Dr. Ngirente will be succeeded by Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva, who was appointed by President Kagame on Wednesday.
Shortly after the announcement of the new Prime Minister’s appointment, Dr. Ngirente posted a message on X describing his journey as “deeply enriching.”
“I am so grateful to H.E. Paul Kagame for the honour of serving as the Prime Minister of our beloved Rwanda for the last eight years. This journey has been deeply enriching, filled with growth, guidance, and purpose,” he wrote.
“Mr. President, I wish to express my deepest gratitude for the opportunity you gave me to serve my country, and for being such an inspiring mentor throughout this journey. It’s a chapter I’ll always carry with pride,” he added.
Dr. Ngirente was appointed Prime Minister in August 2017, succeeding Anastase Murekezi, who had served in the role since July 2014.
During his tenure, Dr. Ngirente oversaw key government reforms, including socio-economic recovery efforts during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the implementation of strategic development initiatives aligned with Vision 2050.
His successor, Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva, previously served as Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda and brings extensive expertise in economic policy, regulation, and development.
Beyond his central banking role, Dr. Nsengiyumva has held various positions in both Rwandan and UK government institutions. His experience includes serving as Senior Economic Advisor at the UK Office of Rail and Road, Economist at the UK Department for Work and Pensions, and Permanent Secretary in Rwanda’s Ministries of Education and Trade and Industry.
He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Leicester, with research focusing on financial development, government ownership of banks, and foreign capital inflows. Additionally, he earned an MA in Economic Policy and Management from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor of Commerce from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
His reappointment follows a recent promotion from the rank of Senior Superintendent to Chief Superintendent.
CSP Sengabo previously served in the same role until 2020, when he was succeeded by SSP Pelly Gakwaya Uwera.
He originally assumed the spokesperson role in August 2014 and worked closely with the media for six years.
During his tenure, he played a key role in safeguarding the institution’s image and ensuring timely access to information related to RCS operations.
In 2020, CSP Sengabo stepped down to pursue further studies at the Rwanda National Police College in Musanze, where he earned a Master’s degree in Good Governance and Conflict Transformation.
Following his studies, he went on to lead several correctional facilities, including the Muhanga and Huye prisons in the Southern Province.
More recently, he returned from an international assignment and was immediately appointed to resume his former duties, succeeding CSP Therese Kubwimana, who has retired.
Speaking to IGIHE, CSP Sengabo expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve again in this capacity.
“I am honored to take on this responsibility once more. As officers, we are trained to be disciplined and to serve wherever we are assigned. I will fulfill these duties diligently,” he said.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining strong collaboration with the media and to ensuring that the public continues to receive accurate and timely information regarding the programs and activities of the Rwanda Correctional Service.
Before this, Dr. Nsengiyumva was the Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, a role he took on February 25, 2025. He succeeds Dr. Edouard Ngirente, who held the position since 2017.
Dr. Nsengiyumva previously served as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education until 2008. He also worked as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
He holds a PhD degree in Economics from the University of Leicester.
Prosecution spokesperson Faustin Nkusi told RBA that the number of cases received since 2019 reflects a serious and persistent issue.
“We’ve received numerous files. While 68 cases over six years may seem few to some, even a single case is significant due to the gravity of this crime,” Nkusi said.
He noted that both individuals and institutions implicated in trafficking are held accountable whenever sufficient evidence is available.
However, Nkusi acknowledged that identifying and prosecuting traffickers remains difficult due to the sophisticated methods they use to conceal their operations.
“We often collaborate with various agencies, including Interpol. But there are limitations—it’s challenging to gather reliable information, especially when crimes are committed across borders,” he explained.
He also pointed out that victims of trafficking are often reluctant or unable to provide comprehensive information, which further complicates investigations.
Data from the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) indicates that from 2019 to May 2025, a total of 105 Rwandans were repatriated after being trafficked abroad.
Additionally, between July 2024 and March 2025, authorities successfully intercepted trafficking attempts involving 57 individuals before they were moved across borders.
The fellowship introduces a dedicated health journalism track within the African Union Media Fellowship (AUMF), a flagship program that supports media professionals in telling impactful development stories aligned with AU priorities such as governance, peace and security, climate action, and digital innovation.
Supported by the World Bank and other international partners, the fellowship will select five journalists, one from each of Africa CDC’s Regional Coordinating Centres, to participate in a comprehensive 16-month program.
Participants will receive mentorship from health experts, access exclusive resources, and engage in collaborative learning and field reporting to deepen their understanding of pressing health challenges facing the continent.
“At a time when Africa is tackling multiple health priorities, from rising non-communicable diseases to ongoing outbreaks, we need storytellers who can provide accurate and empathetic coverage,” said Margaret Edwin, Director of Communication and Public Information at the African Union’s continental public health agency.
