She made the remarks on May 4, 2026, in Geneva during an official reception held on the sidelines of the ITU Council session, attended by high-level delegates including the ITU Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin.
Bakuramutsa expressed appreciation to Swiss authorities for hosting the session, before highlighting Rwanda’s longstanding role on the ITU Council since 2010, where it represents the African region. She said Rwanda’s engagement has been guided by its commitment to promoting universal and inclusive connectivity in line with global digital development goals.
She noted that Rwanda has actively contributed to international discussions on key issues such as meaningful connectivity, spectrum management, digital policy, and artificial intelligence, while consistently advocating for the interests of developing countries, including affordable access and bridging the digital divide.
The Ambassador also pointed to Rwanda’s broader efforts to position itself as a regional technology hub, citing initiatives such as the Smart Africa Alliance, headquartered in Kigali, and the hosting of Mobile World Congress Kigali since 2022.
She further highlighted national projects aimed at strengthening digital infrastructure and innovation, including a data-sharing platform, a cybersecurity hub, e-government services, and an artificial intelligence scaling hub targeting sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and education.
Bakuramutsa emphasized that despite global progress, about 2.2 billion people remain without internet access, underlining the need for continued international cooperation. She recalled Rwanda’s role in hosting major ICT events, including the World Telecommunication Development Conference in 2022, which contributed to advancing global commitments through the Kigali Declaration and Action Plan.
On the diplomatic front, she formally announced Rwanda’s bid for re-election to the ITU Council, seeking support from Member States to continue contributing to the global ICT agenda, particularly in areas such as digital public infrastructure, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Taking the floor, ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin commended Rwanda’s leadership in digital development, both in Africa and globally. She highlighted Kigali’s transformation into a growing innovation hub and referenced key initiatives including the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition and Mobile World Congress Kigali.
Bogdan also praised Rwanda’s progress in artificial intelligence, digital education, and e-waste management, as well as its continued engagement in ITU initiatives. She further acknowledged the role of President Paul Kagame in advancing the country’s digital agenda on the global stage.
Delegates listen as Amb. Urujeni Bakuramutsa presents Rwanda’s vision for inclusive connectivity during the ITU Council session in Geneva.Rwanda’s Ambassador Urujeni Bakuramutsa addresses delegates in Geneva as the country announces its bid for re-election to the International Telecommunication Union Council.ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin commended Rwanda’s leadership in digital development. Doreen Bogdan-Martin joins international delegates in Geneva as Rwanda highlights its digital leadership and re-election bid to the ITU Council.
The new law, passed on Tuesday, is expected to help prevent and reduce risks associated with digital assets, including money laundering and financing of terrorism. It also aims to strengthen consumer protection by curbing fraud and misleading promises of excessive returns.
Background and need for regulation
During the review of the bill by the Parliamentary Committee on Trade and Economy, it was revealed that the National Public Prosecution Authority (RIB) had recorded 35 cases linked to cryptocurrency-related fraud, many of which affected large numbers of victims.
In recent years, several individuals were reportedly lured into investing in online currency schemes with promises of high profits, only to lose both their capital and expected returns.
A notable case occurred in December 2025, when the Gasabo High Court convicted Manzi Sezisoni Davis of illegal foreign exchange trading, unauthorised cryptocurrency operations, fraud, and money laundering. He was sentenced to seven years in prison and fined $7.81 million (approximately Rwf 11.3 billion).
During the trial, Manzi argued that he had begun operating in the sector before any regulations existed. He also stated that he had contributed to discussions that helped shape the current legal framework.
Government position
The Government of Rwanda stated that the law is principle-based, providing flexibility for implementation. Detailed operational requirements will be defined through subsidiary regulations.
The law seeks to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing through digital assets, protect consumers and investors from fraud and misinformation, and address risks arising from high price volatility and the lack of intrinsic value in many crypto assets.
It also aims to promote transparency, integrity, and orderly market conduct, safeguard financial stability by reducing systemic risks linked to the financial sector, enhance cybersecurity, data protection, and operational resilience of crypto platforms, and support innovation in the digital asset ecosystem.
Regulation and oversight framework
The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Trade and Economy, MP Munyangeyo Theogene, stated that the law is necessary given the rapid growth of cryptocurrency use.
He warned that without proper regulation, fraudulent investment schemes could continue to exploit investors through false promises of high returns.
Globally, cryptocurrency has grown into a widely used financial asset, with more than one billion people estimated to have engaged in digital asset transactions. Over 70 million users reportedly trade regularly. The global market is valued at over $2.35 trillion, with more than 9,000 cryptocurrencies traded across over 900 exchanges worldwide.
