The monthly Index of Industrial Production (IIP), released on April 9, 2025, highlighted significant growth in sectors such as mining and quarrying, electricity, water, and sanitation.
Electricity production increased by 21.5% in February 2025 compared to February 2024, while water and waste management grew by 17%. Mining and quarrying production saw a 14% rise, and manufacturing increased by 0.7%.
The Rwanda Mines, Petroleum, and Gas Board (RMB) recently indicated that adding value to mineral resources is a key strategy to boost revenue, aiming for $1.3 billion in the 2024/2025 fiscal year, up from $1.2 billion in 2023/2024.
RMB also reported that quarterly mineral exports are expected to contribute $325 million to Rwanda’s economy.
The 0.7% growth in industrial production was driven by a 26% increase in the production of metals, machinery, and related goods, along with a 28.2% rise in the production of mineral-based products. However, the production of clothing, textiles, and cotton-related products saw a decline of 15.8%.
Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente told Parliament on March 28, 2025, that the Rwandan government mulls developing the domestic textile industry to increase local garment production. The goal is to raise the proportion of Rwandans wearing locally produced garments from 5% to 100%.
Prime Minister Ngirente also shared that the Cabinet meeting on March 26, 2025, discussed measures to strengthen the textile industry, including facilitating easier access to fabric for local manufacturers.
“Alphamin Resources Corp. is pleased to announce that it is initiating a phased resumption of operations at the Company’s Bisie tin mine in Walikale District, North Kivu Province, east-central Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),” the company stated in a release.
The company took the decision following the withdrawal of AFC/M23 fighters from Walikale. The fighters relocated to Nyabiondo and Masisi, which are more than 130 kilometers east of the company’s mine site.
“The company intends to redeploy employees as part of a plan to restart tin production in phases while continuing to monitor the security situation,” the statement added.
Alphamin had initially ceased operations on March 13 due to escalating fighting, as AFC/M23 fighters approached Walikale.
The company evacuated most of its workforce from the Bisie mines, leaving only key personnel responsible for equipment and security. Alphamin had stated it was closely monitoring political developments to determine when it would be safe to resume operations.
A week later, following AFC/M23’s withdrawal from the town and surrounding areas, Alphamin announced that it would begin bringing back its employees to restart operations, continuing to monitor the security situation.
Alphamin is a major mining company primarily owned by American and Canadian shareholders, operating mineral extraction projects in several countries, particularly across Africa.
Recently, Gen (Rtd) James Kabarebe, Minister of State for Regional Integration in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, informed members of the Rwandan Parliament that the Canadian government’s suspension of its development partnership with Rwanda was linked to its interests in the Walikale mines, specifically through Alphamin.
The company recently confirmed that it has exported 4,500 tons, with an additional 280 tons still in transit to international markets since the start of this year.
Following the coalition agreement, Friedrich Merz from CDU/CSU is expected to be elected chancellor next month.
Calling the agreement “a strong plan with which we can jointly move our country forward again,” Merz said at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon that it is also a clear signal that Germany is getting a government capable of acting and strong in action.
Weeks ahead of the agreement, the CDU/CSU and the SPD had succeeded in amending the Basic Law to loosen the “debt brake” limits on infrastructure and national defense investments.
The future government will reform and invest to keep Germany stable, make it more secure, and make it economically stronger again, and Europe too can rely on Germany, Merz said.
The new coalition government will seek to implement measures such as lowering the corporate income tax and reducing the electricity tax to the European minimum level to improve the competitiveness of the German economy, according to Merz.
In addition, the new government will adopt a new course in migration policy, including measures of enhancing border controls, rejecting asylum seekers, and stepping up the efforts to deport illegal immigrants.
Immigration had become a key topic during Germany’s federal election campaign earlier this year.
Germany is and remains a country of immigration, said Lars Klingbeil, co-leader of the SPD, adding that the country protects the rights of citizens with a migration background.
Klingbeil vowed to invest more in securing jobs, attracting talent and providing housing, as well as scrapping excessive bureaucracy to improve government efficiency.
On the U.S. tariff measures, Merz urged a common European response, as well as efforts to restore Germany’s competitiveness and create new jobs.
The key message to U.S. President Donald Trump is that “Germany is back on track,” he said, noting that Germany will fulfill its obligations in terms of defense, and it is willing to strengthen its own competitiveness.
