The latest Index of Industrial Production (IIP) report shows that industrial output also increased by 3.6 percent compared with June 2026, while the annual average growth rate stood at about 6.4 percent.
Manufacturing was the strongest contributor to the July performance, recording a reported 49.2 percent year-on-year increase. The sector accounts for 68.1 percent of the industrial production index, making it the largest component of Rwanda’s formal industrial activity.
NISR attributed developments within manufacturing to increases in several subsectors, including food processing, non-metallic mineral products, and metal products, machinery and equipment. Food processing increased by 6.1 percent, while non-metallic mineral products rose by 8.9 percent and metal products, machinery and equipment increased by 3.5 percent.
Other manufacturing activities also recorded mixed results. Furniture and other manufacturing increased by 8.2 percent, while wood, paper and printing grew by 1.5 percent and chemicals, rubber and plastic products rose by 1.2 percent.
However, some subsectors experienced declines. Manufacturing of beverages and tobacco decreased by 1.9 percent, while textiles, clothing and leather goods declined by 0.5 percent.
Electricity and utilities record strong growth
Electricity production was another major source of industrial growth, increasing by 18.5 percent year-on-year in July. The sector also grew by 6.4 percent compared with June, with an annual average growth rate of 13.9 percent.
Water and waste management recorded 12.6 percent year-on-year growth and increased by 5.2 percent compared with June 2026. Its annual average growth rate stood at 7.6 percent.
Mining and quarrying, which represents 15.8 percent of the industrial production index, recorded more moderate annual growth of 4.7 percent. However, mining output increased sharply by 22.8 percent compared with June 2026, indicating a strong monthly improvement.
Overall, the industrial production index reached 114.2 in July 2026, up from 107.0 in July 2025, based on the 2024=100 index series.
Industrial economy expands over the longer term
Beyond the July figures, the NISR report highlights the significant expansion of Rwanda’s industrial economy in recent years.
The report’s 2024 rebasing exercise shows that total industrial Gross Value Added (GVA) increased from Rwf 442.1 billion in 2017 to Rwf 1.14 trillion in 2024, representing a 158.4 percent increase.
Several sectors recorded particularly large increases over the period. Water and waste management grew by 508.1 percent, chemicals, rubber and plastic products by 359.2 percent, and wood, paper and printing by 328.7 percent.
Mining and quarrying increased by 213.9 percent, while manufacturing of non-metallic mineral products rose by 204 percent and beverages and tobacco by 203.5 percent.
The figures indicate a substantial expansion and changing composition of Rwanda’s industrial economy, with manufacturing remaining the dominant component of industrial activity.
Manufacturing was the strongest contributor to the July performance, recording a reported 49.2 percent year-on-year increase. The sector accounts for 68.1 percent of the industrial production index, making it the largest component of Rwanda’s formal industrial activity.
The incident was reported from the Banda area in the state’s Sagar district.
According to the official, several among those admitted to hospitals were in a critical condition. All the victims hailed from different villages and lived in close vicinity, he added.
They reportedly showed symptoms like vomiting, dizziness, blurred vision, besides impact on the kidneys, indicating suspected poisoning by methyl alcohol.
Local police said that formal complaints had been lodged against at least 20 people, out of whom 10 had already been arrested. Stern action would be taken against those found guilty, added the police.
15 have died after consuming spurious liquor in central India. Photo used for illustration
The Iran War Energy Cost Tracker from Brown’s Watson School says higher gasoline and diesel prices have cost the average U.S. household more than 760 dollars since the war began on Feb. 28.
The U.S. national average price for diesel rose to a record 5.90 dollars per gallon on Monday, surpassing the record 5.85 dollars set on Friday, according to the American Automobile Association.
Texas has borne the biggest share of the cost increase, with consumers paying around 11 billion dollars in extra gas and diesel costs since the war began. It is followed by California and Florida, at about 8 billion dollars and 5 billion dollars, respectively.
U.S. consumers are expecting a longer period of higher fuel prices than they anticipated when the war began, the tracker shows. The rising costs have translated into higher transportation expenses for many everyday goods. Some businesses have already passed those costs on to consumers in the form of additional fees.
Iran war has added 100 bln USD to U.S. consumers’ energy costs
The discussions were held on Monday evening in Salalah as President Kagame began his two-day official visit to Oman, the first such visit by a Rwandan head of state.
According to the Office of the President, Kagame and Sultan Haitham began the visit with talks involving delegations from both countries.
“Both leaders highlighted the historical ties between Rwanda and Oman, and the opportunity this visit offers to build on that strong foundation, including through closer collaboration in multiple sectors including energy, logistics, and food security,” the Office of the President said in a post on X.
