The decision followed discussions between Tinubu and President Paul Kagame after the Nigerian leader arrived in Kigali to attend the Africa CEO Forum 2026.
Tinubu arrived in Rwanda on Wednesday. Following talks held later that evening, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said Nigeria would introduce visa-free entry for Rwandans, similar to Rwanda’s existing policy for Nigerian citizens.
In a statement, the Nigeria Immigration Service said the government had completed all the necessary procedures to implement the new arrangement.
Under the policy, Rwandan citizens can now enter Nigeria without a visa and stay legally for up to 30 days for purposes including tourism, business and other authorised activities.
The statement, however, noted that travellers wishing to stay beyond 30 days will still be required to apply for a visa through a Nigerian embassy or via the country’s e-Visa platform.
The immigration authority added that airports, seaports and other border entry points had been directed to begin implementing the presidential order immediately.
Rwanda and Nigeria cooperate in several areas, including diplomacy, security, air transport and technical partnerships. The two countries have also worked together in the health sector, where Nigerian doctors collaborate with Rwandan medical professionals.
During his visit, Tinubu also met members of the Nigerian community living in Rwanda, who shared a number of concerns and proposals. Among them was Masai Ujiri, founder of Zaria Court Rwanda.
The head of the Nigerian community in Rwanda said many Nigerians living in the country work in international organisations and sectors such as education, technology, business, sports and hospitality.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has removed visa requirements for Rwandans travelling to Nigeria.
“Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of ISIS globally, thought he could hide in Africa, but little did he know we had sources who kept us informed on what he was doing,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
“He will no longer terrorize the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans,” Trump said. “With his removal, ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished.”
Trump thanked the Nigerian government for its “partnership” in the operation.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second-in-command of ISIS globally, was eliminated by U.S. and Nigerian forces.
This dangerous ideology intensified during the genocide, with the aim of accelerating the extermination of Tutsis across Rwanda. In just 100 days, from April 7 to July 4, 1994, more than one million Tutsis were killed simply because of their identity.
The Habyarimana regime deliberately promoted hateful language and stereotypes intended to dehumanize Tutsis and strip them of their dignity. They were increasingly accused of being accomplices of the RPF Inkotanyi and became targets of systematic persecution.
After learning that the commander of the RPA forces, Maj Gen Fred Gisa Rwigema, had been killed during the liberation struggle on October 2, 1990, authorities in the former Gisenyi Prefecture organized residents to participate in a mock burial ceremony. People were instructed to carry banana leaves and tree branches symbolizing Rwigema’s body.
In Rugamba Sector, within the former Kayove Commune, local leaders, teachers, students, and security personnel marched to the Butana River, where they dug pits and buried the bundles. Afterwards, celebrations were held to mark what they described as the “burial” of Rwigema.
Tensions escalated further following the deployment of a third battalion of 600 RPA soldiers to the former parliamentary building, known at the time as the CND, on 28 December 1993.
The soldiers had been assigned to protect RPF Inkotanyi politicians who were preparing to take up positions in state institutions under the Arusha Peace Accords.
Extremists within Habyarimana’s government were angered by the presence of the RPA soldiers at the CND.
Unable to attack them directly, they instead targeted Tutsis across the country, killing them while claiming they were “sending them to join their relatives” at the CND.
It was in this context that several locations and mass graves throughout Rwanda came to be known as “CND.”
Among them were sites in Kabuga in present-day Gasabo District, Rutabo in Ntongwe, and Cyugaro marsh in Ntarama, Bugesera District.
Retired Lt Col Régis Rurangirwa, who was among the RPA soldiers stationed at the CND and hails from Ntongwe, told IGIHE that the mass grave in Rutabo was dug in 1992 by teacher Jacques Habimana, then president of the extremist CDR party in Ntongwe Commune.
“It is a pit where many people were thrown,” he explained. “People killed in Ntongwe Commune, those murdered in Nyamukumba, and others captured later were dumped there. That is why they called it CND claiming they were being sent to join their relatives at the CND.”
Lt Col (Rtd) Rurangirwa further explained that a man known as Nsabimana, nicknamed “Pilato,” had placed a chair near the pit beneath a large tree, where he would oversee the killing of Tutsis before their bodies were thrown into the grave.
