The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) said it is working with partners to identify machines that can enable farmers and agricultural service providers to adopt the practice on a larger scale.
Of the 765,000 hectares planned for cultivation nationwide during the 2027A season, about 100,000 hectares are expected to be cultivated using soil-conserving methods, which the government considers an important way of improving productivity while protecting farmland.
The approach involves making small planting holes, applying manure or fertiliser and planting crops such as maize or beans without extensively turning over the soil. Farmers then cover the field with mulch.
The method helps retain moisture in the soil when it rains, allowing crops to access water for longer periods and potentially improving yields.
However, the lack of suitable machinery has emerged as one of the challenges to expanding the practice, particularly among farmers cultivating large areas.
RAB Acting Director General Dr. Florence Uwamahoro said the institution was working with various partners to find machinery that could be used by agricultural service providers across the country.
“We are working with different partners to obtain machinery used in soil-conserving agriculture. There are places such as RICA and others where some of these machines are already available, but we want all people providing mechanised farming services to have machines that can be used on large areas,” Dr. Uwamahoro said.
Her comments came on Tuesday during an expanded meeting on preparations for the 2027A agricultural season and measures to strengthen food security in Rwanda’s Eastern Province.
The government plans to place greater emphasis on soil-conserving agriculture during the coming season, alongside the expansion of farming under the selected high-productivity areas known as Food Basket Sites (FOBASI).
Authorities expect agricultural output from the FOBASI areas to double compared with previous production levels.
About 246,000 hectares are expected to be cultivated under the FOBASI programme during the 2027A season, with around 100,000 hectares receiving particular attention.
Another 100,000 hectares will specifically be dedicated to soil-conserving agriculture.
FOBASI is a government programme designed to promote areas with high agricultural production potential. Farmers operating in the selected areas receive technical and financial support, early access to agricultural inputs and other assistance intended to improve productivity.
The programme is implemented on relatively small plots of about five hectares, managed by small groups of farmers.
Mulching helps protect the soil, retain moisture and create better conditions for crops to grow.Agricultural machinery is used to support farm operations and improve efficiency on cultivated land.
The company’s service revenue reached Rwf167.5 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2026, up from the same period last year, while profit after tax stood at Rwf17.2 billion.
The performance comes as the use of digital services continues to expand in Rwanda, with individuals and businesses increasingly relying on mobile connectivity and digital payments for communication, commerce and other daily activities.
MTN Rwanda’s subscriber base grew by 11.4 percent to 8.7 million during the period. Active data subscribers increased by 14.5 percent to 2.7 million, while active Mobile Money users rose by 14.9 percent to 6.4 million.
Data remained an important source of growth, with data revenue increasing by 14.3 percent to Rwf26.7 billion.
The increase was supported by a 63.6 percent rise in data traffic, as more customers adopted smartphones and made greater use of affordable data bundles.
Voice revenue also increased by 7.1 percent, supported by subscriber growth and the reintroduction of mobile termination rates in August 2025.
MTN Rwanda CEO Monzer Ali said the company’s performance reflected more than financial growth, pointing to the expanding role of digital services in the economy.
“Every new smartphone connected, every entrepreneur paid through Mobile Money, and every community reached through our network represents another step towards a more connected, inclusive and digitally empowered Rwanda,” Ali said.
He said MTN Rwanda would continue investing in its network, technology and partnerships to expand access to digital services and support Rwanda’s ambitions for a digitally enabled economy.
Mobile Money becomes bigger revenue driver
Mobile Money continued to be one of the strongest performers, with Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd (MMRL), MTN Rwanda’s subsidiary, reporting a 31.3 percent year-on-year increase in MoMo revenue to Rwf90.1 billion.
MoMo accounted for 53.8 percent of MTN Rwanda’s service revenue in the first half, up from 49.9 percent during the same period in 2025.
The platform’s active merchant base increased by 19.2 percent to 682,000, highlighting the growing use of mobile payments among businesses and consumers.
Advanced services, including remittances and lending, also recorded strong growth, increasing by 28.1 percent and accounting for 28.4 percent of MoMo revenue.
Chantal U Kagame, CEO of Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd, said the expansion of the merchant network demonstrated how deeply mobile money has become embedded in Rwanda’s economy.
