The tournament brings together eight elite clubs, promising another intense chapter of elite basketball on the continent.
Defending champions absent again
For the second time in BAL history, the playoffs will be played without the reigning champions. Libya’s Al Ahli Tripoli, who lifted the trophy in the previous edition, failed to qualify for this year’s finals.
The only previous occurrence of this came in 2023, when US Monastir, the 2022 champions, shockingly crashed out during the group phase and failed to return to defend their title.
Teams chasing a historic second title
Over its history, the BAL has produced a unique string of different champions. As the 2026 bracket stands, only two clubs in this year’s field have previously won the prestigious title: Petro de Luanda (the 2024 champions) and Egypt’s Al Ahly SC (the 2023 winners). Both are looking to become the first club in league history to win two BAL championships.
The rest of the field is heavily comprised of ambitious newcomers and hungry contenders looking to make their first championship game, including Rwanda’s RSSB Tigers, Tanzania’s Dar City, Tunisia’s Club Africain, and Senegal’s ASC Ville de Dakar. They are joined by other experienced continental powerhouses like Morocco’s FUS Rabat and Libya’s Al Ahly Ly (the 2024 runners-up).
Ivorian guard Souleyman Diabate stands out as the only player in this year’s finals who has already won the BAL twice. He lifted the trophy in the inaugural 2021 season with Zamalek and again in 2022 with US Monastir. Now a veteran leader, Diabate brings a wealth of international experience from professional leagues across Europe and Asia, and will suit up for ASC Ville de Dakar in this year’s tournament.
Unique competition format
The playoff stage introduces a high-stakes format. The quarterfinals open the tournament using a distinct two-legged aggregate tie system. Teams will face off twice, and the cumulative score across both games will determine who moves on. From the semifinals onward, the format switches back to a high-pressure, single-elimination knockout format.
Several elite teams in the final eight booked their spots by navigating the grueling, FIBA-run “Road to BAL” qualifying tournaments. Among them, teams like Dar City have shown incredible resilience, bouncing back from early-stage qualifying losses to peak exactly at the right time for the Kigali showpiece.
The tactical battles on the sidelines will be fierce, featuring highly decorated coaches with extensive continental pedigrees. Spanish tactician Sergio Valdeolmillos, who guided Petro de Luanda to continental prominence, returns with deep tactical knowledge. He is joined by veteran Moroccan coach Said El Bouzadi, leading FUS Rabat, who brings decades of experience coaching top-tier North African clubs at the highest levels.
The Basketball Africa League (BAL 2026) playoffs tip off today in Kigali, with the competition running from May 22 to 31, 2026. This marks the decisive final stage of the sixth season of Africa’s premier basketball competition, hosted once again at the state-of-the-art BK Arena in Rwanda.
Officials say the success of this plan depends heavily on Rwanda’s long-term ambition to develop nuclear energy capacity of 600 megawatts by 2030 and up to 1.5 gigawatts by 2050, which is expected to provide the stable, high-volume electricity needed to support energy-intensive sectors such as data centers, mining, and advanced manufacturing.
Global demand for artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital services is rapidly increasing, placing unprecedented pressure on electricity systems worldwide. Experts estimate that by 2030, AI could contribute up to $15 trillion to the global economy, but this growth depends on reliable energy infrastructure.
Data centers, which operate continuously to store and process information, are among the fastest-growing sources of electricity demand. In 2024, global data center consumption reached roughly 415 terawatt-hours and is projected to double by 2030.
Major technology companies including Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta continue to expand infrastructure investments to meet this rising demand.
Various officials discussed the importance of nuclear energy in technology and mining operations at the recent Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit on Africa (NEISA) held in Kigali.
Industrial sectors competing for electricity
Beyond digital systems, heavy industries also place significant pressure on electricity supply. Mining and mineral processing operations require continuous and stable power, particularly in processes such as smelting, which can reach temperatures of up to 1,600°C.
Global firms such as Rio Tinto and Alcoa consume large amounts of electricity across their industrial operations, often at scales far beyond the current generation capacity of many developing economies.
Rwanda currently produces electricity in the range of hundreds of megawatts, highlighting a significant gap between existing supply and the requirements of large-scale industrial and digital expansion.
