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The majority of those repatriated are women and children. They arrived at the Rwanda-DRC border on the morning of May 17.

Before boarding buses taking them to Kijote camp in Nyabihu District, Western Province, they underwent basic health screenings, including temperature checks, to assess their health status.

The Mayor of Rubavu District, Mulindwa Prosper, stated that the returnees were informed about the improvements in the livelihoods of their fellow Rwandans and expressed their happiness about coming back home.

“They applauded; it was clear they were emotionally moved,” he said. “It became evident that they had learned things they didn’t know before, as they had previously received different information.”

Claudine Mutoni, a 20-year-old woman, shared her story, explaining that she was born in the DRC. She described life under the FDLR as abusive, stating that the group subjected them to forced labor and violence.

“The FDLR used to abuse people, beat the men, and force us to do things beyond our strength. Coming back here, from the way we are being received, I can see things are going to be much better,” she said.

In general, the AFC/M23 forces rescued 2,500 Rwandans who had been held hostage by the FDLR. The remaining individuals are currently at a temporary refugee reception center in Goma, where they are receiving assistance from UNHCR before being repatriated in subsequent phases.

The FDLR is a terrorist group formed by remnant perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

In addition to preventing Rwandans living in the DRC from returning home, the group has been heavily involved in violent acts against Congolese civilians, particularly Tutsi communities.

The visit reinforced growing ties between Rwanda and Hungary, following previous high-level engagements, including visits to Rwanda by Hungary’s President Katalin Novák in 2023 and Foreign and Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó in 2021.

One of the key highlights was the official inauguration of Rwanda’s Embassy in Hungary. During the ceremony, Minister Nduhungirehe emphasized that this step reflects Rwanda’s commitment to deepening diplomatic relations with friendly nations, especially Hungary.

Rwanda opened its embassy in Budapest in December 2023. In March 2024, Ambassador Marguerite Françoise Nyagahura presented her credentials to Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok.

Speaking during the inauguration, Minister Nduhungirehe highlighted the significance of the new embassy in strengthening ties between the two nations.

“This embassy, one of the newest in Rwanda’s growing diplomatic network, reflects our efforts to expand our global engagement and build ties with like-minded partners like Hungary,” he said.

“The presence of a resident ambassador here in Budapest has already begun to bear fruit, facilitating more direct exchanges, stronger institutional ties, and meaningful collaborations across sectors.”

He added that there was strong potential to deepen cooperation through mutually beneficial projects that connect businesses and institutions in both countries.

“This embassy will serve not just as a diplomatic mission, but as a bridge—fostering dialogue, encouraging innovation, and building enduring friendships between our peoples,” he said.

Boglárka Illés, Hungary’s Minister of State for Bilateral Relations, also attended the inauguration ceremony, representing Hungary’s commitment to closer ties with Rwanda.

She stated that Rwanda is seen as a valuable partner and a strategic entry point for investors targeting the East African market.

Hungarian Investment in Rwanda

Minister Nduhungirehe told IGIHE that the delegation visited several institutions to encourage Hungarian investors to consider Rwanda.

Among them was Hunland, a Hungarian company specializing in cattle breeding and dairy production. The company’s executives previously visited Rwanda, met with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, and toured a livestock project in Gako.

They expressed interest to invest $63 million (approx. Rwf 89.9 billion) to establish a cattle farm with over 2,000 high-yielding dairy cows.

“Over the next five years, they plan to invest in more than 2,000 high-quality dairy cows and establish a livestock project that will supply improved cattle breeds to Rwandans and the wider region. This investment will be carried out in partnership with Rwandans,” Nduhungirehe noted.

However, he added that the proposal is still under review by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Rwanda Development Board for approval.

The visit also included discussions on expanding cooperation in trade and investment, education, sports, health, nuclear energy, and more.

On regional security, Hungary expressed support for resolving the Eastern DR Congo crisis through dialogue rather than armed conflict.

The two countries also plan to begin negotiations in June 2025 on a bilateral investment protection agreement, covering Rwandan investments in Hungary and vice versa.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó welcomed the strengthened relations and highlighted their support for rehabilitating Rwanda’s Karenge Water Treatment Plant in Rwamagana District, with an investment of over $52 million. Renovation work is expected to begin soon.

