According to an internal State Department memo obtained by the Associated Press, the number of US diplomatic missions in Africa handling visa applications is set to be cut from nearly 50 to just 20 in the coming weeks.
Although no official implementation date has been announced, the changes are expected to take effect before the end of June.
The move forms part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to tighten immigration controls, including stricter scrutiny of both immigrant and non-immigrant visa applications and measures aimed at reducing visa overstays.
Under the proposed restructuring, only a limited number of US embassies in Africa will continue processing visa applications. In East Africa, the embassies in Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo are expected to retain visa services.
The US embassies in Burundi, Somalia and South Sudan are among those likely to lose the authority to process routine visa applications.
Other countries expected to continue offering visa services include Senegal, Djibouti, South Africa, Nigeria, Togo, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Mauritius, Cape Verde and Cameroon.
If the plan is implemented, applicants from countries where visa services are discontinued will have to travel to designated regional hubs to submit their applications.
The change is expected to increase costs for many travelers, who may need to cover additional expenses for transport, accommodation and other logistics.
Embassies that no longer process regular visa applications will continue to provide consular services such as passport renewals for US citizens, emergency assistance and the handling of diplomatic visa requests.
According to US officials cited by the Associated Press, American diplomats and consular officers were informed during a conference call last week that visa operations across Africa would be consolidated as part of the restructuring.
U.S. is set to scale back visa services at dozens of embassies in Africa with Kigali among visa processing hubs to be retained.
Patrick Nkurunziza, who was born in the neighboring DRC, is among those who lived a life they did not choose. At a very young age, he was recruited into the armed ranks of the FDLR militia group while still a child.
The FDLR is an armed group founded by individuals who participated in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and who have, over time, maintained an agenda aimed at destabilizing the Government of Rwanda.
The group has continued to operate despite concerns over its genocidal ideology and its frequent collaboration with Congolese forces.
As some of its founding members aged and others chose to return to Rwanda, the group increasingly turned to recruiting children born in the DRC into its ranks. It also expanded its activities to include the training of Congolese youth and the creation of allied militias such as Nyatura, alongside other groups influenced by divisive ideology.
Recruitment into the group has largely targeted children born in areas where it operates, particularly Congolese nationals.
Nkurunziza shared his testimony during an “Igihango cy’Urungano” youth dialogue forum, which brings together young people from across Rwanda to reflect on the country’s history and to honor the memory of youth who were killed during the Genocide against the Tutsi.
He explained that he was born in 1997 and was forcibly recruited into the FDLR at a very young age, beginning to handle a firearm at just 14 years old.
He also noted that his father had resisted joining the FDLR despite living in the DRC, but the group attempted to pressure him by forcibly recruiting his child.
“They captured me and another boy called John, blindfolded us, and took us to Rutshuru, into the forests of Walikale. The second aspect was constant psychological pressure, torture, indoctrination, training, and forced participation in harmful narratives aimed at denying the Genocide against the Tutsi,” he recounted.
“We were beaten daily and forced into activities such as stealing, carrying heavy loads, and transporting ammunition. I was a 14-year-old child, but they did not care. I was made to carry loads of up to 60 kilograms. I had no option to refuse; I had to comply until they decided otherwise.”
After this period, he was subjected to military training. He underwent a three-month training program and was issued a firearm at the age of 14, despite lacking the physical or technical ability to use it.
“I was given a gun at 14. They did not care whether I could use it or not. I held it until I learned how to use it, and I became a soldier like others. At that time, we were trained to say: ‘Work hard, we want to attack Rwanda, we want to destroy the Tutsi completely,’” he said.
He further explained that access to food within the group often depended on looting civilians, and in some cases, this involved violence and killings.
Patrick Nkurunziza, who was born in the neighboring DRC, is among those who lived a life they did not choose. At a very young age, he was recruited into the armed ranks of the FDLR militia group while still a child.
While the FDLR is often perceived as being composed mainly of older fighters due to its long history, Nkurunziza emphasized that the group also includes many young recruits, some of whom are his age or even younger, and who live under extremely difficult conditions.
After approximately six months, he began contemplating escape, despite the significant risks faced by a 15-year-old in such an environment.
He eventually approached a soldier he knew and expressed his desire to leave, stating that he no longer wished to remain in the forest due to exhaustion and continuous abuse.
“Even within the military I saw, there was no strength or hope that they would ever take Rwanda. I had no confidence in them at all,” he explained.
In 2010, he made the decision to flee the forest, embarking on a dangerous and uncertain journey.
Reaching peacekeeping MONUSCO forces proved extremely difficult for the 15-year-old and his companion. Along the way, they encountered individuals who attempted to stop them and force them back, with the intention that they be killed as a warning to others considering escape.
