Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa, outlined the plans during a panel at the Unstoppable Africa 2026 forum in New York on September 21, held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Akamanzi explained that the BAL had spent its first six seasons proving that a credible professional basketball competition could be built and sustained on the continent.
The focus is now shifting towards creating opportunities for African and global investors to own BAL teams permanently.
“We’re now going to a more permanent structure where we’re giving and exploring opportunities for African investors and other global investors to own teams permanently, in perpetuity, in the BAL, backed by the NBA and FIBA,” Akamanzi stated during the panel, titled “Real Value from the Field: Protecting and Profiting from Africa’s Talent Pipeline,” and moderated by WNBA All-Star and broadcaster Chiney Ogwumike.
She revealed that NBA Africa is already seeing interest from investors, including those on the continent, who are exploring team ownership as a commercial opportunity.
The move comes as the BAL seeks to deepen its business ecosystem beyond the games themselves, with opportunities spanning team ownership, sponsorship, media, hospitality, transport, aviation, security and digital services.
Akamanzi pointed to the league’s first six seasons as a proof of concept, demonstrating that African audiences are willing to consume professional basketball and that companies on the continent are increasingly prepared to invest in the sport.
“We showed that Africans are actually ready to consume sport,” she remarked, pointing to the growing audience for the BAL in countries including Rwanda, South Africa, Senegal, Morocco and Egypt.
She also highlighted the league’s growing corporate base, noting that it finished the previous season with 22 marketing partners, mostly African brands.
Media partnerships have also expanded around the competition, with broadcasters including Canal+ helping distribute BAL games to audiences across the continent.
The economic impact of the league has been significant. NBA Africa estimates that the first four BAL seasons generated $250 million in GDP across the countries where games were hosted and contributed to 37,000 jobs.
Akamanzi reiterated that the league’s longer-term expansion could increase its estimated economic contribution to $5.4 billion in GDP and 650,000 jobs within a decade.
For Akamanzi, the next challenge is to turn the league’s growing audience and commercial interest into a deeper ownership structure that allows African investors to participate directly in the value created by the sport.
“It’s really looking at the game beyond the court,” she emphasised, arguing that investment in sports also creates opportunities across the wider economy.
Simon Tiemtore, founder, chairman and CEO of Lilium Capital Group and chairman of Vista Bank Group, backed the push for greater African ownership, pointing to the difficulty many investors face in entering the sports business.
Tiemtore disclosed that he was working with NBA Africa and Afreximbank through its Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme to create financing structures that could enable more Africans to own teams.
“It’s expensive to get in, to have an entry point,” Tiemtore noted. “So with Afreximbank, we created some sort of structure financing program to essentially enable more Africans to own their own team and their own destiny.”
He also cited his investment in E1, the electric powerboat racing championship, where he co-owns Team Drogba Global Africa with partners including Afreximbank.
Kingsley Pungong, executive chairman of Rainbow World Group, stressed that private investment alone would not be enough to build a sustainable sports industry.
He called for African governments to place sports at the centre of economic policy and invest in the infrastructure needed to support professional leagues.
“You need infrastructure. You need enshrined policy,” Pungong argued, noting that athletes will continue to move to markets offering stronger commercial opportunities unless African countries build ecosystems capable of retaining and rewarding talent.
He pointed to Saudi Arabia, China and the United States as examples of markets where long-term investment, infrastructure and government support have helped build powerful sports ecosystems.
Tiemtore also called for stronger financial services tailored to African athletes, including banking, wealth management and investment products that can help athletes preserve and reinvest wealth generated abroad.
He noted that many African sporting stars use financial institutions outside the continent and argued that African banks should develop products that allow athletes to manage their earnings and invest back home.
The economic impact of the league has been significant. NBA Africa estimates that the first four BAL seasons generated $250 million in GDP across the countries where games were hosted and contributed to 37,000 jobs.Akamanzi pointed to the league’s first six seasons as a proof of concept, demonstrating that African audiences are willing to consume professional basketball and that companies on the continent are increasingly prepared to invest in the sport.
The company’s interconnected programmes are transforming education in 25 schools across five districts including Muhanga, Nyarugenge, Gasabo, Musanze and Huye.
In partnership with the Rwanda Education Board (REB), AmaliTech’s Digital Literacy Training has equipped 23 teachers with essential technology skills.
