When she stepped into the dining room, all eyes were on Melania as she wore a pale pink haute couture gown by Christian Dior. The strapless silk dress was both graceful and timeless, giving her a soft, radiant look that perfectly matched the evening’s refined atmosphere.
She completed her outfit with off‑white suede gloves and silk pumps, adding an extra touch of sophistication to her look.
Her husband, President Donald Trump, stood proudly beside her in a classic black tuxedo, while guests from both sides of the Atlantic enjoyed the evening’s rich blend of culture and conversation.
President Trump and Melania welcomed the British royal couple with warmth and formality, showing the importance of the event in strengthening ties between their countries.
Earlier in the day, Melania had already shown off her fashion versatility. She wore a crisp white peplum skirt suit by Ralph Lauren along with a chic straw hat and elegant pumps, creating a stylish and confident daytime look.
Prior to that, during the royal couple’s arrival, she greeted guests in a butter‑yellow ensemble, showing her careful planning for each moment of the visit.
The dinner itself was not just about outfits, it was about honoring tradition, celebrating international friendship, and enjoying a beautiful spring evening at the heart of American hospitality. From the beautifully arranged table settings to the gracious hosts and honored guests, the night was a blend of diplomacy and grace.
Melania Trump captivates in a stunning couture Dior pink gown at the White House state dinner with King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
This was revealed during a press briefing held at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Rwanda on Tuesday evening, where Ambassador Gao Wenqi outlined China’s economic outlook and the steady strengthening of trade and cooperation with Rwanda.
Amb. Gao said Rwandan coffee has become one of the strongest-performing export products in the Chinese market, reflecting years of gradual expansion and improved trade facilitation.
He noted that China’s imports of Rwandan coffee and related products have grown from $126,000 in 2013 to $1.01 million in 2019, and $4.72 million in 2024, describing this as evidence of consistent upward momentum.
Amb. Gao further confirmed continued rising consumer demand and improved logistics between the two countries.
“In 2025, China imported 869 tonnes of Rwandan coffee,valued at$5.97 million. The zero-tariff policy helps enhance the competitiveness of Rwandan specialty agricultural products in the Chinese market, enriches consumer choices, and brings tangible economic benefits to Rwandan farmers and export enterprises,” he said.
The envoy also highlighted a practical example of the impact of policy changes, saying a shipment of 2.4 metric tons of raw Rwandan coffee beans entered China through Changsha Airport in January 2025 under the zero-tariff scheme, saving the exporter over $1,600 after duties were reduced from 8 percent to zero.
Beyond coffee, Amb. Gao noted that Rwanda’s agricultural exports to China are gradually diversifying, with tea and chili increasingly entering the Chinese market.
He said these products are benefiting from the same zero-tariff framework and improved customs systems, including faster clearance through what he described as green channel arrangements for African agricultural goods.
Amb. Gao explained that the zero-tariff policy is part of China’s broader effort to deepen economic cooperation with Africa.
Rwanda is among the countries already benefiting from the initial phase introduced in December 2024, with a wider rollout planned for May 2026 covering all 53 African countries with diplomatic relations with China.
He said the policy will apply to 100 percent of tariff lines, aimed at strengthening competitiveness and expanding market access for African exports.
Amb. Gao also placed Rwanda’s trade performance within the broader bilateral context, noting that total trade between Rwanda and China reached $849 million in 2025, an increase of 26.9 percent year-on-year, while Rwanda’s exports to China rose by 42 percent. He said this reflects both Rwanda’s growing export capacity and China’s expanding consumer market as a major global importer.
On the wider economic front, he emphasized China’s continued opening-up policy and its role in global trade, noting that platforms such as import expos and trade fairs are designed to increase market access for international partners, including African countries.
He also briefly addressed China’s position on global issues, reaffirming the one-China principle regarding Taiwan and restating China’s call for peaceful coexistence and dialogue in resolving international conflicts, including tensions in the Middle East.
Amb. Gao concluded that Rwanda–China relations are currently at their strongest level following their elevation to a comprehensive strategic partnership. He said the implementation of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) is expected to create new opportunities for cooperation in agriculture, trade, infrastructure, and digital development.
Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi outlined China’s economic outlook and the steady strengthening of trade and cooperation with Rwanda.
Relations built on mutual respect
Diplomatic relations between Rwanda and China date back to 1971, and over the years, both countries have built a strong partnership anchored in mutual respect and a shared commitment to development.
