Sandro Ferretto, 55, married Sharon Jepng’ok in a traditional Koito ceremony held on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at Seretion Village in Kasiela, Baringo South.
The ceremony brought together the couple’s families, elders, local leaders and Jepng’ok’s colleagues, as they took part in traditional proceedings that included family meetings, dowry discussions and blessings.
Ferretto, who spent about 12 years serving as a Catholic missionary in Kenya, was ordained for the Diocese of Padua in Italy before travelling to the country in 2008.
He served under the Diocese of Nyahururu, working as a parish priest in Kasiela and Mochongoi in Baringo County, where he became known locally as Father Sandro.
His work extended beyond parish duties, with Ferretto taking part in pastoral activities, youth programmes and community projects. It was during his years working in Baringo that he met Jepng’ok.
From Kenya back to Italy
Ferretto returned to Italy in December 2020 alongside fellow missionary Father Mariano Dal Ponte, according to Italian newspaper Il Gazzettino.
By 2023, he was overseeing a pastoral unit covering eight churches in Saletto, Borgo Veneto, in the Diocese of Padua.
Later that year, however, Ferretto stepped away from parish duties after celebrating what was reported as his final Mass.
At the time, Il Gazzettino reported that he wanted to take a break from parish work. The Diocese of Padua clarified that he remained a priest and that his decision was not connected to any controversy.
He subsequently volunteered with the Levante cooperative in Padua, an organisation involved in supporting migrants.
A return to Kenya
Ferretto eventually returned to Kenya, where he reunited with Jepng’ok, the woman he had met during his missionary years in Baringo.
Their relationship eventually led to marriage, with the couple choosing to formalise their union through a traditional Koito ceremony.
The ceremony featured traditional attire, family gatherings, negotiations over dowry and blessings from elders, with Ferretto taking part in the proceedings alongside his bride and their families.
Images from the event showed the former priest embracing the celebrations and participating in the traditions of his bride’s community.
The unusual journey has attracted attention on Kenyan social media, with many users commenting on Ferretto’s transformation from a Catholic missionary known as Father Sandro to a groom returning to Kenya to marry the woman he met during his years of service.
Italian missionary priest Fr. Sandro Ferretto has quit the Catholic priesthood after 12 years serving Baringo County, Kenya — and married Sharon Jepng’ok, a local Tugen woman he met during his ministry. The couple wed in a traditional Koito ceremony in Kasiela on Sept 6. 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/D8P5KpLkCj
The deals were signed at Al Hosn Palace in Salalah during President Paul Kagame’s two-day official visit to Oman, the first visit by a Rwandan head of state to the Gulf country.
The agreements cover visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports, as well as the avoidance of double taxation between the two countries.
The six MoUs provide a framework for cooperation in political consultations, labour, trade and investment, logistics, agriculture, and strategic partnership and investment activation.
The deals were signed at Al Hosn Palace in Salalah during President Paul Kagame’s two-day official visit to Oman.
The signing of the eight deals comes a day after Kagame held bilateral talks with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq as the two countries explored ways to strengthen cooperation in sectors of mutual interest.
According to the Office of the President, the two leaders highlighted the longstanding ties between Rwanda and Oman and opportunities to build on them through closer collaboration.
“Both leaders highlighted the historical ties between Rwanda and Oman, and the opportunity this visit offers to build on that strong foundation, including through closer collaboration in multiple sectors including energy, logistics, and food security,” the Office of the President said.
Kagame arrived in Salalah on Monday and was received by Sultan Haitham at Al Hosn Palace, where he was accorded an official welcoming ceremony before the two leaders held talks, later joined by their respective delegations.
During the second day of his visit, President Kagame toured the Museum of the Frankincense Land, located within the Al Baleed Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
President Kagame tours the Museum of the Frankincense Land, located within the Al Baleed Archaeological Park.
The museum documents the history and heritage of the Dhofar region, including the role of the frankincense trade in shaping its social and economic development, as well as Oman’s long history of seafaring and maritime trade.
Rwanda’s relations with Oman have gained momentum in recent years, with the two countries expanding cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, transport and investment.
A key development is an arrangement under which Rwanda will receive direct shipments of refined petroleum products from Oman through Tanzania’s Port of Tanga.
Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva has said Rwanda expects to receive one shipment each month, with the imports aimed at strengthening fuel supply security and helping stabilise prices.
The two countries have also strengthened air connectivity. Oman’s SalamAir launched direct flights between Muscat and Kigali on July 21, 2026, creating a direct link between the two countries for travellers, businesses and tourists.
The route is expected to support trade, tourism and investment while giving passengers from Rwanda access to SalamAir’s wider network across the Gulf, Asia and Europe.
The agreements cover visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports, as well as the avoidance of double taxation between the two countries.The six MoUs provide a framework for cooperation in political consultations, labour, trade and investment, logistics, agriculture, and strategic partnership and investment activation.
The latest Index of Industrial Production (IIP) report shows that industrial output also increased by 3.6 percent compared with June 2026, while the annual average growth rate stood at about 6.4 percent.
Manufacturing was the strongest contributor to the July performance, recording a reported 49.2 percent year-on-year increase. The sector accounts for 68.1 percent of the industrial production index, making it the largest component of Rwanda’s formal industrial activity.
NISR attributed developments within manufacturing to increases in several subsectors, including food processing, non-metallic mineral products, and metal products, machinery and equipment. Food processing increased by 6.1 percent, while non-metallic mineral products rose by 8.9 percent and metal products, machinery and equipment increased by 3.5 percent.
Other manufacturing activities also recorded mixed results. Furniture and other manufacturing increased by 8.2 percent, while wood, paper and printing grew by 1.5 percent and chemicals, rubber and plastic products rose by 1.2 percent.
However, some subsectors experienced declines. Manufacturing of beverages and tobacco decreased by 1.9 percent, while textiles, clothing and leather goods declined by 0.5 percent.
Electricity and utilities record strong growth
Electricity production was another major source of industrial growth, increasing by 18.5 percent year-on-year in July. The sector also grew by 6.4 percent compared with June, with an annual average growth rate of 13.9 percent.
Water and waste management recorded 12.6 percent year-on-year growth and increased by 5.2 percent compared with June 2026. Its annual average growth rate stood at 7.6 percent.
Mining and quarrying, which represents 15.8 percent of the industrial production index, recorded more moderate annual growth of 4.7 percent. However, mining output increased sharply by 22.8 percent compared with June 2026, indicating a strong monthly improvement.
Overall, the industrial production index reached 114.2 in July 2026, up from 107.0 in July 2025, based on the 2024=100 index series.
Industrial economy expands over the longer term
Beyond the July figures, the NISR report highlights the significant expansion of Rwanda’s industrial economy in recent years.
The report’s 2024 rebasing exercise shows that total industrial Gross Value Added (GVA) increased from Rwf 442.1 billion in 2017 to Rwf 1.14 trillion in 2024, representing a 158.4 percent increase.
Several sectors recorded particularly large increases over the period. Water and waste management grew by 508.1 percent, chemicals, rubber and plastic products by 359.2 percent, and wood, paper and printing by 328.7 percent.
Mining and quarrying increased by 213.9 percent, while manufacturing of non-metallic mineral products rose by 204 percent and beverages and tobacco by 203.5 percent.
The figures indicate a substantial expansion and changing composition of Rwanda’s industrial economy, with manufacturing remaining the dominant component of industrial activity.
Manufacturing was the strongest contributor to the July performance, recording a reported 49.2 percent year-on-year increase. The sector accounts for 68.1 percent of the industrial production index, making it the largest component of Rwanda’s formal industrial activity.
The discussions were held on Monday evening in Salalah as President Kagame began his two-day official visit to Oman, the first such visit by a Rwandan head of state.
According to the Office of the President, Kagame and Sultan Haitham began the visit with talks involving delegations from both countries.
“Both leaders highlighted the historical ties between Rwanda and Oman, and the opportunity this visit offers to build on that strong foundation, including through closer collaboration in multiple sectors including energy, logistics, and food security,” the Office of the President said in a post on X.
President Kagame arrived in Salalah on Monday, where he was received by Sultan Haitham at Al Husn Palace.
His visit began with an official welcoming ceremony before the two leaders held discussions, later joined by their respective delegations, on advancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
The visit comes as Rwanda and Oman look to broaden their bilateral relationship and explore new opportunities for economic and sectoral cooperation.
