According to the Office of the President, the meeting at Urugwiro Village focused on the need to address the root causes of the conflict in eastern DRC and its impact on Rwanda’s security.
The talks come amid continued international efforts to find a lasting solution to insecurity in eastern DRC, where several armed groups remain active.
MONUSCO, established in 2010 after succeeding the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC), has a primary mandate to protect civilians under threat of physical violence, support efforts to stabilise the country, facilitate humanitarian access and assist with disarmament and reintegration of armed groups. Its mandate also includes supporting peace processes and strengthening state institutions.
The mission has, however, faced longstanding criticism over its effectiveness in protecting civilians and containing armed groups despite its prolonged presence in eastern DRC.
A 2019 UN Strategic Assessment found that after initial operational successes in 2013, the intensity and effectiveness of MONUSCO’s offensive operations steadily declined over the subsequent years, contributing to the resilience of armed groups and worsening insecurity in parts of eastern DRC. The mission also experienced a growing crisis of legitimacy among local populations, with widespread perceptions of ineffectiveness triggering anti-UN protests that peaked in 2022.
MONUSCO has continued to operate in areas where it can access, conducting patrols, supporting the Congolese authorities and facilitating humanitarian assistance. In 2026, the mission has also been involved in monitoring ceasefires and supporting disarmament efforts involving armed groups, including the FDLR.
FDLR remains a key security concern
For Rwanda, one of the longstanding security concerns linked to the conflict is the presence of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group formed by remnants of forces and militias involved in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The group has operated in eastern DRC for more than three decades. Rwanda has also repeatedly raised concerns over the FDLR’s continued presence as a threat to its national security and over the group’s role in spreading genocidal ideology and persecuting Congolese Tutsi communities.
The issue was also addressed in the June 27, 2025 peace agreement between Rwanda and the DRC, signed with US support. Among the agreement’s provisions was the dismantling of the FDLR by the DRC and the subsequent removal of Rwanda’s defensive measures.
Rwanda has maintained that it cannot remove those measures while the FDLR remains operational, arguing that doing so would expose the country to a security threat.
A July 2026 report by UN experts cited competing estimates of the FDLR’s strength. While the group claims to have more than 10,000 fighters, the report said the figures were not considered reliable. UN and intelligence estimates put the group’s total strength at between 3,500 and 4,500 fighters.
Speaking at a press conference on August 24, Kagame said the DRC government lacked the political will to address the FDLR question, accusing Kinshasa of alternating between acknowledging the group’s existence and denying it.
He said Rwanda would continue to prioritise its security regardless of the circumstances.
“The handling and mishandling of this problem over many years is known. The actors are known,” he remarked, adding, “We behave in a manner that protects us at any cost. We will do anything that contributes to that protection, day or night,” he stressed.
According to the Office of the President, the meeting at Urugwiro Village focused on the need to address the root causes of the conflict in eastern DRC and its impact on Rwanda’s security.
The concerns were raised during the Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 in Kigali, where industry representatives discussed the role of the private sector in improving soil health and building more resilient food systems.
Dr. Innocent Okuku, Director General and CEO of the Africa Fertiliser Industry Development Association (AFIDA), said about 60% of Africa’s cropland is estimated to have degraded soils, largely due to poor soil management.
“Fertiliser is neither good nor bad. You can make it good if you use it correctly, and you can make it bad if you don’t use it correctly,” Okuku said on Tuesday during a discussion on soil health held on the sidelines of the forum, which brought together experts from various countries and was moderated by Øystein Botillen, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Yara International.
He said improving soil health requires a broader approach that goes beyond simply increasing fertiliser use.
Dr. Innocent Okuku (far left), Director General and CEO of the Africa Fertiliser Industry Development Association (AFIDA), said about 60% of Africa’s cropland is estimated to have degraded soils, largely due to poor soil management.
AFIDA, which brings together private-sector companies involved in fertiliser manufacturing, importing, distribution and retailing, is promoting the use of different soil-health products depending on farmers’ needs.
These include mineral and organic fertilisers, as well as soil amendments such as lime for acidic soils and soil binders aimed at improving soil properties.
Okuku said the association is also investing in farmer education to ensure fertilisers are used appropriately and sustainably.
Last month, AFIDA trained final-year agriculture students at the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) on sustainable fertiliser use. The aim was to equip future agricultural professionals with knowledge they can use to advise farmers and improve productivity without damaging soils.