“Growing to 682,000 active merchants shows how deeply mobile money has become embedded in the way Rwandans transact, run businesses and participate in the economy,” she said.
She added that the company would continue working to make MoMo services simpler, more secure and accessible.
MTN Rwanda also recorded significant improvements in profitability and cash generation during the period.
Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 30.4 percent to Rwf70.5 billion, while the EBITDA margin expanded by 2.8 percentage points to 41.8 percent.
The company attributed the improvement partly to savings generated through its Expense Efficiency Programme.
Capital expenditure, excluding leases, remained largely unchanged at Rwf11.2 billion, while adjusted free cash flow increased by 38.7 percent to Rwf59.3 billion.
MTN Rwanda Chief Financial Officer John Bugunya said the results demonstrated the company’s ability to combine commercial growth with tighter financial management.
He said the stronger free cash flow provided a solid financial base for continued investment in network and digital infrastructure.
Digital growth alongside community investment
MTN Rwanda’s activities during the first half also included initiatives aimed at supporting communities.
In June, the company conducted its annual 21 Days of Y’ello Care campaign under the theme “Expanding Equitable Health for Every Community.”
As part of the campaign, MTN Rwanda supported the renovation of the maternity ward and expansion of the laboratory at Kigese Health Centre in Rugarika Sector, Kamonyi District. The facility serves approximately 61,000 people and handles between 50 and 60 deliveries each month.
As it enters the second half of 2026, MTN Rwanda said it will focus on sustaining its commercial growth, expanding financial inclusion through Mobile Money and improving the quality and reach of its network.
The company said continued investment in connectivity and digital financial services will remain central to its role in Rwanda’s digital transformation, while supporting individuals, businesses and communities to participate more fully in the modern economy.
MTN Rwanda’s 21 Days of Y’ello Care campaign supported the renovation of the maternity ward and expansion of the laboratory at Kigese Health Centre in Kamonyi District.MTN Rwanda CEO Monzer Ali has highlighted the company’s growth in connectivity, data and Mobile Money services during the first half of 2026.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced the move days after the country’s Intelligence Ministry said the two French diplomats had taken part in a secret meeting in Tehran in July with suspects of a “major case involving foreign infiltration and interference.”
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the French diplomats’ activities were “in violation of international law, especially the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961.”
The ministry said it declares the two French embassy staff persona non grata, thus prohibiting their entry into Iran, in view of the fact that the French government has not taken any action to rectify their behavior and guarantee the non-recurrence of such conduct weeks after the disclosure of their “illegal behaviors.”
In a post on social media platform X on Tuesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot reiterated his claim that the two French diplomats had been “scandalously and deliberately” assaulted on July 19, saying in retaliation, the French government will expel two Iranian diplomats from France in the coming days.
The exterior of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran
The Ben made the remarks in an interview with IGIHE after Inshallah broke the record for the fastest song by a Rwandan artist to surpass one million YouTube views.
“It induces pride to me and the people I work with. I don’t think there is an artist who would not be happy to release a song and see people enjoying it,” The Ben said.
“On the other hand, it is a sign that Rwandans love the music produced by their artists. This gives us even more motivation to work harder. I consider this a debt, and I will repay it by giving people more great music.”
Inshallah was released on August 15, 2026, and quickly attracted attention from music fans. Within 48 hours, its music video had surpassed one million views on YouTube.
The achievement saw The Ben overtake a record previously held by fellow Rwandan singer Meddy, whose song My Vow had reached one million views within 48 hours.
The milestone comes as The Ben faces growing expectations from his fans, many of whom have previously criticised him for taking too long to release new music.
The singer, however, used the occasion to assure his fans that more projects are on the way, suggesting that they should expect a change in how frequently he releases music.
He said the response to Inshallah had further strengthened his determination to keep creating and give his audience more songs to enjoy.
Rwandan singer The Ben has said the success of his latest song, Inshallah, is a sign of the strong support Rwandans have for local music
The partnership was launched on August 13, 2026, when BPR Bank Rwanda Plc management visited the site of the housing project in Masaka, Kicukiro District.