During the visit, the two countries are also expected to sign agreements and memoranda of understanding in various sectors as part of efforts to deepen ties.
On the second day of his visit, President Kagame is scheduled to tour the Museum of the Frankincense Land, located within the Al Baleed Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The museum documents the history and heritage of the Dhofar region, including the role of the frankincense trade in shaping its social and economic development, as well as Oman’s long history of seafaring and maritime trade.
President Kagame will also visit Razat Royal Farm, one of the major agricultural establishments in Dhofar Governorate. The more than 404-hectare facility is also used for agri-tourism and educational activities.
The trip marks a new milestone in relations between Rwanda and Oman, with both countries seeking to build on their longstanding ties through closer cooperation in sectors considered important to their economic development and future growth.
The discussions were held on Monday evening in Salalah as President Kagame began his two-day official visit to Oman, the first such visit by a Rwandan head of state.According to the Office of the President, Kagame and Sultan Haitham began the visit with talks involving delegations from both countries.
Thiaw landed at Kigali International Airport on Monday ahead of the forum, which brings together figures from across Africa’s sports industry.
The former Senegal international will feature in a session focusing on leadership and resilience in African sport, drawing on a career that has taken him from the football pitch to the highest levels of coaching.
Thiaw was part of Senegal’s celebrated 2002 generation that reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan and finished runners-up at the Africa Cup of Nations the same year.
As a player, he also became the first Senegalese footballer to feature in Spain’s La Liga. His playing career included spells in France, Switzerland, Russia and Spain, while he earned 16 international caps for Senegal.
After retiring from playing, Thiaw turned to coaching and earned both UEFA A and CAF A coaching licences.
He began his managerial career with ASC Niarry Tally before taking charge of Senegal’s local national team, known as Team A’. Under his leadership, Senegal returned to the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in 2022 after more than a decade away from the competition.
Thiaw then guided the team to the CHAN title in his debut tournament, strengthening his reputation as one of the country’s promising homegrown coaches.
He was appointed head coach of the senior Senegal national team in late 2024 and subsequently guided the Lions of Teranga through an unbeaten qualifying campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His tenure also saw Senegal claim the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title on the pitch against hosts Morocco in January 2026. However, the final status of the result remains subject to a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling expected in October 2026.
Beyond his achievements on the pitch, Thiaw’s journey from international player to senior national team coach has highlighted the potential of African coaches and locally developed football talent.
His appearance at the SportsBiz Africa Forum is expected to provide an opportunity to discuss the pressures facing coaches, leadership, accountability and the structures needed to develop competitive football systems on the continent.
Thiaw’s story also reflects the growing conversation around investing in African coaches and strengthening domestic football pathways as countries seek to build sustainable sporting success.
The SportsBiz Africa Forum, scheduled to take place from 10–11 September 2026 at the Kigali Convention Centre, will bring together stakeholders from across the sports ecosystem to discuss opportunities, challenges and the future of the industry on the continent.
Thiaw landed at Kigali International Airport on Monday ahead of the forum, which brings together figures from across Africa’s sports industry.
The network is part of a wider plan by the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) to establish a federated regional Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, linking universities across the East African Community through specialised institutional nodes.
The Acting Executive Secretary of IUCEA, Prof. Idris Rai, highlighted the development on Monday, September 7, 2026, during the 15th East African Higher Education Quality Assurance Forum and Conference in Kigali.
The institutions named include the University of Rwanda, the University of Dodoma in Tanzania, Dedan Kimathi University in Kenya, SIMAD University in Somalia, the University of Burundi and Kabale University in Uganda.
The Acting Executive Secretary of IUCEA, Prof. Idris Rai, speaks on Monday, September 7, 2026, during the 15th East African Higher Education Quality Assurance Forum and Conference in Kigali.
Prof. Rai said discussions were still ongoing with two EAC partner states that are yet to identify representative institutions to join the collaborative network.
The regional network was officially launched in Nairobi in July and is expected to form the foundation for the future East African Centre of Excellence in AI Education and Research.
Prof. Rai said the initiative builds on discussions held during an IUCEA conference in Kigali in 2023, which focused on higher education in the age of artificial intelligence and data science.
