“This programme is about taking the capital market to the people,” said Pierre Celestin Rwabukumba, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Stock Exchange. “By simplifying account opening and showing how small, regular contributions grow over time, we remove barriers and widen participation practically.”
During the sessions, market players explained how the capital market works, the protections in place for investors and issuers, and the role of the regulator. They also gave new investors a simple step-by-step path to open an account through a licensed intermediary, set clear financial goals and timeframes, and choose suitable products such as shares, bonds, or collective investment schemes.
“Gisagara is proud to host the first stop,” said Jerome Rutaburingoga, Mayor of Gisagara District in the Southern Province. “Financial inclusion is central to our development agenda. When families invest formally, we strengthen resilience, create opportunity, and support the growth of our economy as a whole.”
In Ndora Sector, resident Felix Mirimo opened an investor account and committed to a monthly contribution. “Investing through the capital market gives me a clear plan for my family,” he said. “Even a modest amount each month can grow, helping with school fees today and building a foundation for a small business tomorrow.”
By taking capital market players closer to communities, the campaign helps close information gaps that keep money in short-term or informal savings. A stronger base of local investors supports a more active market, while companies gain better access to long-term funds to buy equipment, expand production, and grow value chains.
Rwanda’s capital market industry plans to extend the campaigns to other districts. Each visit will combine public education with on-the-spot services so that participants leave with better information, an active account, and a clear plan for their next steps in the market.
Resolution 2800 won the support of 14 members of the council, while the United States abstained.
The resolution decides that the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the CAR, known by its French acronym as MINUSCA, shall comprise up to 14,046 military personnel and 2,999 police personnel, as well as 108 corrections officers.
It recalls the Security Council’s intention to keep the numbers under continuous review, taking into account progress on the security situation and the objective of transition and eventual drawdown of MINUSCA when conditions are met.
In a statement released on Thursday, the corporation acknowledged that the edited sequence created “the mistaken impression that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action”. The programme, first broadcast shortly before the 2024 US election, will not be shown again in its current form.
BBC chair Samir Shah has written directly to the White House, expressing regret over what the organisation now calls an “error of judgement”. The corporation has also responded formally to Trump’s legal team, but maintains the clip was not maliciously produced.
Despite the apology, the BBC stated it “strongly disagrees there is a basis for a defamation claim”, arguing that the edit was an attempt to condense a lengthy speech rather than mislead viewers. The broadcaster also emphasised that the documentary did not air in the United States and was restricted to UK audiences, undermining the assertion that Trump suffered reputational harm.
Trump’s lawyers have demanded a full retraction, a public apology and financial compensation, claiming the edit “butchered” Trump’s words and “defrauded” audiences. Failure to comply, they warned, would prompt legal action. But experts note Trump faces significant hurdles: strict timelines for bringing defamation cases in the UK have already expired, and US law offers strong protections for political speech and opinion.
The controversy has triggered political scrutiny in Westminster. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the corporation was “gripping this with the seriousness that it demands”, though she warned that the BBC’s editorial guidelines had “not been robust enough” in some areas. She indicated that political appointments to the BBC board would be reviewed in the upcoming charter process, after concerns that such roles may undermine perceptions of impartiality.
Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey earlier urged the prime minister to intervene with Trump directly to defend the BBC’s independence and prevent escalating tensions.
The row has already claimed senior casualties inside the organisation. Director-general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness resigned on Sunday following mounting pressure over the accuracy and impartiality of the Panorama edit.
Fresh scrutiny emerged on Thursday after the Daily Telegraph uncovered a second instance of selective editing involving Trump’s January 6 speech, this time from a 2022 episode of Newsnight. In that segment, lines from different parts of Trump’s address were combined, followed by footage of the Capitol attack. Former White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, appearing on the programme at the time, criticised the edit as misleading.
A BBC spokesperson said the corporation holds itself to “the highest editorial standards” and is reviewing the newly surfaced Newsnight allegations.
The events come amid broader debate over the BBC’s handling of politically sensitive coverage. An internal memo leaked last week criticised aspects of the corporation’s reporting not only on Trump but also on trans issues and the Israel–Gaza conflict, adding further fuel to questions about consistency in editorial oversight.
According to MINEMA, from January to October this year, Rwanda received 5,101 returning citizens, including those who had previously been unable to return due to threats from armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), such as the FDLR, which had warned that returnees would be killed if they attempted to go home. The FDLR is a militia group formed by remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
The figures were disclosed on Tuesday, 12 November 2025, during a visit to the Nyarushishi Transit Centre, where officials met with recently returned Rwandans. Discussions during the visit focused on governance reforms, national opportunities, and the Ndi Umunyarwanda (“I am Rwandan”) programme.