“That is not just Germany,” Merz added, stressing that Germany will again be a very strong partner within the European Union.
The Office of the President at Urugwiro Village confirmed the meeting, but did not disclose further details about the topics discussed.
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Teleperformance could be a valuable partner for Rwanda, particularly as the country continues to invest in AI across various key sectors.
On March 3, a new AI-powered center was officially opened in Rwanda, focusing on the collection and storage of health-related data, underscoring AI’s significant role in strengthening the country’s health sector.
The center’s opening coincided with the commencement of the Global AI Summit on Africa.
Despite years of international awareness, hateful rhetoric and warning signs similar to those leading to the genocide are still prevalent in the Great Lakes region and East Africa.
However, many have refused to acknowledge this, instead sweeping the issue under the rug of political disputes.
Cardinal Kambanda emphasized that no one chooses the family they are born into, as it is part of God’s divine plan.
“It is God’s will, and that is why it is a serious issue, and a deeply painful one, to be blamed for the way one was born. It is a denial of God, for He is the one who chooses the family we are born into,” he said.
Cardinal Kambanda explained that over a million Tutsis were killed, becoming victims of hatred, division, and colonial ideologies that destroyed the unity and brotherhood of the Rwandan people.
He also noted that many survivors never had the chance to pay last respects to their loved ones, which is why the nation takes time to remember them from April 7th through the 100-day period.
Cardinal Kambanda criticized the international community for turning a blind eye to the lessons of the Genocide against the Tutsi, focusing instead on their own interests.
“There are still those with hardened hearts and countries that should be drawing lessons from the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi, but they are more focused on their own gains, thus ignoring the truth,” he said.
“Let’s continue preparing the youth and raising Rwandans of tomorrow, so that the legacy of unity and brotherhood becomes the foundation from which they grow, ensuring that such horrors are never repeated.”
The Cardinal also emphasized that the time of remembrance coincides with the Easter season, serving as a reminder to Christians that evil does not triumph over good, and darkness does not overcome light.
“Every year, this period of remembrance coincides with Easter season. As Christians, we believe that, despite the severity of sin and death, particularly as witnessed in the genocide, Christ conquered them by dying for us on the cross.
This gives us the hope that evil cannot overpower good, hatred cannot overpower love, death cannot overpower life, and light will always triumph over darkness,” he said.
The Cardinal reflected that while the period of the Genocide against the Tutsi was marked by darkness and despair, the ongoing remembrance of the over a million lives lost continues to shine with an undying light.
Cardinal Kambanda commended the leadership of Rwanda, recognizing those who took action to stop the genocide, hid the persecuted, advocated for the victims, and chose to sacrifice themselves rather than abandon those in need.
Prof. Dr. Wang highlighted Rwanda’s strong leadership, strategic planning, and consistent investment in infrastructure and technology as key drivers of its progress.
He noted that Rwanda’s ability to implement long-term national goals with discipline and vision offers valuable lessons for other developing nations.
Speaking during a public lecture in Beijing, Prof. Dr. Wang described Rwanda as a “good student of modernization,” applauding the country’s steady progress in transforming its economy and governance.
“I mean China was also a student of the West in modernization, right? Because they achieved a lot before. So in this regard, I call her (Rwanda) a student. But China learned from the West, and learned too much, maybe,” he explained.
“So what I’m saying is that Rwanda is a good student among African countries. In recent years, it has achieved economic prosperity, I think it goes beyond the Western model,” he added.
Recently, The International Monetary Fund (IMF) praised Rwanda’s economic performance and resilience, following the conclusion of a two-week mission assessing the country’s reform progress under the fifth review of the Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI).
Rwanda recorded an impressive GDP growth rate of 8.9% in 2024, making it one of the fastest-growing economies in sub-Saharan Africa.
The growth was fueled by strong performances in agriculture, construction, trade, tourism, transport, and telecommunications sectors. Labour market indicators also improved, with increased participation and a reduction in the unemployment rate.
Inflation remained stable at 4.8% by the end of 2024, within the National Bank of Rwanda’s target range. Thanks to improved food production and effective monetary policy.
Prof. Dr. Wang attributed Rwanda’s development success to “consistent national policies, strong government leadership, and effective cooperation with China.”
He emphasized that for Africa and other countries in the Global South to reach their development goals, they must draw lessons from China’s modernization path, a journey largely driven by firm and visionary government leadership.
