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  • University of Rwanda to introduce nuclear science degree programme

    According to university officials, the programme is in advanced stages of development and has already been validated internally. It is now under review by the Higher Education Council (HEC) for final accreditation.

    Once approved, it will be Rwanda’s first degree programme dedicated to nuclear science.

    Prof. Ignace Gatare, Principal of the College of Science and Technology, said the programme aims to build a skilled workforce to support national goals in nuclear energy and related fields.

    “We are looking forward to receiving feedback from HEC in regards to the national framework for accreditation of the new program,” Gatare told the New Times.

    The four-year curriculum will start with core courses in physics, mathematics, electronics, and measurement technologies. Advanced years will introduce specialised topics in nuclear technology, aligning with Rwanda’s broader plans to develop peaceful applications of nuclear energy.

    This initiative complements Rwanda’s strategy to build a nuclear research centre in partnership with Russia. The centre will focus on producing radioactive materials for cancer diagnosis and treatment, enhancing agriculture through radiation technologies, and advancing industrial testing methods.

    Rwanda’s ambitions go further. The country plans to host Africa’s first demonstration of a Dual Fluid nuclear reactor and is pursuing small modular reactor (SMR) technology to meet growing electricity demands sustainably. SMRs are compact, safer alternatives to traditional reactors and are seen as key to Rwanda’s Vision 2050 goals.

    Fidèle Ndahayo, CEO of the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board, previously emphasised the urgency of diversifying energy sources. With national energy capacity currently estimated at 650–700 MW, Rwanda needs to boost output to as much as 4.5 GW by 2050 to fuel economic growth.

    The new academic programme is expected to play a critical role in supporting this transition by producing professionals who can contribute to sectors such as energy, healthcare, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and mining.

    The University of Rwanda’s School of Science and Technology is preparing to roll out a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Science and Technology, marking a major stride in Rwanda’s efforts to harness nuclear energy for socio-economic transformation.

  • France reopens case against genocide suspect Callixte Mbarushimana

    This decision overturns a 2024 ruling by a French court, which had dismissed the case on the grounds of insufficient evidence.

    The Collectif des Parties Civiles pour le Rwanda (CPCR), rights group dedicated to prosecuting genocide suspects, successfully appealed the dismissal.

    The Paris Court of Appeal ordered a renewed investigation into Mbarushimana’s alleged role in the atrocities.

    Speaking with IGIHE, CPCR co-founder Dafroza Gauthier welcomed the ruling.

    “We are pleased that the judiciary has agreed to reopen the investigation to uncover new evidence,” she said.

    Mbarushimana worked for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) during the genocide.

    In April 1994, after the UN evacuated foreign staff from Rwanda, he was tasked with protecting local employees. Hired by the UN in 1992, he was dismissed in 2001 following allegations of involvement in the deaths of 32 people, including UN staff.

    UN war crimes investigator Tony Greig reported that Mbarushimana personally shot two victims and was implicated in the killing of Florence Ngirumpatse, UNDP’s human resources chief in Rwanda, and several Tutsi children she had sheltered, aged 8 to 18.

    Greig’s findings, submitted to the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), included testimonies from 25 witnesses alleging Mbarushimana’s direct involvement in the massacre and support for the Interahamwe militia, which spearheaded the genocide.

    On April 7, 2024, Rwandan President Paul Kagame publicly criticized Mbarushimana’s freedom, noting that Florence Ngirumpatse was his cousin.

    Kagame further disclosed that his cousin was betrayed by a colleague to the killers and celebrated after her death.

    He expressed his disappointment that no action was ever taken against the UNDP staffer despite evidence implicating him.

    “It later emerged that a Rwandan working at the UNDP betrayed his Tutsi colleague to the killers. Witnesses remember him celebrating Florence’s murder the night after the attack. He continued his career with the UN for many years even after evidence implicating him emerged. He is still a free man now living in France,” Kagame narrated.

    In 2008, the CPCR requested an investigation into Mbarushimana by the Paris court handling crimes against humanity.

    French authorities dismissed the case in October 2024, citing insufficient evidence and unreliable witness testimony.

