegates, including heads of state, ministers and private-sector representatives, attended the accompanying economic forum.
The second summit took place in Saint Petersburg on July 27–28, 2023. It resulted in several documents, including the 2023–2026 Russia-Africa Partnership Action Plan, as well as agreements and declarations addressing counterterrorism and international information security.
Rwanda and Russia established diplomatic relations on October 17, 1963, when Russia was part of the Soviet Union. Their cooperation spans political relations, military affairs, education, training and cultural exchange. Russia also offers scholarships to Rwandan students pursuing studies at its universities.
Relations between the two countries have included high-level engagements. Kagame and Putin met in Moscow in 2018 and held another meeting in 2019 during the first Russia-Africa Summit.
The two countries are also cooperating in peaceful use of nuclear energy, with Rosatom supporting Rwanda’s efforts to develop a small modular nuclear reactor by early 2030s.
In a recent interview with TASS news agency, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the Russian Federation, Maj Gen Joseph Nzabamwita, said that Rwanda is seeking to expand its cooperation with the Russian Federation in defence and security, agriculture, trade, investment, healthcare, education, science and technology, sports and tourism.
Ambassador Nzabamwita also highlighted opportunities for Russian companies to invest in Rwanda, in the mining sector, fertiliser production, and sports facilities.
He also confirmed that the countries are preparing agreements on establishing the Joint-Commission on Social-Economic and Political Cooperation and other Memoranda of Understanding.
Premier Nsengiyumva has arrived in Moscow to represent President Kagame at Russia-Africa summit.
Over the weekend, the NCBA Golf Series Rwanda concluded its two-day Kigali qualifier, with players recognized across several categories and leading performers earning opportunities to compete at the regional grand finale.
Scheduled for November 27 at Karen Country Club in Nairobi, the finale is part of a competition that has attracted significant private-sector investment over the years.
NCBA Bank Rwanda Managing Director Maurice Toroitich says the NCBA Bank group invests about $1 million annually in golf across the region, viewing the sport as a platform for developing talent, nurturing ambition and bringing people together beyond the golf course.
“We believe that in investing in golf, we give an opportunity to many people to not just enjoy the game of golf, but to actually realize their dream of potentially becoming great golfers in the region,” Toroitich told participants at the event.
His remarks point to a broader ambition behind the Rwanda series of creating opportunities for golfers to develop their abilities while building a stronger sporting community across East Africa.
From the course to a regional stage
Among the standout performers in Kigali was Alice Rwigema, who won the overall women’s gross title after recording 84 on the first day and 82 on the second, finishing with a combined score of 166.
Her victory earned her a trophy, a golf bag and a place at the Nairobi finale, where she will have the opportunity to compete against golfers from across the region.
“I am delighted to have won the overall women’s gross title. This victory means a lot to me, and qualifying for the regional finale in Nairobi is both an honor and an exciting opportunity to represent Rwanda,” she said.
Rwigema expressed optimism in competing with golfers from across the region. Well aware that the competition will be challenging, she promised commitment in preparing well and giving her very best.
“I also hope this achievement will inspire more women and girls in Rwanda to embrace golf and pursue their potential in the sport,” she proudly said.
Beyond her achievements on the course, Rwigema serves as the Rwanda Golf Union Women’s Representative, where she actively promotes women’s and girls’ participation in golf.
Rwigema was among three overall gross winners recognized at the Kigali qualifier. Evans Mose took the men’s title with 152 gross, while Innocent Rutamu won the seniors’ category with 156. All three earned trophies, golf bags and trips to Nairobi.
The 36-hole net competition recognized winners across six categories. Paul Mburu won the men’s handicap 0–9 category with 148, while Davis Nteziryayo took the 10–18 category with 137 and Emmanuel Rukangira won the 19–28 category with 148.
In the women’s categories, Melissa Akanigi won the 0–18 title with 150, while Park Sunran took the 19–36 category with 143. Joseph Ntambara won the seniors’ category with 152.
