Move Afrika, a pioneering music touring circuit by Global Citizen, aims to drive economic growth, job creation, and entrepreneurship across Africa through world-class entertainment events.
According to Rwanda’s Office of the President, their discussion highlighted the partnership’s positive impact on Rwanda’s creative economy, and the wider work being done across key sectors including health and education.
Hugh Evans is in Rwanda for the ‘Move Afrika’ concert featuring American artist Doja Cat, which is expected to take place at BK Arena on the night of March 17, 2026.
Doja Cat becomes the third artist to perform in the ‘Move Afrika’ series, following Kendrick Lamar, who performed in 2024, and John Legend, who performed in 2025.
The 30-year-old artist has been in music for almost 15 years. She is well known for songs like “Say So,” “Kiss Me More” featuring SZA, “Streets,” and many others.
After performing in Kigali, Doja Cat is expected to head to South Africa, where she will perform on March 20, 2026.
Since its inception in 2023, Move Afrika has already created over 2,500 jobs.
President Kagame has met withGlobal Citizen founder, Hugh Evans ahead of Move Afrika concert at BK Arena. Hugh Evans and his delegation were hosted at Urugwiro Village on March 17, 2026.
Scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2026, the event will take place at KCC Roundabout, Kigali Heights, delivering a professional boxing showcase designed to elevate the sport in Rwanda while creating a vibrant cultural experience for fans.
Organized and promoted by Silverback Sports, Kigali Fight Night will feature professional boxers from across Africa, including fighters from Rwanda, Uganda, Cameroon, Gabon, Tanzania, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, and beyond, competing in a high-level lineup of bouts under the lights.
Adding to the international profile of the event, renowned boxing coaches and trainers from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Dubai are expected to be in Kigali for the tournament, creating a rare opportunity for knowledge exchange, talent scouting, and exposure for local fighters.
This level of participation signals a significant moment not only for Rwanda but for African professional boxing, positioning Kigali as an emerging hub for the sport and opening new pathways for fighters across the continent to access global networks, training standards, and competitive platforms.
The event blends boxing with live DJ performances, music, dramatic fighter walkouts, and an electric ringside atmosphere, transforming the venue into a celebration of athleticism, entertainment, and African sporting culture.
According to Bashir Ntwari, President of the Rwanda Boxing Federation, the event is a strategic investment in the long-term future of boxing in the country.
“Kigali Fight Night is about more than one night of boxing. It is about creating a pathway for Rwandan fighters to transition from amateur boxing into professional careers, compete in international tournaments, and gain global exposure. Events like this help us build the foundations of the sport by strengthening local clubs, developing talent, and moving toward the creation of a professional boxing competition in Rwanda,” he said.
Beyond developing athletes, Kigali Fight Night is also opening doors for local economic growth and business development. The organizers have created opportunities for Rwandan businesses, entrepreneurs, and brands to participate directly in the event by offering free vendor spaces at the venue.
This initiative allows small and emerging businesses to showcase their products and services to hundreds of attendees, creating new opportunities for visibility, networking, and sales. From food vendors and fashion brands to lifestyle products and creative enterprises, the vendor marketplace ensures that the economic impact of the event extends beyond the ring.
By integrating local businesses into the event ecosystem, Kigali Fight Night aims to stimulate micro-enterprise growth, strengthen local supply chains, and deepen collaboration between sports, entertainment, and commerce, reinforcing the role of sports as a driver of economic activity in Rwanda.
Jermaine Burke, CEO of Silverback Sports and promoter of the event, said the vision goes beyond hosting a single tournament.
“Kigali Fight Night is not just about boxing. It is about building an ecosystem around sports that benefits athletes, businesses, and communities. By bringing international fighters and coaches to Rwanda while creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs, we are helping to position Kigali as a serious destination for global boxing and sports entertainment,” he said.
