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A report by the AfricaNenda Foundation, an organisation that promotes instant payment systems across Africa, shows that the continent currently has 36 IPS platforms operating in 31 African countries.

The report indicates that total transaction volumes increased by an average annual growth rate of 35%, reaching over 64 billion transactions in 2024. Total transaction values increased by an average annual rate of 26% from $775.5 billion in 2020 to $1.98 trillion in 2024.

The rise of digital payments in Africa

Instant Payment Systems (IPS) are among the innovations introduced across Africa to make financial services easier and more accessible. Previously, making payments, depositing money, or withdrawing cash often required physical visits to banks or financial institutions.

This process was time-consuming and inconvenient. However, as technology advanced, financial institutions introduced various digital solutions for transferring money.

This led to the growth Mobile Money services, Mobile banking applications, USSD-based financial services, all of which have made it easier for people to send and receive money.

However, while these solutions reduced the need for frequent trips to financial institutions, they also created another challenge: the emergence of multiple payment systems operated separately by different financial institutions.

To address this challenge, banks, telecommunications companies, and other financial service providers began working together to enable interoperability, allowing customers to transfer money between different banks and mobile money platforms.

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of AfricaNenda Foundation, Sabine F. Mensah, said Africa's digital payment sector has reached an encouraging stage of development.

'Between 2024 and 2025, five new IPSs came live, which is the highest number of IPS in a given year since we've started tracking the ecosystem with the first SIPS 2022 report,' she said.

However, Mensah noted that challenges remain, with more than 400 million Africans still relying on traditional methods of transferring and payment methods.

She explained that this is mainly because some countries have not yet introduced modern payment systems, while in countries where such systems exist, many are still not fully interconnected.

'The inclusivity and interoperability journey remains a challenge. Although we already have 50% of the systems that are cross-domain, 18 out of 36, it also means that there are still 18 more that are not,' she said

'That is the reason why we are focused on driving inclusivity of this instant payment system and working with the different countries and IPSs to ensure that inclusivity is top of mind and is being developed across here in time to meet the needs of consumers and ensure that all have access to financial services through instant payment systems,' she added

Rwanda has addressed the interoperability challenge

On July 14, 2026, Rwanda rolled out eKash, a new fast and fully interoperable payment system.

eKash is a digital payment platform that connects different financial institutions, allowing customers to send and receive money and make payments between licensed financial service providers.

The system aims to make digital payments more accessible, secure, affordable, and available to everyone.

The platform has gained significant adoption. By August 6, 2026, eKash had processed more than 10.5 million transactions, with the total value exceeding Rwf 960 billion.

The number of users making payments between different financial institutions increased by 166%.

Digital payments are reducing costs and boosting economic activity

Economic analyst Teddy Kaberuka said increased adoption of digital payment services helps countries reduce the costs associated with producing and managing physical money.

'Using cash has a high cost because producing banknotes and coins is expensive. In some cases, producing money can cost up to 20% of its value. However, with digital payments, such costs are significantly reduced because fewer physical notes and coins are needed,' he said.

He added that digital payments also increase the movement of money within the economy.

'Another advantage of instant payment systems is that they increase liquidity flow. Money moves faster, economic activities continue without interruption, and more transactions can happen within a shorter period,' he explained.

Kaberuka, however, stressed that protecting users' financial information and educating citizens about fraud prevention remain key priorities as digital payments continue to grow.

The FinScope 2024 survey showed that 96% of Rwandans have access to financial services.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/1-98-trillion-in-transactions-a-year-inside-africas-growing-digital-payment-ecosystem/

Organised by Sion Foundation, a Christian organisation registered in Rwanda, the festival will begin at 1pm and bring together Gospel music lovers, churches, families and young people for an afternoon of music, worship, entertainment and messages centred on faith, hope and positive social change.

The lineup also includes MD and other Christian performers, with organisers saying the event will use music and creative arts to encourage young people to make positive and purposeful choices.

Beyond entertainment, the festival will feature initiatives targeting education, savings and access to health insurance.

Chancen International will provide 1,000 young people aged 18 to 35 with opportunities to pursue education through a study-now, pay-later model. The initiative will cover bachelor's degree programmes, short courses and professional training, allowing beneficiaries to defer payment under applicable arrangements.

The festival will also promote participation in Ejo Heza, Rwanda's long-term savings programme, by providing attendees with a starting contribution towards subscriptions.

Sion Foundation will further support social programmes aimed at helping vulnerable people access Mutuelle de Santé, Rwanda's community-based health insurance scheme.

Organisers say the initiatives are intended to make the festival a platform for spiritual, educational, social and economic empowerment, particularly among young people.