The discussions identified the need for universities to build institutional capacity while developing a collaborative platform for teaching, research and innovation in AI.
“In 2024, our Executive Committee approved the establishment of a regional centre of excellence in AI — a federated regional centre of excellence, whereby each partner state will identify one node or university to take part in developing that regional collaborative framework on AI,” Prof. Rai said.
He revealed that the network will support the development of benchmarks and curricula in areas including data science, artificial intelligence and robotics, covering both undergraduate and postgraduate education.
The forum has brought together university leaders, higher education regulators, academics and development partners.
AI literacy for university students
Among the major initiatives being developed is an AI foundational module that could introduce basic artificial intelligence literacy to university students across East Africa.
Prof. Rai said the module is in its final stages of development and could eventually become part of university education across the region.
“We are in the final stages of development of what we call an AI foundational module,” he said.
“Imagine you have a foundational module in AI whereby all students who go through our universities must take it, so that they know about AI, provide AI literacy.”
IUCEA is also developing learning pathways for lecturers who will teach the module and a policy framework to guide the use of AI in teaching, learning and other areas of higher education.
The network will further support collaborative and multidisciplinary research among participating universities.
For Rwanda’s Minister of Education, Joseph Nsengimana, the rapid growth of AI is raising fundamental questions about whether universities are adequately preparing students for a changing world.
“The world for which our universities are preparing our graduates is changing rapidly. Artificial intelligence is transforming how knowledge is produced, taught and applied,” Nsengimana said.
Rwanda’s Minister of Education, Joseph Nsengimana, said the rapid growth of AI is raising fundamental questions about whether universities are adequately preparing students for a changing world.
He noted that the urgency was particularly significant for East Africa, where more than 60 percent of the population is under the age of 25, saying higher education will play a major role in determining whether the region’s young people are equipped to turn their talent into opportunities in a rapidly changing economy.
“Will the education we receive today prepare us for the world of tomorrow?” Nsengimana said, referring to what he described as an urgent question facing young people across the region.
“Our answer must be a resounding yes.”
He said digital transformation and artificial intelligence should be central to efforts to modernise higher education, while universities and regulators must ensure that technology is used responsibly.
“Technology alone is not enough,” he stated, stressing the need to equip academic staff and regulators with the capacity to use emerging technologies responsibly while protecting data, maintaining ethical standards and ensuring equitable access.
Future-ready universities
Dr. Edward Kadozi, the Director General of Rwanda’s Higher Education Council, said universities could no longer focus only on preparing students for the jobs that exist today.
“Higher education is no longer preparing students simply for the jobs of today. It must prepare them for jobs, technologies and challenges that are still emerging,” he remarked.
Kadozi said technological development, digitalisation and AI were changing how knowledge is created and delivered, while also reshaping the skills required by economies.
He warned that qualifications alone would not be enough if graduates leave universities without the practical skills, adaptability and critical thinking required in the workplace.
“If graduates leave our institutions with qualifications but without practical skills, adaptability and critical thinking required by the workplace, then we have not fully delivered on our responsibilities to them,” Kadozi said.
He added that quality assurance systems must also evolve alongside changes in higher education.
“We must modernise our evaluative tools. We must strengthen our technical capacities. We must embrace appropriate technologies. And we must continuously review our regulatory processes to ensure that they keep pace with the sector we oversee.”
Dr. Edward Kadozi, the Director General of Rwanda’s Higher Education Council, said universities could no longer focus only on preparing students for the jobs that exist today.
The regional push for AI-ready higher education has also attracted support from international partners.
A representative of the German Academic Exchange Service, DAAD, announced plans to establish a new African Centre of Excellence for Applied and Responsible Artificial Intelligence in Kenya, which is expected to serve the wider East African region.
Dr. Dorothee Weyler, Regional Director, DAAD, said the centre will focus on strengthening institutional capacity in applied and responsible AI research while integrating teaching, research, early-career development and knowledge transfer.
The development comes as Rwanda’s higher education sector increasingly positions itself within regional efforts to strengthen digital skills, research and innovation.
Through its role in the new network, the University of Rwanda is expected to contribute to the development of AI expertise and collaborative research while helping build the institutional capacity needed to support the responsible adoption of the technology across East Africa.
