Researchers followed more than 131,000 nurses and healthcare workers for up to 43 years. During that time, about 11,000 participants developed dementia.
The study found that people who regularly drank moderate amounts of caffeinated coffee or tea were less likely to develop the condition.
The strongest results were seen in adults aged 75 and below. Scientists found that consuming around 250mg to 300mg of caffeine per day, equal to about two to three cups of coffee, was linked to a 35% lower risk of dementia.
However, researchers said drinking more caffeine than that did not provide extra protection for the brain.
Scientists believe caffeine may help by blocking a brain chemical called adenosine, which slows down important brain activity. Caffeine may also reduce inflammation and help regulate blood sugar, both of which are linked to brain health.
The study also found that drinking one to two cups of tea daily may help protect the brain. Researchers noted that tea contains antioxidants and other compounds that could support healthy blood vessels and brain function.
At the same time, experts warned that too much caffeine may have negative effects. High caffeine intake can interfere with sleep and increase anxiety, which may harm brain health over time.
Researchers also observed that people who drank more decaffeinated coffee experienced faster memory decline. They suggested this may be because some people switched to decaf after developing health problems already linked to dementia risk.
Although the study focused on healthcare professionals, researchers said similar findings appeared in 38 other studies they reviewed.
Overall, the evidence suggests that moderate caffeine intake, especially from coffee or tea, may help support brain health as people age.
New research suggests that drinking a moderate amount of caffeinated coffee or tea could help lower the risk of dementia as people age.
An initial budget of Rwf 997.7 million has been allocated to kick-start the works, as part of broader infrastructure projects undertaken by the Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) for the 2026/2027 fiscal year.
The renovation will include upgrades to the building’s electrical systems, installation of backup generators to ensure power supply during outages, and relocation of transformers linked to the facility’s power infrastructure.
RDB announced temporary closure of the building on May 5, 2026 to allow renovation works to begin.
All institutions and offices that were operating in the building have since been relocated to facilitate the refurbishment process.
Following the temporary closure, Minister of Infrastructure Jimmy Gasore told TV10 that initial inspections had identified issues in the building’s wastewater treatment system, particularly in the drainage of wastewater from sanitary facilities, although further assessments were still required.
He said the decision to vacate the building was made to allow a comprehensive review of its condition.
“We can say the main reason is that we decided to fix the issues while the building is empty. We want to reassess everything to ensure that if there are other problems, they can also be addressed at once,” he said.
He further noted that inspections had revealed problems in parts of the electrical wiring system, which affected the performance of elevators, making them operate more slowly than expected for such a modern structure. He added that a full technical study would be carried out during the renovation to identify any additional issues.
The minister also clarified at the time that the building would not be demolished, dismissing speculation that had circulated earlier, and stressing that the works were focused on repairs and improvements.
The Gishushu-based building, covering 42,000 square metres, was purchased by the government for Rwf 42 billion but concerns were raised about its quality. The Rwanda Housing Authority had previously conducted assessments to determine its structural condition.
The evaluation reportedly identified several defects, leading to corrective measures targeting both design and construction-related issues.
Over time, these defects became more visible, with reports indicating that some structural weaknesses worsened, raising safety concerns.
Authorities ultimately decided to temporarily evacuate the building to ensure the safety of occupants while comprehensive renovation works are carried out.
The RDB Building, located in Gishushu, is a 12-storey structure with four underground floors that can be used for various purposes, including parking and gym facilities.
Under the revised system, which is already in effect, a vehicle owner cannot transfer a car or motorcycle without the consent of their spouse if they are married under a community property regime, even where the vehicle is registered in the name of only one partner.
Although vehicle ownership transfers are expected to be completed within five days of a sale, the process can be blocked if the seller has unpaid taxes or other unresolved obligations with the tax authority.
To initiate a transfer, a seller logs into the RRA E-Tax system, selects the vehicle using its plate number and chassis details, and requests ownership transfer to a buyer. The system then generates a security code, which is sent to the seller’s phone.
