The telescope is expected to help scientists search for distant planets, study dark matter and dark energy, and explore parts of the universe that remain poorly understood.
NASA had previously planned to launch the mission no later than May 2027, but officials now say development is progressing faster than expected.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman described the project as an example of successful cooperation between government institutions and private companies.
The Roman Space Telescope is designed to capture enormous areas of space using high-resolution infrared imaging. Scientists say its technology will allow researchers to study the universe on a much larger scale than before.
During its planned five-year mission, the telescope is expected to collect around 20,000 terabytes of scientific data. Researchers hope to use the information to study nearly 100,000 planets outside the solar system, known as exoplanets, along with hundreds of millions of galaxies and billions of stars.
Scientists also believe the mission could uncover unusual cosmic events and objects never previously observed.
NASA plans to launch the telescope aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The mission is being managed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center with support from several research institutions, including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Space Telescope Science Institute.
Experts say the telescope could provide major new insights into how the universe formed and evolved over billions of years.
NASA’s Roman Space Telescope could launch in 2026 and dramatically expand humanity’s view of the universe. The mission will scan billions of stars and galaxies while searching for hidden planets and mysterious cosmic phenomena. Credit: NASA
Speaking at the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa 2026 at the Kigali Convention Centre on Tuesday, Kagame said Rwanda’s successful completion of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Phase I Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review marked a key milestone in its nuclear energy roadmap.
President Kagame received the report from Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), following an assessment process with experts that advances Rwanda’s nuclear ambitions to the next stage.
Rwanda aims to generate up to 1.5 gigawatts of electricity from nuclear power by 2050.
“We intend to have nuclear energy operational by the early 2030s. This assessment confirms that we are on track,” Kagame said.
The summit, held under the theme “Powering Africa’s Future: Turning Nuclear Energy Ambition into Investable Reality,” brought together heads of state, international organisations, investors and technical experts to discuss how Africa can scale up reliable energy systems to support long-term economic transformation.
Kagame said Africa’s development prospects depend heavily on solving persistent energy shortages, noting that modern manufacturing, mineral processing, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence and advanced healthcare all require stable and reliable electricity.
“For Africa, energy is not simply a development issue. It is the foundation of industrial growth and competitiveness,” he said. “Countries that cannot meet this demand will struggle to compete.”
He emphasised that Rwanda views nuclear energy as a critical component of its long-term energy strategy, with particular focus on small modular reactors (SMRs), which he described as more suitable for African contexts due to their scalability, lower cost and adaptability to smaller power grids.
While reaffirming the importance of renewable energy sources such as solar and hydropower, Kagame cautioned that intermittent supply alone would not be sufficient to meet Africa’s rapidly growing energy needs.
“Renewable energy will remain indispensable, particularly solar and hydro, where Africa has enormous potential. But our economies cannot function efficiently on intermittent supply alone,” he said.
The President also stressed the importance of investment and regulatory certainty in attracting long-term capital into nuclear projects, urging African countries to strengthen governance frameworks and avoid fragmented approaches.
“What Africa cannot afford is fragmentation,” he said. “If countries work in isolation, progress will be slow and far more costly.”
He added that cooperation, regulatory harmonisation, financing mechanisms and regional power integration would be essential to ensure successful deployment across the continent.
Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Council of Ministers of Togo, called for Africa to move beyond discussion and take concrete steps toward implementation, describing the summit as a defining moment for the continent’s energy future.
“There are moments in the life of a continent when it is no longer enough to merely observe reality; we must shape the future,” Gnassingbé said.
He argued that while renewable energy remains important, it cannot alone support Africa’s industrialisation, digital expansion and growing demand for baseload power.
“Manufacturing industries, data centres, artificial intelligence, and Africa’s digital future require continuous, decarbonised, and competitive baseload electricity,” he said.
Gnassingbé highlighted Togo’s own progress, including the adoption of nuclear energy legislation, the establishment of an atomic energy commission and ongoing exploration of small modular reactors for off-grid regions. He also stressed the importance of African-led development.
“African nuclear energy will not be imported. It will be designed, operated, and governed by Africans, for Africans,” he said.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan also emphasised regional cooperation, saying nuclear energy should complement rather than replace renewable sources in Africa’s energy mix.
She noted that Tanzania plans to develop 1,200 megawatts of nuclear capacity within the next decade and has already established a national implementation body aligned with International Atomic Energy Agency standards.
