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  • Over 1,200 households set for compensation under Ruzizi III power project

    Over 1,200 households set for compensation under Ruzizi III power project

    At least 1,232 households in Rusizi District, Western Province, are set to receive compensation as Rwanda advances land acquisition for the Ruzizi III Regional Hydropower Project.

    The households have been identified following completion of the inventory and valuation of affected land and assets, including houses, crops, trees, and other property. A published list confirms those eligible for compensation under the project’s resettlement process.

    The $800 million Ruzizi III project is a 206-megawatt regional hydropower scheme developed as a public-private partnership between Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It also involves private sector partners Industrial Promotion Services, the infrastructure arm of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, and SN Power, owned by TotalEnergies.

    It is being implemented by Ruzizi III Energy Limited, a special-purpose vehicle responsible for developing, financing, constructing, and operating the facility. Once completed, electricity generated will be shared equally among the three countries to improve access to affordable renewable energy.

    A cut-off date of June 8, 2026 has been set, meaning any land developments or assets added after that date will not be eligible for compensation.

    “The recent declaration of the land acquisition cut-off date in Rwanda is an important milestone in the implementation of the Resettlement Action Plan on the Rwandan side,” Mohsin Tahir, Project Director at Ruzizi III Energy Limited, told The New Times.

    He added that compensation figures are based on verified assessments. “On the Rwandan side, based on the land and asset inventory undertaken, it is expected that approximately 1,232 affected households will be eligible for compensation. This will be finalised and confirmed following the cut-off process, including landowners, crop owners, tenants, and sharecroppers.”

    Project officials said the measure is intended to ensure fairness and transparency in the compensation process while preventing opportunistic developments aimed at increasing payouts after notification of land acquisition.

    An estimated $21 million will be spent on compensation in Rwanda. While the figure for Rwanda is confirmed, assessments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are still ongoing, and Burundi is not expected to have any displaced households.

    The project is backed by several international financiers, including the World Bank, African Development Bank, European Union, European Investment Bank, and International Finance Corporation.

    Construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027, with Ruzizi III expected to significantly boost regional power supply once operational.

    Officials say at least 1,232 households in Rusizi District, Western Province, are set to receive compensation as Rwanda advances land acquisition for the Ruzizi III Regional Hydropower Project.

  • Rwanda’s greenhouse gas emissions rise by 5.4 million tons over 16 years – REMA

    Rwanda’s greenhouse gas emissions rise by 5.4 million tons over 16 years – REMA

    The findings are contained in the Rwanda First Biennial Report, which examines greenhouse gas emissions between 2006 and 2022. The report tracks four key greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and are covered under international climate agreements: carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

    Carbon dioxide emissions largely stem from human activities such as cooking with firewood and charcoal, which drives deforestation, as well as industrial processes and the use of petroleum-based fuels. Methane is primarily produced by livestock farming, decomposing organic waste, and oil extraction activities. Nitrous oxide emissions result mainly from agricultural fertiliser use, while hydrofluorocarbons are released from cooling equipment such as refrigerators and air conditioners.

    To standardise measurement, all greenhouse gases are converted into carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e), allowing for consistent comparison despite differences in their atmospheric impact.

    According to the report, emissions stood at 2.395 million tons in 2006 before rising to 4.017 million tons in 2010. Between 2011 and 2014, emissions stabilised at slightly above 3 million tons annually, reflecting a temporary decline.

    However, emissions rose sharply in 2015, reaching 5.031 million tons. After a slight decline in 2016 and 2017, when levels remained just above 4 million tons, emissions increased again, reaching 5.314 million tons in 2018 and 6.731 million tons in 2019. In 2020, emissions slightly decreased to 6.434 million tons.

    The upward trend resumed in subsequent years, with emissions reaching 7.095 million tons in 2021 and 7.832 million tons in 2022.

    The report attributes the increase in emissions to several factors, including the growing use of ozone-friendly refrigerants and cooling gases, which, despite replacing ozone-depleting substances, still contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions from cooling technologies are estimated to be increasing by around 12% annually.