In the daily net competitions, Peter Nizeyimana recorded 64 to win on the first day, while Emmanuel Wuver took the second-day title with 66.
Special awards went to Benjamin Mukisa, Melissa Akanigi and Kang Kwang Jong for the longest drives in the men’s, ladies’ and seniors’ categories, respectively. Anton Larsen, Sheetal Philip and Janvier Gasasira won the corresponding nearest-the-pin awards.
Golfers who excelled in different categories received awards at the NCBA Golf Series Rwanda qualifier in Kigali.
Investing in the game beyond competition
For NCBA, the Rwanda series is part of a longer-term commitment to golf in the country and the wider region.
Toroitich said the bank had supported the sport in Rwanda for three years and across the region for six.
“The ambition is not limited to producing elite golfers. Our annual investment is intended to help more people participate and pursue their ambitions but the relationships built through the game, the camaraderie, engagement and friendship among participants are especially important,” he said.
He pointed to the bank’s recent support for the Sunshine Tour as an example of the wider opportunities that investment in golf can help create. Young players developing their skills today, he said, could one day reach that professional level.
That wider value helps explain why the bank continues to invest in a sport that requires sustained practice, access to facilities and opportunities to compete.
For players, local tournaments provide a setting to test their progress while regional events offer another measure of how far they can go.
The Kigali qualifier perfectly served the two purposes on Saturday by recognizing achievement on the course and identifying golfers who will carry Rwanda’s flag into the next stage of the series.
But most importantly, turning the strong performances in Kigali into competitive results against a broader regional field will truly define the Nairobi trip as a reward for performance and an opportunity to take another step in the sport.
NCBA Bank Rwanda Managing Director Maurice Toroitich (right) highlighted the bank’s investment in golf and its commitment to developing regional talent.Winners in the men’s, women’s and seniors’ categories earn places at the NCBA Golf Series regional grand finale in Nairobi.Participants competed for places at the NCBA Golf Series regional grand finale scheduled for Nairobi, Kenya, on November 27.Golfers took part in the two-day NCBA Golf Series Rwanda qualifier at Kigali Golf Resort & Villas.NCBA remains committed to supporting golf development, promoting wider participation and creating pathways for emerging talent to compete at higher levels.
The changes were announced in a statement signed by Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva on October 27, 2026, on behalf of the President.
According to the statement, Bamporiki was appointed following consultations with Unity Club Intwararumuri.
In other appointments, Judith Uwizeye has been named Senator, while Dr. Diane Gashumba has been appointed Rwanda’s Ambassador to Spain.
Juan Haguma has been appointed Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Noella Dushime has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Irembo Ltd, while Rutagarama Ngabe has been named the company’s Chief Technology Officer.
At the Rwanda Artificial Intelligence Agency, Olivier Twagirayezu has been appointed Chief Operations Officer, Jessica Ingabire Chief Delivery Officer , and Robert Kayinamura Chief Strategy and Partnerships.
Alphonse Zigira has been appointed Director General of the National Post Office, while Dr. Nelson Mbarushimana has been named Executive Coordinator of Itorero and Culture Promotion Academy.
Bamporiki, a former Minister of State in charge of Youth and Culture, takes up his new role after receiving a presidential pardon from Kagame in October 2024. He had been sentenced to five years in prison.
Uwacu, who previously served as Executive Secretary of Unity Club Intwararumuri, has been appointed Minister of Public Service and Labour.
Uwizeye, who has been appointed Senator, had been named Minister of Public Service and Labour in June 2026.
Uwamariya previously served as a senator and held ministerial positions in the education, gender and family promotion, and environment portfolios.
Gashumba’s appointment as Rwanda’s Ambassador to Spain follows her previous assignment as the country’s ambassador to Sweden.
Uwacu Julienne has been appointed Minister of Public Service and Labour.Dr. Uwamariya Valentine has been appointed Rwanda’s Ambassador to Sweden.President Paul Kagame has appointed Bamporiki Edouard as Executive Secretary of Unity Club Intwararumuri.
