The Rwandan side edged Nigeria 12–11 in a thrilling final to secure top honours in the competition, which brings together athletes aged 14 to 17 from across the continent.
Earlier in the tournament, Rwanda had also defeated Nigeria 11–9 in the group stage and registered a dominant 20–10 win over hosts Algeria.
This maiden edition of the African School Games kicked off on July 27 and is scheduled to run through August 5, 2025. The multi-sport event has attracted participants from 52 countries, although Burundi and Somalia withdrew.
Rwanda is competing in two disciplines, 3×3 basketball and athletics, represented by both boys and girls.
Scheduled for August 31, 2025, ‘Dog Fest Kigali’ will take place at KICS Playground in Gacuriro, offering a unique platform to showcase dogs’ abilities, training, and companionship.
The festival is designed not only as a social gathering for pet enthusiasts but also as a space to promote animal welfare and responsible dog ownership.
The initiative is the brainchild of Dog Haus, a Kigali-based dog care service founded by Eric Gahamanyi, who says the festival is aimed at strengthening the bond between people and their dogs while building a community around shared values of compassion and care for animals.
“We wanted to launch this festival so people can learn how to become better companions to their dogs. Dog Fest is a moment of celebration, learning, and community,” Gahamanyi told IGIHE.
Dog Fest Kigali will feature a range of activities, including a Best Dressed Dogs contest, agility and obedience showcases, and behavioural demonstrations that highlight the intelligence and training of participating dogs.
Beyond entertainment, the event will also feature interactive sessions with veterinarians, trainers, and pet product vendors, offering expert advice on animal health, behaviour, and nutrition.
Attendees can expect a vibrant mix of music, food, drinks, and curated stalls with everything from pet accessories to gourmet dog treats.
The festival also aims to spotlight professionals working in the animal care industry and to encourage more people to consider dogs not merely as animals, but as companions and integral parts of everyday life.
More than just an event, Dog Fest Kigali is being positioned as a step forward in cultivating a culture of empathy, responsibility, and respect for animals in Rwanda.
During the ceremony, the President reaffirmed the strong ties between Rwanda and China, describing China as a long-standing and reliable partner.
As Xinhua reported, he expressed his commitment to further strengthening the traditional friendship and enhancing practical cooperation between the two nations.
President Kagame also assured that the Government and people of Rwanda will extend full support and facilitation to Ambassador Gao as he undertakes his diplomatic mission.
Amb. Gao conveyed President Xi Jinping’s cordial greetings, and hailed the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, where China-Rwanda relations have been elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership featuring fruitful cooperation on all fronts.
China stands ready to work together with the Rwandan side to enhance political mutual trust and promote practical cooperation to deliver more tangible benefits to the two peoples, the Chinese ambassador added.
China has emerged as one of the countries that clearly sees the investment potential in Rwanda. Over the past five years, it has consistently ranked among the top sources of foreign direct investment into the country.
In 2024 alone, Chinese investments in Rwanda reached $460 million, surpassing $445 million from India.
In previous years, Chinese investment figures were $79.1 million in 2023, $182.4 million in 2022, $357.7 million in 2021, and $282 million in 2020.
Across this five-year period, China led all other countries in the volume of investments made in Rwanda in four out of five years.
Beyond attracting Chinese investment, Rwanda is also expanding its exports to China at a notable pace.
Between 2021 and 2024, Rwandan exports to China grew from $16 million to over $100 million, representing more than a fivefold increase in just four years.
In 2024 alone, Rwandan exports to China rose by 29.5%.
This growth reflects a broader strengthening of bilateral trade, with the total trade volume between Rwanda and China reaching $1.6 billion in 2024, up from $742 million in 2021.
Ambassador Gao Wenqi assumed his post as China’s new Ambassador to Rwanda recently, succeeding Wang Xuekun, who completed his term at the beginning of this year .
This partnership is a significant milestone for Rwanda as it is the first African nation to host the world’s biggest cycling event in the competition’s 125-year history.
The UCI Road World Championship is one of the most prestigious events in international cycling, drawing elite athletes, industry stakeholders, and fans from around the world.
The weeklong competition will bring global attention to Kigali and is expected to deliver high-level racing, sportsmanship, and a celebration of cycling culture.
BRALIRWA’s sponsorship reflects its long-standing commitment to supporting community-focused initiatives. As Rwanda welcomes international visitors and athletes, BRALIRWA will play a central role in promoting unity, excellence, and national pride through its portfolio of beverage brands.