President Kagame arrived in Salalah on Monday, where he was received by Sultan Haitham at Al Husn Palace.
His visit began with an official welcoming ceremony before the two leaders held discussions, later joined by their respective delegations, on advancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
The visit comes as Rwanda and Oman look to broaden their bilateral relationship and explore new opportunities for economic and sectoral cooperation.
During the visit, the two countries are also expected to sign agreements and memoranda of understanding in various sectors as part of efforts to deepen ties.
On the second day of his visit, President Kagame is scheduled to tour the Museum of the Frankincense Land, located within the Al Baleed Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The museum documents the history and heritage of the Dhofar region, including the role of the frankincense trade in shaping its social and economic development, as well as Oman’s long history of seafaring and maritime trade.
President Kagame will also visit Razat Royal Farm, one of the major agricultural establishments in Dhofar Governorate. The more than 404-hectare facility is also used for agri-tourism and educational activities.
The trip marks a new milestone in relations between Rwanda and Oman, with both countries seeking to build on their longstanding ties through closer cooperation in sectors considered important to their economic development and future growth.
The discussions were held on Monday evening in Salalah as President Kagame began his two-day official visit to Oman, the first such visit by a Rwandan head of state.According to the Office of the President, Kagame and Sultan Haitham began the visit with talks involving delegations from both countries.
Thiaw landed at Kigali International Airport on Monday ahead of the forum, which brings together figures from across Africa’s sports industry.
The former Senegal international will feature in a session focusing on leadership and resilience in African sport, drawing on a career that has taken him from the football pitch to the highest levels of coaching.
Thiaw was part of Senegal’s celebrated 2002 generation that reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan and finished runners-up at the Africa Cup of Nations the same year.
As a player, he also became the first Senegalese footballer to feature in Spain’s La Liga. His playing career included spells in France, Switzerland, Russia and Spain, while he earned 16 international caps for Senegal.
After retiring from playing, Thiaw turned to coaching and earned both UEFA A and CAF A coaching licences.
He began his managerial career with ASC Niarry Tally before taking charge of Senegal’s local national team, known as Team A’. Under his leadership, Senegal returned to the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in 2022 after more than a decade away from the competition.
Thiaw then guided the team to the CHAN title in his debut tournament, strengthening his reputation as one of the country’s promising homegrown coaches.
He was appointed head coach of the senior Senegal national team in late 2024 and subsequently guided the Lions of Teranga through an unbeaten qualifying campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His tenure also saw Senegal claim the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title on the pitch against hosts Morocco in January 2026. However, the final status of the result remains subject to a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling expected in October 2026.
Beyond his achievements on the pitch, Thiaw’s journey from international player to senior national team coach has highlighted the potential of African coaches and locally developed football talent.
His appearance at the SportsBiz Africa Forum is expected to provide an opportunity to discuss the pressures facing coaches, leadership, accountability and the structures needed to develop competitive football systems on the continent.
Thiaw’s story also reflects the growing conversation around investing in African coaches and strengthening domestic football pathways as countries seek to build sustainable sporting success.
The SportsBiz Africa Forum, scheduled to take place from 10–11 September 2026 at the Kigali Convention Centre, will bring together stakeholders from across the sports ecosystem to discuss opportunities, challenges and the future of the industry on the continent.
Thiaw landed at Kigali International Airport on Monday ahead of the forum, which brings together figures from across Africa’s sports industry.
The network is part of a wider plan by the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) to establish a federated regional Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, linking universities across the East African Community through specialised institutional nodes.
The Acting Executive Secretary of IUCEA, Prof. Idris Rai, highlighted the development on Monday, September 7, 2026, during the 15th East African Higher Education Quality Assurance Forum and Conference in Kigali.
The institutions named include the University of Rwanda, the University of Dodoma in Tanzania, Dedan Kimathi University in Kenya, SIMAD University in Somalia, the University of Burundi and Kabale University in Uganda.
The Acting Executive Secretary of IUCEA, Prof. Idris Rai, speaks on Monday, September 7, 2026, during the 15th East African Higher Education Quality Assurance Forum and Conference in Kigali.
Prof. Rai said discussions were still ongoing with two EAC partner states that are yet to identify representative institutions to join the collaborative network.
The regional network was officially launched in Nairobi in July and is expected to form the foundation for the future East African Centre of Excellence in AI Education and Research.
Prof. Rai said the initiative builds on discussions held during an IUCEA conference in Kigali in 2023, which focused on higher education in the age of artificial intelligence and data science.
