Based in Gicumbi District in Rwanda’s Northern Province, the university says its approach is guided by its vision of becoming a “Radiating University of academic and professional excellence for sustainable socio-economic development.”
UTAB Vice Chancellor Fr. Dr. Gilbert Munana, said universities should contribute to society beyond producing graduates.
“A university should not only transform the lives of the students who pass through its gates; it should also contribute to transforming the communities and society to which those students belong.”
One example is the UTAB Living Lab at GS Byumba, established under the GREATER Project to connect education with practical community experiences.
The facility brings together students, educators, researchers and community members to identify challenges and explore solutions, particularly in renewable energy. The model also seeks to position communities as partners in learning, research and innovation.
The approach was highlighted during Global Goals Week on September 1, 2026, when the Living Lab hosted activities under the theme, “Strengthening Practical-Oriented and Community-Engaged Education through Living Labs for Sustainable Development.”
UTAB has also undertaken initiatives targeting household nutrition. On July 8, the university provided 504 families with children under five with hens and feed, alongside awareness sessions on the causes and consequences of malnutrition and stunting and ways to address them.
The initiative is part of the university’s efforts to work with other stakeholders to improve nutrition among vulnerable households while strengthening livelihoods and human capital.
Its engagement with the labour market is also reflected in the Network for Labour-Market-Oriented Education in Waste and Water Management (NEWW) project. The initiative links teaching and applied research with industry needs through practice-oriented curricula, expert engagement and interaction with employers.
During the 2026 NEWW Summer School and Career Fair, held in Kigali from September 1 to 5, students, academics, researchers and industry partners from Rwanda, Ghana and Germany participated in discussions on curriculum development, practical learning and research in waste and water management. The event also provided opportunities for students to interact with potential employers.
UTAB is further expanding its regional academic partnerships. From August 26 to 28, the university participated in the 3rd International Conference on Technological Advancement in Embedded and Mobile Systems (ICTA-EMOS 2026), hosted by Moi University in Eldoret, Kenya.
At the conference, Dr. Munana highlighted the importance of regional university networks in strengthening institutional capacity and the global visibility of African universities.
The university says its partnerships have also created opportunities for staff and student mobility and capacity building in countries including Ghana, China, Italy, Poland and Germany.
Meanwhile, UTAB is seeking to align its research with national development priorities. On August 28, it held a Research Agenda Stakeholders’ Workshop bringing together representatives from government, academia, the private sector, civil society and development partners.
The workshop sought to identify pressing challenges and guide academic staff in developing research projects focused on practical solutions and Rwanda’s socio-economic development.
Climate resilience is among the areas receiving increased attention. UTAB has introduced a Master of Science in Urban Environment and Climate Resilience, designed to develop professionals capable of addressing environmental risks, climate adaptation and sustainable urban development.
The university says the programme is intended to strengthen the human capital needed to help communities anticipate and respond to environmental and urban challenges.
Dr. Munana said universities have a responsibility to connect education, research and practical needs.
“Our responsibility is not simply to produce graduates, but to equip them with knowledge and practical skills that can be applied to real challenges.”
Through its Living Lab, community initiatives, industry partnerships, research agenda and new academic programmes, UTAB is seeking to strengthen the connection between higher education and the communities and industries it serves.
UTAB works to connect higher education with community needs and socio-economic development.UTAB Vice Chancellor Fr. Dr. Gilbert Munana, says universities should contribute to society beyond producing graduates.UTAB is expanding staff and student mobility opportunities through academic partnerships with institutions in countries including Ghana, China, Italy, Poland and Germany.UTAB continues to create opportunities for students to gain practical skills and experience.UTAB continues to use education, research and partnerships to contribute to sustainable socio-economic development.UTAB Vice Chancellor Fr. Dr. Gilbert Munana participated in the ICTA-EMOS 2026 conference in Eldoret, Kenya, where African universities discussed technological advancement and collaboration.UTAB places community engagement at the centre of its approach to higher education.Participants at the 2026 NEWW Summer School and Career Fair explored approaches to curriculum development in waste and water management.