Now serving as “digital ambassadors,” these educators will integrate technology into classrooms and leading after-school coding clubs, with the programme expected to benefit 2,500 students over three years.
“Before, using a computer in class felt intimidating,” said participating teacher Dusengimana David. “Now, not only can I teach with it—I can help my students explore technology meaningfully.”
While the Digital Literacy Training equips teachers to bring technology into everyday lessons, AmaliTech’s Coding for Kids (C4K) programme extends this impact directly to children, nurturing creativity and problem-solving skills for 600 students.
The programme, first launched in Ghana in 2021, introduces students to programming languages like Scratch and HTML/CSS. A recent C4K competition at SOS Kigali highlighted the students’ growing abilities, showcasing interactive projects and creative web pages.
To further its commitment to inclusivity, AmaliTech hosted an intensive Women’s Coding Bootcamp. The five-day programme provided 20 women with foundational skills in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, preparing them for careers in the tech industry.
Ituze Joella Liza, a participant shared, “I learned from inspiring senior women developers at AmaliTech. It showed me I can build a career in technology.”
The bootcamp is part of AmaliTech’s goal to train more than 200 women in digital skills by the end of 2027, building a stronger pipeline of women into Rwanda’s tech industry.
These initiatives align with AmaliTech’s mission to deliver global technology services while investing in local talent. By training teachers, inspiring children, and empowering women, AmaliTech is building a stronger, tech-enabled Rwanda.
The company invites schools, NGOs, government agencies, and private organizations to collaborate in expanding digital literacy and creating new opportunities across the nation.
AmaliTech is a social business that provides pathways to sustainable careers in the ICT sector for young graduates in sub-Saharan Africa, while delivering high-quality software and digital services to global clients.
With offices in Ghana, Rwanda, Germany, and the U.S., AmaliTech combines training, employment, and continuous learning to build a highly skilled workforce that meets international standards.
Its teams support clients with tailored software development, digital service delivery, and scalable solutions, enabling them to address critical talent gaps and drive innovation.
As a social enterprise, it reinvests surplus into training and community impact projects, expanding access to digital skills for women, persons with disabilities, and youth.
This approach allows AmaliTech not only to provide jobs but also to foster inclusion, create opportunities, and contribute to the growth of thriving digital economies.
AmaliTech is expanding its CSR initiatives in Rwanda by equipping teachers, children and women with digital skills.Teachers trained by AmaliTech are taking on the role of digital ambassadors, helping integrate technology into classrooms across Rwanda.AmaliTech’s digital literacy programme is expected to reach 2,500 students through teachers trained to use technology in classrooms.AmaliTech’s Digital Literacy Training has equipped 23 teachers with technology skills to support digital learning in schools.AmaliTech’s Coding for Kids programme is introducing 600 students to programming while developing creativity and problem-solving skills.AmaliTech is combining teacher training, children’s coding programmes and women’s skills development to expand access to digital opportunities in Rwanda.
IremboGov, Rwanda AI Scaling Hub and Digital Umuganda are among the initial signatories backing the five-year commitment, which brings together technology companies, researchers, governments, philanthropic organizations and community groups from around the world.
The initiative was announced in New York on September 21, with the signatories calling for broader collaboration to make AI tools more effective and accessible in the languages and voices people use in their daily lives.
Other signatories include Amazon, Anthropic, Gates Foundation, Google, Microsoft, Mistral, NVIDIA, UNICEF, World Bank Group, OpenAI Foundation and Zoom.
Closing AI’s language gap
There are roughly 7,000 languages spoken around the world, but only a small proportion are considered sufficiently resourced to support strong AI capabilities.
Many languages have limited representation in the datasets, tools and benchmarks used to develop and evaluate AI systems. This can result in AI tools that are less accurate or useful for speakers of those languages.
The challenge also extends beyond written text. The coalition says voice-based AI can be particularly important in communities where typing or text-based interfaces are less practical.
Dialects, slang, idioms and cultural context can also affect how AI systems understand and respond to people, creating risks when accuracy is important, including in areas such as health, education, agriculture, financial services and public services.
The coalition’s five-year goal is to make AI tools available in the languages and voices of an estimated 3.4 billion people whose languages are currently underrepresented in AI models.
