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This commitment was outlined in an official letter from Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente to UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

The letter, dated May 15, 2025, comes at a time when the UN is actively exploring ways to reduce operational costs, improve efficiency, and shift certain functions away from high-cost centers like New York and Geneva.

Prime Minister Ngirente outlined Rwanda’s unique advantages as a potential host, citing Kigali’s strategic air connectivity to regional and international destinations, as well as the country’s consistent political stability, institutional effectiveness, and overall safety.

“Rwanda has positioned itself as a competitive destination for multilateral institutions, offering a cost-effective, secure, reliable, and enabling environment for their operations,” the letter states.

The Government of Rwanda also pledged to provide office facilities and essential services while committing to the long-term development of a dedicated UN campus in the heart of Kigali.

In alignment with UN protocols, Rwanda is offering a full package of privileges, immunities, and tax exemptions for UN personnel.

In closing, the Prime Minister invited the UN to dispatch a technical mission to Kigali for a firsthand review of Rwanda’s infrastructure and services, in order to further discuss and align the proposal with the UN’s operational and relocation needs.

“Rwanda stands ready to serve as a committed partner in shaping the future of the UN’s global operations,” Ngirente affirmed.

This proposal aligns with broader conversations within the UN about decentralizing certain functions to more affordable and strategically located cities, particularly in response to ongoing financial constraints affecting several UN agencies.

This state-of-the-art technology will significantly boost Rwanda’s capacity to diagnose and manage complex diseases.

Unlike traditional imaging tools, the PET scan works by injecting patients with small amounts of radioactive substances, which travel to areas of abnormal activity in the body.

This allows doctors to detect conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and neurological disorders at earlier and more treatable stages.

Speaking to the Parliament’s National Budget and Property Standing Committee, Dr. Nsanzimana confirmed that all necessary preparations for the PET scan’s arrival have been completed.

“We are progressing with the acquisition of a PET scan machine, which is not yet available in Rwanda. We’re confident that by the end of this year, it will be here,” he stated.

To enhance healthcare service delivery, the government has already provided modern diagnostic equipment to various hospitals, including CT scans and MRI machines.

“New CT scan machines have been delivered to hospitals such as King Faisal Hospital, CHUK, Kanombe Military Hospital, and CHUB, which have already begun installation and use. As for MRI machines, three will be available within the next two weeks,” the minister added.

He also mentioned that advanced medical equipment will soon be installed in provincial hospitals like Kabgayi, Kibungo, and Kibuye, helping to reduce the number of patients referred to Kigali for specialised treatment.

He confirmed that the PET scan acquisition is underway and expressed optimism that it will be in place before 2025 ends.

Nuclear medicine, the field under which PET scans fall, remains limited in many countries due to the high costs associated with the equipment.

The two primary types of nuclear imaging machines are Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET), with Rwanda choosing the latter for its higher precision and diagnostic value.

The PET scan’s precision is particularly vital in treatment planning for complex cases like brain cancer, where accuracy is crucial to avoid damaging critical areas of the brain.

Currently, Rwanda’s health facilities are equipped with various imaging technologies, including X-rays, ultrasound, MRI, CT scans, endoscopic ultrasound, and high-performance systems such as the Multix Impact E and Somatom go, many of which were unavailable just a few years ago.

To support these advancements, the Ministry of Health has allocated RWF 16.5 billion in the 2025/2026 fiscal year specifically for the procurement of advanced medical equipment.

In total, the Ministry and its affiliated institutions have been granted a budget of RWF 333.5 billion, up from RWF 330.2 billion in the 2024/2025 fiscal year.

Construction of the airport began in 2017, spearheaded by the Government of Rwanda.

A few years later, Qatar Airways joined the venture, bringing in additional investment and expertise that led to an expansion of the original design.

Today, the project stands as one of Rwanda’s most strategic infrastructure investments, aligned with its broader National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) to boost economic growth and global connectivity.

According to Jules Ndenga, CEO of Rwanda Aviation Travel and Logistics, foundational work such as the runway, internal roads, and water drainage systems was completed by the end of 2024. The focus has now shifted to constructing the airport’s main buildings.

“We’ve moved into the vertical phase,” he explained. “The groundwork is finished—the runways, roadways and drainage systems are done. What remains is building upward, and we’re currently laying the foundations.”