The association is also planning a youth programme focused on soil health, which is expected to be launched in early 2027. The programme will seek to train young people to support smallholder farmers in improving soil health and agricultural production.
The discussion on soil health brought together experts from various countries and was moderated by Øystein Botillen, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Yara International.
Calls for changes in fertiliser subsidies
The private sector also called for reforms to fertiliser subsidy programmes, arguing that poorly designed systems can discourage companies from investing in agricultural input markets.
Okuku said some suppliers in Africa have participated in government subsidy programmes only to wait one or two years to be paid, putting their businesses under financial pressure.
“When you supply and you don’t get paid for one or two years, your business will collapse,” he remarked.
He added that subsidy programmes can sometimes create incentives for farmers or traders to resell subsidised fertiliser rather than use it on their farms.
Anup Jagwani, the World Bank Group’s Global Director for Farming and Agribusiness, similarly called for governments to rethink how fertiliser subsidies are delivered, arguing that the private sector is better placed to handle the purchase, storage and distribution of inputs.
“We don’t think that government should be in the business of buying fertiliser, storing fertiliser or distributing fertiliser. That’s not the role. That’s not the most effective role for governments. It takes up capital and resources. The private sector is better placed to do that,” he said.
Anup Jagwani, the World Bank Group’s Global Director for Farming and Agribusiness, similarly called for governments to rethink how fertiliser subsidies are delivered.
One option discussed was the use of electronic vouchers, which could allow farmers to access subsidised inputs while enabling private companies to participate more effectively in the market.
The discussions came as African countries seek to increase agricultural productivity while dealing with declining external development financing and growing pressure on food systems.
Okuku said donor funding for African agriculture has fallen by more than 70%, making greater private-sector investment necessary to expand production and strengthen food systems.
Yara backs soil testing in Rwanda
In Rwanda, fertiliser manufacturer Yara is prioritising soil testing and customised crop nutrition solutions to boost farm productivity.
Winnie Nganga, Director at Yara International, said the Norwegian company has been operating in Rwanda for 10 years and provides farmers with fertiliser as well as education on crop nutrition.
Winnie Nganga, Director at Yara International, said the company has operated in Rwanda for 10 years, supplying fertiliser and training farmers.
Yara is working with the government under the Rwanda Food Basket initiative, providing fertiliser recommendations aimed at improving soil health and increasing farm yields.
Nganga said Yara uses soil testing to determine nutrient deficiencies and develop fertiliser solutions suited to particular soils and crops.
She said the company sees mineral fertilisers as working alongside organic fertilisers rather than as alternatives to them.
“You cannot work alone,” Nganga noted, stressing the importance of combining approaches to improve soil health.
Yara currently supplies Rwanda from its blending plant in Tanzania but says it has “bigger growth plans” for the Rwandan market.
The company is also engaging the government on areas where it can contribute to national agricultural priorities, including the country’s long-term development ambitions under Vision 2050.
Harmonising fertiliser rules
AFIDA is also pushing for greater harmonisation of fertiliser registration and quality-control systems across African markets.
Okuku said fragmented regulations can make it difficult for companies to operate across borders and slow farmers’ access to suitable agricultural inputs.
The association is working with regional bodies, including the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), on efforts to harmonise fertiliser registration and quality standards.
COMESA is seeking harmonisation among its 21 member states, a move that could make it easier for fertiliser companies to operate across markets while maintaining quality standards.
AFIDA, which was established about a year ago, currently has activities in around 12 African countries and plans to expand its work across the continent.
Okuku said the association was formed partly to give private-sector players a stronger collective voice in discussions with governments and policymakers.
He argued that the private sector needs an enabling policy environment if it is to invest more in agriculture, particularly at a time when governments face limited resources and Africa’s food systems are under growing pressure.
The Kigali discussions placed soil health at the centre of efforts to raise agricultural productivity, with participants arguing that higher yields cannot be sustained without restoring the health and productivity of Africa’s soils.
The discussion on soil health brought together experts from various countries to deliberate on ways to improve soil health and build resilient food systems.
The facility was announced by Dr. Gérardine Mukeshimana, Vice-President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), during the forum’s opening ceremony. It brings together IFAD, Equity Bank, the Nordic Development Fund (NDF), Finland and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) as partners.
Mukeshimana said public finance alone cannot deliver the transformation Africa’s food systems need, and that public resources must be used to reduce risks and unlock private capital. She cited IFAD’s own evidence showing that projects with private sector participation generate income gains of over 64%, four times greater than projects without private sector involvement.
