According to an official diplomatic correspondence dated June 3, Foreign Affairs Minister Édouard Bizimana instructed Ambassador Njebarikanuye to return to the political capital of Gitega “as soon as possible” to receive an “urgent communication.”
The sudden directive follows a June 2 ceremony at the OIF headquarters in Paris, where Njebarikanuye met with OIF Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo. The meeting was part of a standard diplomatic progression to accredit envoys to the Francophonie body, alongside newly designated representatives from Slovenia, Montenegro, Romania, Gabon, and Greece.
During the session, Njebarikanuye presented authorization to act as President Évariste Ndayishimiye’s representative to the OIF Permanent Council. Briefing notes from the organization indicated that discussions focused on bilateral cooperation, specifically regarding regional literacy campaigns and gender equality initiatives.
Minister Bizimana’s recall letter offered no public justification for the abrupt summons, stating only:
“I have the honour to inform you that you are requested to return to the capital as soon as possible in order to receive an urgent communication concerning you.”
Njebarikanuye assumed her posting in Paris on March 16, 2026, holding concurrent accreditation to Portugal, Spain, Monaco, Andorra, Romania, Malta, and Albania.
It remains unclear whether Njebarikanuye’s recall is for temporary consultations or signals a permanent reassignment, though some observers have speculated that her tenure could be cut short.
Burundi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has abruptly recalled its newly appointed ambassador to France, Spès-Caritas Njebarikanuye, less than 24 hours after she formally presented her credentials to the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).The meeting was part of a standard diplomatic progression to accredit envoys to the Francophonie body, alongside newly designated representatives from Slovenia, Montenegro, Romania, Gabon, and Greece.
The move reflects growing price pressure driven by both domestic and global factors, including higher fuel and transport costs linked to international disruptions.
Explaining the decision in an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Prof. Kasai Ndahiriwe, Director of the Monetary Policy Department at BNR, said the central bank is guided by inflation projections and the need to keep price increases within a sustainable range.
“When the Monetary Policy Committee observes that inflation is increasing or is expected to rise beyond the BNR target range of 2% to 8%, action is taken. Inflation should ideally not exceed 8%,” Prof. Kasai said.
He added that the policy rate is one of the key tools used to manage inflation by influencing the cost of borrowing and overall demand in the economy.
“When goods become more expensive, people tend to buy less. Conversely, when prices are lower, consumption increases,” he explained.
According to him, raising the policy rate is designed to reduce excess money circulation in the economy by making borrowing more expensive for households and businesses.
“When BNR raises the policy rate, it signals banks and borrowers to be more cautious in their spending. It is essentially a message encouraging reduced spending to help control inflation,” he said.
Inflation pressures driving policy decisions
Inflation in Rwanda has shown a steady upward trend since the beginning of 2026, rising from 8.9% in January to 9.2% in February and March, before reaching 13% in April.
Prof. Kasai noted that both domestic conditions and global shocks have contributed to the rise in prices.
“The inflation projections show that the rate will remain above 8% this year and in the early part of next year,” he said.
He pointed to external disruptions, including geopolitical tensions affecting global oil supply routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, which handles a significant share of global petroleum trade.
“Intense global developments, including conflicts affecting oil transport routes, have impacted fuel prices, transport costs, and ultimately inflation,” he added.
The BNR adjusts the policy rate depending on how far inflation is from the target range. In the current environment, inflation has moved significantly above the upper limit of 8%, prompting stronger action.
Prof. Kasai said the size of the increase reflects the severity of inflationary pressure.
“A 1% adjustment reflects the fact that inflation is far from the desired range for the Rwandan economy,” he said, noting that forecasts for 2026 point to inflation levels around 13.9%.
Economic growth remains strong despite inflation
Despite inflationary pressures, Rwanda’s economy continues to show strong performance. Real GDP grew by 9.4% in 2025, while economic activity expanded further in early 2026, with the Composite Index of Economic Activities (CIEA) rising by 16.5% in Q1 2026.
External trade also strengthened, with merchandise exports increasing by 63.2% year-on-year in Q1 2026, driven by higher coffee and mineral export volumes and stronger prices. Non-traditional exports rose by 64.8%, led by processed cooking oil and wheat flour.
Prof. Kasai emphasised that strong growth and high inflation can occur at the same time, and should be assessed separately.
“When you look at the economy of Rwanda, GDP has continued to grow strongly. That is one side,” he said.
