The agreements were formalised on Tuesday, September 23, during President Paul Kagame’s official visit to Egypt, hosted by President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi.
The accords cover priority sectors including investment promotion, water resource management, urban development, and housing. Under the land allocation agreement, Rwanda had previously committed to grant Egypt 10 hectares in Kirehe District, near the Tanzania border, while Egypt committed equivalent land for Rwandan ventures.
In his address, President Kagame said the reciprocal land allocation was a “significant step” that would strengthen economic cooperation and expand market access in Africa.
He underlined that Rwanda and Egypt share a vision of transforming the continent’s natural resources into value-added products to generate sustainable prosperity.
“Rwanda regards Egypt as a strong partner and our cooperation is tangible and steadily growing,” Kagame noted, highlighting ongoing joint projects such as the construction of a state-of-the-art heart treatment center in Kigali.
“We believe there are numerous opportunities our two countries can explore, from food processing to advanced technology.”
The President also praised Egypt for providing advanced training to Rwandan medical professionals and for its support in pharmaceuticals and vaccine production, describing Egyptian firms in the health sector as “excellent partners.”
Earlier on Monday, September 22, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) had urged Egyptian investors to tap into Rwanda’s diverse opportunities.
Speaking at the inaugural Egypt–Rwanda Business Forum in Cairo, RDB CEO Jean-Guy Afrika invited Egyptian businesses to use Rwanda as a gateway to the wider East African and continental markets.
The forum brought together business leaders, investors, and policymakers from both sides to explore opportunities, foster partnerships, and promote trade and investment. Key areas of interest included energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and infrastructure.
Vercruysse, a political journalist with VRT, was prevented from boarding a Brussels Airlines flight to Kigali on Thursday. Speaking to Belgian media, he suggested the move was linked to his past critical reporting on Rwanda.
In a post on X on Saturday, Nduhungirehe rejected that narrative, instead accusing VRT of deliberately misrepresenting Vercruysse’s role in order to gain access.
“It is not up to Rwanda to provide the slightest explanation to Flemish Belgian television or to the Belgian government. It is rather up to @vrtnws and @vercrus to explain this crude attempt at international deception,” he wrote.
The minister argued that international sporting events follow strict accreditation protocols, typically requiring journalists to hold a valid sports press card, including one from the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). He noted that VRT sought accreditation for a political journalist, rather than a registered sports reporter, which he said amounted to a violation of established rules.
“Sports journalists from all over the world registered with the UCI to cover this major event, the first of its kind on African soil. However, VRT tried to cheat the rules by registering a political journalist known for his systematically hostile positions towards Rwanda,” Nduhungirehe said.
He pointed to Vercruysse’s own public comments as evidence of political intent: “After being prevented from boarding, he declared to the Belgian press: ‘We had also planned to produce a critical report on the host country.’ What on earth do such openly declared intentions have to do with this great sporting celebration?”
The UCI Road World Championships, hosted in Kigali from September 21 to 28, mark the first time the event is being held on the African continent. The Belgian national team is among those from more than 190 countries participating.
The 17-page draft outlines measures for regulatory reforms, third-party oversight of mining operations, the creation of cross-border special economic zones, and safeguards to ensure that each country retains full sovereign control over its natural resources.
Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that the draft builds on principles agreed in August, covering cooperation in energy development, infrastructure, mineral exploitation, national parks, tourism, and public health. It also outlines implementation measures, coordination mechanisms, and annual high-level summits to monitor progress, alongside technical working groups and steering committees.
Under the draft, Rwanda and the DRC would work with the United States and other international partners to develop regulations and reforms aimed at reducing risks for private investors, curbing illicit trade, and increasing transparency. The agreement calls for third-party inspections of mining sites and collaboration with the private sector to create cross-border special economic zones.
In a framework agreed upon last month, both countries reaffirmed their “full, sovereign control” over the exploitation, processing, and export of natural resources while committing to ensure that mineral revenues do not fund armed groups. The draft also seeks to establish a world-class industrial mining sector and improve interoperability of mineral supply chains across borders.
