A large number of Rwandans living in Israel are students, particularly those studying agriculture. Most of them have received scholarships through Israel’s MASHAV program, which is part of the country’s development aid efforts.
These students attend school one day a week, while the remaining days are spent working in the fields, often for up to eight hours. Each student has an agricultural expert assigned to them for guidance.
As the conflict intensifies between Israel and Iran, many countries have begun urging their citizens to return home as soon as possible. Those who are unable to leave have been advised to stay close to their embassies, where they can receive assistance in organizing their repatriation.
Although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not provided specific figures on the number of Rwandans in Israel and Iran, they assured that all Rwandans in both countries are safe.
“All Rwandans living in Iran and Israel are safe , but contingency plans are in place to ensure their orderly return if necessary,” an official from the ministry told IGIHE.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Olivier Nduhungirehe recently told The East African that while Rwanda doesn’t have known nationals in Iran, efforts are underway to determine if any Rwandans are currently in the country.
Rwanda has a history of assisting its citizens during times of conflict, having previously repatriated Rwandans from conflict zones like Sudan during escalated violence. Other neighboring countries are also taking steps to evacuate their citizens from Israel and Iran.
Uganda, for example, has repatriated 48 of its citizens, primarily students, from both countries via neighboring states.
Uganda has reached out to countries like Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Jordan, requesting them to grant visas to Ugandan nationals fleeing the conflict. These individuals are being offered refuge and assistance as they leave Israel and Iran.
Meanwhile, many flights to and from Israel have been suspended. Ethiopian Airlines, which previously operated many of these flights from Sub-Saharan Africa, has canceled all its scheduled trips to the country.
The conflict has already claimed over 600 lives in Iran due to Israeli airstrikes, while 24 Israeli citizens have also lost their lives since the war began.
Under the new system, students will no longer choose from the existing 11 subject combinations. Instead, they will follow one of three broad “learning pathways”: Mathematics and Science, Arts and Humanities, or Languages.
This change, presented during the second day of the National Education Conference, on June 20, 2025, is part of broader efforts to align the country’s education system with Rwanda’s Vision 2050.
“All existing subject combinations will be organized under these three pathways,” the Minister of Education, Nsengimana Joseph said. “This change is part of our broader vision to equip students with knowledge and skills to make informed choices, whether they continue to university or enter the job market [after secondary school].”
“We’re working closely with schools during the summer holidays to assess their readiness. There will be no surprises,” the minister added.
The reform aims to ensure students graduate with skills that meet labor market demands, both locally and internationally, while fostering a knowledge-based economy.
Previously, after completing the Ordinary Level and passing national exams, students would select from 11 subject combinations within general education or opt for technical and vocational training.
The revised approach will simplify this by offering just three clearly defined tracks, each focusing on a specific cluster of knowledge and competencies.
The Ministry emphasized that although students will choose from the three new pathways, certain core subjects will be mandatory for all, regardless of their specialization.
These include Mathematics, English, ICT (Information and Communication Technology), and Entrepreneurship. The rationale is to equip every student with essential skills for further education or employment.
The reform process involved consultation with over 5,500 stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers, school leaders, and local leaders.
According to the Ministry, the shift to learning pathways will not only simplify implementation but also improve quality.
While the reform will be rolled out gradually to avoid disruption, students currently enrolled in the existing combinations will not be affected as they will complete their studies under the current framework.
Similarly, past graduates with diplomas based on previous subject combinations will continue to have their qualifications recognized.
The announcement was made by Godfrey Kabera, the Minister of State for National Treasury in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning for State Finance, during a presentation to the parliamentary Committee on State Budget and patrimony.
He revealed that the total national budget for 2025/2026 will be Frw 7,032.5 billion, marking a 21% increase compared to the revised budget of Frw 5.816.4 billion for 2024/25.
Kabera emphasized that the boost in agricultural funding was a direct result of feedback from members of parliament during their review of the budget proposal in May 2025.
