The Archbishop of Kigali and President of the Episcopal Conference of Rwanda, Antoine Cardinal Kambanda, confirmed that the Church is examining the matter following widespread reactions online.
Reports and videos circulating on social media show a group of people gathered, announcing the installation of a leader they refer to as both “Pope” and “Parent of the Chosen.”
The individual presented as this leader is Faustin Harerimana, who was symbolically handed a staff, a cross, and a Bible, described as the word of God.
Harerimana stated that every baptized Catholic is “chosen,” suggesting that his movement is rooted in that belief. He also claimed to have received a mission, though he acknowledged that some leaders within the Catholic Church in Rwanda do not recognize it.
“Some Church leaders appear to oppose us, though not all,” he said. “This is actually their mission. They should be asking what kind of garment they have given Christians, and whether the wedding feast of the Lamb is being prepared here in Rwanda.”
He added that his group prays for Catholics to understand and follow what they call the message of “the Chosen.”
“We are not struggling in vain,” he said. “We are a prepared people, ready to unite with Christ in a kingdom of love, justice, and peace. At this moment, we pray for our brothers and sisters who do not yet understand us, so they do not set us against the Church. We are not against the Church; in fact, we believe we belong to it fully.”
Harerimana further argued that if all Christians embraced the identity of “the Chosen,” the country would experience greater peace, insisting that such a calling promotes love expressed through actions.
Responding to the development, Cardinal Kambanda told IGIHE that the Church is actively investigating the situation to clarify what has happened.
“We are looking into it to determine what should be done and to clear any confusion,” he said in a brief statement.
Some Catholic clergy have also weighed in. Father Theophile Niyonsenga, currently serving in Spain, noted that while he is unfamiliar with the group, the Church must carefully examine the origins and motivations behind such movements.
He cautioned that if the claims are based on alleged apparitions, the Church cannot rely on such grounds and warned that it could amount to serious doctrinal error.
Father Dominique Mundere, a student in Rome, expressed concern over why the group continues to associate itself with the Catholic Church despite its controversial claims.
Reports indicate that members of the self-proclaimed “Chosen” group are both within Rwanda and abroad, spread across different countries.
This development comes at a time when the Catholic Church in Rwanda recently marked 125 years since its establishment in the country. The Church currently comprises 236 parishes across nine dioceses, with over five million faithful, 1,160 priests and 3,884 nuns.
The group, known as “the Chosen,” claims to have installed their own Pope.The Archbishop of Kigali and President of the Episcopal Conference of Rwanda, Antoine Cardinal Kambanda, confirmed that the Church is examining the matter following widespread reactions online. Harerimana says he is not against the Catholic Church.
The Office of the President confirmed the visit in a statement released on April 30, noting that the President attended the fixture featuring two of Rwanda’s primary “Visit Rwanda” partners.
Upon his arrival at the stadium, President Kagame was received by Atlético Madrid President Enrique Cerezo Torres.
The match remained a tightly contested affair throughout both halves. Arsenal took the lead just before the interval when Viktor Gyökeres converted a 44th-minute penalty following a foul by Atlético defender Dávid Hancko.
President Kagame attends UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg between #VisitRwanda partners Arsenal FC and Atlético Madrid FC. pic.twitter.com/NbkF4AqxZM
Atlético Madrid found their response in the 56th minute after a handball by Arsenal’s Ben White led to a penalty, which Julián Álvarez successfully converted to level the score.
Both clubs maintain partnerships with Rwanda under the “Visit Rwanda” initiative, which promotes the country’s tourism and investment potential globally.
The partnership with Atlético Madrid, which runs from 2025 to 2028, includes branding at the club’s stadium and on training kits, as well as technical cooperation such as coaching development programs.
Meanwhile, the relationship with Arsenal has spanned eight years, featuring the “Visit Rwanda” logo on the club’s shirt sleeves and various promotional activities at Emirates Stadium, including player visits to Rwanda’s key tourism sites.
The result leaves the tie balanced ahead of the return leg, which is scheduled for May 5, 2026, at Emirates Stadium in London.