The discussions identified the need for universities to build institutional capacity while developing a collaborative platform for teaching, research and innovation in AI.
“In 2024, our Executive Committee approved the establishment of a regional centre of excellence in AI — a federated regional centre of excellence, whereby each partner state will identify one node or university to take part in developing that regional collaborative framework on AI,” Prof. Rai said.
He revealed that the network will support the development of benchmarks and curricula in areas including data science, artificial intelligence and robotics, covering both undergraduate and postgraduate education.
The forum has brought together university leaders, higher education regulators, academics and development partners.
AI literacy for university students
Among the major initiatives being developed is an AI foundational module that could introduce basic artificial intelligence literacy to university students across East Africa.
Prof. Rai said the module is in its final stages of development and could eventually become part of university education across the region.
“We are in the final stages of development of what we call an AI foundational module,” he said.
“Imagine you have a foundational module in AI whereby all students who go through our universities must take it, so that they know about AI, provide AI literacy.”
IUCEA is also developing learning pathways for lecturers who will teach the module and a policy framework to guide the use of AI in teaching, learning and other areas of higher education.
The network will further support collaborative and multidisciplinary research among participating universities.
For Rwanda’s Minister of Education, Joseph Nsengimana, the rapid growth of AI is raising fundamental questions about whether universities are adequately preparing students for a changing world.
“The world for which our universities are preparing our graduates is changing rapidly. Artificial intelligence is transforming how knowledge is produced, taught and applied,” Nsengimana said.
Rwanda’s Minister of Education, Joseph Nsengimana, said the rapid growth of AI is raising fundamental questions about whether universities are adequately preparing students for a changing world.
He noted that the urgency was particularly significant for East Africa, where more than 60 percent of the population is under the age of 25, saying higher education will play a major role in determining whether the region’s young people are equipped to turn their talent into opportunities in a rapidly changing economy.
“Will the education we receive today prepare us for the world of tomorrow?” Nsengimana said, referring to what he described as an urgent question facing young people across the region.
“Our answer must be a resounding yes.”
He said digital transformation and artificial intelligence should be central to efforts to modernise higher education, while universities and regulators must ensure that technology is used responsibly.
“Technology alone is not enough,” he stated, stressing the need to equip academic staff and regulators with the capacity to use emerging technologies responsibly while protecting data, maintaining ethical standards and ensuring equitable access.
Future-ready universities
Dr. Edward Kadozi, the Director General of Rwanda’s Higher Education Council, said universities could no longer focus only on preparing students for the jobs that exist today.
“Higher education is no longer preparing students simply for the jobs of today. It must prepare them for jobs, technologies and challenges that are still emerging,” he remarked.
Kadozi said technological development, digitalisation and AI were changing how knowledge is created and delivered, while also reshaping the skills required by economies.
He warned that qualifications alone would not be enough if graduates leave universities without the practical skills, adaptability and critical thinking required in the workplace.
“If graduates leave our institutions with qualifications but without practical skills, adaptability and critical thinking required by the workplace, then we have not fully delivered on our responsibilities to them,” Kadozi said.
He added that quality assurance systems must also evolve alongside changes in higher education.
“We must modernise our evaluative tools. We must strengthen our technical capacities. We must embrace appropriate technologies. And we must continuously review our regulatory processes to ensure that they keep pace with the sector we oversee.”
Dr. Edward Kadozi, the Director General of Rwanda’s Higher Education Council, said universities could no longer focus only on preparing students for the jobs that exist today.
The regional push for AI-ready higher education has also attracted support from international partners.
A representative of the German Academic Exchange Service, DAAD, announced plans to establish a new African Centre of Excellence for Applied and Responsible Artificial Intelligence in Kenya, which is expected to serve the wider East African region.
Dr. Dorothee Weyler, Regional Director, DAAD, said the centre will focus on strengthening institutional capacity in applied and responsible AI research while integrating teaching, research, early-career development and knowledge transfer.
The development comes as Rwanda’s higher education sector increasingly positions itself within regional efforts to strengthen digital skills, research and innovation.
Through its role in the new network, the University of Rwanda is expected to contribute to the development of AI expertise and collaborative research while helping build the institutional capacity needed to support the responsible adoption of the technology across East Africa.
Prof. Didas Kayihura, Vice Chancellor of the University of Rwanda, said such regional collaboration has already proven valuable for staff and institutions engaging with partner universities across East Africa.
“That exposure itself changes the staff quite a lot,” he said, adding that lessons learned abroad are typically brought back and shared with colleagues at home.
