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The facility was announced by Dr. Gérardine Mukeshimana, Vice-President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), during the forum's opening ceremony. It brings together IFAD, Equity Bank, the Nordic Development Fund (NDF), Finland and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) as partners.

Mukeshimana said public finance alone cannot deliver the transformation Africa's food systems need, and that public resources must be used to reduce risks and unlock private capital. She cited IFAD's own evidence showing that projects with private sector participation generate income gains of over 64%, four times greater than projects without private sector involvement.

'Public resources must be used strategically to remove constraints, to reduce risks and to unlock private sector capital,' she said, adding that IFAD focuses its investments on 'the first mile of the food systems where risks are greatest, finance is the scarcest and impact is greatest.'

The announcement was one of several financing commitments made at the forum. IFAD also announced a $10 million facility, in partnership with AGDV, to support the growth of small agribusinesses across the continent. Separately, the Bank of Kigali and IFAD are set to sign a $21 million blended finance agreement on Friday to support farmers' organisations.

Mukeshimana said approximately 60% of IFAD's core resources are currently invested in Africa, and linked the new commitments to IFAD's ongoing 14th replenishment process, known as IFAD14, which aims to strengthen the institution as an investment platform that scales proven approaches and attracts private capital to underserved areas.

She also referenced a recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, which found that the rise of hunger in Africa has halted. She described this as encouraging news, but said the task now is to turn that progress into lasting transformation by making nutritious diets more affordable, creating decent jobs and building resilience.

The announcement came on the opening day of the AFSF 2026, held under the theme 'Investing in Africa's Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience.' The forum, marking its 20th anniversary this year, has drawn more than 5,000 stakeholders from over 50 countries to Kigali.

In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva said about 309 million Africans were affected by hunger in 2025, representing roughly 20% of the continent's population, while about 57% of Africans experience moderate or severe food insecurity. He called on the forum to help translate commitments into investable plans, strengthen entire food value chains, and scale successful innovations across the continent.

Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye said Rwanda's experience shows what is possible when policy, investment, institutions and partnerships are aligned under effective governance, pointing to the country's Vision 2050 and National Strategy for Transformation as frameworks guiding its agricultural transformation.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/new-200m-facility-targets-climate-adaptation-for-rwanda-and-east-africas-farmers/

The protective bubble, known as the heliosphere, is created by the solar wind released by the Sun. It helps shield Earth and other planets from some particles and radiation coming from interstellar space.

Scientists from NASA's SHIELD science center used computer simulations to study how the heliosphere may have changed as the solar system travelled through the Milky Way.

Their findings suggest that the Sun may have passed through extremely cold and dense clouds of gas and dust several times.

The pressure from these clouds could have compressed the heliosphere, potentially shrinking it to a size smaller than Earth's orbit.

Researchers identified possible encounters around 2 to 3 million years ago, 6 to 7 million years ago and 13 to 14 million years ago.

During these periods, Earth may have been more exposed to material from interstellar space. Scientists have found evidence of interstellar particles in places including deep-sea sediments, Antarctic samples and lunar material.

The researchers believe changes in the heliosphere could have influenced Earth's atmosphere and climate by allowing more interstellar material to reach the planet.

A second NASA-funded study examined Earth about three billion years ago, when the young Sun produced only around 70% of the energy it produces today.

Despite receiving less sunlight, geological evidence shows that liquid water existed on Earth.

Scientists suggest that powerful eruptions from the young Sun may have helped keep the planet warm.

Energetic particles from these eruptions could have triggered chemical reactions in the atmosphere, producing greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide.

These gases may have trapped enough heat to keep Earth warm enough for liquid water to remain on its surface.

Together, the studies suggest that Earth's climate and ability to support life may have been influenced by both the Sun's activity and the solar system's changing environment as it moved through the Milky Way.

The findings provide new insights into Earth's ancient climate and may help scientists understand whether similar conditions could support life on planets around other stars.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/scientists-uncover-cosmic-forces-that-may-have-shaped-earths-climate/

The ruling was delivered on September 2, 2026, after the prosecution requested 30 days of remand, arguing that there were substantial grounds to believe Shema committed the alleged offences and that he could abscond if released while investigations continued.

The case stems from a contract worth more than €1 million between Africa Medical Supplier Plc, a company owned by Shema that deals in medical equipment, and ABZL International General Trading LLC. The agreement, signed on January 23, 2024, was linked to World Bank procurement for the supply of medical equipment to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Under the agreement, Africa Medical Supplier was required to pay ABZL within 60 days. The prosecution told the court that the company failed to meet the payment deadline and repeatedly delayed ABZL before eventually promising to settle the outstanding amount by email.

On August 5, 2025, Shema allegedly issued ABZL two cheques worth $400,000 and $200,000. The prosecution said the cheques were dishonoured because the company's account did not have sufficient funds between August 1 and 10, 2025.