China has played a visible role in Rwanda’s development journey through several flagship projects, including the construction of Masaka Hospital, where services from Kigali Teaching University Hospital (CHUK) are expected to be relocated with improved capacity.
Cooperation has extended through the deployment of Chinese medical teams, donation of medical equipment, and continuous skills transfer to local health professionals, further reinforcing the practical dimension of the partnership.
Chinese firms have also contributed to major infrastructure works such as modern highways, hydropower plants, and smart education systems.
In agriculture, the introduction of Juncao mushroom technology has directly benefited around 35,000 farmers since 2017.
Since 1983, China has been offering government scholarships to Rwandan students, a cooperation spanning more than four decades. Last year alone, over 400 Rwandan trainees participated in short-term training and workshops in China, while about 110 students received government scholarships, both reaching record levels.
In vocational education, cooperation has also delivered concrete results. The Luban Workshop at IPRC Musanze, jointly established by Rwanda Polytechnic and Jinhua Polytechnic, provides training in E-commerce and Electrical Automation and has so far equipped nearly 10,000 people with practical skills through both online and offline programmes.
Under the China–Africa Vocational Education Cooperation Programme, the two institutions also implement a “2+1” training model, where students study for two years in Rwanda and complete a final year in China before obtaining an advanced diploma. This June, 30 more students from IPRC Musanze will travel to Jinhua, bringing the total number of beneficiaries under the programme to 90.
Lin Hang Minister Counsellor at Chinese Embassy in Kigali also attended the press briefing. Zeng Guangyu is the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda was also present at the media briefing. The presss briefing took place at the Chinese Embassy in Kigalo on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Gao Zhiqiang, Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda speaking to the press.
Rwanda’s foreign exchange reserves are expected to rebound to $2.2 billion in 2026, marking a recovery after a projected decline in 2025, according to the latest economic outlook.
The rebound follows a projected decline in reserves from $2.4 billion in 2024, equivalent to 5.3 months of import cover, to about $1.8 billion in 2025, or 3.7 months of imports.
By 2026, reserves are expected to recover to cover approximately 4.3 months of imports, returning above the widely accepted adequacy threshold of four months. In the years beyond, reserves are projected to stabilise around $2.6 billion, supported by sustained inflows of foreign direct investment and concessional financing.
External pressures and recovery path
The short-term deterioration in Rwanda’s external position is tied to a projected rise in the current account deficit to 13.3 percent of GDP in 2026, up from 12.9 percent in 2025. This reflects strong import demand as the country invests in long-term growth projects.
“This increase is driven by a surge in imports of capital goods, linked to key projects like a new airport, and intermediate goods. While strong export performance and supportive policy measures are projected to improve the current account balance in the near term, gradually,” reads the Annual Economic Report for the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 published by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.
However, the outlook remains optimistic. Strong export performance, particularly in commodities such as coffee and minerals, alongside supportive policy measures, is expected to gradually ease external imbalances.
Recent data shows an improvement in Rwanda’s external position, with the overall balance of payments surplus rising from about $217 million in the Financial Year 2023/24 to $274 million, supported by stronger inflows from exports, investment, and financing.
Gold emerges as a strategic reserve asset
A notable development shaping the forward outlook is Rwanda’s move to diversify its reserves. The National Bank of Rwanda has begun purchasing gold as part of its reserve assets, marking a shift toward strengthening resilience against global financial volatility.
Gold is widely regarded as a stable store of value that does not easily depreciate, especially during periods of currency fluctuations or global uncertainty. By incorporating gold into its reserves, Rwanda is positioning itself to reduce reliance on traditional foreign currency holdings such as the US dollar while enhancing long-term stability.
The central bank is expected to disclose the volume of gold accumulated, a move that could provide further insight into the country’s evolving reserve management strategy.
What it means for the economy
Foreign reserves play a critical role in stabilising the economy. When reserves are sufficient, they enable the country to pay for essential imports, support the national currency, and cushion against external shocks.
If reserves fall too low, the Rwandan franc could come under pressure, making imports more expensive and increasing the cost of living. Conversely, the projected recovery in reserves is expected to help stabilise the exchange rate, contain imported inflation, and support purchasing power.
The central bank also retains the ability to intervene in currency markets using reserves, injecting foreign currency when needed to limit excessive depreciation.
The National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) has begun purchasing gold as an additional way of building and diversifying its reserves.