For ordinary citizens, the policy rate increase translates into higher borrowing costs as commercial banks adjust their lending rates.
However, BNR maintains that the objective is to stabilise prices and protect purchasing power in the long run.
The central bank expects inflation to gradually return within its target range by around 2027, depending on how global and domestic pressures evolve.
Explaining the decision in an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Prof. Kasai Ndahiriwe, Director of the Monetary Policy Department at BNR, said the central bank is guided by inflation projections and the need to keep price increases within a sustainable range.
The development was announced on June 7, 2026, during the launch of Disc Golf, a sport being introduced in Rwanda for the first time and which is commonly played in natural settings with trees and open grasslands.
Speaking to IGIHE, Nyandungu Eco-Park Manager, Ildephonse Kambongo, said the new attraction forms part of a broader strategy to diversify the park’s offerings and enhance visitors’ experiences.
He explained that the planned zipline will give visitors a unique perspective of the park’s ecosystems, allowing them to appreciate its natural beauty from above.
“We are working on an aerial route that will enable visitors to experience the park from a different angle and enjoy its scenery while suspended above the ground. We expect the facility to be ready by the end of this year or early next year,” he said.
Kambongo noted that discussions with the companies involved in the project are at an advanced stage and that construction is expected to begin soon.
The zipline is among several new attractions planned for the park. Construction is already underway on a four-kilometre walking trail, while dedicated birdwatching areas are being developed near the park’s lakes to allow visitors to observe birdlife more closely.
Management is also considering the introduction of recreational fishing activities as part of efforts to broaden the range of experiences available to visitors.
The park currently charges an entrance fee of Rwf 2,000 for Rwandans and citizens of the East African Community. Additional activities, including bicycle rentals, electric cart rides and children’s recreational facilities, are charged separately.
Officials believe that expanding the range of attractions will encourage more visitors to spend time at the park and contribute to its growing revenue.
Opened in 2022 following the restoration of the Nyandungu Wetland, the park has seen a steady increase in visitor numbers over the years.
The numbers rose from 67,222 visitors in 2023 to 76,754 in 2024. Growth accelerated in 2025, when the park welcomed more than 100,000 visitors by November, representing an increase of over 30% compared to the previous year and the strongest growth recorded since its establishment.
Revenue has followed a similar upward trend, rising from Rwf 158 million in 2024 to more than Rwf 200 million in 2025.
Spanning 121 hectares, Nyandungu Eco-Park includes 70 hectares of wetland and 50 hectares of forest. It is home to more than 60 plant species and over 200 species of birds, making it one of Kigali’s leading urban nature destinations.
Nyandungu Eco-Park Manager, Ildephonse Kambongo, said the new attraction forms part of a broader strategy to diversify the park’s offerings and enhance visitors’ experiences. Nyandungu Eco-Park includes 70 hectares of wetland and 50 hectares of forest.
The revelation comes as Rwanda continues efforts to cushion consumers from rising global petroleum prices through fuel subsidies.
On June 5, 2026, the government announced that the retail price of petrol would remain capped at Rwf2,938 per litre, while diesel would retail at no more than Rwf2,927 per litre, up from Rwf2,205 in the previous review.
Despite the increase, the government maintained a subsidy on diesel. Officials said that without the intervention, diesel would have sold at Rwf3,581 per litre.
Speaking during a media briefing on June 7, Minister of Trade and Industry Prudence Sebahizi said Rwanda’s comparatively lower fuel prices attracted buyers from neighbouring countries, resulting in a sharp increase in domestic fuel consumption.
Trade Minister Prudence Sebahizi said Rwanda’s lower fuel prices attracted buyers from neighbouring countries, sharply increasing fuel consumption.
Under normal conditions, Rwanda consumes between 1.2 million and 1.5 million litres of diesel per day, alongside 800,000 to 900,000 litres of petrol.
However, during periods of heightened regional price disparities, daily diesel consumption surged to between 2.5 million and 3 million litres.
“The situation showed that we were effectively subsidising fuel for people beyond our borders when our objective was to support Rwandans,” Sebahizi said.
The increased demand was particularly evident at fuel stations near Rwanda’s borders, where supplies were depleted shortly after opening.
“For about a week, some stations located near border areas ran out of fuel within the first two hours of operation because of customers coming from neighbouring countries,” he said.
According to the minister, consumption levels have since normalised following monitoring and corrective measures.