Nuclear energy positioned as long-term solution
Nuclear power is being considered as a key solution to meet this growing demand due to its ability to provide continuous, high-output, low-emission electricity.
Unlike intermittent renewable sources, nuclear plants deliver stable baseload power suitable for industries that cannot afford interruptions, such as data centers and mineral processing facilities.
One kilogram of uranium, for example, can generate energy equivalent to thousands of tons of coal, without producing greenhouse gas emissions during operation.
Senior officials, including Minister of ICT and Innovation Paula Ingabire and Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board CEO Alice Uwase, have emphasized that Rwanda’s digital and mining ambitions are closely tied to the availability of stable electricity.
Minister Paula Ingabire said that Rwanda plans to develop a $5 billion data center.
Officials note that nuclear projects require substantial upfront investment and long payback periods, making clear financing models and guaranteed demand essential for viability.
According to Ingabire, nuclear energy becomes more attractive to investors when 60%–70% of generated electricity is secured through long-term contracts with large industrial users rather than reliance on government off-take alone.
Mining and telecommunications expansion driving demand
Rwanda’s mining sector, which employs more than 90,000 people, is increasingly focused on value-added processing of minerals such as gold, coltan, and tin. However, limited electricity supply has constrained further industrial expansion, forcing some operations to rely on costly backup generators.
At the same time, telecommunications infrastructure is expanding rapidly. By the end of 2025, Rwanda had deployed 1,781 mobile network towers and nearly 25,000 kilometers of fiber-optic infrastructure.
Government projections indicate that more than 2,500 towers will be required to achieve full national coverage, further increasing electricity demand across the sector.
The CEO of the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board, Alice Uwase, noted that several large-scale mining projects require nuclear energy to sustain continued operations.
Officials argue that combining reliable nuclear energy with large-scale data infrastructure could position Rwanda as a regional hub for digital services. Even a 5-megawatt data center requires tens of millions of kilowatt-hours annually, highlighting the scale of energy required to support the sector.
Global technology firms such as Amazon, Google, and others continue to prioritize locations with stable, clean, and uninterrupted electricity supply, factors Rwanda aims to strengthen through its long-term energy strategy.
Data centers are among the most electricity-intensive infrastructure systems.
Diana Atwine, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health, said in a statement issued in Kampala that the National Task Force (NTF), chaired by Uganda’s Vice President Jessica Alupo, had resolved to suspend all flights between Uganda and the DRC, with the measure taking effect within 48 hours.
The move follows the detection last week of two imported Ebola cases in Kampala, the Ugandan capital.
A 59-year-old Congolese man died from the virus at Kibuli Muslim Hospital in Kampala, while another patient remains in isolation at Mulago National Referral Hospital. A total of 127 contacts have been identified and are in institutional quarantine.
“The NTF has resolved for temporary suspension of all flights to and from the DRC to Uganda. This takes effect within 48 hours,” Atwine said.
She added that the government had also temporarily suspended public passenger ferry services on the Semuliki River, cross-border bus operations and all public passenger transport between Uganda and the DRC for the next four weeks, while allowing the continued movement of goods and food supplies.
According to the ministry, weekly markets in border sub-counties across high-risk districts have also been suspended for four weeks.
The NTF has activated a series of preparedness and response measures, including the suspension of cultural celebrations and commemorative events that draw large crowds along the Uganda-DRC border.
“The ministry further emphasises that ultimate control of the outbreak depends on the interrupting transmissions in the DRC and affirms Uganda’s commitment to supporting regional efforts,” Atwine said.
Over the past 24 hours, health authorities in the DRC and the World Health Organization have reported a worsening outbreak across the central African nation, with around 600 suspected cases and 139 probable deaths recorded since the outbreak was officially declared on May 15.
Initially concentrated in Ituri Province, the outbreak has since spread to North Kivu and South Kivu, while two confirmed imported cases have also been reported in neighboring Uganda.
Initially concentrated in Ituri Province, the outbreak has since spread to North Kivu and South Kivu
On Thursday, the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group confirmed a new case in Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu.
