Category: News

This announcement was made in a statement signed on November 11, addressed to all officers of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS).

According to Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration, the move allows Rwandans to travel in and out of Liberia without prior visa requirements, following a reciprocal agreement signed between the two countries on September 10, 2025, in Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia.

The agreement establishes a Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation and a Reciprocal Visa Waiver between Liberia and Rwanda.

This move is expected to boost bilateral relations and create new opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.

During the signing ceremony, Rwanda was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Nduhungirehe Olivier, who was on a visit aimed at fostering relations with Liberia, while Liberia was represented by its Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sara Beysolow Nyanti.

Rwanda and Liberia share a strong relationship, especially through collaboration between the legislative bodies of the two countries.

Rwanda’s universities and higher learning institutions also host students from Liberia, among other areas of cooperation.

{{What you should know about Liberia}}

Liberia is a country located in West Africa with a unique history, culture, and many opportunities.
It is one of the early African countries to gain independence, in 1847.

The country has an area of 111,369 km² and a population of approximately 5.7 million people. It is led by President Joseph Boakai.

Liberia was founded by former slaves from the United States, which gives it a distinctive historical connection between Africa and America. This connection has influenced the foundation of its culture, politics, and societal structure, making it unique in Africa.

Liberia uses English as its official language, though there are 20 other indigenous languages spoken across the country.

The country is rich in natural resources, including forests, minerals, gold, palm oil, fertile land, and more. Its economy grew by 4% in 2024. Liberia uses its own currency, with 1,000 Liberian dollars being equivalent to approximately Frw 7,900-8,000.

Monrovia, the capital, has a major port that facilitates international trade, especially with countries bordering the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean.

Liberia’s decision to lift the visa requirement for Rwandans, opened up new avenues for travel and trade between the two nations.

The strikes reportedly aimed at killing members of the Banyamulenge community who have been living in a camp for internally displaced people in the area.

Moïse Nyarugabo, a politician from the Banyamulenge ethnic group, explained that the attacks took place at 2:00 AM on November 15, 2025.

“On November 15, 2025, at 2:00 a.m., Tshisekedi’s drones bombed the village of Mikenke, a village inhabited by civilians and home to a camp for displaced Banyamulenge people whose villages have been burned. The toll has not yet been established, but certainly, there are civilians who must have been affected,” he said.

Nyarugabo confirmed that reliable information indicates that DRC forces, along with forces from Burundi, Wazalendo, and the FDLR, are present in areas such as Point-Zéro, Mikalati, Kigazura, Marunde, Kipupu, Rugezi, and Mukoko, with plans to launch further attacks in Minembwe and Mikenke, areas inhabited by the Banyamulenge.

“Two generals, one from Congo and another from Burundi, are in that area preparing for these major attacks. Unless there is a last-minute change of plans, in the coming hours or days, those who survive the Sukhoi and drone attacks will face further bombardment from enemies of peace,” he noted.

Since 2017, the Banyamulenge in South Kivu province have faced continuous attacks from a coalition of armed groups supported by the DRC government.

The MRDP Twirwaneho group, which defends the rights of Banyamulenge, disclosed, on November 6, that more than 328,000 people have been displaced over the past eight years.

Over 550 villages, nearly 140 schools, 41 health centers, and over 126 churches have been destroyed. Additionally, over 500,000 cattle have been looted.

The Berlin Conference, which took place from November 15, 1884, to February 26, 1885, marked a pivotal moment in this transformation. As European nations scrambled to divide Africa among themselves, Rwanda, like many of its neighbors, was caught in the web of imperialism.

It was during this conference that Rwanda’s fate was sealed on November 15, 1884, with the country being placed under German control.

The effects of this decision were far-reaching. Rwanda had never experienced massacres between its inhabitants before the German, and then Belgian colonization, which following the Berlin Conference from, led to the signing of the General Act for the Partition of Africa among Western powers.

Rwanda was assigned to the German zone. Then, Germany, England, and Belgium agreed to reduce Rwanda’s borders, annexing Rwandan territories to the Belgian Congo and Uganda.

{{The spark of colonization}}

The Berlin Conference, hosted by Chancellor Otto von Bismarck of Germany, was convened with one purpose: to regulate European colonization and trade in Africa.

The conference saw representatives from 14 European powers, including Britain, France, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Germany, and Italy, come together to formalize their claims to African territories.

The conference was governed by what came to be known as the Berlin Act (1885), a document that set the rules for colonization. It called for European powers to notify each other of their territorial claims and to establish effective occupation. Africa, which had long been home to thriving civilizations, was now a pawn in European geopolitics.

Rwanda, along with Burundi, was assigned to Germany as part of the larger German East Africa protectorate, which also included present-day Tanzania. This marked the beginning of a dramatic shift in the region’s trajectory.