“That man called himself Pilato,” Rurangirwa said. “There was a large tree near the pit, and in 1994 they placed a chair there. Every person they intended to kill was brought before him and humiliated. He would pronounce judgment while holding a stick and weapons. He considered himself more powerful than everyone else.”
He added that it was not until 2014 that the bodies of Tutsis dumped into the pit were exhumed and given a dignified burial at Ruhango District Genocide Memorial.
Historian and Senator Prof. Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu told IGIHE that bars frequented by Tutsis and other places associated with them were often labeled “CND” in an attempt to portray them as connected to the RPA soldiers stationed at the parliament building.
“In other words, it was a way of identifying such places as centers associated with Tutsis,” he explained. “The pits they dug were symbolically linked to the CND. They used to fire bullets at the CND building, believing they were targeting Inkotanyi soldiers inside. There were both soldiers and politicians there.”
He continued, “Any place they suspected was frequented by Tutsis was immediately labeled CND so they could justify attacking or killing people there. They wanted to create the impression that such places were legitimate targets.”
Today, locations that were labeled “CND” remain important historical sites linked to the Genocide against the Tutsi and are preserved as memorials. In Ntarama, annual commemorations are held in honor of the victims killed there, while the mass grave in Rutabo has been protected and preserved as a genocide memorial site.
Many Tutsis were killed at Cyugaro marsh in Ntarama.A genocide memorial site was set up at the marshThe pit dug by Nsabimana, also known as Pilato, in Rutabo, formerly part of Ntongwe Commune, was named ‘CND’.Senator Prof. Dusingizemungu explained that places considered to be frequented by Tutsis were commonly referred to as ‘CND’.
The agreement, signed on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum, aims to catalyse job creation for youth and unlock a new asset class within Africa’s rapidly growing creative economy. Through this partnership, the IFC and Zaria Group, co-founded by NBA Champion Masai Ujiri, will establish a “platform approach” to building commercially sustainable venues that serve as anchors for local industries.
While this new “Zaria District Platform” looks toward continental expansion, its foundation is built directly on the success of Rwanda’s sports-led development model.
The agreement, signed on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum, aims to catalyse job creation for youth and unlock a new asset class within Africa’s rapidly growing creative economy.
The Kigali blueprint
The new continental agreement comes less than a year after the grand inauguration of the flagship Zaria Court Kigali in July 2025. Officially launched by President Paul Kagame and Masai Ujiri, the $25 million state-of-the-art multi-purpose complex in Remera has quickly become the heart of the Kigali Sports City ecosystem, working alongside the BK Arena and Amahoro Stadium.
The impact of the Kigali facility provided the exact “proof of concept” the IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, needed to back the broader African rollout:
The construction phase employed over 700 workers (with 30% being women) and injected approximately 1 billion Rwandan Francs directly into the local workforce. Today, the operational hub provides permanent employment for nearly 500 people, primarily targeting women and youth.
The facility features an 80-room urban lifestyle hotel (now operating under the Tapestry Collection by Hilton), a 2,000-seat event space capable of hosting festivals for up to 5,000 people, standard-setting basketball and five-a-side football pitches, a podcast production studio, and retail incubation programs dedicated to women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
By leveraging Rwanda’s position as a regional hub for innovation and infrastructure, Zaria Court Kigali proved that underutilised urban assets can be successfully transformed into vibrant economic engines.
Officials pose for a group photo following the signing ceremony between IFC and Zaria Group on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali on Friday, May 15.
Continental expansion and economic impact
With the Kigali model fully validated, initial focus areas for the new IFC-backed platform rollout include further developments in Kigali and a major expansion into Nairobi, with long-term ambitions to scale to other major African hubs like Lagos and Accra.
The economic footprint of this next phase is substantial. In Kenya, the development of the Nairobi project alone is projected to create 3,500 construction jobs during its development phase, followed by 1,500 permanent positions once operational. Additionally, the district is expected to generate approximately 25,000 event-based roles, significantly boosting seasonal employment and supporting urban development priorities under Kenya’s Vision 2030.
The IFC will play a pivotal role across these new sites by mobilising financing packages and providing upstream advisory engagement to de-risk these emerging infrastructure projects for private institutional investors.