Broader cooperation in sports

Minister Nduhungirehe also delivered a public lecture at Hungary’s Diplomatic Academy on Rwanda’s foreign policy, emphasizing key pillars such as maintaining national security, attracting investment, and peaceful coexistence with other nations.

The Rwandan delegation visited the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, Europe’s largest and the world’s third-largest thermal bath facility, to explore collaboration in sports and wellness.

“These baths offer high-standard facilities for both training and international competitions. We wanted to explore how such experiences can help develop swimming in Rwanda,” Nduhungirehe said.

Minister Mukazayire held talks with Hungary’s Secretary of State for Sports, and both parties agreed to finalize a sports cooperation agreement.

Hungary, renowned in aquatic sports, pledged to send experts to assess Rwanda’s needs and support coach and athlete capacity building.

The delegation also visited the Hungarian Motorsport Academy, which supports the organization of Formula 1 races, aligning with Rwanda’s interest in potentially hosting Formula 1 in the future.

Minister Mukazayire sought to understand the infrastructure, preparation, and capacity needs required to organize such global competitions.

She also met with Hungary’s Cycling Federation officials, and they agreed to cooperate in capacity building for cycling.

Minister Mukazayire invited the Hungarian team to participate in the 2025 UCI Road World Championships to be held in Kigali in September. They confirmed their participation.

The visit concluded with the Rwandan delegation attending the opening ceremony of the 100th edition of the “Tour de Hongrie.”

Minister Mukazayire addressed attendees, encouraging them to follow the 2025 World Championships in Kigali and explore Rwanda’s vibrant tourism attractions.

Inauguration of Rwandan embassy in Hungary

Hungary’s Minister Péter Szijjártó receiving his Rwandan counterpart

Minister Péter Szijjártó and Amb. Nduhungirehe addressed members of the press

Engagement with investors

Széchenyi Thermal Bath visit

Visit to the Hungarian Motorsport Academy

Speaking with clarity and introspection, Kagame emphasised the importance of understanding Rwanda on its own terms—shaped by its history, defined by its resilience, and guided by a deeply internalised sense of responsibility.

“Like any other country or society, Rwandans have their ways, they have their problems, they have their restraints,” Kagame said.

“So we approach the management of our affairs and society and deal with our problems based on that understanding of who we are, who we want to be, where we are coming from, where we want to go.”

Kagame urged the students to look beyond surface narratives and adopt a more nuanced lens when evaluating nations like Rwanda.

He stressed the value of introspection and open communication within Rwandan society as key tools for progress.

“It’s important to read and understand carefully what all that entails. And more importantly, to try and communicate it among ourselves and do the kind of soul-searching we need to find solutions to the many problems we have or have had,” he asserted.

In a statement that anchored the tone of the discussion, Kagame declared, “We don’t pretend about anything.” Acknowledging the significant strides Rwanda has made since the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, he also admitted that challenges remain.

“We know that a lot of progress has been made, but we have not succeeded in everything. We are not even bound to succeed in everything. But we try to register progress in the things that matter most to us.”

The Head of State, who led the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA)—comprising Rwandan refugees from neighbouring countries—to stop the Genocide against the Tutsi, described Rwanda’s journey as one forged not in privilege, but in perseverance.

“We are not spoiled. We don’t have much to spoil us. We have just had the lessons of our past that are tragic. Therefore, you either pick up your pieces and move forward or you perish,” Kagame told the students. “We operate within these kinds of limitations.”

The meeting served as both a lesson in leadership and a window into Rwanda’s ongoing efforts to build a self-reliant, inclusive society that acknowledges its scars but remains focused on a future defined by integrity, purpose, and homegrown solutions.

President Kagame is credited with steering the country toward prosperity following the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, which left more than a million people dead.

Today, Rwanda is regarded as a model of good governance, with notable progress in areas such as infrastructure development and the improvement of public services, including healthcare and education.

A recent survey conducted by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) revealed that national poverty has declined by 12.4 percentage points over the past seven years.

According to the survey, the national poverty rate dropped from 39.8% in 2017 to 27.4% in 2024, with approximately 1.5 million Rwandans lifted out of poverty during that period.

Moreover, the country has made concerted efforts to combat corruption and enhance the efficiency of its public sector, placing a strong emphasis on accountability and performance.

In 2024, the tourism sector generated $647 million (over Frw 932 billion) for Rwanda, marking a 4.3% increase compared to the previous year.

