The Eastern Province reported the highest number of deaths at 9,358, followed by the Southern Province (8,289) and the Western Province (7,543). The Northern Province recorded 6,404 deaths, while Kigali City had the fewest at 4,048.
Men accounted for a larger share of deaths (19,843) than women (16,178), with a sex ratio at death of 122.7.
Over half of the deaths (54.1%) occurred in communities, with Gicumbi District leading at 915 cases. In contrast, 45.9% took place in health facilities, with Gasabo District recording the highest hospital-based deaths at 1,139.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs)—including cancer, diabetes, stroke, and heart conditions—were the leading cause of death, comprising 47.7% of defined cases.
Communicable diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, followed closely at 42.9%, while injuries and external causes, like road accidents and domestic violence, accounted for 9.4%.
In community settings, unspecified cardiac diseases caused 1,822 deaths, with acute cardiac conditions and digestive cancers also significant.
Meanwhile, Rwanda registered 417,972 live births in 2024, up from 373,260 in 2023. Gasabo District led with 24,641 births, followed by Nyagatare (18,521), Rubavu (15,976), and Bugesera (15,799). Nyabihu, Ngororero, and Nyamagabe recorded the fewest births.
Birth registration saw remarkable improvement, with 99.1% of births registered on time and a completeness rate of 90.3%, nearing the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of 100%. These gains reflect Rwanda’s commitment to strengthening its civil registration systems.
Speaking on the Long Form podcast hosted by Sanny Ntayombya, Murenzi defended the recent findings from the 7th Integrated Household and Living Conditions Survey (EICV7), highlighting a remarkable 12.4% reduction in poverty, while also rubbishing past accusations of data manipulation against Rwanda.
The EICV7 survey, released on Wednesday, April 16, revealed that Rwanda’s poverty rate dropped from 39.8% in 2017 to 27.4% in 2024, lifting approximately 1.5 million people out of poverty over seven years.
“That’s equivalent to 1.5 million people coming out of poverty within a period of seven years,” Murenzi said, describing the reduction as a “surprise” given the stagnation in poverty levels between 2014 and 2017, when the rate only fell from 39.1% to 38.2%.
He attributed the progress to cumulative government efforts and methodological updates, including capturing food consumed outside homes, such as through school feeding programs, and adjusting the calorie threshold for extreme poverty from 2,500 to 2,400 calories per day.
Murenzi strongly defended NISR’s data integrity, addressing a 2019 Financial Times article that accused Rwanda of misrepresenting poverty statistics.
“We don’t give weight to such criticism because of who they are,” he stated, arguing that critics like the Financial Times lack the statistical expertise of authoritative institutions like the World Bank, Iinternatinal Monetary Fund (IMF), and United Nations (UN) Statistics Division, all of which validate NISR’s methodologies.
He stressed Rwanda’s adherence to international standards, noting, “What we do across various statistics… are things done following international standards practices.”
Murenzi also refuted claims of World Bank dissent, highlighting ongoing collaboration, with a senior World Bank economist present at the EICV7 launch to endorse the findings.
The NISR chief underscored the institute’s independence, denying any political pressure to manipulate data.
“There’s no pressure for me because I’m not the one implementing,” he said, explaining that NISR’s role is to measure, not implement, policies.
He pointed to NISR’s transparency in reporting unfavourable trends, such as unemployment rising to 21% during COVID, negative GDP growth, and inflation peaking at 20% in 2022.
Murenzi also cited NISR’s rigorous approach to evaluating local government performance (Imihigo), using evidence-based checks like household sampling and site visits to counter inflated claims.
Beyond poverty, the EICV7 highlighted Rwanda’s inequality challenges, with a national Gini coefficient of 0.37 indicating moderate inequality, while Kigali’s 0.44 reflects a higher wealth gap.
“In Kigali… you have a concentration of those in the country who are well off,” Murenzi explained, noting that provinces show lower inequality (0.27–0.3) due to smaller disparities.
He clarified that this does not mean provinces are uniformly poor, but rather that wealth gaps are less pronounced outside the capital.
Murenzi also addressed Rwanda’s Vision 2035 goal of achieving upper-middle-income status, requiring a GDP per capita of approximately $4,000 by 2035. Acknowledging the ambition, he noted that it demands annual growth of around 12%, far exceeding recent trends.
“There’s no ambiguity that this ambition requires another change in the way things are done,” he said, citing government-wide efforts to enhance efficiency and evidence-based policymaking.