The latest appearance follows President Kagame’s attendance at another high-profile UEFA Champions League semi-final earlier in the week at the Parc des Princes in Paris, where Paris Saint-Germain defeated Bayern Munich in a 5-4 encounter.
The match was played at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium.Upon his arrival at the stadium, President Kagame was received by Atlético Madrid President Enrique Cerezo Torres.There was a large turnout of fans at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium.President Kagame was presented with a gift by Atlético Madrid president Enrique Cerezo Torres.President Kagame engaged in talks with Atlético Madrid officials.President Kagame being received at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium.The Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium was packed with more than 70,000 football fans, including President Kagame.Atlético Madrid and Arsenal drew 1-1.The first leg between Atlético Madrid and Arsenal took place in Madrid.President Kagame follows the match between Atlético Madrid and Arsenal.Atlético Madrid promotes Rwanda’s tourism through the “Visit Rwanda” campaign.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the UN health body, expressed hope that the United States could clear its arrears before completing its exit, a requirement set by Washington itself.
While answering relevant questions at a press briefing hosted by the Association of Correspondents Accredited to the UN, Tedros outlined the two conditions for withdrawal: a one-year notice period and full payment of outstanding dues.
On his first day back in office in January 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump submitted a one-year notice of withdrawal from the WHO.
The United States has historically been the organization’s largest contributor. However, Tedros said there have been “no signals” that Washington intends to settle its dues.
He stressed that the issue extends beyond finances. “To be honest, it’s not about the money,” he said. “The issue is health security needs universality, and the United States, by withdrawing, makes itself unsafe and makes the rest of the world unsafe. So it’s lose-lose.”
“So our focus is not on the money. The focus is on helping the United States to understand and reconsider,” he added.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has been the WHO’s director-general since 2017
The listing of the third tranche follows a highly successful primary issuance which recorded an oversubscription of 126.2 percent, against the initial target of Rwf 23 billion. This reflects continued market confidence in the bank’s financial health and its commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets.
“The success of this issuance demonstrates strong investor appetite for sustainable investments in Rwanda. The oversubscription and interest from a wide range of investors from Rwanda and beyond highlight that an ESG-driven approach is both impactful and commercially viable,” said Stella Rusine Nteziryayo, CEO of BRD.
The transaction was supported by the World Bank Group, which provided a credit enhancement to strengthen the bond’s attractiveness. Through this partnership, BRD has effectively mobilized private capital at three times the level of concessional financing provided.
“This transaction demonstrates how well-structured financial instruments can mobilize private capital at scale to support Rwanda’s development priorities. By linking financing to sustainability outcomes, BRD is helping to channel investment into sectors that create jobs, strengthen resilience, and drive inclusive growth. The World Bank Group is pleased to support efforts that deepen local capital markets while delivering tangible development impact,” said Sahr Kpundeh, the World Bank Country Manager for Rwanda.
SLB picks international investor’s interest
In a landmark development for the country’s capital markets, the BRD is also in advanced discussions with an international investor expected to invest in the reopening of the second SLB. This would mark the first time an international investor participates in a domestic issuance on the local bourse.
Proceeds from the bonds will finance projects that drive sustainable development and job creation, including exports and manufacturing, affordable housing, and support for women-led enterprises. By linking financial performance to measurable sustainability targets, BRD ensures that its growth remains aligned with Rwanda’s national development priorities.
About BRD
Established in 1967, the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) is the country’s sole national development bank. BRD supports sustainable development by offering affordable, long-term, and tailored finance. Over the past 58 years, BRD has financed projects in key sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, affordable housing, education, green finance, exports, and manufacturing. These investments are critical for achieving Rwanda’s national development agenda, aligned with the Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), Vision 2050, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In 2025, Global Credit Rating Co. (GCR) reaffirmed BRD’s “AAA” rating on long-term domestic credit with a stable outlook that reflects BRD’s financial stability, strong support from shareholders and pivotal role in advancing Rwanda’s development.
The listing of the third tranche follows a highly successful primary issuance which recorded an oversubscription of 126.2 percent, against the initial target of Rwf 23 billion.
The proposed policy would prevent minors from creating accounts or viewing content on platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube while in the country.
The move follows growing global concern about children’s exposure to harmful online content. Similar measures have recently been introduced in other countries.