“The government owns the land, the resources, everything. It shouldn’t just provide services to the market, but also create the market for modernization. The Western model tells governments to do less and let the market decide. But in poor countries, the market is weak and limited.”
“Like I mentioned, you need to build a swimming pool to train the babies how to swim. Only then can they gradually move to the sea. If you put a baby straight into the sea, they will drown,” Wang said.
According to him, governments needs to build that swimming pool by training the people, training the market, and creating the conditions for development, like building high-speed railways and highways. That’s what strong governments do, and it’s crucial for modernization, especially in developing countries.
Over the past three decades, Rwanda has transformed from one of the continent’s weakest economies to becoming Africa’s fastest-growing, with significant investments in digital innovation, healthcare, education, and urban development.
The government has played a central role in this transformation, actively shaping the economy by building markets through initiatives like smart city development, public-private partnerships, and strategic international cooperation, especially with countries like China.
This center, hosted by the University of Rwanda (UR) Regional Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Engineering and eHealth in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, marks a transformative step in the country’s efforts to standardize data-driven healthcare.
Following South Africa, Rwanda now becomes the second African country to host such a center, signaling a shift in the balance of global health data leadership toward the region.
The designation was communicated by the Acting WHO Regional Director, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, effective from 12 March 2025 for a period of 4-year period up to 12 March 2029.
This positions Rwanda as a key player in the development, implementation and global advocacy for WHO international health classifications, namely the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI) and the International Classification of Functioning and Disability (ICF).
The center will play a strategic role in strengthening Africa’s health data infrastructure through training, policy development, and research cooperation.
Speaking at the launch, Ihekweazu emphasized the center’s importance to the region. “A first for Rwanda, and only the second on the continent, this proud milestone signals Africa’s growing capacity for leadership in health information systems. Congratulations to UR’s Regional Centre of Excellence in Biomedical Engineering and eHealth upon this designation,” he said.
Ihekweazu stressed the urgent need for countries to shift from development to implementation of global health classification tools.
“Good data, whether for better mortality statistics or smarter resource allocation, makes all the difference. COVID-19 exposed the weaknesses in our systems, but today, we are witnessing progress. Every country now has mechanisms to generate more reliable health and mortality data,” he remarked.
He also encouraged wider adoption of tools like the WHO Digital Open Rule Integrated Cause of Death Selection (DORIS) software and the new online training for medical certification of cause of death. These, he said, are crucial to closing persistent gaps in data accuracy across the continent.
Dr. Muhammed Semakula, Ministry of Health Head of the Department of Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Health Financing, representing Minister of Health, lauded the center as a reflection of Rwanda’s progress in digital health.
“This recognition signifies our country’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking, robust disease surveillance, and efficient resource allocation,” he said.
Semakula revealed that Rwanda has already embedded ICD-11 across its health systems, with 97% of citizens enrolled in health insurance schemes, thus not only improving the accuracy of diagnoses and reimbursements but also enhancing the quality and timeliness of healthcare services.
According to him, implementing a unified classification system will address discrepancies between healthcare facilities and insurance systems, reducing inefficiencies and complaints.
The WHO Country Representative for Rwanda, Dr. Brian Chirombo, applauded the collaborative efforts that led to the establishment of the new center. “I would like to congratulate University of Rwanda and the Ministry of Health for this tremendous achievement,” he said.
Chirombo emphasized that health classifications are more than just technical tools. They are the language through which experts understand and communicate the complexities of health and disease. “They allow us to track disease outbreaks, develop public health policies, and evaluate their impact,” he noted.
He further reported that between 2018 and 2024, in collaboration with WHO, the University of Rwanda and the Ministry of Health designed of a short course curriculum on medical coding offered at the University of Rwanda.
Health professionals in medical coding and certification of causes of death were trained, field tested ICD-11 through electronic medical records (EMR) in two hospitals, and embedded the ICD-11 in the OpenMRS and eBuzima platform, an EMR which the country is deploying in health centers.
These initiatives not only improved national systems but also contributed to global knowledge and experience sharing through WHO-FIC meetings.
Central to the development of the Regional Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Engineering and eHealth is Dr. Michael Mugisha, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Rwanda and co-founder of the WHO Collaborating centre. Proudly reflecting on the achievement, he expressed gratitude for this milestone.
Mugisha explained that ICD-11 is not only a tool for documenting diseases but also for capturing health interventions, enabling data-driven planning, resource allocation, and research.