He envisioned an expanded role for NISR, with analysts working directly with ministries like Agriculture to optimise interventions.
“We are saying our role is going to include sending our analysts to work with ministries… to say in your interventions how is evidence,” he added.
On poverty metrics, Murenzi clarified why Rwanda’s poverty line (~560,000 RWF/year, or ~$400 at 1,400 RWF/USD) differs from the World Bank’s $2.15/day global benchmark.
“Every country has its poverty line because it is reflecting the context the cost of living,” he said, noting that Rwanda’s line accounts for local costs, unlike the World Bank’s standardized measure for cross-country comparisons.
The extreme poverty threshold, set at 2,400 calories per day, aligns with World Food Programme standards, reflecting Rwanda’s evolving economic activities from subsistence farming to mixed sectors.
Murenzi emphasised data accessibility, confirming that the EICV7 report and anonymised raw data are available on NISR’s website.
“The report is already on our website. We are already tweeting it and sharing a link,” he said, adding that the data’s transparency allows independent verification.
The High Commission, located in Islamabad, the capital of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, was inaugurated on April 22, 2025, during an official ceremony led by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, as part of his three-day visit to Pakistan.
The event brought together senior government officials, diplomats, media representatives, and private sector leaders.
Initially opened in 2024, the diplomatic mission is part of Rwanda’s expanding global network, which now includes 49 diplomatic missions across five continents.
The new High Commission is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing political cooperation, trade, and investment between the two nations.
Speaking at an earlier joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister Nduhungirehe reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation for the benefit of both peoples.
He also emphasized Rwanda’s openness to Pakistani investment and encouraged the business community in Pakistan to explore opportunities in Rwanda.
The visit is part of a series of high-level exchanges between both countries. Minister Nduhungirehe, affirmed Rwanda’s commitment to maintaining this momentum and expressed optimism about increasing trade volumes, which currently stand at around US$26 million.
On his part, Dar emphasized Pakistan’s readiness to collaborate with Rwanda in developing digital ecosystems, highlighting opportunities for joint ventures and knowledge exchange.
This inauguration follows Pakistan’s earlier decision to open its own High Commission in Kigali in 2021, further solidifying diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Fatou Harerimana, formally presented her credentials to President Asif Ali Zardari on July 15, 2024.
Trade between the two countries continues to grow, with Pakistan ranking among the top importers of Rwandan tea, coffee, avocados, and other agricultural products.
Conversely, Rwanda imports medical supplies, rice, textiles, agricultural machinery, and industrial equipment from Pakistan.
Marie Ntakirutimana is one of witnesses. During the Genocide, she was raped multiple times by Interahamwe militiamen—so many times that she lost count—all in a desperate attempt to protect her children from being killed.
Although the rapes left her infected with HIV, her children survived. Her husband, however, and many members of his family were murdered.
Ntakirutimana was born Hutu, but she had married a Tutsi man—a decision she never regretted, affirming that love follows its own path.
Tragically, that love was cut short when her husband was killed by a group that included his own brothers.
When IGIHE visited the 62-year-old woman at her home in the “Village of Unity” in Cyimana Cell, Tumba Sector, Huye District, she recounted how she offered her body to save her five children from death.
On April 21, 1994, open killings began in Tumba and across other parts of what was then Butare prefecture. At the time, the family lived in Gateme, and tried to flee. Her husband first went to check on his sister nearby, but couldn’t return home.
Ntakirutimana sent her two older children to hide at her sister’s house in Muyira, Kibirizi Sector, Gisagara District. She stayed behind in Cyarwa, but remained out of contact with her husband.
Four days later, she returned to find their house in Gateme had been destroyed. As the Genocide escalated, the family managed to reach her home village, where she herself was not targeted. Her father began bribing Interahamwe to protect her husband and children, but her brothers refused to cooperate.
“My brothers, Ngamijimana Edouard and Nsabumukiza Alexis, were particularly cruel,” she recalled. “One of them once took the newborn from my arms, held him up in public and mocked me, saying, ‘Look at how a snake looks like.’”
As the situation worsened, she decided to hide in sorghum fields with her children. It was during this time that Rutagengwa Emmanuel—then a senior figure at LABOPHAR and someone who had tried to court her when they were younger—tracked her down. He told her that she could no longer escape him, and that if she let him rape her, he would spare her children.
He was not the only one. Ntakirutimana also recalled being raped by another man named Murwanashyaka, a former schoolmate. He knowingly infected her with HIV. Although she knew of his status, her love and desperation to save her children drove her to endure the abuse.