Although the draft is a cornerstone of the June peace deal brokered in Washington under U.S. President Donald Trump, its implementation faces major security hurdles. The peace accord stipulated the neutralisation of the FDLR militia group linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, followed by the lifting of Rwanda’s defensive measures.
The plan to dismantle the FDLR and remove Rwandan security measures was initially given a 90-day timeframe. However, there is currently no certainty that it will begin soon, as the DRC government continues to delay.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Martin Ngoga, recently told the Security Council that the DRC government did not agree to launch the operational plan to dismantle the FDLR during a joint security-level meeting held in Ethiopia early August.
Frequent setbacks in the Doha process, which mediates between Kinshasa and the M23 rebels, further complicate the situation.
Meanwhile, the draft is currently under review by Rwanda, the DRC, and other stakeholders. Representatives of both countries are expected to meet in early October 2025 to finalise the agreement. Unless changes occur, the economic cooperation pact will be signed by the end of that month, marking the final component of the Washington-brokered peace deal.
U.S. officials have indicated that the agreement is critical for linking peace and economic development in the region and for attracting billions of dollars in Western investment in cobalt, tantalum, copper, lithium, and gold.
For years, the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) has earned recognition both within Rwanda and internationally, particularly in Mozambique and the Central African Republic, for its discipline and professionalism.
Building on this reputation, new reforms announced at the end of August 2025 introduced updated measures to ensure that certain categories of military assets are kept strictly confidential.
A Presidential Order issued on August 25, 2025, outlined the types of military assets that must be classified. The directive makes clear that weapons, systems, ammunition, and military vehicles — main battle tanks, armoured personnel carriers and light and heavy duty vehicles— are to remain secret.
The 2025 Order expands on earlier provisions. A 2012 regulation had already stipulated that fighter jets, helicopters, and their related systems were classified.
The new framework not only reaffirms these categories but also includes unmanned aerial vehicles and their accessories. In addition, information and telecommunication devices — ranging from radars, telephones, and radios to cameras, computer software and other related equipment, — are all deemed classified.
Military installations also fall under this classification. These include the RDF General Headquarters, barracks, arms and ammunition depots, as well as military industries and related raw materials.
Military uniforms and accessories are equally considered classified, along with imported and exported military assets and related information.
The modalities of audit related to the use and management of military classified assets is determined by instructions of the Commander-in-Chief of the Rwanda Defence Force.
The Rwanda Defence Force itself was formally established under Law No. 19/2002 of May 17, 2002. Since then, it has undergone substantial transformation in governance, weaponry, training, uniforms, and professionalism.
Today, Rwanda operates its own defense industry through the Rwanda Engineering and Manufacturing Corporation (REMCO), which produces a wide range of military equipment for the RDF and with goals to support partner nations with defense supplies.
Among its output are weapons for ground forces, special forces, and counterterrorism operations, as well as equipment for riot control, training, and other military purposes.
Speaking at the Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition in Kigali on Thursday, September 4, 2025, Makolo emphasised that despite progress under the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), market access remains uneven across the continent.
“Even with countries that are signatories to SAATM, we still face challenges gaining access to some points, which is frustrating,” she said.
Makolo also highlighted the airline’s ongoing fleet expansion, noting the addition of two Boeing 737-800 aircraft and an expected Airbus A330 by the end of the year.
“Availability of aircraft, spare parts, and engines is increasingly tough, especially for smaller carriers competing against larger airlines,” she said.
The RwandAir CEO also spoke about the airline’s preparation for the upcoming Bugesera International Airport, expected to be completed in 2028 at an estimated cost of around $2 billion.
“We are looking as an airline to grow. We have the new airport that’s coming up in the next two and a half years. And in order to grow, we need to make sure we’re ready for that growth,” she said.
The first phase of the new Bugesera International Airport is planned to handle 7 million passengers annually. A subsequent second phase will expand the airport’s capacity to handle 14 million passengers per year.
Makolo noted the importance of partnerships in expanding the airline’s reach. RwandAir has extended codeshare agreements with Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines, giving it access to more than 100 additional destinations.