Masai Ujiri emphasised that while the passion for sports in Africa is undeniable, physical infrastructure must step up to meet the demand.
“We’re incredibly proud to partner with IFC to deliver exactly that. When you build the right foundation with the right partners, extraordinary things happen. These districts will generate thousands of jobs, empower local businesses, and become hubs where African culture and talent thrive,” Ujiri said.
Ujiri added that the ultimate goal is to build sustainable models that “keep wealth on the continent and create opportunity at scale.”
IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop highlighted the social importance of the deal, noting that creative industries are essential engines for inclusion and formalised growth.
“Sectors such as sports and entertainment already employ millions worldwide and provide accessible entry points into the formal economy, especially for young people and women,” Diop noted.
By leveraging Zaria Group’s proven execution in Kigali and the IFC’s financial reach, the partnership aims to turn Africa’s creative potential into a tangible economic reality for the next generation of talent across the continent.
The initiative was officially launched on May 14, 2026. It is designed to provide training, technical tools, and other support to enable young innovators to build AI-powered applications capable of solving real-world problems.
AISCA has set ambitious targets, including supporting 25,000 projects, 10,000 researchers, and equipping 1.5 million people with AI-related skills. The programme also aims to help create up to one million jobs by 2036.
The Chairperson of the AISCA Board, Dr Agnes Kalibata, said Africa must begin developing technologies that respond to its own challenges rather than relying on imported solutions that often fail to address local needs.
“Africa needs to start creating technology that responds to African problems instead of continuing to use technology that was not designed for the challenges we face. For example, if I develop a tool that uses Kinyarwanda, a mother in a rural area will be able to use it because it is a language she already knows and uses,” she said.
Esther Kunda, Director General for Innovation and Emerging Technologies at the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, said that while promoting access to technology is important, equal attention must be given to ensuring that it is used meaningfully and for solving real problems.
“It is good that we want more people to use and create this technology, but we must also think about the users. Is it needed? What problem does it solve? We must avoid investing in things just because they are trending, but rather focus on what benefits citizens,” she said.
Ridwan Oloyede, Director of Policy and External Affairs at AISCA, said Africa is making progress in technological development but must also take ownership of the systems it uses.
“We are the ones who should decide who builds our technology, who uses it, and who benefits from it. That is how Africa will stand strong in this global digital era,” he said. The President and Group CEO of Cassava Technologies, Hardy Pemhiwa, stressed the importance of ensuring that African youth move beyond being users of AI and become creators of the technology.
He noted that this shift is essential for ensuring that artificial intelligence contributes to sustainable development across the continent.
AISCA will prioritize projects focused on empowering women and young people. The initiative is supported by partners including; Cassava Technologies, African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, DC Labs and other organisations.
The initiative was officially launched on May 14, 2026. The launch featured discussions focused on AISCA’s critical role. The AI Skills and Compute Africa Foundation (AISCA) has been launched in Rwanda to empower youth with artificial intelligence skills and innovation tools.
The visit aimed to deepen understanding of the country’s history and reinforce a shared commitment to preserving it.
During the visit, the delegation was taken through the history of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and shown various evidence preserved at the site. They also laid wreaths in honour of the victims buried at the memorial.
Salvo Grima Rwanda General Manager, Donat Nsengayire, highlighted the responsibility of all citizens and organisations to remember the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“It is our responsibility to remember the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, because it helps us better understand the history that led the country to genocide and to honour the victims who were killed. Thirty-two years on, it reminds us to value what has been achieved, continue rebuilding, and preserve the progress made,” he said.
He also urged Salvo Grima Rwanda employees, especially young people, to reject all forms of hatred, preserve historical memory, uphold values of humanity, and actively counter genocide ideology, particularly its spread on social media.
The management of Salvo laid wreaths at the graves where more than 5,000 victims are buried at the memorial.Salvo Grima Rwanda General Manager, Nsengayire Donat, commended the Government of Rwanda for its ongoing efforts to rebuild the nation and promote unity among Rwandans.The management and staff were taken through the history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.Employees of Salvo Grima Rwanda visited Ntarama Genocide Memorial and pledged to preserve historical memory.
More than a campaign, Nicyo Gihe is a national call to action. It is a belief that this moment belongs to the builders, the creators, the innovators, the entrepreneurs, the artists, the students, and the dreamers shaping Rwanda’s future every single day.