Shema denied the charges, saying ABZL was a financial services company based in the United Arab Emirates with which he had maintained business relations since 2017. He said their previous contracts had been successfully completed.

He told the court that Africa Medical Supplier had paid $400,000 in May 2024 and another $400,000 in December 2024, but that the second payment could not be completed because of an issue with ABZL's account. He said the contract required ABZL to provide an alternative account in such circumstances.

Shema also said a dispute between ABZL shareholders led one of them to take the cheques, add payment instructions and request that the money be paid into a US bank account. He questioned why cheques originally intended for payment in Dubai would be redirected to the United States.

Shema maintained that he would not flee if released and told the court that he owns assets worth more than Rwf5 billion that could be used as security.

His defence counsel challenged the validity and handling of the cheques, arguing that the bank had cancelled them on July 16, 2025, before the alleged offence date of August 5. The lawyer also pointed to a change in the payment destination from the UAE to a US bank account on June 25, 2025.

The defence asked the court to grant Shema bail, arguing that the dispute arose from a commercial contract rather than a personal criminal matter.

The defence also said they submitted evidence of a $600,000 payment made through BK and a letter requesting assistance from the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) to transfer the funds to the designated account.

The court also noted discrepancies in the cheques, including the fact that both bore the same cheque number. The original did not have a date, while the copy presented to the court was dated either August 5 or August 8, 2025. Both documents bore Shema's signature.

The prosecution, however, told the court that when RIB asked the bank whether the cheques were covered, the bank confirmed that they were not, noting that the Africa Medical Supplier account held just over $1,000.

After considering the submissions, the court remanded Shema in custody for 30 days as investigations continue.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/court-remands-shema-fabrice-for-30-days/

Figures released by the DRC Ministry of Health show that 6,186 people have contracted the virus, including 3,007 who have died, since the outbreak was declared in mid-May 2026. It is now the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak ever recorded.

The outbreak has mainly affected parts of eastern DRC, where efforts to contain its spread have been hampered by several challenges, including insecurity, attacks on health workers and limited medical infrastructure.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the outbreak could become the most serious Ebola epidemic on record, potentially surpassing the West Africa outbreak of 2014 to 2016, which killed about 11,000 people.

The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, one of the less common Ebola species. There is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for the virus.

Despite this, the DRC government continues to use the Ervebo vaccine, which has been used in previous Ebola outbreaks, with WHO saying it may help protect people who receive it.

The Ebola virus has so far spread to six provinces in the DRC.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/ebola-death-toll-in-dr-congo-surpasses-3000/

Amb. Nduhungirehe made the remarks in response to DRC Government Spokesperson and Minister of Information and Communication Patrick Muyaya, who welcomed the arrest of Denise Mukendi Dusauchoy in Tanzania and her transfer to Kinshasa on August 31, 2026.

Dusauchoy, who became widely known on social media platforms including TikTok, is accused of offences including spreading false information and inciting division among Congolese, in connection with messages she posted in support of AFC/M23.

Commenting on a statement by the DRC Ministry of Justice explaining Dusauchoy's arrest, Muyaya said she was the first person on a long list of wanted individuals and that justice would reach them wherever they were.

'She is the first on a long list. Wherever you are in the world, justice will reach you. As an example, we have a responsibility to protect our children, and therefore the State will do what is necessary,' Muyaya said.

Amb. Nduhungirehe responded that several people in the DRC, including Major General Sylvain Ekenge, MP Justin Bitakwira, Martin Fayulu, Jean-Claude Mubenga, Gabriel Mokia, Chancella Tshala Balandi and Kalonji Kabamba wa Mulumba, have made statements promoting hatred and division but have not been prosecuted.

'Meanwhile, those who, on social media and on state television in Kinshasa, openly engage in hate speech and genocide ideology against Congolese Tutsi are clearly on no 'list' and are therefore not being pursued by Congolese justice,' Amb. Nduhungirehe said.

He said some of the individuals were known in the DRC for referring to Congolese Tutsis as insects or as 'cockroaches and a virus that must be eradicated,' while others had called on Congolese not to marry them or had made statements calling for their extermination in the country.

Amb. Nduhungirehe also reminded Muyaya that instead of being prosecuted, some of these individuals, including MP Bitakwira, had been received by DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and his wife, Denise Nyakeru, with whom they took a commemorative photograph.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/minister-nduhungirehe-criticises-drc-over-inaction-on-hate-speech/

She made the remarks on Monday, August 31, 2026, during a visit by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Vice President Dr. Gérardine Mukeshimana and senior officials from several countries to projects aimed at adding value to milk production in Nyagatare District.