In Australia, legislation adopted in late 2025 imposes heavy penalties, including fines of up to $34.4 million, on individuals or entities that enable children under 16 to access social media. Indonesia passed a comparable law in March 2026, classifying platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and X as high-risk for minors.
According to research by Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT and Innovation, 46% of children access digital services using mobile phones, either their own or their parents’. While schools provide computers for educational purposes, access is typically restricted.
Minister Paula Ingabire told RBA that between 30% and 35% of children surveyed reported encountering disturbing content online.
“We found that when children are on the internet or social media, particularly platforms like TikTok and YouTube, they are exposed to harmful material, including explicit content and other issues that negatively affect their well-being,” she said.
Ingabire noted that children often possess more advanced digital skills than their parents and teachers, making supervision and protection more challenging.
Currently, Rwanda does not enforce age-based restrictions on social media account creation or content access.
The government is now working on introducing systems, already implemented in other countries, that would block children under 16 from accessing such platforms. The approach will involve collaboration with internet service providers, social media companies, and parents.
“Our objective is to ensure that children under 16 are not able to create accounts or access these platforms,” Ingabire said. “We are working with relevant stakeholders to design a system that can be effectively implemented in Rwanda, as it has been elsewhere, in order to strengthen child protection online.”
Officials say the measure could also help reduce cyber-related crimes and encourage children to engage in more age-appropriate and beneficial activities.
In the meantime, parents are being urged to monitor their children’s screen time and online activity.
*Balancing child protection and digital education*
Education Minister Joseph Nsengimana noted that students are already prohibited from bringing mobile phones to school, as they can distract from learning.
Ingabire emphasised that the government remains committed to promoting technology in education, but in a way that safeguards children.
“We want to enhance the quality of education through technology while minimising risks,” she said. “This includes protecting children from online threats and inappropriate content that may affect their development.”
In September 2025, Rwanda introduced a national child online protection policy. The cooperation framework between government agencies and internet service providers to detect and block harmful content, as well as regulatory measures requiring platforms to remove such material.
It also outlines the development of systems to monitor and prevent cybercrime, based on international standards.
In addition, the policy calls for ethical guidelines for technology developers and service providers to ensure their products and services align with national values and prioritise child safety.
However, some experts caution against a blanket ban. Sonia Ruton, Managing Director of Hope for Young, said technology also plays an important role in education.
“A gradual approach is needed,” she said. “Children should first be taught how to use technology responsibly. Online resources like Google and YouTube can help them better understand school subjects, especially complex topics. But their use should be limited to avoid distraction.”
International health guidelines recommend that children under two should not use digital devices; those aged two to five should be limited to about one hour per day with parental supervision; and older children should have moderated screen time.
Ingabire added that the planned rollout of a national digital identification system could make it easier to enforce age-based restrictions online by verifying users’ identities.
The proposed policy would prevent minors from creating accounts or viewing content on platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube while in the country.
The figures were disclosed on Tuesday during a media briefing by China’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Gao Wenqi, who highlighted a steady rise in mobility between the two nations as cooperation deepens across multiple sectors.
According to the ambassador, more than 3,500 Rwandans visited China in 2023, while the number increased to around 7,000 in 2025, reflecting what he described as “remarkable growth” in people-to-people exchanges.
He attributed the surge largely to visa facilitation measures introduced by the Chinese Embassy in Kigali and broader efforts to strengthen bilateral engagement with Rwanda.
“Visa facilitation policies have encouraged an increasing number of Rwandans to visit China for business, studies, tourism, etc. As far as we know, in 2023, more than 3500 Rwandans visited China, in 2025, the number increased to around 7000, the growth rate nearly doubled,” Amb. Gao said.
He explained that recent reforms have made travel more accessible, including the rollout of an online visa application system, which reduces the need for multiple embassy visits.
Additional measures include the temporary exemption of fingerprint collection for short-term visa applicants and a 25% reduction in visa fees, both extended through 2026.
Beyond mobility figures, the ambassador situates the trend within a broader framework of strengthening China-Rwanda relations, particularly in education, trade, and cultural exchange.
