Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has been renamed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to mitigate stigma and racial connotations associated with its previous nomenclature. The change underscores a global sensitivity towards the implications of disease naming and its societal impacts.
The initial detection of mpox in humans dates back to 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the WHO providing extensive documentation and study of its transmission and effects.
Characterized by fever, body aches, and distinctive skin lesions, Mpox poses a formidable challenge to public health.
In response to the current epidemic, Minister Mokoki has urged the public to adopt several precautionary measures to curb the spread of the virus. These include maintaining a safe distance from those suspected of carrying the virus, avoiding direct contact with animals, and handling game meat only with protective gloves.
The renewed vigilance comes in the wake of the WHO’s declaration in 2022, labeling a similar outbreak that extended to Europe and North America as a global health emergency. This prior outbreak underscored the virus’s potential for international spread and its capacity to emerge as a significant global health threat.
As the Republic of the Congo confronts this public health challenge, the global community watches and learns, hoping to contain and eventually eradicate this daunting disease.
This is the highest number of gorilla visitors recorded in Rwanda in the country’s history.
Gorilla tourism is a major revenue earner for Rwanda. Tourists pay at least US $1500 per person to see gorillas in the country. This fee covers the gorilla trekking permit, which grants access to the park and the gorillas.
The new report further shows that the tourism sector recorded an impressive growth to record $650 million (RWF 832 billion) in revenues last year, representing a 35 percent increase in revenue compared to 2022.
Additionally, the Board reported that the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector generated more than $95 million (RWF 121.5 billion) in revenue in 2023, marking a 48 percent growth compared to 2022.
Rwanda hosted over 160 events and an estimated 65,000 delegates in 2023.
Other milestones recorded in the Tourism sector include the upgrade of Nyungwe National Park into a UNESCO World Heritage site and the launch of the Mantis Kivu Queen Uburunga, a luxury houseboat that offers a scenic experience of exploring Lake Kivu.
Additionally, the tourism sector recorded the signing of several partnerships and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). These include the Visit Rwanda – Bayern Munich Partnership, a five-year football and tourism promotion partnership, and the Vetrak Clubs World Champion (VCWC) deal that will see Rwanda host the next three editions of the VCWC football tournament at Amahoro National Stadium.
The new statistics come at a time when the tourism sector is projected to fully recover from the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, having made a significant rebound in 2023.
According to a survey UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, the sector achieved 88 per cent growth of pre-pandemic levels last year.
Total export revenues from tourism, encompassing passenger transport, reached approximately $1.6 trillion in 2023, nearly 95 per cent of the $1.7 trillion recorded in 2019.
Projections suggest a continuation of this positive trend, with estimates indicating a 2 per cent growth in international tourist arrivals above 2019 levels.
The report unveiled on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, indicates that the commitments registered by RDB are expected to create 40,198 job opportunities in the next five years.
According to the Board, the Rwanda Global Business Services (GBS) Initiative unveiled last year is expected to position Rwanda as a leading destination for investors and, in turn, create at least 10,000 jobs by 2030.
On the actual jobs created by RDB initiatives, the Board said TekExperts created more than 500 jobs for software engineers. Additionally, 408 jobs were created by Kivest Ltd through agricultural projects, and 500 jobs were created by C&D Leather Shoes Production Plant. An additional 134 jobs were created by RwandMoz Ltd for the Aquaculture project.
Auto Group also contributed to job creation with 613 new positions. The Board also initiated coaching and support for more than 11,400 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in developing their banking businesses.
Furthermore, 201 Rwandans were matched to foreign employment opportunities in Dubai and Qatar through the KORA job portal, where some 17,777 job seekers and 211 employers have been registered so far.
The report also highlights key milestones recorded in the health sector, including the establishment of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for the production of mRNA-based drugs in Kigali.
Rwanda was the first, among the selected three African countries, to host the mRNA Manufacturing Facility as part of BioNTech’s efforts to advance mRNA-based vaccine candidates to address malaria and tuberculosis in the region.
Another key milestone achieved last year was the operationalization of the Gabiro Agribusiness Hub (GAH), a result of a joint venture established between the Government of Rwanda through its Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources and Netafim Ltd, an Israeli company that offers global leadership in the agriculture manufacturing industry.
Through the partnership, the government hopes to increase the export of high-value crops and value-added agricultural products as well as ensure food security in Rwanda through the use of cutting-edge technology and best practices.
The Tourism sector also recorded an impressive growth to record $650 million (RWF 832 billion) in revenues last year.
This, RDB said, represents a 35 percent increase in revenue compared to 2022. Rwanda welcomed 25,927 gorilla visitors in 2023, marking a 29.4 percent increase recorded in 2022. This is the highest number of visitors received in the country’s history.
Additionally, the Board reported that the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector generated more than $95 million (RWF 121.5 billion) in revenue in 2023, marking a 48 percent growth compared to 2022.
Rwanda hosted over 160 events and an estimated 65,000 delegates in 2023.
Other milestones recorded in the Tourism sector include the upgrade of Nyungwe National Park into a UNESCO World Heritage site and the launch of the Mantis Kivu Queen Uburunga, a luxury houseboat that offers a scenic experience of exploring Lake Kivu.
