The tour, which spans several key districts, is designed to strengthen partnerships with local leaders, gain a deeper understanding of regional business needs, and gather direct feedback from customers. Through this initiative, I&M Bank seeks to ensure its services remain responsive and relevant to the diverse economic landscape of Rwanda.
Mr. Mutimura kicked off the tour with visits to six districts: Rwamagana, Muhanga, Huye, Gicumbi, Musanze, and Rubavu. During these visits, he engaged directly with customers at their workplaces, enabling the Bank to better understand the unique challenges and opportunities faced in each region. This hands-on approach underscores the Bank’s commitment to offering tailored financial solutions that foster inclusive economic growth.
“The core purpose of these visits is to deepen our understanding of regional needs and ensure our services are aligned with local dynamics,” said Mr. Mutimura. “By engaging with customers directly, we gain invaluable insights into their businesses and challenges. This approach supports our strategy of delivering customer delight, ensuring that we are not only meeting but exceeding expectations.”
A major highlight of the tour was the unveiling of the newly expanded I&M Bank branch in Huye, now operating as a fully-fledged business center. This transformation reflects the Bank’s continued investment in enhancing service delivery and creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
“The development of the Huye branch is a clear demonstration of how we are responding to the evolving needs of local businesses,” the CEO added. “It’s not just about expanding our footprint; it’s about creating spaces where entrepreneurs and enterprises can grow with our support.”
The stakeholder engagement tour also serves to align the Bank’s operations with Rwanda’s broader economic agenda. By adopting a customer-centric strategy, I&M Bank continues to play a key role in promoting regional development and supporting the country’s long-term goals.
As the tour progresses, additional district visits are planned in the coming weeks. Mr. Mutimura emphasized the importance of maintaining strong connections with communities to ensure the Bank’s products and services continue to evolve in line with customer expectations.
This appeal was made following a meeting held in Rwanda at Saint Joseph in Ngoma District. They conference addressed social welfare, strategies for restoring peace in the Great Lakes Region, and efforts to strengthen the Catholic faith.
The gathering was attended by bishops and other senior leaders of the Catholic Church from both nations. They underscored that prolonged border closures have had adverse effects on citizens and trade between the two countries.
Burundi closed its borders, citing demands for the extradition of individuals allegedly involved in the 2015 coup attempt. Rwanda, however, maintains that international law prohibits the repatriation of refugees who have sought asylum.
The bishops expressed their support for ongoing diplomatic discussions between Rwanda and Burundi, emphasizing that ‘border closures have significant economic and social repercussions.’ They urged leaders to act prudently to restore normalcy and strengthen unity between the two nations.
The discussions also addressed security concerns in eastern DR Congo, with the bishops advocating for sustained dialogue among conflicting parties to resolve tensions. They also condemned the use of hate speech by the DRC government, which they believe has exacerbated violence and unrest.
Regarding education, the bishops highlighted the need to improve educational standards in both countries. They also raised concerns about the increasing violence against young people and stressed the urgency of addressing this issue.
These insights were shared at the first National Symposium on Conservation Agriculture, held on March 28, 2025 at RICA campus in Bugesera.
The event was organized by the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), and the World Food Programme (WFP).
Dr. Ndambe Nzaramba Magnifique, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Extension and Applied Research at RICA, shared the foundational principles of conservation agriculture, which include minimal tillage or no-till practices.
He emphasized that practices such as plowing, cutting stubble, or clearing the land are discouraged as they can reduce yields and degrade soil health.
“We do not encourage plowing, cutting stubble, or clearing the land as these practices harm the soil,” he said.
Conservation agriculture practices aim to enhance soil biodiversity, preserve soil integrity, store water for longer periods, and reduce erosion.
All this refers to the first principle: {{Minimizing Soil Disturbance. }} This includes using no-till or minimum-till methods to plant and control weeds without plowing the soil. Keeping the soil undisturbed helps increase soil organic matter, preserves soil structure, improves water retention, and reduces soil erosion.
The second principle is {{Permanent Soil Cover}}. This includes planting cover crops to cover the soil between seasons, leaving leftover residues like leaves and stalks in the field after harvesting, and putting down mulch where available. Covering the soil increases soil organic matter, limits erosion and nutrient run-off, and helps the soil retain moisture, which enables farmers to be more resilient in times of drought.
