Speaking at the 46th Ordinary Session of the African Union’s Executive Council in Addis Ababa, Gatete emphasized that the current global governance structures have hindered Africa’s economic progress.
He urged for a reformed financial system where Africa has a stronger voice in shaping policies that impact its development.
Gatete also criticized Africa’s credit ratings, which are largely determined by external agencies that often apply unfair assessments.
With only Botswana and Mauritius holding investment-grade ratings, he advocated for the establishment of an African-led credit rating agency to provide more accurate and fair evaluations of the continent’s economies.
Highlighting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a transformative opportunity, Gatete stressed the need for investment in infrastructure and manufacturing to reduce Africa’s reliance on external markets.
He also called for the development of regional value chains to ensure that African resources are processed locally, creating jobs and driving industrialization.
“I have decided for purposes of fairness, that I will charge a reciprocal tariff – meaning whatever countries charge the United States of America, we will charge them no more, no less. In other words, they charge us a tax or tariff and we charge them the exact same tax or tariff. Very simple,” Trump said at the White House.
According to the memorandum, “it is the policy of the United States to reduce our large and persistent annual trade deficit in goods and to address other unfair and unbalanced aspects of our trade with foreign trading partners.”
Under the “Fair and Reciprocal Plan,” the administration will work “strenuously” to counter non-reciprocal trading arrangements with trading partners by determining the equivalent of a reciprocal tariff with respect to each foreign trading partner. “This approach will be of comprehensive scope, examining non-reciprocal trade relationships with all United States trading partners,” it said.
Under World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations, “reciprocity” meant overall balance, in terms of concessions given and concessions received, between each country on the one hand and all its trading partners on the other hand, but Trump has redefined the meaning of “reciprocity” to apply on a line item basis, country by country, rather than overall balance, Gary Clyde Hufbauer, a nonresident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, told Xinhua.
“With reciprocity, as defined by Trump, U.S. tariffs would probably on average 10 to 15 percentage points higher. In my opinion, tariffs actually hurt the U.S. economy, so while they would raise revenue … they would reduce GDP growth,” Hufbauer said.
Observers believe that this logic undermines the traditional principle of overall balance under the WTO framework, potentially leading to trade frictions and negotiation deadlocks, and prompting other countries to take countermeasures in response to U.S. tariff increases.
In a post on the social media platform X, Ghebreyesus stated that the funds would help strengthen Uganda’s response efforts, including surveillance, laboratory support, logistics, infection prevention, and treatment.
The WHO had previously provided $1 million on January 30 and mobilized trial vaccines to aid Uganda’s health authorities in containing the outbreak.
Uganda declared an Ebola outbreak last month following the death of a 32-year-old male nurse from Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala.
According to the Ministry of Health, as of Wednesday, the country has recorded nine laboratory-confirmed cases, including one fatality, while at least 265 people who had contact with the first case are under monitoring.
The closing of the ITC 10th intake and MOI intake eight, on Thursday, February 13, was presided over by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in Charge of Administration and Personnel, DCG Jeanne Chantal Ujeneze.
The three-month courses were also attended by those from private security companies in Rwanda.
The two instructional programmes train officers on how to design courses, job analysis for training, general instructional methods, psychology of learning, effective communication, and general instructional techniques.
They also develop officers’ understanding and skills in human relations, development of instructional aids, research methodology and micro teaching practices, among others.
DIGP Ujeneze congratulated the trainees for their commitment and successful completion of the courses.
“The role of trainers is not only limited to imparting knowledge and skills to trainees; trainers are custodians of force doctrine and play key roles in shaping professionalism among the force,” DIGP Ujeneze said.
She urged them to be “proud of it and strive to be good trainers.” The RNP, she said, will continue to deepen cross-border cooperation in matters of policing and security.
The Deputy Police Chief pointed out that building a professional Police force can be achieved if there are enough competent trainers and that the two courses are designed to answer these institutional needs.
According to the statement, Foreign Minister Ali Yousif Ahmed sent a letter to the foreign ministers of AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) member states ahead of their scheduled meeting in Addis Ababa on Friday, in which he urged the council to reconsider its stance on Sudan and allow the country to reclaim its position within the AU.
Sudan’s membership was suspended on October 27, 2021, following a state of emergency declared by Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, the chairman of the Transitional Sovereign Council and commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces, which led to the dissolution of the ruling council.
The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, the country’s military police, quickly detained the suspect.
While national broadcaster NOS reported that the individual is a 30-year-old man found in possession of a knife, Police have not officially confirmed these details, citing an ongoing investigation.
As a precaution, access to the main chamber and surrounding areas was restricted. The lockdown caused a brief interruption to parliamentary proceedings, but the debate resumed shortly after the suspect was taken into custody.