    Another major driver is the country’s reliance on biomass for cooking energy, with approximately 83% of households using firewood and charcoal, both of which significantly contribute to carbon emissions. Petroleum products used in transport and machinery account for 9.7% of emissions, while electricity generation contributes 1.3%.

    Despite the upward trend, the report highlights ongoing mitigation efforts. These include government initiatives to promote electric mobility and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

    Rwanda has also set a national target to reduce the use of firewood and charcoal to 42% by 2030. These measures are part of a broader climate strategy aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 38%, equivalent to approximately 4.6 million tons, by the year 2030.

    Rwanda’s greenhouse gas emissions have risen sharply over the past 16 years, increasing from 2.395 million tons in 2006 to 7.832 million tons in 2022, according to a new report by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA).
  • Confirmed Ebola cases in DR Congo rise to 1,048

    Confirmed Ebola cases in DR Congo rise to 1,048

    According to the report, covering data as of Sunday, 371 patients were in isolation or hospitalized, while 112 people had recovered. A total of 202 suspected cases, including 60 deaths, were identified as of Sunday. The overall case fatality rate stood at 25.5 percent.

    The report said the number of confirmed cases has continued to rise week by week, indicating ongoing community transmission. It warned that a rapid geographic spread remains possible if public health measures are not implemented promptly.

    The current outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, was officially declared on May 15 by the DRC’s health ministry.

    Red Cross workers bury an Ebola victim at the Rwampara Cemetery, in Rwampara, Congo, Saturday, May 23, 2026.
  • Rwandan football talents set to benefit from Benfica-backed project

    Rwandan football talents set to benefit from Benfica-backed project

    The agreement was formalised on Sunday in Israel, bringing together Hapoel Hadera, Benfica Lisbon and the Tony Rwanda project in a partnership focused on youth development, professional training and creating opportunities for young players.

    The signing in Israel also comes at a time when Tony Rwanda and Benfica have been discussing a wider project with the Government of Rwanda.

    Sources involved in the talks said Tony Rwanda and Benfica have been in discussions with Rwandan authorities since early last year, following a visit to Portugal by Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire, over a broader partnership that would establish a large campus in Rwanda to serve as a regional hub for football talent development.

    Some people close to the process say that, as the discussions with Hapoel Hadera have now materialised, Benfica and Tony Rwanda are also holding talks with other African countries over the possibility of establishing the proposed regional hub.

    For Rwanda, the Hapoel Hadera and Benfica deal is important because it gives young talents connected to Tony Rwanda a possible pathway into a more competitive football environment outside the country.

    In the first phase, a player from Rwanda is expected to join Hapoel Hadera’s youth setup, with the hope that more players could follow if the project succeeds.

    The partnership comes as Hapoel Hadera enters a new phase under the leadership of Itay Ben-Zeev, the CEO of the Israel Stock Exchange, who recently bought the club. Asi Rahamim will serve as the owner’s representative, while continuing his role as sporting director of Tony Rwanda. He will also help strengthen Hapoel Hadera’s professional and operational structure.

    Ben-Zeev said the idea was to connect different pieces of the same vision.

    “For the past three years, Benfica Lisbon has been working together with Tony Rwanda,” he said during the launch. “When I spoke with Assi Rahamim and Hapoel Hadera, I said: ‘Why don’t we connect everything?’”

    He said the project should not only benefit young players in Rwanda, but also create opportunities for children in Israel.

    “Now this project will not only affect youth in Rwanda, but also in Israel, in Hadera,” he said.

    The agreement was formalised on Sunday in Israel, bringing together Hapoel Hadera, Benfica Lisbon and the Tony Rwanda project in a partnership focused on youth development, professional training and creating opportunities for young players.
    The signing in Israel also comes at a time when Tony Rwanda and Benfica have been discussing a wider project with the Government of Rwanda.
    In the first phase, a player from Rwanda is expected to join Hapoel Hadera’s youth setup, with the hope that more players could follow if the project succeeds.