The third principle is {{Crop Diversification}}. This may include using crop rotation, or planting different crops in alternating seasons, or intercropping, which involves planting multiple crops in an orderly manner in the same field during the same season. Crop diversification benefits soil fertility and soil structure and is linked to higher yields. It can also help stop the spread of pests and diseases.
Dr. Ndambe highlighted that crop rotation also helps combat pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
“When you continue to plant the same crops in one field, pests and diseases accumulate, but rotating crops or intercropping minimizes this risk,” he said, emphasizing that farmers using these methods benefit from higher yields without the worry of pest infestations.
The symposium was attended by government officials, academic experts, private sector representatives, development partners, and farmers’ organizations involved in agriculture.
Dr. Karangwa Patrick, Director General of Agriculture Modernization at the Ministry of Agriculture, stated that conservation agriculture is a critical pillar for building sustainable farming in Rwanda.
He revealed that currently, 1,000 hectares of land are being cultivated using conservation agriculture techniques but expressed a desire to see this number grow. The goal, as outlined in the country’s five-year agriculture development program (PSTA 5), is to expand the practice to at least 100,000 hectares.
“Our goal is to reach at least 100,000 hectares in the PSTA5 plan. We want to increase the land area using conservation methods because we view it as a crucial aspect of agricultural development,” Dr. Karangwa said.
Thomas Habanabakize, the Food and Security Coordinator at Mennonite Central Committee Rwanda (MCC), explained that MCC has dedicated resources to support and promote conservation agriculture.
One of their key programs, the “Farm Field School,” has been implemented across the country. Each farm school brings together 30 farmers for training, where they apply their learning to their own farms and train five others in their community.
“We train farmer representatives, who in turn train others. In the last 10 years, this method has yielded great results,” Habanabakize noted.
The initiative is currently active in nine districts, including Nyaruguru, Nyamagabe, Karongi, and Rutsiro, with plans to expand to Kayonza, Ruhango, Burera, and other regions. Many farmers who have participated in this program have reported increased yields due to the adoption of conservation agriculture practices.
Like other stakeholders in conservation agriculture, the World Food Programme (WFP) has recognized the importance of these farming methods in helping communities withstand natural disasters and improve crop yields.
WFP has supported projects to encourage conservation agriculture and assist farmers in managing their harvests better.
Richard Makuza, the Climate-Smart Agriculture Expert and Programme Policy Officer at WFP Rwanda, shared that in addition to providing disaster relief during droughts and floods, WFP has helped smallholder farmers in more than 400 cooperatives across the country access markets and store their produce after harvesting.
“In addition to responding to disasters like droughts and floods, we help over 127,000 smallholder farmers in 425 cooperatives across the country get access to markets and properly manage their harvests,” Makuza said.
WFP, in collaboration with the government, has also developed initiatives to help farmers improve their resilience to climate change. These initiatives are aimed at helping farmers maintain their productivity during difficult times.
As a result, WFP has realized that promoting and encouraging conservation agriculture is a proven strategy and solution for sustainable farming.
“This is why we have gathered support for projects that promote conservation agriculture,” Makuza added. “We started with pilot projects in five districts, and we are now entering a new phase where we support programs that align with the PSTA5 objectives.”
Gakuba Jonas, a farmer from Kirehe District, who has practiced conservation agriculture for over five years, shared that the results have been impressive.
” Before we practiced conservation agriculture, our maize yields were below one ton per hectare and beans were only 800 kilograms per hectare. But now, after adopting conservation agriculture, our yields have doubled. We now receive water on time, and conservation practices have restored the fertility of our soil,” Gakuba said, emphasizing the positive impact these methods have had on his farm’s productivity.
According to a statement from the U.S. State Department, Boulos will commence his visit on Thursday, April 3, 2025, making stops in the DRC, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda.
Accompanying him will be senior U.S. diplomat Corina Sanders. The delegation is set to engage with heads of state and business leaders to advance peace efforts in eastern DRC and encourage U.S. private sector investments in the region.
Boulos, a Lebanese-born American, has been appointed as a senior advisor for Africa in addition to his existing role as a senior advisor to Trump on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs.