“For African airlines, it’s important to partner both internationally and within the continent to achieve the scale needed,” she added.
Protectionism remains a major barrier to continental connectivity. Makolo cited excessive fees and restrictive practices in some countries as obstacles to growth.
“We need to get to a level where we understand the importance of aviation. It’s not for rich people. It’s for all citizens of our continent. Given the vastness of this continent, we need aviation to connect with each other,” the RwandAir CEO stated.
Charles Habonimana, Managing Director of Rwanda Airports Company, emphasised the necessity for structural reforms within African aviation to enhance its efficiency and competitiveness.
He advocated for modernising airport infrastructure, privatising operations, and liberalising airspace.
He further underscored the need for airspace liberalisation through the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), noting, “SAATM is a vision for Africa to open up our skies, but we face challenges like protectionism.” These reforms, he argued, are critical to reducing high airfares and improving connectivity across the continent.
Additionally, Habonimana highlighted the challenges in financing aviation development, pointing out that governments struggle to prioritise airport projects amid competing demands.
“Each government goes with like 20 files [to development partners like the World Bank or African Development Bank]—healthcare, agriculture, now today what is trending is the environment protection. So you can imagine then bringing eight files of one government, and we’re 54 governments. Adding airport development, airport maintenance or airport upgrade, that would never be a priority for those development partners,” he explained.
He proposed a dedicated African aviation fund to address this issue, ensuring resources for infrastructure upgrades. Workforce development is another critical focus for Rwanda. Habonimana detailed the establishment of a civil aviation training centre in Kigali, supported by the African Development Bank, to prepare young people for aviation careers and develop skills tailored to the African context.
“That’s why we have established a centre, a civil aviation training centre based here in Kigali in the aviation authority, training young people to come into this industry, but also for the future transformation,” he stated.
He emphasised the need to train 15,000 pilots and 20,000 engineers by 2040 to support Africa’s projected passenger growth, noting, “With this number of 15,000 pilots and 20,000 engineers, all of them need other support people in this industry, which means we need to invest more in human capital on the continent.”
He made the remarks on Monday, September 1, during a Youth Town Hall session at the 2025 Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Dakar, Senegal, where he joined host President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal and leaders in agri-food systems from across the continent.
Kagame cautioned against Africa’s overreliance on external support despite its abundant resources, noting that the continent’s vast arable land, water, and technology should be enough to achieve food security if coupled with strong political will and youth-driven innovation.
“We have conferences, we have forums, we’re everywhere, saying the right things. But in the end, what can we measure? What results are there to show for the efforts? We must start working the talk and move from talking to doing,” Kagame said.
He emphasised that governments, youth, and women all have shared responsibilities in driving change, pointing to Rwanda’s demographic structure—where women make up over half of the population and 75% are under 35—as proof that inclusive action is essential.
Kagame also highlighted Rwanda’s partnerships in agriculture, citing initiatives such as the Rwanda Institute of Conservation Agriculture (RICA), which trains young innovators from across Africa, and the Rwanda Ireme Invest fund, which mobilised $100 million at COP27 to support climate-smart agriculture.
The President urged young people to complement their demands for support with active participation in entrepreneurship, innovation, and responsible leadership.
“You can’t hold people accountable when you are not playing your part,” he noted. “Young people must feel an obligation. There is no sitting back and waiting until someone comes to help—you must be actively engaged.”
This year’s Africa Food Systems Forum is being held from August 31 to September 5, 2025, at the CICAD and Diamniadio Expo Center in Dakar under the theme “Africa’s Youth Leading Collaboration, Innovation, and Implementation of Agri-Food Systems Transformation.”
The summit has drawn over 5,000 delegates, including heads of state, ministers, business leaders, researchers, farmers, and young entrepreneurs. Discussions are focusing on youth-led agribusiness, digital innovation, agricultural financing, and building resilience against climate change, while also addressing the inclusion of marginalized groups.
The AFSF, formerly known as the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF), has been held annually since 2010. Last year’s edition took place in Kigali, Rwanda.
