The country’s demographic momentum continues to be fuelled by its youthful population, with young people under the age of 30 now accounting for 64.6%, more than 9.1 million Rwandans.
NISR announced the milestone on Friday, June 11, as Rwanda joins the world in marking World Population Day.
This year’s World Population Day theme, “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world,” resonates strongly with Rwanda’s current demographic landscape.
“Rwanda’s vibrant population, now 14.1 million, powered by its youth, is the greatest asset, driving the development, innovation, and resilience,” NISR said in a statement.
Steady growth over the years
Rwanda’s last national census in 2022 reported a population of 13.2 million, up from 10.5 million recorded in 2012. Over the ten-year period between the two censuses, Rwanda maintained an average annual growth rate of 2.6%.
Demographic projections also indicate important shifts ahead. While youth under 30 currently dominate the population, their share is expected to decrease to 54.3% by 2050, reflecting a maturing population.
Conversely, the working-age population (16–64 years) is rising, from 53.4% in 2012 to 56.0% in 2022, and is projected to hit 61.4% by mid-century.
World Population Day, commemorated every July 11, was established by the United Nations in 1989 to draw attention to global population trends and their impact on development and human well-being.
The day encourages dialogue around key population-related issues, including reproductive health, gender equality, and sustainable resource use.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus formally recognised President Kagame’s role in championing a stronger international framework to enhance global health security during the closing of the inaugural WHO Pandemic Agreement meeting.
President Kagame has been at the forefront of championing a new treaty that would help establish better systems for alerting populations about potential pandemics, while also improving data sharing and the distribution of vaccines and personal protective equipment.
In recognition of his advocacy, WHO awarded President Kagame a certificate of recognition, which was received on his behalf by Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Ambassador Urujeni Bakuramutsa.
The recognition comes as WHO Member States adopted the world’s first Pandemic Agreement on May 20 during the 78th World Health Assembly, marking a historic milestone in global health governance.
The legally binding accord is aimed at ensuring a more equitable, coordinated, and robust international response to future pandemics, drawing from the hard lessons learned during the COVID-19 crisis.
“This agreement is a victory for public health, science, and multilateral action,” said Dr. Tedros. “It ensures we can collectively better protect the world from future pandemic threats.”
He added that the agreement recognises the imperative to shield societies and economies from the severe losses experienced during COVID-19.
The Pandemic Agreement lays out principles and tools to boost global cooperation, including provisions to ensure equitable access to vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics. While reaffirming national sovereignty, it encourages governments to work together in the face of shared global threats.
Key next steps include negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system, a mechanism to ensure fair and timely distribution of pandemic-related health tools.
The WHO is also set to establish a Coordinating Financial Mechanism and a Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network to facilitate access to critical health products during emergencies.
The new accord becomes only the second legally binding treaty negotiated under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution, following the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control adopted in 2003.
In a candid interview on Sanny Ntayombya’s The Long Form podcast, Sebunya, who grew up under Idi Amin’s regime in Uganda, shared his journey from a politically turbulent childhood to leading one of Africa’s most influential conservation organisations.
He outlined a vision for the continent’s future, one where conservation is not merely about protecting wildlife, but a driver of economic prosperity for African people.
Born in 1965, Sebunya’s early life was shaped by Uganda’s political upheaval. His father, Sewankambo, a member of parliament and Pan-Africanist, was hunted by Amin’s regime, forcing the family to disperse.
“I didn’t grow up with all my siblings,” Sebunya recalled, describing how this experience promoted resilience and a broader African identity.
“I never saw myself as a typical Ugandan, nor tribal.”
His path to conservation was serendipitous, sparked by a chance encounter with Margaret Thatcher’s environmental debates in Strasbourg while studying French. This led to a master’s in environmental policy in the UK, despite his initial training in political science and sociology at Makerere University.
Sebunya’s critique of Africa’s conservation history is unflinching. He argues that the continent’s 8,000 protected areas, many established as colonial hunting grounds, alienated Africans from their land.
“Overnight, Africans became trespassers, poachers, not people looking for food,” he said, noting that post-independence governments perpetuated these frameworks. This colonial legacy, he contends, fuels perceptions of conservation as neo-colonialism, a sentiment echoed in a 2017 Guardian article where he described the sector’s non-African dominance as resembling colonialism.