He has close ties to the Trump family, particularly through his son, Michael Boulos, who is married to Trump’s daughter, Tiffany Trump.
The visit comes amid ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict in eastern DRC, which in recent months has seen M23 rebels seize large swaths of territory, including the cities of Goma and Bukavu.
Significant developments in peace negotiations have been reported, with the DRC government and M23 rebels expected to hold direct talks in Doha, Qatar, on April 9, according to sources.
Efforts toward peace also saw DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame meet in Doha on March 18. The DRC and Rwanda have been at loggerheads over the conflict, with Rwanda denying allegations that it backs M23 rebels in eastern DRC.
Rwanda insists that its primary concern is the insecurity posed by the FDLR militia, which it accuses of collaborating with the Congolese army. The militia consists of remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, with Rwanda maintaining that the group poses a significant security threat due to its genocidal ideology.
Two people were trapped under the debris, and rescue teams from the Myanmar Fire Services Department and Turkey successfully pulled one survivor to safety, the information team said.
The operation at the hotel began at around 3:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday, and the man was rescued by approximately 00:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday, it said.
Efforts are ongoing to locate and rescue the remaining trapped individuals, it added.
As of Wednesday, April 2, 2025, the death toll in Myanmar had risen to 2,886, with 4,639 people injured and 373 still missing.
The TKMD facility, located in the Mwulire industrial zone in Rwamagana District, aims to meet local demand while also supplying other African nations facing syringe shortages.
Established in partnership with Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization pre-qualified facility employs over 100 people—80% of whom are women—enhancing healthcare quality and access.
Dr Nsanzimana described the factory as a game-changer for Africa, addressing a long-standing challenge of syringe shortages across the continent.
“The issue of syringe shortages was not unique to Rwanda; it was a widespread challenge due to reliance on imports and limited global production capacity. With this factory, that problem is now solved—not just for Rwanda, but for Africa as a whole,” he stated.
The first batch of syringes produced was immediately purchased by UNICEF for distribution to Ethiopia, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, and other nations.
Currently, TKMD has a production capacity ranging from 600,000 to one million syringes per day, with plans to scale up based on market demand.
The factory had been operational for five months before its official launch, undergoing stringent quality assessments to ensure compliance with international standards.
The Rwamagana industrial zone is designed to accommodate 51 factories. At present, 19 are fully operational, four have been completed and are awaiting permits, while 11 are still under construction.
The sharp decline is attributed to the challenging economic conditions, particularly in key markets like Nigeria, where inflation has consistently exceeded 30% over the past year.
The company attributes this sharp decrease to economic difficulties, particularly in key markets like Nigeria, where inflation has remained above 30% for much of the past year. Additionally, severe power disruptions in Zambia have worsened the situation, impacting the company’s operations.
MultiChoice revealed that over 84% of the lost subscribers were from regions outside South Africa, with Nigeria being the most affected.
In a statement, the company stated, “The loss in the rest of Africa has been primarily due to the significant consumer pressure in Nigeria, where inflation has remained above 30% for the majority of the last 12 months and, more recently, due to extreme power disruptions in Zambia.”
Adding to its challenges, MultiChoice is also under regulatory scrutiny. Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) recently filed charges against the company for allegedly violating local consumer protection laws, further complicating its position in the region.
According to reports, Wellesley had been battling health issues following a stroke. He was rushed from his home in Trelawny to a hospital in Kingston, where he succumbed to his illness.
Tributes have poured in from across Jamaica, with Prime Minister Andrew Holness acknowledging Wellesley’s impact on his son’s career.
“We have all witnessed the deep love and respect you’ve always shown for your family. As you grieve this great loss, the prayers and support of an entire nation are with you. We mourn with you, we stand with you, and we honor the memory of your father alongside you,” Holness said.
Minister of Sports Olivia Grange also paid tribute to Wellesley, affectionately known as “Gideon” in his community. “Every success that Usain has achieved can be attributed to the confidence given to him by his ever-supportive mother and father. It is going to be a difficult time, but I encourage them to be comforted by the memory of a very good father,” Grange said.
Wellesley Bolt played a key role in shaping Usain’s career, steering him away from cricket and football to focus on track and field. He remained a constant presence in the stands as his son dominated global athletics, winning eight Olympic gold medals.