RDB’s 2024 annual report attributes this growth to a 27% increase in gorilla-based tourism and an 11% rise in air travel.

Each year, 10% of the revenue generated by national parks is shared with neighbouring communities and used for public interest initiatives and socio-economic development projects.

The report indicates that 105 community projects received financial support. A significant portion, about 43.1%, focused on agriculture-related activities, while 41% were dedicated to infrastructure development.

Another 10.5% of the funds were used to provide various equipment, 2.9% supported the repair of property damaged by wildlife, and the remaining 1.9% went toward strengthening local businesses near the park.

While briefing members of the Parliamentary Committee on National Budget and State Assets, RDB officials highlighted the Volcanoes Community Resilience Project, aimed at supporting communities surrounding the park.

This project has a three-year budget of Frw 30,778,107,419 and is set for implementation through 2028.

In the draft budget for fiscal year 2025/2026, the project has been allocated Frw 1,764,645,080.

In 2024, the number of visitors to Rwanda’s national parks increased to 138,000, generating $38.8 million, up from $35.8 million in 2023.

Since 2005, over Frw 10 billion has been invested in projects that improve the livelihoods of communities around Rwanda’s national parks, including Volcanoes, Nyungwe, and Akagera.

Through collaboration between RDB, local governments, and park communities, more than 880 projects have been developed to enhance community wellbeing. These include schools, health centres, housing for families, water supply systems, and agriculture-related development initiatives.

The event marked the launch of Cohort 2 of the Pathway Foundations program, an initiative designed to nurture ethical and entrepreneurial leaders dedicated to building Africa’s future.

Drawn from various parts of Rwanda, the new cohort includes a diverse group of young learners, each stepping into a rigorous program that opens doors to global academic and leadership opportunities. Nineteen parents were also in attendance.

“This ceremony is more than just a welcome—it’s the first step in these students’ journey to becoming the leaders Africa needs,” said a representative from ALX Rwanda.

“We’re excited to guide these 200 talented individuals through the Pathway Foundations program and beyond.”

The Pathway program equips students with essential skills for academic excellence, leadership, and career success.

Participants stand a chance to earn scholarships to some of the world’s top universities, including the University of California, Berkeley, Tufts University, Northwestern University, Macalester College, African Leadership University, Sciences Po Bordeaux, Nexford University, Skidmore College, ACity, African Leadership College for Higher Education, Morehouse College, Bates College and the University of Chicago.

Others are Hamilton College, Vanderbilt University, Code University, The School of Entrepreneurship & Technology at Patten University and Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology, among others.

During the event, students were introduced to ALX’s mission of building Africa’s future through ethical leadership. Sessions throughout the day offered an overview of the curriculum, scholarship pathways, and mentorship opportunities.

Alumni from previous cohorts also shared insights from their journeys, encouraging the new students to embrace community and collaboration, with the powerful message that “you go further when you go together.”

Recognising that student success relies on strong support systems, the event included dedicated time for parent engagement. ALX team members emphasised the crucial role parents play in supporting learners throughout their educational journey and ensuring consistent commitment and engagement.

In an engaging team-building exercise dubbed the “Lily Pad Challenge,” students demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork skills that are core to the ALX experience.

The event also included an emotional moment where students created personal time capsules, envisioning their future achievements at graduation.

The ceremony concluded with the entire cohort reciting the Pathway Pledge—committing to a life of value, community investment, and representing Africa with dignity and pride.

As their voices rang out in unison, “Together, we are ALX,” the newest members of ALX Rwanda stepped into a journey that promises to redefine their futures and impact the continent.

But what sets China apart is not just the scale, but the strategic positioning of vocational education as an equal and essential pillar to academic education. It is this ecosystem that fuels China’s ability to sustain all industrial categories, an achievement unmatched globally.

At the heart of this transformation is Beijing Polytechnic College, a national model institution that proves what vocational education can and should be. Founded in 1956 and transformed into a higher vocational institution in 1999, BPC is one of the first independently upgraded colleges in the country and is now a leader in China’s Double High Plan, a program aimed at cultivating high-level vocational schools and speciality programs with Chinese characteristics.

With nine teaching departments, a School of International Education, and 34 majors spread across five professional clusters, BPC is home to 6,550 students and 518 faculty members.

