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.
The RDB report published on Tuesday, April 28, indicates that the performance reflects resilient demand despite global uncertainties, supported by strong air travel activity and the continued diversification of tourism products.
Gorilla tourism remained the sector’s leading revenue contributor, increasing by 7 per cent to $248 million (Rwf 361.3 billion), further strengthening its position as Rwanda’s flagship high-value tourism product.
The visiting friends and relatives (VFR) segment recorded strong growth of 19 per cent, reaching $180 million (Rwf 262.2 billion), driven by increased regional travel and diaspora visits. Education-related travel also expanded by 17 per cent to $ 64 million (Rwf 93.2 billion), while business travel remained broadly stable at $112 million (Rwf 163.2 billion), the RDB report indicates.
Overall, tourism growth was largely underpinned by air travel revenues, which rose by 9 per cent to $594 million (Rwf 865.4 billion), reflecting improved connectivity and sustained international demand.
Visitor arrivals rise to 1.49 million
According to the RDB data, Rwanda welcomed 1.49 million visitors in 2025, up from 1.36 million in 2024, representing a 9 per cent increase in arrivals. The report attributes the growth mainly to air travel, with air arrivals rising by 23 per cent, while road arrivals increased by 5 per cent, highlighting Rwanda’s continued regional appeal.
Visitor inflows were led by East African Community (EAC) countries and the Democratic Republic of Congo, while arrivals from Europe, North America, Asia, and other African markets continued to expand. Business travel remained the largest segment of arrivals, alongside notable growth in health and education-related travel, reinforcing Rwanda’s positioning as a diversified, year-round destination.
National parks record growth and new attractions
RDB data shows that Rwanda’s national parks recorded 155,394 visits in 2025, a 3.2 per cent increase compared to 2024, supported by a 15 per cent rise in domestic visitation. Park revenues increased by 5.2 per cent to $40.8 million (Rwf 59.4 billion). Volcanoes National Park remained the leading revenue driver, generating $35.8 million (Rwf 52.2 billion), accounting for 87.7 per cent of total park revenues, the report states.
Nyungwe National Park recorded the fastest growth in visitation at 22.8 per cent, driven by new tourism products including a zipline and rope course, which attracted over 6,000 visitors within six months of launch, according to RDB.
Akagera National Park experienced a moderation in visitation following strong previous performance but continued to play a key role in Rwanda’s conservation and wildlife tourism offering, according to RDB.
Domestic tourism continues to expand
The new report indicates that domestic tourism revenues increased by 3.5 per cent to $821,093 (Rwf 1.2 billion) in 2025, while domestic park visits rose by 8.1 per cent to 59,270. Akagera National Park led domestic visitation with 32,932 visitors, followed by Nyungwe with 18,515 and Volcanoes National Park with 7,699 visitors. Gishwati–Mukura National Park continued to serve a niche domestic market.
On the revenue side, Volcanoes National Park generated the highest domestic tourism income at $306,263 (Rwf 446.2 million), followed by Akagera with $278,325 (Rwf 405.5 million) and Nyungwe with $234,337 (Rwf 341.4 million).
Rwanda also expanded its tourism offering through new investments, including Bisate Reserve in Volcanoes National Park, Magashi Peninsula in Akagera, and Munazi Eco Lodge in Nyungwe. Kigali’s hospitality sector also grew with new high-end hotels such as Mövenpick Hotel Kigali, The Pinnacle Kigali, and Zaria Court Kigali.
Tourists visit Akagera National Park. Rwanda’s tourism sector recorded steady growth in 2025, generating $685 million (about Rwf 997.9 billion) in revenue, a 6 per cent increase compared to 2024.Gorilla tourism remained the sector’s leading revenue contributor, increasing by 7 per cent to $248 million (Rwf 361.3 billion), further strengthening its position as Rwanda’s flagship high-value tourism product.
The commemoration brought together NCBA staff and leadership at the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi, where they paid tribute to more than 250,000 victims laid to rest at the site. Gisozi serves not only as a place of remembrance, but also as a centre for learning.
Staff were guided through the memorial, reflecting on the events that led to 1994, the devastating loss of over one million lives, and the country’s journey of rebuilding through unity, accountability, and resilience. They also listened to a deeply moving testimony from a survivor, alongside a detailed narration of the events before, during, and after the Genocide against the Tutsi.