He is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and their three children, Usain, Sadiki, and Christine Bolt-Hylton.
The new digital systems, unveiled in collaboration with the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), aim to enhance transparency in cargo movement, reduce smuggling, and streamline tax collection on goods imported from East African Community (EAC) member states such as Uganda and Kenya.
With the implementation of RECTS, South Sudanese traders can now track their land cargo in real time, from port of origin to final destination with the E-permit system mandating upfront tax payment before cargo is released for transportation.
This dual approach is expected to significantly minimize delays and eliminate revenue leakages.
“These are major milestones in fostering regional integration and enhancing revenue mobilization for our sister country,” said Hajji Asadu Kigozi Kisitu, Acting Commissioner of the URA Customs Department, who represented the URA Commissioner General during the launch in Kampala.
“Back in 2002, we had to escort cargo across borders manually. Today, we embrace technology for safer, faster, and more accountable cargo movement.”
The E-permit system specifically targets high-risk goods including cigarettes, alcohol, electronics, shisha tobacco, cosmetics, and motor vehicles; commodities often linked to smuggling operations.
SSRA Commissioner General Simon Akuei Deng emphasized that the modernization of customs systems is key to improving security, regulatory compliance, and public revenue. “By implementing these systems, we are aligning with international best practices. Our commitment is to end the perception of South Sudan as a smuggling corridor,” he stated.
Both URA and SSRA believe the technology will not only improve accountability but also address long-standing concerns from regional partners such as the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), which have incurred losses due to cross-border smuggling.
As regional trade continues to expand, Kisitu highlighted the critical role of digital solutions in protecting economic integrity. “These systems will ensure that taxes are paid, cargo is monitored, and the region remains secure,” he said.
The launch marks a significant move toward deeper EAC customs integration and is seen as a model for future cooperation among member states.
The center is designed to equip students with deep technical expertise, enabling them to develop locally relevant software that also meets global standards.
“So rather than Africa being just consumers, we now are creators and contribute to the global ecosystem of open-source products and open-source software,” said Conrad Tucker, Director of CMU Africa.
Beyond fostering innovation, the center also aims to enhance Africa’s technological autonomy, allowing governments to develop and maintain their own software rather than relying on external providers.
“For ample, if the government of Rwanda has a software that is developed and implemented domestically. If that software needs to be updated or replaced, rather than always going externally, we have locally homegrown technical talent that can either develop the software, maintain it, and even export it so that this can also be a new source of revenue for our countries.” Tucker explained.
The establishment of the digital public infrastructure labs, has been made possible through a multi-year partnership with the Gates Foundation.
{{A hub for African digital innovation}}
This center is a key initiative supporting Africa’s digital transformation, according to Assane Gueye, Co-Director of the Upanzi Network and an associate teaching professor at CMU Africa.
“Africa is going digital, there are technologies that we need to support that. Often people want to see technology in action, go to India, Europe, or China and this is an opportunity for us as African countries to step up,” Gueye pointed out.
A major objective of the center is to provide a space where African leaders can explore emerging technologies firsthand. “The people working on these solutions are the sons and daughters of Africa. They know the challenges, they build the solutions, and the digital experience center is a place where we showcase them.”
Among the innovations already underway is a digital ID system, which will allow governments to transition from physical ID cards to secure digital identities. “We create a digital ID for the citizen and give them access to services that the government is offering, showcasing how digital ID can help in the country,” Gueye explained.
One of the most promising projects showcased at the center is a Malaria Diagnosis App, co-developed by Eric Maniraguha, a research associate and geospatial analyst at CMU Africa. The app leverages machine learning to streamline malaria diagnosis, reducing the time and effort required for manual testing.
“We are trying to digitalize the malaria diagnosis process. We are working on this by collecting data from health centers, validating it with RBC, and using machine learning to identify and classify malaria parasites,” Maniraguha explained.
While still undergoing optimization, the app is expected to improve diagnostic accuracy and efficiency. “This will reduce the time required for diagnosis and also automate the process,” he noted.
Another major focus of the center is bridging the digital divide, particularly in rural areas. Unlike traditional research institutions, the digital experience center prioritizes real-world problem-solving.
It is expected set to become a regional hub for digital innovation, allowing policymakers, researchers, and entrepreneurs to explore, test, and implement new technologies.