For nearly three decades, MTN Rwanda has grown alongside Rwandans supporting businesses, enabling communication, connecting families, empowering young people, and helping communities participate in a rapidly evolving digital world.
Through Nicyo Gihe, MTN Rwanda is reaffirming its commitment to continue enabling the next generation with the connectivity, digital tools, and opportunities needed to thrive in the future economy.
At the center of the thematic is the “Nicyo Gihe Beat,” a powerful collaborative anthem bringing together iconic Rwandan artists across generations alongside Chorale de Kigali. Blending traditional soul with modern sound, the anthem reflects the rhythm of a Rwanda that honors its roots while confidently building its future.
The anthem was intentionally created as more than music. It is a symbol of movement, ambition, and collective progress capturing the spirit of a generation that is creating businesses, building communities, driving innovation, expressing creativity, and redefining what is possible.
Speaking at the launch, Somdev Sen Chief consumer and digital officer states: “Nicyo Gihe is a reflection of the ambition and momentum we see across Rwanda today.
Everywhere you look, young people are building, innovating, creating and pushing boundaries. As MTN Rwanda, we believe technology should not only connect people but also empower them to participate fully in the future they want to create.
This thematic is our commitment to continue walking alongside Rwandans by enabling progress, supporting innovation, and creating opportunities through digital connectivity because truly, Nicyo Gihe.”
The thematic reinforces MTN Rwanda’s belief that technology becomes meaningful when it enables people to unlock potential, transform ideas into reality, and move society forward together.
As Rwanda continues to position itself as a hub for innovation, creativity and digital transformation, MTN Rwanda says the message behind Nicyo Gihe is clear:
Nicyo Gihe to build solutions. Nicyo Gihe to innovate fearlessly. Nicyo Gihe to create opportunities. Nicyo Gihe to shape Rwanda’s future together.
Somdev Sen Chief consumer and digital officer states speaking at the launch.
DJ Toxxyk was arrested on December 21, 2025, following a traffic accident that occurred in Nyarugenge District during the early hours of the previous day. The accident claimed the life of a police officer.
During the investigation that followed, authorities also reportedly discovered cannabis at his residence.
Prosecutors charged him with involuntary manslaughter, engaging in activities related to narcotic drugs and similar substances, fleeing the scene after causing an accident, and refusing to undergo an alcohol test.
On May 4, 2026, the Kicukiro Primary Court convicted DJ Toxxyk on all charges and sentenced him to three months of community service, suspended for six months, along with a fine of Rwf 1.05 million.
Following the ruling, DJ Toxxyk was released from Nyarugenge Prison in Mageragere. However, the prosecution expressed dissatisfaction with the sentence and immediately decided to appeal.
On May 6, the prosecution officially filed its appeal before Nyarugenge Intermediate Court. During the hearing held on May 15, prosecutors argued that the Primary Court failed to properly consider the gravity and consequences of the offenses committed by DJ Toxxyk, while also overlooking the purpose of criminal punishment and the relevant provisions of the law.
According to the prosecution, the sentence imposed did not meet the legal objectives of punishment, which are intended not only to rehabilitate offenders but also to serve as a warning and deterrent to others. Prosecutors maintained that the penalties handed down were insufficient to achieve those goals.
The prosecution further argued that the court failed to correctly apply Article 49 of the law, which requires judges to determine sentences based on the seriousness of the offense, the damage caused, and the circumstances surrounding the crime.
Prosecutors stressed that DJ Toxxyk’s actions resulted in severe consequences, including the death of a police officer who was on duty at the time of the accident. They therefore argued that the fines and community service sentences imposed by the Primary Court were disproportionately light.
As a result, the prosecution asked the intermediate court to review the sentence and impose a five-year prison term along with a fine of Rwf 2.21 million, citing the accumulation of multiple offenses.
Appearing before the court, DJ Toxxyk expressed remorse for all the offenses he committed and stated that he believed the sentence delivered by the Primary Court was fair and proportionate to his actions.
His lawyer, Marie Josée Uwamahoro, defended the ruling of the primary court, arguing that the penalties imposed were fully in accordance with the law and contained no legal irregularities. She urged the court to dismiss the prosecution’s appeal as baseless.
