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  • AI summer camp in Kigali seeks to bridge students with future job market skills

    AI summer camp in Kigali seeks to bridge students with future job market skills

    In response to this shift, HC Solutions, an HR consulting and talent acquisition firm, is planning the Inzira AI Summer Camp, an initiative aimed at equipping secondary school students with practical artificial intelligence skills during the upcoming school holiday.

    The organisers say the program is designed to introduce students to AI in a structured and guided environment, with a focus on aligning learning with real-world employment needs.

    According to Jane Kalisa, Senior HR Consultant at HC Solutions, the initiative reflects the company’s broader vision beyond traditional recruitment services.

    “HC Solutions is not just an HR firm. We also have a Department of Technology,” she said. “In this department, we will be providing AI training during the summer holiday. This camp targets students in Senior 4 to Senior 6.”

    She explained that the goal is to keep students meaningfully engaged during the holiday while preparing them for future careers in a technology-driven economy.

    “We are going to engage the students so they learn how to use AI and remain productively occupied during the holiday,” Kalisa said. “This will not only help the students, it will also help parents and the country at large. Once they complete the program, they will be able to apply this knowledge in their daily lives and future careers.”

    Beyond training, HC Solutions also sees the initiative as a long-term bridge between education and employment, with plans to connect trained students to job opportunities in the future.

    “As an HR firm, we are building a strong database,” Kalisa added. “When these students finish school, we will be able to connect them with clients who need professionals with AI expertise.”

    From an industry perspective, experts warn that the impact of AI on the labor market is already visible, with companies increasingly seeking candidates who can work with automation tools and deliver faster, more efficient results.

    Igor Kabirigi, Tech Lead at HC Solutions, said the demand is already reshaping recruitment expectations.

    “It’s not only children who need this. The labor market is also being heavily affected by AI,” he said. “Every company we work with is now asking for new hires who can automate processes and produce reports in a short time using modern AI tools.”

    He emphasized that early exposure is critical in ensuring students are not left behind as workplaces evolve.

    “That’s why children matter. It is far better to train them while they are still in school so that when they enter the workforce, they already understand how the new world operates,” he explained.

    The Inzira AI Summer Camp is scheduled to begin on July 13 at Kigali Parents School in Kimironko. The curriculum is built around current labor market needs and includes modules such as AI automation for business processes and prompt engineering, which focuses on how to effectively communicate with AI systems to generate accurate outputs.

    Organizers say the program will also include interactive and practical activities designed to make learning engaging while maintaining critical thinking skills.

    “Our lead coach has extensive experience and has implemented similar programs in Kenya and Nigeria,” Kabirigi said. “We have developed a safe approach to teaching AI that does not make students lazy and preserves their critical thinking skills.”

    HC Solutions believes the initiative represents a model for future skills development programs linking education to employment readiness.

    “We believe this will be the first of its kind run by a company with deep roots in the labour market,” Kalisa said. “It will bring a dynamic shift in how students see themselves now and in the future.”

    The organisers also plan to expand the training beyond students, targeting working professionals who may need support adapting to AI-driven workplace changes.

    “In everything we do today, incorporating technology makes work better,” Kabirigi said. “Finance uses it, health uses it, every sector benefits from technology to improve efficiency, save time, and reduce costs. After this program, we plan to scale it to the existing labour force.”

    Rwanda recently strengthened its national focus on artificial intelligence through the approval of a new National Artificial Intelligence Agency by the Cabinet on June 8. The move is part of the country’s broader digital transformation strategy aimed at promoting innovation, strengthening AI governance, and ensuring the safe and responsible use of emerging technologies across sectors.

    The new agency is expected to coordinate AI development, support capacity building, and enhance data governance frameworks while encouraging innovation in both the public and private sectors. It also reflects Rwanda’s ambition to position itself as a regional leader in responsible AI adoption, with a strong emphasis on ethical standards and inclusive technological growth.

  • Former military secretary recounts failed bid to install Bagosora as president after Habyarimana’s death

    Former military secretary recounts failed bid to install Bagosora as president after Habyarimana’s death

    Speaking recently, Senyoni, who currently serves as Secretary of the Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC), recounted his experience within the military hierarchy during the final years preceding the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

    He explained that he joined the former Rwandan Armed Forces in 1984 and later received specialized training abroad in military administration and secretarial services. In 1987, he was assigned to the Secretariat of the Army High Command.

    In 1990, after the launch of the liberation struggle by the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF), Senyoni was transferred to the military camp in Gako, where he coordinated administrative and financial affairs. As the war intensified, he continued carrying out secretarial duties related to military operations.