Rabagirana Festival 2026 will later continue in Muhanga, Ruhango and Rubavu as part of a nationwide outreach programme.

The organisers say the festival seeks to encourage young people to embrace faith, education, entrepreneurship, professional development and responsible citizenship while avoiding drug abuse, alcoholism and other destructive behaviours.

The Bugesera event is open to the public, with young people, churches, families and communities in Bugesera and surrounding areas invited to attend.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/gaby-kamanzi-thatien-titus-to-headline-rabagirana-festival-in-bugesera/

RSSB announced on August 27, 2026 that it had acquired the remaining shares in Inyange Industries Ltd, one of Rwanda's leading food and beverage processors, and Ruliba Clays Ltd, a manufacturer of clay-based construction materials.

The transactions brought RSSB's ownership in both companies to 100 percent, after it previously held 40 percent of Inyange and 50 percent of Ruliba.

Five days later, on September 1, RSSB announced that it had completed the acquisition of the entire shareholding in BK General Insurance Ltd (BKGI) for Rwf31.7 billion. BKGI will now be integrated with RSSB's existing insurance businesses, SONARWA General Insurance and SONARWA Life Assurance.

In an exclusive interview with IGIHE, RSSB Chief Executive Officer Regis Rugemanshuro said the acquisitions reflect a broader shift in how the pension fund intends to manage its growing investment portfolio.

'The short answer is that RSSB is entering its next phase as an investor, and these businesses are entering theirs,' Rugemanshuro said.

RSSB's assets under management reached Rwf3.9 trillion at the end of June 2026, having doubled over the previous five years. The institution generated investment returns of 15.06 percent, equivalent to about Rwf401 billion, in 2024–2025 and 12.8 percent, or approximately Rwf438 billion, in 2025–2026.

Rugemanshuro said the growth has given RSSB greater capacity to invest, but also places greater responsibility on the institution to ensure members' money is deployed prudently.

Under its new five-year strategy, RSSB is seeking to get more value from businesses it already owns while identifying investments capable of generating sustainable, long-term, risk-adjusted returns.

Why take full ownership?

For Inyange and Ruliba, RSSB was already familiar with the businesses and had participated in financing their productive capacity.

Inyange's revenues increased from Rwf28 billion in 2021 to Rwf68.9 billion in 2025, while its profit after tax reached Rwf1.35 billion last year.

Its milk powder plant can process up to 650,000 litres of fresh milk per day into products including milk powder, butter, ghee and UHT milk. RSSB sees significant room to increase utilisation, develop new products, improve distribution and expand exports.

Ruliba, meanwhile, has more than doubled its annual production capacity following the construction of a second plant, from roughly 62,000 tonnes to more than 126,000 tonnes.

Rugemanshuro said the timing of the acquisitions is important because the companies are moving from investing heavily in production capacity to generating greater commercial value from those investments.

'That is why the timing matters. We are acquiring greater control just as these businesses move from building capacity to realising its full commercial value,' he said.

Full ownership, he added, will allow RSSB to make decisions faster, align capital allocation with strategy and establish clearer accountability for performance.

But RSSB does not necessarily intend to remain the sole owner forever.

Once the companies become stronger, the institution could bring in strategic or institutional investors or consider public listings.

'Full ownership is not a trophy. It is a platform for value creation and gives us the freedom to choose the future ownership structure that best serves members,' Rugemanshuro said.

Building a larger insurance business

BKGI presents a different opportunity. The insurer's profit after tax increased from Rwf2.7 billion in 2021 to Rwf4.7 billion in 2025. RSSB valued the company at approximately Rwf32 billion and subjected the transaction to independent valuation and scrutiny.

Rugemanshuro said the objective is not simply to combine insurance companies to reduce costs, but to build a stronger Rwandan insurer capable of handling larger risks.

'The ambition goes well beyond combining businesses to reduce costs. We want to build a Rwandan insurance champion with the scale, capital, expertise and technology to compete at a much higher level,' he said.

The larger group could participate more meaningfully in risks linked to infrastructure, energy, aviation, manufacturing and construction, while also developing new products and improving customer service.
RSSB ultimately wants the insurance platform to compete regionally, potentially with the involvement of a strategic partner.

What does this mean for members?

Rugemanshuro says the central test for all three acquisitions remains whether they protect and grow members' savings.

'A pension fund does not protect your savings by putting them in a vault. It protects them by investing them prudently so that they grow and are available when benefits fall due,' he said.
Diversifying across sectors also reduces RSSB's dependence on a single industry or source of returns.