The additional funding will focus on increasing agricultural and livestock productivity.
Key initiatives will include the timely distribution of fertilizers and certified seeds, as well as supporting the seed multiplication for essential crops such as maize, wheat, soybeans, potatoes, rice, cassava, and beans.
Special attention will also be given to the cultivation of drought-resistant crops and the expansion of irrigation systems.
Furthermore, there will be a focus on improving post-harvest infrastructure, including storage facilities and silos, to help preserve the harvested produce.
Livestock production will also be prioritized, with investments in livestock health, including purchasing breeding cattle, providing vaccines, and renovating milk collection centers.
Kabera further explained that the budget will support efforts to rejuvenate aging coffee trees and expand tea cultivation.
Rwanda will also focus on boosting exports of agricultural products such as vegetables, fruits, and flowers to increase yields in these sectors.
Additionally, the government will expand crop and livestock insurance and increase access to financial services for farmers through loans.
The budget for agricultural inputs, including fertilizers and seeds, has been increased to Frw 55 billion, with Frw 39 billion allocated specifically for fertilizers, Frw 9 billion for seeds, and additional funds allocated for veterinary medicines and vaccines.
A significant increase has also been made in the budget for social support for vulnerable groups, which will rise from Frw 92.8 billion to Frw 105 billion.
The government will also allocate funds for the renovation of memorial sites, such as Mwulire, Mutete, and Mukarange memorials.
MP Odette Uwamariya, the chairperson of the parliamentary Committee on State Budget and patrimony, commended the government for valuing the input of parliamentarians and stressed the importance of continuing efforts to promote economic growth and development across the country.
The ceremony, witnessed by the U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, sets the stage for the formal Ministerial signing scheduled for June 27, 2025, to be overseen by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the agreement, built upon the Declaration of Principles signed on April 25, 2025, is the culmination of three days of constructive dialogue addressing critical political, security, and economic issues.
The comprehensive accord includes key provisions aimed at fostering lasting stability and cooperation between the two nations.
These include commitments to respect territorial integrity, a prohibition on hostilities, and measures for the disengagement, disarmament, and conditional integration of non-state armed groups.
Additionally, the agreement establishes a Joint Security Coordination Mechanism, incorporating the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) outlined on October 31, 2024.
Beyond security, the Peace Agreement prioritizes humanitarian and economic objectives. It facilitates the safe return of refugees and internally displaced persons, ensures humanitarian access, and lays the foundation for a regional economic integration framework to promote shared prosperity.
The negotiations benefited from close coordination between the United States and Qatar, with Qatari representatives participating to align their complementary peace initiatives. Both the DRC and Rwanda expressed gratitude for the pivotal roles played by the U.S. and Qatar in advancing dialogue and fostering a peaceful resolution.
Looking ahead, the agreement sets the stage for a Summit of Heads of State in Washington, D.C., where leaders will make further commitments to peace, stability, and economic prosperity in the Great Lakes region.
Massad Boulos, the United States Senior Advisor for Africa expressed his pride in the achievement on X.
“Proud to lead three days of peace talks, which resulted in the initialing of the peace agreement by delegations from the DRC and Rwanda. Next week, we look forward to hosting the Foreign Ministers to sign the agreement on June 27 witnessed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Together, we’re working toward achieving lasting peace and stability in the region,” he stated.
She made the disclosure on June 17, 2025, during a meeting with members of the Senate’s Committee on Social Affairs and Human Rights, which followed a report detailing a visit to several of Rwanda’s islands.
Muganza emphasized that research, conducted in collaboration with various stakeholders, has highlighted the islands’ unique biodiversity.
This makes them ideal candidates for development into a National Island Park. She noted, “It is evident that the islands, which host unique ecosystems, could be consolidated into a significant area, or a National Island Park, in the near future, potentially by 2028.”