He noted that increased travel is also linked to rising opportunities for Rwandan students, businesspeople, and professionals in China.
The envoy further highlighted that China’s ongoing economic planning under its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) is expected to deepen international cooperation, including with African countries, by expanding market access, industrial collaboration, and innovation-driven development.
Amb.Gao also pointed to growing China-Africa engagement under existing frameworks, saying such initiatives continue to create “new opportunities for practical cooperation” between Beijing and Kigali.
Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi outlined China’s economic outlook and the steady strengthening of trade and cooperation with Rwanda. The presss briefing took place at the Chinese Embassy in Kigalo on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. This photo taken in September 2024 on the eve of FOCAC Summit, shows the night view of Beijing, the capital of China.
This was revealed during a press briefing held at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Rwanda on Tuesday evening, where Ambassador Gao Wenqi outlined China’s economic outlook and the steady strengthening of trade and cooperation with Rwanda.
Amb. Gao said Rwandan coffee has become one of the strongest-performing export products in the Chinese market, reflecting years of gradual expansion and improved trade facilitation.
He noted that China’s imports of Rwandan coffee and related products have grown from $126,000 in 2013 to $1.01 million in 2019, and $4.72 million in 2024, describing this as evidence of consistent upward momentum.
Amb. Gao further confirmed continued rising consumer demand and improved logistics between the two countries.
“In 2025, China imported 869 tonnes of Rwandan coffee,valued at$5.97 million. The zero-tariff policy helps enhance the competitiveness of Rwandan specialty agricultural products in the Chinese market, enriches consumer choices, and brings tangible economic benefits to Rwandan farmers and export enterprises,” he said.
The envoy also highlighted a practical example of the impact of policy changes, saying a shipment of 2.4 metric tons of raw Rwandan coffee beans entered China through Changsha Airport in January 2025 under the zero-tariff scheme, saving the exporter over $1,600 after duties were reduced from 8 percent to zero.
Beyond coffee, Amb. Gao noted that Rwanda’s agricultural exports to China are gradually diversifying, with tea and chili increasingly entering the Chinese market.
He said these products are benefiting from the same zero-tariff framework and improved customs systems, including faster clearance through what he described as green channel arrangements for African agricultural goods.
Amb. Gao explained that the zero-tariff policy is part of China’s broader effort to deepen economic cooperation with Africa.
Rwanda is among the countries already benefiting from the initial phase introduced in December 2024, with a wider rollout planned for May 2026 covering all 53 African countries with diplomatic relations with China.
He said the policy will apply to 100 percent of tariff lines, aimed at strengthening competitiveness and expanding market access for African exports.
Amb. Gao also placed Rwanda’s trade performance within the broader bilateral context, noting that total trade between Rwanda and China reached $849 million in 2025, an increase of 26.9 percent year-on-year, while Rwanda’s exports to China rose by 42 percent. He said this reflects both Rwanda’s growing export capacity and China’s expanding consumer market as a major global importer.
On the wider economic front, he emphasized China’s continued opening-up policy and its role in global trade, noting that platforms such as import expos and trade fairs are designed to increase market access for international partners, including African countries.
He also briefly addressed China’s position on global issues, reaffirming the one-China principle regarding Taiwan and restating China’s call for peaceful coexistence and dialogue in resolving international conflicts, including tensions in the Middle East.
Amb. Gao concluded that Rwanda–China relations are currently at their strongest level following their elevation to a comprehensive strategic partnership. He said the implementation of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) is expected to create new opportunities for cooperation in agriculture, trade, infrastructure, and digital development.
Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi outlined China’s economic outlook and the steady strengthening of trade and cooperation with Rwanda.
Relations built on mutual respect
Diplomatic relations between Rwanda and China date back to 1971, and over the years, both countries have built a strong partnership anchored in mutual respect and a shared commitment to development.
China has played a visible role in Rwanda’s development journey through several flagship projects, including the construction of Masaka Hospital, where services from Kigali Teaching University Hospital (CHUK) are expected to be relocated with improved capacity.
Cooperation has extended through the deployment of Chinese medical teams, donation of medical equipment, and continuous skills transfer to local health professionals, further reinforcing the practical dimension of the partnership.