“Public resources must be used strategically to remove constraints, to reduce risks and to unlock private sector capital,” she said, adding that IFAD focuses its investments on “the first mile of the food systems where risks are greatest, finance is the scarcest and impact is greatest.”
Dr. Gérardine Mukeshimana, Vice-President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), addresses delegates at the Kigali Convention Centre on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
The announcement was one of several financing commitments made at the forum. IFAD also announced a $10 million facility, in partnership with AGDV, to support the growth of small agribusinesses across the continent. Separately, the Bank of Kigali and IFAD are set to sign a $21 million blended finance agreement on Friday to support farmers’ organisations.
Mukeshimana said approximately 60% of IFAD’s core resources are currently invested in Africa, and linked the new commitments to IFAD’s ongoing 14th replenishment process, known as IFAD14, which aims to strengthen the institution as an investment platform that scales proven approaches and attracts private capital to underserved areas.
She also referenced a recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, which found that the rise of hunger in Africa has halted. She described this as encouraging news, but said the task now is to turn that progress into lasting transformation by making nutritious diets more affordable, creating decent jobs and building resilience.
The announcement came on the opening day of the AFSF 2026, held under the theme “Investing in Africa’s Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience.” The forum, marking its 20th anniversary this year, has drawn more than 5,000 stakeholders from over 50 countries to Kigali.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva said about 309 million Africans were affected by hunger in 2025, representing roughly 20% of the continent’s population, while about 57% of Africans experience moderate or severe food insecurity. He called on the forum to help translate commitments into investable plans, strengthen entire food value chains, and scale successful innovations across the continent.
Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye said Rwanda’s experience shows what is possible when policy, investment, institutions and partnerships are aligned under effective governance, pointing to the country’s Vision 2050 and National Strategy for Transformation as frameworks guiding its agricultural transformation.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva said 309 million Africans faced hunger in 2025, urging the forum to turn commitments into investable plans and strengthen food value chains. More than 5,000 stakeholders from over 50 countries have gathered in Kigali to discuss investment in Africa’s food systems.
Nsengiyumva made the call on Wednesday, September 2, while opening the 2026 Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Kigali, where more than 5,000 stakeholders from over 50 countries are discussing investment in Africa’s food systems.
“Our youth should start seeing agriculture not as a sector of last resort, but as a modern and dynamic sector full of opportunities,” Nsengiyumva said.
He highlighted that opportunities extend beyond farming to areas such as irrigation, energy, mechanisation, digital services, insurance, processing and retail, urging the private sector to invest across the food value chain.
“The task before us is to build credible partnerships that connect capital to these opportunities,” he remarked.
Nsengiyumva made the call on Wednesday, September 2, while opening the 2026 Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Kigali.
Nsengiyumva also called for investments that ensure smallholder farmers, women and young people benefit from the growth of Africa’s food economy.
Africa has abundant land and water resources, sunshine and a young population, but continues to face food insecurity. Nsengiyumva said about 309 million Africans were affected by hunger in 2025, while about 57 percent experienced moderate or severe food insecurity.
“This contrast defines our task. We need to turn potential into productivity and we need to turn productivity into prosperity for all Africans,” he said.
The call for greater investment was reinforced by new financing initiatives announced at the forum.
Dr. Gérardine Mukeshimana, Vice-President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), said IFAD and partners are launching a $200 million blended finance facility to expand climate adaptation financing for farmers in Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Dr. Gérardine Mukeshimana, Vice-President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), addresses delegates at the Kigali Convention Centre.
IFAD is also launching a $10 million facility to support the growth of small agribusinesses, while it will partner with Bank of Kigali on a $21 million blended finance facility for farmers’ organisations later this week.
Mukeshimana said public financing alone cannot deliver the transformation Africa needs and should instead be used to reduce risks and unlock private capital.
She cited IFAD evidence showing that projects involving private-sector participation generate income gains of more than 64 percent, compared with projects without private-sector participation.
Former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, Chair of the Africa Food Systems Forum Partners Group and Board Chairperson of AGRA, follows proceedings during the 2026 Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali.
From commitments to action
Nsengiyumva said Africa must also improve the way agricultural investments are planned and executed, calling for credible, investable projects backed by clear priorities, realistic financing, strong institutions and measurable targets.
He noted that investments should strengthen entire food systems rather than isolated parts.