However, Kangeli also pointed out several challenges to developing the islands in a way that benefits both local communities and the country. These challenges include insufficient infrastructure, issues with land registration on some islands, and underdeveloped transport systems.
Senator Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu expressed his belief that the islands should be developed as tourism destinations, which could contribute significantly to Rwanda’s revenue.
“I think these islands should be developed as special tourism sites. Some islands have historical significance for Rwanda. We should focus on creating high-quality tourism across all islands, except for Nkombo, which should remain mostly residential,” he said.
He also suggested that the islands could serve as hubs for research into medicinal plants, as well as opportunities for beekeeping and cattle farming. “I believe there is tremendous potential for these islands to contribute significantly to the economy, even more so than the gorillas, as I have personally seen,” he added.
Rwanda currently boasts several national parks, including Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park, and Nyungwe National Park, all of which attract a steady stream of tourists.
Tourism is a crucial sector for Rwanda, and the country is positioning itself as a leading eco-tourism and cultural destination in Africa.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Umuhire Adrie, emphasized the need to prepare the islands properly while ensuring that local communities benefit from the development.
Senator Niyomugabo Cyprien further noted that if the islands are developed appropriately, they could generate significant revenue for the country. He also called for the promotion of cultural tourism in the region.
In 2024, Rwanda’s tourism sector generated $647 million (approximately Frw 932 billion), marking a 4.3% increase from the previous year. This growth was largely driven by a 27% increase in gorilla-related tourism and an 11% rise in air travel.
Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office, Ambassador Urujeni Bakuramutsa, made the call while delivering a statement during the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the situation in eastern DRC at the 59th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Ambassador Bakuramutsa expressed deep concern over what she described as an alarming increase in hostile actions against Rwanda originating from the DRC since late 2021.
Top among the concerns is the alliance between the Congolese Army and the FDLR, a UN-sanctioned armed group composed of elements responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The envoy maintained that the FDLR continues to operate in the Great Lakes region, spreading genocidal ideology.
“The reinforced collaboration between the Congolese Army and the FDLR poses a direct threat to regional stability and cannot be ignored,” Ambassador Bakuramutsa stated, noting that the eastern DRC is home to around 200 armed groups contributing to persistent insecurity.
Rwanda also cited multiple acts of aggression from Congolese forces, including cross-border shelling, airspace violations by DRC military jets, and the disappearance of Rwandan nationals within Congolese territory.
The Rwandan envoy also pointed to what she termed an “organised campaign of hate speech and incitement” targeting Congolese citizens of Rwandan descent.
Rwanda expressed concerns over the public call for regime change in Rwanda by President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC and President Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, which Kigali described as an unprecedented and dangerous escalation.
Ambassador Bakuramutsa also noted that the M23, which the DRC accuses Rwanda of backing, is a movement composed of Congolese citizens from marginalised, Kinyarwanda-speaking communities, whose grievances stem from systemic discrimination and human rights violations, not from foreign sponsorship.
“Their grievances are rooted in structural exclusion, hate speech, and persecution—governance failures that must be addressed by the DRC government,” she said.
Reaffirming Kigali’s commitment to peace, the Rwandan envoy highlighted Rwanda’s active role in the African-led peace framework and parallel initiatives in Doha and Washington. She also endorsed the inclusion of humanitarian corridors within the regional peace process spearheaded by the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Rwanda appealed to the international community to support these African-led efforts politically and humanitarianly, stressing that local solutions are essential to resolving regional instability.
“Rwanda stands ready to engage in constructive dialogue, provided that the work of the fact-finding mission remains impartial and free from politicisation,” said Bakuramutsa.
“Only by addressing the structural drivers of conflict in eastern DRC can the Council begin to restore trust and relevance in a region too often failed by the international community.”
The statement comes amid efforts by Qatar and the United States to resolve the conflict, with a peace deal expected to be signed on June 15 between the DRC and Rwanda now delayed.
Rwanda participated in the 59th Session of the Human Rights Council and delivered a statement during the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the situation in Eastern DRC.