Prof. Didas Kayihura, University of Rwanda Vice Chancellor, said regional university collaboration is already benefiting staff and institutions across East Africa.
The Regional AI Network follows a federated model in which participating universities contribute their individual strengths while collaborating on joint programmes, research and other regional initiatives.
Meanwhile, DAAD also announced plans to host a Master of Science in electrical power systems scholarship programme at the University of Rwanda for the next three years, with applications opening on September 24.
The 15th East African Higher Education Quality Assurance Forum and Conference is being held at the Kigali Serena Hotel under the theme, “Transforming Quality Assurance for Future-Ready Higher Education Systems in East Africa.”
The four-day forum has brought together university leaders, higher education regulators, academics and development partners to discuss how East Africa can prepare its universities and graduates for emerging technologies and the changing demands of the labour market.
The forum has brought together university leaders, higher education regulators, academics and development partnersThe stakeholders are discussing how East Africa can prepare its universities and graduates for emerging technologies and the changing demands of the labour market.
Amb. Kayonga made the remarks in an interview with Report’s Türkiye bureau after attending an international conference in Baku organised by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG), which focused on the legacy of Belgian colonialism and calls for reparations.
Asked whether Rwanda plans to establish an embassy in Azerbaijan, Kayonga said the plan was already being considered.
“It will definitely happen in the future, and we are currently planning it. Azerbaijan is a very important country,” he said.
“Azerbaijan is in the South Caucasus, in Eurasia, while Rwanda is in Central Africa. We want Rwanda and Azerbaijan to be brotherly countries,” Amb. Kayonga added.
Amb. Kayonga, who is based in Ankara, has represented Rwanda in Azerbaijan since 2024. He said relations between the two countries have developed significantly, particularly at the political level.
“Our relations with Azerbaijan are very good at the political level,” he said.
Amb. Kayonga noted that President Paul Kagame has visited Azerbaijan twice since he began his diplomatic assignment there — in November 2024 for the COP29 climate summit and in September 2025.
During Kagame’s 2025 visit, Rwanda and Azerbaijan signed five agreements to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas including public service delivery through the ASAN Service model, agriculture, education, trade and air services.
The implementation of the ASAN Service model in Rwanda is currently being studied, while Azerbaijan has allocated 20 scholarships for Rwandan students in military education, Amb. Kayonga said.
He added that the two countries are also discussing cooperation in oil, trade and other sectors.
Beyond political and economic ties, Amb. Kayonga said Rwanda wants to promote its tourism and products among Azerbaijani citizens.
He highlighted the Virunga Mountains, home to mountain gorillas, Nyungwe Forest, which hosts chimpanzees, primates and diverse bird species, and Akagera National Park, where tourists can see the Big Five.
Rwanda also plans to organise a Rwanda Culture Day in Baku next year to showcase the country’s culture and deepen people-to-people ties.
“We are planning to organize a Rwanda Culture Day in Baku next year,” Amb. Kayonga said.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Gen (Rtd) Charles Kayonga, has said Rwanda plans to open an embassy in Azerbaijan to strengthen bilateral relations.
The visit marks the first official visit by a Rwandan president to Oman.
Kagame’s visit began with an official welcoming ceremony before he held talks with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq.
The two leaders were later joined by delegations from both countries for bilateral talks aimed at advancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
On the second day of his visit, Kagame is scheduled to tour the Museum of the Frankincense Land, located within the Al Baleed Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The museum has two main sections. The Heritage Hall explores Dhofar’s archaeological history, the region’s heritage and the role of the frankincense trade in shaping the area’s social and economic development. The Maritime Hall presents Oman’s history of seafaring and maritime trade.
Kagame will also visit Razat Royal Farm, which covers more than 404 hectares. The facility is among the major agricultural establishments in Dhofar Governorate and is also used for agri-tourism and educational activities.
Sultan Haitham will host Kagame and his delegation at a dinner during the visit.
Rwanda and Oman have longstanding ties. During the visit, the two countries are also expected to sign agreements and memoranda of understanding in various sectors as part of efforts to broaden bilateral cooperation.
Rwanda and Oman are expected to sign agreements and memoranda of understanding aimed at expanding cooperation in various sectors.President Paul Kagame began his first official visit to Oman with a formal welcome ceremony in Salalah.Rwandan and Omani delegations hold bilateral talks during President Kagame’s official visit to Oman.
Bishop Kalisa was installed during a ceremony held at the Kigali Convention Centre (KCC), attended by Christians, church leaders and guests from Rwanda and other countries, including Tanzania, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United States.