Despite these dangers, they managed to persevere and eventually reached MONUSCO protection after days of struggle.
Fearing capture and torture, they continued to move day and night until they reached safety.
While in Bukavu on his way home, Nkurunziza received devastating news that his parents had been killed by the FDLR in retaliation for his escape. The news was deeply distressing, but he continued his journey back to Rwanda.
“When I reached Rusizi at the border, I saw Rwandan citizens happy, healthy, and welcoming. The leaders received me with great warmth, and I heard people speaking Kinyarwanda,” he recounted.
Shock at the absence of heavy security around leaders
Nkurunziza explained that upon returning to Rwanda, he initially believed he might be killed, as he had previously been told that anyone who returned would be eliminated and used in staged recordings to discourage others from coming back.
“I told myself I might as well die like others. If they record me, so be it. In reality, I was already expecting death.”
After crossing the border, he was taken to the Nyarushishi transit center before being transferred to the Mutobo Reintegration Centre in Musanze District, a facility that supports former combatants in returning to civilian life.
At Mutobo, although he initially remained cautious and fearful, he encountered individuals he had previously seen in the DRC, including some with senior ranks, who were alive and well. This reassured him that he had indeed entered a safe environment.
He frequently recounts his experiences with a mix of humor and reflection, describing both the trauma he endured and the choices he made during that period.
During a graduation ceremony for trainees at the centre, he was surprised to see that the Mayor of Musanze District and the Governor of the Northern Province were not accompanied by armed escorts.
“In Congo, I was used to seeing mayors surrounded by soldiers and police. I wondered how there could be peace in a country we were told was full of killers, and that Tutsi were snakes who would be exterminated,” he narrated.
“Then I saw senior generals arriving with only a few soldiers. I immediately realized I had come to a peaceful country. From that moment, life began to feel different.”
Afterwards, the leadership at Mutobo sent him to the Nyarubande centre, which supports children and young people in learning Rwandan cultural values and taboos.
He later enrolled in a six-month hotel management course.
Upon completing his studies, he and other graduates were encouraged to identify and develop their talents. Having never had the opportunity to explore his own abilities due to life in the forest, he discovered his talent for singing.
He was supported and mentored, and went on to record 12 songs in both audio and video formats, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his life.
He used his music to encourage others still in the forests of eastern DRC to return home and participate in national development.
Nkurunziza also secured employment, which further helped him rebuild his life.
In 2023, after rebuilding stability, he got married and started a family. He is now a husband and father of one child.
He expressed appreciation for the Government of Rwanda, security institutions, and citizens whose efforts contributed to building a peaceful and prosperous Rwanda where movement is free and life continues without disruption.
Speakers at the “Igihango cy’Urungano” dialogue urged young people to take part in rejecting and combating genocide ideology.
Speaking at the opening session, Monica Juma, executive director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), said that the foundations of multilateralism are being tested while criminal networks continue to adapt and evolve.
She stressed that the CCPCJ remains an essential platform for governments, practitioners and civil society to work together in tackling shared challenges in crime prevention and criminal justice.
In a video message, President of the UN Economic and Social Council Lok Bahadur Thapa underscored the importance of combating organized crime, corruption, cybercrime and terrorism, saying such efforts are critical to advancing sustainable development and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
During the five-day session, delegates are expected to consider three draft resolutions addressing emerging criminal justice challenges: preventing and combating the transnational sextortion of children, countering trafficking in persons for the purpose of forced criminality, and strengthening crime prevention and criminal justice responses to combat fraud.
The proposed measures reflect growing concern over the increasingly digital, transnational and interconnected nature of crime, as well as the need for innovative, coordinated and victim-centred approaches to law enforcement and justice.
As the United Nations’ principal policymaking body on crime prevention and criminal justice, the CCPCJ brings together member states and experts to shape international responses to evolving criminal threats.
The session runs through June 5 and will feature plenary discussions, more than 100 side events and 16 exhibitions.
UNODC Perú/Coral Estudio Adriana Scordamaglia, a labour prosecutor from Brazil, during a simulated rescue exercise of the STARSOM project in Peru, an initiative to fight organized crime groups involved in migrant smuggling (file).
The crisis severely impacted international transport routes, particularly flights to and from the Middle East. As security concerns escalated following U.S. military strikes on Iran late February 2026, airlines suspended numerous routes to destinations such as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Early March, more than 21,000 flights to and from the Middle East were reportedly canceled. Major hubs, including Dubai International Airport, reduced operations significantly, while Rwanda’s national carrier, RwandAir, also suspended flights to the region.
The disruptions hit Rwanda’s horticulture sector hard. According to the Horticultural Exporters Association of Rwanda (HEAR), around 80 percent of exporters temporarily halted their activities as access to major markets such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi became difficult.
