Rwanda extracts minerals including wolframite, cassiterite, and coltan, processed into tungsten, tin, and tantalum, with an annual production of 8,000 to 10,000 tons. The country also mines gold, sapphire, and lithium, alongside ongoing exploration to identify new deposits. Increasingly, Rwanda is focusing on value addition through local processing.
The Gasabo Gold Refinery, now in its sixth year of operation, has an annual capacity of 96 tons. Director Kayobotsi Bosco told IGIHE that the facility has reached 30% of capacity, 28.8 tons annually. Monthly production has grown from 600 kilograms to 2.5 tons.
“We started by processing about 600 kilograms per month, and now we are processing 2.5 tons per month,” he said, noting the steady growth over the years. Gold processed at the refinery comes from Rwanda and six non-conflict African countries.
“They want us to process their gold. It’s easier to bring it because Rwanda has adequate security,” he added.
Processing yields significant benefits. Gold refined to 99.99% purity sells for over $134,000 per kilogram, compared to about $120,000 for unprocessed gold. Silver, often discarded when gold is sold raw, can fetch more than $1,800 per kilogram when refined. The refinery employs 42 Rwandans and aims to reach 50% capacity, about four tons per month, next year.
Tin processing has also expanded. LuNa Smelter, which began operations in 2018/19, has increased output from 100 to over 250 tons of tin per month, with a purification rate of 99.95%. Interim operations manager Parfait Udakemwa said the plant plans to reach 320 tons next year and targets 600 tons per month within five years. It employs 161 staff and sources cassiterite from across Rwanda.
Rwanda is also adopting advanced technologies in mining. The country has shifted from basic tools to research-driven methods and is now introducing robots to improve safety and efficiency. Through discussions with Zora Robotics, Rwanda plans to deploy robots in underground tunnels to assess ground stability, measure gas levels, and monitor workers.
Zora Robotics CEO Benjamin Karenzi said the company has over 60 robots operating in various sectors and is ready to support mining. Robots, operating on 5G, will inspect tunnels before miners enter and track worker movements, helping to reduce accidents and raise productivity. The technology is already used in South Africa and may cost up to 120 million Rwandan Francs per mine.
The initiative has gained support from investors such as British businessman Ray Power, whose company processes 120 tons of coltan per month in Bugesera. He said improved worker safety strengthens client confidence and long-term cooperation.
Rwanda aims to increase mining export revenues to $2.2 billion by 2029 and raise mineral recovery rates from 40% to 80%. In May 2025, the country identified new mineral zones spanning 13,454 hectares, with more discoveries expected.
The leaders are set to finalise the Washington Accord, a US-brokered peace deal aimed at ending years of conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The signing ceremony, scheduled for December 4, follows months of intensive diplomatic efforts led by President Trump and comes after the initial agreement was reached in June. In addition to the peace accord, the two leaders are expected to ratify a Regional Economic Integration Framework that was negotiated last month.
Relations between Rwanda and the DRC have been strained for years. Kinshasa has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group, which controls key eastern cities, including Goma and Bukavu. Rwanda has consistently denied these allegations, instead accusing the DRC of harbouring the FDLR, a militia group linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and urging the DRC to resolve its internal security issues independently.
The Washington Agreement outlines the neutralisation of the FDLR and the lifting of Rwanda’s defensive border measures.
President Kagame recently emphasised that lasting peace will require commitment from all parties involved.
“Some of these processes will not work not just because we are meeting in Washington or the powerful United States is involved, but until those people concerned directly are committed to achieving end results,” he said.
The upcoming signing in Washington is being closely watched as a crucial step toward stabilising eastern Congo and strengthening regional cooperation in the Great Lakes region.
Representing Rwanda for the ninth consecutive year, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) is joined by top tourism operators, including Blue Monkey Tours, Primate Safaris, Luxe Horizons, Pure Africa Tours, Inzozi Tours & Travels, Wilderness/Thousand Hills, Uber Luxe Safaris, Palast Tours and Travels, Pinnacle Kigali, and Volcanoes Safaris.