    By April 1994, Senyoni was still serving in that role and became directly involved in documenting one of the most consequential meetings held after Habyarimana’s plane was shot down on April 6.

    “On the evening of April 7, 1994, Bagosora, who was then Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Defence, convened a meeting of senior military officers at the former École Supérieure Militaire, which I believe is now part of UR-CST,” Senyoni recalled.

    “Meeting notes were usually taken by hand. The handwritten records from that meeting were brought to the military secretariat, where I typed them before they were forwarded to the Ministry of Defence.”

    According to Senyoni, one of the key resolutions adopted during the meeting was the appointment of Bagosora as President to succeed Habyarimana.

    “The meeting concluded that Bagosora should become President of the Republic and replace Habyarimana,” he said. “However, when the minutes reached the Ministry of Defence, French military advisers working under military cooperation arrangements reviewed them and warned that if Bagosora became President, the RPF would immediately accuse the military of shooting down the presidential plane and carrying out a coup.”

    Senyoni said the French advisers urged military leaders to follow constitutional procedures instead. The officers accepted the advice, effectively ending Bagosora’s ambitions to assume the presidency.

    “At that point, they instructed members of the Presidential Guard to bring Théodore Sindikubwabo from Butare,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Genocide against the Tutsi had already begun. Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana had been killed, along with Joseph Kavaruganda, the President of the Constitutional Court. Violence was spreading rapidly across Kigali.

    Under Rwanda’s constitutional arrangements at the time, if the President could no longer perform his duties, the office would pass either to the Prime Minister or the Speaker of Parliament.

    Since Uwilingiyimana had already been murdered, Sindikubwabo, who was then Speaker of Parliament, became the constitutional successor. However, he was in Butare, in southern Rwanda.

    Senyoni said confusion and divisions within the Presidential Guard complicated efforts to bring him to Kigali.

    “The soldiers sent to retrieve him believed he was being brought to Kigali to be killed,” Senyoni said. “They transported him poorly in a pickup truck borrowed from a convent. He was not even wearing socks.”

    According to Senyoni, Sindikubwabo arrived at Army Headquarters visibly frightened, convinced he would be killed. However, later that evening, Radio Rwanda announced that he had become President.

    “The Genocide continued, and eventually we fled to what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I crossed into Bukavu,” he said.

    Senyoni remained in the DRC until 2010, when he decided to return to Rwanda. Three of his five children returned with him and later received educational support from the Imbuto Foundation.

    Today, he says he is grateful for the opportunity to serve Rwanda once again. He has spent the past 15 years as Secretary of the RDRC and regularly encourages former combatants still living in eastern DRC to return home.

    He emphasized that Rwanda remains open to those willing to reintegrate and urged all Rwandans to continue safeguarding national unity and reconciliation.

    Alphonse Senyoni, who typed the minutes of the meeting that initially designated Théoneste Bagosora as president, said the plan was abandoned following advice from French military advisers.
    Senior officers in the former Rwandan Armed Forces (Ex-FAR) had agreed to appoint Col. Théoneste Bagosora as successor to President Juvénal Habyarimana before the proposal was later dropped.
  • Britain, France, Germany, Italy welcome U.S-Iran peace deal, ready to lift sanctions

    Britain, France, Germany, Italy welcome U.S-Iran peace deal, ready to lift sanctions

    “This is a moment of opportunity to restore regional stability and stabilize the global economy,” BBC quoted the statement as saying.

    While noting that Iran “must never acquire a nuclear weapon,” the major European countries said they are “prepared to lift relevant sanctions in response to clear, verifiable steps by Iran on its nuclear program.”

    The European leaders urged the U.S.-Iran deal to be “implemented rapidly and comprehensively,” saying the “urgent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz with unconditional and unrestricted freedom of navigation is essential.”

    “We will work intensively with the U.S., Iran and regional partners to seize this moment, maintain momentum and achieve a long-term diplomatic settlement,” the statement added.

    Earlier in the day, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on social platform X that the United States and Iran had reached a peace agreement following intensive negotiations, with an official signing ceremony scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland.

    Minutes later, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social: “The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete.”

    “I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade,” he announced.

  • EVP Charger to expand Rwanda’s EV charging network with 55 new stations

    EVP Charger to expand Rwanda’s EV charging network with 55 new stations

    The expansion will include 30 charging stations for electric motorcycles and 25 for electric cars, adding to the company’s existing network of about 115 charging points, including 95 motorcycle charging stations and 20 car charging stations already operating nationwide.

