The development has been confirmed by Rwanda’s Office of the President.
DTC Botswana is a 50/50 joint venture between the Government of Botswana and De Beers. The company is regarded as the world’s largest and most sophisticated rough diamond sorting and valuing operation, with the capacity to sort up to 45 million carats annually.
The visit to the diamond facility comes amid renewed efforts by Rwanda and Botswana to deepen economic cooperation and strengthen investment partnerships between the two countries.
On Wednesday, President Kagame and Botswana’s counterpart Duma Boko witnessed the signing of several bilateral agreements at the State House in Gaborone following bilateral talks between the two delegations.
The agreements covered avoidance of double taxation, visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, official, and national passports, air services, health cooperation, and broader economic, trade, and investment partnerships.
A cooperation framework between the Rwanda Development Board and the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre was also signed to promote private sector collaboration and facilitate investment flows.
During the engagements, President Kagame praised Botswana’s approach to natural resource management, particularly in the diamond sector, describing it as an example of forward-looking governance.
President Boko said the visit marked a strategic realignment between the two countries and stressed the need for swift implementation of the signed agreements.
President Kagame’s visit is his first State Visit to Botswana since 2019, when both countries agreed to establish the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation framework aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.
Kagame arrived in Botswana on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, where he was welcomed by his counterpart Duma Boko at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.
Kagame explored Botswana’s diamond industry during a two-day State Visit.President Kagame toured DTC Botswana, the world’s largest rough diamond sorting and valuing facility, during his State Visit to Botswana.President Kagame’s Botswana visit featured high-level engagements, including a tour of one of the world’s most sophisticated diamond operations.
The announcement was made on May 6, 2026, during the launch of DNA Week at the University of Rwanda College of Science and Technology (CST).
The week-long event aims to raise awareness about DNA, widely regarded as the backbone of all living organisms, including plants, humans, and animals.
RAB revealed that since 2025, it has been working with various partners on a project that will result in the establishment of a center dedicated to developing enhanced crop seeds in Rwanda. The facility will be located at RAB’s Rubona branch in Huye District.
RAB’s Plant and Microbial Biotechnology Programme Coordinator, Dr. Bellancile Uzayisenga, said that the Rubona branch already has the capacity to identify diseases affecting crops.
However, she noted that this is not enough, as Rwanda still lacks the ability to locally produce genetically enhanced seeds.
She explained that the project launched in 2025 aims to train Rwandans with the necessary expertise while also establishing a model center capable of developing crops resistant to major diseases.
“Here in Rwanda and elsewhere, many crop diseases continue to affect production. For example, banana plants are severely affected by Wilt disease, cassava is attacked by Cassava Brown Streak Disease, and potatoes suffer from Late Blight. Through this project, enhanced seeds will be developed with the ability to resist these diseases,” she said.
Dr. Uzayisenga explained that the project will initially focus on bananas, potatoes, and cassava, before expanding to other crops. She added that neighboring countries could also benefit from the facility, as no similar center currently exists nearby.
“We already use enhanced cassava, maize, and potato varieties in Rwanda, but they were all developed outside the country. Under this new project, Rwandans themselves will gain the expertise to produce them locally. In particular, the popular Kinigi potato variety will be improved to increase productivity,” she said.
Dr. Uzayisenga also addressed concerns surrounding genetically enhanced crops, stressing that the technology only modifies the crop’s DNA structure without introducing harmful changes that could affect human health.
A lecturer in the Department of Biology at the University of Rwanda, Prof. Mutangana Dieudonne, said that while DNA-related courses are taught at the university, public understanding of the subject remains low.
He noted that plans are underway to extend awareness programs to secondary schools so students can develop a better understanding of DNA science from an early age.
Banana plants are among the crops that will be genetically enhanced through research conducted in Rwanda.Dr. Uzayisenga explained that the project will initially focus on bananas, potatoes, and cassava, before expanding to other crops.
Twenty-three soldiers were killed and 26 others injured on Monday in an assault by Boko Haram militants on the Barka Tolorom island military base in the region.
Late Wednesday, Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno signed a decree declaring the mourning.
“During this period, flags are flown at half-mast and all festive activities are prohibited. Only religious music and prayers are permitted in the media and places of worship,” the decree stated.
The mourning declaration came just hours after local media reported another deadly Boko Haram attack on soldiers in Lake Chad on Wednesday. There was no official announcement regarding the number of casualties.
The Lake Chad region, bordering Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon, has long faced attacks by Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province.
Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno signed a decree declaring the mourning on Wednesday.
Data from the National Commission for Demobilisation, Reintegration and Rehabilitation shows that between January and May 6, 2026, Rwanda received 159 former FDLR fighters, a militia group formed by the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Among those repatriated are six individuals who were part of a group of 317 Rwandans received on April 24, 2026.
The most recent returnees include a 56-year-old man and a 16-year-old minor, all originating from North Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Since early 2025, when the M23 movement took control of Goma, several Rwandans previously held by the FDLR have voluntarily returned, the majority being women and children.
On some occasions, individuals attempting to disguise themselves as civilians have been identified by Rwandan authorities. Such cases are transferred to Mutobo for civic education and reintegration training before being reintegrated into their communities of origin.
The repatriation of FDLR members has continued in small groups as Rwanda awaits the implementation of planned operations by the Congolese armed forces to dismantle the group, in line with a 2025 peace agreement signed in Washington, D.C.
As of June 2025, the FDLR was estimated to have between 7,000 and 10,000 fighters, with many of its senior leaders based in Walikale and Masisi territories in North Kivu Province.
Data from the National Commission for Demobilisation, Reintegration and Rehabilitation shows that between January and May 6, 2026, Rwanda received 159 former FDLR fighters, a militia group formed by the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Epstein’s cellmate stated that he discovered the note in a book after the financier’s failed suicide attempt, several weeks before his eventual death in August 2019.
“They investigated me for month — Found NOTHING!!!” the note reads. “It is a treat to be able to choose one’s time to say goodbye.”
“Watcha want me to do — Bust out cryin!! No fun — NOT WORTH IT!!” it continues.
The handwritten letter, undated and unsigned, has not yet been authenticated and was not included in the millions of pages of Epstein-related documents released earlier this year by the U.S. Justice Department.
U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas ordered the note’s release following a request by The New York Times, which reported its existence last week and argued that there was no basis for keeping the document sealed.
Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to a state charge of soliciting a minor for prostitution. He was arrested again in July 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges and was found dead in his jail cell the following month.
Although federal authorities ruled his death a suicide, questions about the official account have persisted for years.
A document that was included in the U.S. Department of Justice release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, photographed Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, shows a photo of Epstein on a inmate report from the Federal Bureau of Prisons . (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)
The spokesperson for Rwanda Correctional Service, CSP Sengabo Hillary, told IGIHE that on Wednesday, after all procedures related to Karasira’s release had been completed and only a few hours remained before he could leave prison, he took medication he normally used to manage a mental health condition.
“He would usually take the medicine and sleep for about six hours, as it helped him rest. However, because he took it in what appeared to be a suicide attempt, he consumed a large amount, which resulted in his death. He was taken to Nyarugenge Hospital, but doctors were unable to save him,” Sengabo said.
Sengabo added that Karasira died during the night at around midnight.
A medical report explaining the cause of his death is still expected, but preliminary findings indicate that he died after taking an excessive amount of medication.
Sengabo added, “All procedures required for his release had already been completed. What remained was the final search and exit process. That was the only step left when he took the medication and swallowed a large quantity of it.”
Karasira, widely known as Prof Nigga, had been convicted of inciting divisions among the public. He had completed the five-year sentence handed to him.
The sentence was issued on September 30, 2025, by the High Court Chamber for International and Cross-Border Crimes (HCCIC) based in Nyanza.
Based on the way prison sentence calculations are carried out within the correctional system, Karasira officially completed his sentence on May 6, 2026.
He had been charged with offenses including genocide denial, inciting divisions, and spreading false information.
Other charges included money laundering and failure to explain the source of his wealth, including cash found in his possession and funds held in various bank and Mobile Money accounts.
The prosecution had appealed the court’s decision to sentence him to five years in prison, but the appeal case had not yet been heard.
The correctional service stated that when releasing an inmate, it only follows the sentencing decision recorded in the electronic system used by the institution.
RCS has confirmed that Karasira Aimable died hours before scheduled release.
The engagements took place at the State House in Gaborone, where President Kagame is on a State Visit, his first since 2019, when Rwanda and Botswana agreed to establish the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC) as a framework for structured bilateral engagement.
The visit began with a tête-à-tête between the two Heads of State, followed by expanded bilateral talks between their respective delegations. The leaders later oversaw the signing of agreements covering avoidance of double taxation, visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, official, and national passports, air services, health cooperation, and broader economic, trade, and investment partnerships.
