The partnership, dubbed Horizon1000, aims to support several African countries in deploying AI tools to improve healthcare delivery, starting with Rwanda. Bill Gates announced the initiative on Wednesday, saying AI could help address severe shortages of health workers and weak health system infrastructure in low-income countries.
“In poorer countries with enormous health worker shortages and lack of health systems infrastructure, AI can be a gamechanger in expanding access to quality care,” Gates said in a blog post announcing the launch.
Speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Gates said the initiative comes at a critical time, after international aid cuts last year were followed by the first rise in preventable child deaths this century.
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International aid reductions began with the United States at the start of 2025 and later spread to other major donors, including Britain and Germany. Overall, global development assistance for health fell by nearly 27% last year compared to 2024, according to estimates by the Gates Foundation.
Gates said AI could help countries cope with the impact of these cuts by improving efficiency and quality of care.
“Using innovation, using AI, I think we can get back on track,” he told Reuters, adding that the technology would revolutionise healthcare. “Our commitment is that that revolution will at least happen in the poor countries as quickly as it happens in the rich countries.”
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Rwanda was chosen in part because of its early investments in digital health and AI. Last year, the country established an AI health hub in Kigali, and recently launched an AI-powered Health Intelligence Center under its health sector reforms.
Rwanda is accelerating efforts to strengthen its health workforce through the 4×4 health sector strategy, launched in 2023 to quadruple the number of trained healthcare professionals within four years. With about one healthcare worker per 1,000 people, below the WHO recommendation of four per 1,000, officials say AI and other innovations will play a crucial role in expanding access and improving care quality nationwide.
“As part of the Horizon1000 initiative, we aim to accelerate the adoption of AI tools across primary care clinics, within communities, and in people’s homes,” Gates said, stressing that the technology is intended to support health workers, not replace them.
Paula Ingabire, Rwanda’s minister of information and communications technology and innovation, said the focus would be on responsible use of AI to ease pressure on frontline staff.
“It is about using AI responsibly to reduce the burden on healthcare workers, to improve the quality of care, and to reach more patients,” she said.
Horizon1000 aims to reach 1,000 primary healthcare clinics and surrounding communities across several countries by 2028, through a mix of funding, technology, and technical support.
Gates said the initiative would likely prioritise care for pregnant women and people living with HIV, including providing AI-powered advice before patients reach clinics, particularly for those facing language barriers. Once at the clinic, AI tools could help reduce paperwork, link patient histories, and streamline appointments.
“A typical visit, we think, can be about twice as fast and much better quality,” Gates said.
Addressing the UPR on Wednesday, January 21, Rwanda’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, emphasised that the government continues to prioritise the rights and livelihoods of its citizens through legal, institutional, and social reforms.
“Rwanda approaches the UPR with a spirit of openness and constructive dialogue,” Dr. Ugirashebuja said. “This platform allows us to present measurable outcomes and to continue improving the lives of all Rwandans.”
The delegation reported notable achievements in access to justice, including the resolution of over 38,000 cases through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation and plea bargaining between 2022 and 2026. Rwanda also inaugurated an alternative dispute resolution center in Kigali in 2024, which has mediated almost 200 cases and facilitated the resolution of 564 others, with plans to expand similar centers to other provinces.
Reforms aimed at rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders were highlighted, with 9,387 inmates released on parole and 434 receiving presidential pardons between 2021 and 2024. These initiatives have contributed to Rwanda being ranked first in Africa on the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index in both 2024 and 2025, and 39th globally.
On social protection, the delegation presented strong gains in poverty reduction and financial inclusion. The national poverty rate fell from 39.8 percent in 2017 to 27.4 percent in 2024, lifting approximately 1.5 million people out of poverty, while extreme poverty declined from 11.3 percent to 5.4 percent.
Through the Vision Umurenge Program, over 1.2 million vulnerable citizens, including older people, persons with disabilities, and pregnant or lactating women, receive monthly cash transfers, helping to protect households from extreme poverty and income insecurity.
Rwanda has also strengthened its social registry, Imibereho, which now registers over 3.5 million households, enabling more precise targeting of social protection programs. At the community level, 14,719 parasocial workers coach households, connect beneficiaries to services, and promote sustainable livelihoods.