Prof. Didas Kayihura, Vice Chancellor of the University of Rwanda, said such regional collaboration has already proven valuable for staff and institutions engaging with partner universities across East Africa.
“That exposure itself changes the staff quite a lot,” he said, adding that lessons learned abroad are typically brought back and shared with colleagues at home.
Prof. Didas Kayihura, University of Rwanda Vice Chancellor, said regional university collaboration is already benefiting staff and institutions across East Africa.
The Regional AI Network follows a federated model in which participating universities contribute their individual strengths while collaborating on joint programmes, research and other regional initiatives.
Meanwhile, DAAD also announced plans to host a Master of Science in electrical power systems scholarship programme at the University of Rwanda for the next three years, with applications opening on September 24.
The 15th East African Higher Education Quality Assurance Forum and Conference is being held at the Kigali Serena Hotel under the theme, “Transforming Quality Assurance for Future-Ready Higher Education Systems in East Africa.”
The four-day forum has brought together university leaders, higher education regulators, academics and development partners to discuss how East Africa can prepare its universities and graduates for emerging technologies and the changing demands of the labour market.
The forum has brought together university leaders, higher education regulators, academics and development partnersThe stakeholders are discussing how East Africa can prepare its universities and graduates for emerging technologies and the changing demands of the labour market.
The Burundi government has begun preparations to facilitate the return of its citizens, including sending buses to Kenya and issuing free laissez-passer documents through its embassy in Nairobi.
“Burundi is preparing to send buses to Kenya, and the Embassy of Burundi in Nairobi will issue free laissez-passer documents to facilitate the return to Burundi for those who wish to leave Kenya,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Cooperation for Development said.
Footage obtained by Kenyan media on Monday, September 7, showed large groups of Burundian nationals with luggage at Nairobi’s Machakos Country Bus Station as they sought transport home.
Burundians flock a cybercafé in Kilimani, Nairobi, as they rush to process travel documents amid threats to leave Kenya pic.twitter.com/dMn8pwKhyy
Similar scenes were reported at the Kenya-Uganda border in Malaba, where travellers were scrambling for bus tickets, while others gathered at the Burundi Embassy in Nairobi to obtain travel documents.
The rush follows remarks by Ruto on September 2, when he directed authorities to dismantle small-scale retail and hawking operations run by foreign nationals, effective September 7.
Addressing small-scale traders at State House in Nairobi, Ruto said Kenya remained open to foreign investment but argued that foreign investors should establish businesses that create jobs and expand production rather than compete with Kenyans in small-scale trading.
“It cannot be that a person comes from China or elsewhere to be a hawker or open a small shop,” Ruto said.
Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui later said most foreign small-scale traders had violated visa or regulatory requirements. Those meeting the relevant immigration requirements, he said, would need an operating licence to resume their businesses.
The directive has particularly unsettled Burundian traders, with their government raising concerns over reports of violence and the loss of property among its citizens, while also fuelling fears of xenophobic attacks similar to those witnessed in South Africa.
The Burundi Foreign Affairs Ministry said several Burundian traders engaged in small-scale businesses had faced dispossession and what it described as unjustified violence.
It also accused Ruto’s remarks of worsening tensions.
“The Kenyan government will be held responsible for anything that happens to Burundian citizens, and Burundi reserves the right to take the necessary measures under the framework of reciprocity,” the ministry said.
Burundi, however, said it respected Kenya’s right to determine its trade policies, while urging authorities to protect the dignity and safety of its nationals.
The developments have also sparked criticism over the implications of Kenya’s crackdown for the East African Community, which promotes the free movement of people and closer economic integration among member states.
Critics argue that targeting foreign nationals engaged in small-scale trade could undermine the spirit of regional integration, particularly as citizens of EAC member states routinely move across borders for work, trade and business.
The issue has also revived concerns about tensions between local traders and migrants from neighbouring countries, with Burundian nationals among those who have faced accusations of competing with Kenyans for jobs and business opportunities.
The EAC comprises eight member states, including Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia.
Kenya hosts hundreds of thousands of refugees and migrants, many of whom live and work outside refugee camps. Government figures showed that the country had about 857,000 registered refugees and asylum seekers by the end of June, with nearly 14 percent living in urban areas.
Kenyan law allows refugees to work and operate businesses provided they obtain the required documentation.