The fund expects the businesses to improve their performance over time, but Rugemanshuro cautioned against judging every investment by the headline return of the entire RSSB portfolio.

A manufacturing company, insurer and government bond have different risk and cash-flow characteristics, he explained. What matters is whether each investment produces an appropriate return relative to its risk.

Over the next 12 to 24 months, Rugemanshuro said, members should look for higher capacity utilisation and broader product availability at Inyange, increased production and market reach at Ruliba, and a disciplined execution of the insurance consolidation.

From Rwanda to regional markets

RSSB's ambitions extend beyond strengthening the companies' positions in Rwanda.

For Inyange, the immediate focus is on increasing production, strengthening the agricultural supply chain and expanding exports. Greater utilisation of the milk powder plant is expected to create additional demand for quality milk, potentially giving farmers more predictable markets.

At Ruliba, the new production capacity is expected to serve Rwanda's construction industry while opening greater opportunities for exports.

The same regional ambition applies to insurance, although through a different model involving regional corporate clients, partnerships and potentially direct market entry.

'Regional expansion must improve returns, diversify earnings and strengthen the business,' Rugemanshuro said.

A more active RSSB

The acquisitions point to a broader ambition for RSSB to become a more sophisticated institutional investor while remaining focused on its core social-security mandate.

Rugemanshuro said RSSB will become more active as an owner where intervention can genuinely improve performance, but it will not seek control simply for the sake of control.

As its asset base grows, RSSB also expects to gradually increase investment outside Rwanda to reduce concentration risk and strengthen portfolio resilience.

'We will be active where active ownership can genuinely change the outcome. We will not seek control where it adds complexity without adding value,' he said.

Ultimately, Rugemanshuro says the success of the latest acquisitions will be judged not by the number of companies RSSB owns, but by whether those businesses become more profitable, more competitive and more valuable while generating sustainable returns for members.

'Ultimately, the test is simple: did we protect members' capital, grow it meaningfully and build businesses that are more valuable because RSSB owned them?'

Five years from now, he wants to see Inyange supporting a stronger agricultural value chain and expanding into regional markets, Ruliba contributing to Rwanda's industrial and construction capacity, and the insurance group becoming financially stronger, more innovative and capable of underwriting larger risks.

For RSSB, the wider objective is to build an institution capable of protecting today's members while ensuring it has the financial strength to meet the obligations of future generations.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/rssbs-recent-acquisitions-value-for-members-and-investment-outlook-an-exclusive-with-ceo-regis-rugemanshuro/

The problem was found during routine preparations for the mission. Engineers detected an oxidizer leak, involving a chemical that helps fuel burn inside the spacecraft's propulsion system and allows the vehicle to maneuver in space.

NASA and SpaceX are now carrying out additional tests and reviewing data to understand the problem. Any necessary repairs will be completed before the spacecraft is cleared for launch.

NASA has not yet announced a new launch date.

Crew-13 will carry four astronauts to the International Space Station.

NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney will serve as the mission's commander and pilot.

They will be joined by Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov, who will serve as mission specialists.

Once they arrive at the International Space Station, the four will become part of Expedition 75. The crew will support scientific research, maintenance and other activities aboard the orbiting laboratory.

Before travelling to space, the astronauts will spend about two weeks in quarantine at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The measure is designed to reduce the risk of them becoming sick shortly before the mission.

When the spacecraft is ready, Crew-13 will travel aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, which is designed to transport astronauts to and from orbit.

The Dragon will be launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

NASA and SpaceX will announce a new launch date after engineers complete their testing, review the spacecraft's data and carry out any necessary repairs.

For now, the priority is to make sure the spacecraft is safe before the astronauts begin their journey to the International Space Station.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/nasa-delays-crew-13-launch-after-leak-found-on-spacex-dragon/

The six-day trade fair was officially opened by Mozambique's President, Daniel Francisco Chapo, at a ceremony attended by Rwanda's High Commissioner to Mozambique, Col (Rtd) Donat Ndamage.

The exhibition has brought together 29 countries, including Rwanda, with products and services from 300 foreign companies and 1,950 Mozambican businesses on display.

The Rwandan delegation comprises entrepreneurs involved in processing agricultural products, manufacturing leather shoes and bags, and producing hair oils.

The businesses travelled from Kigali with the aim of expanding their market presence in Mozambique and exploring investment opportunities in the country.

President Chapo visited various exhibitors at the fair, learning about the products and the distinctive activities of each business.

He also visited the Rwandan exhibitors accompanied by High Commissioner Ndamage and was briefed on their products.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/rwandan-businesses-participate-in-international-trade-fair-in-mozambique/

Messi made the announcement on Monday, August 31, 2026, through an emotional message shared on his Instagram account.