Despite the setback, Rubio will proceed with his scheduled visits to Germany and the Middle East using a different aircraft, the spokesperson confirmed.
An official speaking to AP stated that the problem, linked to the cockpit windshield of the C-32, a modified Boeing 757, surfaced approximately 90 minutes into the flight.
The SIA stands as a key meeting point for professionals, producers, and the public, all gathered to explore the latest developments in agriculture.
Its core mission is to spotlight local products, biodiversity, and sustainable farming practices.
With its vast appeal, the show draws a broad audience, from industry experts to families and students, eager to engage with the world of agriculture.
Rwanda’s participation in the event is gaining momentum. Last year, over 25 representatives from Rwandan businesses, alongside key institutions like the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), and the Rwandan Embassy in France, joined the show.
This collective effort showcased Rwanda’s agricultural potential, strengthened international partnerships, and highlighted the country’s expertise in agro-industry.
At SIA 2025, Rwanda will display an array of high-quality products, such as renowned fruits, vegetables, coffee, tea, and a variety of local specialties.
The country’s focus on sustainable agriculture will also take center stage, with an emphasis on environmentally friendly practices and a commitment to excellence.
This is an invaluable opportunity for Rwanda to not only showcase its agricultural strengths but also foster new trade relationships and explore emerging opportunities in the sector.
The show is rich with activities, including demonstrations, workshops, and discussions on pressing agricultural issues such as sustainability, energy transition, and food security.
These events are designed to enhance public understanding of sustainable agriculture and inspire the next generation to join this crucial field.
Rwanda’s participation in SIA 2025 is more than just a showcase of agricultural products; it is a strategic effort to highlight the country’s innovative practices, raise awareness about its agricultural diversity, and build stronger international partnerships.
As Rwanda continues to make its mark on the global agricultural stage, this event is a must-attend for anyone interested in the future of farming and Rwanda’s role in it.
{{Below are some photos showing Rwanda’s participation in SIA last year }}
The delegation engaged with key stakeholders, including the Private Sector Federation (PSF) and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), to discuss potential investments in agriculture, real estate, urban development, and trade. Rwanda’s business-friendly environment and strategic position in East Africa were highlighted as major attractions for investors.
During their visit, a cooperation agreement was signed between PSF and FSC, establishing the Saudi-Rwanda Chamber of Commerce to facilitate economic partnerships. PSF Chairperson Jeanne-Françoise Mubiligi emphasized that this initiative would boost trade, investment, and cultural cooperation between the two nations.
President Paul Kagame received the delegation on February 13, reaffirming Rwanda’s commitment to strengthening economic ties with Saudi Arabia. This courtesy call underscored the growing trade relationship between the two countries and reinforced investor confidence.
The Saudi delegation’s visit is part of a broader investment mission across Africa, including stops in Kenya and Tanzania. Business forums in these countries aim to foster trade engagements between Saudi investors, private sector players, and government representatives.
Rwanda and Saudi Arabia already enjoy strong diplomatic and economic relations, with agreements in healthcare, education, energy, and infrastructure. In October 2025, Rwanda’s Football Federation endorsed Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, reflecting their expanding cooperation beyond business.
As Saudi Arabia increases its trade footprint in Africa, Rwanda emerges as a key partner, offering vast opportunities in technology, finance, tourism, and manufacturing.
The visit confirms strengthen ties in economic collaboration, positioning Rwanda as a strategic investment hub in the region.
The Office of the President said through a post on X that the discussions focused on strengthening Rwanda’s collaboration with the World Bank in key sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, and skills development, among others.
The World Bank has been a key development partner for Rwanda, supporting projects in energy generation and distribution, education, agriculture, and socio-economic development.
Rwanda became a member of the World Bank in September 1963, and in 1970, the bank’s board approved the country’s first loan of $18.8 million.
By the end of 2023, the World Bank had provided Rwanda with over $8 billion in loans, funding critical sectors such as education, infrastructure, agriculture, and livestock.
In December 2024, the bank allocated more than $255 million to Rwanda in support of private sector investments aligned with the country’s green growth agenda.
Additionally, in the previous month, the World Bank committed $200 million to enhance skills training for over 200,000 young people. These funds are part of the Priority Skills for Growth and Youth Empowerment (PSGYE) program, which aims to equip youth with the necessary skills to compete in the job market.
In October 2024, Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente also met with Qimiao Fan during his first official visit to Rwanda since assuming his current role. Their discussions centered on ongoing development projects under Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).
Speaking about the World Bank’s commitment to supporting Rwanda’s development agenda, Qimiao Fan emphasized the institution’s focus on environmental sustainability, long-term infrastructure investment, education, healthcare, social welfare, job creation, and agriculture.