Additionally, the tourism sector recorded the signing of several partnerships and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). These include the Visit Rwanda – Bayern Munich Partnership, a five-year football and tourism promotion partnership, and the Vetrak Clubs World Champion (VCWC) deal that will see Rwanda host the next three editions of the VCWC football tournament at Amahoro National Stadium.
The Rwandan government also entered into a five-year deal with Global Citizen to launch Move Afrika, a pan-African campaign to create job and entrepreneurship opportunities for Africa’s emerging generations through annual world-class live events.
In the export sector, Rwanda recorded a 9.5 percent increase in earnings, reaching $2.3 billion compared to 2022.
In the business environment milestones, Rwanda achieved a remarkable milestone by ranking 1st in sub-Saharan Africa in the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index. RDB attributed these gains to the government’s commitment to upholding justice and the rule of law.
Additionally, Rwanda secured the first position in Africa in the Visa Openness Index, reflecting the country’s continued commitment to connectivity and openness for business and tourism.
RDB also takes pride in the launch of the One Stop Center (OSC) in March 2023, which houses 22 institutions providing 440 services, including facilitating participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In a report tabled in parliament on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, the Auditor General revealed that illegal expenditure in government decreased to Rwf 2.57 billion in 2023 from Rwf 6.45 billion in the previous year.
Kamuhire told the MPs that the new audit, utilizing a preventive approach to contract review, unearthed Rwf 6.92 billion in financial losses likely to be recovered.
He, however, warned that further efforts are needed to curb unaccounted-for expenditures in government.
“There is still a need for Chief Budget Managers to put in place strong internal controls to avoid them,” the Auditor General remarked.
At the same time, the AG disclosed that the year ended June 2023 saw an increase in the proportion of government expenditure audited, rising to 96 percent from 95 percent in the previous year.
During the period, the total government expenditure was Rwf 5.19 trillion, with the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) auditing expenditures totaling Rwf 4.98 trillion.
The performance audits focused on the areas of national interest in agriculture, education, social protection, environment, investment, ICT, finance and economy sectors.
“We issued two hundred twenty-two (222) financial audit and (220) compliance audit reports for the financial year ended 30 June 2023. Additionally, we carried out sixteen (16) performance audits, seven (7) IS audits, and ten (10) special audits,” Kamuhire told MPs.
According to OAG, there was a gradual improvement in audit outcomes in 2023 compared to 2022.
“The proportion of audited entities receiving unqualified opinions in financial audits increased to 92% from 68% in the previous year. Similarly, those receiving unqualified opinions in compliance audits of laws and regulations on public spending rose to 69% from 61%, and for compliance with laws and regulations to realize Value for Money, the entities receiving unqualified opinions increased to 59% from 57%. Furthermore, the percentage of fully implemented recommendations rose to 59% from 57%,” he added.
According to the IMF, South Africa is set to become Africa’s biggest economy with a GDP of $373 billion, displacing Egypt with a GDP of $347 to the second place in the wake of the country’s series of currency devaluations.
A sharp devaluation of currency and high inflation has also been attributed to Nigeria’s fall to fourth place in the latest IMF economic forecast. This is a big blow to the country’s economy which ranked as Africa’s largest in 2022.
The IMF’s World Economic Outlook estimates Nigeria’s gross domestic product at $253 billion based on current prices this year, a spot behind energy-rich Algeria at $267 billion.
Reacting to the forecast on Tuesday, South Africa’s President and leader of the African National Congress (ANC) Cyril Ramaphosa termed the news of his country’s economic growth as impressive.
“We have now become the largest economy on the African continent, with Nigeria and Egypt having been up there and having their challenges and now South Africa being the largest economy in the continent,” President Ramaphosa.
He expressed his confidence that the rankings would influence foreign investments in South Africa.
“That position in itself attracts more investors, because they see that this is a country that is reforming various processes and it’s a country going somewhere. We have a clear destiny of where we are going as a country and that’s why we are attracting investors,” he added.
Ethiopia, whose GDP is estimated to hit $205 billion, ranks fifth, with Morocco ($152 billion) and Kenya ($104 billion) taking sixth and seventh place respectively.
Other countries that made it to the list of top 10 largest economies in Africa are Angola ($92 billion) Cote d ‘Ivoire ($86 billion) and Tanzania ($79 billion).
Set under the theme “Grassroots Mobilization to End Malaria: Invest, Innovate & Integrate,” this event promises to bring together a diverse group of experts, scientists, and policymakers.
Malaria continues to pose a significant health threat globally, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting approximately 249 million cases in 2022. The situation is particularly dire in Africa, which accounted for 94% of these cases and 95% of malaria-related deaths. The majority of these fatalities involve children under five, emphasizing the devastating impact of this disease on the most vulnerable populations.
{{Socio-Economic Impacts of Malaria}}
The effects of malaria extend beyond health, significantly hindering socio-economic development. The disease reduces social interaction and productivity, affecting the quality of life and economic opportunities. High malaria incidence is correlated with slower economic growth, with data indicating that nations heavily affected by malaria experienced significantly reduced economic expansion.