The ceremony was marked by prayers, praise and worship as Christians gathered to celebrate the beginning of Bishop Kalisa’s leadership.
The installation was also attended by church leaders, including Dean Dr. Ntidendereza David.
Speaking to IGIHE after the ceremony, Bishop Kalisa said one of his key priorities will be building a church that can sustain itself rather than depending heavily on support from churches in Western countries.
“Our vision is to equip members with education and build infrastructure for the church. We want to be a self-sustaining church,” he said.
He noted that African churches have historically relied on financial and other forms of support from Western churches, but said his leadership would seek to change this approach by empowering church members to contribute to the development of their communities and the church.
Empowering members instead of creating dependency
Bishop Kalisa identified dependency among some church members as one of the major challenges facing churches today.
He explained that some Christians expect the church to provide them with direct financial or material assistance, a situation he believes can create long-term dependency.
“We want to teach them to support themselves,” he said, adding that assistance should focus on giving people the ability to become independent rather than simply providing temporary help.
He compared the approach to teaching people how to fish rather than continually giving them fish.
According to the bishop, the Lutheran Church in Rwanda will therefore seek to support its members in developing skills and opportunities that can help them become self-reliant.
Focus on young people and community development
Bishop Kalisa also highlighted the importance of young people in the future of the Lutheran Church in Rwanda.
He said the church is already implementing programmes that involve youth in areas including gender equality and justice, environmental protection and education.
The church also supports young people who want to pursue education in different fields beyond theology.
“We send young people for, not only for theology, but in different areas. That’s how we engage young people,” he said.
He added that young people have representation on the church’s executive council, allowing them to contribute their views to decisions affecting the church.
The bishop also said the church is open to young people expressing themselves through music, provided that their artistic choices remain consistent with the Christian faith.
As he began his new responsibility, Bishop Kalisa encouraged Christians and Rwandans to combine prayer with action.
He said faith should be accompanied by practical action and responsibility in addressing challenges facing individuals, communities and the country.
The bishop also expressed appreciation to President Paul Kagame for his leadership and for encouraging churches to improve their infrastructure and ensure that church buildings meet required standards.
He said the Lutheran Church in Rwanda has been renovating its churches to meet those standards, arguing that places of worship should be well maintained and provide an appropriate environment for Christians.
Bishop Kalisa also welcomed recent efforts to address the consumption of illicit alcohol among young people.
He said churches should have been among the first institutions to speak out on the issue, acknowledging that religious institutions had sometimes remained silent when they should have raised their voices.
He pledged that the Lutheran Church in Rwanda would seek to be more active in offering advice and contributing to solutions whenever issues affecting society arise.
The installation of Bishop Kalisa Atupenda Prince marks a new chapter for the Lutheran Church in Rwanda, with his leadership expected to focus on strengthening the church’s capacity, empowering members, engaging young people and increasing its contribution to community development.
Bishop Kalisa Atupenda Prince was officially installed as a bishop of the Lutheran Church in Rwanda on September 6, 2026.Bishop Kalisa Atupenda Prince speaks to Christians during his installation ceremony at Kigali Convention Centre.Guests from Rwanda and abroad, including the United States, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, attended the ceremony.Bishop Kalisa Atupenda Prince says empowering church members is key to building a self-sustaining Lutheran Church in Rwanda.
Church leaders and guests attend the installation ceremony of Bishop Kalisa Atupenda Prince.
In a message posted on X on Monday, Kagame extended his sympathy to President Samia, her family and the people of Tanzania.
“My sincere condolences to my sister, President Samia Suluhu, her family, and the people of Tanzania on the passing of H.E. Hafidh Ameir Hassan,” Kagame said.
“The Government and people of Rwanda stand in solidarity with President Samia Suluhu and our brothers and sisters in Tanzania as they honour the life and legacy of H.E. Hafidh Ameir Hassan,” he added.
Hafidh Ameir Hassan died on Monday, September 7, at the age of 76 while receiving treatment for a heart condition at Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital in Zanzibar.
His death was announced by Tanzania’s Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi.
He said funeral arrangements were underway in Kizimkazi, Zanzibar, where the family was preparing to honour the late First Gentleman.
Hafidh became Tanzania’s First Gentleman in 2021 when Samia assumed the presidency following the death of President John Magufuli. He largely maintained a low public profile and was known as an agriculturalist.
He and President Samia married in 1978 and had four children; three sons and a daughter. Their daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, is a politician who has served in the Zanzibar House of Representatives.
President Paul Kagame has expressed condolences to Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan following the death of her husband.