Four areas of focus
The participating signatories will work across four main areas.
The first is developing an open language layer, including shared and safe data infrastructure that AI developers can use under open licences.
The second is developing assessments and benchmarks to track whether AI systems are making measurable progress in supporting more languages.
The third involves turning language data into models and applications that can be used by AI developers, including those without the resources to build such systems independently.
The fourth focuses on ensuring that the technology reaches people responsibly, with attention to privacy, consent and data sovereignty.
The coalition builds on existing work by organizations developing datasets, language models, benchmarks and AI applications for languages that have received less attention in the development of AI.
Rwanda’s role
Rwanda’s participation brings together entities working across digital public services, AI development and the country’s broader digital transformation ecosystem.
IremboGov operates Rwanda’s digital government services platform, through which citizens and residents can access a wide range of public services online. Its participation connects the initiative to Rwanda’s experience using digital technology to make government services more accessible.
The Rwanda AI Scaling Hub supports the development and adoption of AI in Rwanda, while Digital Umuganda works to expand digital skills, access and participation in technology, particularly at the community level. Both are among the Rwandan signatories to the commitment.
Their participation places Rwanda alongside major technology companies, research institutions, governments and development organizations working to expand the reach of AI.
The coalition says its detailed governance structure and workstreams will be developed collaboratively over the coming year. The participating signatories will contribute according to their respective expertise and capabilities.
The initiative also invites additional participants across the global AI ecosystem to join the effort and contribute resources, research, technology or implementation expertise.
Digital Umuganda, one of the signatories, works to expand digital skills, access to technology and participation in the digital economy, particularly at the community level.
The decision was delivered on September 22, 2026, a day after the prosecution and Shema’s defence agreed to a settlement under which he admitted to two charges.
The charges are issuing a dishonoured cheque, provided for under Article 126 of Law No. 060/2021 of October 14, 2021, governing negotiable instruments, and obtaining another person’s property through fraud, provided for under Article 174 of Law No. 68/2018 of August 30, 2018, on offences and penalties in general.
The offences stemmed from Shema issuing two cheques worth a combined $600,000 to settle obligations under a contract between his company, Africa Media Supplier, and ABZL International General Trading LLC, a company based in the United Arab Emirates.
In the plea agreement submitted to the court, the prosecution told the court that Shema had already paid the money and requested that he be sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for one year, and fined Rwf3 million.
In its ruling on Tuesday, the court approved the agreement and sentenced Shema to six months in prison, suspended for one year, and a Rwf3 million fine.
The court ordered that the terms of the agreement take effect immediately following the reading of the decision, resulting in his release.
The ruling came as Shema’s defence had previously appealed to the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court against a decision concerning his 30-day pre-trial detention.
One of Shema’s lawyers told IGIHE that following his release, they would withdraw the appeal they had filed.
Nyarugenge Primary Court has ordered the release of Fabrice Shema
Fine Fish, a company engaged in fish farming on 90 hectares of Lake Kivu in Rubavu’s bays, is behind the planned investment.
Fine Fish Managing Director Munyangeyo Themistocles said the company plans to establish the plant to meet growing demand for fish feed, which is currently largely sourced from outside the area.
He made the remarks on September 12, 2026, during a meeting of private-sector representatives in Rubavu District.
Munyangeyo said the company is ready to begin the project once basic infrastructure is developed at the approved industrial park.
“The industrial park has already been approved and we are waiting for basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water. We are ready to start the factory project, and we have already ordered machinery worth Rwf3 billion. Together with other equipment and the building, we expect the investment to cost Rwf4 billion,” he said.
He said the plant would make it easier for fish farmers around Lake Kivu to access feed, while infrastructure such as the Kivu Belt Road and ports in Rusizi and Rubavu is expected to facilitate transportation.
The company also plans to establish another branch focused on adding value to fish once the feed plant becomes operational.
Western Province Governor Ntibitura Jean Bosco said the plant would help address challenges faced by fish farmers in the province.
He said fish farmers currently have to source feed from other provinces, including the Southern Province, increasing transportation costs.
“If the factory is completed, it will solve the challenge of accessing fish feed easily, and particularly the problem of having to bring it from other provinces at a high cost,” he said.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Rwanda’s fish production rose from 43,133 tonnes in 2024 to 52,439 tonnes in 2025.