In East Africa, adoption is also increasing. Kenya has over 4 million users, Uganda approximately 2 million, Tanzania around 1.5 million, and Rwanda more than 350,000 users.
According to the Chainalysis Crypto Adoption Index, Rwanda ranked 69th globally in 2021. However, it dropped to 142nd in 2023 following cautionary guidance issued by the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), which urged the public to exercise caution when engaging in cryptocurrency trading.
Regulatory authority and licensing
The Capital Market Authority (CMA) has been designated as the primary regulator of the sector. Its responsibilities include overseeing crypto service providers, coordinating with other regulatory institutions, and ensuring compliance with the law.
CMA will also issue licenses to both local and foreign entities seeking to operate in the cryptocurrency sector.
Under the new law, entry into the crypto business will require a minimum capital threshold, to be determined by regulations. This marks a shift from the previous environment where individuals could freely enter the market without safeguards, often resulting in investor losses.
Classification of digital assets
The law classifies digital assets into three main categories, namely stable digital assets (stablecoins), tokenised real-world assets, and unbacked digital assets.
Stable digital assets, also known as stablecoins, are cryptocurrencies whose value is linked to underlying reserves such as fiat currency, commodities, or other digital assets, and are designed to maintain a stable value.
Tokenised real-world assets refer to the digitisation of physical or financial assets using blockchain technology, where ownership is represented through digital tokens. These assets are required to be fully backed at 100 percent and securely held, with strict separation from other holdings, while public assets, infrastructure, artworks, and other non-assignable assets are excluded from tokenisation.
Unbacked digital assets are cryptocurrencies that are not backed by any underlying asset and derive their value primarily from market demand and speculation.
The Chamber of Deputies of the Rwandan Parliament has adopted legislation regulating the trading of digital asset–based currencies, commonly known as cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.The Government of Rwanda stated that the law is principle-based, providing flexibility for implementation. Detailed operational requirements will be defined through subsidiary regulations.The law seeks to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing through digital assets, protect consumers and investors from fraud and misinformation, and address risks arising from high price volatility and the lack of intrinsic value in many crypto assets.
Linkerbot has become a dominant player in the niche of highly dexterous robotic hands, which are the most mechanically complex components of humanoid robots and essential for tasks requiring precision and flexibility.
The company’s products are widely used by manufacturers and research institutions, giving it a global market share of more than 80% in this segment.
One of Linkerbot’s strategic goals is to mass-produce skilled robotic hands, scaling output from around 5,000 units per month to 10,000 units monthly in the near future.
This increase in production capacity aims to make advanced robot components more accessible to factories and research labs worldwide.
Linkerbot’s CEO, Alex Zhou, says the company is focused not just on building robot parts but on replicating human craftsmanship in robotic form. Its proprietary platform, which translates hundreds of human skills into robot capabilities, sets the startup apart from competitors and highlights its commitment to advancing real‑world automation.
Investors backing Linkerbot include major Chinese tech and finance groups such as Ant Group, HongShan Group, Bank of China Asset Management, and Fosun Capital.
Although the company has not yet detailed whether the $6 billion target will be reached through private investment or a future public listing, the interest from heavyweight backers signals strong belief in its long‑term prospects.
Linkerbot’s robotic hands are seen as a cost‑effective alternative to full humanoid robots, which remain expensive for many industrial applications.
By focusing on adaptable hands that can be fitted to existing systems, the company hopes to accelerate automation adoption across sectors while lowering barriers to entry.
As the global demand for advanced robotics grows driven by needs in manufacturing, logistics, and even service industries Linkerbot’s pursuit of a $6 billion valuation underscores China’s increasing leadership in next‑generation technology.
Linkerbot targets $6 billion valuation as it leads in robotic hand innovation.
These changes are designed to uphold the importance of human creativity while adapting to evolving technologies and increasing global participation in cinema.
For the first time, the Academy has clarified how AI tools will be treated in the awards process, especially as generative AI becomes more widely used in film production. While the use of AI is not banned, the new rules make it clear that human authorship must remain at the heart of creative work for a film to be eligible for major awards.
Performances must be delivered by actual humans who consent to be on screen, and screenplays must be entirely human‑authored. The Academy also reserves the right to request more information from filmmakers about how AI was used in a project, emphasizing that humans must be central to the creative process.