    The CPCR appealed, arguing that the ruling ignored critical testimonies and a UN internal report detailing Mbarushimana’s alleged crimes.

    On May 21, 2025, the Paris Court of Appeal acknowledged these oversights, ordering a re-examination of evidence and new witness interviews. The reopened investigation has renewed hopes for accountability.

    Links to the FDLR

    Mbarushimana’s alleged crimes extend beyond 1994. He is linked to the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a terrorist group operating in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he reportedly served as Executive Secretary.

    In 2010, the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrested him in France on 13 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by FDLR fighters in 2009.

    The ICC released him in 2011 citing insufficient evidence, and he has since lived freely in France.

    The French judiciary has reopened its investigation into the case of Callixte Mbarushimana, a former United Nations employee accused of complicity in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

  • President Kagame receives 11 new ambassadors

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  • How Africa’s next big trade breakthrough could come through China’s inland ports

    Tengjun International Land Port, operated by Yunnan Tengjin Logistics Co., Ltd., is quietly redefining inland connectivity under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) — and could eventually reshape how African goods reach consumers in Asia’s growing interior.

    Located in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan, Tengjun Port spans over 3,600 acres and represents an 18-billion-yuan investment to develop China’s only national-level logistics hub in the southwest.

    With bonded warehousing, multimodal rail connectivity, cold chain services, and a recognised international port code (CNKML), it is more than just a dry port — it’s a strategic node in China’s vision of land-based trade corridors stretching from Southeast Asia to Central Asia, and potentially, to Africa.

    Tengjun Port is a flagship project under China’s 14th Five-Year Plan and forms part of the Western Land-Sea New Corridor, a logistics route designed to reduce dependence on congested coastal ports.

    The port connects directly to Southeast Asian countries via the China-Laos Railway and operates cross-border cold chain trains, vital for transporting perishables and high-value agricultural goods.

    Tengjin Logistics, the company behind the land port, is more than a transport provider. It is a national 5A-level logistics enterprise, recognised for innovation in digital supply chains, bonded logistics, and cross-border e-commerce — precisely the areas where many African nations, under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and their own digital transformation agendas, are investing.

    This matters for Africa. As the continent increases its production of exportable fresh produce, pharmaceuticals, and manufactured goods, the ability to access inland China via overland corridors — bypassing traditional chokepoints like Shanghai or Guangzhou — could become a strategic advantage.

    It unlocks faster, more stable supply routes to major Chinese consumption centres that are geographically closer to Africa than they appear on a map, especially via Southeast Asian logistics hubs.

    As African logistics platforms modernise, the potential to digitally integrate with Chinese inland ports becomes increasingly real. This could enable African exporters — whether shipping tea from Kenya, cut flowers from Ethiopia, or coffee from Rwanda — to digitally pre-clear goods, synchronise with e-logistics systems, and access Chinese inland markets through land ports like Tengjun.

    Historically, the Africa–China trade relationship has been routed through China’s eastern seaboard. But that model is shifting. China’s focus on regional hubs such as Kunming, alongside increasing connectivity across the Greater Mekong region, opens up new trade lanes for Africa.

    This shift could also reduce the continent’s reliance on maritime routes vulnerable to disruption, such as those in the Red Sea or through the Suez Canal.

    Moreover, BRI projects now increasingly emphasise both “hard” and “soft” connectivity — infrastructure alongside institutional alignment. Tengjun’s evolution into a modern, one-stop trade platform shows how this approach can work — and potentially be replicated or linked with Africa’s own inland dry ports, from Nairobi to Niamey.

    For African governments, port authorities, and private sector exporters, Tengjun is more than a Chinese success story. It is a window into a logistics future where Africa is not merely exporting raw commodities, but actively engaging with smart, regional trade ecosystems.

    As China’s inland logistics hubs mature, African nations connected through BRI projects, digital trade platforms, and multimodal infrastructure may discover unexpected yet valuable opportunities, not just at the coast, but inland, on track, and online.

    While Tengjun Port currently looks eastward toward Southeast Asia, one official accompanying our visit noted that Africa is not yet a core focus, but in four or five years, the continent may become part of their strategic priorities.