The country produced 71.6 million fingerlings during the year and targets fish production of 80,620 tonnes by 2035.
The Rwf4 billion fish feed processing plant is expected to be established in Rubavu Industrial Park once basic infrastructure, including roads, electricity and water, is in place.
In recent years, the two countries have been strengthening people-to-people ties through cultural exchanges to inject sustained positive momentum into China-U.S. relations.
Fans of Chinese video game “Black Myth: Wukong” pose for a photo in downtown Los Angeles, California, the United States on July 7, 2026. A theatrical orchestral concert featuring the music from the game was held in Los Angeles on July 7, showcasing the unique fusion of Chinese mythology and Eastern aesthetics. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)
People visit “The Dancing Goddess: Mei Lanfang in America”, an exhibition marking the 96th anniversary of the 1930 North American tour of China’s renowned Peking Opera artist Mei Lanfang, in New York, the United States, on March 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)
People attend the North American premiere of the Chinese animated film “Ne Zha 2” at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, the United States, Feb. 8, 2025. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)
People visit the exhibition “World of the Terracotta Warriors: New Archaeological Discoveries in Shaanxi in the 21st Century” at the Bowers Museum in Orange County, California, the United States, May 22, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)
Young musicians from Beijing Youth Orchestra of China and the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America perform during a joint concert at the Chinese Consulate General in New York, the United States, Aug. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan)
Students of Lincoln High School of the U.S. state of Washington and Beijing National Day School take selfies during the NFL FLAG China-U.S. Youth Flag Football Exchange Event & Lincoln High School 2025 China Tour in Beijing, capital of China, May 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li He)American students visit a park during a music and cultural exchange camp between young people of China and the United States in Changzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, July 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Bo)
Members of the Whiffenpoofs a cappella choir of Yale University sing a song during a cultural exchange event with local youth in Liping County, Miao-Dong Autonomous Prefecture of Qiandongnan, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, March 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)Teenagers from China and the United States sing during the closing performance of Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Choir Festival at China National Opera House in Beijing, capital of China, July 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Ye)
A special 50th anniversary concert celebrating the Philadelphia Orchestra’s 1973 visit to China is held in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)
The Burkinabé says he does not want their marital problems to become a media war, but believes some questions should be answered through evidence and the appropriate legal processes.
In an interview with IGIHE, Idrissa discussed how his relationship with Vestine began, why he decided to marry her, problems that emerged after she travelled to Canada, allegations involving other women, questions surrounding their child and his decision to request a DNA test.
Idrissa declined to do a video interview. Instead, he responded in writing to 15 questions from IGIHE.
Throughout his responses, he avoided making accusations against Vestine or other people, repeatedly stressing that he did not want to litigate their personal disputes through the media.
“I am not interested in winning a public argument against my wife. I am interested in having the facts properly established and in handling this situation with dignity,” he said.
Vestine and Ouédraogo married on July 5, 2025, after their relationship became public. The couple had earlier formalised their union through a civil marriage.
‘I entered the marriage sincerely’
Idrissa said his relationship with Vestine developed gradually before they decided to build a life together.
“Vestine and I met and, over time, our relationship developed into something serious. We shared important moments together and eventually decided to build a life as husband and wife,” he said.
He declined to discuss how they first met, saying he did not want to turn their personal history into a public dispute.
“What I can say is that, at the time we made the decision to marry, I genuinely believed in our relationship and in the future we were building together,” he said.
A person familiar with the couple’s relationship told IGIHE that the two first became acquainted through social media.
According to the source, Idrissa was living in China and had posted a song by Vestine and Dorcas on his status. One of his followers reportedly told him they could introduce him to the musicians.
Asked why he decided to marry Vestine, Idrissa said the decision was not made lightly.
“Marriage is not a decision I took lightly. I believed that we had a relationship worth building on and that we could create a family together,” he said.
“I entered the marriage sincerely and with the intention of making it work. Whatever difficulties have arisen since then should not change the sincerity with which I entered that commitment.”
Wedding photos and the problems that followed
Photos from the couple’s wedding have been widely discussed on social media, with some users interpreting Idrissa’s expression as a sign that he was unhappy.
He rejected that interpretation.
“A photograph captures a moment, not an entire relationship,” he said.