Key highlights: 1️⃣ Instability stems from the DRC government's failure to address internal governance and… pic.twitter.com/KXscdLxo3h
In the infrastructure sector, modern buildings play a vital role as Rwanda competes to attract financial institutions, including international ones, which require state-of-the-art facilities.
This need led to the conceptualization of the ‘Kigali International Financial and Business Square,’ a project featuring two identical towers. One building will accommodate commercial businesses, while the other will house a hotel and modern residential apartments.
Construction on the project began in 2022 and, barring unforeseen delays, is expected to be completed within 12 months.
Hannington Namara, Managing Director of Equity Bank Rwanda Limited, which is overseeing the construction, explained that the project aligns with the country’s ambitions to become an investment hub.
“This building is part of a partnership with the government, which has supported the construction. We are developing it as a Financial Center,” Namara explained.
“When a country aims big like this, you start to ask, ‘Where will the financial center be?’ Kigali has taken this challenge, and the area where we are building will become the Financial District. However, compared to other financial centers, more infrastructure is still needed,” he added.
Namara further emphasized that Rwanda’s goal to become a development center hinges on the advancement of infrastructure, including modern buildings.
“The idea emerged to help Rwanda build infrastructure that would accelerate its transformation into a financial hub. The project kicked off when His Excellency the President laid the foundation stone.”
The project, which is estimated to cost $100 million, is progressing steadily. Namara noted, “We are currently on the 17th floor of one tower, and the other is on the 13th floor. We are about 60% to 70% through with the main structure. While the early stages were slow, the pace has accelerated as we go higher.”
Namara also reassured that the building would be completed soon, with the first tower expected to be ready by March next year.
“We anticipate finishing the project by June next year, ahead of our initial target of July 2026. The other tower, near the Car Free Zone, which will feature a hotel and residential apartments, will be completed by June 2026, with its finishing work nearly done.”
Despite rain-related delays, Namara confirmed that there were no significant issues, adding, “There have been no budgetary concerns despite global price increases. We are confident we can meet our deadlines.”
Speaking in a candid conversation on The Long Form podcast hosted by Sanny Ntayombya, Onyango-Obbo described the RPF as Africa’s first true statehood movement and shared vivid memories of encountering President Paul Kagame, who at the time was commander of its armed wing, the RPA, and whose quiet resolve in Rwanda’s rugged bush foretold his role in transforming a shattered nation.
Onyango-Obbo described the RPF’s struggle, which ended the 100-day Genocide against the Tutsi in July 1994, as unique.
“It was not a classical liberation movement against dictatorship,” he said. “It was to get the largely Tutsi refugee population to return home.”
He likened the movement’s geopolitical significance to the forces behind Israel’s founding, noting its improbable success. Operating deep in Rwanda’s hinterland, far from coastal supply lines, the RPF faced steep odds as a minority force, never exceeding 15% of Rwanda’s population even with full Tutsi support. Yet, under Kagame’s command, it triumphed.
Onyango-Obbo revealed that his access to the RPF, facilitated by childhood ties in Fort Portal and the group’s openness to African journalists, offered a rare perspective.
“The RPF was one of the first movements to give preference to African journalists to cover them,” he recalled.
Onyango-Obbo, then a budding journalist, travelled to Rwanda’s war-torn north and saw stark contrasts—abandoned government barracks stocked with beer and cigarettes, while barefoot RPF fighters in tattered t-shirts pushed forward.
Among them, Kagame, then a Major General, struck him as contemplative yet tough. His quiet resolve anchored the movement’s gruelling campaign after he stepped in to lead following the death of Fred Rwigema, just one day after the liberation war began.
“He was almost exactly as he is today,” he said, noting Kagame’s unassuming demeanour.
Unlike flamboyant rebel leaders like Angola’s Jonas Savimbi, Onyango-Obbo revealed, Kagame’s authority was subtle.