The plan forms part of RwandAir’s broader strategy to expand long-haul operations, particularly to Europe and Asia, while strengthening Kigali’s role as a hub connecting African cities with international markets.
RwandAir’s Acting Chief Commercial Officer, Reuben Mbonye, told Aviation Week that Europe and East Asia are among the key regions the airline is considering for expansion, although it has not yet officially announced where the new services will begin.
As part of the plan, Frankfurt is being considered as a new destination in Germany, while Mumbai and Guangzhou are among cities where RwandAir could resume services that were previously suspended.
RwandAir currently operates long-haul services to destinations including London, Paris, Brussels, Dubai and Doha, alongside a network covering Eastern, Central, Western and Southern Africa.
Five Airbus A330s to support expansion
A key part of the expansion will be the addition of five Airbus A330-200 aircraft to RwandAir’s fleet.
The first of the five aircraft was received in August 2026, with the remaining four expected to enter service gradually. All five aircraft will be operated under lease agreements.
Depending on their configuration, the aircraft can accommodate between 220 and 270 passengers.
The first aircraft has already entered commercial service with 226 seats and is being used to increase RwandAir’s capacity on European routes, including additional frequencies to Paris and Brussels.
The addition of more A330s is significant because the aircraft are designed for long-haul operations and can carry relatively large numbers of passengers. This gives RwandAir room to increase frequencies on existing routes while also supporting the launch of new services.
A larger fleet could also give the airline greater flexibility in adjusting its network and strengthening connections through Kigali for passengers travelling from different African countries to Europe, Asia and other international destinations.
RwandAir’s expansion plans extend beyond the five Airbus A330s. Mbonye said the airline aims to nearly double its fleet over the next five years.
The expansion is also expected to be accompanied by a significant increase in passenger numbers.
In the 2023/24 financial year, RwandAir carried slightly more than one million passengers. Its target is to carry more than 2.1 million passengers annually by 2028/29, more than doubling the number within a few years.
The figures indicate that RwandAir is seeking not only to expand its network but also to significantly increase its passenger capacity and strengthen its position in Africa’s aviation market.
RwandAir aims to nearly double its fleet over the next five years as it targets more than 2.1 million passengers annually by 2028/29.
Expansion aligned with Bugesera airport
RwandAir’s expansion comes alongside Rwanda’s wider plans to develop the new Bugesera International Airport.
The airport, whose development is valued at about $2 billion, is being built in partnership with Qatar Airways, which holds a 60% stake.
The first phase is expected to be completed in 2028 and will have the capacity to handle seven million passengers annually.
A subsequent phase, expected around 2032, would double the airport’s capacity to 14 million passengers a year.
The new airport is expected to provide Rwanda with significantly greater capacity to expand international air services compared with the existing Kigali International Airport.
However, RwandAir’s expansion plans come at a time when African airlines are facing rising operating costs.
Mbonye said higher fuel prices have increased RwandAir’s operating costs, prompting the airline to review its fares.
More broadly, airlines across Africa continue to face challenges including high fuel prices, taxes, airport charges and difficulties accessing some markets, all of which contribute to the relatively high cost of air travel on the continent.
RwandAir is considering Frankfurt, Mumbai and Guangzhou as it plans to expand its international network and strengthen long-haul operations.
The charges include forming or joining a criminal organisation, inciting riots or public disorder, attempting to undermine the established government, and spreading false information or propaganda intended to turn foreign countries against Rwanda.
The prosecution began presenting its case after earlier proceedings in which Ingabire and her lawyers challenged the panel of judges hearing the case and were fined Rwf500,000 for allegedly delaying the proceedings. The challenge was rejected by the Court of Appeal, which also upheld the fine.
Prosecutors alleged that although Ingabire had advocated removing the government through non-violent means, investigations showed that she was also involved in efforts involving force or weapons.
The prosecution said that after Ingabire was pardoned and released from prison in September 2018, she resumed working with FDU Inkingi and groups based outside Rwanda in efforts aimed at removing the government.
It also linked her to the P5 coalition, which included the Rwanda National Congress (RNC), FDU Inkingi, Amahoro People’s Congress, PDP-Imanzi and a faction of PS-Imberakuri led by Bernard Ntaganda.