    For Rwanda, the Hapoel Hadera and Benfica deal is important because it gives young talents connected to Tony Rwanda a possible pathway into a more competitive football environment outside the country.

  • 10,000 Rwandan returnees to be repatriated in 2026 as Rwanda–DRC adopt new roadmap

    10,000 Rwandan returnees to be repatriated in 2026 as Rwanda–DRC adopt new roadmap

    The commitment was announced following a Tripartite High-Level Ministerial Meeting held in Addis Ababa on Monday, June 22. There, the three parties reviewed progress under existing repatriation frameworks and adopted the 2026–2027 Tripartite Technical Working Group Road Map on Voluntary Repatriation and Reintegration.

    The meeting was convened under the framework of the Tripartite Agreements signed in 2010 and comes amid efforts to improve relations between Kigali and Kinshasa following the signing of the Accords for Peace and Prosperity in Washington in December 2025.

    In a joint communiqué issued after the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to durable displacement solutions, stating that the “voluntary, safe, dignified, and informed return” remains “a cornerstone of durable solutions and a contribution to peacebuilding and regional stability.”

    According to UN data presented during the meeting, the DRC database holds records for 196,289 Rwandan nationals and asylum seekers, including 75,421 who have been biometrically registered, while Rwanda hosts 84,456 Congolese refugees and asylum seekers.

    The parties noted steady progress in facilitating the return of Rwandan returnees from eastern DRC. Since January 2025, a total of 8,394 Rwandans have voluntarily returned home, including 2,347 repatriated during the first half of 2026. Encouraged by this momentum, the parties endorsed an operational planning target of 10,000 voluntary repatriations for 2026 and agreed on measures aimed at accelerating implementation.

    Among the decisions taken was the organization of formal quarterly cross-border meetings to strengthen coordination among the governments and UNHCR, with the first meeting scheduled for September 2026.

    The parties also agreed to utilize the Kamanyola border crossing in South Kivu and the Bugarama border post in Rwanda to facilitate the return of more than 3,600 Rwandan citizens currently dispersed across the southern part of South Kivu Province who have expressed a willingness to return home. To support the process, the DRC committed to establishing a viable transit route to the border crossing point for candidates located in outlying areas of southern South Kivu.

    The communiqué further noted the situation of more than 400 Rwandan nationals who have been waiting for over a month in transit centres in North and South Kivu pending repatriation. Rwanda pledged to continue receiving these returnees while strictly observing the prevailing regional health situation and public health guidelines related to Ebola virus disease management.

    The meeting also addressed the future return of Congolese refugees living in Rwanda. While no voluntary repatriation of Congolese refugees has yet taken place, the parties agreed that beginning in October 2026, the DRC will identify priority areas of return based on refugee intention surveys and location data provided by the Rwandan authorities.

    The ministers welcomed recent political and technical developments between the two countries and acknowledged the support of the African Union, the United Nations, and the Office of the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region in advancing peace, security, and durable solutions for displaced populations.

    The next Tripartite High-Level Ministerial Meeting is scheduled for June 2027, with the date and venue to be communicated through diplomatic channels.

    The commitment to continue repatriation processes was announced following a Tripartite High-Level Ministerial Meeting held in Addis Ababa on Monday, June 22.


    The meeting was convened under the framework of the Tripartite Agreements signed in 2010 and comes amid efforts to improve relations between Kigali and Kinshasa following the signing of the Accords for Peace and Prosperity in Washington in December 2025.
  • Spiro secures $55 million from Chinese investor to accelerate Africa EV expansion

    Spiro secures $55 million from Chinese investor to accelerate Africa EV expansion

    The investment, announced on June 22, follows Spiro’s earlier $215 million equity funding round backed by a consortium of institutional, international and regional investors. The latest financing reinforces investor confidence in Africa’s rapidly growing electric mobility sector and positions Spiro among the continent’s best-funded clean energy and e-mobility companies.