Association president Robert Rukundo said the suspension of flights created major challenges for exporters who depend on air transport, particularly RwandAir, to move fresh produce.
“The situation became very difficult. Air travel was suspended, maritime trade was also affected because the Strait of Hormuz was closed. Trade became complicated, and transportation costs increased as businesses searched for alternatives,” he explained.
Rukundo noted that some exporters attempted to redirect produce to neighboring countries or local processing industries, but many were unable to find viable alternatives.
The impact extended throughout the value chain, from exporters to farmers. Products such as avocados, one of Rwanda’s most important agricultural exports, were particularly affected.
Data from the sector shows that before the conflict, Rwanda regularly exported between 20 and 25 tonnes of fresh produce per flight, with exports taking place several times a week. However, volumes declined sharply once transport links were disrupted.
Between March 24 and 28, 2026, Rwanda exported 173 tonnes of fruits worth Rwf 235 million and 290 tonnes of vegetables worth Rwf 853 million. Some of these exports were destined for the UAE.
By comparison, during the week of February 16–20, before the conflict began, Rwanda exported 376 tonnes of fruits worth Rwf 471.7 million and 437 tonnes of vegetables valued at Rwf 569 million.
Rukundo said the crisis highlighted the country’s limited capacity to process and preserve agricultural products when export markets become inaccessible.
“When produce cannot reach the market, it becomes a major problem. We still lack sufficient facilities to add value, process products, and store them until market conditions improve,” he said.
Although Rwanda has some processing facilities capable of producing avocado oil, guacamole, soap, and other products, Rukundo said their capacity remains limited.
He added that, just as the COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in supply chains, the Iran conflict has shown the need for greater investment in value-addition industries.
RwandAir flights resume
In a positive development for exporters, RwandAir announced on May 29, 2026, that it would resume flights to Qatar and the UAE from June 1.
Rukundo welcomed the decision, saying it would help restore trade links, even though the peak avocado harvest season is nearing its end.
“We are very happy that the flights have resumed. This will help reconnect us with our markets and bring back customers. We hope it will also contribute to better prices,” he said.
However, he cautioned that higher fuel prices and increased transport costs could continue to affect profitability.
Avocados: Rwanda’s “green gold”
Avocados have emerged as one of Rwanda’s most promising export crops, driven by growing demand in the Middle East, Europe, and other international markets.
Rukundo described avocados as “green gold,” saying the crop creates opportunities across the entire value chain—from farmers and transporters to cold-storage operators, processors, and exporters.
“It is a crop that can transform livelihoods and create jobs at every stage of production and distribution,” he said.
The crop’s export potential continues to grow. Rwanda exported fewer than 1,000 tonnes of avocados in the 2018/19 season, earning just over $400,000. By 2024, exports had risen to 4,200 tonnes, generating more than $8 million in revenue.
Rwanda currently sells around 80 percent of its avocado exports to Arab countries, while also supplying European and regional markets.
The country recently signed agreements that will allow avocado exports to enter the Chinese market as well.
Figures released in November 2025 showed that Rwanda had more than 550,000 avocado trees.
Since most of these trees are still relatively young, production is expected to increase significantly in the coming years, strengthening the crop’s role in the country’s export sector.
Rwanda currently sells around 80 percent of its avocado exports to Arab countries, while also supplying European and regional markets. Middle East conflict has disrupted Rwanda’s horticulture export trade.
In a statement following the publication of the award by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) on June 1, Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo said Rwanda respects the tribunal’s decision and considers the matter closed.
“While Rwanda respects the Tribunal’s award and considers the matter concluded, we note that the dissenting and separate opinion by Professor Mohamed Abdel Wahab shows that the issues before the Tribunal were complex and open to different legal conclusions, including that the November 2024 exchanges relied on by the UK did not validly change the financial arrangements between the two countries,” Makolo said.
She added that Rwanda would continue to engage constructively with international partners in accordance with international norms and the principles of mutually beneficial cooperation.
The arbitration stemmed from a dispute over the Asylum Partnership Agreement signed between Rwanda and the United Kingdom. Rwanda argued that the UK had failed to honour financial and other obligations after the new British government abandoned the migration partnership in 2024.
At the heart of the dispute was Rwanda’s position that it remained entitled to a £50 million payment due in April 2025 under financial arrangements agreed between the two countries in June 2024. Rwanda also sought compensation related to other obligations under the agreement.
However, in an award issued on May 15, 2026, the three-member tribunal rejected Rwanda’s claims. By majority, the tribunal dismissed Rwanda’s request for the £50 million Year 2 payment, while unanimously rejecting claims relating to Year 3 funding, alleged breaches of Articles 18 and 19 of the agreement, and requests for compensation. The tribunal also ruled that each party should bear its own legal costs and share arbitration expenses equally.