This code is shared with the buyer or a notary, who can use it to verify whether the vehicle or its owner has any outstanding tax issues through the RRA platform.
Where no arrears or restrictions are detected, the transaction proceeds and an official agreement is generated. If issues are identified, the seller is required to clear them before continuing with the process.
The Deputy Commissioner for Taxpayer Services and Communication at Uwitonze Jean Paulin said the system is designed to ensure that no one acquires a vehicle that is legally or fiscally encumbered, or relies on unofficial sale documents.
He noted that in the past, some transactions involved informal arrangements, including cases where vehicles were resold before being formally transferred into the buyer’s name.
“The agreements now follow a standard format produced by the system and are signed accordingly. This helps eliminate disputes and ensures that tax obligations are settled before any transfer is completed,” he said.
The system-generated contracts will now be authenticated by a notary, replacing the previously handwritten agreements between individuals. They will also serve as the official documents used in the transfer of vehicle ownership.
The requirement for spousal consent has also been introduced
According to Uwitonze Jean Paulin, public awareness campaigns on property transfers revealed cases where one spouse would dispose of jointly owned assets without the knowledge or approval of the other, often leading to disputes and blocked transactions.
In such situations, the aggrieved spouse could object, preventing the transfer from being completed even after payment had been made.
He explained: “For couples married under a community property regime, both spouses will now be required to sign the agreement, confirming their consent to the sale of a family asset.”
“This measure ensures that decisions involving shared property are made jointly, with both signatures required on the contract.”
Authorities say the changes are aimed at reducing fraud and disputes in vehicle transactions.
Notaries have also been instructed to verify that contracts comply with system requirements and match official records in the RRA database before approving any transfer.
RRA has further advised buyers to confirm that a vehicle is free of restrictions or tax arrears before making any payment, in order to avoid financial losses.
Once a seller logs into E-Tax and is cleared of outstanding obligations—or placed under an approved repayment plan—the system generates a form capturing buyer details. For foreign buyers, passport information and a copy of the document are required.
After verification, the seller receives a pre-filled contract generated from system data. Both parties then add the date and place of signing before finalisation.
The agreement is then validated by a notary and used as the official basis for completing the ownership transfer and related procedures.
Notaries are also required to cross-check chassis numbers against system records to ensure consistency before approving any sale or donation of a vehicle.
Rwanda has overhauled vehicle ownership transfer system with online contracts and stricter checks.
The report, based on new data from 146 countries, shows that global enrollment in higher education rose from about 100 million in 2000 to 269 million in 2024.
However, this growth masks sharp regional disparities: in Western Europe and North America, 80 percent of young people are enrolled in higher education, compared with 9 percent in sub-Saharan Africa. Meanwhile, only 3 percent of students worldwide go abroad for higher education.
Women also remain underrepresented at the doctoral level and hold only about one quarter of leadership positions in academia, the report said.
The lack of complete and verifiable documents proving qualifications also poses a major barrier to refugees’ access to higher education, particularly in Global South countries, the report added.
To address this issue, UNESCO has introduced the Qualifications Passport, a tool designed to help recognize the academic, professional and vocational qualifications of refugees and forcibly displaced people, according to the report.
The report indicated that women also remain underrepresented at the doctoral level and hold only about one quarter of leadership positions in academia.
Early March 2026, the United States imposed sanctions on members of the Rwanda Defence Force and some of its senior officials, accusing them of destabilising the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo through alleged support for the AFC/M23 rebel coalition.
Rwanda has repeatedly denied supporting AFC/M23 or playing any role in destabilising DR Congo. Kigali has instead accused the government in Kinshasa of threatening Rwanda’s security by supporting the FDLR terrorist group responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The Congolese government welcomed the U.S. sanctions and called on other countries, particularly members of the European Union, to take similar measures against Rwanda.
Speaking in an interview with Radio France Internationale, France 24 and TV5Monde on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, the French head of state was asked about the absence of European or French sanctions against Kigali.
