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  • Rwanda posts 10% GDP growth in Q1 of 2026

    Rwanda posts 10% GDP growth in Q1 of 2026

    The figures were released on Tuesday during a briefing attended by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, who highlighted ongoing structural shifts in the economy and the continued importance of agriculture despite its declining share of GDP.

    According to NISR, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current market prices was estimated at Rwf 6.3 trillion in Q1 2026, up from Rwf 5.3 trillion recorded in the same period of 2025.

    The services sector remained the largest contributor to the economy at 52%, followed by industry at 24%, agriculture at 19%, while net direct taxes accounted for 5%.

    Industry overtakes agriculture in GDP share

    Officials noted that industry has now surpassed agriculture in its contribution to GDP, reflecting a continued structural transformation of the economy.

    Speaking at the briefing, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning said the shift in sector shares is clearly visible in the data.

    “You can see it clearly in the numbers. Agriculture is now at 19% of GDP, not even 20% anymore. Services stand at 52% and industry at 24%. So industry has now surpassed agriculture, and services is almost more than double agriculture,” the minister said.

    He added that this does not diminish the importance of agriculture in the economy.

    “Evidently, the output we see in GDP is increasingly moving away from agriculture. But that should not be misunderstood, it does not mean agriculture is not important. Agriculture remains extremely important for two main reasons: food security, because without food no other sector can function, and as a key input into food processing, manufacturing, and restaurants,” he said.

    He further noted that although agriculture’s share has declined, its absolute value continues to rise.

    Sectoral performance detailed

    All major sectors recorded positive growth in Q1 2026. Industry grew by 13%, services expanded by 7%, and agriculture increased by 8%.

    Within agriculture, food crop production rose by 3%, while export crops increased by 39%, supported by an 86% surge in coffee production. Tea production, however, declined by 3%.

    The industrial sector was boosted by mining, manufacturing, and construction. Mining and quarrying increased by 20%, supported by a 50% rise in mining production. Export minerals showed strong performance, with cassiterite exports increasing by 31%, coltan exports surging by 125%, while wolfram exports remained unchanged compared to Q1 2025.

    Manufacturing activities grew by 15%, driven by strong increases in metal products, machinery and equipment (52%), non-metallic mineral products such as cement and bricks (57%), chemicals, rubber and plastic products (21%), and wood, paper, and printing products (22%). Construction activities also expanded by 11%.

    Services sector shows mixed performance

    The services sector grew by 7%, supported by wholesale and retail trade, which increased by 11%, and transport services, which also rose by 11%. Within transport, air transport grew by 7% and land transport by 10%.

    Information and communication services increased by 22%, financial services grew by 11%, and administration and support services expanded by 20%. Education services recorded a modest growth of 3%.

    However, some sub-sectors declined, including hotel and restaurant services, which fell by 16%, public administration, which decreased by 1%, and health services, which dropped by 18%.

    Drivers of agricultural growth

    Agriculture’s 8% growth was attributed to a combination of favourable weather, improved farming practices, expanded irrigation, and sustained government support for fertilizer access.

    The minister emphasized that multiple factors contributed to the sector’s performance.

    “The strong growth in agriculture is the result of many factors, not just fertilizer. The government has been very consistent in supporting fertilizer availability. However, this growth also comes from good weather and climate conditions during the season, improved agricultural practices, and increased irrigation. It is a combination of government efforts, farmers’ efforts, and favourable weather,” he said.

    Global outlook and fuel prices

    On global economic conditions, including developments around the Strait of Hormuz, which has been affected in recent months by tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, the minister cautioned that stability remains uncertain.

    “We have seen initial agreements regarding the situation in the Middle East, which is positive. However, our principle is to wait and see. We want the agreements to hold and to be sustained over a long period,” he stated.

    He added that global supply chain disruptions continue to affect energy markets.