Yet the decision was not unanimous on every point.
Professor Mohamed Abdel Wahab, one of the tribunal’s members, issued a
dissenting and separate opinion arguing that Rwanda’s central claim regarding the Year 2 payment should have succeeded.
According to Abdel Wahab, the November 2024 diplomatic exchanges cited by the UK did not constitute a legally binding amendment to the financial arrangements because the mutual consent required under international treaty law was absent. He concluded that the £50 million payment for Year 2 “remains due and payable to Rwanda.”
The dissent has attracted attention because it underscores that the dispute involved contested legal interpretations rather than a straightforward rejection of Rwanda’s position.
The tribunal’s findings contrast with arguments presented by Rwanda during hearings held at the Peace Palace in The Hague in March.
Appearing before the tribunal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja argued that Rwanda had fulfilled its obligations under the Migration and Economic Development Partnership (MEDP) and had acted in good faith throughout the process.
Rwanda maintained that it undertook significant legal and institutional reforms to implement the agreement, including constitutional amendments, new legislation, the establishment of an appeals mechanism, and the development of reception facilities for migrants and asylum seekers.
The government also stressed Rwanda’s broader record on refugee protection. During the hearings, Dr. Ugirashebuja highlighted that Rwanda hosts more than 130,000 refugees and asylum seekers and has welcomed displaced people from countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Afghanistan, Libya and Sudan.
He argued that Rwanda’s approach is rooted in its own history of displacement and a belief that refugees can contribute economically and socially when given opportunities for integration.
Rwanda further contended that the UK failed to properly honour commitments made under the partnership after the election of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government, which quickly moved to abandon the controversial “Rwanda scheme.”
Rwanda has acknowledged an international arbitration ruling that rejected its claims against the United Kingdom over their abandoned asylum partnership, while emphasising that a dissenting opinion from one of the tribunal’s arbitrators demonstrates that Kigali’s position rested on credible legal foundations.The Migration and Economic Development Partnership between Rwanda and UK had been signed in April 2022, before unilateral cancellation.
Building on the support of long- standing institutional partners such as FEDA, Spiro’s latest equity round draws global capital from Europe and Africa, confirming growing global confidence in scalable infrastructure-led business models across emerging markets.
Following years of optimization across its product portfolio, technology and energy ecosystem, Spiro has moved past the proof-of-concept phase and stands ready to execute its next chapter of pan-African expansion.
This investment will support the expansion of Spiro’s battery- swapping network, strengthen its industrial and assembly footprint, accelerate technology development and support the company’s entry into new high-growth African markets.
Global investors back Africa’s fast-growing mobility and energy transition
As Africa’s urban population and mobility needs continue to surge, electric vehicles and battery-swapping ecosystems are rapidly emerging as one of the continent’s most promising infrastructure and energy investment opportunities.
Reducing dependence on imported fuel, strengthening energy and industrial sovereignty and modernizing urban transport systems are becoming strategic priorities across the continent, positioning EV infrastructure as a key pillar of Africa’s economic resilience and industrial development.
Driven by rising fuel costs, increasing demand for affordable transportation and growing policy support for clean energy solutions, investors are increasingly backing scalable EV platforms capable of supporting Africa’s next phase of urban and industrial growth.
For riders, the economic impact is immediate as operating a Spiro electric vehicle can reduce daily mobility costs by up to 40%, generating savings of up to $2 per day compared to fossil- fuel motorcycles.
A recent third-party verified lifecycle assessment of Spiro’s operations in Kenya found that the company’s electric motorcycles reduce climate impact by 72% compared to fossil-fuel bikes, preventing an estimated 19 tonnes of CO₂ emissions over a vehicle’s lifetime.
The study also recorded an 80% reduction in ozone depletion potential and a 20% decrease in particulate matter emissions, highlighting the potential of electric mobility to improve air quality and reduce public health risks in rapidly growing African cities.
Spiro’s industrial footprint includes flagship manufacturing plants in countries including Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.
Powering Africa’s mobility revolution at scale
With operations across 7 African markets (Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon) and further plans to expand local production and enter new markets such as DRC and Ethiopia, Spiro is building one of Africa’s most advanced EV and battery-swapping ecosystems.
Spiro’s industrial footprint includes flagship manufacturing plants in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, alongside a state-of-the-art battery recycling facility in Nigeria.
Combining locally adapted vehicle design, affordable battery-swapping infrastructure and integrated maintenance ecosystems, Spiro is making electric mobility commercially viable at scale for African riders.