    The company said the fresh capital will accelerate the expansion of its battery-swapping network, manufacturing capabilities and next-generation EV infrastructure across high-growth African markets.

    Spiro currently operates in seven countries, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Cameroon, where it is helping replace fuel-powered motorcycles with electric alternatives.

    The company has deployed more than 100,000 electric motorcycles, established over 2,500 battery-swapping stations and completed more than 30 million battery swaps, making it Africa’s largest operator of battery-swapping infrastructure for electric two-wheel vehicles.

    Spiro has deployed more than 100,000 electric motorcycles across its seven markets.

    Beyond expanding its network, the partnership with NewTrails Capital is expected to strengthen Spiro’s manufacturing ambitions by supporting the localisation of production and supply chains in Africa, particularly through collaboration with Chinese suppliers.

    Spiro Founder and Chairman of Equitane, Gagan Gupta, welcomed the investment, saying it reflects growing confidence in the company’s vision and progress.

    “Partnering with NewTrail Capital’s deeply experienced team marks a powerful new chapter for Spiro as we prepare for the next steps of our pan-African and international expansion”, he stated.

    NewTrails Capital Founding Partner Yufan Zhang said the investment reflects the firm’s confidence in Spiro’s business model and long-term prospects.

    “Spiro’s core strengths lie in its deeply localized operating capabilities, vertically integrated supply chain, digitally enabled ecosystem, sound unit economics, and strong ability to scale rapidly,” Zhang noted.

    The latest financing reinforces investor confidence in Africa’s rapidly growing electric mobility sector and positions Spiro among the continent’s best-funded clean energy and e-mobility companies.

    Zhang added that the company has successfully integrated electric vehicles, batteries, energy replenishment, payments and service networks into a solution tailored to African markets, and that Chinese financing and supply chains can play an increasingly important role in supporting Africa’s clean energy transition.

    The investment comes as many African countries seek to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, strengthen energy security and modernise urban transport systems. It also highlights increasing global investor interest in scalable EV infrastructure across the continent.

    Founded to accelerate Africa’s transition to clean mobility, Spiro is expanding regional production and assembly operations with the goal of manufacturing electric vehicles in Africa for African and international markets.

    Beyond expanding its network, the partnership with NewTrails Capital is expected to strengthen Spiro’s manufacturing ambitions by supporting the localisation of production and supply chains in Africa, particularly through collaboration with Chinese suppliers.

  • NBA draft prodigy Nate Ament open to representing Rwanda on international stage

    NBA draft prodigy Nate Ament open to representing Rwanda on international stage

    The 6-foot-10 former Tennessee Volunteers forward, who is a projected lottery pick, expressed deep pride in his Rwandan heritage and praised the explosive growth of the sport in his mother’s homeland.

    Ament, who is just days away from hearing his name called in the draft, described a mix of excitement and reflection as the big moment approaches.

    “Super excited, definitely a little reflective of just all I’ve gone through in my basketball process. You know, it was funny when I’m in, like inviting the people to come out and celebrate with me and watch,” he said.

    “I just, you know, think about how much they’ve impacted my career and how much they helped me. I just want to give, you know, a bunch of thanks to those people.”

    When asked which NBA teams have shown the most interest in him during the pre-draft process, Ament revealed the franchises he has worked out for.

    “Well, I’ve only done four workouts. I’ve done Chicago, Brooklyn, OKC, and the Clippers. So they’ve shown a lot of love.”

    With draft projections placing him around the top 10, including a mock selection to the Milwaukee Bucks, Ament said draft position matters less than impact.

    “Honestly, I mean, for me, it’s just, you know, the fit, wherever I get drafted, I could, it doesn’t really matter, you know, if I get drafted high or low, I just want to be able to come in and impact the game immediately. So that sounds good to me as long as I’m playing.”

    The young star, who grew up admiring Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, said the Oklahoma City Thunder trio of Durant, Westbrook, and James Harden was especially influential in his development.

    “I was a big KD guy. I loved KD and I also love Russell Westbrook. I loved that OKC team when they had the KD. I had him, Harden, and Russ. That was my favourite team.”