    This quiet but telling remark suggests that while Africa is not yet central to current logistics flows in this corridor, it is increasingly on the radar for future expansion.

    Aerial view of Tengjun International Land Port, the only national logistics hub (Kunming Commercial Service Type) in Yunnan Province.Tengjin Logistics headquarters in Kunming, the command center of China’s first enterprise to operate the China-Laos cold chain train.Inside Tengjun’s bonded logistics zone, supporting high-efficiency storage, customs clearance, and international freight movement.img_7916-2.jpgimg_7913.jpgAutonomous logistics robots in action at Tengjun Port’s bonded warehouse, enhancing efficiency in cargo sorting and movement.AI-powered robots navigate warehouse aisles, carrying goods between storage zones and loading docks with precision.The charging stations for automated guided vehicles (AGVs), equipped with fast-charge technology for round-the-clock operations.

  • Iran executes man over 2023 attack on Azerbaijan’s embassy

    The man attacked the diplomatic mission on Jan. 27, 2023, with a Kalashnikov rifle, killing a staff member and injuring two others, Tehran Police told local media in the wake of the incident.

    The man was executed after the completion of relevant judicial investigations and trial process, during which he was convicted of willfully murdering an Azerbaijani national using a firearm inside the embassy, purchasing, carrying, and keeping an illegal weapon and ammunition, and disrupting public order, the Mizan news agency affiliated with the judiciary reported.

    The ruling against him was also upheld by the Supreme Court of Iran, according to the report.

    In the aftermath of the incident, Azerbaijan shut down its embassy in Iran. Baku described the attack as an “act of terror,” but Tehran said investigations revealed that the assailant had “personal and family-related” motives.

    Azerbaijan reopened the embassy at a new location in Tehran in July 2024, after nearly a year and a half, with a guarantee from Iran that it would take appropriate measures to ensure the security of the new embassy.

    Image from Mizan News shows the attacker, face blurred, sitting in court during his trial over the Azerbaijani embassy shooting. Photo by Iran International

  • Exploring Yunnan, a Chinese province where tea trails wind to towering peaks

    Covering just four percent of China’s land area, Yunnan contains more than half of the nation’s plant and animal species, earning its reputation as China’s kingdom of biodiversity.

    From the wild elephants of Xishuangbanna to the elusive Yunnan golden monkeys, this province harbors life found nowhere else on Earth. Ancient tea trees that have witnessed millennia still grow in Lincang, and the deep, fertile forests offer rare orchids and medicinal herbs used for generations.

    But Yunnan’s uniqueness runs deeper than its flora and fauna. This province is the birthplace of Pu’er tea, a fermented treasure steeped in tradition.

    For over a thousand years, caravans of traders traversed the Tea Horse Road, exchanging tea bricks for sturdy Tibetan horses, forging a cultural artery that connected China with its Himalayan neighbors. Today, those ancient tea trees—some more than 3,200 years old—still stand.

    Yunnan is home to 25 of China’s 56 officially recognized ethnic groups, including the Yi, Bai, Dai, Naxi, Hani, Miao, Lisu, Tibetan, and Mosuo peoples

    At the heart of Yunnan’s character is its extraordinary human diversity. Of China’s 56 recognized ethnic groups, 25 live in this single province. The Yi, Bai, Dai, and Naxi peoples, among others, maintain rich traditions that shape daily life, from the joyful water-splashing rituals of the Dai New Year to the firelit Torch Festival celebrated by the Yi.

    In the old town of Lijiang, the Naxi people preserve Dongba culture, the world’s last remaining pictographic writing system still in use—a fragile bridge between ancient belief systems and modern life.

    Ancient tea trees in Lincang, some over 3,000 years old, continue to produce leaves for Pu’er tea

    Yunnan’s landscapes feel as if drawn from a fantasy map. At one end lies Shangri-La, whose snow-capped mountains and Tibetan monasteries inspired James Hilton’s fictional paradise.

    At the other, the Stone Forest stretches like a petrified city, its 270-million-year-old limestone spires rising from the earth in surreal formations.