The effects of the Berlin Conference were far-reaching, especially in Rwanda. The decision to place Rwanda under German rule was not simply a matter of territorial control; it marked the beginning of a colonial era that would fundamentally alter the country’s social, economic, and political structures.

During this time, Rwanda was ruled under the reign of King Kigeli IV Rwabugiri, who was placed in a position of limited authority by the Germans.

His power was undermined by the colonial administration, which took full control over the economy and governance. The imposition of European rule created tension between the local monarchy and the colonial powers.

{{The collapse of German control}}

While Germany’s rule over Rwanda was relatively short-lived, it had significant lasting effects on the country. World War I (1914-1918) played a key role in shifting Rwanda’s colonial allegiance. In 1916, as Germany was embroiled in the war in Europe, Belgian forces took over the German colonies in Africa, including Rwanda.

According to the book ‘The History of Rwanda’ published by the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission cyasohowe in 2016, written under the supervision of Paul Rutayisire and Déo Byanafashe, [the last German soldiers left Kigali by May 5, 1916. ->https://en.igihe.com/history/article/the-day-the-last-german-soldier-fled-kigali-during-world-war-i]

After the war, as indicated by the United Nations, the League of Nations granted Belgium a mandate over the territory of Rwanda, then called Ruanda-Urundi, on October 20, 1924, making them Belgian colonies.

The change from German to Belgian control marked a new chapter in Rwanda’s colonial history. On January 1, 1932, Belgium introduced ethnic identity cards, where the colonial administration deepened its involvement in Rwanda’s social structures, solidifying the divide between the Tutsi and Hutu populations.

{{Rwanda’s path to independence}}

Rwanda’s colonial history, shaped first by Germany and later by Belgium, left enduring scars on the nation. Beginning in 1917, Belgium implemented sweeping reforms to Rwanda’s customary institutions, introducing labor legislation that included harsh corporal punishments.

During this period, the racist political party PARMEHUTU emerged, rising to power through a well-coordinated massacre of Tutsi people starting on November 2, 1959.

To secure PARMEHUTU’s dominance, Belgium sent Colonel Guy Logiest to Rwanda as Special Military Resident, granting him full administrative authority. Once Belgium was confident that PARMEHUTU had consolidated its hold on the political landscape, it granted Rwanda independence in July 1962. However, independence brought neither peace nor stability.

Between 1959 and 1962, the country endured a series of unpunished massacres, including the killing of more than 2,000 Tutsi in Byumba Prefecture in March 1962.

In December 1963, a more systematic genocide targeting the Tutsi was orchestrated with Belgium’s support. Some diplomats, missionaries, international cooperation staff, as well as the French, Belgian, and British press, along with the Vatican, described these killings as genocide.

The deep social and political rifts created by the colonial system continued to plague the country, ultimately culminating in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

This tragic chapter was brought to an end by the intervention of the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA).

The forum was organized in partnership with the International Observatory for Participatory Democracy in Africa (IOPD Africa) and the Union of Local Elected Officials of Senegal.

As confirmed by the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) via X on November 14, the award recognized Rwanda’s strong reforms in digitizing local service delivery and its continued commitment to citizen-centered governance.

The award was received on behalf of the Ministry of Local Government, by Rwanda’s envoy to Senegal, Amb. Festus Bizimana.

Over the past 31 years, Rwanda has implemented various programs aimed at empowering citizens. This has led to enhanced inclusive participation in governance, with over 80% of citizens now playing a role in solving problems. This figure has risen from 65.63% in 2018.

Besides, decentralization of leadership in Rwanda began in 2000, strengthening local government structures and improving their performance and service delivery.

This is reinforced by the district advisory councils that oversee the implementation of planned activities, thus making citizens’ participation more evident.

The councils are also functional at the Sector, Cell, and Village levels. This has led to improvements in service delivery in sectors like healthcare and education, and it helps leaders easily identify what citizens need most.

This governance model that Rwanda adopted after the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi and the Liberation War is an example of how the country rebuilt itself by empowering citizens, ensuring inclusivity, and promoting technology.

It has allowed Rwandans to actively participate in and safeguard initiatives, as they should in a country that upholds democratic governance.

The integration of technology into governance has also further enhanced governance by promoting transparency and accountability among leaders, while citizens have easy access to information and a platform to engage with their leaders.

This approach that Rwanda has chosen has become a valuable lesson for other countries facing similar challenges to those Rwanda has overcome.

Recently, the contest launched a mentorship program focused on social impact and sales and marketing. The social impact session aimed to help contestants align their ventures with community needs and sustainable values.

The main objective of the mentorship on social impact was to inspire founders to design business models that not only generate profits but also contribute to solving pressing social challenges.

