The event will take place in Kigali, comprising academics, policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society to address critical challenges and opportunities.
Themed “United Leadership: Harnessing African Education for Sustainable Growth,” the summit will explore equitable partnerships, sustainability, digital transformation, and research-driven employability.
Over 350 delegates will engage with more than 100 thought leaders, exchanging insights on fostering regional collaboration and leveraging education for economic progress.
Prominent speakers will include Dr Philip Cotton, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Global Health Equity, Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg, and Dr DeWayne Frazier, President and Vice-Chancellor of the American University of Nigeria.
Discussions will focus on building inclusive partnerships to strengthen collaboration across the continent, integrating sustainability into higher education, and exploring digital innovation to expand access and improve efficiency.
The summit will also address how African institutions can align research with workforce needs to enhance employability.
Additionally, THE experts will conduct data masterclasses analyzing the THE Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2025 and THE Impact Rankings 2025, which assess universities based on global sustainable development goals.
Phil Baty, THE’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, emphasized the summit’s significance. “Africa is vital to the future success of the world, and we are delighted to be hosting such a timely and relevant event. This gathering in Kigali will highlight Africa’s growth as an education hub and its leadership in sustainability.”
With Rwanda emerging as a center for academic and technological innovation, the summit is set to reinforce Africa’s role in global education and development.
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, confirmed the arrival on Monday in a post on X with the caption, “US Deportations Begin,” according to Hallmark News.
“The first group will be convicted prisoners, those who committed crimes and are in US prisons. Some of them are those who have clearly violated US immigration laws,” U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills Jr. told reporters in Nigeria.
“They appealed but were denied yet they are still in the US. They have committed immigration crimes, people who have been ordered to leave,” he added.
But Odumegwu-Ojukwu warned the U.S. to act with ‘dignity.’ “With the new administration in the US, we want a situation where there will be commitments. If there will be repatriation, we want a dignified return,” she exclaimed.
“Will there be any way of ameliorating their pains? This has been of great concern to not just Nigerian nationals in the US but family members in Nigeria who depend on them for survival, children whose school fees are paid for by these diasporans,” she added.
“We are asking as a country whether they will be given ample time to handle their assets or will they just be bundled into planes and repatriated? It will really be traumatic, especially for those who had not committed any violent crime,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu piously proclaimed.
Meanwhile, as Nigerian officials lament having to take back their own citizens who illegally entered the U.S.A., the African country recently celebrated its own campaign of deportations with the announcement that 828 illegal migrants into Nigeria were deported last year.
U.S. immigration officials have detained 201 Nigerians for deportation back to their home country as the first plane with 85 of those detainees landed in Lagos on Monday. This has left the left a widely divided public opinion.
“FG ready to welcome deported Nigerians from US’. NiDCOM says as 3,690 Nigerians in US face deportation. When you see them around, respect them and give them their caps; they are heroes. it’s not easy,” Ilesanmi Oluwakayode Samuel, a facbook user said.
The Congolese citizens who had been living in Rwanda had sought assistance to return to Goma and Bukavu.
Local authorities organized buses to transport them from Bugarama to Kamembe and Rubavu, with the Congolese nationals covering their own transport fees. Meanwhile, 25 individuals expressed their desire to stay and will be hosted at the Nyarushishi Transit Center.
Those returning to Bukavu crossed the Rusizi Border I Post, which serves as the main exit point for people leaving Rwanda and the primary entry point for those entering the Democratic Republic of Congo, at around 3 p.m.
The returnees said the security situation had improved since the M23 captured Bukavu over the weekend. Some of them told IGIHE that they had been at the Kamanyola border after fleeing Wazalendo fighters, who were shooting at them as M23 forces advanced into the city.
“I work at Kamanyola, but my home is in Goma. FARDC soldiers were retreating from Bukavu, firing their weapons and creating tension. The Wazalendo fighters were ruthless and inhumane, forcing us to flee,” said Simplice Yuma Kisubi.
“I heard there is no longer a problem in Bukavu, which is why I have returned home through this border post,” he added.
Other residents who spoke to IGIHE were traders who had initially feared returning due to insecurity but were now relieved to do so. They accused Congolese forces and allied militias of terrorizing them and looting their goods. According to them, the M23 has brought much-needed relief to the region.
“We are glad that the border is open, and we can go back home to reunite with our loved ones,” another Congolese national stated.
The returnees thanked the Rwandan government for its hospitality and for granting them safe passage home.