Spiro’s technology platform is supported by its R&D center, 150+ engineers and 30+ proprietary patents.
The company is actively expanding beyond urban transport into a distributed clean-energy utility network that supports national renewable energy goals while reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Its innovations include IoT-enabled, solar- powered swap stations, alongside secondary-life battery applications designed for stationary renewable energy storage.
“This past year marked a defining strategic milestone for Spiro. Across seven active markets, our deployment of 100,000 electric vehicles and 2,500 smart-swap stations has turned sustainable mobility into an affordable, everyday reality.
“Spiro has become a major driver of local industrialization, value creation and manufacturing across African markets with 6,000 sustainable direct and indirect jobs. Supported by our global pool of investors, we are entering our next growth chapter to deliver clean, cost-effective energy and transport alternatives to millions of riders across the continent”, stated Gagan Gupta, Founder of Spiro and Chairman of Equitane.
“We are investing in Spiro and bringing Danish pension capital into one of Africa’s most promising growth markets because we see potential for significant commercial growth in Spiro and electric mobility across Africa, as well as measurable climate impact. That is exactly the type of investment we want to make,” said Lars Bo Bertram, CEO of Impact Fund Denmark.
Spiro has announced a $215M investment round to accelerate the deployment of its electric mobility and battery-swapping infrastructure across Africa.
On this occasion, they were called upon to confront those who deliberately seek to distort the tragic history Rwanda experienced.
Among the participants were many young people who were reminded of the importance of preserving the memory of the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi. They were encouraged to continue learning about the history that led Rwanda to this tragedy so that it may never happen again and so they can defend the truth against genocide denial and revisionism.
The President of the Rwandan Diaspora in the cities of Mons and Tournai, Arnold Turagara, recalled the dark periods Rwanda went through, emphasizing that the people of this city, as well as Europe in general, have also experienced difficult times marked by wars.
He stated: “Tournai is a city that has gone through difficult periods, including wars throughout its history. However, its residents managed to rebuild themselves after those painful moments.”
He also reminded participants that the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi was carefully planned and carried out with extreme cruelty, leading to the killing of more than one million people in just one hundred days solely because of who they were.
“Commemorating today is not only about looking back at the past, but also about preserving this memory so that we are not trapped by it and can continue moving forward with life,” he added.
The President of the Rwandan Diaspora in Belgium at the national level, Gakuba Ernest, condemned those who continue to falsify the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi by spreading false information.
He said: “Distorting history is unacceptable because doing so indirectly supports those who planned and executed the Genocide against the Tutsi.”
He reminded attendees that the genocide did not happen by accident, but was the result of long-term preparation marked by hate propaganda spread by leaders of the time and by the dehumanization of Tutsi.
Representing Ibuka Mémoire et Justice Belgique, emphasized thatmore than one million Tutsi killed during the genocide reflects the reality of what happened.
He praised the courage and resilience of genocide survivors, who endured extremely difficult periods of persecution because of their identity.
Gakuba also criticized certain European countries for not doing enough to arrest individuals involved in the Genocide against the Tutsi who were convicted by Rwandan courts yet continue to live freely in Europe.
According to him, some of them actively contribute to spreading genocide ideology and denying the genocide.
He insisted: “This history must be taught in schools so that younger generations can learn about it from an early age.”
The first part of the commemoration took place near the memorial located close to the Saint-Jean Military School on Rue du Caporal Bruno Méaux in Tournai. The ceremony included wreath laying, speeches from various leaders, and tributes to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi.
The memorial also honors Belgian soldiers killed in Rwanda, some of whom were originally from Tournai.
The second part of the day featured testimonies, discussions, and memorial songs aimed at strengthening messages of peace and unity.
Since April 7, 2026, activities marking the 32nd commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Belgium have taken place successively in Brussels, Liège, Bruges, Namur, Louvain-la-Neuve, Mons, Charleroi, and Tournai.
The next event will take place in the city of Louvain on June 6, which will also mark the conclusion of the symbolic 100 days of commemoration in Belgium.
Yvonne Buhikare shared her testimony, which she also documented in a book titled “Ils vont nous tuer” Benjamin Brotcorn, an alderman of the city of Tournai, attended the 32nd commemoration of the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.Gakuba Ernest, President of the Rwandan Diaspora in BelgiumArnold Turagara, President of the Rwandan Diaspora in the cities of Mons and Tournai.
The announcement is part of a broader global rollout making PYUSD available across 70 markets worldwide, spanning Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. In Africa, PYUSD is being introduced in 27 countries, with Rwanda listed alongside regional markets including Uganda, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique, and Zambia.
According to PayPal, the expansion targets regions where international cross-border payments are traditionally restricted by legacy financial infrastructure, high fees, or lengthy transaction times.