Currently halfway complete, the 43.5-megawatt dam is expected to be fully operational by 2028. Once completed, it will generate electricity, support irrigation on over 20,000 hectares of farmland, reduce downstream flooding, and create a reservoir holding 803 million cubic metres of water—the fourth-largest in Rwanda.
According to Amb. Uwihanganye, the lake will stretch 67 kilometres from Nyabugogo to Vunga, reshaping the landscape of eight districts, including Nyarugenge, Rulindo, Gakenke, Muhanga, Kamonyi, Nyabihu, Ngororero, and Musanze.
The project opens up opportunities across various sectors in the capital, Kigali, and beyond.
“The opportunities are endless—from maritime transport and real estate to water sports and irrigation, all of which will revolutionise the way we connect in Kigali, the North, South, West, and beyond!” the state minister said in a post on X.
The Nyabarongo II Hydropower plant is being built between Kamonyi, Gakenke, and Rulindo districts, with the Chinese company Sinohydro serving as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor.
The project is financed through a $214 million concessional loan from China Exim Bank, stemming from a 2020 framework agreement.
Felix Gakuba, the Managing Director of Energy Development Corporation Ltd (EDCL), told parliament in late June that nearly half of the works had been completed.
“The powerhouse structure has reached its first level, and the dam’s foundation is finished. Construction of the transmission line is underway, and equipment from China is on its way,” he said.
Once complete, the dam will provide irrigation to areas along the Nyabarongo, Akagera, and Akanyaru rivers, as well as upstream zones near Lakes Cyohoha and Rweru in Bugesera District, via a major canal from Shyorongi.
The Nyabarongo Dam is expected to be a transformative project for Rwanda, combining energy, water management, agriculture, and recreation, with widespread economic benefits.
One of the planes arrived earlier this month and has already begun operations, while the second touched down last night.
Each aircraft has a passenger capacity of 174 and will primarily serve short and medium-haul routes, enhancing connectivity within Africa and beyond.
“With a passenger capacity of 174, these aircraft will primarily operate on short and medium haul routes,” the airline said.
The fleet expansion is part of RwandAir’s broader growth strategy, which also includes the planned arrival of a fourth Airbus A330 later this year.
Speaking in June, Chief Commercial Officer Fouad Caunhye said the new aircraft would be delivered in phases, aiming to meet rising regional and international demand.
In addition to the two new aircraft, RwandAir operates a fleet of 13 planes, including two A330-200s, one A330-300, six Boeing 737 Next Generation jets, two Bombardier CRJ900s, and two De Havilland Dash 8-400s.
The airline’s expansion comes on the heels of its recognition as Best Regional Airline in Africa at the 2025 Skytrax Awards in June.
In a separate announcement this week, the airline unveiled a special promotion offering travellers a 50% discount on tickets booked on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through its official website or mobile app.
The offer is valid for travel until November 30, 2025, with bookings required by September 14, 2025. Destinations covered include Dubai, Johannesburg, Lagos, Paris, Kigali, and more.
“This weekend, your dream trip is half the price,” the airline said.
The agreements, formalised during a visit by Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo, reflect a shared commitment to tackling terrorism and fostering economic growth.
The first agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Mozambique’s Investment and Export Promotion Agency (APIEX), was signed by RDB Chief Executive Officer Jean-Guy Afrika and Mozambique’s High Commissioner to Rwanda, Amade Miquidade.
The MoU aims to expand trade and investment in sectors like agriculture, tourism, and industry, building on prior frameworks to drive economic collaboration.
A second pact, a renewed Status of the Forces Agreement on the Support to Fight Terrorism in Mozambique, was signed by Rwanda’s Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda, and Mozambique’s Minister of National Defence, Cristóvão Artur Chume.
The agreement extends Rwanda’s military support in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, where Rwandan forces have been deployed since 2021 to combat Islamist insurgents.
“Thanks to this cooperation, we can see peace returning to the region,” President Chapo said, acknowledging Rwanda’s role in stabilising Cabo Delgado despite ongoing sporadic attacks.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Paul Kagame emphasised the need for African-led solutions to regional challenges, stating, “Outsourcing the responsibility to external actors will not build lasting peace nor development.”