Speaking during the commemoration, Managing Director Maurice Toroitich emphasized the importance of remembrance as a shared responsibility across generations.
“We are part of a generation that must actively protect what this country has rebuilt—a generation that must reject division, not just in moments of crisis, but in the small, everyday interactions where respect, dignity, and unity are either upheld or eroded,” he said.
The history session was led by Maj (Rtd) Jean Marie Vianney Ruhamiriza, the bank’s Security Manager, who walked the team through Rwanda’s history—from the seeds of division sown before independence, to the organised planning and execution of the genocide, and the denial that persists even today.
“That is why ‘Never Again’ is not just a statement for today. It is a daily commitment to stand against anything or anyone that seeks to rewrite history, deny the genocide, or sow new seeds of division,” he noted.
Beyond the memorial visit, NCBA Bank Rwanda has committed to extending its commemoration through tangible support initiatives aimed at restoring dignity and strengthening resilience among survivors.
As in previous years, the bank will provide livestock to support sustainable livelihoods and economic independence for genocide survivors in Musanze and Rubavu.
Through continued support to survivors and a sustained commitment to unity, the NCBA remains dedicated to playing its part in safeguarding Rwanda’s progress and ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to guide the future.
The institution reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding Rwanda’s progress and preserving the lessons of history.Employees paid tribute to more than 250,000 victims laid to rest at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.Staff were guided through historical reflections on the events leading to and following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.NCBA Managing Director Maurice Toroitich emphasized the importance of remembrance as a shared responsibility.NCBA Managing Director signing the guest book at Kigali Genocide Memorial.
The report, published on Tuesday, shows a significant increase from 612 projects recorded in 2024, with the new investments expected to generate more than 38,000 jobs. Real estate, manufacturing and mining accounted for the largest share of the registered investments, underlining continued investor confidence in Rwanda’s economic outlook.
Foreign private capital performance also remained strong. According to the 2025 Foreign Private Capital survey, Foreign Direct Investment inflows rose to $872.9 million (Rwf 1.27 trillion) in 2024, marking a 21.8 percent increase from $716.5 million (Rwf 1.04 trillion) recorded in 2023.
RDB said the combined performance demonstrates sustained confidence in Rwanda’s policy environment and its ability to support investors beyond promotion through implementation and service delivery.
Tourism remained one of the country’s strongest-performing sectors, with revenues reaching $685 million (Rwf 997.9 billion) in 2025, up from $647 million (Rwf 942.6 billion) in 2024, representing a 6 percent year-on-year increase.
Visitor arrivals also rose by 9 percent to 1.49 million, supported by Rwanda’s flagship gorilla trekking experiences and expanded tourism offerings across the country’s national parks.
The Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) segment generated $94.7 million (Rwf 137.9 billion), up from $84.8 million (Rwf 123.5 billion) in 2024, reflecting an 11 percent increase. The growth was driven by 165 international and regional events hosted in Rwanda during the year.
Among the major events were the UCI Road World Championships held in September, the first time the global cycling championship was hosted in Africa, alongside Move Afrika Kigali featuring John Legend, the Mobile World Congress, and Season 5 of the Basketball Africa League.
RDB said these events played a major role in boosting visitor arrivals, raising Rwanda’s international profile, and strengthening the country’s MICE ecosystem.
Rwanda’s export sector also remained resilient, with total export receipts reaching $3.6 billion, supported by steady performance in mining, agriculture and horticulture. Services exports increased by 2.7 percent year-on-year, while air cargo volumes rose by 2.4 percent to 6,257 tonnes from 6,113 tonnes in 2024.
The country also continued to leverage global sports partnerships under the Visit Rwanda campaign to strengthen international visibility and attract high-value tourism and investment.
In 2025, Rwanda renewed its partnership with Paris Saint-Germain until 2028 and signed a new three-year deal with Atlético de Madrid running through 2028.
It also expanded long-term sponsorship agreements with the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Rams, both extending through 2030.
These partnerships are expected to increase Rwanda’s global exposure, attract more high-value visitors and investors, and support further growth in tourism and the MICE segment.
The report also highlighted Rwanda’s strong performance in global rankings, including the World Bank B-READY Report, where the country achieved Africa’s highest score on regulatory framework performance.