The group, which has been capturing the city since February 2025, said that a 28-year-old man had traveled from Kisangani, the capital of Tshopo Province, and died before his diagnosis was confirmed.
Though Tshopo has not seen any cases to date, Kisangani, one of the DRC’s busiest transport hubs, has emerged as a new area of concern, as authorities race to determine how far the virus may have already spread before detection.
Caseload climbs
The outbreak, initially reported in Ituri Province, has now affected North Kivu and South Kivu, while two confirmed cases have also been reported in the neighboring country of Uganda.
According to the figures released Thursday by DRC Health Minister Roger Kamba, 626 suspected cases and 159 probable deaths have been recorded since the country declared its 17th outbreak on May 15.
In areas under its control, the M23 said that more than 200 samples from suspected cases had been sent to Goma, the capital of North Kivu, for laboratory analysis. In Goma, one confirmed case remains under strict medical supervision, while identified contacts have been isolated, it added.
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that the number of cases is expected to keep rising, given the length of time the virus appeared to have circulated before the outbreak was detected.
“So far, 51 cases have been confirmed in the DRC, in the northern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, including in the cities of Bunia and Goma, although we know the scale of the epidemic in DRC is much larger,” he said on Wednesday.
Delayed detection of rare strain
According to WHO officials, investigations are still underway to determine exactly when and where the outbreak began, but the scale of the epidemic suggests the virus may have been circulating for some time before being confirmed.
“We are thinking that it has started probably a couple of months ago,” Anais Legand, a WHO technical officer on viral hemorrhagic fevers, said Wednesday, stressing an immediate priority to cut transmission through contact tracing, isolation, and care for suspected and confirmed cases.
Abdirahman Mahmoud, director of WHO’s alert and response operations, said preliminary information pointed to a suspected index case in late April, followed by a possible superspreading event linked to funeral practices and community transmission.
Meanwhile, Tedros said that rapid field tests commonly used in previous Ebola responses were optimized for the Zaire strain, while the current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain, a less common strain first detected in 2007 in Uganda with a fatality rate from 30 to 50 percent.
This is one of the rare outbreaks caused by the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment. Existing Ebola vaccines are mainly designed against the Zaire strain, which has caused several previous outbreaks in the DRC.
WHO research officials said several candidate vaccines are being considered. However, they cautioned that doses are still months away at the earliest.
Legand said that while preparations for possible trials continue, the priority is to set up safe and optimized treatment centers, establish patient referral pathways, and ensure that every suspected case is detected and cared for early.
Community resistance
Community resistance has become another obstacle to the response.
DRC Health Minister Roger Kamba said Tuesday that the alert had been delayed within affected communities, as some residents believed the illness was “mystical.”
Jean-Jacques Muyembe, head of the National Institute of Biomedical Research, also told Xinhua that distrust of outsiders could weaken the Ebola response.
“When people see that instructions and measures are announced by people from their own area, they believe them. If it is someone from Kinshasa, they doubt,” Muyembe said, stressing that the primary task is to build trust between health workers and people.
On Thursday, in Rwampara, the outbreak’s epicenter in Ituri, Xinhua reporters saw an Ebola isolation site set on fire after clashes at the facility.
According to witnesses, relatives of several people who died while in isolation voiced anger over the handling of the response. The situation escalated into conflict, and one isolation tent with about 10 beds was burned before military and police forces intervened.
On-site medical workers declined interview requests, expressing anger over the incident.
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, co-chair of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, noted that the outbreak reflected a “perfect storm” of delayed detection, fragile health systems, conflict, and declining global health funding.
The WHO said more than 35 experts and first responders from the organization and the DRC Ministry of Health have been deployed to the field, with additional teams being sent to reinforce surveillance, clinical care, infection prevention and control, community engagement, and safe burial measures.
Tedros said he had approved an additional 3.4 million U.S. dollars from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies, bringing the organization’s total emergency allocation for the response to 3.9 million dollars.
The WHO made it clear that the risk from the outbreak was assessed as high at the national and regional levels, but low globally.