In a televised address to the nation at 8 p.m. local time, Goita said the April 25 attacks, which he described as “complex, coordinated and simultaneous,” targeted Bamako, Kati, Mopti, Gao and Kidal.
He said the assailants had been dealt a heavy blow thanks to the prompt response and professionalism of the defense and security forces, adding that the attackers had sought to create a climate of generalized violence in the localities concerned.
The head of state added that the security deployment had been reinforced, the situation was under control, and sweeping, search, intelligence-gathering and security operations were continuing.
Goita also paid tribute to Mali’s Defense Minister Gen. Sadio Camara, saying his passing represented “an immense loss for the Malian nation.”
He expressed condolences to bereaved families and sympathy to the wounded, while instructing the government to take all necessary measures to strengthen assistance to victims, support affected families and care for the injured.
He said the attacks were part of “a vast destabilization plan” devised and carried out by terrorist armed groups and their internal and external backers.
Goita also called on Malians to remain vigilant, trust the defense and security forces, and not give in to rumors, panic messages or manipulation, warning that disinformation could become a weapon in the service of terrorists.
Assimi Goita, Mali’s transitional president, said Tuesday that operations would continue until all groups involved in the April 25 attacks are neutralized and lasting security is restored across the country.
The encounter between PSG and Bayern Munich had drawn significant global attention. The French side entered the match as reigning champions, while the German club has been among the strongest teams this season.
PSG’s goals were scored by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who netted twice, João Neves, and Ousmane Dembélé, who also scored twice. Bayern Munich’s goals came from Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Dayot Upamecano, and Luis Díaz.
The return leg is scheduled to take place in Germany at Allianz Arena on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
PSG reached the semi-finals after eliminating Liverpool FC with an aggregate score of 4–0 on April 14, 2026.
In a message shared on X the following day, President Kagame congratulated the club for reaching the UEFA semi-finals.
The partnership between Visit Rwanda and Paris Saint-Germain was first signed in 2019 and renewed in 2025, extending through 2028. Under this agreement, PSG promotes Visit Rwanda at Parc des Princes and features the branding on its training kits.
Since the partnership began, millions of fans worldwide have gained greater awareness of Rwanda through media coverage and the club’s global visibility. The collaboration has also supported youth development, with more than 400 children benefiting from football training through the PSG Academy Rwanda.
Each year, the French club sends players and legends to Rwanda, where they explore the country’s tourism attractions and share their experiences with global audiences.
Most recently, players including Océane Nathalie Toussaint Dit Marseille, Baby Jordy Benera, and Jade Le Guilly from PSG’s women’s team visited Rwanda in late February this year.
President Kagame was present at Parc des Princes as PSG secured a thrilling semi final win against Bayern Munich.President Kagame witnessed PSG edge Bayern Munich in a high scoring Champions League clash.President Kagame has attended PSG’s dramatic 5-4 victory over Bayern Munich in Paris.
The report confirmed that hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) — together responsible for 95 percent of viral hepatitis deaths globally — claimed 1.34 million lives in 2024. Of these fatalities, 1.1 million were attributed to HBV and 240,000 to HCV, mostly resulting from liver cirrhosis and cancer.
Although preventable and treatable, transmission persists at an alarming rate, the report emphasized. In 2024, around 1.8 million new HBV and HCV infections occurred globally, with HBV and HCV each accounting for 900,000 new infections. As of 2024, approximately 287 million people, representing 3 percent of the world’s population, were living with chronic HBV or HCV.
The report documented measurable achievements since 2015, driven by sustained, coordinated global and national action.
Between 2015 and 2024, the annual number of new hepatitis B infections has dropped by 32 percent, showing progress with immunization and prevention programmes. HCV-related deaths decreased by 12 percent, mainly due to effective antiviral therapies.
The global prevalence of chronic HBV infection among children aged under five years fell from 0.8 percent in 2015 to 0.6 percent in 2024.
Meanwhile, the number of people living with HCV infection declined by 20 percent between 2015 and 2024, largely thanks to the scaling-up of curative treatments.
“Around the world, countries are showing that eliminating hepatitis is not a pipedream, it’s possible with sustained political commitment, backed by reliable domestic financing,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
However, significant shortfalls persist, and current rates of progress are insufficient to meet all 2030 elimination targets, the report warned. Between 2015 and 2024, new HCV infections decreased by only 8 percent, far below the global target of an 80 percent reduction by 2030. HBV-related deaths actually rose by 17 percent since 2015, due to limited diagnosis and treatment.