Less than 5% of conservation NGOs in Africa are led by Africans, a statistic Sebunya finds “uncomforting” but is working to change.
At the heart of AWF’s approach is integrating conservation with community prosperity. In Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, AWF donated 27.8 hectares to expand gorilla habitat while establishing the Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, owned by the SACOLA cooperative.
Generating up to $500,000 annually, the lodge has funded community projects like housing for elderly widows and scholarships, directly linking gorilla survival to local wealth.
“No gorilla has been poached because they don’t need to harm them—that’s where the money comes from,” Sebunya explained.
AWF’s innovative bamboo cultivation initiative further exemplifies this, encouraging communities to grow high-value crops that attract gorillas, effectively expanding the park while boosting incomes by up to 700%.
Sebunya rejects the costly colonial model of militarised park management, which he estimates costs $3,000 per square kilometre and is unsustainable for African governments.
“A park like Serengeti is almost the size of Rwanda. How do you fence it?” he asked, highlighting the model’s failure, with 30,000 elephants lost annually and rhinos extinct in many countries.
Instead, AWF promotes a symbiotic relationship between wildlife and communities, arguing that animals like mountain gorillas would say, “Create a better relationship with my neighbors,” not “Bring a gun to protect me.”
Looking to the future, Sebunya sees Africa’s youth, 70% of the continent’s population, as key to transforming conservation.
“In five or 10 years, these young people will demand to run parks for economic aspirations,” he predicted, envisioning decentralised management where communities like those near Rwanda’s Volcanoes oversee their assets.
He cites rising human-wildlife conflict, as seen in Kenya and Botswana, as a challenge requiring private-sector solutions like insurable conflict mitigation. In Botswana, home to over 200,000 elephants, culling controversies spark protests in London and New York, not locally, where elephants threaten livelihoods.
“Until Africans value an elephant as much as a chicken, which pays school fees, we can’t protect them without benefits,” he said.
Sustainable financing is another priority. Sebunya criticises Africa’s reliance on foreign aid, noting that USAID funds 65% of Nigeria’s health sector, a dependency he calls unsustainable.
AWF’s partnership with the African Union, including the 2022 Africa Protected Areas Congress in Kigali, marked the first time African governments discussed conservation’s importance since independence. Proposals like the Pan-African Conservation Trust aim to secure African-sourced funding, reducing dependence on global donors amid rising defence spending.
“Africa cannot outsource its core platform for economic development—conservation,” Sebunya asserted.
Sebunya’s optimism hinges on aligning conservation with development. He warns that without an African model, large mammals face extinction within a century due to land pressure and climate change.
“We’re doing the same things Europe did, and it has no wildlife,” he cautioned, citing Lake Chad’s shrinking size as a driver of regional instability.
Yet, he believes Africa’s globally connected, educated youth will value natural assets like Victoria Falls or giraffes, which currently generate less revenue than artificial attractions in Dubai.
“This is their war—climate change,” he said, comparing it to his father’s fight for independence.
As AWF prepares for a private-sector-led future, Sebunya sees conservation as a global responsibility with African stewardship.
“If we cut down the Congo Basin, Europe will flood,” he warned, urging international support without ownership.
The financing package is backed by an $84 million counter-guarantee from the African Trade & Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI), enabling the banks to provide larger guarantees beyond their usual limits.
BPR Bank Rwanda PLC led the financing effort as the Mandated Lead Arranger and Facility Agent on behalf of the consortium of banks, which also includes Bank of Kigali (BK), the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD), and KCB Bank Kenya.
The project, jointly developed by the Governments of Rwanda and Qatar, is a flagship component of Rwanda’s Vision 2050, which aims to propel the country into upper-middle-income status by 2035 and high-income status by 2050.
The airport is expected to significantly enhance regional connectivity and logistics, aligning with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) goals of boosting intra-African trade.
Valued at over $2 billion, the airport is scheduled for completion by mid-2028. The guarantees issued by Rwandan banks, made possible through ATIDI’s de-risking solutions, will cover performance and advance payment obligations of the contractors, ensuring smooth project execution.