“I thank the government of Rwanda and the Ministry of Interior for receiving us. They treated us well, fed us, and gave us water. Those who were sick received medical attention, and they provided us with transportation,” Kisubi remarked.
M23 rebels entered Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, over the weekend.
In a recent statement, the rebels—who claim to be fighting against the continued persecution and marginalization of Congolese Rwandophones—stated that they were protecting the city after government forces abandoned it, plunging it into anarchy.
The rebels had been advancing south toward Bukavu since seizing Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, at the end of last month.
The capture of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, represents an unprecedented expansion of M23-controlled territory since the insurgency reignited in 2022 and delivers another blow to Kinshasa’s authority in the east.
This latest advance comes just days after President Félix Tshisekedi accused former President Joseph Kabila of siding with the rebels in an alleged attempt to destabilize the country.
Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech after listening to representatives of private entrepreneurs.
Li Qiang and Ding Xuexiang also attended the symposium, which was presided over by Wang Huning.
The party leadership addressed this issue on February 16, 2025, during a Political Bureau meeting, where they also discussed the security crisis in eastern DRC and its impact on Rwanda.
PDI emphasized that these countries have repeatedly shown intentions to destabilize Rwanda’s leadership, stressing the importance of denouncing such threats.
“The PDI condemns the collaboration between the DRC, Burundi, and some SADC countries, which enables the FDLR to work alongside their military forces in a scheme that threatens Rwanda’s security and sovereignty,” the statement read.
The party also criticized European nations for warning of possible sanctions against Rwanda while remaining silent on countries allegedly supporting the FDLR, which is responsible for atrocities amounting to genocide against Congolese Tutsis in North and South Kivu.
PDI commended President Paul Kagame for his firm leadership in strengthening Rwanda’s security institutions, particularly the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), which has been built into a highly professional and well-equipped army.
The party further praised the RDF for successfully fortifying Rwanda’s defense system, which has mitigated the impact of cross-border attacks from the DRC.
“PDI applauds the RDF for its expertise and capability in neutralizing threats aimed at destabilizing Rwanda from the Democratic Republic of Congo,” the statement added.
Led by Sheikh Mussa Fazil Harerimana, the PDI reaffirmed its full support for Rwanda’s defense measures and urged all Rwandans to stand firm against those who wish harm upon their country while upholding values of dignity and self-reliance.
The energy sector policy released by the Ministry of Infrastructure in February 2025 states that Rwanda’s power plants have achieved a total capacity of 406.4 megawatts.
Statistics show that 27% of this electricity is generated from hydroelectric power, while methane gas contributes 21.1%, and diesel accounts for 7%.
Beyond hydropower, Rwanda began producing electricity from methane gas in 2015, initially generating 26.4 megawatts. By the end of 2024, this capacity had risen to 82.4 megawatts.
Currently, coal-fired power plants contribute 85 megawatts, while solar power plants generate 12 megawatts.
The Rusumo Hydropower Plant, a joint project between Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania, began supplying electricity to the regional grid last year. This plant has a total capacity of 80 megawatts, evenly distributed among the three countries.
According to the Rwanda Energy Group (REG), hydropower accounts for 43.9% of the country’s electricity production, while solar energy contributes 4.2%.
Electricity access in Rwanda has reached 81.4% of households, with 56.5% connected to the national grid and 24.9% relying on alternative sources, primarily solar energy.
Gakenke District currently has the highest electricity access rate at 99.3%, followed by Muhanga at 98.8%. Nyabihu District has the lowest access rate, with 69.9% of households connected to electricity.
By 2024, a total of 2,227.6 kilometers of roads had been electrified, with a goal of reaching 3,237 kilometers by 2029.
Electricity losses due to technical issues or other factors stand at 18.9%.
The Ministry of Infrastructure states that in the next five years, newly completed hydroelectric plants will add 81 megawatts to the grid, including the Nyabarongo II plant, which will generate 45 megawatts.
The national energy policy aims to expand electricity production from various sources by 2034, including hydroelectricity, methane gas, coal, and wind power, while reducing the impact of climate change.
By 2034, planned hydropower projects include Rusizi III, expected to generate 68 megawatts, Rusizi IV with 95 megawatts, and Nsongezi, which will contribute 12 megawatts.
The bill, which was approved in principle on November 5, 2024, officially entered the review process on February 17, 2025.
One of its key provisions states that individuals aged 15 and above have the right to make independent decisions regarding their access to reproductive health information and services.
According to the explanations provided, the term “age of maturity” in this law refers to individuals aged 15 and above.