“Consumers and businesses around the world are looking for faster, more seamless ways to transact globally, and the current system still charges too much, takes too long, and settles on timelines that were designed for a different era,” said May Zabaneh, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Crypto at PayPal.
“Enabling PYUSD in users’ accounts across 70 markets gives people faster access to their funds, lower-cost ways to send money across borders, and a more direct path to participating in the global economy.”
For years, PayPal accounts registered in Rwanda have operated under a strict “Send-Only” structural model. While local users could link Rwandan bank cards to legally make outward payments or purchases online, they were entirely blocked from receiving international transfers, holding an in-app currency balance, or executing direct local withdrawals.
The introduction of PYUSD alters this technical dynamic by using blockchain-based infrastructure. Because stablecoins exist as digital tokens rather than traditional banking deposits, local users can bypass the traditional legacy clearinghouses that historically restricted regional accounts. This enables local freelancers and businesses to receive international payments and maintain a digital dollar balance directly within the interface for the first time.
Key features and settlement speed
PYUSD is a U.S. dollar-backed digital asset issued by Paxos Trust Company and fully backed by U.S. dollar deposits, short-term Treasuries, and similar cash equivalents. Within eligible PayPal accounts, users can buy, hold, send, and receive the token, as well as earn rewards directly on their stablecoin balances.
A primary operational feature highlighted by PayPal is internal settlement velocity. Merchants accepting PYUSD can access transaction proceeds within minutes rather than waiting days or weeks for traditional banking clearing cycles to complete.
This immediate internal availability of funds is expected to be highly relevant for digital freelancers, e-commerce entities, and exporters across East Africa who routinely face cash flow bottlenecks due to slow incoming international wire transfers.
Transaction and withdrawal mechanics
In responses to questions from IGIHE, PayPal senior executive Otto Williams, who oversees the Middle East and Africa region, clarified the practical operational and financial boundaries governing how local users will interact with the digital currency.
Williams emphasised that the expansion is aimed at injecting efficiency directly into the continent’s most active economic sectors:
“Bringing PYUSD to Africa is about delivering tangible value to the people and businesses driving growth in these dynamic markets,” Williams stated.
“Consumers gain a flexible, stable way to move funds faster, while businesses can streamline cross-border payments, improve settlement times, and unlock new opportunities for growth. By increasing access to a regulated, USD-backed digital currency, we’re breaking down barriers and helping reduce friction in global commerce across the region.”
For peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers, Williams explained that moving PYUSD directly between standard PayPal accounts carries no internal platform transaction fees. However, he emphasised that standard commercial transaction terms apply for business payments, and foreign exchange (FX) rates remain applicable whenever a currency conversion takes place. Local users also retain the option to transfer their stablecoin holdings out of PayPal to external, third-party cryptocurrency wallets, subject to standard blockchain network fees.
Crucially, Williams outlined a multi-step currency chain for converting digital balances into domestic fiat currency, clarifying that there is no native integration with local mobile money platforms. When a user liquidates PYUSD within the app, the asset is first converted into the default fiat currency assigned to their PayPal account (such as USD or EUR).
Moving those funds into the domestic banking system requires a standard external withdrawal. The final conversion into Rwandan Francs (RWF) occurs at that withdrawal endpoint and remains subject to local banking availability and traditional PayPal foreign exchange conversion fees.
Regulatory realities and competitive landscape
PayPal noted that while it operates across approximately 200 markets globally and adheres to a policy of compliance with regional jurisdictions, the local financial infrastructure and changing domestic regulatory frameworks mean that user experiences and specific feature availability will vary by country.
For Rwanda, which is actively positioning itself as a regional technology and innovation hub, this rollout provides a new asset-management pathway for a growing population of software developers, content creators, and remote workers billing international clients.
However, the launch also positions PayPal inside a highly competitive African digital asset market already heavily occupied by established crypto payment gateways and homegrown stablecoin platforms. PayPal aims to leverage its existing brand familiarity and established compliance architecture to differentiate its utility.
Ultimately, the domestic success of the rollout will depend on how efficiently local merchants and digital service providers can navigate the final cross-currency conversion steps required to transition their digital dollar balances into usable domestic liquidity.
The announcement is part of a broader global rollout making PYUSD available across 70 markets worldwide, spanning Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America.
Globally, an estimated 60% of people who died between 2023 and 2026 were cremated. Japan and South Korea lead the practice, with more than 90% of deaths resulting in cremation, while Sweden, Denmark and Slovenia report rates of around 87%.
The method is gaining popularity largely because it requires far less land than traditional burials.
A grave occupies significantly more space than an urn containing cremated remains, allowing cremation to reduce cemetery land use by up to 95%.