Ruto’s directive has therefore raised questions over how the crackdown will be implemented and how it will affect foreign nationals who are legally authorised to work or operate businesses in Kenya.
For Burundi, the immediate priority has shifted to facilitating the safe return of citizens who no longer feel secure remaining in Kenya.
Sections of the Burundian community have also appealed to Ruto to reconsider or relax the directive, arguing that the announcement left many traders unprepared for its implementation.
Hundreds of Burundians scramble for emergency travel documents at their embassy in Nairobi as President William Ruto’s crackdown on foreign traders sparks panic and a diplomatic row.
The visit follows a series of high-level exchanges and agreements that have expanded cooperation beyond diplomacy into aviation, logistics, technology, infrastructure, trade and investment.
For Rwanda, the relationship offers an opportunity to deepen access to the Gulf and attract investment from Omani businesses. For Oman, Rwanda provides a foothold in a fast-growing East African market and a potential gateway into the wider region.
The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1982 and have maintained ties through non-resident diplomatic missions. Oman is currently represented in Rwanda through its embassy in Nairobi, while Rwanda handles its diplomatic representation to Oman through its embassy in Cairo.
But the relationship has gained fresh momentum in recent years.
From diplomacy to economic cooperation
A major step came in January 2026, when Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe led a high-level delegation to Muscat.
The visit produced agreements covering aviation, logistics, dry ports, supply chains, digital infrastructure, data centres, cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
One of the agreements brought together the Rwanda Development Board and Oman Airports Management Company, with the two sides agreeing to cooperate on airport development and management, exchange expertise and explore investment opportunities in aviation infrastructure.
Another cooperation programme focuses on logistics services, including the development and operation of dry ports and supply-chain services.
For Rwanda, which is landlocked and relies heavily on regional transport corridors to move imports and exports, logistics is a particularly important area of cooperation.
The two countries had already signed a memorandum of understanding on telecommunications, information technology and digital-economy development in April 2025, during Oman’s participation in the Global Summit on Artificial Intelligence in Africa in Kigali.
A new air bridge
Perhaps the most visible sign of the growing relationship is now in the sky.
SalamAir launched direct flights between Muscat and Kigali on July 21, 2026, creating a direct connection between Rwanda and Oman.
SalamAir launched direct Muscat-Kigali flights on July 21, 2026.
The airline operates the route twice a week, with a flight time of about five hours. The connection is expected to facilitate tourism, trade, investment and business exchanges between Rwanda, Oman and the wider Gulf region.
The new route followed an Air Services Agreement signed by the two countries in 2023 that entered into force in January 2026. Oman Air had also announced plans earlier this year to introduce direct Muscat-Kigali flights.
Beyond making travel easier, the route could become an important piece of economic infrastructure.
Direct flights reduce the time and complexity involved in moving businesspeople, tourists and investors between the two markets. They can also make it easier for companies to explore opportunities before committing capital.
For Kigali, the connection strengthens its ambition to position itself as a regional aviation and business hub. For Muscat, it creates another link to East Africa and a market with growing tourism and investment activity.
Oman and Rwanda officials during the launch of SalamAir’s direct Muscat-Kigali flights on July 21, 2026.
Where the investment opportunities lie
The two countries have identified a wide range of sectors in which they could deepen cooperation.
These include energy, renewable energy, mining, logistics, aviation, hospitality, healthcare, education and technology.
Rwanda is seeking investment that can support its transformation from an economy traditionally dependent on agriculture towards one increasingly driven by services, technology, tourism, finance and industry.
The country is also positioning itself as a regional centre for conferences, investment and business services.
Oman, meanwhile, is seeking to diversify its economy beyond oil and gas while expanding its international economic partnerships.
That creates potential areas of complementarity.
Omani companies have already shown interest in the Rwandan market.
In March 2020, more than 80 Omani companies participated in the Omani Products Exhibition, or OPEX, in Kigali. The companies showcased products including food, plastics and construction materials as they explored opportunities in the Rwandan market.
The exhibition also resulted in commercial agreements involving Omani industrial and pharmaceutical companies.
The latest push could take the relationship beyond individual commercial deals towards larger cooperation in infrastructure, logistics, technology and investment.
