The WTO’s latest Goods Trade Barometer, a composite leading indicator for global merchandise trade, rose to 103.5 from 102.8 in March. The rise was driven by importers frontloading purchases ahead of anticipated higher tariffs, the WTO said.
Barometer values above 100 indicate above-trend trade volumes, while values below 100 suggest that goods trade has either fallen below trend or is likely to decline in the near future.
However, the forward-looking new export orders index fell to 97.9, pointing to weaker trade growth later in the year, the WTO said.
The WTO has forecast a basically flat growth in global merchandise trade at 0.1 percent, after the U.S. tariff policy uncertainty and subsequent developments had caused fluctuations in the forecast.
The WTO warned of possible trade contraction if U.S. “reciprocal tariffs” are reinstated or if trade policy uncertainty spreads globally.
The project, led by award-winning architecture studio NLÉ in partnership with Masai Ujiri, president of the Toronto Raptors and founder of Giants of Africa, is scheduled for a grand opening next month.
Originally built in the 20th century as government housing, the building’s historical significance is deeply intertwined with Rwanda’s past.
Situated in Remera and adjacent to the recently renovated state-of-the-art Amahoro Stadium, it once served as the temporary United Nations headquarters during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, providing refuge in one of the country’s darkest chapters. More recently, it housed the Rwandan Health Authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic, further embedding it in the nation’s collective memory.
Now reimagined by NLÉ, a firm founded by Nigerian architect Kunlé Adeyemi and co-led by Berend Strijland, Zaria Court has been transformed from a dormant modernist relic into a thriving centre for sports, hospitality, culture, and entrepreneurship.
“What excited me about Zaria Court was the opportunity to transform a historic site into a vibrant catalyst within Rwanda’s emerging sports ecosystem,” said Adeyemi, known for the Floating Music Hub in Cape Verde.
“Through this development partnership, we demonstrate how architecture can positively impact communities and provide a replicable model of innovative infrastructure, empowering African youth and accelerating sustainable urban development.”
The newly activated Zaria Court offers a diverse range of facilities designed to meet the needs of Kigali’s youth and the wider community. At its heart is a multifunctional event court that hosts sports, music, fashion, and cultural programs, providing a vibrant space for various activities.
The site also includes an 80-room hotel, equipped with a gym, co-working spaces, meeting rooms, a conference hall, a swimming pool, and a rooftop bar, blending comfort with versatility.
Outdoors, visitors can enjoy five-a-side soccer pitches, a dedicated callisthenics training area, and a children’s play zone surrounded by lush native landscaping and open green spaces that encourage safe and informal social interaction.
Adding to its innovative spirit, Zaria Court features a modular retail park constructed from stacked shipping containers, creating affordable commercial spaces for Kigali’s emerging designers, food vendors, and entrepreneurs.
The construction of Zaria Court began in August 2023, marked by a groundbreaking ceremony presided over by President Paul Kagame and Masai Ujiri.
With its completion, it now stands not only as a model of adaptive reuse architecture but also as a powerful symbol of urban regeneration and youth empowerment. As the first development of its kind in Rwanda, Zaria Court embodies a forward-looking vision for community-focused infrastructure across Africa.
The five-paragraph statement outlined that the new spending target will be split between two key categories: 3.5 percent for core defense and 1.5 percent for related areas, including critical infrastructure, networks, and defense industrial capabilities.
The plan will undergo a review in 2029, taking into account the strategic environment and revised capability targets, the document added.
U.S. President Donald Trump hailed the agreement at a press conference after the summit, asserting that Washington had long carried more than its fair share of the alliance’s defense burden.
However, he singled out Spain, criticising Madrid as the only country refusing to meet its full commitment.
Trump said the United States is negotiating a trade deal with Spain and warned that Madrid could be made to “pay twice as much” through trade measures.
Spain has agreed with NATO to limit its military spending to 2.1 percent of GDP, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Sunday, ahead of the NATO summit.
In his Sunday statement, Sanchez warned that “rushing toward 5 percent” would lead to rising prices and public spending, and reduce investment in key sectors such as education and digital development.
Calling the 5 percent target “disproportionate and unnecessary” for Spain, Sanchez emphasized that Spain is “one of the five NATO countries with the most troops deployed worldwide.” He also stressed that “asymmetry within NATO is normal and inevitable,” citing the economic diversity among allies.