“Now, with structured and uniform data across hospitals, from health posts to referral hospitals, we can aggregate and analyze information to inform policy and guide decisions. We can answer questions like how many cesarean sections were performed last month, or which districts are seeing certain disease trends,” he said.
Crucially, he added, the center will act as Rwanda’s voice on the global stage. “With a WHO Collaborating Center, we now have the platform to reflect Rwanda’s unique health context in international classification standards. We will be contributing to revisions, ensuring that African-specific conditions and realities are recognized globally,” he said.
Mugisha highlighted the value of local expertise. “We have very talented scientists, clinicians, and researchers in Rwanda. We are mobilizing them to contribute to the global cause of improving how diseases and interventions are documented and understood worldwide,” he noted.
As Rwanda steps into this leadership role, this WHO Collaborating Centre is not only a symbol of national progress but also a regional beacon, demonstrating what is possible when technology, data, and public health vision align.
Mudiamvita made this admission during a visit to the Uvira territory in South Kivu province, aimed at boosting the morale of soldiers and local militia members fighting against AFC/M23.
Congolese soldiers and local militias in Uvira are largely composed of those who had fled when AFC/M23 took control of the city of Bukavu on February 16, just two weeks after capturing Goma, another key city in the region.
Since AFC/M23 took control of Bunagana town in North Kivu province in June 2022, the DRC military has explained to the Congolese people that their retreat was strategic, allowing them to regroup and prepare to reclaim lost territories.
Mudiamvita was questioned about the frequent claims by the DRC military that they were retreating for strategic reasons, only to lose further ground. He explained that the root cause was the poor living conditions of the soldiers.
“If soldiers are not given adequate resources and are living in poor conditions, what results can you expect from them? The blame lies with politics. That is why we are to improve the situation,” he stated.
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As the conflict in eastern DRC worsened, the government decided to significantly increase the military budget. Last year, the government allocated $19.5 billion over five years to the military and other security sectors, amounting to $3.8 billion per year.
In 2023, the government raised the military budget by 300%, increasing it from $330 million in 2022 to $1 billion. This increase has been largely used to purchase modern military equipment, including fighter jets, refurbish military infrastructure, and train new soldiers.
However, soldiers—especially those on the front lines—have complained about low salaries and delayed payments. Reports indicate that some of the funds sent from Kinshasa never reached the eastern region, as senior officers allegedly pocketed the money instead.
Last month, the DRC government announced an increase in the basic salary of soldiers to $500 per month. However, there is little confidence that the increase will be properly distributed, as many believe corrupt officials will continue to divert the funds.
Many leaders in the DRC are known for their dishonesty, and when an opportunity arises, they exploit the system for personal gain. Mudiamvita himself has been accused of similar actions.
Mining industry leaders in the former Katanga province recently revealed that when Mudiamvita became Minister of Defense, he and his colleagues quickly took control of some of the region’s mining operations.
One of them said, “We wondered where the money went, but the answer is simple: everyone comes to Lubumbashi and Kolwezi to fend for themselves. Ministers always come to our provinces to take their envelopes… they don’t come to help us; they come to defend themselves.”
Although Mudiamvita acknowledges that politicians play a significant role in the DRC military’s defeats, the junior soldiers have paid the price. Many of them have been imprisoned since early 2022 for deserting the battlefield.
These junior soldiers have been tried in various courts in North and South Kivu provinces and have been sentenced to death for desertion.
The high-stakes meeting had been billed as the first formal engagement between Kinshasa and the M23 since the rebel group seized control of Goma and Bukavu, the two largest cities in eastern Congo.
Though no official reason has been given for the delay, sources from both camps indicated that invitations for the session had not been dispatched as of Monday.
A Congolese official attributed the postponement to logistical challenges, saying, “It’s simply a matter of organization.”
However, behind the scenes, the delay appears more politically charged. The rebel alliance has issued a list of six preconditions it insists must be met by President Félix Tshisekedi’s government before entering any meaningful negotiations.
The demands include a public declaration from President Tshisekedi showing commitment to direct talks, the repeal of restrictive parliamentary resolutions, the cancellation of death sentences and arrest warrants for AFC/M23 leaders, the release of alleged sympathizers detained based on ethnicity or association, and an end to hate speech and discriminatory practices against Swahili and Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese. The rebels also want a formal bilateral ceasefire agreement signed before talks proceed.