“Nuclear energy should not be viewed as competing with renewable energy, but rather as a complementary part of a broader effort to build resilient, sustainable and reliable energy systems,” Hassan said.
Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said Africa’s energy challenges are central to global development priorities, noting that nearly half a billion people on the continent still lack access to electricity.
He said recent international agreements with development banks, including the World Bank and regional institutions, are helping remove long-standing financing barriers to nuclear energy projects.
“For many years, finance was the red line separating Africa from the benefits of nuclear energy. But this has changed,” Grossi said.
He praised Rwanda’s regulatory progress, including institutions such as the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board and the Rwanda Nuclear Authority, calling them essential for ensuring safety and investor confidence.
Dr. Lassina Zerbo, Chairman of the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB), said the summit reflects a shift from ambition to implementation, urging Africa to focus on building investable and bankable nuclear projects.
“Africa should not simply aspire to have a seat at the table. Africa must help shape the table itself,” Zerbo said.
He highlighted the potential of small and micro modular reactors as transformative technologies for Africa’s future energy systems and announced the creation of a Global Coalition for Nuclear Philanthropy aimed at mobilising financing for nuclear development.
As the summit continues over the next two days, Kagame said Rwanda will continue to support continental efforts, emphasising that Africa’s rapidly growing population could become a major economic advantage if matched with sufficient energy infrastructure.
“By 2050, Africa will have the largest workforce in the world,” he said. “The demographic shift can become one of the greatest economic advantages of this century if we prepare for it.”
Speaking at the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa 2026 at the Kigali Convention Centre on Tuesday, Kagame said Rwanda’s successful completion of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Phase I Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review marked a key milestone in its nuclear energy roadmap.President Kagame stressed the importance of investment and regulatory certainty in attracting long-term capital into nuclear projects, urging African countries to strengthen governance frameworks and avoid fragmented approaches.Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Council of Ministers of Togo, called for Africa to move beyond discussion and take concrete steps toward implementation, describing the summit as a defining moment for the continent’s energy future.Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan also emphasised regional cooperation, saying nuclear energy should complement rather than replace renewable sources in Africa’s energy mix.Rwanda is hosting the second edition of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit on Africa (NEISA 2026) at the Kigali Convention Centre. The high-level gathering brings together continental heads of state, including Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, alongside global industry leaders like Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The move comes as the country seeks to expand its electricity generation capacity. The Government of Rwanda estimates that national demand could exceed 5,000 megawatts in the coming decades, compared to the roughly 406 megawatts currently available.
To help bridge that gap, Rwanda has opted to pursue Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology, arguing that it offers a more practical and scalable solution for the country than conventional large-scale nuclear plants.
President Paul Kagame, while speaking at the Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris, France, in March this year, described nuclear energy as a key pillar for powering the country’s industrial growth while meeting its climate responsibilities.
“We have decided to make nuclear central to our strategy,” Kagame said. “It will diversify our energy mix while providing the stability required for industrial growth and long-term transformation.”
This strategic roadmap takes center stage as Rwanda hosts the second edition of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit on Africa (NEISA 2026) at the Kigali Convention Centre. The high-level gathering brings together continental heads of state, including Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, alongside global industry leaders like Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Unlike hydroelectric dams or fossil-fuel-powered plants, nuclear reactors require relatively small amounts of fuel to produce substantial amounts of electricity. Uranium, the fuel used in nuclear power generation, releases heat through a process known as nuclear fission, in which atomic nuclei split apart. The resulting heat is used to produce steam that drives turbines to generate electricity.
According to energy experts, a single gram of uranium can generate enough energy to produce one megawatt of electricity per day, roughly equivalent to the output generated by three tons of coal.
Why Rwanda chose small modular reactors
Rwanda began studying the feasibility of nuclear power in 2017. Early assessments concluded that constructing a large conventional nuclear plant would be difficult due to the country’s limited land area and infrastructure constraints.
Officials noted that a traditional 1,000-megawatt reactor would exceed the absorption capacity of Rwanda’s current electricity grid. In addition, large nuclear facilities typically require extensive exclusion zones of up to 40 kilometers surrounding the site for safety purposes, a condition difficult to meet in Rwanda’s densely populated landscape.
As a result, policymakers turned to Small Modular Reactors, a newer generation of nuclear technology designed to operate on a smaller footprint while maintaining significant electricity output.
SMRs generally require less land, in some cases around 20 hectares, and are designed with passive safety systems intended to automatically shut down reactors in the event of technical failure.
