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The company acknowledged that the issues have caused significant financial losses and reputational strain, prompting it to intensify engagement with riders and the wider public. The matter was discussed during a media briefing held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.

One of the most common concerns raised by riders involves the perceived failure of brakes on Spiro motorcycles, a situation that some fear could lead to accidents. However, Spiro says the problem is largely linked to limited familiarity with the design and operation of electric motorcycles.

Spiro Rwanda’s Deputy Plant Manager, Dieudonné Mbuguje, explained that the motorcycles are equipped with three braking mechanisms, unlike conventional petrol-powered bikes. In addition to the front and rear brakes, Spiro motorcycles also feature an engine braking system that cuts power to the rear motor.

According to Dieudonné, some riders have been disconnecting small sensor-linked components that regulate power flow to the motor, often unknowingly compromising the braking system in the process.

“When these sensors are disconnected, riders are left relying only on the conventional brakes, and the engine brake can no longer cut power to the motor when needed,” he said, noting that this can create the impression of brake failure.

To address the problem, Spiro is expanding its training programme beyond initial onboarding. The company said it has rolled out refresher tutorials across its service centres, battery swap stations and offices, while also circulating training videos through riders’ WhatsApp groups.

“We are introducing electric motorcycles into an environment where driving licences are issued for conventional bikes,” Dieudonné said. “That means riders need additional knowledge to operate electric motorcycles safely. We are now going beyond basic riding lessons to ensure users fully understand how these bikes work.”

{{Low prices, not low quality
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Spiro has also responded to criticism, suggesting that the relatively low price of its motorcycles reflects poor quality. The company insists that its pricing strategy is designed to support ownership rather than rental among riders.

Shanton Ngabire, Spiro’s Head of Commercial, said the company deliberately keeps prices low to enable riders to own their motorcycles, aligning with government efforts to promote electric mobility.

“Most conventional motorcycles are expensive, forcing many riders to work for years paying off bikes owned by others,” he said. “Our goal is to help riders own their motorcycles and work for themselves.”

He added that a promotional offer introduced in November last year was intended to accelerate adoption of electric motorcycles. While the promotion later drew complaints from customers who experienced delays in receiving their bikes, Spiro says the issue has since been resolved and all outstanding orders have been fulfilled.

{{Battery concerns addressed
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Some riders have also reported concerns about battery performance, including claims that motorcycles lose power quickly or stop unexpectedly while in motion.

Spiro Rwanda’s Country Lead, Arunkumar Bhandari, said the batteries are designed to last up to five years, but acknowledged that the company is still refining its systems, having operated in Rwanda for less than three years.

He said batteries that develop faults are removed from the system and replaced at no cost to riders, noting that Spiro retains ownership of all batteries to ensure consistent quality and safety.

Under the updated order, nationals from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Syria, Laos, and Sierra Leone will be barred from entering the United States unless they qualify for specific exemptions.

The new proclamation also includes people traveling with Palestinian Authority–issued travel documents.

The White House explained that the expanded travel ban targets countries with “persistent and severe deficiencies” in vetting, screening, and information‑sharing that officials say pose national security and public safety risks.

Syria, long affected by conflict and governance challenges, is one of the most notable additions to the list, reflecting ongoing concerns about the country’s ability to provide reliable documentation or cooperate with U.S. security processes.

This policy builds on a broader set of restrictions that already applied to several other nations earlier in 2025. Under prior proclamations, dozens of countries had faced either full or partial limitations on visas and entry to the United States. The latest expansion increases the number of affected countries to nearly 40 when including both full bans and partial restrictions.

The administration has defended the expanded travel ban as a necessary step to safeguard the American public, citing gaps in international vetting systems and recent security incidents.

Among the examples referenced by officials is a shooting involving an Afghan national, which they say demonstrated vulnerabilities in the current screening process.

The announcement has triggered a range of reactions. Supporters of the policy say it is essential to protect U.S. borders and prevent terrorism or criminal threats, while critics argue that the ban could harm diplomatic relationships, disrupt travel and education, and unfairly impact families and students from the affected countries. Civil liberties organizations have also described parts of the policy as discriminatory.

Despite the broad restrictions, exceptions remain. Foreign nationals who already hold valid U.S. visas or lawful permanent residency are generally exempt from the ban. Diplomatic travelers, certain categories of workers, and individuals whose entry is deemed in the national interest may also qualify for waivers or exemptions.

The new travel restrictions will become effective at 12:01 a.m. on January  1, 2026, and consular officers, as well as border authorities, are preparing to implement the expanded policy in the coming weeks.

In a statement, the Venezuelan government said U.S. President Donald Trump had issued what it called a “grave and reckless threat” against the country, claiming that it violated international law, free trade and freedom of navigation.

Trump claimed Venezuela’s oil, land and mineral resources as U.S. property and demanded their immediate surrender, while seeking to impose a naval blockade aimed at “robbing the nation of its natural wealth,” it added.

Venezuela reaffirmed its sovereignty over its natural resources and its right to free navigation and commerce in the Caribbean Sea and international waters, it said, adding that it would act in strict accordance with the UN Charter and international law.

In response to the threat, Venezuela’s permanent representative to the United Nations would immediately file a formal complaint.