“A productive farm cannot thrive without roads, energy, irrigation, storage, finance, logistics, processing and reliable markets,” he said.
The Prime Minister also urged African countries to scale successful agricultural innovations instead of leaving them as small pilot projects.
The call was echoed by African Union Commissioner for Agriculture Moses Vilakati, who said Africa’s challenge is no longer knowing what needs to be done, but having the political will, investment, partnerships and accountability to implement existing commitments.
Vilakati urged Africa to reduce its dependence on food imports and use local production to create jobs and business opportunities for young people.
He said the continent needs “a decade of implementation,” arguing that the success of the Africa Food Systems Forum should ultimately be measured by investments mobilised, jobs created and improvements in the lives of farmers and other food-system actors.
The 2026 AFS Forum marks 20 years of the platform and is being held under the theme “Investing in Africa’s Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience.”
Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva officially opened the 2026 Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Kigali on Wednesday, September 2. More than 5,000 stakeholders from over 50 countries have gathered in Kigali to discuss investment in Africa’s food systems.
According to the Office of the President, the meeting reviewed RDB’s priorities and ongoing efforts to accelerate private sector development, attract and facilitate investment, promote exports and tourism, and strengthen Rwanda’s competitiveness.
Kagame emphasized the need for continued focus on delivery and accountability, while urging efforts to continuously improve the business environment to enable companies and investors to thrive.
The RDB Board of Directors is led by Itzhak Fisher, who serves as its Chairperson. The board also includes Evelyn Kamagaju as Vice Chairperson.
Other members are Alice Nkulikiyinka, Country Director of Business Professionals Network (BPN) Rwanda; Ivan Kagame, an investment and finance professional; Liban Soleman Abdi; Dr. Diane Karusisi, Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Kigali; Eric Kacou; and Kassahun Kebede.
The meeting was also attended by RDB Chief Executive Officer Jean Guy Afrika and his deputy, Juliana Kangeli Muganza.
The meeting comes as RDB continues to play a central role in promoting Rwanda as an investment and tourism destination, supporting businesses and facilitating investment across different sectors of the economy.
President Kagame stressed delivery, accountability and a stronger business environment for investors at RDB Board of Directors meeting. President Kagame joined the RDB Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday, September 2.
The ruling was delivered on September 2, 2026, after the prosecution requested 30 days of remand, arguing that there were substantial grounds to believe Shema committed the alleged offences and that he could abscond if released while investigations continued.
The case stems from a contract worth more than €1 million between Africa Medical Supplier Plc, a company owned by Shema that deals in medical equipment, and ABZL International General Trading LLC. The agreement, signed on January 23, 2024, was linked to World Bank procurement for the supply of medical equipment to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Under the agreement, Africa Medical Supplier was required to pay ABZL within 60 days. The prosecution told the court that the company failed to meet the payment deadline and repeatedly delayed ABZL before eventually promising to settle the outstanding amount by email.
On August 5, 2025, Shema allegedly issued ABZL two cheques worth $400,000 and $200,000. The prosecution said the cheques were dishonoured because the company’s account did not have sufficient funds between August 1 and 10, 2025.
Shema denied the charges, saying ABZL was a financial services company based in the United Arab Emirates with which he had maintained business relations since 2017. He said their previous contracts had been successfully completed.
He told the court that Africa Medical Supplier had paid $400,000 in May 2024 and another $400,000 in December 2024, but that the second payment could not be completed because of an issue with ABZL’s account. He said the contract required ABZL to provide an alternative account in such circumstances.
Shema also said a dispute between ABZL shareholders led one of them to take the cheques, add payment instructions and request that the money be paid into a US bank account. He questioned why cheques originally intended for payment in Dubai would be redirected to the United States.
Shema maintained that he would not flee if released and told the court that he owns assets worth more than Rwf5 billion that could be used as security.
His defence counsel challenged the validity and handling of the cheques, arguing that the bank had cancelled them on July 16, 2025, before the alleged offence date of August 5. The lawyer also pointed to a change in the payment destination from the UAE to a US bank account on June 25, 2025.
The defence asked the court to grant Shema bail, arguing that the dispute arose from a commercial contract rather than a personal criminal matter.
The defence also said they submitted evidence of a $600,000 payment made through BK and a letter requesting assistance from the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) to transfer the funds to the designated account.
The court also noted discrepancies in the cheques, including the fact that both bore the same cheque number. The original did not have a date, while the copy presented to the court was dated either August 5 or August 8, 2025. Both documents bore Shema’s signature.