International partnerships taking shape
Rwanda has already entered into several international partnerships aimed at supporting its nuclear energy ambitions.
In 2018, the country launched cooperation with Russia focused on establishing a nuclear research centre that could eventually support domestic nuclear energy production.
In August 2024, Rwanda signed a cooperation agreement with the U.S.-based company Nano Nuclear Energy Inc to collaborate on advanced nuclear technologies intended for electricity generation.
Earlier, the government also signed an agreement with Dual Fluid Energy Inc to test nuclear reactor technologies that could potentially be deployed in Rwanda. The broader objective is for nuclear energy to contribute approximately 1.5 gigawatts of Rwanda’s projected 5-gigawatt electricity demand by 2050.
Site selection and safety assessments underway
Authorities have already identified preliminary locations for future reactor installations based on visible geographic conditions. However, detailed scientific assessments are still underway to determine whether the sites meet international safety requirements.
Among the key considerations are seismic stability, water availability, and population density. Nuclear facilities require reliable water sources for cooling and steam generation and are generally located away from densely populated areas to minimise potential risks.
Multi-billion-dollar investment
The nuclear program is expected to require substantial financial investment.
Although final construction costs have not yet been determined, Rwanda estimates that each megawatt of nuclear generating capacity could cost approximately $4 million to develop.
At that rate, achieving the country’s target of 1,500 megawatts of nuclear-generated electricity could require investments approaching $6 billion, though officials acknowledge that the estimate remains preliminary.
Rwanda is also investing in workforce development to support the emerging sector.
In 2024, reports indicated that more than 200 Rwandan students were selected for overseas training in nuclear science and engineering disciplines. The initiative is intended to build a domestic pool of specialists capable of operating and maintaining future nuclear facilities.
Initial plans focused on deploying a single SMR unit capable of generating approximately 200 megawatts of electricity. Current projections, however, envision four such modules, each producing around 200 megawatts.
The expansion would significantly increase demand for specialised personnel, with estimates suggesting that more than 400 additional experts will eventually be required as the sector grows.
Officials say additional reactor modules could be introduced progressively as Rwanda’s energy needs continue to expand.
Rwanda is advancing plans to integrate nuclear energy into its long-term development strategy, with ambitions to generate up to 1.5 gigawatts of electricity from nuclear power by 2050.
One of the festival’s major attractions was screenings of SHENZHOU 13, China’s first 8K movie filmed in space. Based on the six-month orbital mission of the Shenzhou-13 astronauts aboard China’s space station, the film showcased panoramic views of Earth and intimate scenes of life in orbit.
The project was filmed using fully domestically developed 8K ultra-high-definition cameras, marking a milestone in China’s space-based filmmaking capabilities.
China’s participation in the festival also extended to advanced medical technology.
In a keynote lecture titled “Intelligent Hybrid Operating Room,” Wang Lei from the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences introduced Bulgarian audiences to international innovations in artificial intelligence-assisted surgical and interventional operating rooms. He also presented the latest Chinese research integrating operating room systems, robotics and surgeon information technologies.
Speaking at the event on Saturday, Chinese Ambassador to Bulgaria Dai Qingli highlighted the expanding scientific and technological cooperation between China and Bulgaria in recent years.
“From the vastness of space to the frigid Antarctic, from frontier sectors such as quantum information and artificial intelligence to areas close to people’s daily lives such as agriculture and health, scientists and engineers from China and Bulgaria are joining hands in an increasingly wide range of fields,” she said.
According to the organizer, the Beautiful Science Foundation, the festival aims to promote science and technology through discussions, demonstrations, workshops and interdisciplinary events connecting science and art, while bringing together leading Bulgarian and international researchers.
A humanoid robot poses during a permanent exhibition at the Zhongguancun Exhibition Center in Beijing, capital of China, March 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
The agreement, signed during the recently concluded Africa CEO Forum, establishes a framework for discussions around technology-enabled transport solutions, digital innovation, and support for Rwanda’s urban mobility ecosystem.
Under the partnership framework, Yango Group and RDB will engage on areas including investment facilitation, regulatory engagement, and broader conversations relating to smart urban transport and digital mobility solutions.
Adeniyi Adebayo, Chief Business Officer at Yango Group, said Rwanda’s rapidly evolving digital economy makes it an attractive market for technology-driven services.
“Rwanda represents a dynamic and evolving digital economy, with growing interest in technology-enabled services,” Adebayo said after signing the MoU with RDB CEO Jean Guy Afrika.