    “Even if everything is resolved today, there is a backlog of issues in global supply chains. We will continue to feel the effects of the previous disruptions until the global business and supply chain community clears the backlog stuck in the Gulf,” he added.

    The figures were released on Tuesday during a briefing attended by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, who highlighted ongoing structural shifts in the economy and the continued importance of agriculture despite its declining share of GDP.
    Jean Claude Mwizerwa, Deputy Director General of NISR, said that Rwanda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current market prices was estimated at Rwf 6.3 trillion in Q1 2026, up from Rwf 5.3 trillion recorded in the same period of 2025.
    Members of the press follow the briefing.
  • EV boom, $215M funding & rider savings: Spiro Rwanda MD Amit Chawla speaks out (Video)

    EV boom, $215M funding & rider savings: Spiro Rwanda MD Amit Chawla speaks out (Video)

    In an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Spiro Rwanda Managing Director Amit Chawla discussed the company’s growth, Rwanda’s role in its expansion strategy, and the rising demand for electric motorcycles following the government’s push toward cleaner transport.

    Spiro recently received the Local Impact Champion Award at the Africa CEO Forum, an accolade Chawla said reflects Spiro’s growing influence on livelihoods and the wider adoption of electric mobility in Africa.

    “We are very honoured and humbled to have received this award,” he said. “It means Spiro as an organisation has been able to touch the livelihoods of people, and electric mobility is getting its roots on the ground.”

    Spiro recently received the Local Impact Champion Award at the Africa CEO Forum.

    $215 million investment to scale across Africa

    Spiro recently secured $215 million in funding backed by international investors, one of the largest investments in Africa’s electric vehicle sector. Chawla said the capital will accelerate expansion across multiple markets, with Rwanda remaining a key hub.

    “Rwanda is a very strategic place to be in,” he noted, adding that the country will receive a significant share of the investment to expand assembling facilities, energy infrastructure, and operations.

    While the funding will support the wider group across Africa, he emphasised Rwanda’s importance in Spiro’s long-term growth plans.

    Spiro Rwanda Managing Director Amit Chawla, during a recent exclusive interview with IGIHE.

    Rwanda at the centre of EV expansion

    Spiro has operated in Rwanda for about three years, during which it has become one of the leading electric motorcycle and battery-swapping providers in the country.

    Chawla said the company currently has around 25,000 electric motorcycles on the road and approximately 350 active battery swapping stations, with rapid expansion underway.

    “The demand has outpaced supply, especially after recent developments,” he said. “We are actively adding 50 to 60 new swap stations every month.”

    The company plans to expand its network beyond Kigali into all 30 districts, supported by ongoing investment in energy infrastructure and logistics systems.

    Spiro Rwanda has approximately 350 active battery swapping stations, with rapid expansion underway.

    Rider savings driving adoption

    A major driver of adoption, Chawla explained, is cost savings for riders.

    He said electric motorcycles are significantly cheaper to operate compared to fuel-powered alternatives.

    “A Spiro bike costs around 1 million Rwandan francs compared to 2.2 to 2.5 million for a fuel bike,” he said. “On running costs, riders save close to 50 percent daily.”

    He added that one electric charge can cover about 80 kilometres, compared to roughly 40 kilometres for fuel usage under similar conditions.

    Chawla said electric motorcycles are significantly cheaper to operate compared to fuel-powered alternatives.

    Spiro’s model is centred on energy infrastructure rather than traditional vehicle sales.

    “The real business revolves around the energy infrastructure,” Chawla explained. “Customers swap drained batteries for fully charged ones, and we generate revenue through swapping.”

    He noted that each battery is used for nearly 20 hours a day, making the system highly efficient and scalable.

    Spiro has around 25,000 electric motorcycles on the road.

    Manufacturing, jobs, and local skills development

    Spiro also operates a facility in Rwanda’s Special Economic Zone in Masoro, focused on assembly and workforce training.

    Chawla said the company is currently assembling motorcycles locally while importing components from Asia, but is gradually moving toward deeper local manufacturing.