The official fight card will feature a series of high-profile matchups, including Tamba Merlin vs Yusufu Changarawe (Main Card), Jerry Katamba (DRC) vs Ali Mkojani (Tanzania), and Kingbo Hans (Gabon) vs Taafu Odoyi (Uganda). The event will also highlight women’s boxing with bouts such as Daniella Muleketsi (DRC) vs Martha Akinyi (Uganda) and Nene Joy Ojo (Nigeria) vs Leila Yazidu (Tanzania).
In addition to the professional bouts, Kigali Fight Night will feature seven amateur fights showcasing Rwanda’s most promising young boxers, giving emerging athletes the opportunity to compete on a major stage and gain valuable exposure.
Doors will open at 2:00 p.m. for amateur bouts and the vendor village, with the main event scheduled for 5:00 p.m., offering fans an afternoon and evening filled with fights, music, and entertainment. Attendees will be able to choose from multiple ticket categories, including Diamond Ringside, Platinum VIP, and Gold Regular seating options.
Open to fans of all ages, Kigali Fight Night is expected to attract a diverse audience of sports fans, entertainment lovers, and business communities. By combining world-class boxing with opportunities for local entrepreneurship, the event positions itself as both a sporting spectacle and a platform for economic participation.
With international fighters, global coaching presence, rising Rwandan talent, and a strong emphasis on community and commerce, Kigali Fight Night promises to be one of the most exciting and impactful sporting events of the year in Rwanda and a key step forward for African professional boxing.
Kigali Fight Night will feature professional boxers from across AfricaIn addition to the professional bouts, Kigali Fight Night will feature seven amateur fights showcasing Rwanda’s most promising young boxers.
He made the remarks in a post on social media platform X early Tuesday while reacting to a report by U.S. media outlet Axios claiming so, as the military campaign launched by the United States and Israel against Iran has entered its 18th day.
“My last contact with Mr. Witkoff was prior to his employer’s decision to kill diplomacy with another illegal military attack on Iran,” Araghchi said.
He added, “Any claim to the contrary appears geared solely to mislead oil traders and the public.”
On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing the country’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, high-ranking military commanders, and civilians. Iran responded through several waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. assets and bases in the Middle East.
Speaking at a press conference in Tehran on Monday, Araghchi stressed that Iran had not sent any message to the United States requesting a ceasefire, noting that the war must end in a way that it will not be repeated in the future.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has roundly rejected having had any new contact with U.S. president’s special envoy
During the talks, which are guided by the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, the two sides reached some new consensus and agreed to continue consultations.
Under the strategic guidance of the important common understandings between the two heads of state, and following five rounds of economic and trade consultations last year, China and the United States have reached a series of outcomes in the economic and trade area, said Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng during the new round of China-U.S. economic and trade talks with U.S. lead person Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
These outcomes have injected greater certainty and stability into bilateral economic and trade relations as well as the global economy, He said.
Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the tariffs imposed by the U.S. government under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act were unlawful, said He, noting that subsequently, the U.S. side levied an additional 10 percent import surcharge on all trading partners under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, and successively introduced a series of negative measures concerning China, including the Section 301 investigations, corporate sanctions and market access restrictions.
China has consistently opposed the unilateral tariffs imposed by the United States, He said, urging Washington to completely remove such tariffs and other restrictive measures.
China will take necessary steps to firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, He added.
China expects the United States to move in the same direction, follow through on the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, expand areas of cooperation and reduce problems, so as to promote the healthy, stable and sustainable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations, He said.
The U.S. side said that a stable China-U.S. economic and trade relationship is of great importance to both countries and the world, and helps promote global economic growth, supply chain security and financial stability. Both sides should reduce frictions, avoid escalation of the situation, and resolve differences through consultation.
The two sides agreed to study the establishment of a cooperation mechanism to promote bilateral trade and investment, continue to make good use of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism, strengthen dialogue and communication, properly manage differences, expand practical cooperation, and promote the sustained, stable and sound development of bilateral economic and trade relations.
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, shakes hands with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent prior to their talks in Paris, France, March 15, 2026. The Chinese and U.S. delegations convened on Sunday and Monday for talks on economic and trade issues in Paris.