Masaka Views Eco Estate is a residential development comprising a 302-unit apartment block with one- to three-bedroom apartments, 51 standalone family houses and 33 townhouses.
Under the partnership, BPR Bank Rwanda will provide financing options to prospective homeowners through its existing housing loan products, including loans for construction and home purchases.
The arrangement is intended to help people who want to buy homes in the estate but may not have enough funds to make an upfront payment.
Eligible buyers can access financing and repay the loan over an agreed period. The bank said the partnership will also give prospective buyers an opportunity to secure homes early, given the limited number of units available in the development.
BPR Bank Rwanda said the partnership supports its efforts to help Rwandans achieve their homeownership goals while promoting access to modern, comfortable and environmentally sustainable housing.
Patience Mutesi, Managing Director of BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, said access to appropriate and affordable financing is an important factor in helping more Rwandans achieve their homeownership goals.
“Our partnership with Fortis Green Housing will enable us to provide financial solutions tailored to the needs of our customers across the different categories of this project. By combining accessible home financing options with quality and sustainable housing developments, we are creating more opportunities for people to invest in homes that meet their needs,” Mutesi said.
As part of the partnership, BPR Bank Rwanda will advise customers on the most suitable loan options based on the type of house they intend to purchase within the estate.
Customers who choose homes that are still under construction will also receive support to finance the purchase and follow the progress of construction until the property is completed and handed over.
Construction of Masaka Views Eco Estate began in 2025. The homes currently on sale are priced between Rwf 103 million and Rwf 235 million.
BPR Bank Rwanda Plc and Fortis Green Housing have partnered to help Rwandans access modern, quality homes.Masaka Views Eco Estate features townhouses with two or three bedrooms.BPR Bank Rwanda Plc and Fortis Green Housing have partnered to make homeownership more accessible to Rwandans.Masaka Views Eco Estate is a model residential development under construction in Masaka, Kicukiro.BPR Bank Rwanda Plc staff toured different sections of the housing development under construction in Masaka.
The accident occurred in the early hours of August 18, 2026, in Kagese Cell, Nasho Sector.
SSP Twizeyimana Hamdun, Rwanda National Police spokesperson in the Eastern Province, told IGIHE that the crash involved a Coaster passenger vehicle.
He said two people died at the scene, while two others died on the way to hospital.
“We have not yet established the cause of the accident, but the driver said the vehicle lost its brakes. The area has a steep descent, so speed could have contributed to the crash,” SSP Twizeyimana said.
He urged motorists to avoid speeding, refrain from driving under the influence of alcohol and regularly check the roadworthiness of their vehicles.
SSP Twizeyimana also warned against driving while fatigued, saying tiredness has contributed to road crashes in recent days.
He further urged passengers to report dangerous driving and speak up when drivers engage in risky behaviour.
“Passengers should not overlook mistakes made on the road. If a driver is making mistakes while driving, they should inform the Police early so that action can be taken.
“Passengers can also tell the driver when they notice dangerous driving. This helps everyone look out for one another,” he said.
The 16 people injured in the crash are currently receiving treatment at different hospitals.
SSP Twizeyimana also warned against driving while fatigued, saying tiredness has contributed to road crashes in recent days.
Located in Musagara Village, Kanazi Cell, Nyamata Sector in Bugesera District, about 45 minutes from Kigali, the school grew out of an idea championed by members of the Ntare School Old Boys Association (NSOBA), alumni of Ntare School in Uganda. Among those associated with the school’s alumni community are Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Today, the school is seeking to build on that legacy with an education model that places students at the centre of the learning process.
From its library and creative studios to its makerspace, STEM-focused learning and student-led initiatives, Ntare Louisenlund offers an environment where students are encouraged to participate in shaping both their education and their community.
A tour of the campus offers an early glimpse of that approach. The library, for example, was created with students in mind and features books covering subjects ranging from business and nature to religion, fiction and different cultures. Students are also involved in creating and decorating spaces around the school.
One student points out a feature she helped design, while an art exhibition nearby displays works made from recycled materials, including used cups, bottles, bottle tops and cheesecloth.
At the school, creativity is not treated as an activity separate from learning, but as part of it.
On its 60-hectare campus in Bugesera, Ntare Louisenlund is building an education model centred on students and their individual potential.