    “We are training 225 young Rwandan engineers and technicians with the goal of moving toward local component manufacturing,” he said.

    Across its operations, Spiro employs more than 1,650 people, with women making up 38 percent of the workforce, a figure the company aims to increase to 45 percent.

    Chawla estimated that Spiro currently holds between 15 and 25 percent of the market, noting that the sector remains capital-intensive.

    He also acknowledged that demand growth has created operational pressure.

    “Demand has really outpaced our expectations,” he said. “We are blessed to be in this position.”

    The MD revealed that Spiro is training 225 young Rwandan engineers and technicians with the goal of moving toward local component manufacturing.

    Safety, reliability, and infrastructure

    Responding to concerns about reliability and safety, Chawla said electric mobility is still an emerging sector requiring user education and training.

    He maintained that Spiro’s bikes undergo rigorous testing and highlighted the importance of rider training and safety as electric mobility adoption grows.

    On operational challenges, he acknowledged occasional delays at swapping stations during peak hours but said expansion is underway to ease congestion.

    “We are opening new stations aggressively and working with partners to increase electricity capacity for charging,” he said.

    Government policy and market growth

    Chawla credited Rwanda’s policy environment for enabling rapid growth in the sector, particularly the government’s decision to halt new registrations of fuel motorcycles from January 2025.

    He said such policies have accelerated adoption and strengthened investor confidence.

    Beyond Rwanda, Spiro is expanding into markets such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia. Chawla said Rwanda will continue to play a key role as both a market and operational base.

    “Spiro Rwanda is more than willing to support neighbouring countries with knowledge, operations, and best practices,” he said.

    Looking ahead, Chawla said success for Spiro would mean tens of thousands more electric motorcycles on the road, expanded infrastructure, and wider access to clean, affordable transport across Africa.

    “Electric mobility will become embedded in every part of transportation,” he said.

    Watch the full interview below:

  • Zaria Court offers football fans a premium World Cup viewing experience

    Zaria Court offers football fans a premium World Cup viewing experience

    The World Cup, being hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada, runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The expanded competition features 48 national teams competing in 104 matches, drawing the attention of football fans around the globe.

    With matches scheduled at different times due to varying time zones, many supporters are seeking comfortable and convenient venues where they can follow the action live. Zaria Court has opened its doors throughout the tournament, welcoming fans eager to watch matches from the opening fixtures through to the final.

    Games are being screened at The Sports Bar, a modern entertainment space located at the entrance of Zaria Court Hotel. Designed with sports fans in mind, the venue can accommodate more than 200 guests and offers a relaxed setting where visitors can enjoy food and drinks while following the tournament.

    To enhance the viewing experience, The Sports Bar is equipped with 19 large television screens, ensuring clear visibility from every corner of the venue. Live DJs are also on hand to keep the atmosphere vibrant before and after matches.

    The setup allows both indoor and outdoor guests to enjoy uninterrupted coverage of the World Cup, creating an exciting gathering place for football fans throughout the tournament.

    Viewers follow World Cup on large screens at The Sports Bar, Zaria Court.
    Zaria Court has emerged as a prime venue for World Cup fans in Kigali

  • Amb. Urujeni Bakuramutsa presents credentials to Slovenian President

    Amb. Urujeni Bakuramutsa presents credentials to Slovenian President

    The meeting provided an opportunity to reaffirm the strong relations between Rwanda and Slovenia, as well as the shared commitment of both countries to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

    President Pirc Musar commended Rwanda’s progress in recent years and expressed her desire to continue expanding exchanges and cooperation between the two nations.

    The discussions focused on strengthening economic and commercial partnerships, with particular attention given to opportunities for collaboration in several strategic sectors.

    Rwanda was highlighted as a strategic gateway for Slovenian companies seeking to expand their presence across the African continent, particularly in modern agriculture, information and communication technologies (ICT), and sports-related partnerships.