“This fellowship addresses a critical gap in public health reporting and will empower journalists to amplify Africa’s voice in shaping its own health future.”
The inaugural cohort of fellows will explore urgent topics such as lessons learned from COVID-19 and other epidemics, vaccine development and distribution, health system strengthening, and the role of digital innovation in disease detection and response.
In addition to mentorship and reporting support, the fellows will join a continent-wide network of media professionals under the broader AU Media Fellowship.
The fellows will benefit from workshops, editorial guidance, field visits, and a learning tour of global health institutions, coordinated with partners including the European Union Delegation to the African Union and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has launched a new health journalism fellowship designed to equip journalists across Africa with the skills to produce insightful, evidence-based stories on public health issues.
The fellowship introduces a dedicated health journalism track within the African Union Media Fellowship (AUMF), a flagship program that supports media professionals in telling impactful development stories aligned with AU priorities such as governance, peace and security, climate action, and digital innovation.
Supported by the World Bank and other international partners, the fellowship will select five journalists, one from each of Africa CDC’s Regional Coordinating Centres, to participate in a comprehensive 16-month program.
Participants will receive mentorship from health experts, access exclusive resources, and engage in collaborative learning and field reporting to deepen their understanding of pressing health challenges facing the continent.
“At a time when Africa is tackling multiple health priorities, from rising non-communicable diseases to ongoing outbreaks, we need storytellers who can provide accurate and empathetic coverage,” said Margaret Edwin, Director of Communication and Public Information at the African Union’s continental public health agency.
“This fellowship addresses a critical gap in public health reporting and will empower journalists to amplify Africa’s voice in shaping its own health future.”
The inaugural cohort of fellows will explore urgent topics such as lessons learned from COVID-19 and other epidemics, vaccine development and distribution, health system strengthening, and the role of digital innovation in disease detection and response.
In addition to mentorship and reporting support, the fellows will join a continent-wide network of media professionals under the broader AU Media Fellowship.
The fellows will benefit from workshops, editorial guidance, field visits, and a learning tour of global health institutions, coordinated with partners including the European Union Delegation to the African Union and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
The call for applications is currently open and will close on August 14, 2025. Journalists interested in applying can find more information at https://aumf.au.int/application.
The report identifies embezzlement, fraud, tax crimes, and cybercrime as the primary predicate offenses generating high amounts of illicit proceeds.
Embezzlement alone accounted for 39% of the total criminal proceeds, followed by fraud (24%), tax crimes (20%), and cybercrime (13%).
These crimes were found to be the main drivers behind money laundering cases in the country.
During the five-year assessment period, 44 money laundering cases were investigated, with 42 cases prosecuted and 9 resulting in convictions.
The total value of assets confiscated during these proceedings reached Frw 780,934,906.
While Rwanda’s legal framework has significantly evolved—including the recent enactment of Law No. 001/2025 on the Prevention and Punishment of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing—the report highlights key enforcement gaps.
These include limited investigative resources, weaknesses in asset recovery processes, and inconsistent application of penalties.
Additionally, the report confirms that the overall national money laundering risk remains at a medium level, driven by both increasing threats and institutional vulnerabilities.
Efforts in detection, prosecution, supervision, and international cooperation, especially in real estate and banking sectors, have improved the country’s response capacity.
Under the current law, anyone found guilty of money laundering faces 10 to 15 years in prison and a fine of three to five times the value of the laundered funds.
Aiding others to benefit from such funds or financing terrorism carries the same penalties.
The information was presented by federal junior home minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Wednesday in the lower house of the Indian parliament, locally called Lok Sabha.
Kumar said, according to the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS), the total amount of losses incurred by citizens due to cyber frauds in the entire country in 2024 was over 2.64 billion U.S. dollars as compared to 863.8 million dollars in the previous year.
The minister stated 3,637,288 incidents of online financial fraud were reported on NCRP and CFCFRMS in 2024 as compared to 2,442,978 in 2023.
According to the data shared by the minister, 2,268,346 cyber crimes were reported in 2024, reflecting a 42.08 percent yearly increase.
This service is activated in the event of the death of a client, their spouse, or child, offering immediate funeral assistance to ease the financial burden during emotionally difficult times.
The bank emphasized that the launch of Komera reflects its commitment to supporting clients not only during moments of prosperity but also in times of grief, recognizing that loss can strike anyone, anytime.
Komera is available to clients of Bank of Africa Rwanda aged between 18 and 65 years, and offers financial support ranging from Frw 500,000 to Frw 5,000,000, depending on the chosen coverage plan.