“The final phase, which will complete the airport, began nearly a year ago. We are currently at the stage of excavating the building’s foundation,” he added.

Although different parts of the project fall under separate contracts, overall construction progress is being tracked as a whole.

When all the completed work is taken together, the project stands at roughly a quarter of completion.

“The combined works so far account for about 25 to 30 percent of the entire project,” Ndenga said.

The airport is being built by a joint venture of three companies: Mota-Engil from Portugal, which initiated the first phase of construction; UCC Holding from Qatar; and CCC (Consolidated Contractors Company) from Greece.

Together, they formed a unified entity called UMC, which signed the official contract with the Government of Rwanda.

According to Ndenga, this setup ensures streamlined coordination. However, these companies are free to subcontract certain works to local firms, which may supply concrete or handle internal road construction.

Despite the solid progress, Ndenga acknowledged that certain external challenges could impact the timeline.

Global economic instability, rising construction costs, and supply chain disruptions remain real concerns.

He pointed to the post-COVID period as an example, when global demand for goods surged and transportation logistics became severely strained.

Unpredictable weather is another factor. Rwanda typically schedules major construction during the dry season, but unexpected rainfall can delay critical phases of work.

“You might plan to expedite construction during the dry season, only to be caught off-guard by sudden rain. These are the kinds of challenges that can’t always be controlled,” he noted. “Fortunately, on the technical side, Rwanda has strong experience in construction.”

The project has also begun delivering on its promise of job creation. The ground work employed around 2,000 workers, and the vertical phase is expected to add another 4,000, bringing the total to over 6,000 jobs.

While many of these are formal, contracted positions, the ripple effects are being felt more broadly.

Small businesses and service providers in nearby areas like Nyabagendwa and Nyamata are seeing increased demand as workers spend their wages locally—eating at restaurants, shopping, and using local services.

“Job creation includes both direct and indirect employment,” said Ndenga. “Even if we can show you contracts for 2,000 workers, more locals benefit from the economic activity this project generates.”

Looking ahead, the first phase of Bugesera International Airport will have the capacity to handle 7 million passengers per year once completed in 2027.

The second phase, expected by 2032, will expand that capacity to 14 million passengers annually. The airport is set to become a key hub for the region, with Qatar Airways holding a 60% stake in the infrastructure.

These blocks, rich in high-value minerals like cassiterite, coltan, wolframite, and rare earth elements, were detailed in the Rwanda Mining Board’s (RMB) May 2025 Mining Investment Pitchbook.

Designed to attract strategic investors, the findings highlight Rwanda’s untapped mineral wealth across Kamonyi, Bugesera, and Gatsibo districts.

Below is an overview of each block, showcasing their geological potential and investment opportunities.

{{1. Binyeri}}

Nestled in the Rukoma Sector of Kamonyi District, the Binyeri block spans 50 hectares and is geologically tied to the mineral-rich Kayenzi granite.

Surrounded by active mining licenses, this area has a history of artisanal and medium-scale mining.

Past surveys confirmed rare metal pegmatites, with cassiterite as the dominant mineral, making Binyeri a promising site for targeted exploration.

{{2. Juru}}

In Bugesera District, the expansive Juru block covers 1,354 hectares of quartzite and brecciated schists. It hosts epithermal deposits of tin, tungsten, and tantalum (3Ts), with tin being particularly abundant.

A 2014 geophysical survey estimated 52,998 tonnes of cassiterite, and the block’s geology hints at potential for rare earth elements, positioning Juru as a high-value prospect.

{{3. Mamfu-Rwasama }}

Spanning 1,300 hectares in Gatsibo District, the Mamfu-Rwasama block lies in a tin-rich region historically mined by companies like SOMIRWA and Luna Smelter.

Affected by regional metamorphism, it features two main vein types yielding high-grade cassiterite and coltan.

The coltan found in the area contains about 63% tantalum and 20% niobium, while the cassiterite is very pure, with tin levels between 90% and 99%, making both minerals valuable for commercial use.

{{4. Musenyi }}

Located in Bugesera District, the Musenyi block covers 1,000 hectares and is a brownfield site previously licensed to Hard Metal.

Near other active licenses, it contains Sn-rich pegmatites with significant tin and tantalum concentrations.

Although current production is modest, the block’s high-grade ore and scalability make it an attractive investment opportunity.