“Through this engagement, we look forward to exploring opportunities for collaboration with relevant stakeholders while learning more about Rwanda’s mobility ecosystem,” he added.
RDB CEO Jean-Guy Afrika signed the MoU with Adeniyi Adebayo, Chief Business Officer at Yango Group.
The move signals Yango’s interest in expanding its African footprint into East Africa as Rwanda positions itself as a regional hub for innovation, smart-city development, and digital services.
Headquartered in Dubai, Yango Group operates a broad digital ecosystem across more than 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Europe, and South Asia. While the company is widely known for ride-hailing services through Yango Ride, it has expanded into delivery, fintech, entertainment, AI-powered technologies, and digital business solutions.
Unlike traditional ride-hailing operators, Yango functions primarily as a technology platform that partners with local transport companies and independent fleet operators rather than directly owning vehicles or employing drivers.
The company says its business strategy focuses on adapting technology to local market conditions through what it describes as a “translocal” model. This includes tailoring mapping systems, payment solutions, and mobility technologies to suit regional infrastructure and user needs.
In Africa, Yango has already established operations in countries including Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal, Zambia, Angola, Algeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The company has increasingly targeted fast-growing digital economies where demand for app-based transport, delivery, and cashless services continues to rise.
Yango’s ecosystem also includes Yango Delivery, Yango Pay, Yango Maps, AI-powered logistics technologies under Yango Tech, and entertainment services through Yango Play.
Any future launch of Yango services in Rwanda, the company said, remains subject to regulatory approvals, licensing requirements, and all applicable government processes.
The agreement, signed during the recently concluded Africa CEO Forum, establishes a framework for discussions around technology-enabled transport solutions, digital innovation, and support for Rwanda’s urban mobility ecosystem.
The initiative was officially launched on May 14, 2026. It is designed to provide training, technical tools, and other support to enable young innovators to build AI-powered applications capable of solving real-world problems.
AISCA has set ambitious targets, including supporting 25,000 projects, 10,000 researchers, and equipping 1.5 million people with AI-related skills. The programme also aims to help create up to one million jobs by 2036.
The Chairperson of the AISCA Board, Dr Agnes Kalibata, said Africa must begin developing technologies that respond to its own challenges rather than relying on imported solutions that often fail to address local needs.
“Africa needs to start creating technology that responds to African problems instead of continuing to use technology that was not designed for the challenges we face. For example, if I develop a tool that uses Kinyarwanda, a mother in a rural area will be able to use it because it is a language she already knows and uses,” she said.
Esther Kunda, Director General for Innovation and Emerging Technologies at the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, said that while promoting access to technology is important, equal attention must be given to ensuring that it is used meaningfully and for solving real problems.
“It is good that we want more people to use and create this technology, but we must also think about the users. Is it needed? What problem does it solve? We must avoid investing in things just because they are trending, but rather focus on what benefits citizens,” she said.
Ridwan Oloyede, Director of Policy and External Affairs at AISCA, said Africa is making progress in technological development but must also take ownership of the systems it uses.
“We are the ones who should decide who builds our technology, who uses it, and who benefits from it. That is how Africa will stand strong in this global digital era,” he said. The President and Group CEO of Cassava Technologies, Hardy Pemhiwa, stressed the importance of ensuring that African youth move beyond being users of AI and become creators of the technology.
He noted that this shift is essential for ensuring that artificial intelligence contributes to sustainable development across the continent.
AISCA will prioritize projects focused on empowering women and young people. The initiative is supported by partners including; Cassava Technologies, African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, DC Labs and other organisations.
The initiative was officially launched on May 14, 2026. The launch featured discussions focused on AISCA’s critical role. The AI Skills and Compute Africa Foundation (AISCA) has been launched in Rwanda to empower youth with artificial intelligence skills and innovation tools.
Cramer pointed to the recent downturns in Meta Platforms and Shopify, saying their share price weaknesses may offer “tremendous entry points” for long‑term investors.
Both stocks have fallen sharply from recent highs Meta by about 24% and Shopify by around 46% as broader market concerns have weighed on tech and AI‑linked names.
Cramer’s pick of Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) reflects his belief that the company’s heavy investments in AI and social media innovation could translate into future growth. Despite recent sell‑offs on investor fears around spending and valuation, Wall Street analysts still see meaningful upside.
The median price target for Meta suggests a potential increase in share value, supported by strong first‑quarter revenue growth and higher engagement across its Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp platforms.