The prosecution, however, told the court that when RIB asked the bank whether the cheques were covered, the bank confirmed that they were not, noting that the Africa Medical Supplier account held just over $1,000.
After considering the submissions, the court remanded Shema in custody for 30 days as investigations continue.
Nyarugenge Primary Court has remanded Shema Fabrice for 30 days
Amb. Nduhungirehe made the remarks in response to DRC Government Spokesperson and Minister of Information and Communication Patrick Muyaya, who welcomed the arrest of Denise Mukendi Dusauchoy in Tanzania and her transfer to Kinshasa on August 31, 2026.
Dusauchoy, who became widely known on social media platforms including TikTok, is accused of offences including spreading false information and inciting division among Congolese, in connection with messages she posted in support of AFC/M23.
Commenting on a statement by the DRC Ministry of Justice explaining Dusauchoy’s arrest, Muyaya said she was the first person on a long list of wanted individuals and that justice would reach them wherever they were.
“She is the first on a long list. Wherever you are in the world, justice will reach you. As an example, we have a responsibility to protect our children, and therefore the State will do what is necessary,” Muyaya said.
Amb. Nduhungirehe responded that several people in the DRC, including Major General Sylvain Ekenge, MP Justin Bitakwira, Martin Fayulu, Jean-Claude Mubenga, Gabriel Mokia, Chancella Tshala Balandi and Kalonji Kabamba wa Mulumba, have made statements promoting hatred and division but have not been prosecuted.
“Meanwhile, those who, on social media and on state television in Kinshasa, openly engage in hate speech and genocide ideology against Congolese Tutsi are clearly on no “list” and are therefore not being pursued by Congolese justice,” Amb. Nduhungirehe said.
He said some of the individuals were known in the DRC for referring to Congolese Tutsis as insects or as “cockroaches and a virus that must be eradicated,” while others had called on Congolese not to marry them or had made statements calling for their extermination in the country.
Amb. Nduhungirehe also reminded Muyaya that instead of being prosecuted, some of these individuals, including MP Bitakwira, had been received by DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and his wife, Denise Nyakeru, with whom they took a commemorative photograph.
Denise Mukendi Dusauchoy was arrested in Tanzania and transferred to Kinshasa on August 31, 2026, where she faces allegations including spreading false information and inciting division among Congolese.Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe has questioned the DRC’s response to hate speech, saying some individuals who have made inflammatory statements against Congolese Tutsi have not faced legal action.
She made the remarks on Monday, August 31, 2026, during a visit by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Vice President Dr. Gérardine Mukeshimana and senior officials from several countries to projects aimed at adding value to milk production in Nyagatare District.
The delegation visited Nyagatare Daily Marketing Cooperative, which is supported by the Rwanda Dairy Development Project Phase II (RDDP II), funded by IFAD. They also visited private veterinary practitioners operating in Nyagatare and the Inyange powdered milk processing plant.
Rugamba Sam, who collects about 100 litres of milk per day, said farmers still face challenges in accessing high-yielding dairy cattle that would enable them to operate commercially.
He said that although dairy farming is profitable, farmers have yet to gain sufficient access to cattle capable of producing large quantities of milk.
Mukansanga Cecile, who keeps eight cows, said they produce about 50 litres of milk per day. However, during the dry season, production drops significantly, with her four lactating cows producing only slightly more than 10 litres per day.
She called for support to help farmers access cattle with higher milk yields.
Uwituze said Rwanda is continuing to promote livestock farming based on market demand.
“We currently have 30 bulls. This year, we renewed our stock and brought in 30 new ones, which are now available at our Isonga Centre. We have three breeds of dairy cattle, as well as breeds of beef cattle. We brought them in to provide breeding material for beef cattle to farmers. They are now doing well.”
Dr. Uwituze said the semen from the bulls will be used to improve cattle breeds among farmers and increase the availability of animals suited for both dairy and beef production.
She also said the government is testing a system that could allow farmers to access sexed semen from next year, enabling them to know whether the resulting calf will be male or female.
“There are investors we are talking to so that they can come and support us. The discussions are already underway.”
Meanwhile, IFAD Vice President Dr. Gérardine Mukeshimana called for greater investment in smallholder farmers and livestock keepers to enable them to meet market demand.
She said 70 percent of agricultural and livestock production comes from smallholder farmers and called for efforts to build their capacity so they can increase production and better meet market needs.