Academy president Lynette Howell Taylor stressed that as technology evolves, discussions about AI will continue, but the organization remains committed to maintaining human creativity at the forefront of awards eligibility. This approach seeks to find a balance between embracing innovation and protecting the integrity of artistic achievements recognized by the Oscars.
In addition to the AI‑related guidelines, the Academy also implemented major reforms to the international feature film category, a section that has been criticized in the past for being restrictive and susceptible to political influence.
Under the new rules, films that have won top awards at prestigious international festivals such as Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Busan, Sundance, and Toronto can now qualify for Oscar consideration even if they were not submitted by their home country.
This change allows films to be eligible based on artistic achievement rather than solely relying on country submissions. Furthermore, the Oscars will now credit the filmmaker not the nation for nominations in this category, and the director’s name will be included on the Oscar statuette alongside the film title.
The acting categories also saw a notable update: actors may now receive more than one nomination in the same category for different performances. This aligns the acting branch with other awards categories and recognizes exceptional work even when an individual appears multiple times in a single year.
These changes reflect the Academy’s effort to modernize the Oscars and make them more inclusive and adaptable to global filmmaking trends.
Oscars update rules on AI use and broaden international film eligibility.
The school, based in Nyabihu District, was selected from nearly 3,000 nominations and applications submitted from 113 countries, highlighting its growing reputation as a centre of excellence in digital skills and future-focused learning.
RCA is competing in the AI Transformation category, supported by Fab AI, which promotes the use of artificial intelligence to improve education systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Founded in 2019, RCA is a government-run specialist high school that trains around 280 students aged between 14 and 19 to become software engineers and AI innovators. The institution has positioned itself as a key part of Rwanda’s broader strategy to build a knowledge-based, digital economy.
Its recognition in the global competition is largely driven by its distinctive approach to artificial intelligence education. Beyond technical skills, the academy integrates ethics, responsibility, and social impact into every project.
Students are encouraged to critically examine issues such as fairness, data privacy, and the societal implications of AI technologies.
Among its standout innovations is a student-developed computer vision system designed to detect road accidents in real time. The system uses locally sourced data and has been deliberately engineered to protect privacy by avoiding facial recognition features.
RCA’s track record of achievement has further strengthened its global standing. Students have developed more than 70 functional technology projects, and in 2025, they secured first, second, and third place at the picoCTF-Africa cybersecurity competition, outperforming participants from over 20 countries.
More recently, RCA students won the 2026 AI Ideathon organised by the Rwanda Education Board and are set to represent the country at the global level in Switzerland.
The school has also expanded its international footprint through partnerships with organisations such as the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), as well as participation in global hackathons and cyber-resilience forums.
The Global Schools Prize, founded by education entrepreneur Sunny Varkey, is the largest award of its kind. It celebrates schools that demonstrate exceptional commitment to equipping learners with the skills and values needed to navigate a rapidly changing world.
“Congratulations, Rwanda Coding Academy. Your approach to teaching and learning powerfully demonstrates how schools play a defining role in equipping young people with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to shape our rapidly evolving world,” Varkey said in a statement.
Mathias Esmann, Director of Partnerships at Fab AI, also commended the finalists, noting that they are “harnessing the enormous potential of AI to expand access, free up time for teachers and deliver measurable impact for learners.”
As part of the shortlist, RCA receives a Global Schools Prize badge and joins an international network of leading institutions, gaining access to partnerships, professional development opportunities, and global collaboration platforms.
The competition will now narrow the top 50 schools down to 10 category winners, each receiving $50,000. One overall winner will be awarded $500,000 to scale its impact.
The final winner is expected to be announced during the Education World Forum in London in May.
The school, based in Nyabihu District, was selected from nearly 3,000 nominations and applications submitted from 113 countries, highlighting its growing reputation as a centre of excellence in digital skills and future-focused learning.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while attending a symposium on strengthening basic research in Shanghai.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at a symposium on strengthening basic research in Shanghai, east China, April 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)
The feature comes as AI tools increasingly make it easier to produce songs and even entire “artists” that exist only in digital form. Under the new system, verified profiles will display a green checkmark and the label “Verified by Spotify” on artist pages and in search results.
To qualify, artists must demonstrate an authentic presence both on and off the platform. Spotify will look for indicators such as live concert activity, merchandise availability, and linked social media accounts on artist profiles. Accounts primarily representing AI-generated music or AI persona-based artists will not be eligible for verification.
The company will also require consistent listener engagement over time, prioritising artists with sustained audience interest rather than those who experience short-lived viral spikes. According to Spotify, more than 99% of artists actively searched for by listeners at launch will already meet the criteria, many of them independent musicians across a wide range of genres and regions.