Data from early June indicate that diesel consumption has returned to pre-crisis levels, while petrol consumption has fallen as consumers adapt to higher prices.
Public transport shift cuts petrol demand
Government officials attributed part of the decline in petrol consumption to growing use of public transport.
Passenger numbers on public buses have increased by approximately 15 percent as more commuters opt to leave private vehicles at home.
Rwanda currently operates 390 buses in its public transport network. The fleet is expected to expand with the addition of 100 buses by the end of 2026 and a further 200 in 2027, bringing the total to nearly 700 buses.
State Minister for Infrastructure Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye said the long-term goal is to expand the fleet to between 1,000 and 1,500 buses while continuing to improve supporting road infrastructure.
“We want public transport to become the preferred mobility option for more people,” Uwihanganye said.
State Minister for Infrastructure Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye said the long-term goal is to expand the fleet to between 1,000 and 1,500 buses.
Current petrol consumption has fallen to between 600,000 and 700,000 litres per day, compared with previous levels of up to 900,000 litres. On some days, consumption falls as low as 400,000 litres.
Officials say the trend demonstrates that Rwandans are responding to calls for more efficient fuel use.
Fuel imports remain a major foreign exchange burden
The government also highlighted the broader economic implications of fuel consumption, noting that petroleum imports account for one of the country’s largest foreign currency expenditures.
According to Sebahizi, Rwanda spends more than $700 million annually on petroleum imports, a figure roughly equivalent to the country’s earnings from tourism.
Tourism revenues reached $685 million in 2025, up from $647 million in 2024.
“The foreign currency generated through tourism is almost equal to what we spend on petroleum products each year,” Sebahizi said. “Reducing unnecessary fuel consumption is therefore important for protecting the country’s foreign exchange reserves.”
Sebahizi also addressed concerns over low industrial capacity utilisation, noting that some factories are operating at only about 30 percent of their potential output.
The government is working with manufacturers to increase production and reduce reliance on imported goods, he said.
Officials argue that expanding domestic production and encouraging more efficient energy use will help strengthen Rwanda’s economic resilience amid global market uncertainties.
To improve preparedness for future fuel supply disruptions, Rwanda plans to double its strategic petroleum storage capacity.
The country currently has storage facilities capable of holding 117 million litres of petroleum products. Increasing that capacity would allow Rwanda to maintain fuel supplies for at least six months during periods of severe market volatility, officials said.
Rwanda plans to double its petroleum storage capacity.
According to the advisory, passengers will not be permitted to board RwandAir flights to the UAE if they are travelling directly from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan. The restriction also applies to passengers who have originated from or transited through any of these three countries, even if they are connecting via another destination.
However, the advisory notes exemptions for UAE citizens and holders of diplomatic passports, who will still be allowed to travel under the current arrangements.
The airline has not indicated how long the restrictions will remain in place, as measures are subject to change depending on the evolving public health situation on the ground.
The current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a particularly concerning variant for which there is no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment. Health authorities warn that this makes surveillance, early detection, and rapid containment critical to preventing further spread across the region.
Recent health data indicates that the Democratic Republic of Congo has reported 452 confirmed cases and at least 82 deaths, while Uganda has recorded 19 confirmed cases and 2 deaths. In Uganda, infections have been reported in Kampala, Wakiso, and western border areas, underscoring continued transmission risks in the region.
South Sudan, while not yet reporting confirmed Ebola cases, is included in the UAE restrictions due to its geographic proximity to the active outbreak zone in Ituri province, DRC, which borders the country, raising concerns about potential cross-border transmission.
Recent health data indicates that the Democratic Republic of Congo has reported 452 confirmed cases and at least 82 deaths, while Uganda has recorded 19 confirmed cases and 2 deaths.
He made the remarks on June 6, 2026, during a press conference.
Rwanda’s current minimum wage was set in 1974 at Rwf100 per day for employees working in the formal sector.
The issue is frequently debated in public discourse, with concerns often linked to rising living costs, while incomes for many workers remain relatively unchanged.
Dr. Nsengiyumva noted that while workers naturally expect higher pay, employers view wage increases in relation to production costs and business sustainability.
“For workers, when the minimum wage is increased above prevailing market levels, it is seen as positive because they earn more. However, from the employer’s perspective, it increases the cost of producing goods and services,” he said.
He illustrated the impact with an example of a business currently paying Rwf50,000 per worker. If a minimum wage of Rwf80,000 were imposed, he said, the employer would have to significantly adjust operational costs.