“We are delighted to welcome BRALIRWA as the official beverage sponsor of the 2025 UCI Road World Championships,” said Samson Ndayishimiye, President of Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY). “Their support brings added energy to what will be a defining moment for Rwandan sport.”
During the championship, BRALIRWA will organize fan zones, sports workshops, and community screenings of the races. These activities will be hosted in local neighborhoods to encourage participation, promote sportsmanship, and provide entertainment and refreshment in an inclusive setting.
“We will create spaces where communities can come together to celebrate the championship, enjoy our beverages, and share the joy of true togetherness,” said Lieke, BRALIRWA’s Marketing Director.
“Through our fan zones and activations, we aim to offer memorable experiences while also promoting responsible enjoyment throughout the event.”
As the official beverage sponsor, BRALIRWA aims to contribute to a successful and memorable championship while supporting a lasting legacy for Rwanda’s sporting and community development.
Billed as an old school and R&B night aimed at a more mature crowd, the event is positioning itself as the city’s first locally-owned concept of its kind.
Hosted by MC Zuba Mutesi and featuring DJs Ssese and K’Ru, the party promises a soundscape of classic hip-hop and R&B, catering to revellers who came of age during the golden eras of the ‘90s and 2000s.
According to the organisers, what sets Spin the Block Africa apart is not just its musical offering, but its homegrown roots.
In a scene where similar events are largely foreign-run, organisers SEEV Africa and Intore Entertainment say they’re carving out space for local creatives and supporting the local economy.
“Spin the Block Africa is about building something rooted in Rwanda, with local DJs, hosts, and a long-term vision,” Paul Atwine, founder of SEEV Africa, told IGIHE.
Events like Strictly Soul, Rhythm and Brunch, Old Skool Brunch, and Reminisce have drawn sizeable followings in Kigali in recent years. Atwine says Spin the Block Africa is a homegrown alternative.
The plan, he added, is to host Spin the Block Africa at least four times a year, with potential to expand across the continent.
The organisers are betting on nostalgia and a sense of local pride to draw the grown and groovy crowd in.
Adopted unanimously by the 15-member council, Resolution 2789 instructs all the member states to “take the necessary measures to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of arms and related materiel of all types to armed groups and associated individuals operating in that country,” according to a UNSC meeting coverage.
It also extends the mandate of the panel of experts that assists in the implementation of the sanctions until Aug. 31, 2026.
The UNSC lifted last year the arms embargo on the CAR government through Resolution 2745, but left in place the arms embargo on armed groups and associated individuals operating in the CAR and the targeted measures of asset freeze and travel ban against entities and individuals designated by the Sanctions Committee.
In a statement, Downing Street called on Israel to immediately allow the United Nations to resume the delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza to prevent starvation, agree to a ceasefire, and clearly state that there will be no annexations in the West Bank.
The statement also called on Hamas to immediately release all hostages.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer elaborated on the conditional nature of recognizing a Palestinian state during a press conference on Tuesday. He said the British government’s primary goal is to change the reality on the ground, and that “this is intended to further that cause.”
Starmer also explained the timing of the announcement: “I’m particularly concerned that the idea of a two-state solution is receding and feels further away today than it has for many years.”
“There is no better solution for the future of the region than two states,” with Israel living with its secure borders recognized and at peace with their neighbors free from the threat of terrorism, and Palestinians living in their own state, in dignity and security free of occupations, said British Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Tuesday at a high-level international conference on “The Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution” held at the UN headquarters.
At a media press stakeout after his statement at the meeting, Lammy said the decision that has been taken “puts us on a pathway towards recognition” of the State of Palestine.
“We have seen the most terrific scenes. The global community is deeply offended by children being shot and killed as they reach out for aid,” he told reporters.
More than 200 members of parliament from nine political parties signed a letter to the prime minister and Lammy on Saturday, calling on the government to recognize a Palestinian state.
The [Henley Passport Index->https://cdn.henleyglobal.com/storage/app/media/HPI/Henley%20Passport%20Index%202025%20July%20Global%20Ranking.pdf], widely regarded as the original and most authoritative ranking of global passport strength, evaluates the travel freedom of 199 passports against 227 destinations.
The ranking is based on the number of countries a passport holder can access without needing a visa in advance. With historical data spanning two decades and expert analysis updated regularly, the index has become an essential tool for global citizens and a trusted reference point for policymakers worldwide.