Phiona Ingabire, a coach on social impact emphasized the importance of building ventures that leave a lasting impact within the community.

“Sustainable businesses are built on trust, customer loyalty, and good conduct,” stated Ingabire, further emphasizing that, “ success is not just about numbers but about integrity and community impact”.

During her session, she also highlighted key focus areas of social impact including the value of trust and ethics, building long-term customer loyalty and ensuring sustainability through responsible entrepreneurship.

One of the contestants, the founder of Examira Group Ltd shared that they learned how crucial community trust and ethical practices are in building sustainable businesses.

After the sessions on social impact, the contestants faced a panel of judges including coach Gael Karomba (Inventor & CEO, Legacy Group Kigali Universe) ,Phiona Ingabire ( Program, Partnership Management, Entrepreneurship Coach and Business Development) and Charles Haba (CEO Century Real Estate) in an intense evaluation session.

The judges commended the contestants for their creativity and passion. As part of the process, two founders were eliminated, narrowing the remaining contestants to ten.

The next session on marketing and sales was moderated by Coach Tadhim Uwizeye, an expert in business marketing and sales management. Her session equipped contestants with practical tools for customer engagement and business visibility.

Uwizeye urged contestants to make the most of social media and digital platforms to reach their audiences.

Her sessions focused on leveraging social media for business growth, the use of metrics and customer behavior analysis to make data-driven decisions and developing customer-focused marketing strategies.

One of the contestants who is the founder of Mindtech Innovation Ltd reported gaining new insights into how to position their brands and to tailor their communication effectively.

The session boosted their confidence to apply modern marketing tools to scale their startups. It concluded with a judging panel featuring Tadhim Uwizeye (Founder and CEO Olado.rw/ Techwomen 2023 Emerging leader) and Charles Haba (CEO Century Real Estate). The judges evaluated the contestants’ progress leading to elimination of two founders.

This saw 8 founders advancing to the next session of mentorship, which will focus on HR, finance, and financial management, following their exposure to social impact and marketing.”

The Tangira startup TV contest is powered by RG CONSULT INC, and supported by a wide array of sponsors including IGIHE, 250 startups , ICT Chamber, Ministry of ICT and Innovation, ABA VIP, RSE, BPN, BRD, Capital FM, Royal FM, Itara Filmz, BTN TV, ATV, ESP and Nepfilms.

This joint initiative is designed to equip smallholder farmers with essential skills in climate-smart, appropriately scaled business-oriented mechanization and conservation agriculture practices.

The Sustainable Agriculture Mechanization through Farmer Field School (SAM/FFS) initiatives represents a milestone partnership between three leading institutions at the forefront of Rwanda’s agricultural transformation.

Through this joint effort, FAO, RICA, and RAB, the initiative is strengthening capacity across agricultural mechanization ecosystem, including local producers, farmer facilitators, cooperatives, and repair service providers to adopt and integrate environmentally, economically and socially responsible mechanization practices that enhance productivity while preserving natural resources.

Dr. Nomanthema Mhlanga, FAO Rwanda Representative (a.i), underscored the collective commitment to sustainable agricultural transformation, advancing support for smallholder farmers through Farmer Field Schools: “By joining hands with RICA and RAB, FAO Rwanda reaffirms its commitment to transforming smallholder agriculture through innovation and collaboration.

“Together, we are championing sustainable, climate-resilient mechanization that empowers producers to increase productivity, protect natural resources, and secure a more prosperous future for rural communities, “ stated Dr. Mhlanga.

Thirty FFS facilitators from Gatsibo, Bugesera, and Kirehe districts have already successfully completed a two-week hands-on training course at RICA. This intensive program utilized the participatory Farmer Field School (FFS) model to foster experiential learning.

During the initial part of the training, FFS Facilitators acquired practical skills in sustainable agricultural mechanization (SAM) and conservation agriculture (CA), including basic machinery operation and effective farmer-centered learning techniques. They were also guided on how to integrate these technical areas into locally adapted FFS curricula using core FFS principles, and processes.

Highlighting the strategic significance of such capacity-building initiatives, Dr. Olusegun Adedayo Yerokun, RICA’s Interim Vice Chancellor, articulated the strategic importance of the collaboration for farmer productivity.

“This collaboration underscores RICA’s mandate to equip farmers with specialized knowledge, thereby enhancing their production capabilities. It is intrinsically linked to our Conservation Agriculture approach, a strategy that demonstrably cultivates better soil health and yields greater productivity,” said Dr Yerokun.

The SAM-FFS learning curriculum emphasizes safe, efficient, and environmentally sustainable machinery use, demonstrating how the right tools and practices can significantly increase smallholder productivity while protecting vital soil, water resources, and efficient utilization of farming inputs.