The Mayor of Rusizi District, Phanuel Sindayiheba, welcomed the returnees and commended their decision to come back.
“Rwanda has chosen not to be held back by discrimination, poverty, or ignorance, but to pursue development and unity among Rwandans,” he said.
Marie Alice Kayumba Uwera, the Executive Director in Charge of National Unity and Community Resilience at MINUBUMWE, emphasised the importance of the Ndi Umunyarwanda programme in fostering a sense of national identity.
“Although you are returning late, it is better late than never. You are encouraged to work hard to make up for lost time,” she said, adding that some returnees had been misled into prioritising ethnic identity over their Rwandan roots.
Kayumba Uwera also urged returning women to encourage their husbands to come back. “Women have a strength we often do not realise. Many of you have already made the right choice to return, and you have inspired your husbands to follow,” she said.
Gonzage Karagire, Director of Refugee Programmes at MINEMA, said that receiving returning Rwandans is an ongoing effort.
“This year alone, over 5,000 Rwandans have come home. Currently, there are 592 people in this transit camp, including children and adults who recently returned,” he said.
Of the 592 returnees at Nyarushishi, 396 are children and 196 are adults. Among the adults, 160 are women and 36 are men.
Mushimiyimana Immaculée, who returned after 31 years in exile, recounted the challenges she faced and expressed her commitment to national unity.
“I only completed the first three grades, and I feel ashamed that at 32 years old I cannot read or write. I had to leave school when fighting broke out,” she said. She added that she intends to work with others to preserve unity and create opportunities for future generations.
The renovation began following a suspension in May 2025 by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) of the monthly prayer gatherings at ‘Kwa Yezu Nyirimpuhwe’, due to non-compliance with certain regulatory standards.
RGB instructed the Kabgayi Diocese to implement specific measures before activities could resume.
These included ensuring freedom of worship for all attendees, creating adequate parking facilities, establishing separate routes for pedestrians and vehicles, and providing quiet spaces where vulnerable individuals could participate in prayers undisturbed.
In an interview with IGIHE, the Chief Priest of Ruhango Parish, where the Peace Valley (the shrine) is located, Ngendahayo Tumaini Dominique, stated that the renovation works and the expansion of the worship space are almost complete to enhance the security of the large crowds.
“The work to expand and renovate the Peace Valley seems to be nearing completion, as most of the planned structures have been built, with others almost finished,” Father Ngendahayo said.
He explained that 60 new, fully-compliant toilets had been constructed, over 500 meters of pedestrian route and vehicle pathways had been laid, and large parking lots and gardens with various trees were established to improve air quality for worshippers.
“We have completed the construction of 60 new toilets and showers, a garden, a road, and a large parking area, all of which are nearing completion, with laterite being added and compacted,” he said.
Additionally, he mentioned that weak individuals will be accommodated in the Ruhango Parish Church, where “giant screens” will be installed to help them follow the prayers held at the Peace Valley.
Father Ngendahayo also highlighted that surveillance cameras will be installed to ensure the safety of worshippers, adding that these efforts aim to meet the requirements set by RGB and improve security for the large crowds attending.
The renovation work began on July 7, 2025, and is expected to be completed by the beginning of December. At that time, RGB will be notified of the completion, which will grant permission to resume the prayer gatherings at the site.
The gatherings at ‘Kwa Yezu Nyirimpuhwe’, began in 1991. Today, it has become a religious tourism destination, attracting visitors from across Africa and the world. The site attracts more than 100,000 people for worship on the first Sunday of each month.
This is a significant increase from the current $110 million generated from 35,000 tons of exported tea.
The role of tea in Rwanda’s economy was underscored on November 12, 2025, after officials from NAEB, alongside tea farmers from the Rutsiro Tea Growers’ Cooperative (RUTEGROC), participated in an activity to replant and expand the areas under tea cultivation.
This activity is part of the PSAC project, which seeks to support smallholder farmers to boost both the quantity and quality of crops, ensuring competitiveness in international markets.
The project will be implemented in six districts known for tea and coffee production: Nyaruguru, Karongi, Nyamasheke, Rutsiro, Nyabihu, and Rulindo.
Nkurunziza Alex, traditional commodities Division Manager at NAEB, emphasized that the PSAC project will help farmers address areas where tea plants have not flourished and expand cultivation areas.