The prosecution alleged that P5 was involved in attacks in Rwanda, including an October 2019 attack in Musanze District that killed civilians and injured others.
Ingabire’s lawyer, Bruce Bikotwa, asked prosecutors to demonstrate her specific role in FDU Inkingi while the group was part of P5. The prosecutor responded that Ingabire founded and continued to lead FDU Inkingi during that period.
The prosecution also referred to a covert investigation and alleged that Ingabire and former FDU Inkingi member Cassien Ntamuhanga were recorded discussing plans to overthrow the government. The recordings, it said, will be presented in court.
Prosecutors further alleged that after Ingabire realised an armed overthrow was not possible, she changed strategy and organised training sessions described as English classes for DALFA Umurinzi members.
According to the prosecution, participants were taught strategies including “protest and persuasion”, “non-cooperation”, “boycott” and “mobilisation”. They were allegedly encouraged to use methods such as refusing to participate in some government programmes and to use media platforms to publicise their activities.
The prosecution also alleged that Ingabire coordinated participants inside and outside Rwanda, while journalists Théoneste Nsengimana and Dieudonné Niyonsenga, known as Cyuma Hassan, were expected to help publicise the activities.
The court has given the prosecution four days to present its case, after which the defence will respond.
The hearing was adjourned on Friday afternoon and will resume on September 21 at 9 a.m. when the prosecution will continue presenting its case.
The High Court in Kigali on Friday, September 18, began hearing the case against Victoire Ingabire and 10 co-defendants accused of offences linked to an alleged plot to overthrow the government.
The verdict was delivered on September 18, 2026, following proceedings over the management of funds held by the Fund for the Repair and Compensation of Victims of Uganda’s Illicit Activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (FRIVAO).
The court also sentenced Chançard Bolukola Osony, the fund’s former acting coordinator, to seven years of forced labour. Both men were also barred from voting and standing for election for five years and excluded from public office for the same period.
The case concerns several financial transactions involving FRIVAO funds. During the proceedings, prosecutors cited, among other transactions, $14.3 million transferred to Congo Energy and $4 million allocated to the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN), alongside other payments that the prosecution considered irregular.
The funds managed by FRIVAO are linked to reparations paid to the DRC following the International Court of Justice’s ruling ordering Uganda to compensate Congo for damage caused by its activities during the conflict in the country.
The money was intended to support reparations and compensation for Congolese victims.
The prosecution had requested a 15-year forced-labour sentence for Mutamba and Bolukola. The court ultimately handed Mutamba a 10-year sentence and Bolukola seven years.
Mutamba had rejected the accusations against him and did not appear during the final stage of the proceedings.
He had previously said he was being targeted by people opposed to him and had maintained that the case was linked to his position on transparency while serving as justice minister.
The latest verdict is Mutamba’s second conviction since leaving the justice ministry in 2025.
On September 2, 2025, the Court of Cassation sentenced him to three years of forced labour after finding him guilty of misappropriating $19 million intended for the construction of a prison in Kisangani.
The court also ordered him to return the money and barred him from voting or standing for election for five years after completing his sentence, as well as from holding public office.
Former DRC justice minister has been handed 10 years of forced labour over FRIVAO funds
Now serving her second term, Mukabalisa is also known for her performances in athletics competitions involving East African legislators, where she has won several medals.
Speaking to IGIHE, Mukabalisa disclosed her interest in leadership began long before she entered Parliament. As a student, she regularly took part in school clubs and activities, including Scouts, and later became involved in student leadership at university.
“I liked being among the first people to volunteer whenever there was something to be done or whenever others needed help,” she said.
Mukabalisa studied law at the University of Rwanda after completing her secondary education. At university, she was elected to represent law students before later becoming a commissioner responsible for gender in the wider students’ association.
She said these experiences taught her that leadership could provide a platform to raise issues affecting others, particularly women and students who might otherwise struggle to have their concerns heard.
After graduating, Mukabalisa spent time as a volunteer at a sector office in Musanze while looking for employment. She said the experience eventually helped her secure her first job after she used computers and internet access at the sector to apply for opportunities online.