    Slovenia, for its part, offers valuable opportunities for cooperation in areas such as the circular economy, emerging technologies, machinery, and innovation.

    Both sides also welcomed ongoing efforts to strengthen the framework for bilateral cooperation and facilitate greater economic exchanges between Kigali and Ljubljana.

    The presentation of the Letters of Credence forms part of a series of diplomatic engagements in Slovenia aimed at deepening ties between the two countries.

    The first Rwandan ambassador presented credentials in September 2011, marking the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

    Both countries continue to build a growing partnership based on mutual respect, resilience, and a shared commitment to multilateral cooperation.

    Both Rwanda and Slovenia reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in innovation, trade, and multilateral engagement.
    Amb. Urujeni Bakuramutsa presents her Letters of Credence to Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar at the Presidential Palace in Ljubljana.
    The ceremony marked a key diplomatic engagement reinforcing relations between Rwanda and Slovenia.

    Karirima@igihe.com

  • Airtel Rwanda partners with ZTE to expand smartphone accessibility

    Airtel Rwanda partners with ZTE to expand smartphone accessibility

    The ZTE Blade A36 combines a 6.7inch immersive display, a solid 5000mAh battery, 64GB of storage, and a quality 13MP rear camera, making it an ideal smartphone for customers looking to stay connected, productive, and entertained.

    To further enhance the offer, customers purchasing the device at Airtel Service Centers will also receive one month of unlimited calls to all networks and 1GB of data every day for 30 days.

    This initiative supports Airtel Rwanda’s ongoing efforts to accelerate smartphone adoption and digital inclusion by making quality devices and connectivity more accessible to Rwanda.

    It also reinforces Airtel Rwanda’s “SWITCH TO MORE” or “HITAMO IBIRENZE” proposition; an ambitious commitment to empower customers with greater access to connectivity, affordability, convenience, and digital possibilities.

    Empowering customers to “HITAMO IBIRENZE”

    Airtel Rwanda said its Hitamo Ibirenze proposition is designed to provide customers with greater value through a range of services and benefits.

    These include nationwide 4G coverage, ensuring fast and reliable connectivity across Rwanda, as well as affordable smartphone ownership through the newly launched ZTE Blade A36 and flexible financing options available at Airtel Service Centers.

    Customers also benefit from the #NiZero initiative, which enables zero-fee money transfers across all networks and banks via Airtel Money, alongside voice and data bundle offers ranging from Rwf 100 to Rwf 5,000.

    The proposition further includes the MyAirtel App, which allows users to manage services conveniently, and strengthened customer protection measures aimed at reducing fraud and scams, reinforcing Airtel Rwanda’s commitment to providing a secure and trusted network experience.

    Speaking on the partnership, Airtel Rwanda Managing Director Sujay Chakrabarti said the launch reflects Airtel’s ongoing commitment to delivering meaningful value to customers.

    “At Airtel Rwanda, we believe that digital access should not be a privilege but an opportunity available to everyone. Through our ‘HITAMO IBIRENZE’ proposition, we are committed to giving customers more of what matters most; more connectivity, more value, more convenience, and more opportunities to participate in Rwanda’s growing digital economy.

    “Our partnership with ZTE brings this commitment to life by making quality smartphones more accessible and affordable, helping more Rwandans unlock the full benefits of a connected future,” he said.

    The partnership also reinforces a shared vision between Airtel Rwanda and ZTE to bridge the digital divide through innovative and accessible technology solutions.

    ZTE has been a trusted network technology partner to Airtel for more than a decade supporting the delivery of reliable connectivity and digital services across our markets.

    Commenting on the collaboration, ZTE Rwanda Managing Director, Du Hailun said: “AtZTE, we are committed to developing innovative technologies that make digital experiences accessible to everyone. Through our partnership with Airtel Rwanda, we are pleased to bring the ZTE Blade A36 to more consumers across the country, combining quality, reliability, and affordability in a device designed for everyday digital life.”