Chinese firms have also contributed to major infrastructure works such as modern highways, hydropower plants, and smart education systems.
In agriculture, the introduction of Juncao mushroom technology has directly benefited around 35,000 farmers since 2017.
Since 1983, China has been offering government scholarships to Rwandan students, a cooperation spanning more than four decades. Last year alone, over 400 Rwandan trainees participated in short-term training and workshops in China, while about 110 students received government scholarships, both reaching record levels.
In vocational education, cooperation has also delivered concrete results. The Luban Workshop at IPRC Musanze, jointly established by Rwanda Polytechnic and Jinhua Polytechnic, provides training in E-commerce and Electrical Automation and has so far equipped nearly 10,000 people with practical skills through both online and offline programmes.
Under the China–Africa Vocational Education Cooperation Programme, the two institutions also implement a “2+1” training model, where students study for two years in Rwanda and complete a final year in China before obtaining an advanced diploma. This June, 30 more students from IPRC Musanze will travel to Jinhua, bringing the total number of beneficiaries under the programme to 90.
Lin Hang Minister Counsellor at Chinese Embassy in Kigali also attended the press briefing. Zeng Guangyu is the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda was also present at the media briefing. The presss briefing took place at the Chinese Embassy in Kigalo on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Gao Zhiqiang, Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda speaking to the press.
Rwanda’s foreign exchange reserves are expected to rebound to $2.2 billion in 2026, marking a recovery after a projected decline in 2025, according to the latest economic outlook.
The rebound follows a projected decline in reserves from $2.4 billion in 2024, equivalent to 5.3 months of import cover, to about $1.8 billion in 2025, or 3.7 months of imports.
By 2026, reserves are expected to recover to cover approximately 4.3 months of imports, returning above the widely accepted adequacy threshold of four months. In the years beyond, reserves are projected to stabilise around $2.6 billion, supported by sustained inflows of foreign direct investment and concessional financing.
External pressures and recovery path
The short-term deterioration in Rwanda’s external position is tied to a projected rise in the current account deficit to 13.3 percent of GDP in 2026, up from 12.9 percent in 2025. This reflects strong import demand as the country invests in long-term growth projects.
“This increase is driven by a surge in imports of capital goods, linked to key projects like a new airport, and intermediate goods. While strong export performance and supportive policy measures are projected to improve the current account balance in the near term, gradually,” reads the Annual Economic Report for the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 published by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.
However, the outlook remains optimistic. Strong export performance, particularly in commodities such as coffee and minerals, alongside supportive policy measures, is expected to gradually ease external imbalances.
Recent data shows an improvement in Rwanda’s external position, with the overall balance of payments surplus rising from about $217 million in the Financial Year 2023/24 to $274 million, supported by stronger inflows from exports, investment, and financing.
Gold emerges as a strategic reserve asset
A notable development shaping the forward outlook is Rwanda’s move to diversify its reserves. The National Bank of Rwanda has begun purchasing gold as part of its reserve assets, marking a shift toward strengthening resilience against global financial volatility.
Gold is widely regarded as a stable store of value that does not easily depreciate, especially during periods of currency fluctuations or global uncertainty. By incorporating gold into its reserves, Rwanda is positioning itself to reduce reliance on traditional foreign currency holdings such as the US dollar while enhancing long-term stability.
The central bank is expected to disclose the volume of gold accumulated, a move that could provide further insight into the country’s evolving reserve management strategy.
What it means for the economy
Foreign reserves play a critical role in stabilising the economy. When reserves are sufficient, they enable the country to pay for essential imports, support the national currency, and cushion against external shocks.
If reserves fall too low, the Rwandan franc could come under pressure, making imports more expensive and increasing the cost of living. Conversely, the projected recovery in reserves is expected to help stabilise the exchange rate, contain imported inflation, and support purchasing power.
The central bank also retains the ability to intervene in currency markets using reserves, injecting foreign currency when needed to limit excessive depreciation.
The National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) has begun purchasing gold as an additional way of building and diversifying its reserves.
The report confirmed that hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) — together responsible for 95 percent of viral hepatitis deaths globally — claimed 1.34 million lives in 2024. Of these fatalities, 1.1 million were attributed to HBV and 240,000 to HCV, mostly resulting from liver cirrhosis and cancer.