{{5. Remera }}

One of the largest blocks, Remera stretches across 4,025 hectares in Gatsibo District, part of a historically productive tin district.

Geophysical surveys have identified primary cassiterite veins beneath lateritic cover, with past production exceeding 4,488 tonnes.

The block also shows iron ore potential, broadening its appeal across Gatsibo, Gicumbi, and Nyagatare.

{{6. Rubiha }}

In Gatsibo District, the Rubiha block encompasses 450 hectares near the Rugarama granite. It hosts over 20 mineralized quartz veins rich in cassiterite and columbite-tantalite.

Decades of geological studies have mapped favorable pegmatite zoning, ensuring high-purity tin and a well-structured mineralization profile for efficient extraction.

{{7. Rubona-Gatunda }}

This 925-hectare block in Gatsibo District, a former Luna Smelter concession, is hosted in Bulimbi meta-sediments.

Known for its tin and tantalum potential, it has a history of cassiterite mining.

Recent petrographic analyses reveal late magmatic mineralization, particularly rich in tin, enhancing its prospects for modern operations.

{{8. Rugarama }}

Covering 2,175 hectares in Gatsibo District, Rugarama has benefited from extensive geological studies since the 1980s, including UNDP and BRGM surveys.

The block is renowned for tin-rich placers and greisen zones, with over 20 quartz veins forming stockworks that yield significant cassiterite and tantalum, making it a cornerstone of Rwanda’s mining portfolio.

{{9. Rweru }}

Situated in Bugesera District, the Rweru block spans 875 hectares. It boasts high concentrations of niobium, tantalum, tin, lithium, and rare earth elements.

{{10. Rweru-Kimvubu }}

Also in Bugesera District, this 1,300-hectare block lies between two large granite bodies, intersected by fault systems.

Soil and rock samples reveal niobium and tin concentrations well above global averages, alongside significant wolframite deposits.

Its rare metal pegmatites and potential for rare earth element exploration make it a standout opportunity.

According to Donat Nsengumuremyi, the Division Manager of the Mining Extraction and Inspection Division at RMB, these blocks align with Rwanda’s strategy to expand its processing industry and attract investment.

Facilities like Gasabo Gold Refinery, LuNa Smelter, and Power Resources International are well-positioned to process minerals from these sites, supporting downstream value addition.

Innocent Kagenga, Chairperson of the Rwanda Mining Association (RMA), highlighted the importance of transparent data, noting that mapping and publishing these blocks levels the playing field for local and foreign investors.

Rwanda’s mining sector is poised for significant growth, targeting $2.2 billion in annual revenue by 2029, up from $1.7 billion in 2024.

So far, Rwanda has issued 136 mining licenses to 99 companies, 18 exploration permits to 17 companies, 76 licenses for mineral trading companies, and 3 for mineral value-addition activities.

In addition to the 3Ts, Rwanda also has deposits of gold in districts like Gicumbi, Musanze, Burera, Nyamasheke, Rusizi, and Nyarugenge.

Gemstones used in jewelry can be found in Ngororero, Ruhango, and Muhanga; sapphire is found in the Western Province; and lithium and other minerals are under active exploration.

According to President Donald Trump’s senior advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos, these agreements will pave the way for billions of dollars in investments from American and Western companies into both countries.

“When we sign the peace agreement … the minerals deal with the DRC [Democratic Republic of Congo] will be signed on that day, and then a similar package, but of a different size, will be signed on that day with Rwanda,” Massad Boulos told Reuters recently during an interview in Doha, the capital of Qatar.

However, the path to signing these agreements involves preconditions. For instance, the DRC is requested to address security threats that affect Rwanda, particularly neutralizing the FDLR militia.

On Rwanda’s side, the conditions involve the request to end alleged support for the M23 rebel group, claims Rwanda has repeatedly denied.

At the same time, the DRC is expected to implement domestic reforms that ensure equitable resource distribution across its regions and promote decentralized governance.

Once these steps are completed, the U.S. will proceed with bilateral economic agreements focused on trade and investment.

Since Donald Trump returned to office, business-driven diplomacy has been at the heart of his foreign policy, with his Senior Advisor on African Affairs, Massad Boulos, leading negotiations.