“He was contemplative, thoughtful, not rushed to judgment, but tough. Your first sense would be, ‘How is he the leader?’ He didn’t broadcast it visibly. As president, he has trappings that make him stand out, but back then, unlike Jonas Savimbi, who lived like a king in the bush, Kagame didn’t,” he observed.
“You needed to know him to understand his place. If you were a visitor, guessing the leader, you wouldn’t pick him.”
In the unforgiving Muhabura mountains, where RPF fighters endured brutal cold and some froze to death with guns still clutched in their hands, Paul Kagame’s unyielding grit stood out.
Onyango-Obbo, witnessing the rebels’ resilience in the mountains, became convinced of their unstoppable force.
“If they came down the mountain,” he believed, “they wouldn’t be stopped.”
Onyango-Obbo noted that Kagame’s relentless persistence, which later drove Rwanda’s successful methane extraction projects on Lake Kivu despite numerous failures, confirmed his unwavering belief that no challenge was insurmountable.
“His views have broadened, but he’s the same person. The idea of impossible doesn’t exist for him. He wouldn’t have succeeded if it did,” he explained.
“For example, after the war, they explored methane extraction. They had many failures, but he didn’t give up despite disappointments. Now, with methane plants on Lake Kivu, looking back to 2000, anyone would have thrown in the towel.”
He also shared his first impression of Rwigema, describing him as warm and easy to connect with, even from a distance.
“He was easily the most charismatic person I’ve met. He radiated it from a distance. He had a very easygoing personality. You wouldn’t imagine he was a soldier. It’s difficult for people who’ve been in the trenches to escape being soldiers, but he could,” he narrated.
The Ugandan author also shared a memory of seeing Rwigema in Kampala near the Diamond Bank building, heading to a bookstore.
“He drove up in a VW Golf, got out in jeans, an untucked shirt, and sandals, going to the bookshop. We shouted at him, he gave high-fives, greeted people in the street, alone, without guards. That’s the kind of person he was.”
In the interview, filmed in Nairobi, Kenya, the Ugandan journalist also recalled early warning signs of the Genocide against the Tutsi. Just weeks after the RPF’s October 1990 offensive, he visited a Ugandan border camp where Tutsi refugees bore machete wounds inflicted by Interahamwe militants.
“The infrastructure of the genocide was already baked into Rwandan society,” he said, lamenting journalists’ failure to foresee the horror.
Beyond Rwanda, Onyango-Obbo shared reflections on East Africa’s trajectory. He warned that Uganda, after nearly four decades under President Yoweri Museveni, faced a fractured future, potentially splintering into autonomous regions by 2070 due to regional distrust and unresolved grievances.
He predicted that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Somalia could stabilise within 15 years, possibly through federalism or an al-Shabaab-led regime, while South Sudan and Burundi risked prolonged stagnation.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, emphasized that a notable feature of this budget is that 91.7% of the funds will come from domestic resources, including locally generated revenues and loans that the country will repay. Only 8.3% will come from external grants.
He added that although this is officially the budget for the next fiscal year, it is closely linked to the current year and to future years as well, given that the government is in the process of implementing the second phase of the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2). This five-year plan is being rolled out incrementally each year, and at this stage, the focus is on accelerating implementation.
Murangwa explained that the 2025/26 budget was allocated according to the goals of NST2 across its three pillars: economic transformation, which will receive 62.8% of the budget; social transformation, which will receive 21.7%; and promoting good governance, which will receive 15.5%.
He noted that in both the upcoming and medium-term periods, the government plans to increase productivity across all economic sectors, strengthen programs that enhance citizens’ well-being, and continue prioritizing climate action, including reducing harmful emissions.
He highlighted several key activities receiving special focus in this budget. These include repayment of national debt, the ongoing construction of the new Kigali International Airport, and the expansion of RwandAir operations.