In the latest episode of China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk show hosted by Xinhua News Agency, officials, economists and business representatives shared their views on China’s economic and social development priorities and prospects for the next five years.
Crucial five years
“Realizing Chinese modernization is a historical process that unfolds in stages and moves forward step by step,” said Liu Rihong, an official with the Research Office of the State Council.
Liu said that in the next five years, the country will build on the foundation laid over the past five years to further strengthen the basis of development and enhance its resilience. It will also make coordinated efforts across various economic and social fields to achieve systemic breakthroughs and an overall improvement.
The country has mapped out major projects in areas including the development of new quality productive forces, modern infrastructure, urban-rural integration, and the improvement of people’s well-being, according to Hou Yongzhi, a researcher at the Development Research Center of the State Council.
Those projects cover various aspects of China’s modernization drive, balance short-term and long-term priorities, combine “hard investment” with “soft development,” and promote both material and cultural-ethical advancement, said Hou.
Some projects will focus on strengthening industrial foundations and competitiveness, fostering emerging industries and new arenas, advancing frontier technologies, and enhancing innovation capacity, said Hou.
The projects will help nurture and expand new quality productive forces and enable China to gain a stronger edge in the increasingly intense global industrial and technological competition, Hou added.
Advancing high-quality development
High-quality development will continue to be a key focus of social and economic development over the next five years, experts said.
To advance high-quality development, efforts should be made to consolidate and strengthen the real economy and build a modern industrial system led by advanced manufacturing, said Liu.
It is also important to boost sci-tech self-reliance and strength through stronger innovation and breakthroughs in core technologies, advance the construction of a Digital China, and promote greener ways of production and life, Liu added.
Developing new quality productive forces is an inherent requirement for high-quality development, and strengthening innovation-driven development and fostering new quality productive forces should be prioritized, experts said.
Enterprises should strengthen their basic research and intensify efforts to achieve breakthroughs in key core technologies, aiming to develop products with fully independent intellectual property rights, said Chen Zhilie, chairman of EVOC Group.
Chen called for forming innovation consortia with universities and research institutes to accelerate the translation of scientific and technological advances from laboratories to production lines and promote deeper integration between frontier technologies and manufacturing applications.
Reform and opening up
During the period, China will need to deepen reforms in key areas and expand high-standard opening up to inject fresh momentum into high-quality development, experts said.
Huang Hanquan, head of the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research under the National Development and Reform Commission, said efforts will be made to continue fostering a unified national market and to deepen market-based reform in the allocation of production factors.
China will deepen the reform of state-owned enterprises and state capital while implementing regulations related to private-sector development, ensuring that private firms can compete fairly in the market, said Huang.
On opening up, Huang said key steps include proactively aligning with high-standard international economic and trade rules, promoting trade innovation such as digital trade, expanding two-way investment cooperation, and pursuing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
For private high-tech manufacturing firms long engaged in high-end equipment manufacturing and industrial artificial intelligence, high-standard opening up represents a major opportunity to further tap global markets and connect with global innovation and industrial resources, said Chen.
Leading enterprises should work with upstream and downstream firms in the industrial chain to foster an open, win-win industrial ecosystem and advance the digitalization of research and development, the intelligent transformation of manufacturing, and more resilient supply chain management, Chen said.
A drone photo shows an automated production line at the Seres Super Factory in Liangjiang New Area, southwest China’s Chongqing, Sept. 19, 2025.
The announcement was made by Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, on Tuesday, though Iran has not confirmed or denied the claims.
Larijani, who was last seen publicly at an Al-Quds Day rally in Tehran on Friday, had been a prominent political figure in Iran for years, even leading the country’s nuclear negotiations with the West.
He was also the speaker of Iran’s parliament. If true, his death would be one of the highest-profile killings in the ongoing conflict, following the assassination of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei earlier in the war.
Israeli military officials also reported killing Soleimani, the Basij commander, with an airstrike in Tehran, claiming it was a strategic success.