    The ZTE Blade A36 is now available at all Airtel Service Centers across Rwanda. Customers are encouraged to visit their nearest Airtel shop to purchase the device, explore financing options, and discover Airtel’s full range of products and services.

    Beyond this initiative, Airtel Rwanda and ZTE intend to expand their collaboration by introducing a wider portfolio of smartphones catering to different customer segments, including premium devices.

    These offerings will be supported by affordable device financing solutions through Airtel Money, providing customers with greater flexibility in how they purchase and own smartphones.

    Airtel Rwanda and ZTE have launched the ZTE Blade A36 smartphone, aimed at expanding access to affordable digital devices across the country.
    The ZTE Blade A36 will be available at Airtel Service Centers nationwide, priced at Rwf 119,000, as part of efforts to boost smartphone adoption.
    The partnership between Airtel Rwanda and ZTE also includes added customer benefits such as free calls and daily data bundles for one month upon purchase.
    ZTE Rwanda Managing Director Du Hailun reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering affordable and reliable smartphone technology to Rwandan consumers.
  • Study finds ancient millipedes lived on land 80 million years before vertebrates

    Study finds ancient millipedes lived on land 80 million years before vertebrates

    This discovery reshapes the scientific understanding of early life on Earth and highlights the crucial role these small arthropods played in building the planet’s earliest terrestrial ecosystems.

    According to new research, millipedes were already thriving on land around 460 million years ago, during a period when Earth looked completely unfamiliar. At that time, there were no trees, no flowers, and no complex land ecosystems.

    Land surfaces were mostly barren or covered in simple plant-like organisms such as mosses and algae. In this primitive environment, millipedes emerged as some of the earliest animals capable of surviving outside of water, feeding on decaying organic matter and helping to recycle nutrients in the earliest soil systems.

    To reach these conclusions, researchers constructed the most comprehensive evolutionary family tree of living millipede groups to date. They combined modern genetic analysis with fossil evidence to trace the lineage and evolutionary relationships of millipedes across hundreds of millions of years. This approach allowed scientists to identify when major groups first appeared and how they diversified over time, filling significant gaps in the fossil record.

    The study also suggests that some millipede lineages may be even older than previously discovered fossils indicate, meaning their origin could stretch further back into Earth’s ancient past. This challenges earlier assumptions about the timeline of life on land and suggests that terrestrial ecosystems may have developed earlier and more rapidly than once believed.

    Another important finding from the research is the evolution of chemical defense systems in millipedes. Around 260 million years ago, certain millipede groups developed powerful chemical compounds to deter predators. These natural defenses significantly increased their survival chances and helped them adapt to changing environmental conditions and increasing competition from other emerging land animals.

    This research positions millipedes as key pioneers in Earth’s history. Far from being simple creatures, they played a foundational role in shaping early land ecosystems by breaking down organic material, enriching soils, and supporting the development of more complex life forms that would follow millions of years later.

    Long before vertebrates crawled ashore, millipedes had already spent 80 million years pioneering life on land.
  • Researchers uncover vast living fungal network under the Earth’s surface

    Researchers uncover vast living fungal network under the Earth’s surface

    The study published in the journal Science by the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN), reveals the mind-boggling scale of Earth’s underground “circulatory system,” composed of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi.

    Scientists estimate that these vast subterranean networks stretch an astonishing 110 quadrillion kilometers roughly 68 quadrillion miles. To put that into perspective, this hidden grid of thread-like structures, called hyphae, spans a distance equivalent to nearly a billion times the journey from Earth to the Sun. 

    These fungi form crucial, mutually beneficial partnerships with approximately 70 percent of all plant species on Earth, providing them with essential water and nutrients in exchange for carbon produced through photosynthesis.

    The planetary impact of this fungal network is immense. According to the study, AM fungal networks absorb and channel an estimated 4 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalents into global soils every single year. 