Although preventable and treatable, transmission persists at an alarming rate, the report emphasized. In 2024, around 1.8 million new HBV and HCV infections occurred globally, with HBV and HCV each accounting for 900,000 new infections. As of 2024, approximately 287 million people, representing 3 percent of the world’s population, were living with chronic HBV or HCV.
The report documented measurable achievements since 2015, driven by sustained, coordinated global and national action.
Between 2015 and 2024, the annual number of new hepatitis B infections has dropped by 32 percent, showing progress with immunization and prevention programmes. HCV-related deaths decreased by 12 percent, mainly due to effective antiviral therapies.
The global prevalence of chronic HBV infection among children aged under five years fell from 0.8 percent in 2015 to 0.6 percent in 2024.
Meanwhile, the number of people living with HCV infection declined by 20 percent between 2015 and 2024, largely thanks to the scaling-up of curative treatments.
“Around the world, countries are showing that eliminating hepatitis is not a pipedream, it’s possible with sustained political commitment, backed by reliable domestic financing,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
However, significant shortfalls persist, and current rates of progress are insufficient to meet all 2030 elimination targets, the report warned. Between 2015 and 2024, new HCV infections decreased by only 8 percent, far below the global target of an 80 percent reduction by 2030. HBV-related deaths actually rose by 17 percent since 2015, due to limited diagnosis and treatment.
Under current trends, the global target of a 65 percent reduction in hepatitis-related deaths by 2030, compared with 2015, will not be achieved without rapid scale-up of testing and treatment, the WHO emphasized.
Major bottlenecks lie in testing and treatment access, the report said, noting that vaccine coverage also remains critically insufficient in high-risk regions.
To get the global response back on track, the report outlined priority actions, including scaling up treatment for people with chronic HBV and HCV infection, improving hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination coverage and the coverage of antiviral prophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child HBV transmission.
The number of people living with HCV infection declined by 20 percent between 2015 and 2024, largely thanks to the scaling-up of curative treatments.
The call was made during the opening of the 12th session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, under the theme “Turning the Tide: Transformative and Coordinated Actions for the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.”
Speaking at the event, Claver Gatete, executive secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, said Africa’s progress toward the implementation of the SDGs, especially in water and sanitation, energy, and infrastructure, is slow and continues to worsen inequality across the continent.
“Despite progress in expanding water access systems, lack of safety, reliability, and quality continues to constrain health, productivity, and economic transformation across the continent. Gains in energy and infrastructure sectors also are not creating enough jobs and improving competitiveness,” Gatete said.
He said that domestic resource mobilization must be complemented by targeted efforts to attract private investment in Africa as the continent strives to address its infrastructure development gap through partnerships.
Selma Malika Haddadi, deputy chairperson of the AU Commission, said Africa has recorded notable progress in areas such as infrastructure development, regional integration, and digital transformation, particularly under flagship initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Haddadi, however, said the continent is facing several challenges, especially in financing sustainable development, job creation, climate resilience, and addressing inequalities within and between countries.
“With less than five years remaining to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, we must shift from incremental progress to transformational change. This requires stronger policy coherence between continental, regional, and national frameworks; increased investment in critical sectors such as water, energy, infrastructure, and sustainable cities; enhanced partnerships across governments, the private sector, civil society, and development partners,” she said.
Lok Bahadur Thapa, president of the UN Economic and Social Council, said that around 600 million people in Africa, which is nearly 43 percent of the population in the region, lack access to electricity, while many countries continue to face gaps in access to safe drinking water and other essential services.
“Africa faces a substantial financial gap of between 670 billion and 848 billion U.S. dollars annually, driven largely by rising debt vulnerabilities, fluctuations in foreign direct investment, low domestic resource mobilization, and sharply falling official development assistance,” he said, adding that Africa must focus on domestic resource mobilization to address its huge financing gap and achieve UN sustainable development agendas.
Claver Gatete, executive secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, said Africa’s progress toward the implementation of the SDGs, especially in water and sanitation, energy, and infrastructure, is slow and continues to worsen inequality across the continent.