Rwanda also maintained its position as one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s top performers in the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index.
To improve the business environment, RDB said it continued expanding the One Stop Centre and digitising services through a unified platform expected to provide more efficient and transparent access to over 400 services delivered by more than 20 institutions.
A real-time performance monitoring system was also introduced to improve service delivery in areas such as business registration and investment facilitation.
Additionally, Rwanda established the National Lottery and Gambling Commission under RDB’s mandate to regulate the gambling sector and strengthen governance, compliance and oversight.
Commenting on the results, RDB Chief Executive Officer Jean-Guy Afrika said the performance reflects continued progress in supporting Rwanda’s economic fundamentals.
“The 2025 performance reflects continued progress in supporting Rwanda’s economic fundamentals and delivering on our priorities across investment, exports, tourism and service delivery. We remain focused on building a predictable and competitive environment that enables private sector growth and long-term development,” he said.
RDB said it will continue implementing the Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and its 2025–2030 strategy, with a focus on expanding investment, strengthening exports, promoting high-value tourism and advancing innovation.
Rwanda registered $2.62 billion (approximately Rwf 3.8 trillion) in investments across 799 projects in 2025, reflecting stronger economic momentum driven by growth in investment, tourism, exports and business reforms, according to the latest annual report released by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
The attack bore similarities to the Nyange school massacre of March 19, 1997. Passengers were ordered to separate themselves along ethnic lines—Hutu on one side and Tutsi on the other—but they refused, insisting that they were all Rwandans.
The assailants, armed with guns and traditional weapons, first shot at the bus tires, forcing it to stop. They then boarded and again demanded that passengers divide themselves. In unison, the victims responded, “We are Rwandans.”
The attackers opened fire. Even after the shooting, they repeated their demand, but the response remained the same. Enraged, they poured petrol over the bus, which was carrying about 74 people, and set it ablaze. Some victims died inside the burning vehicle, while others who tried to escape were killed outside. Only a few survived.
The incident occurred in Gitsimbi, then part of Nyamyumba Commune, now Nyamyumba Sector in Rubavu District, early in the morning as workers were heading to their jobs.
At the time, Rwanda’s current ambassador to Indonesia, Sheikh Abdul Karim Harerimana, was serving as Minister of Internal Security. In an interview with IGIHE, he recounted how he learned of the attack and the atmosphere it created in the former Gisenyi Prefecture.
He said he was informed of the attack that same morning by the then-prefect of Gisenyi. Shortly after gunfire was heard, Rwanda’s security forces were deployed to respond.
“The army was immediately alerted and intervened,” he recalled. “The prefect was on the ground and informed them. I set off to follow up on what had happened, assess the situation, and comfort the population.”
While on his way to the scene, he instructed the prefect to coordinate with the military to confront the attackers and assist victims.
At the time, infiltrator attacks were frequent in several regions, including Ruhengeri, Kigali Ngari, and Byumba, and occasionally reached Gitarama. Harerimana noted that although some planned attacks were thwarted thanks to intelligence, others occurred without prior warning.
He explained that in this particular case, authorities had no prior intelligence, partly because infiltrators from groups such as PALIR and ALIR had local collaborators, especially in Gisenyi, who provided them with information.
“We did not know about it in advance,” he said. “Had we known, we would have prevented it, as we often did. There were many collaborators in Gisenyi who worked closely with these groups and shared information about our forces.”
However, he noted that the brutality of the attack became a turning point. Residents who had previously cooperated with infiltrators were shocked by the violence and began to distance themselves, eventually providing information to authorities.
“People saw with their own eyes what had happened,” he said. “The victims were ordinary residents of Gisenyi. That is when people realized that those they had been hiding were actually the ones responsible for such atrocities.”
Following the attack, cooperation between citizens and security institutions improved, which contributed to efforts to dismantle infiltrator networks.
Harerimana described the scene upon arrival as tense and frightening. Fighting was still ongoing, with security forces exchanging fire with the attackers while some people tried to extinguish the burning bus.
Civilians watched in fear, some taking cover as the confrontation unfolded. He noted that several infiltrators were killed, some captured alive, while others managed to escape.
He recalled addressing residents afterward, reassuring them that the government’s responsibility was to protect them and condemning those responsible for the violence.