    This massive carbon sink accounts for roughly 11 percent of all global human-related carbon emissions, making the underground network one of the planet’s most critical lines of defense against climate change. Wild grasslands are particularly vital to this system, holding about 40 percent of the world’s total arbuscular mycorrhizal infrastructure.

    However, the research also soundly warns that human activity is putting this living architecture at risk. By analyzing more than 16,000 soil cores using robotics and machine learning, scientists discovered that large agricultural croplands have roughly 50 percent lower fungal network densities on average compared to undisturbed wild ecosystems.

    When these networks are degraded by heavy farming, the soil drastically loses its capacity to store carbon, cycle nutrients, and withstand severe environmental stress.

    Ultimately, this pioneering study proves that the fight against climate change cannot ignore what lies beneath our feet. For too long, these vital organisms have been left out of global conservation maps and climate policies.

    Experts stress that understanding and protecting this fragile, 68 quadrillion-mile planetary circulatory system is absolutely paramount if humanity hopes to secure future food security, preserve biodiversity, and stabilize a changing global climate.

    Scientists map Earth’s hidden underground fungal network critical to climate survival.
  • Research suggests a dying star might trigger the birth of a new universe

    Research suggests a dying star might trigger the birth of a new universe

    The star collapses under its own colossal weight, crushing its matter into an infinitely dense, infinitely small point known as a singularity, the heart of a black hole.

    However, singularities present a massive headache for physicists because they are places where the known laws of nature completely break down.

    Now, a groundbreaking study by theoretical physicists Daniel Jampolski and Professor Luciano Rezzolla from Goethe University Frankfurt offers a radical alternative to this cosmic dead end.

    Their new mathematical model, utilizing Albert Einstein’s equations of General Relativity, suggests that a collapsing star could trigger the birth of a miniature, expanding universe hidden inside itself.

    This mind-bending theory relies on an exotic, hypothetical object known as a “gravastar” (gravitational vacuum star). From the outside, a gravastar looks and acts exactly like a black hole, possessing the same immense mass and crushing gravitational pull.

    Internally, however, it contains no singularity. Instead, beneath a thin shell of ordinary matter, a gravastar’s core is filled entirely with dark energy. Because dark energy exerts a powerful outward, repulsive pressure, it perfectly counteracts the inward crush of gravity, halting the star’s total collapse.

    While physicists have theorized about gravastars for 25 years, no one could explain how a dying star could actually transform into one.

    Jampolski and Rezzolla finally cracked this mystery. Their model demonstrates that as a massive star collapses and reaches an unimaginable density, the extreme compression of matter triggers a phenomenon akin to a miniature “Big Bang.”

    Deep inside the dying star, an infant universe is born. Driven by dark energy, this new interior cosmos rapidly expands, pushing outward against the collapsing stellar material. The result is a perfect, stable stalemate: the outer layers of the dying star form a protective shell around a freshly born, expanding universe.

    Ultimately, this research provides a vital mathematical roadmap for exploring the unknown boundaries of space physics. It also paints a breathtakingly poetic picture of the cosmos: the death of a single star in the universe might not be an ending at all, but the precise moment a new universe begins.

    New theoretical models suggest that stellar collapse can result in the formation of an interior, expanding universe rather than a traditional gravitational singularity.

  • Rwanda cleared from Israel’s Ebola travel ban alongside Kenya

    Rwanda cleared from Israel’s Ebola travel ban alongside Kenya

    In a statement issued by Israel’s Ministry of Health, the authorities confirmed the decision following a reassessment of the situation.

    “We are pleased to announce that Israel’s Ministry of Health has decided to remove Kenya and Rwanda from the list of countries subject to temporary Ebola-related entry restrictions,” the statement read.

    The restrictions, introduced as a precaution amid Ebola concerns in the region, had also applied to Uganda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    Under the suspended measures, airlines were instructed to deny boarding to any foreign national who had visited the listed countries within 21 days prior to travel, regardless of nationality or residence status. The rules did not apply to Israeli citizens or legal residents.