    The mighty Tiger Leaping Gorge slices nearly 4,000 meters deep between towering peaks, while the Yuanyang rice terraces ripple down hillsides in UNESCO-protected harmony with the land and seasons.

    In the provincial capital, Kunming, the air carries the mildness of what locals call eternal spring. The city rarely experiences frost or sweltering heat, maintaining an average temperature of 15 degrees Celsius year-round. The climate has nourished not only a unique ecosystem, but also a colorful cuisine.

    Kunming, known as the City of Eternal Spring for its mild year-round weather

    Local dishes like Crossing the Bridge Noodles are served with ceremony, while wild mushroom hotpots tempt diners with earthy aromas—and occasional hallucinations if one picks the wrong fungi.

    Rose pastries from Dounan Market, the largest flower market in Asia, capture the province’s fragrant creativity in every bite.

    Despite its inherent natural beauty, Yunnan stands as a powerful testament to human resilience in the face of challenging geographical obstacles.

    Ninety-four percent of the province is mountainous, with elevation ranging from under 100 meters in the Red River Valley to over 6,700 meters at Kawagarbo Peak.

    The terrain is so rugged that three of Asia’s great rivers—the Yangtze, Mekong, and Salween—run nearly parallel through towering gorges just kilometers apart.

    The engineering required to make this region accessible is staggering. Yunnan is home to more road tunnels and bridges than any other part of China, including marvels like the Gaoligongshan Tunnel, one of the world’s deepest at over a kilometer underground, and the Beipanjiang Bridge, which soars higher than the Eiffel Tower over a plunging canyon.

    Tourists in Yunnan find experiences as rich and varied as the province itself

    Yunnan’s highways are more than mere infrastructure; they are bold testaments to human endeavor, often spiraling through mountains in defiance of the rugged terrain. The newly opened expressway between Lijiang and Shangri-La packs 86 tunnels and 120 bridges into just 125 kilometers.

    Despite such progress, less than a third of Yunnan’s land is truly habitable. In the most remote corners, some villagers still rely on rope bridges or mules to reach markets and schools.

    Others continue to live in matriarchal societies, like the Mosuo people near Lugu Lake, where women inherit property and lead households in a tradition that defies mainstream norms.

    In a country as vast and fast-moving as China, Yunnan remains a world apart. It is a place where tropical jungles brush against snow-capped summits, where languages, scripts, and beliefs intertwine in daily life, and where the earth itself resists being tamed.

    Yunnan’s engineering marvels are vital in conquering the province's rugged terrainYunnan’s dramatic terrain rises from river valleys to snow-draped peaks like Kawagarbo, reaching over 6,700 metersYanjin County, tucked between cliffs along the narrowest stretch of the Jinsha River, is considered the narrowest city in the worldMountain ridges fold into each other under a fading sunCrossing the Bridge Noodles in Kunming—a dish served with theatrical flair and rich traditionEngineering innovation has made once-isolated communities reachableDespite its mountainous geography, Yunnan leads in infrastructure development, with roads that stretch across canyonsAsia’s largest flower market, craft rose pastries that bloom with local flavorA highway tunnel emerges into breathtaking alpine scenery, revealing how infrastructure cuts through some of China’s most dramatic terrainA high-speed rail line linking Kunming to Vientiane, Laos, opened in 2021A bustling border crossing in Hekou County connects Yunnan with Vietnam

  • Frw 5.9 billion set aside to compensate residents in Muhanga Industrial Park zone

    While addressing the Chamber of Deputies, Trade and Industry Minister Sebahizi Prudence revealed that the government is prioritising the development of both Muhanga and Musanze Industrial Parks in the upcoming fiscal year.

    He noted that the Muhanga project alone will require over Frw 16 billion, although the 2025/2026 national budget has so far earmarked Frw 3.2 billion, as it is a multi-year project.

    Out of the current allocation, Frw 5.9 billion is designated specifically for compensating property owners within the Muhanga Industrial Park zone.