The government will also continue school feeding programs and ensure timely procurement and distribution of agricultural inputs, such as chemical fertilizers and quality seeds. A portion of the budget is also dedicated to preparing for the 2025 UCI Road World Championships.
Specifically, the budget allocates $600 million (equivalent to over 853.6 billion Rwandan Francs) to the construction of the new Kigali International Airport.
Other priority projects for the 2025/26 fiscal year include stimulating private sector growth and youth employment by increasing investment and developing basic infrastructure in industrial zones such as those in Musanze and Muhanga.
This includes constructing a petroleum storage facility in Ruhanga, building a wastewater treatment plant for the leather factory in Bugesera, and enhancing the capacity of the Kigali dry port.
There are also plans to develop essential infrastructure in the Musanze industrial park to support pharmaceutical production using cannabis, provide basic facilities for Kigali Innovation City, and continue supporting the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) initiative as a means to boost tourism revenue.
To better manage and protect the country’s natural water resources, the government will construct the Muvumba multipurpose dam, equip laboratories to monitor Lake Kivu’s behavior, and support both public and private sector projects aimed at improving access to climate finance through programs like INTEGO and the IREME fund.
In the technology sector, the budget will support the creation of a cybersecurity office, provide aid to coding schools, expand the digital ID system, and enhance the use of digital identification and authentication technologies.
In terms of urbanization and rural housing development, the government will deliver infrastructure to sites earmarked for affordable housing, complete payments for the renovation of Amahoro Stadium, refurbish the Parliament building, and expand the Muzo Model Village from 120 to 180 homes. Efforts will also continue to remove asbestos roofing from public buildings and develop updated urban planning maps for informal settlements across Rwanda.
Other planned activities include the expansion of key road networks. These include the 40-kilometer Nyacyonga–Mukoto road, a 30-kilometer road linked to the Kigali Logistics Platform, the construction of a new Nyabugogo bus terminal, and a general improvement of Kigali’s urban mobility systems.
National road upgrades will include rehabilitation of the 45-kilometer Kigali–Muhanga road, the Base–Butaro–Kidaho road, and the 10-kilometer stretch from Prince House to Giporoso to Masaka. The government also plans to build a port in Rusizi on Lake Kivu and establish a model aviation training school.
In the financial sector, new technologies will be introduced to restructure local SACCOs into district-level cooperatives, strengthening the broader banking system. The budget will also bolster the financial intelligence framework to enhance oversight of public spending.
In health, the budget includes the construction of district hospitals in Muhororo and Kabgayi, the expansion of Ruhengeri Referral Hospital, and the building of maternity wards at Kibagabaga Hospital.
Regarding peace and security, Murangwa stated that Rwanda will continue contributing to both regional and international peacekeeping missions. The country remains committed to deploying forces that support stability within neighboring countries, across the region, and on the global stage.
The disclosure was made by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, on June 12, 2025, during a press briefing following his presentation of the draft budget and medium-term economic strategy to a joint session of Parliament.
Minister Murangwa noted that one of the major priorities in the upcoming fiscal year is to advance the full-scale construction of the new international airport.
“We previously carried out feasibility studies and completed preliminary works over a significant period. However, we now have a firm commitment to complete the airport by 2028. This fiscal year marks the beginning of full implementation,” he stated.
Regarding the funding, he explained, “So far, we’ve planned for $600 million. As you know, we have strategic partners, including Qatar. While this amount is part of the budget plan, the actual implementation phase will give us a clearer financial outlook.”
Murangwa confirmed that construction of the airport is scheduled to be completed by 2028 and will have the capacity to serve up to seven million passengers annually.
While addressing Parliament, the minister said current progress on the project stands at approximately 25% to 30%. Work on the runways, access roads, and water systems has been completed, and the project has now entered the building phase—expected to employ more than 6,000 workers.
In 2019, Qatar Airways partnered with the Government of Rwanda, securing a 60% stake in the airport project, which was then estimated to cost more than $1.3 billion.