Additional core component of the SAM-FFS program is the integration of enterprise development. The project specifically empowers FFS Facilitators with the capacity to guide farmers in recognizing mechanization not just as a production tool, but also as a viable business opportunity.

This strategic focus aims to strengthen local mechanization ecosystem and services, improve small-scale producer’s access to essential equipment, and create new income streams for farmer cooperatives in rural communities.

The program directly addresses critical challenges faced by smallholder farmers, such as limited access to suitable mechanization services, the necessary technical skills for safe and effective machinery operation.

By equipping FFS facilitators with comprehensive skills and knowledge in sustainable agricultural mechanization (SAM), conservation agriculture (CA), and robust business models, the initiative seeks to stimulate sustainable farming practices, foster resilient, and market-oriented rural livelihoods.

Highlighting the importance of community engagement for successful adoption, Dr. Solange Uwituze, RAB’s Acting Director General, reaffirmed RAB’s commitment to mobilizing smallholder producers across the target districts and providing them with continuous technical backstopping and post-training follow-up crucial for successful adoption.

“Active engagement with grassroots communities is critical to accelerating the adoption of sustainable agricultural mechanization and conservation agriculture. This approach enhance productivity and strengthens the resilience of farmers throughout Rwanda.

“It is expected that the project will contribute to promote the modernization of crop production in the current farm management model known as Food Basket Site (FoBaSi) as the project pilots are part of consolidated sites country wise,” stated Dr. Uwituze.

By strengthening the technical and advisory capabilities of facilitators, the SAM/FFS program is set to accelerate adoption of climate-smart mechanization solutions across Rwanda’s smallholder producers, ushering in an era of enhanced agricultural productivity, create youth employment and engagement in agriculture, promote sustainability, and contributing to building a resilient agrifood system.

The financing supports DelAgua’s agreement with TotalEnergies Carbon Solutions to purchase Certified Carbon Units generated through the project. Over the next ten years, the project is expected to avoid approximately 2.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions.

This investment demonstrates BPR Bank’s growing role as a key player in green financing and marks a strategic step toward achieving the Bank’s commitment to allocate at least 20% of its lending portfolio to green financing.

The project builds on DelAgua’s award-winning Tubeho Neza (Live Well) programme, which has already distributed more than 1.6 million improved cookstoves across Rwanda.

The fuel efficient stoves manufactured by BURN reduce firewood consumption by 71% and lower harmful indoor smoke emissions by 81%, helping to prevent respiratory illnesses and protect forests.

By distributing the stoves free of charge, the project ensures that even the most vulnerable rural households benefit from clean cooking, reduced energy burden, and improved health outcomes.

The clean cookstove project is designed to meet the Core Carbon Principles, representing the highest global standards for environmental integrity.

Measurement and verification will use advanced Stove Use Monitoring Sensors and DelAgua’s established digital monitoring platforms to ensure fully transparent climate impact reporting.

This initiative directly contributes to Rwanda’s target of achieving universal access to clean cooking by 2030 and aligns with national efforts toward environmental protection, climate resilience, and sustainable rural development.

Patience Mutesi, Managing Director, BPR Bank Rwanda Plc expressed commitment to driving sustainable growth by financing solutions that positively impact people and the planet.

She highlighted that the partnership with DelAgua and TotalEnergies demonstrates the bank’s growing leadership in green financing and dedication to supporting Rwanda’s transition to a low carbon economy.

“By bridging the financing of this initiative, which will distribute improved cookstoves to rural households, we are not only reducing carbon emissions but also improving the quality of life for thousands of families. This milestone brings us closer to achieving our goal of having 20% of our portfolio dedicated to green financing and reaffirms our purpose,” she stated.

According to Euan McDougall, CEO of DelAgua, this partnership demonstrates what can be achieved when innovation, integrity, and collaboration come together.

He further explained that combining DelAgua’s proven track record in delivering large-scale impact with TotalEnergies’ commitment to sustainable development, will be crucial in transforming lives across Rwanda.

“This has been made possible through green finance, which is a proven, viable, and strategic financial model. We are proud to partner with a local financial institution, BPR Bank Rwanda, to deliver this project; setting a precedent for similar investments in Rwanda,” he noted.

Pascal Siegwart, Vice-President Carbon Markets and Economy at TotalEnergies also expressed delight at the company’s support to the project expected to expand cleaner cooking solutions.

“This initiative reflects our commitment to making energy more affordable, accessible, and sustainable. By promoting clean cooking, we aim to deliver tangible benefits for the environment and public health, while also contributing to gender equality. Such projects are key to driving long-term social, economic, and human development in a sustainable way,” he said.