    Minister Sebahizi said that in the 2025/2026 fiscal year, more than Frw 2.2 billion will go towards resident compensation, while Frw 1 billion has been allocated for road construction and other essential infrastructure. However, the full cost of road construction in the area is projected to exceed Frw 10.5 billion.

    Sebahizi stressed that the industrial parks initiative is aligned with Rwanda’s ambition to expand its manufacturing base and increase the output of locally produced goods.

    The Musanze Industrial Park will also continue to receive attention, with infrastructure development—including roads—expected to cost Frw 7.8 billion. However, only Frw 2 billion is planned for use during the 2025/2026 budget year. Completion of the entire project is anticipated by 2029.

    The Ministry confirmed that some residents still occupy land designated for the Muhanga Industrial Park. To date, 157 households have been relocated from 19.4 hectares, with additional families expected to be moved no later than the end of fiscal year 2025/2026.

    Between 2022 and 2024, the government disbursed over Frw 2.7 billion in compensation to those already relocated from the Muhanga site.

    Once completed, the Muhanga Industrial Park is expected to become one of Rwanda’s most significant industrial zones outside of Kigali.

    The industrial park already hosts several manufacturing facilities, including Cheetah Cement, a Chinese-owned plant operated by Anjia Prefabricated Construction Rwanda Company Ltd, along with factories producing cookware, tiles, and hygiene products.

    The government has earmarked Frw 5.9 billion to compensate property owners within the Muhanga Industrial Park zone.

  • Rwanda to invest over Frw 270 billion in environmental conservation projects

    These initiatives, valued at over $193 million, are designed to address climate change, conserve biodiversity, and improve the quality of life for communities most affected by environmental degradation.

    Over the years, the country has steadily increased its commitment to the environment, as reflected in the growing budget allocations to the Ministry of Environment.

    The ministry’s budget rose from Frw 14.8 billion in the 2022/2023 fiscal year to Frw 24.3 billion in 2024/2025, with projections reaching Frw 41 billion by 2027/2028.

    Likewise, the Rwanda Green Fund (FONERWA) and affiliated institutions are expected to spend over Frw 122.6 billion in the next three years alone.

    Among the key projects is the Green Gicumbi Project, which began in 2019 and aims to help communities in the Northern Province adapt to climate change. With completion expected in December 2025, this project will cost more than Frw 46.6 billion.

    It has already achieved impressive results, including constructing terraces on 1,450 hectares of land, creating over 38,000 jobs, replanting 7,400 hectares with agroforestry trees, and restoring 1,240 hectares of degraded forests.

    In addition, the project reduced over 108,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions and distributed over 28,000 improved cookstoves.

    Another major initiative is a project focused on communities living near Volcanoes National Park, which seeks to reduce human-wildlife conflict and mitigate flood risks.

    With a total budget of more than Frw 89.4 billion, the project is set to run until December 2028.

    In the 2025/2026 fiscal year, the project was allocated a budget of Frw1,623,007,953.

    Over 1.4 million people from more than 223,000 households across districts like Ngororero, Nyabihu, Muhanga, Musanze, and Gakenke are expected to benefit from this project which began in October 2021.

    Efforts are also being made to protect biodiversity in the Congo-Nile watershed. A project covering ten districts, including Musanze, Rubavu, and Rusizi, will conserve natural ecosystems in the Albertine Rift region.

    This $39 million (over Frw 55.9 billion) initiative to run until December 2029, will restore forests, establish terraces, and deliver clean energy solutions to 8,500 households.

    The project was allocated Frw10.7 billion in the 2025/2026 fiscal year. Meanwhile, the Green City Kigali Project is set to be one of Rwanda’s most forward-looking urban housing projects.

    In the 2025/2026 fiscal year, the project was allocated a budget of Frw 7,054,896,647.
    Located in Kinyinya, Gasabo District, it will provide affordable, eco-friendly housing for more than 200,000 residents.

    The project also includes schools, roads, and essential infrastructure, all designed with sustainability in mind. With a total government contribution of over Frw 40 billion, the project is expected to be completed by December 2029.

    In addition to physical infrastructure, Rwanda is also investing in strengthening the capacity of government institutions to address climate-related challenges.