    The move comes as Rwanda continues to position itself among Africa’s leading countries in electric mobility, supported by government incentives and increasing private-sector investment in green transport infrastructure.

    According to EVP Charger President Ike Erhabor, the company is focused on extending services to areas that have not yet been fully covered by charging infrastructure.

    “We have plans to build more charging stations in areas that have not yet been reached, including Huye, Nyagatare, Musanze, Rusizi and other secondary cities. Our goal is to ensure that these stations are completed and operational before the end of this year,” he said.

    The company also plans to establish charging stations at intervals of approximately 50 kilometres for motorcycles and 100 kilometres for cars along major routes, helping to address concerns about charging availability during long-distance travel.

    EVP Charger CEO Tony B. Adesina said the expansion reflects the growing momentum behind electric mobility both in Rwanda and globally.

    “EVs are the future. It goes beyond the walls of Rwanda; it has become a global sensation,” Adesina said. “Clean mobility is the future because it is affordable, environmentally friendly and has low maintenance costs.”

    One of the biggest barriers to EV adoption worldwide has been the availability of charging infrastructure. Through its growing network, EVP Charger aims to eliminate what is commonly known as “range anxiety” — the fear that a vehicle could run out of battery before reaching a charging station.

    “We want every Rwandan who buys an EV to know that charging stations are available wherever they travel across the country,” Adesina said.

    The expansion aligns with Rwanda’s broader ambitions to develop a low-carbon transport system. Government support has played a key role in the growth of the sector through tax incentives on electric vehicles and charging equipment, favourable electricity tariffs for charging operators and access to land for infrastructure development.

    Adesina praised the enabling environment created by the government, noting that it has encouraged private investment in the sector.

    “The government has done more than 50 per cent of the work needed for EV operators to succeed,” he said.
    Beyond expanding its charging network, EVP Charger is investing in technologies designed to make EV ownership more convenient.

    In July 2026, the company plans to launch a mobile application for Android and iOS users. The app will enable customers to locate nearby charging stations, plan journeys and make cashless payments, supporting Rwanda’s drive toward a cashless economy.

    The application will be launched alongside a new “Tap & Charge” card that will be issued to both existing and new customers using the company’s charging network. The personalised card is expected to simplify payments and improve the overall charging experience.

    EVP Charger is also opening its electric motorcycle charging technology to other industry players seeking to introduce electric motorcycle fleets without the burden of building their own charging infrastructure. The company says this will help accelerate growth in Rwanda’s e-mobility sector by allowing manufacturers to integrate their battery technologies with EVP Charger’s super-fast charging network.

    The company has additionally launched a “Host a Station” initiative, allowing businesses and property owners to host charging stations on their premises and benefit from the growing green economy.

    “We have received hundreds of calls across the country from individuals and businesses looking to host charging stations on their property,” Adesina said.

    The company’s charging network is already handling more than 50,000 electric motorcycle charging transactions and over 12,000 electric car charging transactions every month, highlighting the growing uptake of electric mobility among both private users and commercial operators.

    EVP Charger also points to cost savings as one of the major drivers behind the shift to electric vehicles. According to the company, charging an EV can cost significantly less than refuelling a conventional petrol-powered vehicle, while maintenance costs are lower because electric vehicles have fewer moving parts.

    Beyond infrastructure and technology, the company says it remains committed to creating opportunities within the green economy. Around 170 women are currently employed as agents across EVP Charger’s charging stations, assisting customers throughout the country.

    As Rwanda’s electric mobility sector continues to grow, EVP Charger believes expanding charging infrastructure will be essential to ensuring EV users can travel with confidence while supporting the country’s environmental and economic goals.

    The growing network of charging stations is designed to support Rwanda’s transition to cleaner and more sustainable transport solutions.
    Charging stations positioned along key routes will help ensure reliable access to power for electric vehicle users travelling across Rwanda.
    The planned infrastructure expansion includes charging stations for both electric motorcycles and electric cars across the country.
    The expansion of EV charging infrastructure is expected to improve access to charging services in cities and along major transport corridors.
    New charging stations will help electric vehicle users travel longer distances with greater confidence and convenience.
    EVP Charger plans to add 55 new charging stations across Rwanda to support the growing adoption of electric vehicles and motorcycles.
    EVP Charger Business Administrator Elina Bamulanje

  • Protest staged in Geneva against upcoming G7 summit

    Protest staged in Geneva against upcoming G7 summit

    The protest is organized by a “No G7” coalition of multiple groups and organizations, in what they describe as an effort to resist “fascism and imperialism”.