Why Oman matters to Rwanda
Oman occupies a strategically important position on the Arabian Peninsula, overlooking the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the world’s oil supplies pass.
Its location gives it connections to markets in the Gulf, Asia and beyond.
For Rwanda, the relationship offers additional access to Gulf markets and international destinations connected through Muscat. For Oman, Rwanda provides an entry point into an East African economy that is positioning itself as a regional business and investment hub.
The two countries therefore have potentially complementary economic interests.
From trade to logistics
The January agreements specifically included cooperation on dry ports and supply-chain services, with the two countries seeking to exchange expertise and improve logistical integration.
This is particularly relevant to Rwanda because of its position at the heart of the Great Lakes region.
As a landlocked country, Rwanda depends on transport corridors linking it to ports in neighbouring countries. Improving logistics can reduce the cost and time involved in moving goods, making the country more competitive as a regional distribution and investment hub.
Oman’s experience as a maritime and logistics centre could therefore provide opportunities for knowledge exchange and commercial partnerships.
The cooperation also comes as Rwanda continues to invest in infrastructure intended to strengthen its role in regional trade.
Technology adds another dimension
The relationship is also moving into areas that are less visible than trade but potentially more transformative.
Data centres, cloud computing and artificial intelligence are now part of the bilateral cooperation agenda.
The January agreement envisages collaboration in infrastructure, skills development, knowledge exchange and policy development in these fields.
This fits Rwanda’s broader ambition to build a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy under Vision 2050.
For Oman, partnerships in Africa’s emerging digital markets can support its own economic diversification ambitions.
The result is a relationship that is no longer defined only by conventional trade in goods. It increasingly encompasses the digital infrastructure needed to support modern economies.
A relationship built over decades
Despite the recent acceleration, Rwanda-Oman relations are not new.
Diplomatic ties date back to 1982, while the two countries have historical links connected to Oman’s long-standing commercial and cultural presence in East Africa.
Political contacts have continued alongside the growing economic relationship.
Oman’s Foreign Minister, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, met Nduhungirehe in New York in September 2025 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.
Kagame’s visit therefore comes at a moment when Rwanda and Oman are seeking to turn decades of diplomatic relations into a more practical and commercially focused partnership. It remains to be seen what new agreements will be signed during the visit and what new opportunities and results it will bring for the two countries.
APR FC head coach Taleb Abderrahim has blamed poor officiating for his side’s 1-0 defeat to Les Aigles du Congo in the first preliminary round of the CAF Champions League, accusing the match officials of making questionable decisions and favouring the hosts.
APR FC travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday, September 6, 2026, to face Les Aigles du Congo at Frédéric Kibassa Maliba Stadium in Lubumbashi.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Taleb said the encounter was always expected to be difficult, particularly because the two coaches were familiar with each other and had prepared tactical approaches to counter their opponents.
“We came here with the responsibility of getting a good result. We tried to control the midfield and also use long balls because we had watched their friendly matches,” Taleb said.
“However, they are a good team with players who are individually strong.”
The APR FC coach, however, argued that the officiating had played a significant role in the outcome of the match. He accused the officials, led by Beninese referee Idissa Abdul, of making questionable decisions, including denying APR FC two penalty appeals and issuing what he described as unnecessary cards to his players.
“We tried to stop them and create chances whenever we had the ball. What surprised me was not the defeat, but the referee’s performance,” Taleb said.
“Football cannot develop while it still has referees like these. Forgive me for saying that.”
“I have coached many Champions League matches and worked with great players, but I have never seen a team treated as badly as we were today. We were denied two penalties, there were inexplicable foul decisions and unnecessary cards shown to our players.”
Taleb also raised concerns about an incident involving APR FC player Djibril Ouattara, whom he said was subjected to a dangerous challenge by a Les Aigles du Congo player and could require hospital treatment.
According to the coach, the referee did not take action over the incident, while attempts to raise concerns about the decision were met with threats of disciplinary action.
Taleb further questioned the red card shown to APR FC midfielder Ronald Ssekiganda, arguing that the decision was unjustified. He said the referee followed the player before eventually showing him the card after the final whistle.
APR FC will now seek to overturn the 1-0 deficit when they host Les Aigles du Congo in the return leg at Amahoro Stadium on September 11.