While the DRC, with its vast natural wealth, will be the principal recipient of U.S. investments, Rwanda is not overlooked. The U.S. has acknowledged Rwanda’s mineral reserves, technical expertise in extraction and refining, and its efficient global export systems.

“The [agreement] with the D.R.C. is at a much bigger scale, because it’s a much bigger country and it has much more resources, but Rwanda also has a lot of resources and capacities and potential in the area of mining as well … not just the upstream, but also midstream and downstream to processing and refining and trading,” Boulos said.

According to Boulos, U.S. companies will invest in both countries. Some firms are already in talks to invest at least $1.5 billion in the DRC’s mining sector. Oversight of the U.S. contribution to these partnerships will be handled by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

{{Infrastructure and energy at the center}}

A major component of the negotiations has been infrastructure. The U.S. believes the DRC’s mineral wealth cannot be fully tapped without better transport and energy systems.

This includes the Lobito Corridor, a 1,300-kilometer railway linking Angola, the DRC, and Zambia. The project is expected to expand and protect critical mineral supply chains, increase rail transport capacity, and reduce freight transit times and costs.

The United States has pledged funding for the infrastructure project, which is expected to be completed by 2029.

Another high-priority project is the Ruzizi III Hydropower Plant, a regional energy initiative expected to produce 147 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

Funded by the World Bank, European Union, and African Development Bank (AfDB), the $450 million project was launched in 2016 but delayed, with completion now expected by 2030.

Once operational, Rwanda will receive 47 MW, with the remaining energy shared between the DRC and Burundi.

{{Rwanda’s role in mineral processing}}

A particularly notable topic is the possibility of processing DRC’s minerals in Rwanda.

Rwanda already has well-established refining facilities, including Gasabo Gold Refinery, Power X Refinery (tantalum), and LuNa Smelter (tin).

Exporting raw minerals often results in lost economic value. For instance, when coltan is processed, it yields tantalum—but also produces valuable by-products such as niobium (used in steel and electronics) and phosphate (used in fertilizer).

When countries export unprocessed coltan, they lose all potential gains from these by-products, which are only extracted in refineries.

Gold refined in Rwanda reaches 99% purity, and its tailings—silver—is a valuable metal commonly used in jewelry.

Because Rwanda processes these materials locally, it avoids refinery charges and captures revenue from every by-product.

This dual benefit, saving costs and adding value,is a strategic advantage that Rwanda is set to expand.

As part of the upcoming trade agreements with the U.S., Rwanda is positioned to become a regional hub for mineral transformation.

This means minerals extracted from the DRC may increasingly be transported to Rwanda for processing, before being exported to global markets under Rwandan trade infrastructure.

The U.S. has also recognized Rwanda’s efforts to create industrial zones dedicated to mineral processing.

These zones could soon host new facilities built to handle imports from countries including the DRC.

His comments follow Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot’s recent regional tour, which included visits to Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

During his stop in Uganda, Prévot reportedly asked President Yoweri Museveni to mediate reconciliation between Belgium and Rwanda, according to media reports.

Speaking to the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) on Sunday, Nduhungirehe said Rwanda was not officially informed of this request.

“We saw the reports in the press — we were never contacted by the Ugandan government or any other party,” he clarified.

He stressed that Rwanda’s current focus is addressing the conflict in eastern DRC, with Belgium-related matters to be handled later.

“Our priority is resolving the serious conflict in eastern DRC. That’s where our efforts are directed. Issues with Belgium will be addressed at a later time,” he said.

When asked if Rwanda would consider re-engaging with Belgium if approached sincerely, Nduhungirehe responded, “That time has not yet come. We are focused on pressing regional issues. When the time comes for those other matters, we will decide then.”

In March 2025, Rwanda cut diplomatic ties with Belgium, ordering all Belgian diplomats to leave within 24 hours.

The move accompanied the suspension of over €95 million in Belgian development projects and a ban on all NGOs, faith-based organizations, and public-interest groups in Rwanda from cooperating with Belgium or its affiliates.

Rwanda’s actions were in response to Belgium’s calls for international sanctions against Rwanda, accusing it of supporting the M23 armed group in the DRC.

Rwanda has consistently denied these allegations, condemning Belgium for what it calls a “historically harmful role” in the Great Lakes region since the colonial period.

He made the statement during an appearance on RBA’s talk show on Sunday.