He responded that supporting peace negotiations should be optimal.
“If today everyone rushes toward sanctions because the Americans have done so and isolates Rwanda, there is little chance of convincing Rwanda to adopt a cooperative policy. I believe more in the value of dialogue with the two main leaders,” Macron said.
Macron also stressed that while the Congolese government should regain control of territories lost in the east, it also has a responsibility to dismantle the FDLR, which he said poses a threat to Rwanda’s security.
He further suggested that countries in the region should work together in combating armed and terrorist groups that continue to destabilise neighbouring states.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Macron, and Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi attended the Africa Forward Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya, on May 12, 2026.
Asked whether he had met Kagame and Tshisekedi to discuss tensions between Rwanda and DR Congo, Macron said he met them separately because bringing the two leaders together remains difficult.
He emphasised the need for direct talks involving both Kagame and Tshisekedi, alongside key mediators, saying that this remains France’s top priority.
A journalist also asked Macron whether he believed the United States was favouring one side in the conflict. Macron replied that Washington appears focused on achieving peace and that he did not consider its mediation efforts biased.
In June 2025, Rwanda and DR Congo signed a peace agreement, followed in December by another accord that included provisions for regional economic cooperation. However, tangible results from those agreements have yet to emerge.
Macron argued that all parties involved should exercise caution in handling the regional crisis, insisting that sanctions alone are unlikely to bring peace. Instead, he said efforts should focus on easing tensions and encouraging Rwanda and DR Congo to return to negotiations with the support of mediators.
The French president also noted that addressing the wider regional security crisis would require the involvement of neighbouring countries, including Uganda and Burundi, in the peace talks.
Emmanuel Macron said the government of Democratic Republic of the Congo also bears responsibility for dismantling the FDLR, which Rwanda considers a security threat.French President Macron and Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame attended the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi. Emmanuel Macron said sanctions alone are unlikely to resolve the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, calling instead for renewed dialogue involving Rwanda and regional leaders.
The program focuses on ventures that improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, especially women, youth, and persons with disabilities, through innovations addressing farm productivity, market access, financial inclusion, post-harvest losses, climate resilience, and regenerative agriculture.
Four selected startups will receive up to Rwf 15,000,000 in milestone-based grant funding, along with up to 100 hours of technical assistance, coaching, cohort-wide masterclasses, and facilitated introductions to investors, cooperatives, development finance institutions, and commercial off-takers.
Applications are open to agritech startups and SMEs operating in Rwanda with at least two years of active operations, proven market traction, and technology-enabled solutions addressing challenges within the agricultural sector. Ventures must also demonstrate clear potential for scalability and measurable impact for smallholder farmers.
Commenting on the development, Fina Kayisanabo, Project Manager for AgroInnovation at Swisscontact highlighted that the second edition of Kura Na AgTech builds on the learnings from the first edition.
“Many promising agritech startups struggle to access the technical support, financing, and strategic networks needed to scale. Through this program, we are directly supporting entrepreneurs to strengthen and grow their solutions to reach more smallholder farmers, while also contributing to a stronger ecosystem by fostering strategic connections, collaboration, and linkages between ventures and key stakeholders,” she said.
Drawing from the experience of working closely with ventures in the first cohort, Mafer Betancourt, Director of Programs and Impact at Impact Hub Kigali, added: “Rwandan entrepreneurs are building strong agritech innovations with the potential to improve productivity, market access, financial inclusion and resilience for smallholder farmers.
“What is often missing is tailored support that helps these ventures refine their business models, strengthen operations,and scale sustainably, while delivering measurable impact. Kura Na AgTech offers customized acceleration support that respond to the specific needs of each venture, combining technical assistance, funding, and strategic connections.”
The selection process will include an open call for applications, pitch interviews for up to 10 shortlisted startups, and due diligence visits for the pre-selected ventures. Four startups will be selected to participate in the four-month acceleration phase running from June to October 2026.