Once a claim is submitted, the support funds are disbursed within 24 hours, ensuring that families receive timely help when they need it most.
“At the Bank of Africa, we understand that life comes with both joy and sorrow. Komera is more than just a financial product — it’s a promise. A promise that we will stand with our clients, even in their most difficult moments,” said Jean Havugimana, Chief Commercial Officer at Bank of Africa Rwanda.
He added that through Komera, the bank reinforces its mission of being a reliable, compassionate financial partner — one that walks with clients through every chapter of life, offering strength and unwavering support.
The $2.7 million ‘Kigali Sky Wheel’ project, which is underway at the site of the upcoming Inzovu Mall near the Kigali Convention Centre, will be the first of its kind in Rwanda. Once operational, it will offer passengers a 15- to 20-minute ride in enclosed cabins, providing elevated views of the city’s hills and expanding skyline.
Globally, Ferris wheels have become defining features of urban landscapes. Cities such as Dubai, London, Singapore, and Las Vegas have built towering observation wheels, transforming them into tourist magnets and architectural icons.
Dubai’s Ain Dubai is currently the tallest in the world at 250 metres, followed by Las Vegas’s High Roller (167.6m), and the Singapore Flyer (165m), which offers views stretching across three countries. The London Eye, a 135-metre wheel on the River Thames, has become one of the most recognisable structures in the UK capital.
The development in Kigali comes as the city continues to raise its profile as a tourist destination. In 2024, it was [ ranked the third most preferred African city ->https://en.igihe.com/lifestyle/article/kigali-ranked-among-top-five-favorite-tourist-destinations#:~:text=0%2012%2D07%2D2024%20%2D,if%20you%20are%20in%20Morocco.%E2%80%9D] for travellers by Travel + Leisure. The Ferris wheel is expected to add to the city’s recreational offerings and appeal to both residents and visitors.
The project is being developed by Kigali Ferris Wheel Ltd., in partnership with Mo Gashi and Partners, a Canadian engineering firm.
According to Moses Umugisha Gashirabake, the Managing Director and majority shareholder at Kigali Ferris Wheel Limited, the iconic structure is expected to become a defining feature of Kigali’s skyline and a focal point for urban activity.
He emphasised the significance of such landmarks in shaping the identity of modern cities and attracting both domestic and international visitors.
“They offer unique perspectives of the city, can be standalone attractions, and can be designed to fit within existing urban spaces,” Gashirabake told The New Times.
“Furthermore, they are often popular with both residents and tourists, offering a sense of novelty and shared experience,” he added.
Beyond sightseeing, the Kigali Sky Wheel is designed to serve as a multi-purpose venue. Plans include nightly light displays, food and beverage stalls, branded merchandise, and event space. Commercial opportunities are also expected to emerge around advertising and co-branding linked to the attraction.
The wheel is part of a broader trend of private-sector investment in leisure and tourism infrastructure in Kigali, which authorities have identified as key to economic diversification. If construction stays on schedule, the Kigali Sky Wheel will be open to the public by December 2025.
The forum is a collaborative initiative by the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in China and the Rwandan community living in China, aimed at deepening bilateral ties through trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
The flagship event will spotlight Rwanda’s progress and the vast opportunities it offers in key sectors such as investment, tourism, manufacturing, and culture. With China currently leading all countries in foreign direct investment (FDI) in Rwanda, the gathering will serve as a strategic platform to attract even more Chinese investors and promote high-quality Made in Rwanda products.
A key highlight of the event will be a high-level business forum organised in partnership with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT). The forum will bring together Chinese enterprises, Rwandan officials, private companies, academia, traders, and tour operators to explore partnerships and conduct business matchmaking sessions.
“This is more than a promotional event; it is a strategic engagement to strengthen people-to-people ties and stimulate tangible collaboration between our two countries,” the Rwandan embassy in China said in a statement.
Beyond business, “Meet Rwanda in China” will also serve as a celebration of Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage. Coinciding with Umuganura, Rwanda’s national thanksgiving and harvest festival, the event will feature traditional dance and music performances, cultural storytelling, riddles (ibisakuzo), games like kubuguza, and symbolic acts such as guha abana amata (serving milk to children), offering Chinese audiences a taste of Rwandan tradition.
Sports competitions will also feature prominently, especially considering that over 95% of the Rwandan community in China are students. These youth-led activities will foster unity and highlight Rwanda’s values of togetherness, innovation, and shared responsibility.
As a recurring initiative, “Meet Rwanda in China” is expected to become a vital platform for diaspora mobilisation and sustained dialogue on Rwanda’s Vision 2050 development agenda. It also aligns with Rwanda’s broader strategy of building strong international partnerships to drive inclusive growth and prosperity.