For Shopify (NYSE: SHOP), Cramer highlights the company’s positioning at the forefront of e‑commerce innovation, especially through its AI‑powered solutions.
Shopify has developed tools that help merchants automate tasks, generate content, and integrate advanced technologies capabilities that could become more valuable as AI reshapes online commerce.
Like Meta, Shopify’s stock has slid amid weaker guidance and market volatility, but analysts still project sizable long‑term earnings growth.
Cramer’s recommendations reflect a broader theme in his recent commentary: that a market pullback especially in tech and AI stocks can create buying opportunities for investors with a longer horizon rather than a short‑term trading mindset.
Investors should remember that Cramer’s views are his own and that major financial commentators often spark debate among market watchers.
Relying solely on any individual’s recommendations without considering personal goals, risk tolerance, and broader research isn’t advisable.
For many people, combining multiple sources of market insight and consulting with a professional financial advisor helps build a more balanced strategy.
Jim Cramer advises investors to buy Meta and Shopify after AI stock pullbacks.
On May 15, the spacecraft will pass about 4,500 kilometers above the surface of Mars while traveling at nearly 20,000 kilometers per hour.
Scientists say the flyby will allow Mars’ gravity to pull the spacecraft forward, increasing its speed and changing its direction without using much fuel.
The spacecraft was launched in October 2023 and is expected to reach the asteroid in 2029. NASA says using a planet’s gravity in this way, known as a “gravity assist,” helps save fuel and makes long space missions more efficient.
During the flyby, Psyche will also collect images and scientific data from Mars. Engineers will use the opportunity to test the spacecraft’s cameras and other instruments before it reaches the asteroid.
NASA said the spacecraft has already started sending back early images showing Mars as a tiny point of light in space.
Scientists are especially interested in how Mars will appear during the flyby. Since Psyche is approaching from the dark side of the planet, it will first see Mars as a thin crescent rather than a fully bright planet.
Researchers also hope the spacecraft may detect faint dust around Mars, possibly caused by small impacts on the planet’s moons, Phobos and Deimos.
The spacecraft carries several scientific instruments, including tools that can study magnetic fields, radiation, and particles in space.
“Ultimately, though, the only reason for this flyby is to get a little help from Mars to speed us up and tilt our trajectory in the direction of the asteroid Psyche,” said Lindy Elkins-Tanton, the mission’s principal investigator.
NASA and European space missions already orbiting Mars will also help monitor the flyby.
NASA’s Psyche spacecraft will skim past Mars to gain speed on its long journey to a strange metal asteroid. Along the way, it could capture spectacular images of the Red Planet and gather new scientific data during the high-speed flyby. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU
Rwanda’s mountainous terrain presents unique driving challenges, and, according to Obi, hybrid vehicles are an excellent match for these conditions.
“Hybrid cars take advantage of the surroundings to give you efficiency, fuel economy, and that comfort you would get and that power you would get in a diesel engine,” he explains.
Hybrids utilise both a gasoline engine and electric motors. The electric motors provide instant torque, assisting with hill climbs, much like a turbocharger in a diesel engine, but in a cleaner, more efficient way.
Obi points out that a major challenge with hybrid vehicles in Rwanda is a lack of understanding about their systems. One common misconception is that hybrid cars can automatically switch to electric power when they run out of gasoline.
“This is not the case for hybrid vehicles. It needs the engine to work, and if there’s no fuel in the car, the engine will not operate,” he warns.
This misunderstanding often leads to damage to the battery, which can be costly to replace.
Using the popular Toyota Prius as an example, Obi explains that the battery pack consists of 28 pieces of batteries, each costing Rwf 90,000. Without preventive maintenance, which costs about Rwf 150,000, Rwandan owners risk spending over Rwf 2 million on replacement batteries.
Rwanda’s mountainous terrain presents unique driving challenges, and, according to Obi, hybrid vehicles are an excellent match for these conditions.
When comparing hybrid vehicles to electric ones, Obi is clear about which technology he prefers for the Rwandan context: “If you want to put it in comparison… I would still pick hybrid cars.”
He points out several advantages that hybrid cars offer over EVs in Rwanda:
Minimal infrastructure requirements: Rwanda’s improving road network is already sufficient for hybrid vehicles.
Excellent fuel efficiency: Many hybrid drivers report impressive mileage when the car is driven properly.
No range anxiety: Hybrid cars provide the convenience of long-distance travel without worrying about finding charging stations in remote areas.
Immediate environmental benefits: With lower emissions, hybrid cars contribute to cleaner air.