Soleimani has long been reportedly involved in suppressing dissent within Iran, particularly during protests. Despite the claims, experts caution that these deaths may not signify the collapse of the Iranian regime.
Israel has claimed the death of Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani
A team from the University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory has created simulations to better understand Psyche’s interior by studying the formation of a large crater near its north pole. Their research, published in JGR Planets, suggests that craters can reveal key information about the asteroid’s composition.
The study found that Psyche’s internal porosity, the amount of empty space within it, plays a crucial role in how craters form. Asteroids with more voids absorb impact energy differently, creating deeper, steeper craters with less debris scattered around.
This finding is important as it could help scientists interpret the data NASA’s spacecraft will collect, including whether Psyche has distinct layers of rock and metal or is a chaotic mixture of materials.
Scientists also modeled an impact on Psyche using a 3D shape model and found that a 3-mile wide impactor could create the type of crater seen on the asteroid. This result could indicate whether Psyche’s interior is made up of a metallic core surrounded by a thin rocky mantle, or a mixture of metal and rock.
The upcoming NASA Psyche mission will analyze Psyche’s surface, gravity, magnetic field, and composition to confirm these predictions. With these simulations, scientists are hopeful that the spacecraft will uncover whether Psyche holds the secrets of a lost planet’s core.
This illustration, created in March 2021, depicts asteroid Psyche, which lies in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Psyche is the focal point of NASA’s mission of the same name.
On Sunday, March 15, 2026, a letter from the City of Kigali circulated, asking AS Kigali to make a decision on whether to dissolve and merge with other teams supported by the city, namely Kiyovu Sports and Gasogi United.
At the time, Kiyovu Sports spokesperson Minani Hemed stated that the plan had been poorly considered and that it would erase the history of the club’s establishment.
Gasogi United also expressed its opposition, claiming that such a merger was not feasible.
Speaking to Radio Rwanda, Emma Claudine Ntirenganya, spokesperson for Kigali City, stated that if the teams refuse to merge, the city will stop its support for them.
“If these teams [AS Kigali, Kiyovu, and Gasogi] fail to merge and decide to continue separately, the city will stop providing its support. However, we are still awaiting their response,” she noted.
The teams have been given a deadline of March 30, 2026, to notify Kigali City of their decision.
She added, “If all of them refuse, we plan to start with a new team and build it from the ground up. If they agree to merge, we will continue together in the top league.”
Kigali City emphasizes that the goal of merging these teams is to pool resources and help the new team become stronger and more competitive in fighting for trophies.
Kigali City spokesperson, Emma Claudine Ntirenganya speaking to the press at a past event. The City of Kigali has proposed the merger of AS Kigali and Kiyovu Sports
This fighting comes just two days after FARDC, Wazalendo, and other allied groups blocked the RN5 road, which connects the city of Uvira to Bukavu, citing security concerns.
AFC/M23 spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, reported that as of 06:00 AM on March 17, 2026, FARDC forces began firing heavy artillery in the Kabunambo area, forcing many residents to flee.
Benjamin Mbonimpa, the Permanent Secretary of AFC/M23, stated that Kabunambo residents had been peaceful and safe while under AFC/M23 control, but that the Congolese government chose to threaten their security with artillery strikes.
Kanyuka further emphasized that AFC/M23 is prepared to protect the people of Kabunambo and their property as long as FARDC continues its aggressive actions.
The Ruzizi Plain has been a hotspot for intense fighting since early December 2025, triggered by attacks from FARDC forces against areas controlled by AFC/M23, including the Kamanyola sector.
AFC/M23 responded with force, gaining control of several territories including the city of Uvira, which was vacated in January 2026 to resume peace talks.
As FARDC returned to the city, they made it clear they would stabilize the region once they retake all areas controlled by AFC/M23, including the city of Bukavu, Goma, and Bunagana, which had been captured in December 2022.
The ongoing drone strikes by FARDC forces on Minembwe commune and neighboring regions indicate their intent to continue military operations in areas under AFC/M23 control.