    Asked what it would feel like to face Kevin Durant in the NBA, Ament admitted it would be a surreal moment.

    “It would be surreal. I mean, I’ve studied so much from his game. We’re from the same area and you hear about, you know, stories about him and, you know, how competitive he was in high school and then all the way into where he is now. So that would just be a surreal moment.”

    He also shared a light-hearted remark about his college coach, Rick Barnes, who previously coached Durant at Texas.

    “He’ll make comparisons to say that I’m not like KD. He’ll try to make fun of me and try to say like I’m not there yet and light a fire under my butt. But no, he’s great.”

    One of the most notable aspects of Ament’s story is his strong connection to Rwanda through his mother’s side of the family.

    “Yeah, my mother was born and raised there. I’m half Rwandan. My mom’s brother lives out there.”

    Reflecting on his visits to Rwanda, he said each trip has helped him better understand his heritage.

    “It’s great. I mean, it’s a different story each time. Just getting older and me being able to understand more about the country. But not only do I learn more about the country, I learn more about my family and our lineage and just what it means to be Rwandan.”

    When asked directly whether he would consider playing for Rwanda’s national team, Ament did not hesitate.

    “I would entertain it for sure, for sure. I mean, basketball is huge in that country and it means so much to their fans and their community. So I would definitely entertain it.”

    Beyond basketball, Ament also spoke about his sporting versatility, including golf, soccer, and a memorable experience working with professional golfer Bryson DeChambeau.

    “Yeah, he signed a Reebok, so am I. So it was, they kind of set it up for me. It was great. I don’t know if you saw that video, but I broke his driver. So that was, it was kind of awkward, but no, it was great.”

    Explaining the incident, he added humorously:

    “Well, it wasn’t his driver. He would never let me use his driver because he’s going to play with it in the tournament. It was the clubhouse’s driver, but he was just teaching me swings. And he was like, this was like my last swing before we had to get going. He was like, I just want you to give everything you have on this swing, let it rip. And I think I let it rip a little too hard and the driver had to go off.”

    Despite the mishap, Ament said the experience was motivating.

    “IT definitely motivated me a lot. I haven’t played in a minute, so we’ll see next time I get out there, but it definitely motivates me to keep going.”

    As the NBA Draft approaches, Ament says he is ready for the next chapter of his career, wherever it begins.

    Nate Ament has expressed openness to representing Rwanda ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft.
    Rwandan-American NBA prospect Nate Ament exchanged jerseys with Sports Minister Nelly Mukazayire during a weeklong visit to Rwanda, his mother’s homeland, from August 9 to 13, 2025.
  • Keir Starmer announces resignation as UK Prime Minister

    Keir Starmer announces resignation as UK Prime Minister

    Starmer said he would step down as both prime minister and leader of the Labour Party, but would remain in office until the party elects a successor to ensure an orderly transition of power.

    Speaking outside 10 Downing Street in London, an emotional Starmer described becoming prime minister as “the proudest moment of my life,” saying his government had helped restore Britain’s international standing, attract investment and strengthen workers’ rights.

    However, he acknowledged that many Labour lawmakers no longer believed he was the right person to lead the party into the next general election.

    “I have heard the answer from my parliamentary party. I accept that answer with good grace. I will resign as leader of the Labour Party,” he said.

    Starmer’s resignation follows months of growing dissatisfaction within Labour after the party suffered heavy losses in local elections held in May. His government also faced criticism over fiscal policy, welfare reforms and a series of political controversies that weakened his standing among MPs and the wider public.

    An Ipsos poll published last week found that 52% of Britons believed Starmer should step down, while only 35% wanted him to remain in office.

    His departure comes less than two years after he led Labour to one of its biggest parliamentary majorities in the 2024 general election, ending 14 years of Conservative rule.

    The resignation is expected to trigger a leadership contest that could make Britain home to its seventh prime minister in just 10 years. Former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who recently returned to Parliament after winning a by-election, is widely viewed as the frontrunner, although other senior Labour figures could also enter the race.