Fighting through emotion, she said, “I didn’t want this. Murwanashyaka came and raped me. Rutagengwa too. They both promised not to kill my children. That’s why I let it happen—I wanted to protect them.”
What pained her most was that some of the men raped her near the very place where her husband was hiding, humiliating him and breaking his heart in his final days.
Ntakirutimana never got tested until much later, but always suspected she had contracted HIV. Her fears were confirmed during testing, and she has been living with HIV for 31 years.
She later learned that Murwanashyaka died of AIDS, along with his wife. “He raped me many times. I can’t even count.”
Ntakirutimana continued to hide her children until the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) arrived in Butare. Unfortunately, by the time they got there, her husband had already been killed just one day prior by a large militia group that included his own brothers.
Despite the trauma she endured, Ntakirutimana finds pride in having saved her five children. She says seeing them alive today gives her peace and purpose.
“I’m proud of my children. They all went to school and graduated. I told them they survived because I gave up my body. Even though I live with HIV, I’m grateful to still see them standing.”
Ntakirutimana later testified against all those who harmed her, including the rapists and the brothers who killed her husband.
She also thanked the Government of Rwanda for its health initiatives, especially supporting those living with HIV, which have helped her survive.
From 1994 to 2017, a dark cloud hung over the relationship between the Church and Rwanda. Clergy were accused of inciting hatred that led to the genocide, and some even actively participated, killing people they were entrusted to guide with the Gospel.
Churches, once seen as sanctuaries for the weary, became killing grounds. Many who sought refuge within them in 1994 were slaughtered, often in the presence of priests and nuns who did nothing to stop the bloodshed.
During the 2016 National dialogue council (Umushyikirano), President Paul Kagame openly questioned why the Catholic Church had apologized for its failings in other countries, such as the U.S., Ireland, and Australia, but failed to do the same in Rwanda.
“If apologies have been issued in America, Ireland, and Australia by the Pope himself, leader of the Catholic Church, why is it that doing the same in Rwanda is perceived as admitting the Church used people to commit genocide? Why shouldn’t he do it as he did elsewhere, even for lesser crimes?”
This statement followed a controversial apology made by Rwanda’s Catholic bishops on behalf of individual Catholics who had taken part in the genocide. Many criticized it for not coming from the Church as an institution.
{{A turning point in 2017}}
On May 20, 2017, President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame visited the Vatican, where they met Pope Francis. The encounter marked a diplomatic breakthrough.
During their meeting, Pope Francis requested for “God’s forgiveness for the sins and failings of the Church and its members, including clergy, who were overcome by hatred and violence, and abandoned their evangelical mission” in what had happened in Rwanda.
He expressed “deep personal sorrow, sorrow from the Holy See, and from the entire Church,” and emphasized his “solidarity with those who were devastated and those still affected by the tragedy.”
“He humbly acknowledged the Church’s moral failings during that time, failings that stained its image,” it was noted. This long-awaited apology came at a critical time. Tensions were high, and some Church members said there were those in Rwanda who wanted to bring the Church to its knees.
{{Was the Church forced to its knees?}}
Bishop Emeritus Smaragde Mbonyintege of the Kabgayi Diocese told IGIHE that there were individuals in Rwanda who wanted to forcibly subdue the Church into apologizing.
“I thank God that this issue was resolved by Pope Francis and President Kagame. There was a lot of misunderstanding and bad faith. Some wanted to humiliate the Church instead of fostering reconciliation.
You can’t demand, ‘Kneel and apologize so I can show you the truth.’ That’s not how healing works,” he said.
He explained that while apologies had been made multiple times, some remained unsatisfied, “because they wanted submission, not reconciliation.”
According to him, Pope Francis’s decision to apologize stemmed from his shared understanding with President Kagame on certain key points.
“First, the Pope emphasized, and President Kagame acknowledged, that the Church is 100% against genocide. Pope John Paul II had already said it on May 11, 1994. ‘What is happening in Rwanda is genocide, and some Christians are involved. They will be held accountable by history.’”
President Kagame welcomed the apology and praised Pope Francis’s courage. “For the Pope to take responsibility shows bravery.” During their meeting, Pope Francis and President Kagame exchanged symbolic gifts. The President gave the Pope a staff adorned with pearls, and the Pope gave him a hand-drawn image.
“It was a meaningful gift. It depicted a journey from darkness and desert to flourishing fields, a metaphor for the path our country is on,” Kagame said.