She explained that for the charge of involuntary manslaughter, her client received the legally prescribed fine of Rwf 1 million, while the offense of fleeing after causing an accident carried the legal fine of Rwf 30,000.
Regarding the refusal to undergo alcohol testing, DJ Toxxyk was fined Rwf 10,000, while the sentence of community service related to the drug-related offense was also provided for under Rwandan law, according to the defense.
Another defense lawyer, Faustin Murangwa, argued that judges have discretionary powers to impose the minimum penalties provided by law and, in certain circumstances, may even issue lighter sentences where justified.
He also criticized the prosecution for introducing harsher sentencing demands during the appeal process, arguing that such requests amounted to new claims that should not ordinarily be presented at the appellate stage.
The Nyarugenge Intermediate Court is expected to deliver its verdict on May 22, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.
Prosecution requests five-year prison sentence for DJ Toxxyk as he seeks to retain initial ruling.
The 2026 edition of the race will be held on June 13 and 14, 2026.
The Kigali International Peace Marathon, which was first introduced in 2005 with the support of President Paul Kagame, aims to promote peace through sport.
Organised by RAF in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports, the event will be staged for the 21st time this year.
The competition features three categories: the Full Marathon (42.195 km), the Half Marathon (21.097 km), and the Run for Peace (10 km), which is non-competitive.
For the first time, the event will be extended from a single day to a two-day format. On Saturday, June 13, participants will compete in the Run for Peace, while on Sunday, June 14, the Half Marathon and Full Marathon races for both men and women will take place.
All races will start and finish at Amahoro Stadium. Registration for participants is already open via the official marathon website.
In 2025, the Kigali International Peace Marathon was held for the second time under the World Athletics “Global Elite Label” status, attracting a record turnout of more than 13,000 participants, while over 14,480 runners registered.
Kenya’s Laban Kipngetich Korir won the men’s Full Marathon, while fellow Kenyan Teresiah Omosa claimed victory in the women’s race.
In the Half Marathon, Rwanda’s Niyonkuru Florence won gold in the women’s category, followed by Musabyeyezu Adeline, the first Rwandan to win the title in 2022.
In the men’s Half Marathon, Rwanda’s Bigirimana Théophile finished in third place.
In the 2025 Half Marathon, Rwanda’s Niyonkuru Florence won gold in the women’s category, followed by Musabyeyezu Adeline, the first Rwandan to claim the title in 2022.This year’s Kigali International Peace Marathon will take place over two days, marking a first in its history.
The AFC/M23 coalition, which is in conflict with government forces, said that since the morning of May 15, 2026, the DRC government ordered the deployment of attack helicopters from Kalemie in Tanganyika Province to South Kivu to support ongoing operations.
AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said the helicopters, which are equipped with heavy weaponry, add to other military assets already being used in operations around Minembwe, including drones, heavy artillery, and Sukhoi-25 fighter jets.
He alleged that the DRC government intends to “wipe Minembwe off the map” and target its civilian population, adding that some of its alleged international supporters were enabling the operation both militarily and politically.
The group further claimed that while international actors continue to remain silent on the escalation, it would continue what it described as defending civilians using all available means.
The deployment of helicopters follows drone and airstrikes involving Sukhoi-25 jets and ground forces carried out on May 14 in areas around Minembwe, including Kalingi, Gakenke, Bidegu, and Rugezi.
AFC/M23 deputy coordinator Bertrand Bisimwa in charge of politics and diplomacy warned that if mediators do not respond to what he described as continued provocations by the DRC government, the group may no longer feel bound to uphold unilateral commitments to a ceasefire.
“It is unacceptable that mediators and those facilitating talks remain silent while Kinshasa continues its provocations. AFC/M23 cannot uphold agreements alone while the other side violates them,” he said.
On May 7, AFC/M23 leader Corneille Nangaa wrote to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, expressing dissatisfaction with what he described as Washington’s open alignment with the DRC government, despite its stated commitment to peace in the region.
Nangaa also argued that a mineral resources agreement signed between the United States and the DRC in December 2025 was being used by Kinshasa as political cover while continuing military operations.
DRC army is reportedly preparing major offensive in Minembwe, according to AFC/M23. Minembwe came under a coordinated attack on May 14, 2026.