Dr. Ugirashebuja further highlighted Rwanda’s commitment to gender equality and the rights of children, reporting continued progress in women’s representation across government and the private sector, as well as a decline in child labour from 4 percent in 2016–2017 to around 3 percent today.
“Rwanda continues to face challenges, including climate-related impacts and residual socio-economic vulnerabilities,” Dr. Ugirashebuja said. “However, the government reaffirms its commitment to sustained reforms, prevention strategies, and partnerships to further improve the rights and livelihoods of all Rwandans.”
Rwanda’s delegation also highlighted progress in education and health. Gross enrollment for children aged 3 to 17 rose from 79.6 percent in 2022–2023 to 92.1 percent in 2023–2024, and net enrollment increased from 53 percent to nearly 60 percent.
In health, under-5 mortality declined from 45 per 1,000 live births in 2020 to 36 in 2025, while maternal care coverage remains high, with 95 percent of women receiving at least one antenatal visit and 98 percent of deliveries attended by skilled health personnel.
The Rwandan delegation also noted improvements in civil liberties, media freedom, and access to information, as well as ongoing reforms to enhance transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement.
The UPR, a peer review mechanism established by the United Nations, provides a platform for countries to report on progress in human rights and socio-economic development. Rwanda’s fourth UPR report underscores the country’s people-centered approach to human rights, demonstrating measurable progress in justice, social protection, and inclusive development since the previous review in 2021.
Besides the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, the Rwandan delegation included Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Urujeni Bakuramutsa, as well as officials from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), and the Ministry of Local Government.
Addressing the UPR on Wednesday, Rwanda’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, said that in 2022, 165,000 jobs were created, followed by 352,000 in 2023 and 430,000 in 2024, as part of the country’s ongoing efforts to expand employment opportunities, particularly for youth, and to promote inclusive economic growth. Specialised training programs and skills development initiatives also trained over 27,000 people during the same period.
The UPR, a peer review mechanism established by the United Nations, provides a platform for countries to report on progress in human rights and socio-economic development. Rwanda’s fourth cycle, held on January 21, 2026, highlighted achievements since the previous review in January 2021, including progress in employment, education, health, and social protection.
Dr. Ugirashebuja detailed other key indicators that reflect Rwanda’s rapid recovery and development since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Access to electricity increased from 4.3 percent in 2006 to 72 percent in 2024, while improved drinking water coverage rose from 70 percent in 2006 to 90 percent in 2024. Life expectancy improved from 49 years in 1994 to nearly 70 years in 2024. Access to financial services expanded from 21 percent in 2008 to 94 percent in 2024.
On social protection, Rwanda has reduced national poverty from 39.8 percent in 2017 to 27.4 percent in 2024, lifting about 1.5 million people out of poverty. Extreme poverty also fell from 11.3 percent to 5.4 percent over the same period. The Vision Umurenge Program currently supports over 1.2 million vulnerable beneficiaries with monthly cash transfers, while the Imibereho Dynamic Social Registry now tracks more than 3.5 million households nationwide.
Rwanda’s delegation also highlighted progress in education and health. Gross enrollment for children aged 3 to 17 rose from 79.6 percent in 2022–2023 to 92.1 percent in 2023–2024, and net enrollment increased from 53 percent to nearly 60 percent. In health, under-5 mortality declined from 45 per 1,000 live births in 2020 to 36 in 2025, while maternal care coverage remains high, with 95 percent of women receiving at least one antenatal visit and 98 percent of deliveries attended by skilled health personnel.
Rwanda’s fourth UPR also highlighted progress in gender equality, noting that women hold 63.3 percent of seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 53.8 percent in the Senate, with women holding senior positions across the judiciary, prosecution, central bank, and other key institutions. Financial inclusion for women has also increased to 96 percent, up from 92 percent in 2020.
The Rwandan delegation, which included Ambassador Urujeni Bakuramutsa and officials from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), and the Ministry of Local Government, emphasized that the country approaches the UPR process with a spirit of openness and constructive dialogue, using it as a platform to strengthen citizen-centered policies and institutional reforms.
“We are here to listen, to respond, and to consider recommendations in good faith, guided by our constitution, our international obligations, and our national priorities,” Dr. Ugirashebuja stated.
Rwanda noted that it remains committed to building on its progress, addressing challenges such as climate-related impacts, teenage pregnancy, and lingering socio-economic vulnerabilities, through sustained reforms and strengthened partnerships to enhance the rights and well-being of all Rwandans.