While electric vehicles show great promise, Obi acknowledges that the sector still faces logistical hurdles.
“Electric cars have few public charging stations for now… range anxiety is an issue,” he says.
However, the landscape is shifting rapidly. As of early 2026, Kigali has established itself as the country’s e-mobility hub with approximately 200 charging points, comprising roughly 35 dedicated car stations and 165 battery-swapping points for electric motorcycles.
While urban access is growing, rural areas and remote provinces still see limited density, with only about 24 public car-charging stations currently operating outside the capital.
To bridge this gap, the government’s National E-Mobility Plan has used geospatial mapping to identify 226 potential sites across the country, aiming to ensure that no driver is ever more than 50 kilometers from a charger.
Despite these challenges, Obi remains hopeful about future developments. He notes that Rwanda’s aggressive efforts in power generation, including diversifying the energy mix with solar and hydro projects, will significantly improve the outlook for sustainable transport in the coming years.
For hybrid vehicles, one of the main barriers to adoption in Rwanda is the availability of spare parts and the quality of repairs. Obi stresses that many mechanics rely on online tutorials for repairs, which can be risky and ineffective.
“Every car has a different genesis on how the issue came to be,” Obi explains, highlighting the importance of professional diagnostics for proper repairs.
As for electric vehicles, the priority lies in expanding Rwanda’s power grid and building a reliable charging network. Obi is optimistic about Rwanda’s future, stating, “Rwanda is far ahead… the country is already there when it comes to infrastructural development.”
Embrace green mobility with hybrid vehicles that offer both power and environmental benefits.
Obi encourages Rwandans to embrace greener mobility, stating, “Embrace green earth. Assist the government in playing your role in promoting a green earth.”
He also advises hybrid vehicle owners to maintain their vehicles properly. “Hybrid vehicles do not require high maintenance costs if you commit to preventative care.”
Watch the full conversation below:
With over 15 years of expertise, Obi Dickson brings valuable insights into why hybrid cars are the ideal choice for Rwanda’s roads.Hybrid cars offer the perfect balance of fuel efficiency and power for Rwanda’s hilly terrain.Obi Dickson explains why hybrid cars are the future of Rwanda’s automotive landscape.
Held under the theme “Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnership for Innovation and Growth”, the summit, which closes on Tuesday, seeks to deepen cooperation between Africa and France in trade, investment, and technology, with a strong focus on shifting toward a more investment-driven and innovation-led partnership.
A key highlight of President Kagame’s participation will be his role as co-chair of a high-level roundtable on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies. The discussion is expected to explore Africa’s growing role in shaping global digital policy and accelerating innovation-led development, an area where Rwanda has increasingly positioned itself as a continental leader.
In addition to the AI session, President Kagame is expected to address a plenary session bringing together African and French chief executive officers, where discussions will focus on green industrialisation and energy transition. These themes form part of a broader agenda aimed at advancing sustainable economic transformation across the continent.
The Africa Forward Summit brings together more than 4,000 participants, including over 25 African Heads of State and Government, alongside more than 2,000 business leaders, innovators, and development partners. It also marks the first time such a high-level Africa-France forum is being held in an English-speaking African country.
Organisers say the summit represents a strategic shift away from traditional aid-based relations toward “bankable investments” designed to attract private capital and support commercially viable projects across African economies. Key stakeholders include governments, private sector actors, African multilateral institutions, and global financial partners such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank.
Youth engagement is also central to the summit, with around 500 young leaders expected to participate in a dedicated dialogue with Presidents Kagame, Ruto, and Macron. The discussions will focus on artificial intelligence, technology, and the role of young Africans in global decision-making.
The summit will further feature thematic roundtables on agriculture, health, rural development, and energy access, reflecting what organizers describe as a results-driven development agenda.
Rwanda is expected to feature prominently in discussions on artificial intelligence, underscoring its growing influence in digital innovation and technology-driven development on the continent. The cultural and creative industries will also be highlighted, with internationally recognized Rwandan artist Sherrie Silver among participants contributing to conversations on youth empowerment and economic transformation.
The Africa Forward Summit is expected to conclude with the adoption of the Nairobi Declaration on Future Africa-France Cooperation, outlining a new framework for partnership between Africa and France.
President Paul Kagame arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, on Monday, May 11, where he joins other Heads of State and Government from across Africa for the inaugural Africa Forward Summit, a high-level gathering co-hosted by Kenyan President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron.