Under current trends, the global target of a 65 percent reduction in hepatitis-related deaths by 2030, compared with 2015, will not be achieved without rapid scale-up of testing and treatment, the WHO emphasized.
Major bottlenecks lie in testing and treatment access, the report said, noting that vaccine coverage also remains critically insufficient in high-risk regions.
To get the global response back on track, the report outlined priority actions, including scaling up treatment for people with chronic HBV and HCV infection, improving hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination coverage and the coverage of antiviral prophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child HBV transmission.
The number of people living with HCV infection declined by 20 percent between 2015 and 2024, largely thanks to the scaling-up of curative treatments.
Analysts warned that even brief interruptions of passage ripple through global markets and that prolonged instability risks evolving into a broader inflation and growth crisis.
Roughly 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas passes through this narrow corridor linking the Gulf to global markets, making it one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints. Shocks of this magnitude propagate rapidly through trade, finance and consumption, ultimately affecting household budgets across economies worldwide.
Largest oil supply disruption
Amid escalating geopolitical tensions, flows through the Strait of Hormuz have become increasingly volatile.
Data from shipping analytics firms show that prior to the escalation, an average of 45-50 oil tankers transited the strait each day. In the weeks since, that number has dropped by more than half, with fewer than 20 vessels transiting daily, and at times of heightened tension, falling to near zero as shipping temporarily halted.
Russell Hardy, CEO of Vitol, the world’s largest independent oil trader, warned that the market will lose at least 1 billion barrels of crude and refined products due to the crisis.
He noted that sustained attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure and repeated closures of the strait have already removed some 12 million barrels per day of production since late February. Analysts expected the global oil market to shift from an expected surplus into a deficit of about 750,000 barrels per day in 2026.
Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), said the war in the Middle East “is creating a major energy crisis, including the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market,” warning that without a swift resolution, impacts will intensify.
In response, the IEA has coordinated an emergency release of around 400 million barrels from strategic reserves in March, the largest ever, to stabilize markets.
Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 63 percent in March, surpassing the 46 percent monthly gain recorded in September 1990 during the first Gulf War. Analysts estimate sustained instability could keep Brent crude between 100 and 190 U.S. dollars per barrel, with an average above 130.
Meanwhile, the shock is reshaping global flows. The London-headquartered maritime analytics firm Windward noted that crude shipments are increasingly rerouting toward the Gulf of Mexico, positioning the United States as a key export anchor amid Hormuz disruptions.
U.S. producers could benefit from higher prices, even as import-dependent economies bear the costs, analysts were quoted by Al Jazeera as saying.
“Conflict tax”
If the first layer of impact unfolds in supply, the second is felt in daily life. Reports point to a widening “conflict tax.”
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) identified energy as the main transmission channel, noting that for fuel-importing economies, rising prices act like a sudden tax on income.
Recent data showed these pressures are increasingly visible at the fuel pump. In the United States, gasoline prices rose by more than 24 percent in March alone, contributing significantly to a surge in retail spending driven largely by higher fuel costs.
In Asia, higher fuel and electricity costs are squeezing manufacturing output and household purchasing power, and in Europe, the crisis revives memories of the 2021-2022 gas shock. British officials warn that elevated food and energy prices could persist for months even after the conflict ends, reflecting delayed inflationary effects.
The real-world impact in other respects is increasingly visible. The war in the Middle East has triggered a sharp rise in air fares, with the lowest-priced economy tickets costing, on average, 24 percent more than a year ago, according to new research from the consultancy Teneo. The report said airspace restrictions linked to the conflict have forced airlines to reroute numerous flights, increasing fuel consumption and pushing up operating costs.
At the micro level, the consequences are equally tangible. In Ethiopia, a wholesale trader told Xinhua that fuel shortages delayed shipments by several days, causing goods to spoil and resulting in financial losses. In Portugal, consumers reported rising grocery bills eroding incomes, reflecting a broader cost-of-living strain.
“Even if the war is far away, the effect reaches people’s daily lives very quickly,” said Tiago Santos, a Brazilian immigrant working as a salesman in Lisbon, Portugal, capturing how geopolitical shocks in energy markets translate into lived economic pressure far beyond the region of conflict.