Learning beyond the classroom
Damien Paul Vassallo, the Head of Ntare Louisenlund School, says the institution was established as an “innovative school of the future” with a mission to develop a new generation of leaders, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“We do that through a very practical, hands-on approach by giving students learning experiences that are relevant to them, that pique their interest, that inspire their curiosity,” Vassallo says.
That philosophy is visible in the school’s makerspace, where students work with wood and other materials to create practical products.
Design projects can involve building lamps, furniture, models and other objects, with students expected to present their finished work and be assessed on the final product. “It’s really about the fun and the making, and not just always learning through books and cramming stuff,” says Ariella Gatera Igihozo, a student at the school.
The school also puts considerable emphasis on giving students responsibility. It has eight houses, each with its own identity and values, including justice, unity, strength, innovation, creativity, generosity, kindness, warmth and courage.
The houses operate much like communities within the wider school, with students taking leadership positions and competing for points throughout the year. The top-performing house is recognised during an annual awards ceremony.
Student leadership extends beyond the house system. Students have been involved in creating some of the applications used by the school, including initiatives that make use of technology and artificial intelligence.
“It’s always about students being in charge,” she says.
For Grade Seven student Kami Kazit, the approach has helped her develop beyond the classroom. A member of the Revere house and originally from Uganda, she says she particularly enjoys art because it has given her a new way to express herself.
“They taught me a way to express myself through my artwork,” she says, adding that the school has also helped her become more confident when presenting before an audience.
The international character of the school is another part of its identity. Students from Rwanda and other countries live and learn together, participating in academic, sporting, artistic and service activities.
Residential life is structured around alternating A and B weeks, with activities ranging from Saturday classes and student-organised events to movie nights, swimming, tennis and religious services. The programme is designed to make boarding life part of the broader educational experience rather than simply an extension of the classroom.
From the library to the makerspace, Ntare Louisenlund’s campus is designed around student participation and creativity.
Personalised learning and mentorship at the core
At the centre of the school’s model, however, is personalization.
Vassallo argues that students should not all receive exactly the same educational programme because they have different interests, abilities and aspirations.
“One of the things that a learner-centered approach to education really should hone in on is personalization of learning,” he says.
Ntare Louisenlund therefore uses blended learning, combining educational technology with individualized learning. Students also meet their mentors for one-on-one sessions, where they discuss their goals, progress and challenges.
The mentoring approach continues into residential life through residential life coaches, who support students’ social and emotional development alongside their academic progress.
The school combines this model with what Vassallo calls an “IB + STEM” programme, bringing together the International Baccalaureate approach to education and a particular emphasis on STEM excellence.
Its ambitions extend beyond the current student body. The school is looking to establish partnerships with universities, including institutions in Germany, to create further opportunities for students after graduation. Its first cohort is expected to graduate in 2030.
Vassallo also sees a wider role for the school in Rwanda’s education sector. He wants Ntare Louisenlund to become a hub for educational innovation where teachers and other schools can exchange ideas, access professional development and learn from the school’s approach.
“When we’re at capacity, we will have nearly a thousand students at this school, but we’d like to have an impact on a million students or more,” he says.
Students explore hands-on learning and creative projects at Ntare Louisenlund School in Bugesera.Through STEM-focused learning and practical projects, students at Ntare Louisenlund are encouraged to solve problems creatively.Damien Paul Vassallo, Head of Ntare Louisenlund School, oversees an education model built around practical learning, student leadership and innovation.From the library to the makerspace, Ntare Louisenlund’s campus is designed around student participation and creativity.Students at Ntare Louisenlund balance classroom learning with other extracurricular activities.Personalised learning allows students at Ntare Louisenlund to pursue their interests, goals and individual strengths.Residential life at Ntare Louisenlund extends learning beyond the classroom through activities, mentorship and community life.Ntare Louisenlund’s campus brings together classrooms, creative spaces, sports facilities and residential areas in one setting.On its 60-hectare campus in Bugesera, Ntare Louisenlund is building an education model centred on students and their individual potential.Students from Rwanda and beyond learn, live and grow together at Ntare Louisenlund School.Students take an active role in shaping their learning experience at Ntare Louisenlund School.Students develop confidence through opportunities to create, lead, present and collaborate at Ntare Louisenlund School.Sports and extracurricular activities form an important part of student life at Ntare Louisenlund School.Creativity and practical learning come together in the makerspace at Ntare Louisenlund School.From sports fields and creative spaces to learning facilities, Ntare Louisenlund’s campus is designed to support life beyond the classroom.