“We told them that those causing insecurity were known—the infiltrators,” he said. “We visited the site, the town, and hospitals, and also held a meeting in Gisenyi. Gradually, confidence began to return.”
He also revealed that before this shift, some residents used coded language and indirect communication to collaborate with infiltrators, making it difficult for authorities to gather intelligence.
According to Harerimana, the attack illustrated how extremist agendas could drive perpetrators to commit acts of violence without regard for human life, believing they could blame the government.
He explained that the attackers targeted known residents with the intention of spreading fear and undermining confidence in state protection, while also attempting to create the impression that the government was responsible.
He added that individuals captured during such operations were not mistreated. Instead, they were sensitized and, in some cases, reintegrated, with some later joining national security forces.
At the time, Paul Kagame — then Vice President and Minister of Defence —had instructed that captured fighters be treated humanely and not harmed, a directive that guided how they were handled after arrest.
Sheikh Abdul Karim Harerimana was the Minister of Internal Security at the time of the attack.The infiltrators set fire to a bus carrying Bralirwa workers, burning it down and killing many passengers.A memorial has been established at the site where the attack took place.
The fund, named the Rwanda SME Growth Fund, is a joint initiative between the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) and Enko Capital. It was officially unveiled in Kigali on April 27, 2026, following the signing of a partnership agreement between the two institutions.
Under this arrangement, RSSB will provide the capital, while Enko Capital will be responsible for evaluating investment proposals and managing the fund’s portfolio.
The fund begins with an initial capital of $30 million (over Rwf 43 billion), with plans to expand to $100 million in the coming years. In addition to this investment, RSSB has set aside an extra Rwf 3 billion to support operational activities, including deploying skilled professionals to assist companies receiving funding.
This additional support is intended to help businesses address capacity gaps—for instance, by enabling them to recruit essential staff needed during expansion phases.
Unlike traditional financing mechanisms, the Rwanda SME Growth Fund will not offer grants or loans. Instead, it will take equity stakes in eligible businesses. Companies with viable and scalable projects will receive capital in exchange for a shareholding structure, where part of the ownership is transferred to the fund for a defined period of between five and ten years.
The Director General of RSSB, Rugemanshuro Regis, said the fund is designed to accelerate the growth of private SMEs. He noted that RSSB is also seeking additional partners to help raise the fund’s total value to $100 million.
He explained that many local industries operate below capacity, often between 40% and 50%, despite producing goods in high demand. He attributed this to the high cost and limited accessibility of bank loans, which the fund aims to address.
According to him, many entrepreneurs lack sufficient collateral to meet bank requirements, making it difficult to secure financing. As a result, businesses remain under-capitalized, limiting their production capacity and contributing to increased imports.
Businesses seeking funding will be required to submit detailed information about their operations and investment needs to Enko Capital.
Each company will be eligible to receive between $500,000 and $5 million from the fund.
RSSB indicated that after a period of five to ten years, the fund will exit its investment by selling its shares either back to the company or to other investors, depending on the growth achieved.
Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Enko Capital, Cyrille Nkontichou, emphasized that access to affordable capital remains a major challenge for SMEs, particularly due to high borrowing costs and strict lending conditions.
He noted that many SMEs lack collateral and require longer repayment periods, which often do not align with the terms offered by financial institutions. In this context, the Rwanda SME Growth Fund presents a more flexible and sustainable financing solution.
Nkontichou added that Enko Capital already operates in several African countries, managing assets worth approximately $1.7 billion. He described the firm’s expansion into Rwanda as a strategic opportunity, not only to implement this fund but also to tap into the country’s growing investment landscape.
According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, SMEs account for 98% of all businesses in Rwanda and employ around 2.5 million people, highlighting their critical role in the country’s economy.
The fund was officially unveiled in Kigali on April 27, 2026, following the signing of a partnership agreement between the two institutions. The fund was unveiled in Kigali through a partnership between RSSB and Enko Capital.The Director General of RSSB, Rugemanshuro Regis, said the fund is designed to accelerate the growth of private SMEs.Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Enko Capital, Cyrille Nkontichou, emphasized that access to affordable capital remains a major challenge for SMEs, particularly due to high borrowing costs and strict lending conditions.