The delegation visited Nyagatare Daily Marketing Cooperative, which is supported by the Rwanda Dairy Development Project Phase II (RDDP II), funded by IFAD. They also visited private veterinary practitioners operating in Nyagatare and the Inyange powdered milk processing plant.

Rugamba Sam, who collects about 100 litres of milk per day, said farmers still face challenges in accessing high-yielding dairy cattle that would enable them to operate commercially.

He said that although dairy farming is profitable, farmers have yet to gain sufficient access to cattle capable of producing large quantities of milk.

Mukansanga Cecile, who keeps eight cows, said they produce about 50 litres of milk per day. However, during the dry season, production drops significantly, with her four lactating cows producing only slightly more than 10 litres per day.

She called for support to help farmers access cattle with higher milk yields.

Uwituze said Rwanda is continuing to promote livestock farming based on market demand.

'We currently have 30 bulls. This year, we renewed our stock and brought in 30 new ones, which are now available at our Isonga Centre. We have three breeds of dairy cattle, as well as breeds of beef cattle. We brought them in to provide breeding material for beef cattle to farmers. They are now doing well.'

Dr. Uwituze said the semen from the bulls will be used to improve cattle breeds among farmers and increase the availability of animals suited for both dairy and beef production.

She also said the government is testing a system that could allow farmers to access sexed semen from next year, enabling them to know whether the resulting calf will be male or female.

'There are investors we are talking to so that they can come and support us. The discussions are already underway.'

Meanwhile, IFAD Vice President Dr. Gérardine Mukeshimana called for greater investment in smallholder farmers and livestock keepers to enable them to meet market demand.

She said 70 percent of agricultural and livestock production comes from smallholder farmers and called for efforts to build their capacity so they can increase production and better meet market needs.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/rwanda-gets-30-bulls-to-improve-dairy-and-beef-production/

Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has laid out three steps that could put an end to the security crisis in neighbouring DR Congo.

Olivier Nduhungirehe elaborated on these steps during the fifth ministerial meeting on the peace and security eastern DR Congo attended by his counterparts Therese Kayikwamba Wagner of DR Congo and Tete Antonio of Angola, in the Angolan capital Luanda on October 12.

Nduhungirehe reiterated that the conflict, which has caused a diplomatic rift between Rwanda and DR Congo would be solved if the latter took 'ownership of this crisis' instead of blaming Rwanda for it.

A coalition of the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) has been fighting the M23 rebels in North Kivu since November 2021. The FARDC coalition has since grown to include forces from Burundi, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and militias such as the genocidal FDLR and local groups known as Wazalendo.

'Actually, the solution to this crisis in Eastern DRC is not that complicated when you look at it. We need political will, just political will on the side of DRC,' the minister said.

First, Nduhungirehe said the Congolese government needs to 'take ownership of this crisis, stop scapegoating Rwanda in all official visits and international conferences, and find a lasting solution to the conflict.'

'This should be done through a direct political dialogue with the M23, addressing the root causes of the crisis, which include hate speech, historical marginalization, discrimination and persecution of the Congolese Tutsi,' Nduhungirehe said.

Second, he noted that the Congolese government should 'neutralize, in good faith, the FDLR génocidaires, who not only are embedded in the Congolese army, but are also spreading genocide ideology within the FARDC coalition and in the whole region.'

The FDLR, which was founded by perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, has launched attacks on Rwanda for more than two decades. Its links with the Congolese military and political leaders have on various occasions pointed out by the Rwandan government and United Nations.

For Nduhungirehe, the third step to end the conflict in eastern DR Congo should be the disengagement of the Burundian troops and the SADC mission (SAMIDRC).

'The African countries that provided troops to fight alongside the FARDC/FDLR coalition (Burundi and SAMIDRC contingents), as well as the European mercenaries, which were deployed in violation of the international law, [should] think twice about their presence in eastern DRC, which is fueling an already tense situation,' the Rwandan minister said.

'Should the DRC have the political will to take those important steps, this would significantly contribute to the resolution of the long-standing conflict in eastern DRC,' Nduhungirehe said, adding that 'Rwanda is willing to support this process.'

The post Nduhungirehe lays out three steps to end DR Congo security crisis appeared first on The Custom Reports.

Source : https://thecustomreports.com/nduhungirehe-lays-out-three-steps-to-end-dr-congo-security-crisis/

The group gathered at the Kigali City offices before beginning the journey to Musanze, where they are expected to arrive on September 3. On September 4, they will travel to Kinigi to attend Kwita Izina.

Speaking to IGIHE before their departure, Bazongere said the group would spend the first night at Nyirangarama before continuing to Musanze the following day.

'We will spend two days on the journey. Today, we will spend the night at Nyirangarama, and tomorrow, September 3, 2026, we will spend the night in Musanze,' she said.