Statistics from the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion indicate that 22,454 teenage girls were victims of sexual abuse and became pregnant in 2024, highlighting the severity of the issue.
In 2020, 19,701 teenage pregnancies were recorded, increasing to 23,111 in 2021 and 24,472 in 2022. However, in 2023, the number slightly decreased to 22,055.
Health authorities affirm that previous prevention methods, such as abstinence and condom use, have not yielded sufficient results, hence the need to facilitate adolescents’ access to family planning services.
The Sixth Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) reveals that some women aged 15-19 have undergone abortions, are currently pregnant, or are already mothers taking care of children.
A significant number of these young mothers come from rural areas and have only completed primary or secondary education.
The study also shows that 4.5% of girls engaged in sexual activity before turning 15, compared to 10.1% of boys. Some of these young individuals had children before reaching the age of 15.
Provisions on surrogacy
The draft law also includes a provision allowing surrogacy for individuals aged between 21 and 50 who meet specific requirements.
If enacted, this service would only be available to married couples struggling with infertility.
The first surrogacy services provided in Rwanda cost approximately 3.5 million Rwandan francs . However, the cost is expected to decrease once it is integrated into health insurance services.
According to the law, the legal mother of a child born through assisted reproductive technology is the one recognized in the formal agreement related to the procedure.
Surrogacy was first introduced in 1986 with the birth of the first baby conceived through this method. Since then, it has gained popularity, particularly in developed countries.
For example, in the United States, approximately 750 babies are born annually through surrogacy.
According to the official National News Agency, firefighting teams have extinguished the flames engulfing the vehicle and retrieved the body of the killed person from the targeted car.
The Al Hadath TV channel said on the X Platform that the target of the airstrike was Mohamad Chahine, a military official from Hamas.
A ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and the Israeli military has been in effect since Nov. 27, 2024, halting over a year of clashes triggered by the Gaza war.
The agreement requires Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territory within 60 days while the Lebanese army assumes control along the border and in the south, ensuring no presence of weapons or armed groups south of the Litani River.
On Jan. 27, Lebanon’s caretaker government announced an extension of the ceasefire agreement until Feb. 18, following the expiration of the initial 60-day period without a complete Israeli withdrawal.
Despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces have continued to conduct strikes in Lebanon, citing security threats.
What could have been a life-saving intervention becomes a missed opportunity, leading to severe disabilities or even death.
Data from top global medical centers reveals that only one in three stroke patients manages to reach the hospital within the critical three-hour window, where treatment is most effective.
{{Brain fights survival instincts}}
The human brain, a marvel of survival instincts, paradoxically works against the human body when it comes to strokes.
When faced with sudden and alarming symptoms, many individuals enter a state of cognitive dissonance. Instead of seeking help, their minds instinctively search for less frightening explanations for what’s happening.
This psychological response, designed to ease anxiety, becomes dangerous when it delays life-saving action. The brain’s natural desire to avoid acknowledging a threat and to maintain normalcy only increases the risk of a stroke going undiagnosed until it’s too late.
{{The deadly spiral of symptom dismissal}}
When a stroke strikes, people often fall into a pattern of dismissal. It starts with recognizing unusual sensations or difficulties, but those signs are quickly rationalized.
A sudden headache is shrugged off as a result of a busy day, arm weakness is explained away as sleeping awkwardly; slurred speech gets chalked up to exhaustion or dehydration.
Dr. Jenipher Niyonziza, a medical practitioner at Ruhengeri Referral Hospital in Musanze district, cautions that this pattern creates a dangerous delay.
“The mind’s powerful ability to normalize concerning symptoms often proves detrimental during medical emergencies. This delay can significantly impact survival and recovery chances,” she says.
The deceptive nature of stroke symptoms
Unlike the dramatic depictions in TV shows, real stroke symptoms are often subtle. This can lead to a dangerous disconnect between perception and reality.
A person may experience slight slurring of speech or minor coordination issues and mistake them for something trivial, like fatigue or stress.
The brain’s tendency to search for simpler explanations, coupled with the temporary nature of early symptoms, leads people to underestimate the danger. When the symptoms briefly subside, individuals often feel a sense of relief, unaware that the relief is only temporary.
{{Cultural barriers and their impact}}
Cultural beliefs can play a significant role in how people respond to stroke symptoms. In many communities, seeking immediate medical care is often viewed as an overreaction, adding social stigma to the already complex situation.
Dr. Niyonziza explains that traditional communities, which prioritize self-reliance and resilience, may lead individuals to avoid seeking professional care.