“I don’t think someone’s facial expression in a few photographs can reasonably establish what was happening in their marriage. There were many emotions surrounding that day, and I would not want people to draw conclusions about our relationship based on photographs alone.”
Idrissa said the early months of the marriage involved both good moments and challenges.
“Like many marriages, we had good moments as well as challenges. From my perspective, I was committed to the marriage and to resolving difficulties privately whenever possible,” he noted.
He said the situation became more complicated after Vestine travelled to Canada.
“From my perspective, there was nothing at the beginning that I would describe as a major conflict between us. We had our normal challenges as a couple, but we continued moving forward with our marriage and our plans as a family,” he said.
“The situation changed later, particularly after Vestine travelled to Canada. That is when circumstances became more complicated and certain questions and misunderstandings arose.”
He declined to discuss the details, citing ongoing legal and family matters.
A person close to Idrissa told IGIHE that disagreements emerged after Vestine arrived in Canada and began staying in the same house as Murindahabi Irene, despite arrangements for them to stay separately.
Court documents show that on December 4, 2025, lawyers representing Idrissa filed a complaint with investigators, including allegations related to Vestine’s trip to Canada and Murindahabi’s alleged role in it.
Among the evidence examined were messages Idrissa sent to Irene. In one, he agreed that Vestine should remain in Canada because she was pregnant. In another, he later asked that Vestine return to Rwanda.
The prosecution said the two messages contradicted each other. The issue also featured in the decision concerning a complaint alleging “abandonment of the matrimonial home.”
Vestine wants her marriage to Idrissa dissolved.
Allegations involving other women
Vestine has also alleged in her divorce filings that Idrissa had relationships with other women and that two women became pregnant by him.
Idrissa acknowledged the allegations but declined to address them in detail.
“I am aware of those allegations, but I would like to be very careful because these are serious personal allegations,” he stated.
“There are different versions of events, and I don’t believe a public interview is the appropriate place to litigate those matters. Where there are specific facts that need to be established, I am prepared to address them through the appropriate legal channels.”
Asked whether he has two children outside the marriage, he again declined to confirm or deny the claim.
“I don’t want to make statements in the media that could later be taken out of context or affect ongoing proceedings,” he said.
Asked specifically about claims that he had a romantic relationship with Last Sandra, Idrissa also declined to comment.
“I’m aware of the claims circulating publicly, but I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to comment on private matters or unverified allegations in the media,” he stressed.
On whether communication with other women contributed to problems in the marriage, Idrissa said he did not believe responsibility could be assigned to one person or event.
“Every marriage can be affected by communication, trust and misunderstandings, but I don’t think it would be fair for me to place the entire responsibility for the breakdown of a marriage on one person or one event,” he remarked.
Why did he request a DNA test?
One of the most contentious issues concerns the child Vestine gave birth to in Canada.
Court documents show that Idrissa filed a complaint alleging that Vestine refused to inform him that she had given birth and denied him access to the child.
The case file also records statements Vestine made to an investigator. She reportedly said one of the issues between her and Idrissa was that he “does not accept the child.” The file also records her allegation that Idrissa linked her to Murindahabi.
Those are statements attributed to Vestine during the investigation and are not presented in the case file as established facts.
Idrissa said his decision to seek legal clarification was about establishing his position as a father.
“My decision to seek legal clarification was not intended to create a public confrontation. It was about obtaining clarity regarding my position as a father and ensuring that the relevant questions concerning the child are addressed properly,” he revealed.
Asked what prompted him to request a DNA test, he said there were circumstances that left him with unanswered questions.
“Rather than making accusations publicly, I chose to seek an objective and lawful way of obtaining clarity,” he said.
“For me, a DNA test is not about humiliating anyone or attacking anyone. It is about establishing facts where there are unresolved questions.”
As the dispute continued to circulate on social media, some reports also linked questions about the child’s paternity to Murindahabi Irene, who works with Vestine on music projects.
Idrissa declined to speculate about her involvement.
“I have seen and heard various things circulating publicly, but I don’t believe it would be responsible for me to speculate about another person’s involvement or repeat unverified information,” he said.
“I have no intention of accusing or implicating anyone based on rumours. If there is a question that needs to be established, it should be established through evidence and the appropriate process.”