{{The legacy of Pope Francis}}
Those who met Pope Francis described him as humble, wise, and in touch with the times. His reforms included increasing women’s participation in Church leadership.
Bishop Philippe Rukamba once said, “He was a simple man, uninterested in extravagance […] He even questioned the necessity of papal residences. He wanted a Church that walks with the people, hears their struggles, and draws near to them. He was approachable, you’d tell him you’re from Rwanda, and he’d ask, ‘How are things back home?’ Living and working with him was easy.”
Pope Francis died having elevated Rwanda’s first-ever Cardinal, Antoine Kambanda, who now holds the right to vote in the papal conclave. It was a historic moment for the Rwandan Church.
The Catholic Church plays a vital role in Rwanda, not only spiritually but also socially and economically, with over 2,700 schools, numerous health centers, and investments in sectors like finance and hospitality.
At the time of his death, there was growing hope that he would visit Rwanda, potentially becoming the second pope ever to visit the “land of a thousand hills.”
He passed away shortly after a new cause was launched to canonize Rwandan Christians who sacrificed their lives to save others during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Over his 12-year papacy, Pope Francis visited 68 countries in 47 trips. One long-awaited visit that never materialized was to his home country, Argentina.
He died peacefully at his residence, Casa Santa Marta, in Vatican City. The last leader he met was U.S. Vice President JD Vince.
The signing of the MoU took place during the first official visit to Pakistan by the Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe.
The agreement was announced on Monday, April 21, during a joint press conference in Islamabad with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar. Both sides hailed the visit as a significant milestone in the steadily growing relationship between the two nations.
“This is a historic occasion — the first ever visit by a Rwandan Foreign Minister to Pakistan,” said Dar.
“We held in-depth discussions today, focusing on strengthening our existing ties and exploring new avenues of cooperation. The signing of the MoU in diplomatic training is just the beginning.”
The visit comes on the heels of increased high-level exchanges between the two countries. Pakistan established its High Commission in Kigali in 2021, while Rwanda inaugurated its diplomatic mission in Islamabad in 2024. Both sides view these steps as foundational pillars for deepening collaboration across multiple sectors.
“Our relationship is based on mutual respect and a common drive to work together,” said Minister Nduhungirehe.
“This visit, accompanied by a delegation from the Rwanda Development Board and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, underscores our commitment to doing business with Pakistan.”
The Rwandan minister emphasised that the two countries are actively reviewing additional MoUs in sectors such as education, defence, and trade.
Trade featured prominently in the discussions, with both ministers highlighting opportunities to expand commercial ties. Pakistan currently imports $26 million worth of Rwandan goods annually — primarily tea — and is exploring imports of coffee, avocados, pulses, and horticultural products.
In return, Pakistan, which exports approximately $100 million in goods to Rwanda, sees potential for its pharmaceuticals, textiles, rice, surgical instruments, and sports equipment in the Rwandan market.
“Our economies are complementary,” said Dar. “This provides a strong foundation for a mutually beneficial partnership.”
Rwandan businesses have recently increased their engagement with Pakistan, including active participation in the health, engineering, and minerals exhibition held in Lahore. More engagement is expected at the upcoming Pakistan-Africa Trade Development Conference and Single Country Exhibition in Addis Ababa next month.
{{Technology and innovation cooperation
}}
Both countries are eyeing strategic cooperation in technology and innovation. Pakistan, with its growing ICT sector, is keen to support Rwanda’s ambition to become a regional tech hub. Areas under consideration include digital transformation, fintech, e-governance, and innovation platforms for youth.
“Pakistan is ready to collaborate with Rwanda in building digital ecosystems,” said Dar, pointing to potential joint ventures and knowledge exchanges.
On the multilateral front, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to global peace and security. Pakistan and Rwanda are among the top contributors to United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Minister Nduhungirehe praised Pakistan’s role on the UN Security Council and its efforts to address conflicts affecting Africa, particularly in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
“We appreciate Pakistan’s contributions to peacekeeping and conflict resolution,” Nduhungirehe said.
“Rwanda is committed to regional peace, and we will continue to engage in multilateral efforts for lasting solutions.”
The visit concluded with both ministers expressing optimism about the future of Rwanda-Pakistan relations. High-level visits and diplomatic engagements are expected to continue, with both sides prioritising economic development, regional integration, and mutual support at international forums.