But Nanjing offers far more than its celebrated cuisine, from historic landmarks and lively riverside streets to peaceful green spaces and the warmth of its people.
I got my first glimpse of this appeal as I made my way from Kigali to Nanjing recently. My journey took me through Ethiopia to Shanghai, before I boarded a high-speed train to Jiangsu Province.
After the long flight and several connections, arriving in Nanjing brought welcome relief. The warm reception and friendliness of the people made the transition easier, while the efficient transport connections offered an early glimpse of the infrastructure linking cities across China.
I was visiting Nanjing to attend the 2026 Belt and Road Journalists Network Forum, held from October 12 to 17, alongside activities related to the Global South Journalists Workshop.
Beyond the meetings, however, Nanjing offered an opportunity to experience a city where history, culture, education and modern life come together.
Located in eastern China, Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu Province and one of the country’s historic capitals. Its character emerges as you explore, with traditional architecture standing alongside busy streets, quiet lakeside paths offering a break from the urban bustle, and residents going about their daily lives.
A city where history lives on
One of Nanjing’s most significant sites is the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders. It commemorates the atrocities committed after Japanese forces captured the city on December 13, 1937, when Nanjing was China’s capital.
The massacre lasted about six weeks, during which over 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers were killed.
Historical documents, photographs and testimonies at the memorial present the human cost of the violence. Walking through the exhibitions offers a solemn encounter with a defining episode in the city’s past and a reminder of the importance of preserving historical memory.
Yet Nanjing’s story did not end with the tragedy. The city continued to evolve, rebuilding its life and identity while preserving the memory of those who lost their lives.
Other landmarks reveal different chapters of Nanjing’s history. The Presidential Palace offers insight into the republican era, while the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, set among the wooded slopes of Purple Mountain, commemorates the revolutionary leader associated with the end of imperial rule.
The Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and surviving sections of the Ming-era city wall provide further glimpses into the city’s imperial past.
The Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders commemorates more than 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers killed during the massacre that followed the Japanese capture of Nanjing in 1937.
Finding quiet among the city’s green spaces
As daylight fades, the area around the Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River becomes one of Nanjing’s most inviting destinations.
Traditional buildings glow beneath evening lights as boats move along the water. Visitors wander through narrow streets lined with shops and restaurants, stopping to sample local snacks or admire the views from stone bridges.
There is a lively atmosphere, but also room to slow down and take in the surroundings. A boat ride offers a different perspective on the historic architecture, while a walk along the river brings visitors closer to the city’s everyday rhythms.
Food is an essential part of the experience. Nanjing is particularly known for salted duck, a local speciality prepared using a traditional salting and cooking process.
Duck blood and vermicelli soup is another dish associated with the city. Together, these flavours offer an introduction to regional cuisine and help explain why food is such a distinctive part of Nanjing’s identity.
The pleasure of exploring also lies in everyday encounters. The friendliness of the people, the welcome extended to visitors and the opportunity to experience local life beyond the main attractions all contribute to the city’s appeal.
Nanjing is not defined by historic buildings and busy streets alone. Xuanwu Lake offers walking paths, gardens and open views across the water, with the city’s skyline and historic wall providing a striking backdrop.
Purple Mountain combines wooded landscapes with cultural and historical attractions, allowing visitors to spend time outdoors while exploring the city’s heritage. These green spaces provide a welcome change of pace from the urban centre.
Visitors explore the historic streets around the Confucius Temple, lined with traditional architecture, shops and restaurants.The Qinhuai River flows through Nanjing, offering scenic waterfront views lined with traditional architecture and stone bridges.
A city of learning and international connections
Nanjing’s appeal also comes from its reputation as a centre of education and research. It is home to numerous universities, including Nanjing University, one of China’s prominent institutions of higher learning.
Welcoming journalists to the city, Zhou Hongbo, secretary of the CPC Nanjing Municipal Committee, described Nanjing as “an ancient capital of six dynasties and ten regimes” and “a major central city in eastern China and a major metropolitan centre in the Yangtze River Delta.”