Rwanda’s delegation aims to showcase the country’s diverse tourist attractions and strengthen its profile in the global luxury tourism market. On the opening day, the participating companies engaged with over 150 visitors, in addition to holding strategic meetings facilitated by RDB with media representatives and industry partners.
With more than 2,000 luxury tourism professionals expected at the annual event, Rwanda is well-positioned to expand its international network and attract high-end travelers.
ILTM Cannes serves as a key platform connecting buyers, sellers, and partners in the luxury tourism sector. The event draws participants from across Africa, Asia, South America, the Arab world, and China.
{{Photos from the second day, highlighting Rwanda’s stand and its engagement with partners.
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Held under the theme “Rwanda’s Transformation: Unity, Renewal and Strategic Engagement,” the retreat brought together hundreds of participants to reflect on the incredible progress Rwanda has achieved over the past 31 years, progress rooted in national unity, resilience, and visionary leadership.
The event was officiated by the RPF-Inkotanyi Secretary General, Ambassador Wellars Gasamagera, who emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding Rwanda’s gains and ensuring that its future remains bright.
Speaking on behalf of Bank of Kigali, Desire Rumanyika, Chief Digital and Retail Banking Officer, shared the bank’s commitment to enabling Rwandans living abroad to remain connected to their country, financially and strategically.
He said, “At this retreat, we have shown Rwandans living across Europe the tools and opportunities that Bank of Kigali provides to invest back home. Together, we explored how we can strengthen this bond even further. Over the years, diaspora investments have grown, and that growth reflects the connection and contribution of the diaspora to Rwanda’s development journey.”
Throughout the retreat, Bank of Kigali showcased a range of solutions tailored to the needs of the diaspora:
-* The BK Capital USD Fixed Income Fund, offering annual returns of 5–6%, with flexible withdrawals, the ability to borrow against the investment, and full certification by the Rwanda Capital Market Authority.
-* Digital banking services, including the BK Mobile App and Internet Banking, which allow diaspora clients to open accounts remotely, save, transfer money, and manage their finances without visiting a branch.
-* Diaspora mortgage solutions, designed to make homeownership in Rwanda faster, simpler, and more accessible, whether buying a home in Kigali, building in the countryside, or investing in property in Rubavu.
-* Foreign currency accounts in RWF, USD, GBP, EUR, CHF, and CAD, all with zero maintenance fees and free incoming international transfers.
The retreat served not only as a celebration of Rwandan identity but as a reminder that the nation’s progress is a shared journey. Bank of Kigali remains committed to creating solutions that empower Rwandans, wherever they live, to contribute to Rwanda’s future.
The momentum is strong. The connection is real. The time to invest in Rwanda is now. Shora I Rwanda with Bank of Kigali and be part of a legacy that endures across generations.
Trump made the declaration in a post on his Truth Social media platform, saying recipients of any pardon, commutation or other legal document signed by autopen should consider them “fully and completely terminated” and “of no legal effect.”
The autopen is a device historically used by U.S. presidents to replicate their signatures for high‑volume or ceremonial paperwork, a practice adopted by presidents of both major parties.
According to law professors such as Bernadette Meyler (Stanford Law School) and Mark Osler (University of St. Thomas School of Law), there is “absolutely no constitutional or legal basis” for a sitting president to retroactively revoke a predecessor’s pardons simply because they were autopen‑signed.
Another expert, Brian Kalt of Michigan State University College of Law, said that any attempt to invalidate pardons would require a court and only a court to declare them invalid, which would demand proof that Biden did not authorize the signatures.
It is not publicly known whether Biden actually used an autopen for all pardons or commutations and so far, no evidence has surfaced to confirm that.
Meanwhile, Trump is no stranger to clemency powers: since taking office a second time in January 2025, he has issued dozens of pardons and commutations including for high‑profile figures such as former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández.
Led by the Joint Operations Command, the mission includes humanitarian teams from the UAE Aid Agency, the Emirates Red Crescent Authority, and Abu Dhabi Civil Defense. The teams are working to reach the most affected communities and deliver immediate assistance, including food supplies, relief items, and essential shelter materials.