“An employer who previously hired 10 workers may find it difficult to sustain all of them and may reduce the workforce to seven. As a country, we must ask whether we have truly benefited if three people lose their jobs,” he said.
According to him, while the remaining employees may earn more, the increase could simply reflect the redistribution of wages from those who were laid off.
He cautioned against focusing solely on nominal wage figures without considering broader economic dynamics.
“Increasing wages on paper while prices also rise achieves little. What matters is how we help workers become more productive. The key question is: how much value are we generating from the work being done? Employees should not rely on guaranteed wages alone while delivering low productivity, just as employers should not expect high output without fair compensation,” he said.
Dr. Nsengiyumva emphasised that productivity growth is the foundation for sustainable wage increases.
“If productivity increases, wage growth will follow naturally. Employers do not need to be reminded to increase wages when workers are generating higher value,” he added.
He also highlighted persistent productivity gaps in key sectors, particularly agriculture, where yields remain below potential. For instance, maize production may average around two tonnes per hectare, despite the capacity to produce significantly more under improved practices.
The government, he said, continues to prioritise investment in skills development and capacity building to enhance workforce productivity. He further noted that Rwanda is focusing on creating higher-quality jobs that require specialised skills and offer improved remuneration.
According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), 238,491 non-agricultural jobs were created in 2025, marking an 8.9% increase compared to the previous year.
Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva has said that discussions on the minimum wage should not be the primary focus, arguing instead that raising productivity is the sustainable path to higher incomes, as employers are more likely to increase wages when output improves.The PM made the remarks on June 6, 2026, during a press conference.
Speaking during a press briefing on June 6, Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva said Rwanda has strengthened surveillance, prevention and response systems to protect public health while ensuring that economic and social activities continue uninterrupted.
“The Ebola outbreak continues to be reported in the eastern region of Africa. However, Rwanda has strengthened its prevention measures and monitoring, and we are confident in protecting the lives of our citizens without disrupting economic activities and the normal social life of the population,” he said.
Nsengiyumva noted that the Ministry of Health and the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) are closely tracking developments in the region and will continue updating the public on preventive measures. He urged citizens to remain vigilant, observe good hygiene practices and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms associated with the disease.
Minister of Health Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana said Rwanda’s preparedness efforts are anchored on five pillars: public awareness and communication, surveillance, detection capacity, response capability, and human resources.
He said the country has continued to strengthen systems across all these areas, with a particular focus on prevention and early detection.
“The goal is prevention; we do not want to be in a situation where we are reacting after the fact,” he said, adding that health authorities closely follow developments in neighbouring countries, particularly in areas near Rwanda’s borders.
According to Nsanzimana, Rwanda has the capacity to rapidly identify suspected cases, including at border points, with test results often available within six hours. He also highlighted ongoing simulation exercises and training for healthcare workers, emergency responders and communication teams to ensure a coordinated response.
The current regional outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment, making surveillance, early detection and rapid containment critical to preventing its spread.
According to recent health data, the Democratic Republic of Congo has reported 452 confirmed cases and at least 82 deaths, while Uganda has recorded 19 confirmed cases and 2 deaths, including infections in Kampala, Wakiso and western border areas. Health authorities say ongoing transmission in neighbouring countries continues to require heightened vigilance across the region.
Speaking during a press briefing on June 6, Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva said Rwanda has strengthened surveillance, prevention and response systems to protect public health while ensuring that economic and social activities continue uninterrupted.Minister of Health Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana (left) said Rwanda’s preparedness efforts are anchored on five pillars: public awareness and communication, surveillance, detection capacity, response capability, and human resources.
He made the remarks on Saturday during a press briefing on Rwanda’s economic situation and the impact of ongoing global tensions, particularly in the Middle East, on fuel prices and the wider economy.
According to the Prime Minister, diesel prices have risen by about Rwf 700 per litre due to increases on the international market. However, he noted that the government continues to cushion consumers through a subsidy that currently covers about 18.26% of the cost.
He explained that the official price released by RURA already reflects this support.
“In reality, the market price without subsidy would have been Rwf 3,581 per litre, but it was set at 2,927 Rwf,” he said.
On June 5, 2026, RURA announced that from June 6, the maximum pump prices would remain at Rwf 2,938 per litre for petrol and Rwf 2,927 for diesel.