Structural adjustments
Beyond immediate shocks, analysts have pointed to longer-term changes. Restoring oil production to pre-conflict levels will likely take several months, depending on the extent of damage to oilfields and how smoothly shipping through the Strait of Hormuz resumes.
Even under a relatively constructive scenario, the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) analysts estimate that only 2-3 million barrels per day could return in the first month, with another 2-3.5 million barrels per day gradually coming back over the rest of the second quarter. However, they stressed that operational disruptions, damaged infrastructure and export bottlenecks mean the recovery will not be smooth or linear.
At a systemic level, the crisis is accelerating a reconfiguration of global energy and trade networks. Windward reported that alternative logistics patterns, notably overland transport corridors and destination shifts, are becoming increasingly normalized rather than temporary responses.
“This architecture is unlikely to unwind quickly, even if the ceasefire holds,” the report noted, adding that war-risk insurance, backlog pressure, congestion risk and unresolved transit governance mean that the current system has already moved from improvisation into operational normalization.
More broadly, the crisis highlights the vulnerability of maritime chokepoints and is prompting countries to diversify supply sources, expand strategic reserves and rebalance efficiency with resilience in global trade systems.
At the same time, the shock is reshaping the trajectory of the energy transition. Policymakers across regions have called for faster deployment of clean energy to reduce exposure to similar shocks.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has recently urged a rapid, large-scale transition toward renewables. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for speeding up “the integration of low-carbon, home-grown energy” to strengthen energy security.
“This fossil fuel crisis will happen again and again,” said UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell. “Sunlight does not depend on narrow and vulnerable shipping straits. Wind blows without massive taxpayer-funded naval escorts.”
Analysts warned that even brief interruptions of passage ripple through global markets and that prolonged instability risks evolving into a broader inflation and growth crisis.
In recent meetings, including a Monday discussion with top security officials in the White House, Trump opted to continue squeezing Iran’s economy and oil exports by preventing shipping to and from its ports, said the report.
The president assessed that the blockade, “a high-risk bid” to compel Tehran’s nuclear capitulation, carries less risk than other options — resume bombing or walk away from the conflict, the officials were quoted as saying.
They told the newspaper that Trump isn’t currently willing to drop his demand that Iran, at a minimum, vows to suspend its nuclear enrichment for 20 years and accepts restrictions after that point.
Trump reportedly told aides that Iran’s three-step offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and leave nuclear talks for later negotiations proved Tehran wasn’t negotiating in good faith.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said the United States has met its military objectives in the war with Iran and that “thanks to the successful blockade of Iranian ports, the United States has maximum leverage over the regime” during negotiations to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Yet extending the blockade also prolongs a conflict that has driven up gas prices, hurt Trump’s poll numbers and further darkened Republicans’ prospects in the midterm elections, said the report. It has also caused the lowest number of transits through the Strait of Hormuz since the U.S. and Israel launched massive attacks on Iran on Feb. 28.
The lack of a clear, decisive pathway has led some U.S. officials to conclude that the eight-week conflict will likely end with neither a nuclear deal nor a resumption of the war, a sentiment first reported by U.S. online media outlet Axios.
U.S. President Donald Trump has instructed his administration to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran as the ceasefire remains in place amid stalled talks.
The call was made during the opening of the 12th session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, under the theme “Turning the Tide: Transformative and Coordinated Actions for the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.”
Speaking at the event, Claver Gatete, executive secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, said Africa’s progress toward the implementation of the SDGs, especially in water and sanitation, energy, and infrastructure, is slow and continues to worsen inequality across the continent.
“Despite progress in expanding water access systems, lack of safety, reliability, and quality continues to constrain health, productivity, and economic transformation across the continent. Gains in energy and infrastructure sectors also are not creating enough jobs and improving competitiveness,” Gatete said.
He said that domestic resource mobilization must be complemented by targeted efforts to attract private investment in Africa as the continent strives to address its infrastructure development gap through partnerships.
Selma Malika Haddadi, deputy chairperson of the AU Commission, said Africa has recorded notable progress in areas such as infrastructure development, regional integration, and digital transformation, particularly under flagship initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Haddadi, however, said the continent is facing several challenges, especially in financing sustainable development, job creation, climate resilience, and addressing inequalities within and between countries.
“With less than five years remaining to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, we must shift from incremental progress to transformational change. This requires stronger policy coherence between continental, regional, and national frameworks; increased investment in critical sectors such as water, energy, infrastructure, and sustainable cities; enhanced partnerships across governments, the private sector, civil society, and development partners,” she said.