The outbreak, initially reported in Ituri Province, has now affected North Kivu and South Kivu, while two confirmed cases have also been reported in the neighboring country of Uganda.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with IGIHE during the recently concluded Africa CEO Forum held in Kigali, Ms Loretta Lee, Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, said the city with a population of around 7.5 million people is actively engaging African businesses to explore Hong Kong as a launchpad into the Asia-Pacific region.
“This is my first time in Rwanda and my first time on the African continent,” Ms Lee said in Kigali following another trip to Johannesburg, South Africa. “We are truly excited about the opportunities for future collaboration between Hong Kong, Rwanda, and Africa.”
Ms Loretta Lee, Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, said Hong Kong is actively engaging African businesses to explore Hong Kong as a launchpad into the Asia-Pacific region.
Hong Kong’s push to become a “gateway to Asia”
Hong Kong is positioning itself as a regional hub for African companies aiming to access Asian markets, particularly China and the wider Asia-Pacific region. According to Ms Lee, the strategy is built on Hong Kong’s established strengths in trade facilitation, financial services, and professional support.
“We would like to position Hong Kong as the bridge between Africa and the East,” she said. “Hong Kong is the Asian hub for companies that decide to expand into the Asia-Pacific.”
The message was echoed during the Kigali forum, where Hong Kong officials engaged with African business leaders exploring eastward expansion.
A key pillar of Hong Kong’s strategy is its tax regime, which Ms Lee described as simple, competitive, and business-friendly.
Hong Kong’s profits tax rate stands at 16.5%, with a reduced rate of 8.25% for the first HK$2 million of profits. The territory does not impose value-added tax, sales tax, or withholding tax, making it one of the most streamlined tax environments globally.
“Our tax system is very simple,” Ms Lee said. “We don’t have VAT, we don’t have sales tax, and we don’t have withholding tax. It makes it very easy for companies to navigate.”
According to InvestHK, these conditions are intended to encourage more African enterprises to establish operations in Hong Kong as a base for regional expansion.
K.C. Lam, Deputy Head of International Markets, Consulates and Chambers (R), and Loretta Lee, Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK).
Scaling African businesses through Hong Kong
Beyond taxation, Hong Kong is also promoting its ecosystem of banking, legal, and professional services as tools to help African companies scale internationally.
Ms Lee highlighted that Hong Kong acts as a platform for growth, particularly for companies seeking capital and cross-border expansion.
“I believe scaling up is very important for African companies,” she said, referring to the significance of this year’s Africa CEO Forum in Kigali and its central theme on the imperative to “scale or die.” “With Hong Kong, we can provide business and professional services and financial services to help companies scale up.”
She added that Hong Kong’s role as a global financial centre allows companies to raise capital efficiently and deploy it across emerging markets.
Linking Kigali and Hong Kong’s financial ecosystems
A key area of potential collaboration identified during the visit is between Hong Kong and Rwanda’s emerging financial ecosystem, including the Kigali International Financial Centre.
Ms Lee said both jurisdictions could complement each other as regional financial gateways, Hong Kong for Asia and Kigali for Africa.
“We see Invest Hong Kong and the Kigali International Financial Centre as partners in Africa and Asia,” she said.
Hong Kong is also positioning itself within broader China–Africa economic flows. Ms Lee noted that African demand for Chinese technology, particularly in manufacturing and electric vehicles, aligns with Hong Kong’s role as a funding and facilitation hub.
She cited Chinese firms already active in Africa, including companies in consumer electronics and EV manufacturing as examples of how Hong Kong channels capital into overseas markets.
“We see Chinese companies using Hong Kong as a funding hub, raising funds in Hong Kong and investing in Africa,” she remarked.
Strong interest from African enterprises
During the Kigali discussions, Ms Lee said there was clear interest from African companies looking eastward, particularly toward China and Hong Kong as entry points into Asia.
Invest Hong Kong reported that around 11,000 overseas and mainland companies are currently based in Hong Kong, including 1,500 regional headquarters, underscoring the city’s position as a global business base.
Ms Lee said the goal is to attract more African firms into this ecosystem.
“We would like to see more African companies set up in Hong Kong,” she reiterated.
Ms Loretta Lee, Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, together with her delegation, attended the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, held from 14–15 May 2026.