    Swiss police had earlier expected that about 50,000 people would participate.

    Protesters gathered at a park beside Lake Geneva and started to march slowly along a designated route across the town. A white boat was seen passing by on the lake, with words on its sail reading “No G7”.

    Protesters held up various placards with slogans such as “G7 = no future” and “No to G7”.

    The protest proceeded largely peacefully and in an orderly manner, until explosions were heard and black smoke was seen rising. A Tesla car was seen set on fire.

    The Geneva cantonal police announced that they have seized dangerous objects and items of camouflage, including knives, axes, gas canisters and firecrackers, among other things, near the demonstration areas.

    The protest has caused disruptions to public transport in Geneva, with several trolleybus lines suspended from noon, the tram network largely adjusted, and some bus routes also modified, according to authorities.

    The G7 summit will bring together leaders from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, as well as the European Union (EU), to discuss responses to what France described as an increasingly unstable international environment.

    The G7 summit triggered major riots in Geneva in 2003 when it was first held in the French town of Evian, less than 50 kilometers away from Geneva.

    Ahead of this year’s summit, the Swiss authorities have announced the deployment of some 4,000 military personnel while closing most of its 35 border crossings with France.

    The protest proceeded largely peacefully and in an orderly manner, until explosions were heard and black smoke was seen rising. A Tesla car was seen set on fire.
    A person throws a tear gas canister, amid clashes with riot police officers during a protest against the upcoming G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains in France, in Geneva, Switzerland, June 14, 2026. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
    Protesters held up various placards with slogans such as “G7 = no future” and “No to G7”.
  • President Kagame, EU special representative discuss eastern DRC crisis and regional stability

    President Kagame, EU special representative discuss eastern DRC crisis and regional stability

    According to a communiqué from the Office of the President, the meeting centered on the need for concrete action to tackle the root causes of insecurity in eastern DRC and advance a sustainable path to peace and stability in the Great Lakes region.

    The discussions come at a critical moment for regional peace efforts. Rwanda and the DRC signed the Washington Accord on December 4, 2025, a landmark agreement aimed at ending decades of conflict and mistrust in the region.

    Among its key provisions is the dismantling of the FDLR, an armed group linked to perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi that Rwanda maintains continues to pose a security threat. The agreement also outlines the lifting of Rwanda’s defensive measures upon the neutralisation of the group.

    At the same time, parallel peace talks between the AFC/M23 rebel coalition and the DRC government remain pending in Doha, Qatar. The negotiations are viewed as an important complement to regional and international efforts to achieve a comprehensive and lasting resolution to the conflict in eastern DRC.
    Ambassador Borgstam’s visit is part of EU efforts to support ongoing initiatives to restore peace and stability in the region.

    Separately on Sunday, President Kagame also received Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey, who is in Rwanda on a working visit. The two leaders held discussions on strengthening cooperation between Rwanda and the Commonwealth and reviewed preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which will be hosted in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda.

    Their discussions focused on areas of mutual interest and continued collaboration within the Commonwealth as Rwanda works closely with member states on shared development and governance priorities.

    President Paul Kagame on Sunday met with European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Great Lakes Region Ambassador Johan Borgstam at Urugwiro Village, where discussions focused on regional developments and ongoing efforts to address the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
    President Kagame also received Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey, who is in Rwanda on a working visit. The two leaders held discussions on strengthening cooperation between Rwanda and the Commonwealth and reviewed preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which will be hosted in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda.
  • DR Congo Ebola cases rise to 782 as outbreak spreads to more health zones

    DR Congo Ebola cases rise to 782 as outbreak spreads to more health zones

    Seventy-two new confirmed cases, including 29 deaths, were reported on Saturday in the eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, according to the report published Sunday by the country’s public health authorities.

    The two newly affected health zones are Nia-Nia in Ituri and Mabalako in North Kivu, bringing the total number of affected health zones to 31 across three provinces: Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu. A health zone is a local public health management unit responsible for surveillance, case reporting and response coordination.

    The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, was officially declared on May 15.

    A total of 359 patients were in isolation or hospitalized as of Saturday, while 40 patients had recovered, the report said.

    Authorities also reported 136 suspected cases, including 49 deaths, on Saturday. A total of 6,275 contacts were under follow-up in the three affected provinces, but only 3,548 were seen, putting the overall contact follow-up rate at 56.5 percent, well below the 95 percent target.