The announcement comes weeks after Argentina's 1-0 defeat to Spain in extra time in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on July 19, 2026.

The painful defeat at MetLife Stadium ended Argentina's hopes of defending the World Cup title they won in Qatar in 2022, when Messi finally lifted the trophy that had eluded him for much of his career.

Although many expected Messi to announce his decision immediately after the World Cup final, he revealed that he had written his farewell message on July 21, just two days after the tournament ended.

However, he delayed making the announcement following a private family tragedy.

His father, Jorge Messi, had been battling severe health problems during the tournament and died on August 8, 2026.

'Today, after what happened with my dad, I'm even more convinced of this decision than before,' Messi wrote in a poignant Spanish message shared with his fans.

'It is a decision that hurts my soul, but I know it is time. I have emptied myself: now I have nothing more to give.'

Messi made his senior Argentina debut in 2005 and leaves the national team as its all-time leader in both appearances and goals.

He ended his international career with 207 appearances and 125 goals.

His journey with Argentina was marked by both painful defeats and historic triumphs.

After losing the 2014 FIFA World Cup final to Germany and suffering consecutive defeats in the Copa América finals, Messi briefly retired from international football in 2016 before later reversing his decision.

His perseverance was eventually rewarded with three major international trophies.

He led Argentina to victory at the 2021 Copa América, followed by the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He then helped the country win the 2024 Copa América.

These victories cemented his status as one of the most successful players in Argentina's football history.

Messi's retirement from international football does not mark the end of his playing career.

The forward will continue playing club football in the United States with Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer.

He is under contract with the club through the 2027 season.

Messi leaves the Argentina national team as its most decorated player, bringing to a close one of the most remarkable international careers in football history.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/lionel-messi-announces-retirement-from-argentina-national-team/

The AFC/M23 coalition and the MRDP-Twirwaneho movement have controlled Point-Zéro since the night of July 3-4, 2026. The area was previously controlled by the Congolese army, Burundian troops and Wazalendo militia.

According to reliable sources involved in the preparations, the Congolese government has increased the number of troops and military equipment deployed in the province ahead of planned operations targeting positions held by AFC/M23 and Twirwaneho.

The number of foreign mercenaries operating in the area also increased towards the end of August. American and Colombian mercenaries reportedly increased from 10 to 35 and are operating around Lusuku and Alaba, near Point-Zéro, alongside members of the DRC's special forces unit known as Hiboux.

The mercenaries are expected to take part in specialised operations, including directing air strikes and operating attack drones targeting AFC/M23 and Twirwaneho positions.

On August 28, the Congolese army increased its troop presence in several parts of Uvira Territory, including Murunga, Munanira, Ndolera, Kashabiro and Lemera.

On the night of August 29, a Hiboux battalion moved from the Bilende area in Fizi Territory towards Point-Zéro.

The preparations come as Congolese and Burundian troops, together with Wazalendo fighters, continue to deploy in areas surrounding the Minembwe commune in Fizi, Uvira and Mwenga territories.

Sources also reported that the Congolese army has continued to send military equipment through Burundi. Between August 5 and 7, three aircraft reportedly travelled from Kinshasa to Bujumbura carrying equipment before it was transported to South Kivu.

On August 9 and 10, Burundian military vehicles carrying troops, equipment and military drones reportedly crossed the Gatumba-Kavimvira border towards Baraka in Fizi Territory.

The Chief of Staff of the Congolese Armed Forces, Lt Gen Banza Mwilambwe Jules, and his Burundian counterpart, Gen Prime Niyongabo, also travelled to Kalemie in early August, where they followed preparations for planned operations in Minembwe.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/drc-deploys-more-troops-and-foreign-mercenaries-in-bid-to-retake-point-zero/

Researchers at Columbia University's Zuckerman Institute found that microglia, immune cells that play an important role in protecting and developing the brain, take several years to mature in humans.

The findings suggest that the unusually slow development of these cells could be one of the factors behind the complexity and cognitive abilities of the human brain.

Microglia are the brain's most abundant immune cells. Besides protecting the brain from harmful substances and helping remove damaged cells, they also play an important role in shaping developing brain circuits.

Researchers found that human microglia can take approximately four to eight years to mature. By comparison, microglia in mice reach maturity in about three weeks.

The study focused on SRGAP2, a gene with copies that emerged specifically in humans.

Earlier research had shown that these human-specific copies influence neurons by increasing the number of connections between them while slowing the process through which those connections mature.

In the latest study, scientists made an unexpected discovery. The human-specific copies of SRGAP2 were found to be nearly 10 times more abundant in microglia than in neurons.