This announcement came as part of his broader strategy to bring stability to the region following the prolonged conflict.
The Board of Peace’s primary objectives include ensuring the continuation of the current ceasefire, facilitating demilitarization, aiding in the reconstruction of Gaza’s infrastructure, and helping the region transition from conflict to peace. The plan also aims to attract international investment for rebuilding efforts and improving governance capacity in Gaza.
The Board of Peace would be an unprecedented initiative in the realm of international diplomacy, as it would be led under U.S. oversight, with President Trump personally serving as its chair.
While the United Nations typically handles peacekeeping efforts, this new Board seeks to offer an alternative, with a more strategic oversight role in managing peace and security. This approach has drawn both support and criticism from various quarters, as countries analyze the potential shift in how international peace efforts are managed.
So far, over 10 countries have accepted invitations to join the initiative, with several nations making public announcements. Countries like the United Arab Emirates, Belarus, Morocco, Hungary, and Canada are among the first to confirm their participation.
Notably, countries contributing $1 billion to the Board will be granted permanent membership, while others will have the opportunity to serve on a three-year term basis without the financial contribution. This unique membership model has stirred some debate, with some countries, like Canada, opting to participate but not contribute financially for permanent seats.
The initiative is still in its early stages, with more countries expected to join, but there is some hesitation from other parts of the world. Several international leaders have expressed caution, fearing that the Board could undermine the role of established organizations like the United Nations in peacekeeping operations.
Nonetheless, Trump has remained adamant about the potential for the Board to become a significant diplomatic body. The U.S. hopes to hold a signing ceremony for the Board during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where world leaders are expected to gather this week.
The formation of the Board has also raised questions about its long-term impact on international diplomacy and peace efforts. Critics argue that the Board’s structure could shift diplomatic influence away from traditional peacekeeping organizations, potentially leading to a more U.S.-centric approach to global peace. However, supporters of the plan see this as a practical step forward, providing a unique platform for nations willing to contribute resources and actively participate in rebuilding efforts in Gaza.
As the situation unfolds, the U.S. and its allies are working on finalizing the list of founding members of the Board and determining the next steps for the peace process in Gaza. With discussions continuing at the World Economic Forum, the world will soon see how this initiative will shape international peace efforts moving forward.
Speaking to the BBC from an undisclosed location, Wine said he had decided against filing a petition despite concerns over his safety following the election. He added that he would continue to engage in political activism and advocacy through constitutional avenues.
“The judiciary in Uganda is captured, and we encourage Ugandans to use any legal means to fight back and protect their democracy,” said the 43-year-old pop star turned politician whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi.
President Yoweri Museveni, 81, was declared the winner of the presidential poll by the Electoral Commission on Saturday, securing a seventh term in office. Official results showed Museveni obtained about 72 percent of the vote, while Wine, his closest challenger, garnered around 25 percent.
Wine, who previously challenged Museveni’s victory in the 2021 election before later withdrawing his petition, said his current decision reflected lessons learned from past experience. He has called on supporters to remain calm and to pursue what he described as peaceful and constitutional action.
During the BBC interview, Wine said he was in hiding after leaving his home in a Kampala suburb, citing heightened security presence in the area. He also expressed concern about the wellbeing of his family, saying access to his residence had been restricted. Police have denied raiding his home, stating that security deployments were intended to ensure his safety as a presidential candidate.
Ugandan authorities have not directly responded to Wine’s latest remarks. However, the Uganda Human Rights Commission said that while there were technical and procedural challenges on polling day, they did not undermine the overall credibility of the election.
The African Union Election Observation Mission said it found no evidence of widespread irregularities but criticised the temporary nationwide internet shutdown that was imposed during and after polling.
In his victory address, President Museveni, who has led Uganda since 1986, called for unity and peace, saying the election demonstrated the continued dominance of his National Resistance Movement (NRM). He outlined priorities for his new term, including wealth creation, poverty reduction, improved public services and a renewed fight against corruption.
NISR figures show that domestic passengers on RwandAir increased from 22,519 in 2023 to 30,066 in 2024. The flights operate on the airline’s only domestic route, linking Kigali to Kamembe in Rusizi District.
The route is served by RwandAir’s Bombardier Q-400 NextGen aircraft. Covering a distance of 147.42 kilometres, the flight takes about 40 minutes from Kanombe International Airport.