Interested startups are encouraged to apply as soon as possible ahead of the application deadline on May 31, 2026.
Entrepreneurs interested in learning more about the program can also join the virtual information session scheduled for 19 May 2026, with details to be shared on Impact Hub Kigali social media platforms.
Swisscontact is an independent non-profit development organisation that promotes inclusive economic, social, and ecological development to foster sustainable prosperity and improve the living standards of people in developing and emerging economies.
Meanwhile, Impact Hub Kigali is an innovation hub that supports impact-driven entrepreneurs and innovators to start, grow, and scale sustainable ventures that drive economic growth while maximizing their positive impact. Through tailored incubation and acceleration programs, and ecosystem building initiatives, it provides technical support and resources, and facilitates connections to partners, investors, and the public sector.
Applications are open to agritech startups and SMEs operating in Rwanda with at least two years of active operations.
Espinosa’s candidacy was recommended by the government of Antigua and Barbuda, said La Neice Collins, spokeswoman for UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock.
Espinosa of Ecuador served as the 73rd president of the UN General Assembly between 2018 and 2019. Before that, she served as Ecuador’s permanent representative to the United Nations in New York and in Geneva, respectively.
Espinosa served twice as Ecuador’s foreign minister and also as the country’s defense minister.
To date, five candidates are running for the next UN secretary-general. In addition to Espinosa, the other four candidates are: Michelle Bachelet, a former Chilean president and a former UN high commissioner for human rights; Rafael Grossi of Argentina, the current director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency; Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, the current secretary-general of UN Trade and Development; and Macky Sall, a former president of Senegal.
Antonio Guterres, the current and ninth secretary-general of the United Nations, took office in January 2017. The next UN secretary-general will take over the role from Jan 1, 2027.
Maria Fernanda Espinosa, President of the 73rd Session of the General Assembly speaks during the General Debate of the 73rd session of the General Assembly at the United Nations in New York, United States, September 25, 2018. /VCG
“For many African countries, tourism is not merely a leisure industry. It is a developmental instrument through which we can grow our economies,” Ramaphosa said at the event’s opening ceremony in the coastal city of Durban.
Ramaphosa said South Africa welcomed 10.5 million international visitors in 2025, with three-quarters of arrivals coming from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
He called for deeper integration of travel across Africa, saying South Africa was working with neighboring countries to advance the SADC Tourism UNIVISA, which aims to enable seamless travel across member states.
The initiative, he said, aligns with the broader goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area, both aimed at promoting freer movement of people and stronger trade and investment ties across the continent.
“As we look to the future, we must continue to diversify our source markets,” Ramaphosa said, noting that South Africa is stepping up efforts to attract visitors from fast-growing markets such as China, India, Southeast Asia, Mexico and Brazil.
He added that visa reforms, including the Electronic Traveler Authorization system and the Digital Nomad Visa, are intended to make travel to South Africa “easier and more seamless.”
Africa’s Travel Indaba is an iconic African leisure trade show, owned by South African Tourism with the specific objective of creating market access for a vast array of African leisure tourism products.
This year’s three-day event, held under the theme “Unlimited Africa: Growing Africa’s Tourism Economy,” has attracted over 1,200 exhibitors from 22 African countries and nearly 1,000 buyers from 44 countries.
Ramaphosa has called for deeper integration of travel across Africa, saying South Africa was working with neighboring countries to advance the SADC Tourism UNIVISA, which aims to enable seamless travel across member states.
Uwimbabazi received the “J. Willard Marriott Award of Excellence,” an award given every year to only 10 employees across Marriott International’s worldwide operations who demonstrate exceptional service and leadership in the hospitality industry.
The award ceremony took place at Marriott International’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. on May 11, 2026.
Employees considered for the award are nominated by the hotels where they work based on their performance and achievements. Marriott International evaluates candidates on customer care, teamwork, leadership and professionalism.
Uwimbabazi works as the Director of Rooms Operations at Kigali Marriott Hotel. She became the first employee from East Africa to receive the award.