The talks were arranged following a surprise meeting in Doha between President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, mediated by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. During the meeting, the two leaders agreed on the need for a ceasefire and urged Congolese factions to pursue dialogue.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of Tshisekedi’s claims that Rwanda is supporting M23’s offensive in the east. Rwanda has consistently denied these allegations, insisting that its primary concern is the continued presence of the FDLR in the DRC. Rwanda maintains that the militia group, linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, poses a significant threat to Rwanda’s security due to its genocidal ideology.
Just two days before the Kagame–Tshisekedi meeting in Doha, AFC/M23 rebels had withdrawn from planned talks with Kinshasa in Angola, in protest against international sanctions imposed on members of the group.
The M23, which now controls nearly half of Eastern Congo, had been advancing rapidly towards Kisangani—the country’s third-largest city—until the Qatari-brokered ceasefire halted their movement.
The rebel leadership, including Corneille Nangaa (AFC President), Bertrand Bisimwa (M23 Political Head), and Major General Sultani Makenga (Military Commander), are currently facing death sentences issued in absentia by a Congolese military court.
The government has placed bounties of up to $5 million on their capture, with an additional $4 million reward for their alleged accomplices.
Justice Minister Constant Mutamba defended the rewards in March, calling the rebel leaders “fugitives guilty of treason and war crimes.”
But Nangaa, speaking from an undisclosed location believed to be within rebel-held North Kivu, dismissed the move as an act of desperation.
“This so-called trial and the baseless punishments are a clear sign of a regime gripped by panic and on the verge of collapse,” he said.
It remains to be seen whether Tshisekedi’s administration will heed the rebel alliance’s demands and pave the way for direct talks aimed at silencing the guns in eastern DRC for good.
Sources within the country’s political and business circles say Angeline used her influence to orchestrate the arrest of Rwandan businessman Dushimimana Protais, the head of Dupro International Trade Company (DITCO), an oil import firm that recently beat Prestige in a government fuel procurement deal.
Dushimimana’s company had secured contracts to supply fuel to various government ministries, a move that placed him at odds with Prestige, which had been struggling to recover from an earlier setback involving the detention of its fuel shipments in Tanzania due to tax evasion allegations.
According to insiders in Gitega, Dushimimana was arrested in early 2025 and is currently being held at the overcrowded Mpimba Central Prison in Bujumbura alongside his lawyer, Ciza Felicien.
Neither of the two has been granted access to a court hearing, with their release reportedly hinging on direct orders from the First Family.
The Rwandan businessman is accused of playing a role in the blockage of Prestige’s fuel shipments from Bahrain—an accusation some believe is being used to justify his detention and eliminate him from the competition.
Observers say this move has further exacerbated Burundi’s fuel crisis, as one of the few functioning suppliers has now been silenced. Prestige, meanwhile, is reportedly positioning itself as the sole fuel importer, tightening Angeline Ndayishimiye’s grip on the country’s critical energy sector.
Fuel prices in the country have skyrocketed—now five times higher than previous levels—forcing many Burundians to resort to black market purchases.
Daily life has become unpredictable, with the state petroleum company, SOPEBU, posting last-minute fuel distribution lists on X. Vehicle owners face strict rations, with taxis limited to just 20 litres of fuel per week.
Frustration is mounting. “You post the list at 3 p.m. while we’ve spent the whole day queuing at the wrong station. How is this fair?” one of the consumers vented.
Anger is also growing toward President Ndayishimiye and his family, who are increasingly seen as enriching themselves at the expense of a nation that ranks among the five poorest in the world, with a GDP per capita of just $193. Critics argue that the First Family’s alleged attempts to monopolize strategic sectors like oil are worsening the plight of Burundians.
“Corruption and the misappropriation of public funds are at the root of this crisis,” said Patrick Nkurunziza, leader of the opposition coalition Burundi Bwa Bose, in an interview with AFP.
“These odious practices are so deeply embedded in the current political system that any effort to reverse them is almost futile.”
Despite regularly presenting themselves as pious figures—often seen giving public sermons—President Évariste Ndayishimiye and his wife now face growing scrutiny over the stark contrast between their religious image and their actions, which many see as exploitative and self-serving.
There are growing fears that the First Family’s actions to silence business rivals could deepen instability, cripple the energy sector, and dash any remaining hopes of recovery for millions of Burundians.