In the early hours of February 24, FARDC launched a drone attack near Rubaya, which killed their former military spokesperson, Lt. Col. Willy Ngoma.
On March 11, FARDC conducted another drone strike in the city of Goma, killing three civilians, including French national Karine Buisset, a UNICEF worker.
AFC/M23 reported that from the night of March 16 to March 17, FARDC, Burundian forces, FDLR, Wazalendo, and mercenaries launched additional drone strikes on Minembwe and surrounding regions.
The alliance warned that the Congolese government would be held accountable for the continued bloodshed of innocent civilians under the sielnce of the international community.
This seemingly straightforward capability removes a longstanding obstacle that once discouraged people from exploring better options, as changing providers previously meant adopting an entirely new number and the inconvenience of notifying contacts, updating registrations, and disrupting daily communications.
The concept first emerged in Singapore in 1997, marking the beginning of a global shift toward greater consumer choice in mobile services.
The momentum continued across Europe with nations like Germany, France, and Italy introducing it in the early 2000s. In more recent years, many African countries have followed suit, including South Africa in 2006, Ghana and Kenya in 2011, Nigeria in 2013, and others such as Tanzania and Tunisia, reflecting a growing recognition of its value in dynamic markets. At the heart of mobile number portability lies a sophisticated yet efficient technical framework.
A central database, often referred to as a number portability clearinghouse, maintains up-to-date records of which operator currently serves each mobile number and manages the porting process between all mobile operators.
When a call or SMS message is placed to a ported number, the originating network queries their own copy of the database updated in real-time as each mobile number is ported to determine the correct routing path, ensuring seamless delivery of voice and SMS traffic regardless of the recipient’s provider.
The process itself is led by the new, or recipient, operator. A user approaches the desired provider, submits identification details, and addresses any outstanding obligations with their current operator, such as settling unpaid bills or fulfilling contract terms. The recipient operator manages the porting process on behalf of the subscriber by sending a porting request to the number portability clearinghouse.
The subscriber then sends a free SMS to a special porting shortcode number which is sent to the number portability clearinghouse. After verification and approval, the transfer usually completes within a day or a few working days, accompanied by a brief period of service interruption as the new SIM card activates. The number portability clearinghouse sends SMS messages to update the subscriber during the porting process.
While certain network-specific features like voicemail or stored messages may require reconfiguration, and unused airtime will not transfer, the core experience prioritizes continuity and ease for the user.
The fundamental rationale for introducing mobile number portability stems from the need to lower switching barriers in telecommunications markets and stimulate increased competition in terms of consumer value, quality of service and innovation, encouraging mobile operators to work harder to retain and attract subscribers.
Regulators worldwide view it as an essential mechanism to prevent restrictive tendencies, encourage infrastructure investment, and drive broader improvements across the sector. The advantages extend far beyond individual convenience.
Studies examining its impact have shown that effective implementation, particularly with rapid porting times, tends to exert downward pressure on prices, accelerate innovation, and enhance overall affordability and quality in competitive environments.
Operators, in turn, face stronger incentives to innovate, expand coverage, and prioritize satisfaction to retain subscribers. On a larger scale, the service contributes to healthier markets, greater economic efficiency, and alignment with digital inclusion goals, especially in regions where mobile connectivity underpins financial services, education, governance, and commerce.
In a country like Rwanda, where mobile penetration has surged and services increasingly support mobile money, e-government initiatives, business operations, and everyday connectivity, the introduction of mobile number portability will prove particularly transformative.
It will enable users to switch providers freely in pursuit of better network coverage, more competitive pricing, or enhanced data experiences without sacrificing their established number.
For Rwanda’s ambitions as a regional digital hub, such a measure will reduce user lock-in, foster innovation, and reinforce consumer empowerment, ultimately contributing to a more responsive, inclusive, and efficient telecommunications ecosystem.
RURA is currently working with the country’s three mobile network operators to prepare for the launch of MNP in Rwanda in 2026.