“Volunteering is what I would say brought me into employment,” she said.
Mukabalisa said she did not grow up dreaming of becoming an MP. Instead, she developed an interest in serving people and gradually recognised opportunities to do so through different stages of her career, including her work at the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Her entry into Parliament in 2020, she said, was driven by a sense of responsibility towards the women who supported her campaign.
“I do not see myself as Germaine asking a minister a question. I see myself as Germaine who has an agreement with a citizen to ask the minister how this or that issue was addressed,” she said.
Among the recent laws she is particularly pleased to have participated in is the 2024 family law, which recognises that unpaid domestic work performed by women can, in certain circumstances, be given value and taken into account.
She described the provision as an important step because women often spend much of their time performing household work that does not generate a formal income.
Mukabalisa has also found an unexpected platform for service through athletics. She first competed in the sport after joining Parliament, when legislators resumed competitions in 2022 following the disruption caused by Covid-19.
Having no previous experience in athletics, she taught herself through training and online resources and eventually began winning medals. In 2023, when Rwanda hosted the competition, she won a gold medal.
Her determination was tested during an 800-metre race when she noticed that Rwanda was not listed among the competitors. She decided to participate anyway and eventually overtook a Ugandan runner who had taken an early lead.
“I told myself that the worst thing that could happen was failing to win a medal. I put in all the strength we had been taught to use and eventually managed to overtake her,” she recalled.
For Mukabalisa, both Parliament and sport have provided different avenues through which she can represent others, challenge herself and turn opportunities into service.
MP Germaine Mukabalisa has won several medals in athletics competitions involving East African legislators, despite having never competed in the sport before joining Parliament.MP Germaine Mukabalisa says she never dreamed of becoming a parliamentarian, but has built her career around a desire to serve people and use every opportunity to make a difference.
The figure combines outbound travel spending recorded in the first and second quarters of the year: $98.1 million in Q1 and $99.7 million in Q2, marking a steady rise in what Rwandans are spending on trips outside the country.
The survey is conducted jointly by NISR, the National Bank of Rwanda (NBR), the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), and the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration (DGIE), drawing on interviews with returning residents at 11 border points, including Kigali International Airport.
“The results of this survey are instrumental in addressing a diverse range of tourist interests and in enhancing overall travel experiences,” the report notes.
Business travel leads the spend
Business was the dominant driver of outbound spending in Q2, accounting for 49.1% ($49.0 million) of that quarter’s total import bill. Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) followed at 20.6% ($20.5 million), with education-related travel contributing 19.0% ($18.9 million). Holiday and health-related travel made up the smallest shares.
Air travel accounted for the largest portion of spending, at $76.2 million in Q2 alone, compared to $23.5 million spent by residents travelling through land borders.
By region, Europe recorded the highest spending among air travellers in Q2, at $26.0 million, followed by Asia at $17.3 million and the East African Community (EAC) at $13.1 million. Among residents travelling by land, the EAC accounted for nearly all spending, at $23.5 million, reflecting the region’s proximity and frequent cross-border movement for business and family visits.
Outbound spending on a steady climb
NISR’s data shows that Rwandans’ spending abroad has risen consistently over recent quarters, climbing from $83.7 million in the first quarter of 2025 to $99.7 million by the second quarter of 2026, an upward trend even as global and regional travel patterns fluctuate.
Despite the rising outbound bill, Rwanda’s earnings from foreign visitors continue to outpace what residents spend abroad. In Q2 alone, the country earned $161.8 million from non-resident travellers, leaving a net travel services surplus of $62.1 million for the quarter.
The estimates are derived by combining survey findings on average length of stay and average daily expenditure abroad with official traveller volumes recorded by the DGIE.
Rwandan residents spent an estimated $197.8 million (about Rwf291 billion) on travel abroad in the first half of 2026, according to the latest National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda’s (NISR) biannual Travel Expenditure Survey (TES) released in mid-September.
The figure represents the country’s export of travel services, spending by non-resident visitors while in Rwanda, and marks an increase from $151.4 million (Rwf222 billion) recorded in the first quarter of the year.