“Tea continues to improve livelihoods, which is why we are focusing on filling gaps in tea cultivation and increasing the planted areas. Our collaboration with agronomists and farmers aims to boost production so that, by 2029, tea exports will generate $164 million for Rwanda,” he said.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by tea farmers, particularly the impacts of climate change, and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting farmers daily to achieve these goals.
Aloys Nzamwita, president of RUTEGROC, shared how the community’s perception of tea farming has evolved.
“When we first started, there was skepticism, but over time, people recognized its value. In 2015, a kilogram of tea sold for 100 Rwandan Francs, but today it sells for 460 Rwandan Francs. We now view tea farming as akin to owning a cow that is milked every day. Last year, we harvested 74 new hectares, and by 2027, we plan to expand by an additional 200 hectares,” he said.
Nzamwita also mentioned that tea farmers replacing old plants will benefit from an affordable payment plan during pruning, and increased yields.
Tea farmer Bitonda Boniface added, “Initially, we were hesitant because we only thought about growing potatoes. But with improved seedlings, our harvests will increase, and the money is good. Tea farming has lifted us out of poverty and provides monthly income to support our children’s education.”
The PSAC project aims to plant 8 million tea seedlings across 520 hectares in the six districts this year, with a focus on expanding cultivated areas and replacing poorly performing tea plants.
In Rutsiro, 150 hectares will be planted with tea in 2025, and by 2029, 40 million seedlings will be planted across 2,410 hectares.
The initiative is financed by the Government of Poland and was formalized at UNIDO headquarters in Vienna.
The signing ceremony took place between UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller and Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to UNIDO, Ambassador Urujeni Bakuramutsa, in the presence of Poland’s Head of Mission to UNIDO, Ambassador Marek Szczygieł, and officials from Poland’s Ministry of Economic Development and Technology.
“Today’s signing is more than just a document, it marks the beginning of a triangular partnership: Poland as an emerging donor, UNIDO with its technical expertise, and Rwanda on its path toward resilient, sustainable development,” Director General Müller said. “Together, we will deliver practical solutions that improve lives and build a safer, more sustainable future.”
Titled “Strengthening Rwanda’s capacities to respond to industrial and natural hazards,” the project will be implemented by UNIDO in cooperation with the Fire and Rescue Brigade of the Rwanda National Police.
It aims to strengthen institutional capacities, carry out a comprehensive feasibility study and risk assessment, and prepare a roadmap to improve national firefighting and emergency response systems.
A potential second phase could support targeted capacity‑building and the provision of specialized firefighting equipment.
Amb. Bakuramutsa described the project as a concrete example of multilateral cooperation that supports national development objectives.
“This project embodies the principles of international cooperation that define effective multilateralism,” she said. “It directly contributes to the implementation of our Second National Strategy for Transformation and Vision 2050, particularly in building a modern, competitive and green industrial economy.”
The project aligns with UNIDO’s strategic priorities of fostering sustainable and resilient industrialization, securing supply chains and promoting industrial safety and security. It is expected to strengthen Rwanda’s disaster preparedness and industrial safety frameworks, with practical benefits for communities and businesses.
Ambassador Szczygieł emphasized Poland’s commitment to development cooperation with African partners.
“Poland attaches great importance to development cooperation with African countries, and the project being signed today, implemented by UNIDO, is a prime example of this,” he said, noting Poland’s recent cooperation with UNIDO in countries such as Tajikistan, Moldova and Georgia and the country’s continued support for Ukraine.
Beyond its immediate technical aims, the initiative also marks a step toward deeper cooperation between Poland and UNIDO and signals Warsaw’s growing role as a reliable development partner.
By joining efforts with Rwanda, UNIDO and Poland intend to lay the groundwork for long‑term collaboration focused on resilience, innovation and inclusive industrial growth.
The two-day meeting is taking place under the theme “Leverage on Digital Innovation and Regional Collaboration to Facilitate Trade and Optimize Revenue Mobilisation.”
While opening the meeting, the Minister of State in Charge of National Treasury, Godfrey Kabera, highlighted the remarkable progress made across the region, largely due to closer policy coordination and administrative collaboration.
The GDP growth across the region averaged 5.8% in 2024/25, and nearly all revenue administrations exceeded their collection targets, achieving an average annual revenue growth rate of 16%, significantly outpacing GDP growth.
Despite this, Kabera said, informality continues to limit the efficiency and scale of tax collection, while compliance challenges, including smuggling, under-declaration, and slow adoption of e-invoicing, persist. Geopolitical tensions and inflation spikes also disrupt revenue mobilization.