Her leadership and ability to provide efficient and high-quality services to guests from different backgrounds were among the reasons she was recognised.
After receiving the award, Uwimbabazi thanked those who had trusted her and expressed pride in representing Rwanda on the international stage. She noted that becoming the first Rwandan woman and the first employee from East Africa to receive the award was not simply a personal achievement, but also a responsibility.
She added that the recognition belonged to every African working in the hospitality industry, especially women.
Uwimbabazi also highlighted that the values and confidence she gained as a Rwandan inspired her to love her work and helped her achieve international recognition.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to the United States, Mathilde Mukantabana, thanked Uwimbabazi for making Rwanda proud, noting that she deserved the recognition of her commitment to excellence.
Deborah Marriott Harrison, a member of the Board of Directors of Marriott International also congratulated Uwimbabazi. Uwimbabazi was accompanied by her husband, Ribani Eric.Bill Marriott, the Executive Chairman of Marriott International and son of the company’s founder J. Willard Marriott, congratulated Uwimbabazi. Sandeep Walia is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Marriott International in the Middle East & Africa congratulated Uwimbabazi.
The telecom operator announced on Monday that its service revenue grew by 21.2% year-on-year to Rwf 81.4 billion, as more customers adopted digital and financial services on its network.
The company said the performance reflected “disciplined commercial execution” within what it described as a supportive regulatory environment that continues to encourage investment and innovation in Rwanda’s digital economy.
MTN Rwanda’s subscriber base increased by 10.6% to 8.4 million customers during the quarter. Active data users rose by 19.6% to 2.7 million, while monthly active mobile money users grew by 20.5% to 6.3 million.
Mobile money remained the company’s strongest revenue driver, growing by 30.2% and contributing 52.7% of total service revenue.
Transaction volumes on the MoMo platform increased by 32% during the quarter, reflecting growing reliance on digital payments among individuals and businesses.
The company said more than four million customers are now transacting through MoMoPay, as digital financial services continue gaining traction across the country.
During the quarter, Mobile Money Rwanda also launched “MoFlex”, a flexible credit product developed in partnership with Ecobank Rwanda Plc and Yabx, aimed at expanding access to credit for individuals and businesses.
Chantal Kagame, Chief Executive Officer of Mobile Money Rwanda Limited, said customer trust in MoMo services continues to drive growth beyond payments into broader financial services.
“Beyond payments, we are deepening access to financial services, enabling businesses, supporting lenders and creating practical solutions that work for every Rwandan,” she said.
Data revenue rose by 10.7%, supported by a 64.7% increase in data traffic as more subscribers migrated from 3G to 4G smartphones. Smartphone penetration on the network reached 44.9%.
Voice revenue also recovered strongly, increasing by 8.2% after the reintroduction of mobile termination rates, which the company said helped restore commercial balance in the interconnect market.
MTN Rwanda Chief Executive Officer Monzer Ali said Rwanda’s regulatory framework continues to provide confidence for long-term investment and expansion.
“With a clear policy direction and unwavering focus on equality of access to digital services for all Rwandans, investment decisions are easier and we can focus on what matters most: product innovation, providing quality customer experience and delivering second to none connectivity operations,” he said.
The company’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew by 32.8% to Rwf 34 billion, while EBITDA margins improved to 41.5%.
MTN Rwanda also invested Rwf 11.2 billion in capital expenditure during the quarter to expand network coverage and improve service quality.
Beyond commercial performance, the telecom firm continued supporting Rwanda’s digital agenda through partnerships in education and skills development.
During the quarter, MTN Rwanda signed a memorandum of understanding with Rwanda’s Ministry of Education to explore digital solutions for the education sector and launched a Digital Skills for Digital Jobs platform under the MTN Skills Academy.
The academy offers free access to more than 500 courses in digital literacy, data analytics and financial capability.
MTN Rwanda Chief Executive Officer Monzer Ali said Rwanda’s regulatory framework continues to provide confidence for long-term investment and expansion.