Zhou said nearly one million students were enrolled across 54 universities in the city. He also highlighted Nanjing’s history of international engagement, recalling that Chinese navigator Zheng He set sail from the city more than 600 years ago on voyages that opened avenues for exchanges across the seas.
Today, China-Europe freight trains departing from Nanjing connect the city with more than 60 cities in 15 countries, reflecting its place in China’s wider transport and trade networks.
The city also became a meeting place for international journalists. Following the forum, Nanjing University hosted a Global South Journalists Workshop from October 18 to 20, bringing journalists together to exchange experiences and discuss the media’s role in international communication.
The wider programme also took journalists to other cities in Jiangsu, including Changzhou, Suzhou, Nantong and Lianyungang, offering a broader view of a province where historic towns, industrial centres and modern transport infrastructure form part of a wider development story.
For visitors, Nanjing’s appeal lies in the variety of experiences it offers: a solemn encounter with history, an evening beside the Qinhuai River, the flavours of local food and the tranquillity of its lakes and wooded hills.
I arrived after a long journey from Kigali for a journalism forum, but the city’s welcoming people and varied attractions made the visit memorable well beyond the meetings. And, after learning about its famous salted duck and tasting it, I finally understood the humour behind the saying that no duck leaves Nanjing alive.
Journalists who attended the Global South Journalists Workshop at Nanjing University pose for a group photo during the graduation ceremony on October 20, 2026.Nanjing is famous for its salted duck, a local speciality prepared using traditional salting and cooking methods.The area around the Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River remains busy with visitors exploring shops, and sampling local food.Purple Mountain combines wooded landscapes with historic landmarks, including the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, offering visitors a glimpse of Nanjing’s cultural heritage. Nanjing is home to modern high-rise buildings and major conference facilities. The International Youth Convention Center is among the landmarks shaping the city’s skyline.Inside the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, historical documents, photographs and testimonies recount the atrocities committed during the massacre.Nanjing blends historic architecture with modern urban development, with traditional landmarks and contemporary buildings forming part of the city’s landscape.Exhibitions at the memorial preserve the stories of victims and document one of the most tragic chapters in Nanjing’s history.The warm reception extended to visitors in Nanjing offered welcome relief after a long journey involving several connections before arrival in Jiangsu Province.China-Europe freight trains departing from Nanjing connect the city with destinations across Eurasia, linking China with international trade networks.
In two years of operation, A7 has become one of the key players in the international settlements market. Founded in 2024 to serve the foreign economic activity of Russian businesses, it currently serves around 15,000 companies, processing 10+ trillion rubles in 2025 alone.
The services that A7 offered domestically sparked interest among businesses from other countries, prompting the company to come up with a new product for foreign clients.
The launch of A7 International marks a new stage in A7’s journey. In response to requests from foreign entrepreneurs, the company is expanding its positioning and creating an export offering for businesses in various countries. It is a remote service compliant with local legislation on digital assets and available only in those jurisdictions where cryptocurrency circulation is permitted.
“We are presenting not just a new product in the lineup, but a new image of A7. We have adapted our service so that it can be used remotely from anywhere in the world. This is precisely the key demand of market participants today.
“They want to be able to transfer money around the world in a few clicks in the shortest possible time – directly from their smartphones, without lengthy paperwork, hidden fees, or unjustified holds on funds. And we are packaging this demand into a convenient and competitive form,” said Chairman of Bank PSB Petr Fradkov.
The mechanics of the service are simple: the client transfers USDT, and A7 arranges a bank transfer via SWIFT using the counterparty details specified in the invoice. The recipient does not need to accept cryptocurrency or open a crypto wallet: the funds arrive in their bank account.
To submit an application, you need to register in your personal account on the website a7.biz. Individuals undergo identity verification (KYC), and companies undergo corporate data verification (KYB). Then the client uploads the invoice and the necessary documents. The built-in algorithm automatically recognizes the invoice data and helps fill out the application.