“We see in Pakistan not just a partner, but a friend,” said Minister Nduhungirehe. “This visit has laid the groundwork for deeper cooperation that benefits both our peoples.”
His death comes after years of fragile health. The pontiff had long battled respiratory complications stemming from a serious illness in his youth, which led to the removal of part of his lung at the age of 21.
In recent months, his condition had deteriorated significantly, with multiple hospitalisations due to bronchitis and other complications.
Despite his failing health, Pope Francis remained deeply engaged in his pastoral mission, often addressing issues of injustice and human suffering around the world, including the legacy of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
As the first Jesuit pope and the first non-European pope in over 1,200 years, Pope Francis — born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina — brought with him a distinctly global perspective.
In 2017, Pope Francis made a historic and unprecedented gesture when he publicly acknowledged and apologised for the role of the Catholic Church in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Speaking during a meeting with President Paul Kagame at the Vatican on March 20, 2017, the Pope expressed deep sorrow:
“I feel the pain, the sorrow, and the shame of the fact that some of the Church’s sons, ministers, priests, have been involved in the genocide, in that unspeakable crime. I ask forgiveness for the scandal that this has caused to the Church and to all humanity.”
It was a moment that shifted the tone of relations between the Vatican and Rwanda. For years, survivors and the Rwandan government had called for an acknowledgement of the Church’s complicity.
Some members of the clergy were directly involved in atrocities, while others failed to protect victims or speak out. Pope Francis’s direct and heartfelt apology broke with the Church’s prior reluctance to confront its failings.
President Kagame welcomed the gesture, calling it “an important step in the journey of reconciliation.” Many Rwandans viewed the apology as a powerful act of humility and truth-telling—qualities Pope Francis consistently championed.
{{A Cardinal for Rwanda
}}
Another major milestone in Rwanda’s relationship with the Catholic Church under Pope Francis came in 2021, when he appointed Archbishop Antoine Kambanda as the country’s first cardinal. A genocide survivor himself, Cardinal Kambanda’s elevation was both a personal recognition and a national symbol of Rwanda’s journey from tragedy to hope.
“This is not just a personal honour,” Cardinal Kambanda said after his appointment. “It is an acknowledgement of the progress Rwanda has made in healing and in building a future based on justice, peace, and unity.”
By naming Kambanda a cardinal, Pope Francis affirmed Rwanda’s place in the global Catholic community and highlighted the Church’s role in the country’s healing process. The decision was also widely seen as reinforcing the Vatican’s commitment to local leadership and its desire to support African voices in shaping the future of the Church.
{{A Papacy of reconciliation and courage
}}
Throughout his twelve-year papacy, Pope Francis emphasised a Church that is humble, compassionate, and willing to confront uncomfortable truths. His philosophy of leadership was deeply influenced by his own experiences in Argentina during the Dirty War, where he quietly helped victims of state violence. That background helped shape his emphasis on social justice and his refusal to let the Church remain silent in the face of moral crises.
His approach to Rwanda reflected this ethos. He did not shy away from the uncomfortable legacy left by the Church during the Genocide against the Tutsi. Instead, he took ownership, offering not just words but gestures that signalled a readiness to accompany Rwandans on their path to healing.
As he once said in his meeting with Kagame, “Reconciliation is a gift that God gives, but it requires an active commitment from everyone. Only through dialogue, mutual respect, and a willingness to heal the wounds of the past can we build a future of peace.”
Pope Francis’s legacy extends far beyond Rwanda. He is remembered globally for his progressive views, humility, and concern for the marginalised. From advocating for climate justice to addressing income inequality, from engaging in interfaith dialogue to supporting migrants and refugees, he continually reoriented the Catholic Church toward service.
But in Rwanda, his legacy is particularly profound. It is the legacy of a man who looked into the face of a nation’s pain and responded not with defensiveness, but with repentance and solidarity. In doing so, he helped to begin mending a broken relationship and set an example for moral leadership.
As Rwanda continues its journey of remembrance and reconstruction, Pope Francis will be remembered as the pope who listened, who apologised, and who walked alongside a grieving nation with grace and courage.
“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father,” Farrell said in a statement.
“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,” he added.
Pope Francis’ passing on Easter Monday is a blow to the global Catholic community, casting a shadow over one of the most sacred days in the Christian calendar. It leaves millions mourning during a time traditionally reserved for hope and renewal.