“Distrust of medical institutions in certain communities adds hesitation, while a preference for alternative medicine can lead people to try traditional remedies instead of seeking emergency care,” she says.
{{The gender factor in stroke response}}
Research highlights striking differences in how men and women respond to stroke symptoms. Women, especially those in caregiving roles, often place their family’s needs above their own, causing them to delay seeking medical attention for themselves.
This pressure to maintain stability at home, while noble, can lead to dangerous delays in treatment. Social expectations and the fear of being perceived as overreacting or becoming a burden often prevent women from addressing symptoms until they become more severe.
{{Age-related misconceptions}}
A dangerous myth persists that strokes are a problem only for the elderly, leaving younger adults vulnerable to ignoring symptoms.
However, studies show that strokes are increasingly common among adults aged 25-45, especially as stress, poor diets, and sedentary lifestyles take their toll.
“Younger individuals tend to think their age provides protection against serious health events like strokes. But this misconception is becoming more dangerous, especially as we see high blood pressure and other risk factors on the rise among younger populations,” says Dr. Niyonziza.
{{The socioeconomic barrier}}
Economic factors often play a major role in delaying stroke treatment. Many people, especially in areas with limited insurance coverage, fear the high costs of medical bills and delay seeking help.
In rural or underserved areas, transportation barriers further complicate the issue, making it difficult or even impossible to reach emergency care in time.
Additionally, many individuals are concerned about their jobs or the potential loss of wages if they seek immediate medical attention.
These financial pressures, combined with the critical need for fast intervention, create a perfect storm of hesitation at the worst possible time.
Here’s a snippet into how some of them performed over the past weekend
{{Arthur Gitego departs AFC Leopards}}
Rwanda’s national team striker, Gitego Arthur, has parted ways with Kenya’s AFC Leopards by mutual agreement.
During his one-year stint in Kenya, he emerged as the top scorer in the FKF Cup with five goals and netted three times in the league, providing one assist.
{{Bonheur Mugisha’s Stade Tunisien loses Tunisian super cup}}
Mugisha Bonheur’s club, Stade Tunisien, lost the Tunisian Super Cup after a 2-0 defeat to Espérance Sportive de Tunis. This marked their second consecutive loss against the same opponent.
Mugisha, a key player for Rwanda’s national team, was named in the starting XI and played the full match under coach Larbi Ben Hassine.
{{Hakim Sahabo scores first goal for K. Beerschot V.A}}
Belgium-based midfielder Hakim Sahabo scored his first goal for K. Beerschot V.A in a match against Gent. However, his team suffered a 3-2 loss and remains at the bottom of the league table.
{{Upcoming matches for Innocent Nshuti and Ange Mutsinzi }}
On Monday, February 17, 2025, Nshuti Innocent’s Sabail PFK will face Sabah Baku in Azerbaijan’s Premier League.
Meanwhile, Zire FK, featuring Rwandan defender Mutsinzi Ange, secured a 3-0 victory against Sumqayit. Mutsinzi played the entire match.
{{Samuel Gueulette helps RAAL La Louvière end winless streak}}
In Belgium’s second division, midfielder Samuel Gueulette played the full match as RAAL La Louvière defeated Seraing 4-1, marking a turnaround after a series of poor results.
Elsewhere, defender Imanishimwe Emmanuel, also known as ‘Mangwende,’ remains sidelined due to injury and did not feature for AEL Limassol in Cyprus’ top division.
On a happier note, Libya’s Al Ahly Tripoli, home to Rwandan defender Manzi Thierry and national team captain Bizimana Djihad, secured a 2-1 win over Asaria last week.
{{Ntwari struggles for game time at Kaizer Chiefs}}
Amavubi goalkeeper Ntwari Fiacre is struggling for playing time at South African giants Kaizer Chiefs. He was left out over the weekend as Chiefs claimed a 3-0 victory over Chippa United.
Kwizera Jojea, who plays for Rhode Island in the USL Championship (USA’s second division), is preparing for a friendly match against Hartford Athletic ahead of the new season in March 2025.
In other news, Switzerland-based Johan Marvin Kury made his debut for FC Zürich II in the third division, coming on as a substitute in the 79th minute during a 1-1 draw with Delémont.
Players who continue to perform well in these different leagues stand a strong chance of being called up for Rwanda’s national team, Amavubi, for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Nigeria and Lesotho in March 2025.
![Smoke billowing above the Lebanese village of Bint Jbeil during Israeli bombardment. [Jalaa Marey/AFP]](https://en-images.igihe.com/jpg/11-90.jpg)