Also signed was a cooperation framework between the Rwanda Development Board and the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre, aimed at promoting private sector collaboration and facilitating increased investment flows between the two countries.
In their remarks, both Presidents underscored the importance of moving beyond diplomatic engagement to practical implementation and measurable outcomes.
President Kagame thanked Botswana for the warm reception and reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to a results-driven partnership.
“What defines the relationship between Rwanda and Botswana is not only a friendship but also a shared sense of purpose,” Kagame said.
He emphasised the need to remove barriers to trade and investment, highlighting ongoing efforts in areas such as air connectivity, visa facilitation, and taxation frameworks.
He also commended Botswana’s leadership in natural resource management, particularly diamonds, and its efforts to strengthen health security through investment in pharmaceutical capacity, describing them as examples of forward-looking governance that resonate with Rwanda’s own priorities.
President Kagame further noted that cooperation in justice and security had continued to deepen, while new opportunities were emerging in trade and private sector engagement. He stressed that the success of the partnership would ultimately be measured by its impact on citizens’ livelihoods.
“Ultimately, what we agree here must translate into tangible improvements in the lives of our citizens. That is the true measure of success,” he said.
President Duma Boko welcomed President Kagame and his delegation, describing the visit as a moment of strategic realignment between the two countries.
“We did not meet to merely exchange diplomatic pleasantries. We met for strategic realignment, for a reaffirmation of our shared vision,” President Boko said.
He emphasised the importance of swift and disciplined implementation of agreements, noting that both countries were “in a race against time” to deliver results. He called for precision, strict timelines, and continuous innovation in executing agreed initiatives.
President Boko also highlighted the removal of visa barriers by Rwanda, which he said extended visa-free access for Botswana nationals to six months, describing it as an exemplary gesture. He said Botswana would respond with reciprocal measures effective immediately to further ease movement between the two countries.
“Rwanda has done something that had not been done before. And we are most grateful,” the president remarked.
He further noted that the partnership should expand across multiple sectors, including education, health, agriculture, youth empowerment, infrastructure development, and regional connectivity, adding that technology and science should be leveraged to bridge distance and enhance cooperation.
“We must be prepared to pioneer, to lead, to originate innovative approaches that may never have been tried before,” he said.
President Kagame’s visit marks a renewed high-level engagement between the two countries, building on progress made since the inaugural JPCC meeting held in Kigali in April 2022. His last visit to Botswana in 2019 laid the foundation for the institutional framework that is now guiding expanded bilateral cooperation.
The latest agreements are expected to further accelerate economic ties and strengthen collaboration in key sectors, as both countries move to translate diplomatic commitments into practical development outcomes.
Presidents Paul Kagame and Duma Boko witnessed the signing of a series of bilateral agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation between Rwanda and Botswana, as the two countries committed to deepening trade, investment, and connectivity ties.Both Presidents underscored the importance of moving beyond diplomatic engagement to practical implementation and measurable outcomes.The latest agreements are expected to further accelerate economic ties and strengthen collaboration in key sectors, as both countries move to translate diplomatic commitments into practical development outcomes.
Addressing foreign journalists via videoconference on Wednesday, May 6, Robert outlined the priorities of the summit, which will take place on May 11–12 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) and the University of Nairobi, co-hosted by Kenya and France.
The summit, which marks the first time such a high-level gathering is held in an English-speaking African nation, will host leaders from 30 African nations and over 2,000 CEOs, alongside youth leaders and development partners.
The forum aims to pivot away from the legacy of donor-recipient aid, moving beyond traditional diplomatic engagement to focus on “bankable investments”, projects designed to be commercially viable and attractive to private capital rather than reliant on state grants.
Investment, youth and technology at the centre
Robert said the summit will focus heavily on investment and financing mechanisms for African economies, bringing together governments, private sector actors, and financial institutions, including African multilateral banks and global partners such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank.
“The first priority is how to stimulate investment and improve financing for African economies through concrete results,” he said, adding that the private sector will play a central role in shaping outcomes.
Youth engagement will also be a key feature of the summit. Around 500 young leaders from across Africa are expected to take part in a dedicated dialogue with President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto.
Discussions will focus on artificial intelligence, technology, and the role of young Africans in global decision-making.
The summit will also include roundtables on artificial intelligence, agriculture, health, rural development, and energy access, reflecting what organizers describe as a “results-driven development agenda.”
Rwanda is expected to feature prominently in the discussions on artificial intelligence, with President Paul Kagame set to co-chair a high-level roundtable on AI, underscoring the country’s growing role as a continental leader in digital innovation and technology-driven development.