In countries such as Rwanda, where burial grounds may remain unused for up to 20 years and the population continues to grow, this presents a practical advantage.
Rwanda established a legal framework for cremation in 2015 through a ministerial order. Despite its benefits and growing global use, however, cremation remains an emotional subject for many people.
A new step for cremation in Rwanda
Rwanda may soon take another step by introducing electricity-powered cremation and establishing standard charges for the service. If all goes according to plan, the change could take effect in 2026.
Since Rwanda legalized cremation, members of the Hindu community, under Hindu Mandal, have been the primary providers of the service, mainly cremating the bodies of their fellow worshippers living or working in Rwanda.
The Government of Rwanda later reached an agreement with the Hindu community allowing their cremation facility to continue offering the service to all Rwandans who may wish to use it, especially since cremation has not yet become common among the local population.
The Hindu community, which has a temple in Kigali, originally operated a cremation site in the city. However, as Kigali expanded, the government requested that the facility be relocated from the city center to an area away from growing residential and development zones.
In 2009, the community moved the cremation site to Murama Cell in Nyamata Sector, Bugesera District.
However, a major challenge emerged: electricity had not yet reached the area, a situation that remains unchanged today. As a result, cremations have continued to be carried out using firewood rather than modern equipment.
Since the relocation, more than 200 bodies have been cremated at the site, including those of seven Rwandans. Most of the Rwandans cremated were married to foreigners from countries where cremation is a common practice.
Since January 2026 alone, the facility has cremated the remains of 20 foreign nationals, including several people who died in the same accident.
Officials responsible for managing the Hindu cremation site say preparations to introduce modern electric cremation services are at an advanced stage. The transition will also allow authorities to establish standard pricing for the service.
Until now, the service has largely been provided as assistance to those seeking cremation rather than as a commercial operation.
One official involved in managing the facility told IGIHE: “The installations have already been completed; what remains is the machinery. That is when the actual prices will be determined. Let electricity arrive first, then we will go to China to bring the cremation machines because the order has already been placed.”
The official declined to provide a specific timeline for the launch of electric cremation services but emphasized that preparations on their side are nearly complete.
The main remaining requirement is the extension of electricity to the area.
Bodies in Rwanda are set to be cremated using electricity.
Electricity expected by the end of June
Valens Nzamurambaho, the official in charge of electricity matters in Bugesera District, told IGIHE that if everything proceeds as planned, electricity should reach several areas of the district that currently lack power, including the location of the cremation site, by the end of June 2026.
He said: “The project to extend electricity there is not limited to that area alone but also covers other sectors across Bugesera District. The contract between the Energy Development Corporation Limited [EDCL] and TBA in Nyamata Sector is, according to the information I have, expected to end in June.”
Nzamurambaho explained that the contract was originally expected to conclude only after electricity had already been supplied to the targeted areas.
He added: “The contract was supposed to be completed by the end of June, which also meant that electricity should already have reached those areas. Although there are still some challenges, not only in that location but also in other places as well, I do not foresee any problem for that area. Electricity could be available there by the end of June. If nothing changes, it should be by June 30.”
Members of the Hindu community have a temple in Kigali where they conduct their religious ceremonies.
A practice with ancient roots
Historians note that the exact origins of cremation are not known. However, some records suggest that it was practiced in China as early as 8,000 years before Christ, while it became more widespread around the world by approximately 3,000 BC.
It is believed that cremation first spread through Europe before moving eastward into Asia and eventually reaching other regions.
Before cremation takes place, farewell ceremonies may be conducted depending on the beliefs of the deceased or their family.
The body is also inspected to ensure that it does not contain metal objects such as necklaces, rings or other items that could explode or be damaged during the cremation process. Such items are removed beforehand.
Under Rwanda’s ministerial regulations, a request for cremation may be made by the deceased before death or by a person authorized by them.
The request can be made either in writing or verbally in the presence of at least two adult witnesses.
The regulations further state that cremation must be carried out in a specially designed furnace powered by electricity and equipped with a continuous heat source. A backup generator must also be available to ensure operations continue during power outages.
The mayor of the district where a body is to be buried may authorize cremation if no individual comes forward to claim it.
After all required checks are completed, the body is placed in a cremation chamber or furnace. Regulations prohibit placing more than one body in the chamber at the same time.
The chamber operates at temperatures ranging between 600°C and 1,000°C, where the cremation process begins.
The entire process takes about three hours. What remains afterward is often referred to as ashes, although the remains are actually bone fragments. These fragments are passed through another machine that grinds them into a fine powder.
The cremated remains of a man typically weigh about 2.7 kilograms, while those of a woman average around 1.8 kilograms.