He made the remarks in a video message broadcast by state-run IRIB TV while congratulating the Iranian nation on its “victory” in the war with Israel and the United States.
“Despite all its propaganda and claims, Israel was almost knocked down and crushed under Iran’s blows,” said Khamenei.
He added that the Iranian missiles and other weapons managed to pass through Israel’s “advanced multi-layered defense” and raze to the ground many of Israel’s urban and military areas.
Khamenei said Israel should know that any aggression against Iran would be heavily costly for it.
He added the United States entered the war to rescue Israel, “but accomplished nothing from this war.”
He noted that the United States exaggerated its achievements in the war because they failed to achieve their objective and needed that to cover up the truth, emphasizing that “here again, the Islamic Republic of Iran achieved victory and responded by giving the United States a harsh slap in the face.”
Khamenei said Iran attacked U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, “which is among the U.S. important bases in the West Asia region,” and inflicted damages, stressing that some sought to downplay it and said nothing had happened.
On June 13, Israel launched major airstrikes on different areas in Iran, including nuclear and military sites, killing several senior commanders, nuclear scientists and many civilians. Iran responded by launching several waves of missile and drone attacks on Israel, inflicting casualties and damage.
On Saturday, the U.S. Air Force bombed three Iranian nuclear sites of Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. In retaliation, Iran on Monday struck the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar with missiles.
Following the 12-day war, a ceasefire between Iran and Israel was achieved on Tuesday.
This announcement was made during a media briefing ahead of the ‘Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa: NESIA 2025’, which will be held in Kigali, bringing together experts from 30 countries to discuss harnessing nuclear energy.
Rwanda has been pursuing nuclear energy for nearly seven years with the goal of fostering development. In 2018, the country began collaborating with Russia to establish a research center focused on nuclear energy, which will help increase the nation’s electricity production.
In August 2024, Rwanda signed a memorandum of understanding with the American company ‘Nano Nuclear Energy Inc.’ for the deployment of small modular reactors and microreactors.
A year earlier, the Rwandan government had signed an agreement with Dual Fluid Energy Inc., a company based in Germany and Canada, to test nuclear energy technologies in Rwanda.
The plans focus on constructing small plants using ‘Small Modular Reactors’ and ‘Micro Reactors’, which require minimal land, offer high output, and do not pose any significant risks to the population. These facilities will require between 220 and 250 employees across four categories.
By 2024, over 200 Rwandan students and RAEB staff were expected to be sent abroad to gain expertise in nuclear energy.
Dr. Fidel Ndahayo, the CEO of RAEB, said, “We now have a clear vision where we can say ‘we need a plant that can provide this much electricity, and we can place it here or there.’”
He further explained that multiple sites had been considered for the plant, but further detailed analysis is needed to assess factors like land suitability, seismic risks, and other environmental considerations.
He added that the chosen technology for the plant would be small reactors capable of producing substantial energy, with a site range of 15 to 50 hectares, located away from residential areas.
“We can still find a 50-hectare site to build the plant, even with high population density,” Dr. Ndahayo said.
In an interview with IGIHE, Dr. Ndahayo continued, “Our goal is to have the plant operational by 2030. We will need 234 workers, and we aim to have them trained by 2028.”
He also mentioned that as many organizations focus on new technologies for harnessing nuclear energy, Rwanda is positioning itself early to ensure its workforce is well-equipped to adopt and market this technology.
Dr. Ndahayo noted that around 30 to 50 experts in nuclear energy have already completed their studies and are now working at RAEB, while another 200 are gaining experience in advanced countries.
Some of these students will graduate next year, with others following in subsequent years.
“We continue to send more students abroad; this year, over 40 students will be sent. We have agreements with countries like Hungary, and we are looking to collaborate with China and South Korea,” he said.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts to establish local educational programs. For example, the University of Rwanda has already confirmed the launch of such programs, and similar plans are underway at technical and vocational schools.
Regarding the plant’s location, Dr. Ndahayo confirmed that the final site has not yet been decided, as feasibility studies are still ongoing. However, he is confident that suitable land for the plant exists in Rwanda.
Dr. Jimmy Gasore, the Minister of Infrastructure, emphasized that small modular reactors (SMRs) are safer and more aligned with Rwanda’s energy needs.