“The system operates as follows. AI analyzes the sender and beneficiary, jurisdictions, and key risk factors of the transaction. Based on the verification results, a risk profile of the payment is formed and the available options for processing it are determined. The system compares compliance requirements with the capabilities of the existing payment infrastructure.
“After that, it recommends the optimal payment route taking into account its cost, speed, reliability, and applicable restrictions. Routing dynamically adapts to changes in conditions and the availability of payment channels. Data accumulated over the years makes it possible to continuously improve the quality of decisions made by the system,” noted A7 CEO Ilan Shor.
At launch, A7 International accepts USDT on the TRON network. Bank transfers are available in US dollars, euros, Chinese yuan, and UAE dirhams. Other currencies are available by prior agreement. The commission is 0.3% for both businesses and individuals. After uploading the invoice, the client sees the final cost of the payment, including commission, in advance.
Payment execution takes at least one business day. After the transaction is completed, the client receives a SWIFT message or another confirmation document. For currency and customs control, the service also provides closing documents.
The presentation of the service took place on October 13 at 13:13.
RTDA Director General Imena Munyampenda told IGIHE that the assessment of properties belonging to residents who will be affected by the project began a month ago to establish their value and determine compensation.
“The value will be established after the property assessment, after which the findings will be submitted for approval by the district councils of the districts covered by the project, namely Kamonyi and Muhanga,” he said.
Kamonyi District Mayor Dr Nahayo Sylvère recently told IGIHE that the assessment of properties near the sections of the road to be expanded was ongoing. He said the number of residents eligible for compensation and the value of their properties would soon be established.
During a visit to sections of the road, including Ruyenzi in Kamonyi District, IGIHE found houses near the road marked for demolition.
The expansion project was initiated in October 2023, following a loan agreement worth $120.471 million signed between the Government of Rwanda and the Export-Import Bank of Korea in September of the same year.
A report by the Ministry of Infrastructure indicates that the preparation of detailed technical designs began in February 2025.
Under the project, the 12.2-kilometre section between Nyabugogo and Ruyenzi will be expanded to four lanes to ease traffic congestion.
The remaining section towards Muhanga will retain two lanes, with an additional lane for trucks on uphill stretches.
The Office of the Auditor General’s report for the 2024/2025 fiscal year, published on May 6, 2026, indicated that the project had already experienced a delay of 27 months.
RTDA recently announced that construction works are expected to begin in early 2027.
Some buildings have been marked for demolition as part of the road expansion project.The road expansion is expected to ease traffic congestion for motorists travelling to the Southern Province.
Mukashyaka replaces Alexis Kamuhire, who was appointed in 2021, while Kubwimana succeeds Patrick Habimana.
Mukashyaka is an audit professional with more than 15 years of experience in internal auditing and four years in external auditing.
Since 2021, she has served as Chief Audit Executive at I&M Bank Rwanda Plc. She has also worked at the Office of the Auditor General.
She is Vice President of the Institute of Internal Auditors Rwanda, representing the private sector. She also chairs the Audit Committee of the Board of the Parliament of Rwanda.
Mukashyaka holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Rwanda, where she graduated with distinction.
Her professional qualifications include the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credentials. She is also an Internal Audit Quality Assessor and an ACCA member.
During her ACCA studies, she received a certificate of commendation after ranking first in Rwanda and 31st globally in the Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA) examination.
Mukashyaka was also selected for the second cohort of the Africa Future Leaders programme, organised by the Central Bank of Egypt to develop banking leaders from across the continent.
Her areas of expertise include corporate governance, risk management, internal audit systems and banking operations.
Meanwhile, Kubwimana, the newly appointed Deputy Auditor General, has served as Director General of Fiscal Decentralization at Ministry of finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) since 2024.
Before that, he held finance and internal audit positions at the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, and the former Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST).
He holds a master’s degree in Finance and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
Kubwimana is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR).
Claudette Mukashyaka has been appointed Rwanda’s new Auditor General.2. Gratien Kubwimana has been appointed Rwanda’s new Deputy Auditor General.