“We’ve designed this new verification program thoughtfully with listeners and artists in mind, and we’ll continue to evolve this program over time,” Spotify wrote in a blog post. “Our goal is to make it easier for you to trust and understand the human artistry behind the music you listen to on Spotify, and develop long-term, meaningful connections with the artists and music you love.”
The rollout will take place gradually over the coming weeks due to the platform’s vast catalogue of artist profiles. Spotify noted that the absence of a badge does not mean an artist will be permanently excluded, as verification will continue over time.
In addition to badges, Spotify is introducing a new beta section on artist profiles highlighting career milestones, releases, and touring activity. The feature aims to give users clearer insight into an artist’s real-world activity and creative history.
These updates are part of Spotify’s broader response to rising “AI slop” and impersonation issues in music. The company has also been testing an “Artist Profile Protection” tool that lets artists review releases before they appear on their pages. This follows reports of widespread AI-generated impersonation tracks being removed across streaming services.
The new feature comes as AI tools increasingly make it easier to produce songs and even entire “artists” that exist only in digital form.
The proposed policy would prevent minors from creating accounts or viewing content on platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube while in the country.
The move follows growing global concern about children’s exposure to harmful online content. Similar measures have recently been introduced in other countries.
In Australia, legislation adopted in late 2025 imposes heavy penalties, including fines of up to $34.4 million, on individuals or entities that enable children under 16 to access social media. Indonesia passed a comparable law in March 2026, classifying platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and X as high-risk for minors.
According to research by Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT and Innovation, 46% of children access digital services using mobile phones, either their own or their parents’. While schools provide computers for educational purposes, access is typically restricted.
Minister Paula Ingabire told RBA that between 30% and 35% of children surveyed reported encountering disturbing content online.
“We found that when children are on the internet or social media, particularly platforms like TikTok and YouTube, they are exposed to harmful material, including explicit content and other issues that negatively affect their well-being,” she said.
Ingabire noted that children often possess more advanced digital skills than their parents and teachers, making supervision and protection more challenging.
Currently, Rwanda does not enforce age-based restrictions on social media account creation or content access.
The government is now working on introducing systems, already implemented in other countries, that would block children under 16 from accessing such platforms. The approach will involve collaboration with internet service providers, social media companies, and parents.
“Our objective is to ensure that children under 16 are not able to create accounts or access these platforms,” Ingabire said. “We are working with relevant stakeholders to design a system that can be effectively implemented in Rwanda, as it has been elsewhere, in order to strengthen child protection online.”
Officials say the measure could also help reduce cyber-related crimes and encourage children to engage in more age-appropriate and beneficial activities.
In the meantime, parents are being urged to monitor their children’s screen time and online activity.
*Balancing child protection and digital education*
Education Minister Joseph Nsengimana noted that students are already prohibited from bringing mobile phones to school, as they can distract from learning.
Ingabire emphasised that the government remains committed to promoting technology in education, but in a way that safeguards children.
“We want to enhance the quality of education through technology while minimising risks,” she said. “This includes protecting children from online threats and inappropriate content that may affect their development.”
In September 2025, Rwanda introduced a national child online protection policy. The cooperation framework between government agencies and internet service providers to detect and block harmful content, as well as regulatory measures requiring platforms to remove such material.
It also outlines the development of systems to monitor and prevent cybercrime, based on international standards.
In addition, the policy calls for ethical guidelines for technology developers and service providers to ensure their products and services align with national values and prioritise child safety.
However, some experts caution against a blanket ban. Sonia Ruton, Managing Director of Hope for Young, said technology also plays an important role in education.
“A gradual approach is needed,” she said. “Children should first be taught how to use technology responsibly. Online resources like Google and YouTube can help them better understand school subjects, especially complex topics. But their use should be limited to avoid distraction.”
International health guidelines recommend that children under two should not use digital devices; those aged two to five should be limited to about one hour per day with parental supervision; and older children should have moderated screen time.
Ingabire added that the planned rollout of a national digital identification system could make it easier to enforce age-based restrictions online by verifying users’ identities.
The proposed policy would prevent minors from creating accounts or viewing content on platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube while in the country.
They made the call during the eighth African Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Forum, held by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) from Sunday to Monday in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.
Ugandan Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Monica Musenero Masanza stressed the need for concerted continental efforts on STI as a central pillar to Africa’s socio-economic transformation, industrialization, value addition, and job creation.