Reflecting its longstanding humanitarian principles, the UAE has swiftly provided a comprehensive package of emergency aid in support of the Sri Lankan government’s efforts to address the widespread impact of the floods and landslides.
The disaster has resulted in at least 355 fatalities, affected more than one million people, disrupted essential services, and caused partial or total damage to hundreds of homes across several districts.
This rapid intervention underscores the UAE’s commitment to supporting disaster-affected populations, alleviating their suffering, and facilitating early recovery and stability. It is part of the nation’s broader mission to extend timely assistance to communities impacted by natural disasters and crises worldwide.
Dr. Hamdan bin Musallam Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent Authority, highlighted the UAE’s global leadership in humanitarian and relief operations, emphasising the importance of rapid emergency response, deployment of search-and-rescue capabilities, and implementation of programs to mitigate the impact of natural disasters—most recently the severe flooding and landslides in Sri Lanka.
Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, affirmed the UAE’s continued commitment to its international humanitarian responsibilities. He noted that the UAE will maintain its support by sending additional relief supplies and shelter materials to assist affected families and accelerate the early recovery phase for the people of Sri Lanka.
Boeing’s 2025 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) for Africa projects that the continent’s commercial aeroplane fleet will more than double to 1,680 aircraft over the next 20 years to meet rising travel demand. Single-aisle aircraft are expected to make up about 70 percent of the more than 1,200 new airplanes slated for delivery, supporting the growth of domestic and short-haul international routes.
“Aviation is a catalyst for Africa’s economic expansion and intra-continental connectivity, building on industry growth we’ve seen across the region over the last 20 years,” said Shahab Matin, Boeing managing director of Commercial Marketing for the Middle East and Africa.
Rwanda is positioning itself to benefit directly from this growth. The development of the new Bugesera International Airport, in partnership with Qatar Airways, is central to the country’s strategy to become a regional aviation hub.
The new airport is designed to far exceed the capacity of Kigali International Airport, which was originally built for 400,000 passengers annually but was handling over 1 million passengers before the pandemic.
Phase I of Bugesera International Airport is expected to handle 7 to 8.2 million passengers annually when it opens by 2028, while Phase II, targeted for completion around 2032, could expand capacity to 14 million passengers annually.
Rwanda’s national carrier, RwandAir, is aligning with this expansion, aiming to more than double its annual passenger numbers from just over 1 million in 2023/2024 to 2.1 million by 2028/2029. This growth will be supported by expanding its fleet from 15 to at least 21 aircraft and increasing its network from 23 to 29 destinations.
In August this year, the airline strengthened its operational capacity with the addition of two modern Boeing 737-800 aircraft. In addition to the two aircraft, the airline operates a fleet of 13 other planes, including two A330-200s, one A330-300, six Boeing 737 Next Generation jets, two Bombardier CRJ900s, and two De Havilland Dash 8-400s. Plans are also underway to add a fourth Airbus to the fleet.
“With sustained investment, an expanding network, and an empowered workforce, we’re building an airline that connects Rwanda to the world, and the world to Rwanda,” Rwandair Chief Commercial Officer Fouad Caunhye told IGIHE in July.
As African carriers, including RwandAir, expand their fleets and route networks, Boeing forecasts a need for 74,000 new pilots, technicians, and cabin crew across the continent over the next 20 years. The Africa CMO also projects aviation services demand valued at $130 billion to support fleet growth and operational resilience through 2044.
With strategic investments like Bugesera International Airport and a growing national airline, Rwanda is set to play a prominent role in the continent’s expanding aviation sector.
The four-day event has brought together global investors, policymakers, mining companies, financial institutions, tech innovators and development partners to explore Rwanda’s growing position in the global critical minerals landscape.
In his address at the Kigali Convention Centre, Dr. Nsengiyumva praised the sector for its continued contribution to national development and highlighted progress in improving professionalism, environmental management and adherence to international mining standards.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining a stable and transparent regulatory environment that encourages responsible investment and supports both workers and operators.