State Minister for Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr Solange Uwituze, said Rwanda has acquired 30 bulls from Switzerland, Finland and other countries, which are expected to provide new breeding stock.The disclosure was made on Monday, August 31, during a visit by IFAD Vice President Dr Gérardine Mukeshimana and other officials to milk production projects in Nyagatare.
Ndikuriyo had planned to travel to Kigali with Aigle Noir FC for its CAF Champions League qualifying match against Sudan’s Al-Hilal.
He revealed his plans to journalists on August 22, 2026, while discussing CNDD-FDD activities.
“Do you think I am afraid of Kigali? After all, I am an officer! Do you think there is an everlasting fire? The only thing is that I do not know how my work schedule will be because we plan things day by day. So, if the Eagles [Aigle] were going to Kigali to play football, would I miss going there to enjoy myself? Only work would prevent me from going there,” Ndikuriyo said.
Sources familiar with the matter said Ndikuriyo’s planned four-day visit raised concerns for President Évariste Ndayishimiye amid strained relations between Burundi and Rwanda.
According to the sources, Ndayishimiye questioned the CNDD-FDD Secretary General about why it was necessary for him to accompany his team to Rwanda and instructed him not to travel to Kigali.
Although the trip was presented as an effort to support Aigle Noir FC, analysts say Ndikuriyo’s political influence in Burundi made the planned visit more significant than an ordinary football trip.
Some CNDD-FDD members and opposition figures describe Ndikuriyo as one of the party’s influential figures with the political weight to challenge Ndayishimiye.
He is also said to have a strong following at the grassroots level of the ruling party, making his movements and activities a subject of close attention from the country’s top leadership.
Against this background, his planned stay in Kigali for several days was viewed by some as having political implications beyond football.
Burundi-Rwanda relations remain strained
The reported disagreement comes as relations between Burundi and Rwanda remain tense. Burundi closed its land borders with Rwanda after accusing Kigali of supporting the RED-Tabara rebel group, which opposes the government in Gitega. Rwanda has denied the allegations.
The strained relations have affected movement between the two countries, cross-border trade and other activities involving their citizens.
Analysts say the prospect of a senior CNDD-FDD official spending several days in Kigali may have been viewed through a political lens rather than as a routine sporting trip.
The episode also highlights how tensions between Burundi and Rwanda can extend beyond politics into areas such as sport and business.
In 2024, Burundi’s Dynamo BBC refused to wear jerseys bearing the “Visit Rwanda” logo after the country’s basketball federation, FEBABU, instructed the team not to display the sponsor’s branding amid worsening relations between the two countries.
Dynamo BBC was taking part in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) at the time. The team was forfeited after refusing to play in the sponsor-branded jerseys and was subsequently eliminated from the competition.
Révérien Ndikuriyo is the president of Aigle Noir FC and Secretary General of Burundi’s ruling CNDD-FDD party.Aigle Noir FC president and Secretary General of the ruling CNDD-FDD party Révérien Ndikuriyo (left) with Burundian President Ndayishimiye during a past public engagement in Burundi.
The discussions focused on the role of capital markets in mobilising long-term capital, attracting domestic and international investment, and broadening financing options for enterprises. They also considered the importance of deeper and more competitive capital markets in supporting private-sector growth and Rwanda’s wider economic priorities.
Chairperson Holtzman expressed his appreciation to President Kagame for his leadership and continued support for the development of Rwanda’s capital markets.
Chairperson Holtzman noted “Thank you, Your Excellency President Kagame for your visionary and inspirational leadership. Every day you motivate us to work harder and do better for our great country. Thank you for the opportunity to serve and to try to make a difference.”
He was joined by Blair Richardson, founder of Denver-based Bow River Capital, a US$7.5 billion private equity fund; Dan Green, CEO of JA Green Development, the largest operator of a logistics hub at America’s third-largest airport in Denver; and Korab Toplica, CEO of Mabetex Africa, a US$8 billion Swiss-based construction and development company.
Chairperson Holtzman also commended President Kagame for his support for Rwanda’s capital market development and the broader reform agenda that has strengthened the country’s investment environment.
He noted the importance of a sound policy and regulatory framework in attracting capital, widening access to finance and positioning the capital markets as a key source of long-term funding for Rwanda’s economy.
CMA’s Chairperson Marc Holtzman has met President Kagame on Rwanda’s Capital Markets Development