“This gap highlights the need for continued improvement in both policy and administration to optimize domestic resource mobilization,” he said. “It also underscores the value of regional collaboration, where shared experiences, harmonized practices, and coordinated enforcement can help countries respond more effectively to uncertainty.”
He cautioned against policy approaches that work against regional goals. “When countries compete through uncoordinated tax benefits, it may offer short-term gains but can erode the collective revenue base. Greater alignment and harmonization of tax policies would reduce harmful competition, simplify compliance for cross-border businesses, and strengthen the integrity of the regional market.”
Kabera encouraged the Commissioners General to engage actively, not only to review progress but also to explore practical solutions at both national and regional levels.
Other participants include experts from the Research and Planning, Customs, Domestic Taxes, ICT, Investigations, Legal Affairs, Integrity, Policy, and Human Capital departments.
In his welcoming remarks, Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) Commissioner General, Ronald Niwenshuti, noted that since the first meeting in 1999, member countries have steadily strengthened domestic resource mobilization, reduced reliance on external financing, and built fiscal sustainability through robust national revenue systems. This progress, he said, has resulted from collective efforts across the region, though challenges remain.
The region’s average tax-to-GDP ratio remains below the 15% threshold, tax expenditures account for around 2.5% of GDP (2022/23), while illicit trade and smuggling continue to undermine gains. According to the AU High-Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows, Africa loses USD 88 billion annually to illicit financial flows, up from USD 50 billion in 2015.
Over the next two days of deliberations, key focus will be on continued digital transformation, smarter enforcement, simplifying taxpayer experiences, and harmonizing approaches across the region. Two other important topics include the digitalization of tax administration and combating illicit financial flows.
“This is especially important given the continued challenges posed by illicit financial flows, which deprive our countries of critical resources,” CG Niwenshuti said.
He emphasized the need for regional collaboration in the harmonization of tax policies and systems, improved cross-border surveillance and enforcement, enhanced digitalization and data exchange, more strategic tax reforms, better management of tax expenditures, and continued knowledge-sharing and peer learning.
“Our progress moves faster when we learn from each other’s experiences,” he said.
Technical teams are expected to present progress in areas such as customs management, the use of data and technology, informal sector taxation, institutional capacity building, and the development of shared protocols and data exchange frameworks.
The DRC remains one of the countries most affected by food insecurity, with the situation particularly severe in the east, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, at a daily briefing.
According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification analysis, the number is projected to rise to nearly 27 million people in the first half of 2026, he said.
Dujarric said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) remains deeply concerned about continued attacks against civilians in Beni and Lubero territories in North Kivu and also in Ituri province, with more than 1,000 people reportedly killed in the two provinces since the beginning of this year.
The impact on health services has been devastating, with at least six facilities attacked since the beginning of 2025 and a total of at least 28 health sites affected by armed attacks since 2024, said the spokesperson.
He said OCHA reiterated its call on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Since January, the security situation in eastern DRC has worsened sharply amid renewed fighting involving the March 23 Movement rebel group, which seized several key towns, including Goma and Bukavu.
Humanitarian agencies say the escalating violence has displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians, deepening an already dire crisis.
While most attention has focused on the railway linking Rwanda and Tanzania, plans also exist for connections with Kenya, Uganda, and South Sudan under the Northern Corridor initiatives.
The project, expected to facilitate trade and travel, is particularly significant for Rwanda, a landlocked country heavily reliant on regional transport routes.
The planned route from Rusumo to Kigali will pass through the Dubai Ports area in Kicukiro and extend 18 kilometres further to the new Kigali International Airport in Bugesera.
Signed in March 2018, the 532-kilometre railway agreement has seen construction advance on the Tanzanian side. However, work on the Rwandan section remains on hold pending finalisation of cross-border agreements.
Emmanuel Nuwamanya, acting Head of Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Infrastructure, told discussions organised by the African Development Bank on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, that Rwanda’s feasibility studies are complete.
“The studies will guide the construction process. Now, it is a matter of seeing neighbouring countries begin their sections,” he said.
Rwanda plans to invest over $1.5 billion in its segment, while Tanzania, which hosts the larger portion, is expected to contribute more than $2.5 billion.
Officials note the railway could reduce transport costs by up to 40%, easing the movement of goods in and out of Rwanda. For traders, the project is especially significant, as 70% of Rwanda’s imports and exports pass through the port of Dar es Salaam.
The project, long anticipated for over 20 years, is expected to strengthen regional trade links and integrate Rwanda more fully into East Africa’s transport network.