Hong Kong’s “Go Global” strategy
Hong Kong’s outreach is also tied to its broader “Go Global” initiative, which supports mainland Chinese companies expanding internationally using Hong Kong as a platform for finance, services, and regulatory support.
This framework, Ms Lee said, also creates spillover opportunities for African firms, particularly in technology and manufacturing partnerships.
Ms Lee emphasised that the Kigali engagement is not symbolic but part of a structured follow-up process.
“We focus very much on efficiency,” she said. “We will follow up promptly, line up Zoom calls, and help companies take things forward.”
She added that InvestHK’s model includes end-to-end support, from initial market research to business setup and post-establishment promotion, noting, “Invest Hong Kong is here to help.”
The decision was announced on Thursday, May 21, by BNR Governor Soraya Hakuziyaremye during a Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) and Financial Stability Committee press conference in Kigali.
According to the Monetary Policy Committee statement issued following its May 20, 2026, meeting, the policy tightening aims to steer inflation back toward the 5% medium-term target while containing growing price pressures across the economy.
This is the second time BNR has raised the rate, after increasing it by 50 basis points to 7.25% in February.
The rate hike works by raising the cost of money across the local banking sector. When the BNR increases its benchmark rate to 8.25%, it directly drives up the cost of short-term borrowing for commercial banks. To protect their margins, commercial lenders will likely pass this increase down to the market, making business loans and personal credit more expensive.
By making borrowing less attractive, the policy aims to gently ease consumer spending and corporate expansion, giving supply chains time to adjust and helping bring inflation back toward its 5% target.
Inflation pressures intensify
The MPC noted a sharp rise in inflation in recent months. Headline inflation increased to 9.1% in the first quarter of 2026, up from 7.4% in Q4 2025, driven by higher core, fresh food, and energy prices.
Price pressures strengthened further in April 2026, with inflation rising to 13.0% from 9.2% in March, well above the central bank’s target band of 2% to 8%.
Energy inflation recorded a particularly steep increase, alongside rising costs in food and core categories such as housing, hotels, and restaurants.
Outlook revised upward
The central bank has revised its inflation outlook upward, now projecting an average inflation rate of 13.9% in 2026, compared to a previous forecast of 9.4% made in February.
“The MPC has decided to increase the CBR to 8.25 percent. The MPC considers this level appropriate to help steer inflation back toward the 5 percent objective over the medium term,” Governor Hakuziyaremye told members of the press.
The revision reflects both domestic and external factors, including higher global energy prices linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, as well as increased transport costs caused by supply chain disruptions.
Inflation is expected to ease to around 7.4% in 2027, supported by tighter monetary policy, improved agricultural output, and other stabilisation measures.
Despite inflationary pressures, Rwanda’s economy continues to show strong performance. Real GDP grew by 9.4% in 2025, while economic activity expanded further in early 2026, with the Composite Index of Economic Activities (CIEA) rising by 16.5% in Q1 2026.
External trade also strengthened, with merchandise exports increasing by 63.2% year-on-year in Q1 2026, driven by higher coffee and mineral export volumes and stronger prices. Non-traditional exports rose by 64.8%, led by processed cooking oil and wheat flour.
The MPC reported improved monetary policy transmission, with the interbank rate rising to 7.13%, moving closer to the CBR following earlier policy tightening.
However, deposit rates declined to 9.15%, while lending rates eased slightly to 15.67%, reflecting shifts in deposit composition and corporate lending conditions.
The central bank said the rate increase reflects its commitment to maintaining price stability and protecting household purchasing power, while supporting broader macroeconomic stability.
The bank added that the Monetary Policy Committee would continue to closely monitor global and domestic developments amid persistent upside risks to inflation.
The decision was announced on Thursday, May 21, by BNR Governor Soraya Hakuziyaremye (left) during a Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) and Financial Stability Committee press conference in Kigali.BNR Governor Soraya Hakuziyaremye and her deputy Nick Barigye during a Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) and Financial Stability Committee press conference in Kigali on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
“There won’t be escalation. I don’t think there needs to be,” Trump told reporters. He also reiterated what he said before that the United States is “freeing up Cuba.”