The Pope had been hospitalised several times in recent months due to health concerns, the most critical of which occurred in late February. On February 28, Pope Francis suffered a severe breathing crisis and was rushed to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the Pope’s lead physician, revealed that at one point, the medical team seriously considered halting treatment due to the pontiff’s deteriorating condition.
Pope Francis experienced a violent bronchospasm and aspirated vomit, which endangered multiple organ systems. The medical team faced a critical decision: whether to stop treatment and allow him to pass peacefully, or continue with aggressive interventions despite the risk of further damage to his organs.
After a tense discussion, they chose to proceed with treatment, and Pope Francis remained alert during the crisis, although at one point, doctors feared he might not survive the night.
Thanks to quick intervention and the efforts of his medical team, which included a non-invasive aspiration procedure and intensive medication, Pope Francis’ condition was stabilised. However, just days later, he suffered a second acute respiratory episode, which required the insertion of a specialised tube to clear his lungs.
The Vatican’s transparency during the Pope’s hospitalisation was notable, with daily updates on his condition. According to Dr. Alfieri, Pope Francis insisted on honesty about his health status, stating, “He wanted the truth about his condition to be shared. Nothing was hidden or omitted.”
After 38 days in the hospital, the Pope was discharged on March 23, appearing frail but determined. He thanked well-wishers from a hospital balcony, expressing gratitude for their prayers. Following his discharge, the Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis would undergo a strict two-month recovery period at his Vatican residence, Casa Santa Marta, with continuous medical supervision and oxygen support.
Despite his recovery, Pope Francis continued to face health challenges.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, became the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church in 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on February 28, 2013.
Known for his humility, compassion, and commitment to social justice, he broke new ground in the papacy, emphasizing the importance of caring for the poor, the environment, and promoting interfaith dialogue.
The solemn event took place in Mwima, Nyanza District, where Queen Gicanda is buried.
The event was preceded by a memorial Mass held in remembrance of Rwanda’s last queen, bringing together her family, friends, and officials from various institutions. The group, led by Minister Bizimana, later proceeded to Mwima Hill, where they laid wreaths at her final resting place and offered prayers in her honour.
Queen Rosalie Gicanda, the widow of King Mutara III Rudahigwa, was tragically killed on April 20, 1994, just weeks into the Genocide. Revered for her humility and quiet dignity, she remains a powerful symbol of resilience and national identity. Her killing marked one of the many painful losses Rwanda endured during the Genocide.
This year’s commemoration is part of the broader 100-day national mourning period honouring more than one million lives lost in 1994.
In total, RDB registered 612 new investment projects during the year. The report shows that three main sectors including manufacturing, financial services and insurance, and real estate, accounted for 77.9% of the total investment value.
Manufacturing alone attracted $1.35 billion, while the financial services and insurance sector brought in $811.2 million. Real estate-related activities received $377.7 million in new investments.
The report indicates that Asia was the leading source of foreign investments in Rwanda in 2024, contributing $907 million across 100 projects, representing 37.4% of all investments.
Africa followed with $579.3 million in 188 projects, while the Americas contributed $485.6 million through 39 projects. Europe invested $404.1 million in 52 projects.
The Middle East contributed $41.5 million across 11 projects, and Oceania invested $8.3 million in three projects. Domestic investment amounted to $782.8 million across 191 projects, accounting for 24.4% of the total investments made in 2024.
Among foreign countries, China led the way, investing $460 million in 58 projects. It was followed closely by India, which invested $445.1 million in 35 projects, and the United States, which committed $441.3 million across 31 projects.
Nigeria was Africa’s top investor, contributing $313 million through 22 projects. The United Kingdom followed with $144.6 million in 14 projects, the Netherlands with $103.9 million, and Ireland with more than $93.6 million, though invested in just three projects.
Eritrea also made a notable contribution of $93.6 million across 65 projects, followed by Ethiopia, which invested over $57.6 million in 16 projects.
Several major projects were registered in 2024. These included Bio Usawa Biotechnology Ltd, which will construct a plant to manufacture treatments for serious eye diseases.
Nation Cement Holding Ltd acquired 99.94% of shares in CIMERWA. Ramba Investment Africa Holdings Ltd and Parklane Group Ltd made significant entries in the construction and real estate sectors.
Other notable investments included TTEC CX Solutions Rwanda Ltd, which supports digital skills development across industries, Basigo Rwanda Ltd in public transportation, Rio Tinto Exploration Rwanda Ltd, which is helping drive Rwanda’s mineral exploration efforts, and Bestred Technology Development Rwanda Co., Ltd in the technology sector.