Bazongere organised the journey, dubbed 'Imbaraga Gorilla Walk'. She is passionate about sports and has previously organised various walking journeys to raise awareness about different causes.

She said the initiative is intended to use the journey as a way to promote environmental conservation and encourage people to take part in protecting Rwanda's natural heritage.

'The goal is not simply to walk, but to use our journey as a way to promote healthy living, promote tourism in Rwanda and encourage people to play a role in conserving our natural heritage,' Bazongere said.

Bazongere said 'Imbaraga Gorilla Walk 2026' brings together sport, wellbeing, tourism and environmental conservation, while also promoting efforts to protect mountain gorillas and other wildlife.

The walk comes as Rwanda prepares to host the 2026 Kwita Izina ceremony in Kinigi on September 4, an annual event that celebrates the conservation of mountain gorillas and brings together local and international conservationists, tourists, officials and other stakeholders.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/more-than-20-set-off-on-foot-from-kigali-to-musanze-ahead-of-kwita-izina/

The discussions focused on the role of capital markets in mobilising long-term capital, attracting domestic and international investment, and broadening financing options for enterprises. They also considered the importance of deeper and more competitive capital markets in supporting private-sector growth and Rwanda's wider economic priorities.

Chairperson Holtzman expressed his appreciation to President Kagame for his leadership and continued support for the development of Rwanda's capital markets.

Chairperson Holtzman noted 'Thank you, Your Excellency President Kagame for your visionary and inspirational leadership. Every day you motivate us to work harder and do better for our great country. Thank you for the opportunity to serve and to try to make a difference.'

He was joined by Blair Richardson, founder of Denver-based Bow River Capital, a US$7.5 billion private equity fund; Dan Green, CEO of JA Green Development, the largest operator of a logistics hub at America's third-largest airport in Denver; and Korab Toplica, CEO of Mabetex Africa, a US$8 billion Swiss-based construction and development company.

Chairperson Holtzman also commended President Kagame for his support for Rwanda's capital market development and the broader reform agenda that has strengthened the country's investment environment.

He noted the importance of a sound policy and regulatory framework in attracting capital, widening access to finance and positioning the capital markets as a key source of long-term funding for Rwanda's economy.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/president-kagame-meets-capital-markets-authority-chairperson-marc-holtzman/

Ndikuriyo had planned to travel to Kigali with Aigle Noir FC for its CAF Champions League qualifying match against Sudan's Al-Hilal.

He revealed his plans to journalists on August 22, 2026, while discussing CNDD-FDD activities.

'Do you think I am afraid of Kigali? After all, I am an officer! Do you think there is an everlasting fire? The only thing is that I do not know how my work schedule will be because we plan things day by day. So, if the Eagles [Aigle] were going to Kigali to play football, would I miss going there to enjoy myself? Only work would prevent me from going there,' Ndikuriyo said.

Sources familiar with the matter said Ndikuriyo's planned four-day visit raised concerns for President Évariste Ndayishimiye amid strained relations between Burundi and Rwanda.

According to the sources, Ndayishimiye questioned the CNDD-FDD Secretary General about why it was necessary for him to accompany his team to Rwanda and instructed him not to travel to Kigali.

Although the trip was presented as an effort to support Aigle Noir FC, analysts say Ndikuriyo's political influence in Burundi made the planned visit more significant than an ordinary football trip.

Some CNDD-FDD members and opposition figures describe Ndikuriyo as one of the party's influential figures with the political weight to challenge Ndayishimiye.

He is also said to have a strong following at the grassroots level of the ruling party, making his movements and activities a subject of close attention from the country's top leadership.

Against this background, his planned stay in Kigali for several days was viewed by some as having political implications beyond football.

Burundi-Rwanda relations remain strained

The reported disagreement comes as relations between Burundi and Rwanda remain tense.
Burundi closed its land borders with Rwanda after accusing Kigali of supporting the RED-Tabara rebel group, which opposes the government in Gitega. Rwanda has denied the allegations.

The strained relations have affected movement between the two countries, cross-border trade and other activities involving their citizens.

Analysts say the prospect of a senior CNDD-FDD official spending several days in Kigali may have been viewed through a political lens rather than as a routine sporting trip.

The episode also highlights how tensions between Burundi and Rwanda can extend beyond politics into areas such as sport and business.

In 2024, Burundi's Dynamo BBC refused to wear jerseys bearing the 'Visit Rwanda' logo after the country's basketball federation, FEBABU, instructed the team not to display the sponsor's branding amid worsening relations between the two countries.

Dynamo BBC was taking part in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) at the time. The team was forfeited after refusing to play in the sponsor-branded jerseys and was subsequently eliminated from the competition.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/ndikuriyos-planned-kigali-trip-takes-an-unexpected-turn-at-the-top-in-burundi/