RwandAir says the current economy-class fare on the Kigali–Kamembe route stands at USD 99 (approximately Rwf 140,000).
The rise in domestic passenger numbers marks a continuation of the post-pandemic recovery. Before the Covid-19 outbreak, RwandAir carried 20,281 domestic passengers in 2019. Traffic declined sharply during the pandemic, before beginning to rebound in 2022, when 15,821 passengers were recorded on the route.
Growth in domestic travel has also contributed to an increase in RwandAir’s overall passenger volumes, including international traffic. Total passengers carried by the national airline rose from 927,836 in 2023 to 1,034,887 in 2024.
Cargo volumes also expanded during the same period. International cargo carried by RwandAir increased from 16,462.2 tonnes in 2023 to 20,689.54 tonnes in 2024. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the airline transported 12,349.66 tonnes of cargo in 2019.
Looking ahead, Rwanda expects air transport capacity to expand significantly once the new Kigali International Airport under construction in Bugesera becomes operational. The airport is projected to handle up to eight million passengers annually, compared with just over one million passengers handled at Kanombe International Airport in 2024.
The first phase of the Bugesera airport is scheduled for completion in 2027/28, while the second phase is expected to be completed by 2034, ultimately raising annual passenger handling capacity to 14 million.
Rugemanshuro also disclosed that the institution recorded a net surplus of Rwf 413 billion in 2025, representing a 15.6 percent return on investment.
He made the remarks on January 20, 2025, while appearing before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Affairs
“It has been a long journey to reach where we are today,” Rugemanshuro told MPs.
The Director General noted that RSSB has undergone wide-ranging reforms, including improvements in investment governance, to strengthen the institution’s operations.
Rugemanshuro highlighted changes in the way RSSB operates with employers, employees, and beneficiaries, noting that members’ contributions have increased alongside benefits paid to beneficiaries.
He added that employers can now access contribution-related information more easily through digital platforms, while the institution has stepped up efforts to recover unpaid contributions.
In 2025, RSSB was owed arrears amounting to Rwf 27.9 billion, including Rwf 16 billion from public institutions and Rwf 11 billion from private entities. During the year, the government paid Rwf 2 billion of the outstanding amount, while private entities settled Rwf 9 billion.
Rugemanshuro assured Parliament that RSSB remains financially sound and capable of meeting its obligations to members.
“I would like to give a strong assurance that RSSB has sufficient capacity to meet its obligations to members at all times in the future,” he assured.
He added that the institution’s current position reflects the successful implementation of its investment strategy.
RSSB’s investment portfolio is diversified across several asset classes. About 40 percent of its assets are invested in fixed-income securities, while 15 percent is held as cash and bank deposits to ensure liquidity and support day-to-day operations and benefit payments.
A further 20 percent is invested in commercial ventures, 14 percent in development-oriented investments aligned with national priorities, and 11 percent in real estate, including housing and land projects.
Rugemanshuro emphasised that RSSB’s investment strategy is aligned with Rwanda’s development agenda, noting that approximately 95 percent of the institution’s investments are located within the country.
At the centre of this shift is the SDG Costing and Budgeting exercise, a government-led initiative supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), designed to align national spending with measurable development outcomes.
The exercise, anchored in Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation 2 (NST2), is changing how public and private resources are mobilised, allocated and monitored, moving beyond traditional budgeting toward results-driven financing.
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UNDP has provided technical leadership and advisory support throughout the SDG costing process, working closely with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN). The agency supported the development of costing methodologies, scenario modelling and the integration of SDG targets into national budget systems.
In a recent SDG Costing report, Fatmata Sesay, UNDP Rwanda Resident Representative, underscored the importance of strategic financing in achieving sustainable development outcomes.
“Right-financing is not about doing more with less. It is about doing better with what we have, structuring public funds to de-risk investment, aligning incentives to development outcomes and building the fiscal architecture to manage complexity over time,” she said.
UNDP also supported the application of global tools such as the IMF SDG Financing Tool, helping Rwanda adapt international models to local realities.
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Rather than treating SDGs as a parallel agenda, the costing exercise embeds them directly into NST2 flagship programmes. Each SDG target is mapped to NST2 pillars and priority areas, ensuring they are delivered through national systems.