Lok Bahadur Thapa, president of the UN Economic and Social Council, said that around 600 million people in Africa, which is nearly 43 percent of the population in the region, lack access to electricity, while many countries continue to face gaps in access to safe drinking water and other essential services.
“Africa faces a substantial financial gap of between 670 billion and 848 billion U.S. dollars annually, driven largely by rising debt vulnerabilities, fluctuations in foreign direct investment, low domestic resource mobilization, and sharply falling official development assistance,” he said, adding that Africa must focus on domestic resource mobilization to address its huge financing gap and achieve UN sustainable development agendas.
Claver Gatete, executive secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, said Africa’s progress toward the implementation of the SDGs, especially in water and sanitation, energy, and infrastructure, is slow and continues to worsen inequality across the continent.
APR VC lost 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 29-27) to Petrojet in their final Group A match played on Monday evening at BK Arena, missing the chance to finish the group stage unbeaten.
The army side found it difficult to break down the Egyptian club, which dominated the opening two sets with identical 25-18 wins. Head coach Sammy Mulinge made tactical adjustments, introducing players including Niyonshima Samuel and resting James Achuil, but APR could not turn the match around. They pushed hard in the third set and came close to forcing a fourth, but eventually fell 29-27.
Despite the loss, APR VC progressed to the knockout stage as third in Group A, behind Uganda’s Nemo Stars and Petrojet Sports Club. Nemo Stars secured top spot after defeating Cameroon’s Litto Team 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-12).
In Group B, Egypt’s Al Ahly finished the preliminary round unbeaten after defeating AS INJS of Côte d’Ivoire 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-17).
Rwanda’s Kepler VC also impressed, claiming their fourth victory of the tournament with a 3-1 win over Kenya’s Equity Bank (25-19, 20-25, 25-23, 25-18).
Police VC also maintained a perfect record in Group C, edging Kenya Ports Authority in a five-set thriller to close the group stage unbeaten. The Rwandan side won 25-20, 20-25, 25-19, 21-25, 15-12.
Elsewhere in the same group, Ethiopia’s Wolaitta Dicha Sports Club defeated Tanzania’s Prisons VC 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-22), while Morocco’s Faith Union beat Ghana Army 3-2 (24-26, 25-14, 18-25, 25-23, 15-13).
In Group D, REG VC delivered a dominant 3-0 victory over Ghana’s Kabili Sporting, winning 25-19, 25-21, 25-23.
Cameroon’s Port Autonome de Douala also secured a straight-sets win over Kenya’s General Service Unit, taking the match 25-14, 25-22, 25-20.
Teams qualified for the Round of 16
Group A: Nemo Stars, Petrojet, APR VC, Nigeria Customs
Group B: Al Ahly SC, Kepler VC, Sport-S VC, Equity Bank
Group C: Police VC, Faith Union, Ghana Army, Kenya Ports Authority
Group D: Port Autonome de Douala, General Service Unit, REG VC, Kabili Sporting
Round of 16 fixtures
REG VC will face Uganda’s Sport-S VC on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., while Police VC will take on Nigeria Customs at 2:00 p.m. at BK Arena.
Kepler VC will play Kenya’s General Service Unit at 4:00 p.m., while APR VC will face Morocco’s Faith Union at 8:00 p.m.
Full Wednesday fixtures
Nemo Stars vs Kenya Ports Authority
REG VC vs Sport-S VC
Police VC vs Nigeria Customs
Kepler VC vs General Service Unit
Port Autonome de Douala vs Equity Bank
Petrojet SC vs Ghana Army
Al Ahly vs Kabili Sporting
Faith Union vs APR VC
APR VC lost 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 29-27) to Petrojet in their final Group A match played on Monday evening at BK Arena.REG VC secured a win that confirmed its progression, defeating Kabili Sporting of Ghana.There were jubilant scenes among REG VC players following their victory in the match played at Petit Stade in Remera.Kepler VC also secured a place in the Round of 16 after defeating Equity Bank.The only match Kepler VC lost in Group B was against Al Ahly.FRVB President Ngarambe Raphaël followed the match between Kepler VC and Equity Bank.Police VC was the only Rwandan side to go unbeaten in the group stage, winning all its matches.Police VC Team Manager, CSP Jackline Urujeni, was actively supporting her players from the sidelines.