    The next prime minister will inherit significant economic challenges, pressure over public spending and an increasingly complex international environment.

    For Rwanda, Starmer’s legacy is associated with his decision to cancel the UK-Rwanda Migration and Economic Development Partnership on his first day in office in July 2024. The agreement, signed under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative government in 2022, had sought to relocate some asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda as part of efforts to deter illegal Channel crossings.

    Although Starmer scrapped the policy, his government continued to face criticism over rising irregular migration, an issue that remained politically sensitive throughout his premiership.

    Political analysts say the outcome of Labour’s leadership contest could influence the party’s future direction on immigration, public spending and foreign policy as it seeks to rebuild public confidence ahead of the next general election.

    Starmer’s departure comes less than two years after he led Labour to one of its biggest parliamentary majorities in the 2024 general election, ending 14 years of Conservative rule.

  • President Kagame’s guidance will remain a beacon for future generations, says Mussa Fazil

    President Kagame’s guidance will remain a beacon for future generations, says Mussa Fazil

    He made the remarks while opening the General Assembly of the Ideal Democratic Party (PDI), held on June 21, 2026.

    Addressing party members, Harerimana reflected on Rwanda’s difficult history, marked by poor governance and ethnic discrimination under both the First and Second Republics.

    He noted that instead of focusing on national development, past leaders were preoccupied with marginalizing and persecuting Tutsis, whom they regarded as enemies.

    “Rather than developing the country, the focus became discrimination and division. Schools were limited and accessible to only a few, while healthcare services were largely unavailable. The government’s main concern was how to continue oppressing Tutsis. Instead of discussing roads, hotels, or how to make use of Rwanda’s tourism potential, leaders were consumed by the question of how to target Tutsis,” he said.

    Harerimana emphasized that when Juvénal Habyarimana came to power, many expected the poor governance practices established under Grégoire Kayibanda to change. However, he argued that only the leadership changed, while the governing ideology remained the same.

    “He changed the leaders but not the system or its direction. Kayibanda was replaced, PARMEHUTU became MRND, but hatred against Tutsis, division, and discrimination continued to grow. The faces changed, but the policy remained unchanged,” he stated.

    According to Harerimana, this poor leadership eventually led to the planning and execution of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, with some of the political parties operating at the time playing a role in the atrocities.

    He also highlighted the efforts of Rwandan refugees who chose to return to their homeland, formed the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi), liberated the country, and brought an end to the Genocide against the Tutsi.

    Harerimana further noted that the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA), under the leadership of President Paul Kagame, not only stopped the genocide but also played a central role in rebuilding a country that had been devastated by the tragedy.

    He stressed that, 32 years later, the achievements made since then are evident to everyone and that safeguarding them is the responsibility of every Rwandan.

    “Our responsibility is to protect Rwanda’s achievements, development, and national unity. The progress we are praised for today did not happen by chance.

    It is the result of good governance and the strong relationship between citizens and their leaders. That relationship makes it possible for guidance to be given and for its outcomes to benefit the population,” he said.

    Harerimana went on to explain that PDI is guided by three key pillars: promoting good governance in Rwanda, ensuring that the fundamental principles outlined in Article 10 of the Constitution remain the foundation of national development, and advocating for President Kagame’s guidance to continue serving as a model for the country’s leadership.

    He added that President Kagame’s advice and vision should continue to guide Rwanda both now and in the centuries ahead.

    “The guidance of Baba wa Taifa should continue to serve as a light for Rwanda, not only today but for hundreds of years to come. As different administrations succeed one another, this vision should remain a guiding principle and a roadmap for the governance of our country,” he said.

    The Ideal Democratic Party (PDI) was founded in November 1991 with the aim of defending the rights of people who faced discrimination at the time, including members of the Muslim community in Rwanda, who were often denied fundamental rights under the government of that period.