The survey, conducted jointly by NISR, the National Bank of Rwanda (NBR), the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), and the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration (DGIE), gathered data from travellers at 11 border points, including Kigali International Airport, between May and July 2026.
Air travel dominates earnings
Visitors arriving by air accounted for the bulk of the earnings, contributing $135.4 million (Rwf199 billion), or 83.7%, of total travel credits. Land border arrivals contributed the remaining $26.4 million (Rwf39 billion).
By purpose of visit, holiday travel was the single largest contributor, bringing in $59.7 million (Rwf88 billion), or 36.9% of total credits. Visitors travelling to see friends and relatives (VFR) contributed 28.1% ($45.5 million), while business travellers accounted for 24.9% ($40.2 million).
Gorillas the star attraction
Within the holiday travel segment, gorilla tourism proved to be the dominant revenue driver. Of the $57.6 million (Rwf85 billion) generated from holiday travel by air, gorilla-related visits accounted for 79.4% of that total, underscoring the primate’s continued role as Rwanda’s flagship tourism product.
By region, North America was the top-spending market, with visitors from the region contributing $40.2 million. Europe followed with $27.7 million, while visitors from the rest of Africa spent $27.1 million. Travellers from the East African Community (EAC) contributed $22.2 million by air, and were the largest spenders by land, accounting for $13.6 million of the $26.4 million recorded through land borders.
Outbound spending also rises
While Rwanda earned $161.8 million from inbound travel, residents travelling abroad spent $99.7 million during the same period, up from $98.1 million in the first quarter, leaving Rwanda with a net travel services surplus of $62.1 million.
Business was the leading purpose for outbound spending, accounting for 49.1% ($49.0 million) of the import bill, followed by visits to friends and relatives at 20.6% ($20.5 million) and education-related travel at 19.0% ($18.9 million). Europe was the top destination for spending among air travellers, at $26.0 million, while the EAC accounted for nearly all spending by residents travelling by land, at $23.5 million.
The estimates are derived by combining survey findings on average length of stay and average daily expenditure with official traveller volumes recorded by the DGIE.
Within the holiday travel segment, gorilla tourism proved to be the dominant revenue driver. Of the $57.6 million (Rwf85 billion) generated from holiday travel by air, gorilla-related visits accounted for 79.4% of that total, underscoring the primate’s continued role as Rwanda’s flagship tourism product.
Now, that transformation is getting closer to Rwanda after Yadea Technology Group, one of the world’s leading electric two-wheeler manufacturers, signed a strategic partnership with Spiro, Africa’s electric mobility company, to expand accessible and sustainable transport solutions.
The agreement connects Yadea’s global manufacturing strength and research capabilities with Spiro’s operations and battery-swapping network in countries where it operates, including Rwanda.
Under the partnership, Yadea will supply electric two-wheelers and related products adapted to Spiro’s markets, while both companies develop motorcycles designed for local road conditions and commercial use.
Founded in 2001, Yadea has grown from an electric vehicle manufacturer into a global mobility company combining research and development, intelligent manufacturing, sales networks and after-sales services.
Today, Yadea products are used in more than 100 countries, with more than 100 million electric vehicles sold worldwide.
Its portfolio includes electric motorcycles, electric bicycles, electric three-wheelers, electric scooters, folding bikes, graphene lead-acid batteries, sodium-ion batteries and related spare parts.
A major milestone came in May 2016, when Yadea became the first electric vehicle company in China’s industry to be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Headquartered in Wuxi, Yadea has developed a global manufacturing and innovation network with 10 production and research bases located in Jiangsu, Tianjin, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Chongqing and Anhui in China, as well as Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Mexico.
The company operates more than 40,000 retail stores worldwide, holds more than 2,000 patents, operates three national-level CNAS laboratories, six technology research and development centres and one national-level industrial design centre.
Through these facilities, Yadea has developed technologies in batteries, motors, electronic controllers and intelligent vehicle systems.
Its achievements have also received recognition in China. In 2021, Yadea was accredited as one of the “5th Batch of National Industrial Design Centers (2022–2025)”. In 2022, it was recognised as a “National Intellectual Property Advantage Enterprise”, while in 2024 it ranked 249th among China’s Top 500 Private Enterprises.