Trump’s remarks also came after the U.S. Southern Command announced that the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, which includes the aircraft carrier, its carrier air wing, and at least one guided-missile destroyer, has arrived in the Caribbean.
“The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), the embarked Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17), USS Gridley (DDG 101) and USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201) are the epitome of readiness and presence, unmatched reach and lethality, and strategic advantage,” the command said in a post on X Wednesday.
Earlier on Wednesday, a grand jury from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida indicted Raul Castro for his alleged role in ordering the striking down of two planes operated by a Cuban exile group in the United States named “Brothers to the Rescue” in 1996. Castro, born in June 1931, served as Cuba’s minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces at the time of the incident.
Analysts here in the United States view the indictment as potentially laying the groundwork for a U.S. military intervention in Cuba, pointing to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who had already been indicted before U.S. forces raided Caracas and brought him to New York by force to stand trial.
The Trump administration has intensified sanctions on Cuba following the Jan. 3 capture of Maduro, restricting the island’s access to imported fuel as Cuba grapples with a worsening humanitarian and energy crisis marked by severe fuel shortages and prolonged nationwide blackouts.
Also, Trump has hinted recently that the next target of the U.S. military operations would be Cuba after the Iran war is over.
Responding to the U.S. indictment against Raul Castro, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said Wednesday that the U.S. charges are just a “political maneuver” with “no legal basis whatsoever.”
Any U.S. military attack on Cuba would cause “a bloodbath with incalculable consequences” and a devastating impact on peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean, he warned Monday.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that there “won’t be escalation” against Cuba, after U.S. federal prosecutors indicted Cuban Revolution leader Raul Castro and a U.S. aircraft carrier arrived in the Caribbean.
The agreement was signed by Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure, Jimmy Gasore, and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi during the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NEISA 2026) held in Kigali.
Under the partnership, Rwanda will receive technical and institutional support in key areas such as energy planning, infrastructure development, workforce training, stakeholder engagement, financing, and capacity building. The cooperation is intended to help the country prepare for potential nuclear power deployment in the coming years.
The signing came shortly after Rwanda received a report from the IAEA confirming its transition to Phase Two of its nuclear power programme. This stage focuses on preparatory activities ahead of a possible government decision to proceed with the contracting and construction of a nuclear power plant.
Phase Two also involves the establishment of key institutions, strengthening human resource capacity, and the development of legal and regulatory frameworks required to support nuclear energy implementation.
The agreement was signed by Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure, Jimmy Gasore, and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi during the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NEISA 2026) held in Kigali.
Rwanda completed Phase One of the programme in March following an Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission conducted by the IAEA. The assessment evaluated the country’s readiness to begin a nuclear energy programme and identified areas that still require further development.
The INIR process is part of the IAEA Milestones Approach, which guides countries through structured phases of nuclear infrastructure development, from initial consideration through to construction and operation. Phase One focuses on early planning steps, including feasibility studies and defining a national position on nuclear energy.
Small Modular Reactors are being considered as a key option for Rwanda due to their flexibility, relatively lower upfront costs, and smaller land requirements compared to conventional nuclear power plants.
Rwanda’s leadership says nuclear energy is expected to play a central role in supporting industrial growth and strengthening long-term energy security.
President Paul Kagame emphasised the importance of the milestone, saying:
“Rwanda is pleased to have successfully completed the IAEA’s Phase 1 Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR). We intend to have nuclear energy operational by the early 2030s, and this assessment confirms that we are on track. For Africa, energy is not simply a development issue. It is the foundation of industrial growth and competitiveness.”
Rwanda aims to generate up to 1.5 gigawatts of electricity from nuclear power by 2050.
Under the partnership, Rwanda will receive technical and institutional support in key areas such as energy planning, infrastructure development, workforce training, stakeholder engagement, financing, and capacity building.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi highlighted the broader continental context of nuclear development, noting:
“Africa’s energy future will be built by Africans, and the IAEA is ready to continue supporting countries across the continent, from infrastructure development and capacity building to new technologies such as SMRs.”
With Phase Two now underway and the new agreement in place, Rwanda’s nuclear energy programme is entering a more advanced stage of preparation, marking a significant step toward potential future deployment.