‘I don’t want to attack her publicly’
Vestine has publicly described experiencing difficult moments during the marriage and said she was hurt by what happened.
Idrissa said he did not want to dismiss her feelings.
“If she experienced pain or felt hurt, I respect that those are her feelings and her perspective,” he said.
At the same time, he said their experiences of the marriage were not identical.
“My experience of the marriage and of what happened is not identical to hers. That is precisely why I believe it is important that both sides are heard before conclusions are reached.”
He said he had no desire to attack his wife publicly.
“She is someone with whom I shared an important part of my life, and I would prefer to speak about the situation with dignity,” he said.
Could they reconcile?
Idrissa did not rule out the possibility of rebuilding the marriage, but said he did not want to make promises about the future.
“At this stage, I think it is more important to deal responsibly with the issues that are already before us rather than make promises or predictions about the future,” he noted.
He said reconciliation would require honesty, mutual respect, trust and willingness from both sides to address the problems that led to the current situation.
“For now, my priority is to handle the situation calmly and responsibly, particularly where the child and the legal proceedings are concerned,” he said.
Idrissa urged people not to draw conclusions based solely on social media, rumours or one side of the story.
“There are important parts of this situation that the public does not know, and there are matters that I cannot discuss fully because of the ongoing legal and family proceedings,” he remarked.
“I am not interested in winning a public argument against my wife. I am interested in having the facts properly established and in handling this situation with dignity.”
He also urged the public to consider the impact of the dispute on their child.
“Behind the headlines there are real human beings and, most importantly, a child. Whatever disagreements exist between adults, the child’s interests should remain at the centre of the matter,” he pleaded.
“I don’t want to fight this matter through the media. Where there are allegations, I am prepared to answer with facts and evidence through the appropriate channels.”
Vestine has publicly described experiencing difficult moments during the marriage and said she was hurt by what happened.
Nkurunziza, from Mukura Sector in Rutsiro District, said he was forcibly recruited at the age of 14 after growing up in the DRC forests where his parents were FDLR members.
He said children raised within the group were taught that they had to join the armed group to help it eventually return to Rwanda and seize power.
“They told us that Rwanda was the promised land of the Hutu,” Nkurunziza said.
He also said FDLR members were warned against listening to Rwandan radio, with those caught doing so facing death.
“They used to tell us that Rwanda was the promised land of the Hutu, and that if they caught you listening to Rwandan radio, they would kill you so that you would not know the truth,” he said.
Despite the warnings, Nkurunziza secretly listened to Rwandan radio, which made him question what he had been told and eventually encouraged him to escape.
He said his experience after returning to Rwanda was different from the stories he had heard while in the FDLR.
“When I arrived in Rwanda, I was received well, contrary to the lies we had been told during the 13 years I spent with the FDLR,” he said.
Another former member, Uwimana (not real name), 20, said she was taken into the group at the age of 12 alongside four other girls.
“They would keep us locked inside their houses so that we could not escape,” she said, adding that they were subjected to sexual violence and forced to carry weapons during combat operations.
Uwimana said she remained in the group until she was 20 and eventually escaped with one of her children.
“I became tired of that life and decided to escape. I escaped with one child, but I still have hope that I will find the others,” she said.
RDRC figures show that 12,832 former combatants have passed through the Mutobo Demobilisation and Reintegration Centre since its establishment in 2001.
Uwimana, 20, recounts how she was taken into the FDLR at the age of 12 and subjected to years of abuse before eventually escaping with one of her children.Sgt Nkurunziza Evariste recounts how he was forcibly recruited into the FDLR at the age of 14 and spent 13 years with the armed group.
The agreements were signed in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, and his Togolese counterpart, Prof. Robert Dussey.
The agreements include a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations, a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a Joint Commission for Cooperation, and a Framework Agreement for Cooperation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the agreements will further strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.
The new agreements build on growing Rwanda-Togo ties in areas including trade, transport, mobility and regional diplomacy.
In January 2026, Rwanda and Togo signed a reciprocal visa exemption agreement covering all passport categories. The deal was intended to facilitate movement between the two countries and support tourism and trade.
The two countries also have an air services framework dating back to 2018, providing a basis for air connectivity between Kigali and Lomé, including operations involving RwandAir and Togo-based ASKY Airlines.