President Xi Jinping and other senior leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state, including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng, bid farewell to Zhu at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery on Tuesday morning.
Amid solemn music, they walked slowly toward Zhu’s body and stood in silent tribute. They then paid their final respects with three bows and shook hands with Zhu’s family members. Hu Jintao, former President of the People’s Republic of China sent a wreath to express his condolences over Zhu’s passing.
Zhu died of illness on Aug 12 in Beijing at the age of 98.
He had served as a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 14th and 15th Central Committees of the CPC.
Zhu was extolled in an obituary as an excellent Party member, a time-tested and loyal communist fighter, and an outstanding proletarian revolutionist, statesman and leader of the Party and the state.
Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, Han Zheng and Hu Jintao, among others, had either visited Zhu when he was in hospital or expressed deep condolences and offered sincere sympathies to his family through various means after his passing.
A Chinese national flag flies at half-mast to mourn the death of Comrade Zhu Rongji at Tian’anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Figures released by the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA) on August 14, 2026, show that Rwanda recorded 1,438 cranes in 2026, up from 487 counted in the first national census in 2017.
The latest figure represents an increase of 951 cranes, or 195%, meaning the population has nearly tripled in less than a decade.
RWCA began its conservation efforts in 2015 after finding that the number of cranes in the wild had fallen to fewer than 300. The organisation focused on stopping the illegal capture of the birds, including those taken from the wild and kept in homes, gardens and hotels, before being rescued and taken to appropriate care facilities.
In 2017, RWCA conducted Rwanda’s first national crane census, recording 487 birds. Since then, annual censuses have provided data on changes in the crane population and other information used to guide conservation efforts.
The population has continued to grow in recent years. In 2025, Rwanda had 1,245 cranes, meaning about 200 more were recorded in 2026 alone.
Rugezi wetland drives recovery
RWCA says Rugezi Wetland, which stretches across Burera and Gicumbi districts, has played a major role in the recovery of Rwanda’s crane population.
Only 71 cranes were recorded in Rugezi in 2017. By 2026, that number had risen to 378, an increase of 307 birds.
The wetland now accounts for more than a quarter of all cranes recorded in Rwanda.
The increase has been linked to efforts to restore and protect Rugezi Wetland, as well as collaboration with communities living around it to encourage their participation in environmental conservation.
RWCA has 75 wetland guardians working in Rugezi on a daily basis. They monitor the cranes, report illegal activities, help restore degraded parts of the wetland and work with local communities to reduce activities that could damage the ecosystem.
Despite the increase in numbers, RWCA says cranes remain classified as a threatened species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, meaning continued conservation efforts are needed to protect the population.
Because cranes can move across national borders, RWCA expanded its conservation efforts beyond Rwanda in 2025 by signing agreements with four organisations in Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda.
The agreements aim to strengthen protection of cranes across borders, particularly birds that have been observed moving from Rwanda into neighbouring countries.
Figures released by the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA) on August 14, 2026, show that Rwanda recorded 1,438 cranes in 2026, up from 487 counted in the first national census in 2017.
In an interview with the semi-official Tasnim news agency, IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi called Trump’s claim a “delusion,” saying no dialogue is going on between the IRGC officials and the Americans.
Even Iran’s diplomatic apparatus is not currently negotiating with the United States owing to Washington’s “breach of promises,” Mohebbi added.
Separately, at Monday’s press conference, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei denied media reports of unofficial contact between Washington and the IRGC via Iraqi Kurdistan officials and an alleged secret U.S.-Iran meeting in Erbil.
The news is “media techniques and psychological operations used to sow discord among Iran’s decision-making bodies,” Baghaei said.
Fox News reported earlier that Trump confirmed there is a backchannel for peace talks between Washington and the IRGC.
Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) on Monday rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that there is a backchannel for talks between Washington and the IRGC.