“Your efforts demonstrate that mining can indeed be a driver of sustainable development,” the Prime Minister said, urging the sector to continue prioritising good governance, technological upgrading and community welfare.
While the Prime Minister referenced only the latest employment figure, data from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) shows the broader trajectory of the sector’s recovery. During the Covid-19 pandemic, mining jobs fell by 19 per cent, dropping to 57,379, down from 71,205 workers in 2019. In 2017, the industry employed 47,727 people. The rebound to over 92,000 jobs marks the strongest recovery in nearly a decade.
The sector’s rapid expansion is also reflected in export performance. Rwanda’s mineral export revenues have grown from $373 million in 2017 to $1.75 billion in 2024, with the government targeting $2.17 billion by 2029, driven by rising global demand for critical minerals essential to modern technologies.
This year’s Rwanda Mining Week adopts the theme “Minerals for a Smarter and Greener Future,” highlighting the importance of critical minerals in the global transition to clean energy and advanced manufacturing. Rwanda continues to position itself as a reliable supplier of strategic minerals, supported by strengthened partnerships with investors, researchers and development institutions.
Dr. Nsengiyumva said the country is committed to playing its part as a “principled, responsible and reliable partner” in the global low-carbon transition.
He called for deeper collaboration and meaningful discussions aimed at advancing the sector’s contribution to Rwanda’s economic transformation.
A spokesperson for AFC/M23, Lawrence Kanyuka, announced on the afternoon of December 2, 2025, that the five injured included one man, one woman, and three children.
Kamanyola is located in the Walungu territory in the South Kivu province and has been under the control of AFC/M23 fighters since February 2025.
Fierce fighting occurred in areas not far from Kamanyola, such as Katogota and Luvungi in the Uvira territory. These clashes, which started in the early morning, pitted AFC/M23 fighters against the DRC military, supported by Wazalendo, FDLR, and Burundian forces.
Residents of Kamanyola reported that before the fighting started, they saw hundreds of soldiers with tanks and heavy weapons moving to set up defense in the surrounding areas.
These residents, along with those from other areas like Katogota and Luvungi, said that the fighting has prevented them from carrying out their daily activities due to its intensity.
In Bukavu, a city controlled by AFC/M23 since February, residents also reported hearing gunfire, suggesting that fighting was taking place there as well.
The ongoing battles between AFC/M23 and the coalition of DRC government forces present a major challenge for the government of Qatar. Not long ago, Qatar brokered an agreement between the two sides for a ceasefire, hoping it would lead to productive peace talks.
Qatar’s Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, mentioned in mid-November that it was extremely difficult to bring together sides that continue to fight, but that their country would continue to work towards achieving peace.
Born in 1964 in Gasebeya Sector, Commune Gaseke, in the former Gisenyi province, General Omega fled to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after Habyarima’s soldiers’ defeat by the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA). He held the rank of Lieutenant at the time.
Innocent Tuyubahe, who served as General Omega’s bodyguard from 2016 to 2022, returned to Rwanda nearly two years ago. He shared extensive insights with IGIHE about Omega’s life in the forested regions of DRC.
Despite the DRC government’s claims that FDLR fighters, especially its aging leaders, are no longer strong, Tuyubahe insists that Gen Omega is still a powerful figure.
{{A paranoid leader}}
Gen Omega is known for his reluctance to trust those around him, including his fellow rebels.
His distrust is so deep that he often takes measures such as secretly inspecting military facilities and monitoring his subordinates by seizing their phones to check their contacts, especially those with people in Rwanda.
“Omega, in his personal life, is a very distrustful person. Even those guarding him at his base aren’t trusted. Nobody can be seen fraternizing with him. He often looks as though he’s angry, restless, and always moving around. He’s constantly checking, even taking our phones to investigate who we’re communicating with,” explained Tuyubahe.