    One such project, led by FONERWA and funded by the Adaptation Fund, began in July 2023 and is set to conclude in December 2027.

    Valued at over Frw7.2 billion, it aims to equip government bodies with tools and strategies to manage disasters and climate variability.

    In the 2025/2026 fiscal year, it was allocated a budget of over Frw1.6 billion. Rwanda is also monitoring the environmental impact of methane gas emissions in Lake Kivu through the Lake Kivu Monitoring Project (LKMP).

    The project is valued at over Frw 12.7 billion, began in December 2024, and is expected to be completed by June 2026. In the 2025/2026 fiscal year, it has been allocated more than Frw 1.2 billion.

    Lastly, the country is finalizing the Second Rwanda Urban Development Project, aimed at promoting modern, sustainable urban living across multiple districts.

    Valued at over Frw 23.9 billion, the project is scheduled for completion by December 2025. For the 2025/2026 fiscal year, it has been allocated Frw 13.6 billion.

    Altogether, these projects reflect Rwanda’s strong commitment to building a climate-resilient future—one that balances development with environmental protection while improving the lives of its citizens.

    Efforts are also being made to protect biodiversity in the Congo-Nile watershed.The project focused on communities living near Volcanoes National Park, seeks to reduce human-wildlife conflict and mitigate flood risks.The Green Gicumbi Project, which began in 2019 and aims to help communities in the Northern Province adapt to climate change.The Green City Kigali Project is set to be one of Rwanda’s most forward-looking urban housing projects.

  • Tanzania blocks access to X as hackers target gov’t and private institutions

    The disruption, confirmed by internet watchdog NetBlocks, began on Tuesday evening and affected all major internet service providers in the country, including Airtel, Vodacom, Liquid Telecom, and Habari Node.

    “Live metrics show X has become unreachable on major internet providers in #Tanzania; the incident comes as a compromised police account posts claims the president has died, angering the country’s leadership,” NetBlocks said in a statement on Mastodon shortly after 9 p.m. EAT.

    The clampdown came hours after hackers gained control of the Police Force’s verified X account (@tanpol), which has over 470,000 followers. The hackers used the platform to falsely announce the death of President Samia Suluhu Hassan and even held a live broadcast.

    Authorities have since regained control of the account and launched an investigation.

    “This circulating information is entirely false,” said the Police Force in a statement. “The Police Force does not, and would never, publish such content through its official platforms.”

    The Force vowed to identify and prosecute those behind the cyberattack.

    “Legal action will be taken against any individual found to be involved in creating, disseminating, or amplifying such misleading content,” the statement warned.

    The attack was not isolated to the police account. Other verified Tanzanian X accounts were also hacked, including Airtel Tanzania, football club Simba SC and media personality Odemba.

    The YouTube channel of Tanzania’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), was also compromised, with the same false message regarding President Suluhu’s death appearing across these hacked profiles and triggering widespread panic before official clarifications were issued.

    The cyberattack follows a tense political climate in Tanzania, with President Suluhu under fire, particularly from Kenyans on X over a recent crackdown on regional activists. The chaos unfolded amid the ongoing trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, which saw several prominent East African figures deported or arrested upon arrival in Dar es Salaam.

    Those affected include Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi, Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire and a delegation of legal and civil society figures from Kenya.

    Former Justice Minister Martha Karua, ex-Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, LSK Council member Gloria Kimani, and activists Lynn Ngugi, Hanifa Adan, and Hussein Khalid were all detained and deported earlier this week, shortly after arriving in Tanzania to attend a court session related to Lissu’s ongoing treason case.

    President Suluhu defended the government’s actions during a televised address on Monday, warning against what she described as “interference” by foreign actors.

    “We have started to observe a trend in which activists from within our region are attempting to intrude and interfere in our affairs,” she said, calling on security agencies to guard against external influence.

    The clampdown came hours after hackers gained control of the Police Force’s verified X account (@tanpol), which has over 470,000 followers. The hackers used the platform to falsely announce the death of President Samia Suluhu Hassan and even held a live broadcast.The disruption, confirmed by internet watchdog NetBlocks, began on Tuesday evening and affected all major internet service providers in the country, including Airtel, Vodacom, Liquid Telecom, and Habari Node.