“ATIDI is proud to partner in Rwanda’s transformation and continental ambitions through this catalytic project,” said Manuel Moses, Chief Executive Officer of ATIDI. “The new airport is not just about infrastructure; it’s about unlocking regional value chains and ensuring Africa trades more with itself.”
Patience Mutesi, Managing Director of BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, said the bank is honoured to lead such a transformational financing effort.
“This collaboration with ATIDI and our partner banks reflects our firm commitment to financing national development priorities and enabling long-term value through strategic infrastructure.”
Rwanda, a founding member of ATIDI, continues to leverage the institution’s risk mitigation tools to unlock capital for critical sectors. ATIDI currently has a gross exposure of over $611 million in Rwanda, spanning agriculture, energy, construction, communication, and transport.
The New Bugesera International Airport is poised to become a major aviation hub in the region, expanding Rwanda’s capacity to handle growing passenger and cargo volumes while reinforcing its position as a gateway for trade and investment in Africa. Its first phase is designed to accommodate 7 million passengers annually, with a long-term vision to expand to 14 million passengers annually.
The announcement was made on Thursday, July 10, via the club’s official social media platforms. Ssekiganda joins from Uganda Premier League side SC Villa.
The 21-year-old, who was named in the 2024/25 Uganda Premier League Team of the Season, had long been on APR’s radar. However, the move was delayed due to his commitments with the Uganda national team.
Ssekiganda was recently part of the Uganda Cranes squad preparing for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), a tournament reserved for players competing in their respective domestic leagues.
With CHAN fixtures set to coincide with the start of the Rwandan Premier League, APR opted to bring the midfielder in early to allow him to integrate with the squad during pre-season preparations.
Ssekiganda is expected to be a key asset for APR FC across all competitions, with the club aiming for a strong campaign in the CAF Champions League.
In partnership with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Rwanda this week dispatched over 40 tons of essential foodstuffs and medical supplies to support civilians affected by the protracted conflict, the Office of the Government Spokesperson announced on Thursday, July 10.
The consignment was received in Amman by the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation, which is facilitating the onward distribution to Gaza.
This latest delivery marks Rwanda’s fourth humanitarian shipment to Gaza since the conflict erupted in October 2023. It follows a May 29 2025, shipment of over 20 tons of aid, which also included food and medical supplies. That consignment, like the current one, was transported by RwandAir and coordinated closely with Jordanian authorities.
Rwanda’s initial humanitarian intervention came in late October 2023 with a package of 16 tons of medicines, food, and water. A second shipment followed in November 2024, comprising more than 19 tons of fortified food for children and other critical supplies.
The Office of the Government Spokesperson previously emphasised that Rwanda’s contributions are part of a broader international effort to alleviate civilian suffering in Gaza. It reiterated Rwanda’s call for an end to the conflict and the urgent protection of innocent lives.
The conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale assault on Israel, has since escalated into one of the region’s deadliest in recent history.
The violence has resulted in the death of at least 57,575 people and wounded 136,879, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The browser, expected to roll out in the coming weeks, is designed to reshape how users interact with the internet by embedding artificial intelligence directly into the browsing experience.
Built atop Chromium, the same open-source foundation behind Chrome and Microsoft Edge, the browser will integrate AI agents capable of performing tasks such as booking reservations, filling out forms, and summarising web content.
Reuters reports that the interface will include a native ChatGPT-like assistant, reducing the need to navigate through traditional websites.
The move represents a strategic step for OpenAI to gain direct access to user data, a critical pillar of Google’s success. Chrome currently serves more than 3 billion users worldwide and plays a central role in Alphabet’s advertising ecosystem, which accounts for nearly 75% of its revenue. By keeping more interactions within its own interface, OpenAI could limit the flow of data back to Google, thereby weakening one of its rivals’ most profitable feedback loops.
According to sources who spoke to Reuters, if adopted by the 500 million weekly active users of ChatGPT, OpenAI’s browser could put pressure on a key component of rival Google’s ad-money spigot.
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For content creators, businesses, and information professionals, the implications are significant. A conversational AI search engine can redefine how people find news, research topics, or gain insights by delivering concise, verified summaries instead of forcing users to sift through numerous results.
Daniel Ives, a technology analyst, told Business Insider that “OpenAI wants to become the front door to the internet, not just an app you visit”.