Ambassador Nduhungirehe noted that these talks align with Rwanda’s broader commitment to supporting global efforts to address migration challenges.

“These reports are accurate — we are indeed in discussions with the United States,” he said. “As you may recall, we have previously engaged in similar talks with the United Kingdom. This is not new to us. In fact, beyond the UK, many are aware of the role we played in receiving migrants who had been detained in Libya.”

He emphasized that Rwanda’s approach is rooted in providing renewed opportunities for vulnerable migrants facing difficult circumstances around the world.

“We are in ongoing discussions with the U.S. government, but they are still in the initial phases. It’s too early to say how things will proceed but the conversations are happening,” stated Amb. Nduhungirehe.

His confirmation follows reports in several Western media outlets suggesting that Rwanda may soon begin receiving migrants from the U.S., particularly under potential future policy shifts.

The topic has reignited political debate in the United Kingdom, where former Home Secretary Suella Braverman criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer for allegedly abandoning the UK’s migration deal with Rwanda — a move she argues could now benefit former U.S. President Donald Trump.

In November 2024, sources close to Trump’s campaign revealed that his team was reviewing options to deport undocumented migrants to third countries, with Rwanda being among the nations under consideration.

Minister Nduhungirehe reiterated that while the conversations with the U.S. are ongoing, they remain in the early stages and no final decisions have been made.

Many have since wondered how such a heavily fortified area fell so swiftly, especially with the presence of multiple armed forces—including a large contingent of FARDC troops, Burundian soldiers, SADC forces, fighters of FDLR terrorist group, Wazalendo militias, and foreign mercenaries.

Among those on the frontlines was Saddam Ukwishaka, who had joined the FDLR as a young boy and once served in its elite CRAP unit. In 2023, he was shot in the leg during a battle against M23 and taken for treatment at a FARDC-run hospital. Once healed, he returned to the battlefield.

Reflecting on the battle for Goma, Ukwishaka described it as one of the most intense and unforgettable fights, noting the tactical sophistication M23 used to claim victory.

“I fought in the battle for Goma at a place called Kilimanyoka,” he said. “When the gunfire intensified, I told myself: ‘If I didn’t die here on the battlefield, I won’t die in the city either.’ I immediately removed my uniform and abandoned my weapon. I decided to return home to Rwanda.”

He added: “We were stationed in Kilimanyoka under the command of Colonel Gaston. The day Goma was taken was a Sunday. We were caught completely off guard—the enemy had already reached deep into our defensive positions.”

Ukwishaka explained that many soldiers, overwhelmed by the M23 offensive, surrendered or fled in panic.

“That day, it was nearly impossible for anyone to even hold a weapon. Gunfire was erupting from every direction. It felt like the end of the world. Even high-ranking officers—colonels and above—after hearing the gunfire at Trois Antenne, said, ‘This is not a war we can fight,’ and fled.”

Faced with the collapse of their ranks, Ukwishaka decided to return to Rwanda despite fearing possible imprisonment or retaliation for having been part of the FDLR. He is now at Mutobo Demobilization and Reintegration Center, where he and 130 other former combatants are undergoing civic reorientation before rejoining society.

Another former fighter, Tumaine Idrissa, joined the FDLR at 17 and was one of the commanders stationed in Nyiragongo during the conflict. He said that after realizing Goma had fallen, he lost all hope in FDLR leadership’s promises of fighting their way into Rwanda and overthrowing the government.

He urged other youth still hiding in the forests of the DRC to return home rather than grow old in the jungle, warning that some FDLR leaders were exploiting the young fighters due to suspicions tied to their own involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The visit is part of General Doumbouya’s three-day official trip to Rwanda, which began on May 1, 2025, and aims to strengthen the friendship between the two countries.

Upon his arrival in Rwanda, General Doumbouya was warmly welcomed by the Guinean community during a ceremony held in Kigali. Attendees displayed messages of support on banners and T-shirts, showing appreciation for his leadership and commitment to his country.

General Doumbouya last visited Rwanda in August 2024 for the inauguration ceremony of President Kagame following his re-election. Earlier, in January 2024, he had also traveled to Kigali on a visit focused on deepening bilateral ties.

Rwanda and Guinea currently maintain a partnership agreement aimed at promoting cooperation in a range of sectors, including technology, agriculture, investment, services, tourism, energy, and trade.