    Air carriers were also required to screen passengers and verify recent travel history before allowing boarding.

    “Airlines must question every foreign passenger prior to boarding, which includes verifying whether they have stayed in any of the restricted countries listed above during the past 21 days,” the ministry stated. “If the answer is affirmative, they must not be permitted to board the flight to Israel.”

    The earlier decision had drawn criticism from Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei, who described it as unjustified, noting that the country had recorded no Ebola cases despite extensive testing.

    The Ebola outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, was first reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on May 15, 2026.

    As of June 13, 2026, the country had recorded 782 cases, including 181 deaths. Uganda has confirmed 19 cases, including two fatalities, while no other country in the region has reported infections.

    Rwanda has been removed from Israel’s Ebola travel restriction list
  • Rwanda, South Africa set for talks to rebuild and strengthen bilateral relations

    Rwanda, South Africa set for talks to rebuild and strengthen bilateral relations

    According to South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Minister Ronald Lamola will host Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, in Pretoria on Wednesday, June 17, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

    “The meeting forms part of ongoing efforts to rebuild and strengthen bilateral relations between South Africa and Rwanda. Discussions will focus on enhancing diplomatic engagement and advancing cooperation in priority areas, including trade, tourism, health, education, and security,” the department said in a statement.

    At the conclusion of the meeting, Lamola is expected to address the media and outline the outcomes of the bilateral discussions, as well as provide perspectives on the way forward in strengthening relations between the two countries.

    The talks come at a time when relations between Rwanda and South Africa have been strained for several years. Rwanda has repeatedly accused South Africa of providing a safe haven to individuals and groups it says are involved in activities aimed at undermining its security.

    In recent years, tensions have also been fueled by disagreements over the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where South African troops were deployed as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission supporting the Congolese government and its allies against the AFC/M23 rebel movement.

    Rwanda has repeatedly warned South Africa against involvement in what it describes as a conflict that included plans to threaten Rwanda’s security.

    Kigali has pointed to stockpiled weapons discovered after AFC/M23 forces captured the city of Goma as evidence supporting its concerns.

    Relations deteriorated further in January 2025 when South African President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that his country had lost 13 soldiers in the volatile region and referred to the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) as a militia while commenting on the fighting in eastern Congo.

    He attributed the escalation of violence to the M23 rebel group and what he referred to as the “Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) militia.”

    He framed South Africa’s military engagement under the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) as a peacekeeping effort aimed at stabilizing the region.

    However, in his response on X last year, Kagame dismissed these claims, asserting that ‘the RDF is an army, not a militia’.

    He further criticized SAMIDRC’s role in the conflict, stating, “SAMIDRC is not a peacekeeping force, and it has no place in this situation. It was authorized by SADC as a belligerent force engaging in offensive combat operations to help the DRC Government fight against its own people, working alongside genocidal armed groups like FDLR which target Rwanda.”

    During the withdrawal of South African and other SADC troops from eastern Congo after setbacks on the battlefield, Rwanda facilitated their transit through its territory as they returned home.

    The diplomatic tensions have also had practical consequences, with Rwandan travelers facing difficulties obtaining visas to South Africa.

    In May, Ramaphosa publicly acknowledged challenges in relations between the two countries while speaking during the Africa CEO Forum in Côte d’Ivoire, where he met Kagame.

    “People may think that President Kagame and I are in conflict, and some of you may have thought that there’s going to be fireworks as we’re sitting close to each other,” Ramaphosa said, suggesting that despite existing differences, dialogue between the two countries remains important.

    The meeting in Pretoria is expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to address outstanding concerns and explore ways of strengthening cooperation across areas of mutual interest.

    President Paul Kagame and Cyril Ramaphosa have, on several occasions, held discussions despite periods of strained relations between Rwanda and South Africa.