Rwanda and Togo have exchanged technical expertise in transport, including public transport regulation, cashless payment systems and fleet management. Rwanda has also engaged with Togo on maritime logistics and port management through the Port of Lomé.
The two countries have maintained diplomatic engagement on regional peace and security, including issues concerning the Democratic Republic of Congo and the wider Great Lakes region.
Nduhungirehe is in New York for UNGA 81, where Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva is representing President Paul Kagame.
Nsengiyumva is scheduled to deliver Rwanda’s national statement on September 23. He is also expected to participate in high-level meetings, side events and bilateral engagements during the General Assembly.
The UNGA high-level General Debate runs from September 22 to 28 under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
The agreements were signed in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, and his Togolese counterpart, Prof. Robert Dussey.The agreements include a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations, a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a Joint Commission for Cooperation, and a Framework Agreement for Cooperation.
Under the agreement, Shema admitted to two offences: issuing a cheque without sufficient funds and fraudulently obtaining another person’s property.
The agreement was reached under Article 26 of Law Nº027/2019 of September 19, 2019, on criminal procedure, as well as Articles 5 and 9 of the Prosecutor General’s Guidelines Nº6/2022 of July 19, 2022, on plea agreements.
Shema admitted to the offences after reaching an agreement with the prosecution on September 15, 2026.
He admitted to issuing a cheque without sufficient funds, an offence provided for under Article 126 of Law Nº060/2021 of October 14, 2021, governing negotiable instruments.
He also admitted to fraudulently obtaining another person’s property, an offence provided for under Article 174 of Law Nº68/2018 of August 30, 2018, determining offences and penalties in general.
How the case started
The prosecution said the case stemmed from a business transaction between ABZL International General Trading LLC, a company based in the United Arab Emirates and represented by Jesse Harry Ndambala, and Africa Medical Supplier, represented by Shema.
The two companies entered into an agreement on January 23, 2024, for the purchase of medical equipment worth €1,092,736.
On October 3, 2025, ABZL International General Trading LLC, through lawyer Gahizi Safari, filed a complaint against Africa Medical Supplier and Shema, accusing them of issuing two bounced cheques and fraudulently obtaining its property.
According to the prosecution, Shema repeatedly delayed payment despite being contacted by the company. He responded by email, promising to settle the debt, before issuing two cheques drawn on I&M Bank.
One cheque was for $400,000 and the other for $200,000. The company alleged that the cheques had been incorrectly written in a way intended to prevent the bank from processing them.
When the investigation began, Shema denied the offences. He has since admitted that there was not enough money in his account when he issued the cheques.
He told investigators that he intended to deposit funds from accounts he held in other banks. He also said the cheques were cancelled by the bank before they could be presented for payment and that he has since resolved the dispute by paying the company.
Terms of the plea agreement
Under the agreement, the prosecution will ask the court to convict Shema of issuing a cheque without sufficient funds and fraudulently obtaining another person’s property.
The prosecution will also ask the court to impose a six-month prison sentence suspended for one year and a fine of Rwf3 million.
ABZL International General Trading LLC did not participate in the plea agreement because the payment dispute had already been resolved and the company had been paid.
The agreement applies only to the prosecution of the two offences covered by it.
It does not affect the right of any person to bring civil, commercial, labour or administrative proceedings, nor does it affect any other decisions that may be taken by other authorities.
The parties agreed that if the court rejects the agreement, it will have no legal effect and the prosecution will continue as though the agreement had not been made.
The prosecution also agreed that information provided by Shema during the plea-bargaining process cannot be used for any purpose other than those related to the agreement.
Until the agreement is approved by the court, either party may withdraw from it in writing, provided the reasons are explained to the other party.
The agreement was signed on September 21, 2026, by Shema, his lawyers Rutagengwa Jean Damascène, Me Sangano Yves and Me Niyomugabo Christophe, and prosecutor Tuyisenge Vestine.
What happens next?
Shema is expected to appear before court on September 23, 2026.
His lawyers had notified the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court on September 17 that they were not ready to proceed with the appeal concerning his detention and provisional release because of the agreement reached with the prosecution, which had not yet been presented to the court.
Businessman and Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) President Shema Fabrice Ngoga paid $600,000 owed in a case involving two bounced cheques after reaching a plea agreement with the prosecution.