He explained that large plants producing over 1,000 MW are not practical in many parts of Africa. Instead, small plants producing up to 100 MW are more appropriate for Rwanda’s capacity.
As the minister, these reactors require less land and are less likely to cause significant environmental risks compared to larger plants.
Rwanda is working closely with various nuclear energy companies to explore technologies, including the nuclear reactor, which is the core component of the energy plant.
The reactor uses uranium to produce heat through nuclear fission, which is then converted into electricity. A single gram of uranium can generate 1 MW of energy per day, which is equivalent to the energy produced by three tons of coal.
As of January 2025, Rwanda had already achieved a capacity of generating 406.4 MW of electricity. With the new nuclear plants, the country aims to significantly increase its energy output.
This is according to a statement released Tuesday marking the third anniversary of the Kigali Declaration on NTDs.
Since its launch in 2022 by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, the declaration has grown from 57 initial endorsers to 84 countries and organisations, reflecting a surge in international commitment to combat diseases that continue to afflict over one billion people worldwide, primarily in the poorest and most vulnerable communities.
“We can confidently say this is not where we started, and that’s worth celebrating. Every decision by a country to endorse the Kigali Declaration represents a step toward eliminating diseases that continue to devastate lives,” said Dr.Isatou Touray, Executive Director of Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases.
“What we need now is concrete, sustained commitment to go further and faster. That’s exactly what it will take to reach the goal of eliminating NTDs by 2030.”
The Kigali Declaration has attracted support from across sectors, including strong backing from the pharmaceutical industry. Merck recently delivered its five billionth dose of Mectizan, GSK has distributed 12 billion doses of albendazole, and Novartis has nearly doubled its investment in research and development for NTD treatments. Earlier this year, the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) announced a €46 million fund to support NTD research.
Despite the achievements, the statement warned of growing threats to progress due to sharp cuts in official development assistance (ODA), particularly from major donors such as the United States. Without urgent action, more than a million donated medicines could expire in the next nine months, putting millions at risk of going untreated.
To help track progress and maintain accountability, the Kigali Declaration Commitment Tracker, considered the world’s only publicly accessible NTD financing tracker, remains a key tool for governments and stakeholders.
The statement also highlighted recent success stories: at the 2025 World Health Assembly, Mauritania and Papua New Guinea were recognised for eliminating trachoma, bringing the total number of countries that have eliminated at least one NTD to 56.
As the declaration marks three years, health advocates are calling for renewed financing and policy action to preserve gains and push toward the 2030 target of ending NTDs globally.
Those were the words of CGTN reporter Wendyl Martin, describing what, for many, is an unexpected blend of origin and tradition: Rwandan-grown white silver needle tea, being sold and tasted in China.
But this tea’s journey is more than a sip of flavour; it’s a story of ancient trade routes, modern partnerships, and cross-continental adaptation.
“Our ancestors have been selling Chinese tea to the world,” said Wang Mingjie, a tea vendor at the market. “They exported tea from Fujian Province via the ancient Silk Road. Our generation’s goal is to plant Chinese tea all over the world.”
That dream led Chinese tea entrepreneurs to the highlands of East Africa, where climate, altitude, and soil converge to create near-perfect conditions for tea cultivation.
Rwanda and Kenya, in particular, offer the ideal mix of cool, misty hills and fertile volcanic earth perfect for growing premium varieties like white silver needle, a tea prized for its delicate flavour and high antioxidant content.
Rwanda now produces a rare, high-quality silver needle white tea, also known as “Silverback Needles.” Grown at elevations of 5,500–7,500 feet in areas such as the Rukeri Valley and Gisovu Estate near Nyungwe Forest, it has found a home far from its Chinese roots.
“So we searched for a suitable area for the tea plantation. In Africa, we found the temperature and environment in Rwanda and Kenya especially suitable for tea trees,” Wang continued. “We brought Chinese tea-making techniques there. Let’s spread Chinese tea to the world.”
The decision to export not just the product but also the production process is beginning to bear fruit. White silver needle tea, long a hallmark of China’s Fujian Province, is now part of Rwanda’s increasingly diverse agricultural export portfolio.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) Annual Report, Rwanda’s tea sector has shown strong growth. In the 2023/2024 fiscal year, tea export revenue reached $114.88 million—a 7.1% increase from the previous year, despite a slight drop in production. The growth is attributed to improved quality and favourable global prices.