Brig Gen Rwivanga, who has served as the spokesperson of the Rwanda Defence Force since December 2020, was appointed to the new role at the end of last year. His office will be based in Karen, Nairobi, Kenya, where the EASF Secretariat is located.
The handover ceremony took place at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala, and was presided over by Uganda’s Defence Minister Jacob Marksons Oboth, who chairs the EASF Council of Ministers.
Oboth urged the new Director to build on existing gains and strengthen regional cooperation amid declining external support, calling for greater self-reliance among member states.
“You are stepping into big shoes. You inherit not only the achievements of the past, but also high expectations and a community committed to working with you in unity, professionalism, and purpose,” he remarked.
The handover ceremony took place at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala, and was presided over by Uganda’s Defence Minister Jacob Marksons Oboth, who chairs the EASF Council of Ministers.
In his remarks, Brig Gen Rwivanga pledged to lead with transparency, professionalism, and accountability, describing his appointment as both an honour and a solemn responsibility to advance collective peace and security in the region.
He noted that Africa’s security landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with emerging threats including terrorism, violent extremism, cybercrime, unconstitutional changes of government, as well as climate-induced disasters and humanitarian crises.
Rwivanga called for sustained political, operational, and financial support from member states, stressing that predictable funding remains essential to strengthening EASF’s readiness and overall effectiveness.
He further underscored the importance of maintaining strong humanitarian and disaster response capabilities, saying the force must remain ready to support member states in times of floods, droughts, disease outbreaks, and population displacement.
“We have committed ourselves as EASF that whenever there is a humanitarian issue or disaster, whether floods, droughts, earthquakes, diseases like Ebola, or displaced people, the force stands ready to support member states whenever such disasters strike,” he said.
The Eastern Africa Standby Force is one of the African Union’s regional standby mechanisms established to support peacekeeping operations, conflict prevention, humanitarian assistance, and regional security interventions across Eastern Africa.
Brig Gen Rwivanga pledged to lead with transparency, professionalism, and accountability, describing his appointment as both an honour and a solemn responsibility to advance collective peace and security in the region.
The BAL Playoffs are scheduled to run from May 22 to May 31, 2026, in Kigali, with Bien officially confirmed as one of the headline halftime performers during the tournament.
Speaking to the media shortly after landing at Kigali International Airport on Wednesday, May 20, Bien expressed excitement about returning to Rwanda, praising Kigali’s beauty, the country’s peaceful atmosphere, and the growing influence of East African music and sports culture.
Bien expressed excitement about returning to Rwanda.
“I love basketball”
The former member of the popular Sauti Sol boy band, which announced an indefinite hiatus in 2023, said his connection to the BAL goes beyond music, revealing that basketball has been part of his life since childhood.
“I’m sure I’m going to enjoy the games,” Bien said. “I was in Johannesburg a couple of weeks ago, and I really enjoyed the games, especially watching the Rwanda team. They really brought a good game.”
The singer added that basketball remains one of his greatest passions.
“I don’t know if there’s an African artist who has played basketball more than me because I grew up playing basketball. That’s my sport. So I love it and I can’t wait to see what the games have in store for us.”
The singer said basketball remains one of his greatest passions.
Meeting President Kagame
Bien also reflected on his meeting with Paul Kagame during the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles earlier this year, describing the Rwandan leader as one of Africa’s strongest champions for sports development.
“Every time I meet President Kagame, it’s very special to me because I look up to him as a leader and a father figure,” he said.
According to Bien, their discussions centered around the future of basketball in Africa and opportunities for young African athletes.
“We spoke about young basketball players and talented sportsmen and women looking to take their gifts to the next level. It was a beautiful moment.”
The singer was warmly received at the airport by the Rwandan organisers. He praised the calm and welcoming nature of Rwandans.
“Kigali is what Africa should look like”
One of the strongest moments from Bien’s interaction with journalists came when he explained why Rwanda continues to draw him back year after year.
“The food, man,” he revealed. “I just want to come eat Rwandese food, eat sombe with goat meat inside.”
But beyond the cuisine, the artist said Kigali represents a vision of what modern African cities can become, following the city’s innovation and development over the past three decades since the Genocide against the Tutsi.