Beyond user-facing benefits, OpenAI’s new search engine may serve as a valuable tool for professionals, enabling quicker fact-checking, trend analysis, and content generation.
Yet, this innovation is not without challenges. Experts warn that AI systems sometimes produce “hallucination” responses that are plausible but factually incorrect which can have serious consequences in information-sensitive fields.
OpenAI is reportedly focused on enhancing transparency and verifiability in its system to address these risks.
Meanwhile, Google is actively developing its own AI capabilities, including “AI Overviews” powered by its Gemini model, to summarise search results. However, Google has encountered criticism over accuracy issues in some AI-generated content.
OpenAI’s approach differs by emphasising conversational interaction, context retention, and clearer source citations.
If successful, OpenAI’s search engine could divert users and advertising revenue from Google, impacting multiple sectors such as online media, publishing, and digital marketing.
Known for his hilarious impersonations of President Museveni and his trademark blend of classroom wit and political satire, Mpamire has built a career that straddles both teaching and comedy.
Like in many parts of the region, his content has been warmly received by Rwandan audiences, as he continues to grace various stages and expand his performances beyond home.
On Thursday, July 10, he makes a return to the Gen Z Stand-Up Comedy show, a year after his last performance in Kigali.
In an exclusive interview with IGIHE upon landing in the capital, the 42-year-old comedian expressed excitement about his return, describing Rwanda as his second home.
“I’m so glad to be back in Rwanda. Rwanda is my second home, apart from Uganda. I’m glad to be here once again and happy to be hosted at Gen Z Comedy,” he said.
Gen Z Comedy has quickly become a staple on Kigali’s entertainment calendar, known for its vibrant mix of emerging and seasoned comedic talent. This year’s show carries a special theme, ‘Kwibohora31,’ commemorating Rwanda’s 31st Liberation Anniversary.
Reflecting on his connection with local fans, Teacher Mpamire praised Rwandan audiences for their purposeful support of comedy.
“Rwandan audiences purposely come for comedy. They’re ready, welcoming, and they support local comedians first, which makes it easier for international acts like me,” he said.
Mpamire will join local comedians, including Umushumba, Pirate, Rumi, Kadudu, Joseph, and Dudu for a night promising laughter and high-energy performances.
Speaking further in his interview, he reflected on the significance of performing during Rwanda’s Liberation period.
“It’s a nice initiative to perform during this time. As a teacher of nationalism, I know the importance of remembering a country’s past and celebrating progress. Rwanda has achieved so much — from the cleanliness of Kigali to the discipline of its citizens. I’m always impressed,” he added.
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Mpamire’s comedic style is a unique fusion of humour and education, deeply rooted in his role as a teacher at Standard High School Zzana in Uganda.
While he occasionally uses humour to engage students, he draws a clear line between comedy and teaching.
“I follow the teachers’ code of conduct. When I’m in class, it’s class time. But today’s students prefer teachers with a sense of humor, so I drop in small jokes related to the lesson — it helps them understand better. But I always know my limit,” he shared.
His journey into comedy began after watching Zambian comedian Ben Phiri, who performed in Uganda as a presidential impersonator.
“I was inspired seeing Ben Phiri act as President Museveni and Nelson Mandela. That’s how I developed my own version of acting as the president of Uganda,” he recalled.
But Mpamire’s craft evolved significantly after studying at the American Comedy Institute in New York, where he learned the art of writing, researching, and performing structured comedy.
“Before America, I only performed as the president. But my teacher, Steve Rosenfield, taught me to anchor my comedy in what I know best — teaching. That’s how I became Teacher Mpamire. Now, when people watch me, they can tell I’ve done my homework,” he said.
Mpamire encourages young comedians to be genuine, creative, and open to growth, especially in the face of criticism.
“If you want comedy as a career, you have to rehearse, research, and be original. Everything in life can be comedy — you just have to look for it. And remember, nothing is completely new in this world. What matters is how you make it your own,” he advised.
Speaking on Wednesday while hosting several African heads of state, he emphasised that the peace deal signed between Rwanda and the DRC on June 27, 2025, aims to end three decades of conflict in eastern Congo.
“It’s been a long and vicious fight, and I just wanted to say that the countries represented were very happy that we were able to solve that problem,” Trump stated.