Rwanda, a thousand opportunities
In Rwanda, motorcycles play a major role in daily transport, connecting workers, students, businesses and communities.
Rising fuel costs, maintenance expenses, environmental concerns and road safety challenges have increased interest in electric mobility.
In 2025, Rwanda stopped registering petrol-powered motorcycles for passenger transport as part of efforts to accelerate cleaner transport solutions.
Since electric motorcycles entered the Rwandan market, their number has increased by 686%, creating a growing opportunity for companies such as Yadea.
Spiro has already established a strong presence in Rwanda. In an interview with IGIHE in June 2026, Spiro Rwanda Managing Director Amit Chawla said the company had approximately 25,000 electric motorcycles operating on Rwanda’s roads and around 350 battery-swapping stations.
Over the next five years, Spiro plans to expand its Rwanda operations to between 75,000 and 80,000 electric motorcycles, nearly 3,000 employees, around 1,000 battery-swapping stations and between 65,000 and 70,000 batteries.
The company previously secured $215 million to accelerate expansion before announcing a larger growth phase following a $270 million funding round that included investment from NewTrails Capital, a Chinese fund.
The recently signed agreement connects Yadea’s global manufacturing strength and research capabilities with Spiro’s operations and battery-swapping network in countries where it operates, including Rwanda.
Smart technology for future transport
During a visit to Yadea’s facilities in Wuxi, the company’s Head of Overseas Branding, Sam Yuan, told IGIHE that Yadea adapts its products to meet different market needs.
“Our purpose of cooperating with Spiro is to bring Yadea’s manufacturing and technology advantages to riders through Spiro’s local network and battery exchange channels,” he said.
The company is developing smart motorcycles equipped with technologies such as intelligent identification systems, facial recognition, Traction Control System (TCS), anti-slip technology, Hill Descent Control (HDC) and power-cut systems when motorcycles stop.
Products designed specifically for African markets are expected to be introduced in 2027.
The company also focuses on battery sustainability, saying 98% of materials used in its lithium batteries can be recycled, while the remaining 2% does not create harmful environmental impact.
Yadea’s industrial scale supports its global expansion.
Its Tianjin base has 24 complete-vehicle assembly lines and targets annual production and sales capacity of 10 million units, with an output value of nearly RMB 30 billion.
Its Chongqing base, built with an investment of around RMB 1 billion (220 billion Rwandan francs), covers 22 hectares, has a construction area of 221,000 square metres and is designed to produce five million units annually.
The facility is expected to generate output exceeding 10 billion yuan (more than Rwf2.2 trillion) and create more than 5,000 jobs.
Internationally, Yadea’s Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Mexico bases have a combined planned annual production capacity of 750,000 units.
One of Yadea’s electric motorcycle models equipped with advanced technologies aimed at improving efficiency, safety and rider experienceYadea integrates intelligent systems into its electric motorcycles, including technologies that support safer and more efficient ridingThe headquarters of Yadea Technology Group in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China, where the global electric mobility company develops and manufactures smart electric two-wheelersA visitor tests a Yadea electric motorcycle during a demonstration at the company’s facility in Wuxi, experiencing the performance of smart electric mobilityVisitors experience Yadea’s electric vehicles, which combine battery technology, intelligent systems and comfortable design for everyday transportYadea’s electric motorcycles represent the company’s vision of cleaner, smarter and more accessible mobility solutions for markets around the world, including RwandaA range of Yadea electric motorcycles displayed at the company’s facility in Wuxi, showcase different models designed for urban mobility needsCES 2023 saw the US debut of the all-new high-speed straddle electric motorcycle series Yadea Keeness VFD
Faustin Munyazikwiye, Deputy Director-General of the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), said on September 16 that 29 carbon projects have been registered in Rwanda.
“So far, REMA has registered 29 projects on the carbon market, which are at different stages of development,” Munyazikwiye said at a press conference ahead of the Carbon Markets Africa Summit scheduled for next month.