Kigali is widely recognised for its clean and well-organised urban planning, efficient public services, strong emphasis on safety and order, and relatively smooth traffic management.
The city has also built a reputation for environmental cleanliness, supported by innovative sanitation policies and community-driven cleanliness efforts, alongside a growing reputation as a regional hub for conferences, technology, and creative industries.
“I come to Rwanda to see what Africa should look like,” Bien said. “For a long time, whenever people talk about model cities, they mention Geneva and Switzerland and all these places. I’m always telling people there’s Kigali.”
He also praised the calm and welcoming nature of Rwandans.
“The people are peaceful. They’re amazing,” he added.
One of the strongest moments from Bien’s interaction with journalists came when he explained why Rwanda continues to draw him back year after year.
BAL showcases East African talent
Bien hailed the BAL for assembling a predominantly East African entertainment lineup for this year’s playoffs, like Ugandan sensation Joshua Baraka and Tanzania’s Abigail Chams, saying the moment reflects the growing global recognition of East African music.
“For a long time, East African art was made to feel like we weren’t worthy of certain spaces,” he said. “I want to thank the BAL for proving to everybody that East Africa has heavy-hitting music.”
The artist also expressed excitement about sharing the stage with fellow regional stars, while revealing disappointment that Rwandan producer Mugisha Fred Robinson, better known as Element Eleéeh, would not be available for a planned joint performance due to commitments in the United States.
Arsenal, “Finale,” and a champion mindset
An outspoken supporter of Arsenal F.C., Bien also opened up about his hit collaboration “Finale” with Tanzanian superstar Alikiba and the inspiration behind the song.
According to Bien, the track was written with the intention of putting listeners into a “champion mindset.”
“I wanted to make a song that prepares people as if they’re preparing for a final,” he explained. “Whether you’re going to work, going to the gym, or preparing for life, every day could be your final.”
The singer laughed while recalling how he and his wife decided to feature Arsenal supporters in the song’s music video long before the club’s recent success, which saw the club lift the English Premier League title after 22 years on Tuesday.
“Deep down, I knew this was going to be our season,” he joked, adding, “And I hate to say I’m a prophet, but you can see what’s happening now.”
Praise for Rwandan artists
Bien reserved special praise for Rwanda’s music industry, calling local musicians some of the most talented in East Africa.
He singled out Bruce Melodie as “the most talented vocalist in East Africa,” while also applauding producer Element Eleéeh for capturing “the soul of East Africa” through his sound.
The singer further revealed he has several unreleased collaborations with Mike Kayihura and other Rwandan artists, including Kivumbi King.
“I love working with Rwandese musicians,” he said. “They are beautiful people and very musical.”
The BAL Playoffs are scheduled to run from May 22 to May 31, 2026, in Kigali, with Bien officially confirmed as one of the headline halftime performers during the tournament.
Hinting at a solo Kigali concert
Although he has previously performed in Kigali alongside Sauti Sol, Bien admitted he has yet to stage a major solo concert in Rwanda under his own name.
“I would love to come and do a Bien show and invite all my brothers I’ve collaborated with over the years,” he said, hinting at future plans for a standalone Kigali concert.
Sports, music and Africa’s future
Beyond entertainment, Bien spoke passionately about the economic power of sports and music, saying events such as the BAL can create opportunities for young Africans across the continent.
Reflecting on his experience attending the NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, he said witnessing the economy built around sports and entertainment inspired him to think more deeply about Africa’s potential.
“Music and sport are the two things that unite people the most,” he said.
“These events empower youth and show them that sports can become a viable career path.”
He also argued that East African music is currently enjoying one of its strongest moments yet, with regional artists increasingly dominating charts across Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda.
“To East Africans, we are now global ambassadors,” Bien said. “All we need to do is keep telling our story and keep making great music.”
As the BAL Playoffs prepare to tip off at BK Arena, Bien says he is ready to deliver both energy and soul to fans in Kigali.
“The show is going to be amazing,” he said. “I’m here with my entire crew and I can’t wait to come and give and share.”
Watch the full video of Bien’s interaction with journalists in Kigali below.