{{Rwanda’s Innovative Approaches to Malaria Prevention}}
As the host nation, Rwanda exemplifies the success of innovative and community-based approaches to combating malaria. The involvement of Community Health Workers (CHWs) has been crucial. In 2023, CHWs diagnosed and treated 60% of all recorded malaria cases in Rwanda, showcasing the effectiveness of grassroots involvement in disease management. Their efforts are supported by comprehensive strategies such as bed net distribution and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS).
Thanks to these measures, Rwanda has seen a dramatic reduction in malaria incidence and deaths. From 2016/17 to 2022/23, annual malaria cases per 1000 people dropped from 409 to 47, and the country has been recognized by the WHO for its progress towards the 2025 Global Technical Strategy (GTS) targets.
{{Collaborative Efforts to Eradicate Malaria}}
The PAMC offers an excellent platform for sharing these successes and fostering international collaboration. Discussions and workshops during the conference will focus on improving strategies to combat malaria, emphasizing the need for continued investment and innovation.
Moreover, the timing of the conference—culminating on World Malaria Day—underscores the global commitment to ending malaria. This day serves as a reminder of the need to sustain efforts and support the communities most affected by this disease.
As Rwanda prepares to share its insights and strategies during the 8th Pan-African Malaria Conference, the event symbolizes a beacon of hope and a call to action. It provides an opportunity not only to reflect on the strides made but also to galvanize further support for the ongoing fight against malaria, a fight that is crucial for the health and well-being of millions across Africa and the world.
The spokesperson for the Russian Presidency, Dmitry Peskov, reported that President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Defense Minister, Sergey Shoigu, were immediately informed about the arrest.
Prior to his arrest in the early hours of Tuesday, Ivanov had attended a defense ministry meeting, which was also attended by senior military officers in the country.
Although the investigative committee has not released detailed information, it is alleged that Ivanov is suspected of receiving a bribe of one million roubles (equivalent to $10,500). If found guilty of this charge, he could face a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
Ivanov has had a long career in government energy and construction sectors and has worked for various major Russian companies.
He previously headed the Oboronstroy Society, which constructed residential buildings for the country’s military personnel from 2013 to 2016. Subsequently, he was appointed to his current position where one of his responsibilities includes overseeing all military intelligence activities in the ministry.
The body was first seen on the evening of 23rd of March 2024. It is a story that unfolded in the late hours of the evening when a passerby noticed the body lying beside a tree.
Residents indicates that in the early hours of Monday night, he was in good health as he enjoyed a meal of beans raising suspicions that he might have been murdered.
The Mayor of Nyanza District, Ntazinda Erasme, confirmed the details to IGIHE.
He stated, “There is no apparent cause of death, but speculation has begun as people try to understand why. The RIB has taken over the investigation to shed light on the matter.”
Hakizimana worked as a laborer in the village. He was born in Nyagisozi Sector, Kirambi Village, Gasharu Village, Nyanza District.
The controversial legislation gives TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, nine months to sell its stake or face the consequences of the app being blacklisted in US app stores.
Both Republicans and Democrats have claimed that TikTok threatens national security as the platform could be used by Beijing to spy on Americans and manipulate public debate.
The bill will now be forwarded to President Joe Biden, who had earlier indicated that he would not hesitate to sign the legislation once it reaches his desk.
The legislation, part of a package of four bills including military aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and other US partners in the Indo-Pacific region, received support from 79 senators with only 18 legislators opposing it.
“For years we’ve allowed the Chinese Communist Party to control one of the most popular apps in America, which was dangerously short-sighted,” said Senator Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the Intelligence Committee.
“A new law is going to require its Chinese owner to sell the app. This is a good move for America,” he added.
The vote came barely a week after Republicans in the House of Representatives passed the package on Saturday in a 360-58 bipartisan vote.
TikTok had issued a statement condemning the bill, accusing lawmakers of trampling on citizens’ free speech.
“It is unfortunate that the House of Representatives is using the cover of important foreign and humanitarian assistance to once again jam through a ban bill that would trample the free speech rights of 170 million Americans,” TikTok said in a statement on Sunday.
The Chinese company insists that it has never shared American users’ data with the Chinese government and never will.
President Suluhu hosted Harerimana at the State House in Dodoma, where she congratulated the envoy for her work in maintaining good neighbourly relations between Rwanda and Tanzania.
She expressed her hope that the new ambassador will continue the good work and enhance the strong ties between the two brotherly countries.
Harerimana’s tour of duty in Tanzania came to an end on April 23, 2024, barely a year after she assumed her duties. She presented her letters of credence to President Suluhu in September of last year.
Over the weekend, the Rwandan community gathered to bid farewell to the outgoing ambassador ahead of her departure to Pakistan.
Ambassador Harerimana was commended for her contributions during her tenure in Tanzania and expressed gratitude toward the Rwandan community living and working in the country for their support and affection toward Rwanda.
She also expressed appreciation to the Rwandan Government for its continued support in her nation-building duties.
The outgoing ambassador to Tanzania will be replaced by General Patrick Nyamvumba, who was appointed recently.