By integrating SDG costing into Rwanda’s Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), MINECOFIN can now clearly see which priorities are fully funded, partially funded or unfunded. This allows policymakers to sequence interventions strategically and focus limited resources on areas with the highest development impact, including poverty reduction, job creation and climate resilience.
According to the report, Rwanda requires Rwf 63.6 trillion to implement NST2 between 2024 and 2029. Of this amount, 43 percent is expected to come from private sector investments, particularly domestic financial institutions, while the remaining 57 percent will be mobilised from public sources such as taxes, grants and concessional loans.
The largest allocations are directed to education, health, electricity, water and sanitation, and roads. The sectors are prioritised because of their central role in human capital development and economic transformation. By 2029, spending in these areas is projected to reach nearly 20 percent of GDP, up from around 10 percent in 2024.
{{Where Rwanda stands on the SDGs
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The report presents a mixed picture of Rwanda’s SDG performance. About 28 percent of targets are already achieved or on track, while 53 percent are showing limited progress. Another 19 percent of targets are regressing, highlighting areas where progress has stalled or reversed.
Rwanda has recorded notable gains in clean water access, clean energy, gender equality and climate action. However, challenges remain in job creation, institutional capacity and inclusive economic growth, signalling the need for more targeted financing and policy acceleration in these areas.
These gaps in progress are closely linked to the country’s SDG financing shortfall, now estimated at 21.3 percent of GDP, up from 15.7 percent before the COVID-19 pandemic. Closing this gap will require stronger domestic revenue mobilisation, better public spending efficiency and deeper private sector involvement.
The report makes it clear that traditional public financing alone will not be enough. Instead, Rwanda is increasingly turning to blended finance, public-private partnerships and impact-linked financing to mobilise additional capital while maintaining fiscal sustainability.
To support long-term planning, the report outlines three possible development pathways. Under the Resilience First scenario, SDGs would be achieved by 2054 if current trends continue. The Smart Sequencing scenario projects achievement by 2044 through moderate acceleration and efficiency gains. The most ambitious pathway, All-in Leap, targets SDG achievement by 2034, requiring major fiscal reforms, strong private sector mobilisation and international cooperation.
These scenarios allow policymakers to weigh ambition against fiscal risk and implementation capacity.
A major innovation introduced through the exercise is Budgeting for SDGs (B4SDG). Unlike traditional budgeting approaches that focus on institutional spending lines, B4SDG tracks how each allocation contributes to concrete development outcomes.
This enables cross-sector coordination and makes trade-offs visible, strengthening transparency and accountability. For example, investments in renewable energy simultaneously advance climate action, job creation and economic growth.
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Private sector participation is also becoming central to Rwanda’s SDG financing strategy. Through the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF), SDG priorities are transformed into bankable projects supported by guarantees, concessional finance and results-based payments.
These instruments reduce investment risk and attract private capital into sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, housing, MSMEs and health, helping scale development impact beyond what public funding alone can achieve.
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The report also flags potential fiscal risks, including rising debt service costs and contingent liabilities from public-private partnerships. To manage these risks, Rwanda is embedding SDG financing within a prudent macro-fiscal framework guided by debt sustainability thresholds and phased implementation.
Climate risk is fully integrated into investment planning. Projects are screened for resilience and aligned with green bonds and climate funds, ensuring long-term sustainability.
As Rwanda prepares for global platforms such as the Summit of the Future, the United Nations system has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the country’s development agenda.
“As we move towards the Summit of the Future and beyond, the United Nations system in Rwanda remains fully committed to supporting the government in mobilising the right type of capital to accelerate progress towards the SDGs,” said Ozonnia Ojielo, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Rwanda.
With UNDP’s technical support and strong government ownership, Rwanda’s SDG costing exercise is emerging as a regional model for results-based development financing, demonstrating how data, partnerships and innovative finance can turn ambition into measurable impact.
Against a backdrop of growing geopolitical complexity, deepening fragmentation and rapid technological transformation, the forum has called on the international community to bridge differences through dialogue, look to the future, and work together to address major global challenges.
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The world is currently grappling with a convergence of risks that is placing unprecedented strain on global stability and development.
The WEF’s Global Risks Report 2026, one of its flagship publications released ahead of the annual meeting, points out that geopolitical and economic risks rise in a new age of competition.
The report identifies geoeconomic confrontation as the top risk for 2026, followed by interstate conflict, extreme weather, societal polarization, misinformation and disinformation. Economic risks, it notes, are rising at the fastest pace among all risk categories in the short term.