While the tea is taking root in African soil, it is also coming full circle—back to Chinese cups, Chinese hands, and Chinese markets. And it does so with a unique identity: Chinese in technique, African in terroir, and global in ambition.
What makes this story especially intriguing is how Chinese tea-growing expertise met Rwandan altitude and ecology. Rwanda’s volcanic soil, rainfall patterns, and higher elevations mirror the misty mountains of Fujian, the original home of white silver needle tea.
Thanks to this environmental harmony, Chinese entrepreneurs like Wang Mingjie haven’t just built a supply chain, they’ve discovered a second homeland for their centuries-old craft.
To the casual observer, it’s a scene of calm and beauty—one of Rwanda’s most picturesque natural wonders and a source of food, transport, and livelihood for thousands. Beneath the lake’s surface, however, lies a silent, invisible threat that scientists say could turn this tranquil body of water into a zone of catastrophic destruction.
Lake Kivu, shared by Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, holds enormous volumes of methane and carbon dioxide gases trapped deep within its waters. These gases, accumulated over centuries, sit under pressure in the lake’s depths, forming a geological time bomb that, if triggered, could release a toxic cloud capable of suffocating entire towns.
Over two million people live in the lake’s basin, including the cities of Goma and Rubavu, making the stakes unimaginably high. And unlike the 1986 Lake Nyos disaster in Cameroon—which killed 1,700 people in a remote rural area—an eruption at Lake Kivu could hit densely populated urban centres, potentially displacing or killing millions.
Add to this the lake’s position in an active volcanic zone—with Mount Nyiragongo looming nearby—and the risks become even more urgent. The 2021 eruption of Nyiragongo, which caused deadly tremors and cracked buildings in Goma, was a stark reminder of how close this threat remains.
{{Turning risk into resource
}}
Rwanda, fully aware of the potential danger, has not waited for disaster to strike. Instead, the government has taken a bold and forward-looking approach to address the threat, transforming Lake Kivu’s peril into a source of clean, sustainable energy.
Central to this strategy is the extraction of methane gas from the lake’s depths. In 2008, Rwanda piloted the first project, Kibuye Power Plant 1. Building on that experience, the government partnered with international investors to launch KivuWatt, a large-scale methane-to-power facility operated by U.S.-based ContourGlobal, which began producing electricity in 2015.
More recently, the Shema Power Lake Kivu (SPLK) project was inaugurated in 2024. With an installed capacity of 56 megawatts, it stands as one of Rwanda’s most ambitious energy projects, contributing significantly to the national grid.
The process involves pumping methane-rich water from deep beneath the lake, separating the gas, and reinjecting the remaining water—minus the methane—back into the lake at a controlled depth. Reinjection is carefully managed to ensure that it does not destabilise the lake’s natural layering, known as stratification, which is essential for containing the gases.
To ensure this delicate operation is done safely, the Rwandan government established the Lake Kivu Monitoring Programme (LKMP)—now operating under the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA). The programme constantly monitors gas concentrations, temperature gradients, and any seismic activity that could disturb the lake’s stability.
In addition to monitoring, Rwanda has worked with international scientists to develop a set of Management Prescriptions—technical guidelines that define safe extraction methods, reinjection levels, and environmental limits. These prescriptions are binding on all operators and are designed to balance energy production with ecological safety.
{{Regional cooperation
}}
Recognising that Lake Kivu is a shared resource, Rwanda and the DRC signed a Validation Act in 2020, committing both nations to adhere to common safety standards and collaborative oversight. The act was facilitated with support from international experts and donors, reflecting the global concern around the lake’s potential hazards.
This cross-border coordination ensures that activities on either side of the lake, whether extraction or infrastructure, do not compromise the overall stability of the ecosystem.
While the risks remain, Rwanda’s proactive approach has positioned it as a model of responsible natural resource management. The country is not only preventing disaster but also harnessing the lake’s energy to drive socio-economic transformation.
The truce offers a critical window for both parties to address longstanding tensions through diplomatic channels, Cui Shoujun, a professor at the School of International Relations at Renmin University of China, told CGTN.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the ceasefire between Israel and Iran is “now in effect.”
“THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE!” he wrote on Truth Social platform.
Iran’s Press TV reported on Tuesday that ceasefire began following waves of Iranian attacks on Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said Israel had agreed to U.S.-brokered ceasefire, stating that Israel had achieved its military objectives against Iran.
The acceptance of the ceasefire by both sides came after Israel’s military said it was working to intercept Iranian missiles launched “a short while ago,” without specifying the exact time of the attack.
“If both sides can seize this moment to resume and deepen dialogue – particularly on nuclear and regional security issues – with the support and oversight of the international community, there is a genuine possibility of reaching a long-term peace agreement,” Cui said.
‘Cost of continued direct conflict too high for both sides’
Cui said one of the primary drivers behind the ceasefire is the prolonged risk of war. The cost of continued direct conflict is too high for both sides, he said, adding that a war will not only undo decades of economic progress in both countries, but also trigger severe domestic political upheavals, and potentially lead to the loss of control of nuclear facilities – resulting in irreversible ecological and humanitarian disasters.
“The leaders on both sides understand that there are no winners in war,” he emphasized.
Cui also pointed out that strong international mediation created a favorable environment for the ceasefire. The escalation of the conflict had posed a serious threat to global energy security and international shipping routes – particularly the Strait of Hormuz – sparking widespread alarm across the international community and prompting major powers to play a part in de-escalating the tensions.
Notably, emerging powers such as China have also played a constructive role, the professor added.
He further explained that years of sanctions and regional tensions have weighed heavily on Iran’s economy, while Israeli society has grown weary from a prolonged state of military readiness and deep political divisions.
“Both governments now urgently need a stable external environment so they can focus on resolving critical domestic challenges,” he said.
Speaking about the challenges ahead, the professor noted that the deep-rooted hostility and mutual distrust between Israel and Iran cannot be resolved overnight.
In addition to the region’s complex dynamics, numerous external factors also pose obstacles to lasting peace. Cui pointed out that the U.S. has long pursued its own strategic interests in the Middle East. Its consistent military and political support for Israel, along with an often inconsistent policy toward Iran, could complicate or even derail efforts at reconciliation between the two countries.
He further emphasized that other Middle Eastern nations maintain varying degrees of interest alignment and friction with both Israel and Iran. As a result, even subtle shifts in the regional balance of power could significantly influence the trajectory of Iran-Israel relations.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Heza Beach Resort in Rubavu, the festival will take place during the long weekend of July 4th, 2025, further cementing its status as one of Rwanda’s premier music events.
This year’s edition features an electrifying lineup of top DJs, artists, and MCs — all set to deliver an immersive experience of sound, rhythm, and culture.
{{A Summer activation like no other}}
In the lead-up to the main event, Virunga Beer has launched an exciting Road to Toxic Xperience campaign across select bars in Kigali and Rubavu.
At participating venues, customers who purchase Virunga Beer buckets will receive scratch cards for a chance to win exclusive prizes, including: VIP staycations for two (with transport, accommodation, and VIP event access);Regular concert tickets; Virunga-branded merchandise; ExtraVirunga beer buckets; …and more
Winners of the VIP staycations will travel to Rubavu in a full decked Party Bus, where their journey will be documented and shared on social media — offering fans a fun, behind-the-scenes look at the full Toxic Xperience journey.
{{Tickets now available}}
Fans are encouraged to secure their tickets early via www.sinc.events. Both General Admission and VIP packages are available — with limited slots and growing anticipation, Toxic Xperience 2025 is expected to sell out fast.
{{About Toxic Xperience}}
Created by DJ Toxxyk, The Toxic Xperience has grown into one of East Africa’s most anticipated annual festivals, spotlighting Rwanda’s rich music culture while elevating local talent and contributing to the growth of Rubavu’s vibrant nightlife scene.
{{Stay Connected}}
Fans can stay connected and share their excitement by following @Virungabeverages on social media and using the hashtags #VirungaBeer and #ToxicXperience.
![Tea vendor Wang Mingjie [left] describes how his family has sold Chinese tea for generations, from Fujian to the world.](https://en-images.igihe.com/jpg/tea_vendor_wang_mingjie_left_describes_how_his_family_has_sold_chinese_tea_for_generations_from_fujian_to_the_world.jpg)