Rwanda’s ministerial regulations state that cremated remains are considered the property of the deceased’s family or, in some cases, the state.
Family members may agree to keep the ashes in a single urn or divide them among themselves as they wish.
The ashes may then be buried in a public cemetery, a private cemetery, at a family home, or in another location designated by the family. In cases where the deceased has no family, the state determines where the ashes will be placed.
The infrastructure used for cremation in Rwanda is located in Bugesera.
Supporters dressed in shirts bearing seven stars in tribute to the club’s record run of seven consecutive league titles, while players and coaches wore commemorative outfits featuring the three trophies won this season.
The military side capped off the 2025/26 campaign by winning the Rwanda Premier League, the Peace Cup and the FERWAFA Super Cup, completing a domestic treble and extending its grip on local football.
The latest triumph also marked a historic milestone, as APR FC became the first club in Rwanda to win seven league titles in a row. The club’s previous best run had been three consecutive championships.
Speaking during the celebrations, APR FC Honorary Chairman and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Mubarakh Muganga, said the club’s ambitions remain unchanged despite its recent success.
“Now the trophies are going to keep coming; others should be prepared. APR will always compete for trophies and in large numbers. Winning trophies is what makes us happy, and we will continue striving for more,” he said.
The celebrations followed APR FC’s 2-0 victory over Gicumbi FC at Kigali Pele Stadium, where the champions were officially presented with their 24th league title since joining the top flight in 1995.
Goals from William Mel Togui and league top scorer Djibril Ouattara sealed the win, providing a fitting conclusion to another successful campaign.
Ouattara, who finished the season with 18 league goals, added to his impressive tally with a second-half header, while Togui opened the scoring in the first half from a tight angle.
APR supporters also welcomed the sight of Andrew Buteera carrying the newly designed Rwanda Premier League trophy onto the pitch before the presentation ceremony. Buteera has now won seven league titles with APR FC, matching the club’s remarkable streak of seven consecutive championships.
Club captain Claude Niyomugabo received the trophy from FERWAFA President Fabrice Shema Ngoga and Rwanda Premier League Chairman Youssouf Mudaheranwa before lifting it alongside teammates and club officials in front of jubilant supporters.
The celebrations later moved to the Senior Officers’ Mess in Kimihurura, where military leadership hosted players, coaches and fans in recognition of a season that delivered three trophies.
During the event, Gen Muganga outlined the club’s next objectives, including winning the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup, which will be hosted in Rwanda from July 18 to August 8.
He also expressed a desire to see President Paul Kagame return to watch APR FC matches and proposed free entry for children aged 15 and below at all APR FC home games, provided they wear the club’s colours.
APR FC management rewarded players and members of the technical staff with cash bonuses in appreciation of their achievements throughout the season.
Supporters’ group APR Diaspora Fan Club also recognized the club’s standout performers, awarding Rwf500,000 each to top scorer Djibril Ouattara and defender Jean Gilbert Byiringiro for their contributions during the campaign.
Having completed a domestic treble and extended their record league-winning streak, APR FC now turns its attention to regional competition as it seeks to add more silverware to an already memorable season.
Defender Clément Niyigena poses for a photo with fans after the match.Niyigena, whose contract with APR FC expires this season, was among the club’s standout performers and has reportedly attracted interest from Sudanese giants Al-Hilal SC.
APR FC head coach Abderrahim Taleb made his way around the entire stadium, greeting supporters following the match.An APR FC supporter takes a selfie with the club’s captain, Claude Niyomugabo.Moroccan coach Abderrahim Taleb has completed one year in charge of APR FC.It was a joyful moment for APR FC fans, who had the opportunity to take photos with the players.APR FC supporters’ spokesperson Mugisha Frank, also known as “Jangwani,” hands a microphone to a young fan of the club.After the match, a large banner reading “Club Giant” was displayed at the center of the pitch, symbolizing APR FC’s status as a football powerhouse.Mauritanian striker Mamadou Sy also requested a camera and took photos himself.A visibly delighted coach Taleb paused to pose for photographs.APR FC coaching staff pose for a group photograph.Iraguha Hadji (center, front) and Ishimwe Abdul (rear) celebrate winning the league title for the first time in their careers.Rwanda Defence Force Chief of Defence Staff and APR FC Honorary Chairman Gen Mubarakh Muganga applauds the team.APR FC Secretary General Col (Rtd) Vincent Mugisha, Rwanda Defence Force Chief of Defence Staff Gen Mubarakh Muganga, Land Forces Chief Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi, and Reserve Force Chief Maj Gen Alex Kagame jointly lift the Rwanda Premier League trophy won by APR FC.
APR FC players and coaching staff celebrate winning the league title.