WEF Managing Director Saadia Zahidi said the age of competition compounds global risks ranging from geoeconomic confrontation, unchecked technology to rising debt, and changes the world’s collective capacity to address them.
According to the WEF’s latest Chief Economists’ Outlook, 53 percent of chief economists expect global economic conditions to weaken in the year ahead, with concerns over potential asset valuation declines, mounting debt and geoeconomic realignment, among other factors.
This was echoed by the United Nations in its latest World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026 report. The UN projects global economic growth at 2.7 percent in 2026, slightly below the estimated 2.8 percent in 2025, citing weak investment and tight fiscal space as key drags on economic activity.
The report warns that higher tariffs combined with rising macroeconomic uncertainty will have a more pronounced impact next year, with global trade growth expected to fall to 2.2 percent in 2026, down from 3.8 percent in 2025.
In a recent interview with Xinhua, WEF President and CEO Borge Brende said, “We are most worried about major escalations of wars. That can kill global growth.” He noted that if the world can avoid such escalations, global economic growth could reach over 3 percent in 2026.
A major focus of the annual meeting will be the technological paradigm shift — from artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing to next-generation biotechnology and energy systems. The WEF said that these new technologies are reshaping how people live and work while creating new growth engines.
The WEF warns that while the rapid advance of AI is driving productivity gains, it also brings new risks, including social fractures fueled by rising unemployment and weakening consumer confidence.
{{Dialogue urgently needed
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Days before the meeting opened, the WEF released its Global Cooperation Barometer, which finds that global cooperation has proved resilient despite strong headwinds confronting multilateralism. Yet the report cautions that existing levels of cooperation remain inadequate to meet pressing economic, security and environmental challenges.
The report stresses that in an increasingly complex and uncertain geopolitical environment, open and constructive dialogue is critical to identifying collaborative pathways that advance shared interests.
Under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue,” this year’s meeting reflects that urgency. Key topics include how to cooperate in a more contested world, how to unlock new sources of growth, and how to deploy innovation at scale and responsibly.
“Dialogue is not a luxury in times of uncertainty; it is an urgent necessity,” said Brende.
During the interview, he viewed dialogue as critical as it is the start of a process that can ultimately yield results capable of moving the world forward.
More dialogue is needed to change today’s growing polarization and lack of win-win outcomes, Brende added.
Larry Fink, interim co-chair of the WEF, said the forum has brought together a record number of leaders from governments, businesses and non-governmental organizations at a moment when dialogue matters more than ever.
“Understanding different perspectives is essential to driving economic progress and ensuring prosperity is more broadly shared,” he said.
Minister Nduhungirehe is leading a delegation of senior government officials at the 56th Annual Meeting of the WEF in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, which kicked off on Monday, January 19, 2026. The officials include Minister of ICT & Innovation Paula Ingabire and Rwanda Development Board CEO Jean-Guy Afrika.
The forum, held under the theme ‘A Spirit of Dialogue’, has brought together more than 3,000 participants, including 65 heads of state and government, to discuss pressing global challenges.
“This Forum is a key global platform for engaging with policymakers and business leaders alike,” Nduhungirehe told The New Times. “It also reflects Rwanda’s practical approach to diplomacy aimed at attracting investment and positioning ourselves as a reliable global partner.”
Rwanda has been actively participating in WEF annual meetings for many years as part of its strategy to engage global policymakers and investors. President Paul Kagame has attended multiple editions, including in 2013, 2017, 2019, and 2024.
Since 2020, Rwanda has hosted WEF’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR), which focuses on artificial intelligence, data governance, digital identity, smart cities, and other emerging technologies. The country also hosted the World Economic Forum on Africa in 2016, reinforcing its role as a hub for innovation and investment on the continent.
This week, global leaders at WEF are discussing how to cooperate in an increasingly contested world, unlock new sources of growth, invest in people, deploy innovation at scale, and build prosperity within planetary boundaries.
Minister Ingabire is slated to participate in a panel titled At the Cusp of Healthcare for All, alongside Bill Gates and Peter Sands of the Global Fund, focusing on scaling solutions to strengthen global health systems.
The annual WEF meeting remains the world’s leading marketplace of ideas, where private negotiations, informal discussions, and strategic engagements take place behind closed doors, shaping the global economic and political agenda.