Data shows that fuel prices have risen sharply since March 2026. Petrol has increased by about 47.7%, rising from Rwf 1,989 to Rwf 2,938 per litre, while diesel has gone up by 50.3%, from Rwf 1,948 to Rwf 2,927.
Diesel has seen a steeper rise between April and June, climbing from Rwf 2,205 to the current price level, while petrol has remained stable since mid-April at Rwf 2,938.
Dr. Nsengiyumva said the government will continue intervening to limit the impact of rising fuel costs on citizens’ livelihoods.
The Prime Minister further highlighted that subsidies will continue in key sectors, particularly public transport, to prevent fare increases.
He gave the example of a trip from Nyabugogo to Musanze, which would cost Rwf 4,281 without subsidies, but currently costs Rwf 3,821, with the government covering the remaining Rwf 460.
He added that agriculture will also continue to receive support through subsidies on inputs such as fertilizers and irrigation, as part of efforts to shield the sector from global economic pressures.
Dr. Nsengiyumva said the government will continue intervening to limit the impact of rising fuel costs on citizens’ livelihoods.
Held under the theme: “The Future of Africa’s Health System: Youth Engagement, Innovation, and Homegrown Solutions”, the symposium is organized by the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation African Regional Office (IPSF AfRO), with the Rwanda Pharmaceutical Students’ Association (RPSA) serving as the local host.
This will be the second time Rwanda hosts the continental event, having first organized the 4th edition in 2015.
Hosting rights were secured through a successful bid presented at the 12th AfPS in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and later endorsed by the IPSF African Regional Assembly.
RPSA brings a strong track record to this edition, having previously organized major international health events in Kigali, including the World Healthcare Students’ Symposium in 2017 and the IPSF World Congress in 2019.
Spanning eleven days, the agenda will cover Africa’s most pressing health priorities, from local pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing, access to medicines, medicines regulation, and universal health coverage, to digital health, artificial intelligence, disease surveillance, non-communicable diseases, sexual and reproductive health.
Others include oncology care, antimicrobial resistance, supply chain resilience, and pandemic preparedness, through scientific sessions, workshops, innovation showcases, public health campaigns, and professional development competitions.
Rwanda’s selection as host reflects the country’s growing reputation as a hub for healthcare innovation, pharmaceutical development, and international conferencing.
The event is also expected to contribute to Rwanda’s conference tourism by welcoming participants from across the continent for eleven days of professional, scientific, and cultural exchange.
Rwanda is set to host the symposium for the second time. The symposium will bring together over 400 pharmacy students, young professionals, researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders from more than 30 African countries.
The affected establishments are Century Park Hotel and Residences located in Nyarutarama in Kigali City, Dove Luxury Hotel in Gicumbi District in the Northern Province, Highland Resort Ltd in Rulindo District, and Nengo Eden Park Hotel in Rubavu District in the Western Province.
RDB said the decision follows an assessment carried out to ensure compliance with tourism and hospitality regulations.
Identified deficiencies are related to licensing, hygiene, food safety, security, service quality, operational priocedures and other applicable standards.
The temporary closure is intended to give the hotels time to address the identified shortcomings in their operations. RDB noted that the establishments are not allowed to continue hospitality-related activities until they fully meet the required standards.
According to RDB, the hotels will only be allowed to resume operations after demonstrating compliance and undergoing further inspection by the relevant authorities.
In 2024, Rwanda had 1,460 hotels with a total of 25,330 rooms. This number has steadily increased year after year since 2018.
Data from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) shows that in 2018, the country had 669 hotels with 13,802 rooms.
In 2019, the number rose to 836 hotels with 16,113 rooms, followed by 870 hotels in 2020 with 17,078 rooms. In 2021, the figure increased again to 911 hotels with 18,201 rooms.
The growth trend continued in 2022 when hotels reached 1,189, with a significant rise in rooms to 21,232.
However, in 2023, there was a slight drop to 1,175 hotels with 21,217 rooms, before increasing again in 2024 to 1,460 hotels and 25,330 rooms.
The report shows that most hotels are concentrated in Kigali City as well as in districts that frequently attract tourists drawn to Rwanda’s natural and cultural attractions.
Century Park Hotel and Residences is located in Nyarutarama, Kigali City.Century Park Hotel and Residences is among the four hotels temporarily closed by RDB.Nengo Eden Park Hotel in Rubavu District has been temporarily closed.Highland Resort operates in Rulindo District.