The cultural and creative industries will also receive attention, with internationally recognised Rwandan artist Sherrie Silver expected to participate in discussions highlighting the role of African creativity in economic transformation and youth empowerment.
Culture, sports and creative industries as economic drivers
Robert highlighted culture and sports as emerging pillars of economic cooperation between Africa and France, describing them as “business tools” for inclusion and development.
France, he said, has increasingly supported cultural and creative industries in Africa since 2017, helping to connect African entrepreneurs with French companies and expand cultural production across the continent.
He pointed to the expansion of African content production through media partnerships, including the acquisition of MultiChoice by French media group Canal+, which he said would strengthen the distribution of African creative content both within Africa and in France.
Sport was also presented as a key development tool, with France positioning major international sporting events, including the 2024 Olympics, as part of a broader strategy. Upcoming African sporting events such as the Africa Cup of Nations in East Africa and the Youth Olympic Games in Senegal were cited as examples of growing sports diplomacy and economic opportunity.
Restitution and historical cooperation
The briefing also addressed cultural restitution, a sensitive but central theme in France’s Africa policy.
Robert said France had changed its legislation to allow the return of cultural artefacts and human remains that were proven to have been taken illegally during the colonial period. He cited previous restitutions to countries including Benin, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Madagascar, and said similar requests continue to be processed where legal conditions are met.
He added that France’s approach has influenced similar restitution policies in other European countries.
Peace, security and African-led solutions
On security issues, Robert said France supports African-led solutions to regional conflicts, including ongoing mediation efforts in the Great Lakes region, Sudan and Somalia.
“We are not in the front seat; we are there to support,” he said, emphasising coordination with African Union-led initiatives and international partners.
Responding to questions about France’s evolving role in Africa, Robert stressed that the new approach is based on reciprocity and “win-win partnerships.”
“There is no free lunch. We are there to promote mutual interests and balanced cooperation,” he said, adding that African countries increasingly choose partners based on value, investment quality, and development impact.
The Africa Forward Summit is being positioned by its organisers as a shift away from traditional donor-recipient dynamics toward a unified African market approach, engaging both Anglophone and Francophone countries as part of a single economic space of 1.5 billion people.
According to the summit communiqué, the event will aim to address shared challenges, including food security, digital competitiveness, energy access, health systems, and connectivity, while strengthening Africa’s role in global decision-making structures.
A high-level youth and cultural programme, including a closing concert in partnership with Trace TV, will conclude the summit, showcasing African music and creative industries as part of what organisers describe as Africa’s growing global cultural influence.
The upcoming Africa Forward Summit (AFS) 2026 in Nairobi is expected to redefine Africa–France relations around a more investment-driven, youth-focused and innovation-led partnership, according Jérémie Robert, advisor to French President Emmanuel Macron in charge of African affairs.Ambassador of France to Kenya Arnaud Suquet and Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’oei during an editors’ briefing at the French Embassy on April 16, 2026.
The decision, issued on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, overturns a previous ruling by investigative judges on August 21, 2025, which had ordered the closure of the case due to what they described as insufficient evidence linking Kanziga to the crimes.
Richard Gisagara, a lawyer representing civil parties in genocide-related cases in France, welcomed the ruling, describing it as “good news” and asserting that Kanziga would ultimately face justice. Writing on X, he stated: “She will not escape justice.”
France’s National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT), which has jurisdiction over genocide and crimes against humanity, had challenged the earlier decision, arguing that key evidence and witness testimonies had been overlooked. It called for further investigative steps to be undertaken.
The case dates back to 2008, when civil party organisations filed a complaint in France seeking an investigation into Kanziga, now aged 83, for alleged involvement in genocide and crimes against humanity.
In February 2022, judges had initially ordered the case closed, citing a lack of substantive evidence. That conclusion was reaffirmed in the August 2025 decision, before being overturned on appeal.
Kanziga was evacuated from Rwanda on April 9, 1994, under orders from then French President François Mitterrand. As a result, earlier investigations focused primarily on the first three days of the genocide.
In September 2024, PNAT criticised the scope of the inquiry, noting that it had been limited in duration, narrow in focus, and based on a relatively small number of witness accounts.
Prosecutors have since called for the investigation to be expanded to cover the period from March 1 to April 9, 1994, and have also raised allegations regarding Kanziga’s potential involvement in the planning of the genocide.