The projects cover areas including forestry, agriculture, land conservation, waste management, renewable energy and electric mobility. They are at different stages, with some already generating credits for sale while others are undergoing independent verification.
Carbon credits are tradable units representing verified reductions or removals of greenhouse gas emissions. One carbon credit generally represents one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent that has been avoided, reduced or removed from the atmosphere.
Munyazikwiye said carbon credits currently sell for between $14 and $45 per tonne, depending on factors including the nature and quality of the project.
Under Rwanda’s carbon market framework, launched in 2023, projects are reviewed by REMA before undergoing verification by accredited independent entities. The process is designed to establish whether claimed emissions reductions or removals have been achieved before credits are issued.
A portion of the revenue generated from credit sales goes to the government.
Rwanda participates in both voluntary and regulated carbon markets and has a cooperation agreement with Singapore allowing the purchase of eligible credits generated by projects in Rwanda.
Environment Minister Bernadette Arakwiye said the market could also create income opportunities for communities, including through activities such as tree planting.
The figures come ahead of the Carbon Markets Africa Summit, which will be held in Kigali from October 13-15 and bring together developers, investors and buyers around projects in areas such as nature-based solutions, regenerative agriculture and waste management.
Rwanda has generated about $1.5 million (Rwf2.2 billion) from carbon credit sales as the country expands efforts to attract investment into climate-focused projects.
The commitment was made on Thursday, September 17, 2026, during a ceremony at M Hotel in Kigali that also marked the launch of the first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report of Chinese Enterprises in Rwanda and the inaugural artificial intelligence lecture under the Luban Classroom programme.
The event brought together representatives of Chinese and Rwandan businesses, government institutions and other stakeholders to discuss responsible investment, sustainable mining, corporate social responsibility, skills development and technology.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi said responsible business practices are essential to building lasting cooperation between Chinese companies and their host communities.
“As a responsible major developing country, the Chinese government is committed to guiding Chinese enterprises to comply with the laws and regulations of China and host countries, to regulate business conduct, maintain sound market order, promote industry self-discipline and continuously improve social and environmental performance,” Gao said.
He said responsible business conduct should not be viewed solely as a government requirement but also as a foundation for trust, quality and long-term partnerships.
“This is not only a policy requirement, but also a foundation of trust, quality and long-term cooperation,” he added.
Gao highlighted the contribution of Chinese enterprises to Rwanda’s economic and social development through job creation, skills transfer and investment across different sectors.
“In Rwanda, Chinese enterprises have been working hard, creating jobs, transferring skills, contributing to economic and social development,” he said.
Report highlights contribution of Chinese firms
The 2026 Social Responsibility Report of Chinese Enterprises in Rwanda, published as Rwanda and China mark 55 years of diplomatic relations, documents the contribution of Chinese companies to infrastructure, employment, education, healthcare, community welfare and environmental protection.
The report details that China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), which has operated in Rwanda for 52 years, has completed more than 90 projects and constructed about 1,500 kilometres of roads. The report says CRBC has created more than 500,000 jobs for Rwandans over its 52 years of operations in the country.
The Kivu Belt Road project alone employed 1,500 local workers, while PowerChina’s Nyabarongo II hydropower project provided 1,064 local jobs.
In manufacturing, C&D Garment employs more than 6,000 local workers, with women accounting for 80% of its workforce. Average wages at the company are reported to be more than 20% above Rwanda’s statutory minimum wage.
The report also points to investments in healthcare. The expanded Masaka Hospital, constructed by Shanghai Construction Group, has 837 beds and is reported to serve more than 300,000 residents.
Meanwhile, a traditional Chinese medicine programme run by the China Medical Team at Masaka and Kibagabaga hospitals recorded 14,913 patient visits as of July.
Education and skills development are also highlighted. Huawei’s DigiTruck programme trained 1,836 people over the past 12 months, while Forever TVET has trained more than 2,500 graduates.
The Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda is reported to have reached nearly 30,000 learners through 14 teaching sites over 17 years.
The report also documents community support and emergency response by Chinese enterprises. CRBC says it cleared 48 kilometres of disaster relief roads within 30 hours during the 2025 floods in Rwanda’s Western Province.