  • Inside KIFA, Asia’s most advanced flower market, transforming global trade

    KIFA’s true significance lies not just in its size but in the rapid, precise, and transparent digital auction system that offers a compelling blueprint for the technological transformation of traditional marketplaces.

    In contrast to traditional flower auctions, often characterised by manual bidding, slower transactions, limited access for remote buyers, and a lack of pricing transparency, KIFA’s approach is fast, virtual, and fully synchronised.

    Every four seconds, a transaction is completed in a high-tech, 900-seat auction hall. Buyers, whether in the room or hundreds of kilometres away in Beijing or Guangzhou, participate in real time through digital platforms.

    Think of it as a stock market for flowers; bidders monitor large screens flashing stem quantities, quality grades, and reserve prices, and then place their bids at lightning speed. The system is designed to be efficient, equitable, and scalable. All flowers go through a standardised grading process before entering the auction, eliminating guesswork and disputes about quality.

    This auction model is powered by a robust IT infrastructure that connects growers, traders, and buyers across China and beyond. As a result, flowers sold at KIFA reach over 50 countries, including Japan, Russia, Thailand, and Australia, not just swiftly but also with pricing that reflects transparent supply-and-demand dynamics.

    KIFA’s integration of remote access platforms is particularly transformative. Through partnerships with centres like the Beijing Flower Trading Centre, off-site participants bid in real time, expanding the auction’s reach beyond physical boundaries. This has opened up opportunities for small and medium-sized traders across China to compete with large-scale wholesalers on a level playing field.

    Moreover, payment is as seamless as bidding. Using the Huashangbao app, traders can finalise transactions instantly, with funds transferred and sales tracked electronically. The auction centre boasts an impressive 94% daily turnover rate, with an average stem price of 2.4 yuan.

    In peak periods like the 2024 Spring Festival, KIFA processed 11.6 million stems in a single day, generating 100 million yuan in sales, all tracked and settled digitally.

    But what good is a fast auction if the flowers wilt before reaching the buyer? KIFA’s logistics network, enhanced by big data and AI, ensures that doesn’t happen. Companies use predictive analytics to forecast regional demand, automate packaging, and optimise delivery routes. Many deliveries are now completed via air freight and high-speed rail, supported by cold chain technology.

    This means roses auctioned in the morning can arrive fresh in cities like Shanghai, Tokyo, or Sydney the next day, still dewy with morning moisture.

    The tech transformation doesn’t stop at the auction floor. Many of KIFA’s partner farms employ Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and digital twin systems to monitor soil conditions, temperature, humidity, and fertiliser levels in real time.

    Data is uploaded to cloud systems, allowing growers to fine-tune every aspect of cultivation. This ensures consistent flower quality, which feeds directly into the standardised grading at auction, creating a virtuous cycle of precision and profit.

    KIFA’s model could well be a glimpse into the future of other agricultural commodity markets, particularly in the Global South. By combining digital platforms, logistics intelligence, and real-time financial tools, it overcomes the classic limitations of traditional markets.

    According to KIFA data, over 80% of Yunnan’s flowers pass through the auction centre, and 70% of all fresh-cut flowers in China originate from Dou’nan, making KIFA’s impact national in scope.

    With 800 to 1,000 tons of flowers shipped daily and hundreds of thousands of people employed directly and indirectly in the sector, technology is not only modernising trade but also sustaining livelihoods.

    Inside Asia’s largest flower auction house, KIFA in Kunming, China, where flowers move as fast as stock trades.Buyers in Beijing or Guangzhou place real time bids via screens at KIFA. There's no need to be in the room to win.At KIFA, a flower is auctioned every four seconds using a digital bidding system.With 800–1,000 tons of flowers shipped daily, KIFA powers the global flower trade from the ground up.A 900-seat auction hall, real-time bidding screens, and remote access.Small traders across China can now compete with wholesalers through remote bidding access.KIFA exports flowers to over 50 countries, including Japan, Russia, and Australia.