The Rwandan champions will need to win the match to keep their CAF Champions League campaign alive, while avoiding conceding an away goal that could further complicate their chances of progressing.
The winner between APR FC and Les Aigles du Congo will face either Egypt’s Zamalek SC or Djibouti’s AS Port in the second preliminary round, scheduled for October 2026.
APR FC travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday, September 6, 2026, to face Les Aigles du Congo at Frédéric Kibassa Maliba Stadium in Lubumbashi.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Taleb said the encounter was always expected to be difficult, particularly because the two coaches were familiar with each other and had prepared tactical approaches to counter their opponents.
“We came here with the responsibility of getting a good result. We tried to control the midfield and also use long balls because we had watched their friendly matches,” Taleb said.
“However, they are a good team with players who are individually strong.”
The APR FC coach, however, argued that the officiating had played a significant role in the outcome of the match. He accused the officials, led by Beninese referee Idissa Abdul, of making questionable decisions, including denying APR FC two penalty appeals and issuing what he described as unnecessary cards to his players.
“We tried to stop them and create chances whenever we had the ball. What surprised me was not the defeat, but the referee’s performance,” Taleb said.
“Football cannot develop while it still has referees like these. Forgive me for saying that.”
“I have coached many Champions League matches and worked with great players, but I have never seen a team treated as badly as we were today. We were denied two penalties, there were inexplicable foul decisions and unnecessary cards shown to our players.”
Taleb also raised concerns about an incident involving APR FC player Djibril Ouattara, whom he said was subjected to a dangerous challenge by a Les Aigles du Congo player and could require hospital treatment.
According to the coach, the referee did not take action over the incident, while attempts to raise concerns about the decision were met with threats of disciplinary action.
Taleb further questioned the red card shown to APR FC midfielder Ronald Ssekiganda, arguing that the decision was unjustified. He said the referee followed the player before eventually showing him the card after the final whistle.
APR FC will now seek to overturn the 1-0 deficit when they host Les Aigles du Congo in the return leg at Amahoro Stadium on September 11.
The Rwandan champions will need to win the match to keep their CAF Champions League campaign alive, while avoiding conceding an away goal that could further complicate their chances of progressing.
The winner between APR FC and Les Aigles du Congo will face either Egypt’s Zamalek SC or Djibouti’s AS Port in the second preliminary round, scheduled for October 2026.
APR FC head coach Taleb Abderrahim has blamed poor officiating for his side’s 1-0 defeat to Les Aigles du Congo in the first preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.The coach accused the officials, led by Beninese referee Idissa Abdul, of making questionable decisions, including denying APR FC two penalty appeals and issuing what he described as unnecessary cards to his players.
In an interview with state-run IRIB TV, which was broadcast Sunday night, Rezaei said that the zone would extend from “the line where the U.S. naval blockade begins to the Strait of Hormuz region and inside the Persian Gulf on the other side (of the strait).”
Ships that enter the zone without coordination with Iran, he added, would face sanctions affecting their insurance coverage and future passage through the waterway.
Rezaei framed the move as part of a broader strategic shift in Iran’s approach to war and diplomacy, aiming at increasing pressure on Washington.
The security official stressed that the Strait of Hormuz is completely closed, dismissing the U.S. claim that ships and oil tankers are crossing the waterway as a “lie.”
While acknowledging that some vessels attempt to cross the strait via a route near Oman, often switching off their navigation systems to evade detection, Rezaei said most of those ships “receive blows.”
Yet he added that Iran does not intend to sink them for now due to environmental concerns.
Rezaei further revealed that Iran had test-fired for the first time a domestically developed anti-destroyer missile above a U.S. aircraft carrier 48 hours ago, describing it as a warning that the U.S. naval blockade is vulnerable.
“The special missile created a hell for the Americans, and they fled,” he said.
Rezaei said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed unless the United States takes practical steps to fulfill its obligations under a peace memorandum of understanding signed between Tehran and Washington in June.
In the coming days, he added, a new international corridor designated by Iran and Oman for passage through the strait would be announced, emphasizing that the corridor would be under Iran’s management.
Following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, Tehran restricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while U.S. forces imposed a naval blockade targeting vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas.
A motorboat passes a general cargo ship anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, September 6, 2026.