He highlighted the agreements as a step toward operationalising existing frameworks, noting that Rwanda and Mozambique share “very strong bilateral ties” and a bond as “brothers and sisters.”
President Chapo, making his first visit to Rwanda as Mozambique’s leader, praised the warm welcome in Kigali and the “excellent bilateral conversations” that underscored mutual solidarity.
He invited President Kagame to visit Mozambique and thanked Rwanda for its support in combating terrorism, paying homage to Rwandan forces working alongside Mozambican troops.
Both leaders expressed confidence in the partnership’s future. “We are on the right path to growing an already excellent partnership,” Kagame said.
Chapo echoed this optimism, noting that the agreements would strengthen relations between the two nations and their peoples.
On the second and final day of his visit, Thursday, August 28, President Chapo will meet with Rwandan business leaders interested in exploring investment opportunities in Mozambique. He will also tour the Kigali Special Economic Zone in Masoro to study Rwanda’s industrial development and identify potential areas for cooperation.
The initiative, led by Ropeways Transit Rwanda Limited (RTRL), seeks to tackle traffic congestion in the capital while offering a greener alternative to road transport. Rather than replacing existing systems, the project is designed to complement Kigali’s urban growth.
The idea was conceived in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when RTRL Chief Executive, Muyiwa Omololu. With Kigali’s hilly terrain, fast-growing population, and limited road expansion capacity, Omololu saw an opportunity to explore aerial transport.
“Road construction and maintenance require huge government spending. Kigali is expanding rapidly. The alternative is to take transport into the skies,” he said.
Drawing inspiration from systems in La Paz, Medellín, and Mexico City, Omololu believes Kigali is well-placed to become the first African city to implement a large-scale cable car network.
Plans call for nine routes, linking high-traffic areas from residential zones to business districts, sports facilities, and leisure centres.
The Rwandan government has already granted RTRL approval to proceed, starting with two routes in phases. The first will connect Nyabugogo Bus Station to downtown Kigali, while the second—dubbed Route 10—will link the Kigali Convention Centre (KCC) to Remera, home to Amahoro Stadium, BK Arena, and Zaria Court.
These initial routes, costing $100 million (approximately Rwf 145 billion), are expected to take 24 months to complete. A later extension will reach Sonatube and Gatenga, with the system eventually carrying up to 5,000 passengers per direction, per hour—equivalent to removing 2,000 cars or 5,000 motorcycles from Kigali’s roads.
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Omololu confirmed that discussions are underway with Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote to participate in financing the project.
Dangote, recently appointed to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab, is part of a global initiative linking private sector leaders to solutions for investment challenges in developing economies.
So far, the African Development Bank has pledged $500,000 (about Rwf 725 million)grant for preparatory feasibility studies, while Afreximbank, Africa50, and the Africa Finance Corporation have all signalled investment commitments.
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The system will be built by Doppelmayr, an Austrian company and global leader in cableway construction, with support from Outdoor Engineers (Switzerland) and Rwanda’s Planet Projects.
Omololu stressed that safety is paramount, citing Doppelmayr’s recovery concept, which allows cabins to automatically descend to the nearest station in case of a power cut. Sensors will also detect and halt operations if obstacles are detected on the lines.
The cable car system is expected to create around 3,000 jobs in its first phase. Rwandans will receive training to operate and maintain the technology, ensuring long-term local management.
Each cabin will carry 10 passengers, consuming minimal power—comparable to a hair dryer every two kilometres.
The project aligns with Rwanda’s climate targets to cut emissions by 38% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. According to Omololu, transporting 10,000 people per hour could remove up to 2,000 vehicles from the city’s roads.
Real estate and business owners also stand to benefit, as land values around the stations are expected to rise, attracting new developments.
To familiarise the public with the technology, RTRL plans a Public Adoption Programme, including study visits to Bolivia’s Mi Teleférico and the creation of a demonstration site in Kigali.
Feasibility studies are set to conclude this year. If financing is secured on time, construction could begin in 2026, lasting 18–24 months, with operations expected to launch in 2028.