Experiments involving mice and human cells showed that the gene significantly slows the development of human microglia.

Scientists believe this slow developmental process may allow microglia and neurons to develop in coordination, helping shape the sophisticated networks found in the human brain.

The researchers linked the finding to a process known as neoteny, in which human development occurs over a much longer period compared with many other mammals.

The extended development of the human brain is believed to contribute to the emergence of advanced cognitive abilities.

The researchers now want to understand more precisely how SRGAP2 controls the development of microglia and other brain cells.

They also hope the findings could provide new insight into conditions involving brain development and degeneration, since microglia have been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.

The study, published in the journal Neuron, provides new evidence that the distinctive development of the human brain may depend not only on neurons but also on the immune cells that help organize and maintain brain circuits.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/scientists-identify-gene-linked-to-the-unique-development-of-the-human-brain/

The celebration was held on August 29, 2026, and was attended by Rwanda's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Johnston Busingye, who joined members of the Rwandan community and friends of Rwanda.

Held in Oxford, the event provided an opportunity for Rwandans living in the UK to come together, preserve their cultural heritage and share Rwanda's values with friends and other members of the wider community.

Umuganura is traditionally known as a celebration of the harvest. Today, however, it carries a broader meaning, providing an opportunity to reflect on achievements, express gratitude and remind individuals of their role in the development of their families, communities and country.

For Rwandans living in the UK, the celebration also served as an opportunity to preserve Rwandan culture and its values while passing them on to younger generations.

High Commissioner Johnston Busingye stressed the importance of preserving Rwanda's values.

'Umuganura reminds us that wherever Rwandans live, our values of unity, gratitude, hard work and shared responsibility remain with us,' he said.

He added that as Rwandans celebrate their achievements, they should also reflect on the contribution each person can make to the wider community and Rwanda's development.

Young people were given particular attention during the celebration, with children and Rwandans who grew up in the UK given an opportunity to learn about the traditions, values and history passed down by their parents and elders.

Organisers said preserving Rwandan culture does not prevent Rwandans from integrating into the wider UK community. Instead, they said, it helps them maintain a connection with their roots and better understand their cultural identity.

Friends of Rwanda also attended the celebration, giving them an opportunity to learn more about Rwandan culture and its values while engaging with a community whose members come from diverse backgrounds but are connected by their life in the UK.

Participants learned more about Rwanda through its culture, values and the experiences of its people.

Community leaders thanked those who attended and encouraged Rwandans living in the UK to continue organising activities that bring people together and strengthen connections between generations.

The Umuganura celebration also highlighted the role of the Rwandan diaspora in strengthening ties between Rwanda and the United Kingdom.

Rwandans living in the UK continue to contribute to different sectors, including business, education, healthcare, technology, entrepreneurship and community development.

The celebration also provided an opportunity to look ahead, with participants emphasising the importance of continued cooperation, contribution and collective efforts for the benefit of future generations.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/rwandans-in-uk-celebrate-umuganura/

BK Group said the transaction covers its entire shareholding in the insurance company and values each of the 3 million ordinary shares at Rwf 10,567, based on an independent valuation. The initial price was Rwf 1,000 per share.

The completion of the transaction is part of BK Group's consolidation strategy, under which the Group is focusing on two core businesses: commercial banking through Bank of Kigali Plc and investment banking through BK Capital Ltd.

According to the notice, the strategy places emphasis on 'product diversification, market expansion, cross-collaboration synergies and a strengthened capital markets offering.'

BK Group said the sale of BKGI reflects this shift as it concentrates its operations on banking and investment banking.

The Group has also completed the integration of BK Techouse Ltd (BKTH) into Bank of Kigali Plc.

Under the integration, BKTH's assets, technology platforms and relevant contracts have been transferred to Bank of Kigali, while the technology functions previously performed by the company will continue under the bank's Digital division.

BK Group said the change will not disrupt customer services and that BKTH has ceased to operate as a separate subsidiary.

Proceeds from the transaction enabled BKTH to settle all its liabilities, with any surplus remaining at the closure of the company to be transferred to BK Group.

The integration will have no effect on BK Group's consolidated net asset value, according to the notice.

Both transactions received the required regulatory clearances, including non-objections from the National Bank of Rwanda.

BK Group said the two developments are aligned with its efforts to streamline the Group and strengthen its focus on its core banking and investment banking businesses.

The move follows RSSB's acquisition last month of all the remaining shares in Inyange Industries and Ruliba Clays, two companies that were subsidiaries of Crystal Ventures Ltd (CVL).

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/rssb-completes-acquisition-of-bk-general-insurance/