    The report listed several challenges facing the response, including reluctance to undergo post-mortem swabbing, insufficient capacity in Ebola treatment centers, weak contact tracing, shortages of infection prevention and control materials in North Kivu, weak alert reporting and a funding gap of 21.5 million U.S. dollars.

    Seventy-two new confirmed cases, including 29 deaths, were reported on Saturday in the eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu

  • Iran, U.S. agree on ceasefire on all fronts, lifting of naval blockade: Iranian deputy FM

    Iran, U.S. agree on ceasefire on all fronts, lifting of naval blockade: Iranian deputy FM

    Gharibabadi said Iran and the United States will sign the finalized draft of a peace memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Switzerland on June 19, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency.

    Tasnim also cited a source as saying that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen following the signing ceremony in Switzerland.

    Meanwhile, Iran’s state-run IRIB TV, also citing Gharibabadi, said Iran’s entry into a 60-day period of negotiations with the United States on its nuclear program and the removal of sanctions will hinge on the U.S. fulfillment of its preliminary commitments, which will be verified by Tehran from now until the signing ceremony.

    The Strait of Hormuz is expected to reopen following the signing ceremony between U.S. and Iran in Switzerland.
  • FPR-Inkotanyi members living in Belgium gather for training session (Photos)

    FPR-Inkotanyi members living in Belgium gather for training session (Photos)

    Held on June 13, 2026, the training brought together FPR-Inkotanyi cadres serving in various structures of the movement. Participants were briefed on the party’s strategies and programs, with particular emphasis on the nine pillars that underpin the vision and orientation of FPR-Inkotanyi.

    The first presentation was delivered by Theoneste Kalinamaryo, Director of Mobilization at the FPR-Inkotanyi General Secretariat. His presentation was conducted remotely through virtual communication technology.

    Another session was led by Christian Kanangire, Director of Foreign Relations and Diaspora Affairs at the FPR-Inkotanyi General Secretariat. He addressed issues related to diplomacy and highlighted the role that every member can play in supporting the movement’s international relations efforts.

    The training session was chaired by Jack-Abby Habimana, President of FPR-Inkotanyi members living, working, or studying in Belgium.

    The second part of the meeting featured workshop discussions, during which participants reflected on and proposed concrete ideas on how they could further contribute to the development and growth of the movement from their respective places of residence and work.

    The training session was coordinated by Jack-Abby Habimana, President of FPR-Inkotanyi members living, working, or studying in Belgium.
    Held on June 13, 2026, the training brought together FPR-Inkotanyi cadres serving in various structures of the movement.
    Theoneste Kalinamaryo, Director of Mobilization at the FPR-Inkotanyi General Secretariat, and Christian Kanangire, Director of Foreign Relations and Diaspora Affairs at the FPR-Inkotanyi General Secretariat, delivered their presentations remotely using communication technology.

    karirima@igihe.com

  • Iran has not decided on proposed MoU with U.S.

    Iran has not decided on proposed MoU with U.S.

    The political, legal and technical dimensions of the proposals are still under careful review by the country’s experts and decision-makers, Fars reported, citing a source close to the Iranian negotiation team.

    The source stressed that any decision on the potential MoU will be made based on safeguarding national interests, observing Iran’s red lines and receiving the necessary guarantees.

    Meanwhile, the news agency reported on Sunday that a Qatari delegation had traveled to Tehran for consultations with Iranian officials and to review the latest developments pertaining to the diplomatic process.

    On Saturday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote on X that the peace deal between the United States and Iran was expected to be finalized within the next 24 hours.

    U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that a peace deal with Iran was scheduled to be signed on Sunday and that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen immediately afterward.

    However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei reportedly denied that a MoU would be signed on Sunday, citing what he described as “the other side’s hesitation.”

    In an interview with state-run IRIB TV on Friday night, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said the signing of the MoU could take place within the next few days.

    He added that once finalized, the MoU would be signed digitally by both sides in their respective countries and then announced.

    Araghchi noted that following the potential signing, both parties would commit not to initiate any further war and would begin a second stage of negotiations, scheduled within 60 days to reach a final agreement, focusing mainly on Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions removal.

    He also said the proposed MoU would include provisions to end the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, and would require Israel to withdraw from the occupied areas.

    Other key issues in the MoU include reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, fully lifting the U.S. anti-Iran naval blockade, and releasing Iran’s frozen assets, Araghchi said.

    In recent weeks, Iran and the United States have exchanged several peace proposals through Pakistan’s mediation and have been working to finalize an MoU aimed at ending the war.

    Iran has not yet made and announced its final decision on a proposed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United States and is still reviewing it, Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported on Sunday.