Environmental initiatives highlighted in the report include 1,500 hectares of planted bamboo forests out of a 2,129-hectare concession, as well as a 44.28 kWp solar photovoltaic energy-storage system at Forever TVET.
The report presents corporate social responsibility as part of Chinese enterprises’ broader operations in Rwanda, with future priorities including infrastructure, education and culture, healthcare, employment, community welfare and green development.
Mining initiative
The mineral resources initiative signed during Thursday’s ceremony outlines principles aimed at promoting responsible business conduct in Rwanda’s mining sector.
They include compliance with laws and national policies, business ethics and fair competition, engagement with local communities, protection of workers’ rights, responsible procurement, environmental protection and transparent communication.
Gao encouraged Chinese enterprises to strengthen engagement with local communities and Rwandan partners.
“We encourage Chinese enterprises to listen to local communities, work with Rwandan partners and turn responsibility into concrete action,” he said.
The Acting CEO of the Rwanda Private Sector Federation (PSF), Callixte Kanamugire, said Rwanda’s mining sector has significant potential but must be developed responsibly to create lasting value for the country.
“The private sector must ensure that mineral development creates lasting value for Rwanda through local processing, employment creation, skills development and stronger participation of Rwandan businesses in the supply chain,” he said.
He welcomed the commitment by participating companies to comply with laws and regulations, protect the environment, safeguard occupational health and safety, respect local communities, and promote transparency and sustainable mining practices.
Rwanda is the first country outside China where Chinese mining enterprises have collectively responded to the initiative, following its launch at the China Mining Conference and Exhibition in Tianjin on September 10, 2026.
Kanamugire called for deeper cooperation in responsible investment, stronger partnerships between Chinese and Rwandan businesses through local procurement, subcontracting and technology transfer, and greater investment in professional training and technical education.
He said responsible business should go beyond charitable donations to include decent employment, workers’ rights, workplace safety, environmental protection, local sourcing and knowledge transfer.
AI skills development
The ceremony also featured the inaugural artificial intelligence lecture of the Luban Classroom programme, which focuses on knowledge sharing, skills development and practical cooperation between China and Rwanda.
Kanamugire said AI and digital technology are transforming the global economy, making cooperation in education and skills development increasingly important.
He said Rwanda has placed innovation, technology and human capital at the centre of its development agenda, and encouraged institutions and companies involved in the Luban Classroom to ensure its training remains connected to labour-market needs.
The Luban Classroom was initiated by the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda and is organised and implemented by the China Chamber of Commerce in Rwanda.
55 years of diplomatic ties
The event formed part of activities marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Rwanda and China.
Gao said China remains committed to supporting Rwanda’s development ambitions through continued cooperation.
“This year marks the 55th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, so I have every reason to believe that our bilateral relations have entered the best period in history. Rwanda and China are good friends and we are comprehensive strategic partners,” he said.
He added that China is ready to work with Rwanda to implement outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and support Rwanda’s development goals.
A delegation representing 15 Chinese enterprises is visiting Rwanda from September 15 to 20 as part of the activities. The delegation includes Diao Chunhe, Executive Chairman of the Alliance of Chinese Business in Africa for Social Responsibilities, and Xin Xiuming, Vice President of the China International Contractors Association.
The ceremony concluded with renewed commitments to responsible mineral-resource cooperation, stronger corporate social responsibility, environmental protection, skills development and technology partnerships between Rwanda and China.
The ceremony marked the launch of the first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report of Chinese Enterprises in Rwanda and the inaugural artificial intelligence lecture under the Luban Classroom programme.The event brought together representatives of Chinese and Rwandan businesses, government institutions and other stakeholders to discuss responsible investment, sustainable mining, corporate social responsibility, skills development and technology.The report also documents community support and emergency response by Chinese enterprises. The Acting CEO of the Rwanda Private Sector Federation (PSF), Callixte Kanamugire, said Rwanda’s mining sector has significant potential but must be developed responsibly to create lasting value for the country.Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi (center) said responsible business practices are essential to building lasting cooperation between Chinese companies and their host communities.