In its July 2025 edition, the index exposes a stark divide between the most and least powerful passports. At the top of the list is Singapore, whose citizens can travel to an impressive 193 destinations without needing a visa in advance, making it the world’s most powerful passport once again.
Japan, South Korea, and a bloc of European countries, including Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, closely follow, with scores ranging from 190 to 189.
In contrast, at the very bottom sits Afghanistan, whose passport grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to just 25 destinations, the lowest score on the index. Syria follows with access to 27 destinations, while Iraq ranks just above with 30.
Citizens of Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia fare slightly better, though still severely limited, with access to 32 destinations each. Meanwhile, Libya and Nepal round out the group with a modest 38 destinations.
The rankings reflect more than just travel limitations; they underscore broader issues of conflict, governance, and diplomatic isolation.
Countries at the bottom of the list are often plagued by internal instability, strained international relations, and economic hardship, all of which directly affect their citizens’ ability to move freely across borders.
On the African continent, there have been some noteworthy shifts, with Rwanda steadily improving its rankings over the years.
In the latest ranking, the Rwandan passport now offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 63 destinations, a score that places it ahead of several of its regional peers and signals growing confidence in the country’s stability, diplomacy, and openness.
This places Rwanda in the 23rd position in Africa and 73rd globally, ahead of several countries in the region, including Mozambique (62) and Togo (60).
Other East African nations in Rwanda’s neighbourhood rank closely: Kenya has access to 71 destinations, Tanzania to 70, Uganda and Zambia to 67, while Burundi lags behind with 48.
The most recent country to grant [ visa-free access to Rwanda is Antigua and Barbuda->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-antigua-and-barbuda-ink-deals-on-visa-waiver-health-tourism], through a bilateral agreement signed on July 18, 2025.
He made these remarks on July 29, 2025, during a parliamentary session where Members of Parliament voted to ratify the Peace Agreement between Rwanda and the DRC. The agreement was signed in Washington, D.C., United States, on June 27, 2025.
MP Minani Bizimana raised concerns about expectations for Rwanda to lift its defensive measures while the root causes of insecurity have not yet been resolved.
He asked, “Is national defense now considered a crime? Even powerful nations maintain defense systems, including satellite surveillance. So why would it be a problem for Rwanda to do the same?”
In response, Minister Nduhungirehe highlighted that trusting the DRC remains difficult.
“We signed the agreement, but we know these people—we’ve worked with them and we’re still in contact. There are mercenaries fighting on the front lines. You saw Romanian mercenaries pass through Kigali, and now they have brought in others from Colombia… we told them, ‘this is happening right in front of you, and you are watching.’”
He emphasized that Rwanda expects the DRC to fully implement the commitments it signed onto.
“What we are asking for is political will. As we have always said, we cannot accept any situation that threatens Rwanda’s security or that of its people. That is non-negotiable. That is why our defense measures will remain in place until a clear and visible resolution is achieved.”
Minister Nduhungirehe further stated that Rwanda cannot dismantle its security structures as long as the FDLR, whose presence prompted the measures, is still active and has not been dismantled, as stipulated in the agreement.
He explained that the peace process would begin with encouraging FDLR fighters to voluntarily repatriate. For those who refuse, military force would be used to neutralize the threat.
Announced in a special Gazette notice on July 28, 2025, Trade Minister Selemani Saidi Jafo clarified that the government will no longer issue or renew business licences for non-citizens engaged in these sectors.
The banned businesses include mobile money transfer services, electronic device repairs, small-scale mining, postal and parcel delivery, tour guiding, radio and television operations, and museum shop management.
Additionally, foreigners will be prohibited from involvement in real estate, clearing and forwarding services, on-farm crop purchasing, and cleaning services for homes, offices, or the environment.
Salon businesses will only be allowed if they operate within hotels or serve tourism purposes. Moreover, foreign ownership of wholesale and retail businesses is banned, with exceptions made for supermarkets, specialised outlets, and wholesale centres dedicated to local producers.
Other restricted sectors include gambling machine operations and small manufacturing industries.
The penalties for foreigners violating these restrictions are severe: a fine of no less than 10 million Tanzanian shillings (approximately Frw 5.6 million), imprisonment for up to six months, and revocation of visas and residence permits.
Tanzanian citizens who assist foreigners in running banned businesses face fines of up to 5 million Tanzanian shillings (approximately Frw 2.8 million) or imprisonment for up to three months.
The government states that this move aims to protect local businesses and promote economic participation by Tanzanian citizens, but critics warn it may damage Tanzania’s international business relations with neighbouring countries and other international partners.