Calling on the U.S. public and the international community to reject the threat, the statement said Venezuela would never return to a colonial status and would continue defending its independence and sovereignty.

Trump said on Tuesday that he has ordered a total blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuela, escalating a months-long pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

In response, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said that any U.S. attempts to block sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela constitute a violation of international law

Sources say a significant number of Burundian soldiers who had been deployed in parts of the Rusizi plain on the South Kivu side returned to Burundi over the past two weeks after being overwhelmed by AFC/M23 forces.

Other Burundian troops are reported to have fled to different areas of South Kivu, including the city of Baraka in Fizi territory and the Itombwe forest, according to information obtained by IGIHE.

The largest remaining concentration of Burundian soldiers is said to be around Minembwe commune, which connects the territories of Uvira, Fizi and Mwenga. The troops have for a long time blocked routes used by members of the Banyamulenge community to access markets and health facilities.

SOS Médias reported that on the night of December 15 to 16, 2025, many Burundian soldiers crossed Lake Tanganyika from Baraka and Mboko, arriving at a military port in Rumonge.

AFC/M23 recently entered the Mboko centre as it continued pushing southwards, forcing back a coalition of DRC government forces whose presence had reportedly compromised civilian security. The city of Baraka remained the last major objective in the area.

As AFC/M23 took control of additional locations along Lake Tanganyika, escape routes for Burundian troops were increasingly cut off, after land routes through the Rusizi plain had already been closed.

On Tuesday morning, six trucks were deployed at the port to transport the soldiers to Bujumbura, with witnesses noting visible signs of fatigue among them.

Burundi is estimated to have deployed nearly 20,000 troops to South Kivu province to help the Congolese army battle M23 rebels. While the exact number of soldiers who have withdrawn is not yet known, sources say they number in the thousands.

AFC/M23 coordinator Corneille Nangaa announced late on Monday that his fighters would withdraw from Uvira in the interest of ongoing mediation efforts but warned rival forces against re-entering the city. It remains unclear whether Burundian troops will continue their withdrawal following the announcement.

The event’s focus was on empowering the youth to take an active role in governance, aligning with Rwanda’s Second National Strategy for Transformation, which highlights the critical importance of youth in decision-making and leadership.

With the theme, “Our Voice, Our Participation, Right Now,” the dialogue emphasised youth engagement not only as a governance priority but also as a fundamental human right.

Organised by Citizen Voice and Actions Rwanda, the event brought together a diverse group of youth leaders, including students, entrepreneurs, and civil society representatives, to discuss the role of youth in governance and explore strategies for greater involvement in national development.

As Rwanda continues its journey of transformation, the 7th Youth Policy Dialogue stands out as a pivotal platform for amplifying the voices of young people in governance and leadership.

The dialogue underscored that youth participation is not just a governance priority, but a human right.

Participants, including students and entrepreneurs, shared experiences, discussed challenges, and proposed solutions for fostering national development. Interviews with attendees revealed a shared passion for taking immediate action and ensuring inclusivity, especially bridging the gap between urban and rural youth.

The dialogue also focused on the significance of youth participation in shaping Rwanda’s future. With youth aged 16 to 30 making up 27% of the population, attendees stressed that this demographic represents the backbone of the nation.

Real-world examples of youth leadership illustrated the tangible impact being made. Najimah Umutoni, a student at Kepler College, shared her initiative to establish “girls’ rooms” in Kigali high schools, providing private spaces for female students dealing with health issues.

“I initiated the girls’ room project after realising that many high schools lacked such spaces, and now many schools have adopted the idea,” she shared.

Robeni Mawuwa, the executive director of an organisation focused on youth empowerment, highlighted youth-led civil society organisations that empower women and teen mothers.

“Our work focuses on uplifting vulnerable groups, especially women and young mothers,” she noted.

Salama Umutoni, a social entrepreneur in agriculture, stressed her commitment to employing fellow youth and aligning her work with national policies. “Whenever I create employment opportunities, I prioritise hiring youth,” she said.

The dialogue provided valuable lessons that participants are eager to implement in their work. Many attendees spoke about Rwanda’s abundant opportunities, such as a peaceful environment, youth platforms, and freedoms, which are sometimes taken for granted.

Najimah emphasised the importance of staying active and starting small. “I’ve learned that I don’t have to wait for big opportunities. I can start small, even on platforms like LinkedIn,” she said. Robeni focused on bridging the participation gap between rural and urban youth, while Samiri advocated for meaningful engagement in policy implementation for the benefit of future generations.

The event ended with powerful messages to inspire hesitant youth. Salama urged young people to think beyond themselves: “Think about your peers and future generations. What kind of world do you want to create for them?”

Robeni challenged the narrative that youth are the leaders of tomorrow: “We are not the future leaders of tomorrow. We are the leaders of today,” she stated.

Najimah encouraged youth to take action, regardless of the obstacles: “Don’t let negativity hold you back. Believe in yourself, work hard, and you can achieve anything.”

The 7th Youth Policy Dialogue reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to youth empowerment and demonstrated how active participation today can help build a more inclusive and prosperous tomorrow for the nation and beyond.