It is not uncommon for FDLR fighters to seek out phone numbers of their family members back in Rwanda to coordinate plans for potential return. Gen Omega has been known to impose severe punishments on anyone caught trying to make such contact, including transferring them to a distant base, subjecting them to severe beatings (between 200 and 300 lashes), or even execution.
“If you lived in the camp, he would immediately transfer you to another battalion, accusing you of being a traitor. He would send you away, ensuring you never cross paths with others. And you would be beaten, 200 to 300 lashes,” Tuyubahe added.
{{Punishing alleged traitors}}
There was an instance when Tuyubahe himself was caught after talking to his sisters. Omega held an emergency meeting and interrogated him, demanding to know if his conversation involved any plans to return to Rwanda. Tuyubahe denied it, but Omega insisted on punishing him severely, ordering 300 lashes and seizing the phone he had used to communicate with his family.
As he said, Omega’s leadership is characterized by brutal decision-making. If he suspects someone of betrayal, he might sentence them to death.
However, Tuyubahe says, he tries to avoid being directly implicated in their deaths, often ordering other soldiers to carry out executions, ensuring it appears as though the victim died in an ambush laid by local militias like the Nyatura or Mai Mai.
{{Omega’s spiritual side}}
Tuyubahe described General Omega as a Catholic who regularly attends Mass. He also has a group of spiritual advisers, whom he consults for guidance about his future and the fate of the FDLR.
“Did you know that while we were in Paris (a camp in Rutshuru), he had a group of spiritual advisers, including Chantal and another woman named Francine? Their pastor, Mulume, had recently died before we left Paris,” he shared.
Tuyubahe also disclosed that FDLR fighters often hold religious services before going into battle, seeking divine approval. These prayers are typically held at night, between 3:00 a.m. and midnight. Once the prayers conclude, leaders assign tasks to the fighters based on their visions.
“These prophets are highly trusted, sometimes they have the power to either kill or save someone. If a prophet and a fighter have a dispute, the prophet can lie to Omega, accusing the fighter of being a traitor,” Tuyubahe explained.
{{Omega’s refusal to return to Rwanda}}
Gen Omega has been approached several times by Rwandan officials, including the former State Minister for Foreign Affairs, General (Rtd) James Kabarebe, who urged him to return to Rwanda and join the process of national rebuilding, reassuring him that he would not face justice because he played no role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Despite these appeals, Omega has remained resolute in his refusal.
Gen (Rtd) Kabarebe reminded Omega that his military skills were being wasted and that if he returned to Rwanda, he would not be prosecuted for his involvement in the Genocide.
However, Omega responded firmly, stating that he would never return to Rwanda as long as the Tutsi were still alive there. In response, Kabarebe said that Omega would never step foot in Rwanda alive.
Tuyubahe recalled a conversation with Omega, during which he asked what would happen if he were captured. Omega replied, “I would shoot myself,” showing his determination never to return to Rwanda alive.
{{Omega’s escape plans}}
Whenever the FDLR camps are about to be attacked, Omega prepares to escape, ensuring his personal safety while leaving many of his fighters behind.
Tuyubahe described how, during operations, Omega would flee with only a handful of bodyguards, leaving the rest of the FDLR fighters to fend for themselves.
“During operations, when the enemy came to attack, Omega would take only about 12 of his guards, leaving the others to escape in smaller groups and regroup later,” said Tuyubahe.
He went on to explain that during rare trips to visit the FDLR camps, Omega would address the fighters, motivating them and boosting morale. He would remind them not to be like those who ran away from battles, and ensure that they remained loyal to the cause.
When Tuyubahe last encountered Omega, he had no significant personal property, unlike Ruvugayimikore Protogene, also known as ‘Colonel Ruhinda,’ who owned farms.
Omega was often seen carrying a small bag with money, while other funds were stored by those responsible for managing finances within the FDLR. During Omega’s time at the Paris camp, Lt Gen Byiringiro was stationed at the political headquarters in Kazaroho.
Tuyubahe noted that, despite both being key figures in the FDLR, these two leaders rarely interacted, even when they were both present at senior leadership meetings.