    PDI refers to President Kagame as “Baba wa Taifa,” a Swahili term meaning “Father of the Nation” or “Parent of the Nation.” The title is typically given to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to their country. One notable example is Julius Nyerere, who was widely known by the same title in Tanzania.

    According to Sheikh Mussa Fazil Harerimana, the party chose to refer to President Kagame as Baba wa Taifa because of what it considers his outstanding contributions to Rwanda and the transformative impact he has had on the lives of Rwandans.

    Among the achievements he highlighted are national unity, security, and sustainable development in a country that emerged from one of the darkest chapters in its history the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

    The President of the Ideal Democratic Party (PDI), Mussa Fazil Harerimana, lauded President Paul Kagame’s leadership while opening the party’s General Assembly on June 21, 2026.
    Addressing party members, Harerimana reflected on Rwanda’s difficult history, marked by poor governance and ethnic discrimination under both the First and Second Republics.
  • RwandAir partners with Nigeria to boost Africa’s air cargo trade corridor

    RwandAir partners with Nigeria to boost Africa’s air cargo trade corridor

    Unveiled in Lagos by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment over the weekend, the initiative connects Nigeria to key regional markets including Kigali, Lusaka and Harare, while also offering improved access to Nairobi and Johannesburg through RwandAir’s network.

    Officials say the corridor is designed to reduce logistics barriers that have long limited the competitiveness of Nigerian exports. Cargo rates on RwandAir-operated routes are expected to fall to below $2 per kilogram for exporters holding AfCFTA Certificates of Origin issued by the Nigeria Customs Service.

    Before the rollout of the expanded corridor, exporters reportedly paid between $3 and $10 per kilogram to ship goods to East and Southern African markets, a cost structure that significantly reduced profit margins and restricted market reach.

    Officials say the new arrangement is part of Nigeria’s broader strategy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to translate AfCFTA commitments into practical trade opportunities for businesses.

    Speaking at the launch, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole said the initiative reflects government efforts to dismantle trade barriers and expand continental market access for Nigerian companies.

    “Our goal is clear: to make it easier and cheaper for Nigerian businesses to trade across Africa,” she said, noting that the corridor builds on a previous phase launched in 2025.

    She added that the expanded network will particularly benefit exporters in agribusiness, fashion and textiles, cosmetics, processed foods and light manufacturing, sectors seen as key drivers of Nigeria’s non-oil export growth.

    RwandAir’s Director of Cargo Services, Jean Bosco Gakwaya, said the partnership will enhance connectivity and strengthen economic ties across the continent by enabling more efficient movement of goods.

    “This partnership between RwandAir Cargo and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment enables us to connect Nigerian manufacturers to key markets across East and Southern Africa using our RwandAir network,” he said.

    He described the initiative as a “pivotal moment” for intra-African trade, highlighting the growing role of air cargo in supporting regional economic development.

    The corridor follows an earlier arrangement launched in 2025 in partnership with Uganda Airlines, which connected Nigerian exporters to Entebbe, Nairobi and Johannesburg. The inclusion of RwandAir now broadens destination options and increases flexibility for traders across the continent.

    Officials say the expansion is also a reflection of deepening economic cooperation between Nigeria and Rwanda, following recent engagements between President Bola Tinubu and President Paul Kagame at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali.

    The Nigerian government has urged exporters, logistics operators and small businesses to take advantage of the new corridor, which is expected to lower costs, improve efficiency and strengthen Nigeria’s non-oil export performance within Africa’s growing integrated market.

    Unveiled in Lagos by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment over the weekend, the initiative connects Nigeria to key regional markets including Kigali, Lusaka and Harare, while also offering improved access to Nairobi and Johannesburg through RwandAir’s network.
    Officials say the new arrangement is part of Nigeria’s broader strategy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to translate AfCFTA commitments into practical trade opportunities for businesses.
    The Nigerian government has urged exporters, logistics operators and small businesses to take advantage of the new corridor, which is expected to lower costs, improve efficiency and strengthen Nigeria’s non-oil export performance within Africa’s growing integrated market.