“There is no question that STI is an essential ingredient for our nations and continent to move forward,” said Masanza. “We need to work jointly to scale practical projects. Africa does not lack ideas and strategies. Africa lacks execution at scale.”
The forum brought together African ministers responsible for STI, representatives of the African Union and various United Nations agencies, as well as private sector leaders and academia.
Noting that Africa continues to face significant digital and innovation gaps despite the opportunities presented by emerging technologies, UNECA Executive Secretary Claver Gatete emphasized that Africa must act with “urgency, coordination and ambition” to harness STI as drivers of economic transformation, inclusion and sustainable development.
“For Africa, the margin for delay has disappeared. The cost of inaction is rising. The choices we make today will determine whether we catch the next wave of global transformation, or miss it entirely,” Gatete said.
Gatete outlined five strategic priorities for Africa to turn innovation into a broad-based transformation, which include aligning STI with Africa’s economic transformation agenda, accelerating investment in digital public infrastructure, building future-ready skills at scale, deepening regional and continental coordination, as well as securing reliable, affordable and sustainable energy to power Africa’s digital transformation.
The forum brought together African ministers responsible for STI, representatives of the African Union and various United Nations agencies, as well as private sector leaders and academia.
He made the remarks during a media discussion focused on ongoing changes in public transport across the city.
Currently, the City of Kigali has introduced dedicated bus lanes for public transport, while encouraging private car owners to opt for buses instead.
This move aims to improve fuel efficiency amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, reduce traffic congestion, and speed up travel.
However, one of the major concerns raised by commuters is the lack of reliable, real-time information about buses. Many passengers spend long periods waiting at bus stops, sometimes only for buses to arrive already full.
To address this, the new technology is expected to provide accurate, real-time updates on bus locations and available seats.
Rukera explained that although the system is already in use, it has not yet been officially launched as it is still undergoing testing.
“We have started using this technology, but we have not yet introduced it to the public because it is still being tested. As you know, with technology, you first test it thoroughly before presenting it,” he said.
He added that out of the 320 buses currently operating in Kigali, the system can already track their locations and monitor how they are being driven.
The next step is to integrate artificial intelligence capable of counting passengers on board and providing real-time updates.
Rukera also revealed that on routes such as Rwandex toward Sonatubes and Kacyiru, some bus stops are already equipped with smart displays showing estimated arrival times and passenger capacity.
“This is a project we have been working on for about six months. We started with existing systems that allow us to track bus movements and schedules, as well as monitor drivers. Our goal is to extend this information to passengers, not only at bus stops but also to those at home through a mobile application,” he explained.
He further noted that Rwanda is collaborating with the navigation platform Waze, allowing even those without the dedicated app to access nearby bus stop information via the internet, making it easier to plan their journeys.
Transport analyst Prof. Egide Karuranga, who also participated in the discussion, emphasized that adopting such technology will significantly improve public transport services.
He explained that passengers will be able to check, for example, if a bus scheduled for noon is delayed until 12:15, see that it will arrive in five minutes, and know whether seats are available before it arrives.
Karuranga added that such systems could also be expanded to better serve vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women and people with disabilities, by helping them decide whether to board a bus or wait for one with available seating.
He also pointed out the need to reduce the number of pedestrian crossings that cause buses to stop frequently, noting that this contributes to delays and increases the risk of accidents.
“Public transport is essential because it supports all aspects of sustainable development, from the economy to technology,” he said.
Karuranga further highlighted that traffic congestion, largely driven by the use of private cars, has a significant economic cost. He estimated that if a person spends one hour in traffic daily, it amounts to about 320 hours per year, equivalent to roughly 40 working days lost. When multiplied across many people, this has a serious impact on the national economy.
Kigali City spokesperson Emma Claudine Ntirenganya also encouraged residents to embrace public transport, noting that while it is not mandatory to leave private cars at home, doing so benefits both individuals and the country.
“When you choose to take a bus and leave your car at home, it is not just a personal benefit; it also serves the national interest, especially in these times, because it helps extend the country’s fuel reserves,” she said.
The ongoing efforts reflect Rwanda’s broader push to modernize public transport and promote more efficient, sustainable urban mobility in Kigali.
Rwanda has rolled out smart technology to help passengers track bus movements in real timeKigali residents are encouraged to use public busesDedicated bus lanes expected to improve traffic flow and public transport efficiencySome parking spaces for private cars have been removed to promote the use of busesSignposts indicating bus-only lanes have been installed in several areas.