A recent visit to BPC reveals not only its modern infrastructure but also the intensity of hands-on learning. In the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, students were working directly with BYD electric vehicles, diagnosing faults, repairing them, and understanding their systems in a real-world setting.

These aren’t lab simulations—they’re industry-level workshops with real equipment. In the Architecture and Surveying Department, students use drone mapping and laser scanning tools for field data collection. In the Urban Safety Engineering School, disaster response drills are conducted with professional-grade monitoring instruments.

BPC’s success is powered by deep integration with industry. With over 200 enterprise partnerships, including BYD, Siemens, Huawei, and Beijing Construction Engineering Group, the college co-develops curricula, receives donated equipment, and places students into internships that often lead directly to employment.

In fact, a large number of its teaching equipment is donated or co-sponsored by industry, ensuring that students are not only taught what is relevant but trained on the very tools used in the workforce.

BPC independently developed national vocational training standards in automation, information technology, and jewellery design and processing.

BPC’s students spend more than 20 hours per week in hands-on training environments, and graduate employment rates exceed 90 percent, with many hired before they even finish their studies.

As Vice President Gao Shiji remarked during a speech to African and Eastern European media delegates at BPC, “We believe educational cooperation is not just a bridge between civilisations. It is the engine of shared development. We have built a rotating door of mutual growth, where African sunrise meets Beijing’s twilight, and knowledge flows both ways.”

The contrast with much of Africa’s vocational education landscape is sobering. According to UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring Report (2022), less than 20 percent of vocational schools in Sub-Saharan Africa are equipped with modern training facilities.

The World Bank has reported that only 30 percent of African technical institutions include mandatory hands-on training in their curricula. Meanwhile, over 60 percent of employers across the continent say they struggle to find technically proficient graduates for entry-level roles.

Too often, vocational education in Africa is treated as a fallback—a plan B for students who didn’t make it to university. It’s underfunded, disconnected from the private sector, and heavily theoretical. The result is a growing number of diploma holders who lack market-ready skills.

Despite these challenges, there are signs of progress. A handful of African nations are beginning to shift course, with Rwanda leading the way. The country is pioneering reforms through strategic collaborations, including with China.

In Rwanda, the China-Africa Vocational Education Alliance has connected local polytechnics to Chinese institutions like Tianjin Light Industry Vocational College, where students train in robotics, sustainable agriculture, and others.

Now, just two years into the partnership, a growing number of graduates from Rwanda’s St. Joseph Integrated Technical College are securing jobs at local tech startups.

These cases prove that when African governments prioritise vocational training and leverage international partnerships, tangible improvements emerge.

What makes BPC a blueprint for African nations isn’t just its technology or partnerships—it’s the mindset behind them. It recognises that vocational skills are not inferior, but they are essential.

It also proves that when governments invest, when industry partners, and when institutions prioritise relevance over ritual, vocational schools can become engines of innovation, economic resilience, and national pride.

Launched to address the country’s shortage of medical personnel—previously one doctor for every 1,000 people, compared to the national target of four per 1,000—the program aims to add 32,973 healthcare workers by 2028.

Minister of Health Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana recently told Parliament’s Committee on State Budget and Patrimony that the program is making substantial progress, with visible and measurable outcomes.

He noted that the number of medical students has increased 3.7 times, largely due to expanded training programs.

“We’ve focused on previously under-resourced specialties like anesthesia, intensive care, and surgery—areas that had significantly lagged behind,” said Dr. Nsanzimana.

The University of Rwanda has increased its intake capacity for medical students by 40%.

Investments have included hiring more lecturers, acquiring modern equipment, and expanding advanced teaching capabilities to offer specialized medical education.

Dr. Nsanzimana also revealed the launch of 13 new specialty programs to train healthcare professionals in fields that previously required overseas study.

“These include areas such as nephrology and orthopedic surgery, which until required sending students abroad. Today, these specialties are being developed locally through the University of Rwanda,” he said.

So far, the initiative has mobilized and spent approximately $64 million (over Frw 88 billion), funded by various development partners.

“These resources have been critical in building the infrastructure and capacity needed to reach our health sector goals,” Dr. Nsanzimana added.

To further support medical education, the African Health Sciences University (AHSU) was accredited and began admitting students in November 2024.

The institution focuses on training specialists across a wide range of healthcare fields.
The entire 4×4 Reform program is projected to cost over $395.2 million (approximately Frw 508.1 billion) by its completion in 2028.