He noted that following the recent signing of the accord by foreign ministers from both countries, the two presidents are expected to sign the final agreement soon.
“Over the next couple of weeks, the leaders of both countries will come to sign the final agreement,” he added.
The announcement came as Trump hosted several African leaders at the event, including President Joseph Boakai of Liberia, Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, Brice Oligui Nguema of Gabon, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania, and Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau.
Trump also praised his senior adviser for Africa, Masssad Boulos, for playing a key role in mediating the deal, saying, “He was very much involved in that settlement. Most people thought it couldn’t be done.”
The peace agreement signed last month includes commitments to dismantle the FDLR, an armed group that has long destabilised Rwanda from Congolese territory, and to roll back defensive measures Rwanda had implemented in response to regional threats. It also addresses the return of refugees and outlines a framework for economic cooperation.
Beyond Rwanda and the DRC, Trump said his team is also working to facilitate peace in other troubled regions on the continent. “We’re going to be facilitating peace also in places like Sudan, where they have a lot of problems, Libya, and others.”
He emphasised a shift in U.S. engagement with Africa, moving from aid to trade:
“We’re shifting from aid to trade. Trade seems to be a foundation that I’ve been able to use to settle a lot of these disputes — India and Pakistan, Kosovo, Serbia. We said, ‘You guys are going to fight? We’re not going to trade,’ and we seem to be quite successful in doing that.”
To support this new approach, Trump defended tougher measures introduced by his administration, including the shutdown of USAID, describing them as part of efforts to support the trade initiative.
“We have closed the USAID group to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse, which was tremendous. We’re working tirelessly to forge new economic opportunities involving both the United States and many African nations.”
“There’s great economic potential in Africa, like few other places in many ways. In the long run, this will be far more effective, sustainable, and beneficial than anything else we can be doing together.”
“I’m eager to work with each of you on your vital issues and also to discuss security,” he concluded.
President Ruto made the controversial orders during the commissioning of a police housing project in the capital, Nairobi, on Wednesday.
“Anyone who burns down someone else’s business and property, let them be shot in the leg and go to the hospital as they head to court. Let them not be killed, but shoot and break the legs.”
His remarks come in the wake of recent anti-government protests across Kenya, largely driven by youth anger over rising living costs, corruption, rising cases of abduction and police brutality.
The demonstrations, many led by the so-called “Gen Z” movement, have intensified following the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody last month.
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), at least 31 people were killed and more than 100 injured during the latest wave of protests on Monday, with over 500 arrested.
“The UN, Amnesty International Kenya, and other rights bodies have accused the Kenyan police of using excessive force, including live bullets against unarmed demonstrators during the recent protests that coincided with ‘Saba Saba’, a day commemorating the pro-democracy protests of 1990.”
Among the dead in the Monday demos was a 12-year-old boy in Kiambu, reportedly hit by a stray bullet while at home. Rights groups documented widespread looting, destruction of public and private property, and the use of unmarked police vehicles allegedly ferrying armed gangs into protest zones.
UN human rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani condemned the killings, noting that “lethal ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas, and water cannons were used,” while hospitals were attacked and looted during the chaos.
The President’s directive follows similar hardline comments from Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who last month told police to shoot anyone approaching police stations, labeling them as security threats.
“Anyone who gets near a police station, shoot them. Why should someone who wants to steal firearms be spared? Firearms are not doughnuts!” Murkomen said after the June 25 protests, during which multiple police stations and county offices were attacked and torched.
President Ruto defended the crackdown, warning that any attacks on law enforcement or state facilities would be treated as terrorism.
“Those who attack our police, security installations, including police stations, are declaring war. It is terrorism, and we are going to deal with you firmly,” he said.
“Kenya cannot and will not be ruled through threats, terror, or chaos. Not under my watch.”
But the President also turned his fire on unnamed political rivals whom he accused of bankrolling the unrest to destabilise his government.
“It is leaders financing youth to carry out those acts, and we are coming after you,” Ruto warned.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who fell out with Ruto and was impeached last year, denied claims of any attempt to unseat the President unconstitutionally.
“Nobody wants you out of government unlawfully. We want to face you on the ballot in August 2027, so just relax,” Gachagua said.