Following the 2025 decision to halt the investigation, civil party organisations expressed concern over the judges’ reasoning. They argued that it was inconsistent to conclude that Kanziga was not part of the so-called “Akazu”, an inner circle of family members and close associates of Habyarimana widely alleged to have played a key role in orchestrating the Genocide against the Tutsi, despite evidence suggesting her inclusion.
The organisations also criticised the reliance on testimony from controversial figures, including Gaspard Musabyimana, who was treated as an expert witness despite his known association with RTLM, a media outlet that broadcast hate propaganda during the genocide.
Musabyimana has also been described as having supported genocide denial and the Habyarimana government, including through a publishing house he established in Belgium.
The Paris Court of Appeal has ruled that investigations must continue into the alleged role of Agathe Kanziga, the widow of Juvénal Habyarimana, in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and its preparation.
Heza Estate comprises 548 residential units across two categories, apartments and townhouses designed to meet the needs of working professionals, families, and members of the Rwandan diaspora seeking a secure, fully integrated community to call home.
Heza Estate comprises 548 residential units across two categories , townhouse and apartments designed to accommodate a range of household needs and budgets.
Apartments are available in two and three bedroom configurations, arranged across four-storey blocks with two units per floor. Townhouses are offered in two types: two and three bedroom duplex units with a 3 bedroom corner townhouse
Pricing
Unit prices are structured based on the type and size of the property. Townhouses start at Rwf 80 million for a two-bedroom unit and go up to Rwf 117 million for a three-bedroom unit.
Apartments, on the other hand, are priced between Rwf 101 million and RWF 111 million, depending on the specific configuration and features.
Buyers may purchase units through flexible installment payment plans. RSSB has also partnered with multiple banks to provide mortgage financing at competitive interest rates, making homeownership more accessible than ever.
RSSB has launched Heza Estate, a residential community in Batsinda featuring 548 housing units.
A community built for modern living
Heza Estate is designed as a fully integrated community rather than a typical housing development.
It includes a nursery school, basketball and volleyball courts, landscaped gardens and family relaxation areas, as well as commercial spaces.
The estate also features paved internal roads with street lighting and dedicated parking for each unit.
Commenting on the development, Claudette Rubangura, RSSB’s Commercial Operation Manager, said: “Heza Estate was built with a clear purpose — to give middle-income Rwandans, young professionals, families, and diaspora members a place they can truly call their own. We wanted residents to have everything they need within reach: schools for their children, nearby shopping and everyday conveniences, spaces to relax, and a secure environment. This is not just a housing project; it is a community designed around how people actually live.”
Heza Estate is part of RSSB’s broader housing portfolio, which spans multiple market segments. The institution is also developing Vision City II , a project three times the scale of Vision City I, growing from 500 to approximately 1,500 units.
These developments directly support Rwanda’s housing goals. Current projections indicate that the country will require at least 5.5 million housing units by 2050, when the population is expected to reach 22.1 million.
Heza Estate is a 548-home housing project in Batsinda designed to provide modern, well-serviced living for middle-income Rwandans and diaspora buyers.
How to apply
Interested buyers are invited to take the first step towards owning their home by visiting hezaestate.rssb.rw to register online, calling sales team on +250 787 750 033
About RSSB
The Rwanda Social Security Board is a government institution responsible for social security administration in Rwanda.
Through its investment arm, RSSB develops housing and infrastructure projects that contribute to national development while generating sustainable returns for its members.
RSSB’s housing portfolio includes projects across multiple market segments, from Vision City to Heza Estate, serving a wide range of Rwandans seeking quality homes.
Heza Estate, developed by RSSB in Kinyinya Sector, Gasabo District, offers 548 apartments and townhouses as part of efforts to expand quality housing in Kigali.The Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) has unveiled Heza Estate in Batsinda, a 548-unit residential development aimed at middle-income buyers in Kigali, with construction now 90% complete.Heza Estate is a 548-unit residential project by RSSB featuring modern interior designs, green open spaces, and a secure environment tailored for middle-income homeowners.Heza Estate in Batsinda presents residents with a fully integrated living environment, featuring scenic views, green landscaped gardensHeza Estate forms part of RSSB’s broader housing portfolio aimed at expanding urban housing supply.The project combines housing with landscaped gardens and designated family relaxation spaces.Heza Estate features modern apartments and townhouses designed for middle-income homebuyers in Kigali.The 548-unit Heza Estate project by RSSB features apartments and townhouses with stylish interior designs and a focus on functionality, targeting middle-income buyers in Kigali’s growing housing market.
