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The new digital systems, unveiled in collaboration with the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), aim to enhance transparency in cargo movement, reduce smuggling, and streamline tax collection on goods imported from East African Community (EAC) member states such as Uganda and Kenya.

With the implementation of RECTS, South Sudanese traders can now track their land cargo in real time, from port of origin to final destination with the E-permit system mandating upfront tax payment before cargo is released for transportation.

This dual approach is expected to significantly minimize delays and eliminate revenue leakages.

'These are major milestones in fostering regional integration and enhancing revenue mobilization for our sister country,' said Hajji Asadu Kigozi Kisitu, Acting Commissioner of the URA Customs Department, who represented the URA Commissioner General during the launch in Kampala.

'Back in 2002, we had to escort cargo across borders manually. Today, we embrace technology for safer, faster, and more accountable cargo movement.'

The E-permit system specifically targets high-risk goods including cigarettes, alcohol, electronics, shisha tobacco, cosmetics, and motor vehicles; commodities often linked to smuggling operations.

SSRA Commissioner General Simon Akuei Deng emphasized that the modernization of customs systems is key to improving security, regulatory compliance, and public revenue. 'By implementing these systems, we are aligning with international best practices. Our commitment is to end the perception of South Sudan as a smuggling corridor,' he stated.

Both URA and SSRA believe the technology will not only improve accountability but also address long-standing concerns from regional partners such as the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), which have incurred losses due to cross-border smuggling.

As regional trade continues to expand, Kisitu highlighted the critical role of digital solutions in protecting economic integrity. 'These systems will ensure that taxes are paid, cargo is monitored, and the region remains secure,' he said.

The launch marks a significant move toward deeper EAC customs integration and is seen as a model for future cooperation among member states.

Commissioner General Simon Akuei tags the E-Seal on a consignment heading to South Sudan from Uganda on Friday, March 28, 2025.

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The center is designed to equip students with deep technical expertise, enabling them to develop locally relevant software that also meets global standards.

'So rather than Africa being just consumers, we now are creators and contribute to the global ecosystem of open-source products and open-source software,' said Conrad Tucker, Director of CMU Africa.

Beyond fostering innovation, the center also aims to enhance Africa’s technological autonomy, allowing governments to develop and maintain their own software rather than relying on external providers.

'For ample, if the government of Rwanda has a software that is developed and implemented domestically. If that software needs to be updated or replaced, rather than always going externally, we have locally homegrown technical talent that can either develop the software, maintain it, and even export it so that this can also be a new source of revenue for our countries.' Tucker explained.

The establishment of the digital public infrastructure labs, has been made possible through a multi-year partnership with the Gates Foundation.

Conrad Tucker (R), Director of CMU Africa, alongside other officials unveiled the digital experience center.

A hub for African digital innovation

This center is a key initiative supporting Africa’s digital transformation, according to Assane Gueye, Co-Director of the Upanzi Network and an associate teaching professor at CMU Africa.

'Africa is going digital, there are technologies that we need to support that. Often people want to see technology in action, go to India, Europe, or China and this is an opportunity for us as African countries to step up,' Gueye pointed out.

A major objective of the center is to provide a space where African leaders can explore emerging technologies firsthand. 'The people working on these solutions are the sons and daughters of Africa. They know the challenges, they build the solutions, and the digital experience center is a place where we showcase them.'

Among the innovations already underway is a digital ID system, which will allow governments to transition from physical ID cards to secure digital identities. 'We create a digital ID for the citizen and give them access to services that the government is offering, showcasing how digital ID can help in the country,' Gueye explained.

Assane Gueye (C), Co-Director of the Upanzi Network explains how this center is a key initiative supporting Africa’s digital transformation.

One of the most promising projects showcased at the center is a Malaria Diagnosis App, co-developed by Eric Maniraguha, a research associate and geospatial analyst at CMU Africa. The app leverages machine learning to streamline malaria diagnosis, reducing the time and effort required for manual testing.

'We are trying to digitalize the malaria diagnosis process. We are working on this by collecting data from health centers, validating it with RBC, and using machine learning to identify and classify malaria parasites,' Maniraguha explained.

While still undergoing optimization, the app is expected to improve diagnostic accuracy and efficiency. 'This will reduce the time required for diagnosis and also automate the process,' he noted.

Another major focus of the center is bridging the digital divide, particularly in rural areas. Unlike traditional research institutions, the digital experience center prioritizes real-world problem-solving.

It is expected set to become a regional hub for digital innovation, allowing policymakers, researchers, and entrepreneurs to explore, test, and implement new technologies.

The center is designed to equip students with deep technical expertise, enabling them to develop locally relevant software that also meets global standards.

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Her statement shared on X follows a controversial discussion initiated by President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC on March 31, 2025, regarding what he referred to as “Genocide for Economic Gains.”

Tshisekedi claimed that over 10 million Congolese have suffered over the past three decades, blaming neighboring countries like Rwanda and armed groups such as M23 for the devastation. Tshisekedi stressed that the international community should recognize this alleged genocide.

'A week before the commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi, so-called leaders from the DRC have openly shown what we have long known: genocide denial has deep roots in DRC’s politics,' Nyombayire remarked.

Nyombayire pointed out the DRC government’s failures, where armed groups have been entrusted with leadership roles while the country’s political elite focused on personal enrichment by plundering national resources.

She also criticized the government’s tendency to externalize blame, rather than address internal problems.

'After decades as a failed state, delegating governance to armed groups because leaders are too busy stealing the nation’s resources to buy castles in Belgium, DRC has traded in threats of 'à la moindre escarmouche’ for a new low: Inventing a genocide to cover up the truth of their own failures,” Nyombayire explained.

'The deaths that occurred and are still occurring today are the result of the inability to govern, to look beyond personal interest, and to protect citizens,' she added.

Nyombayire reminded the public that the same government now invoking the Genocide Convention was the one that integrated the genocidal group FDLR into its military forces, all while continuing to deny basic rights to its citizens, subjecting them to violence and even death based on their identity.

Since February 2025, leaders from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have been working on solutions to bring peace to eastern DRC and the surrounding region.

However, Nyombayire emphasized that the DRC government continues to evade responsibility, turning victims into perpetrators and distracting from the essential work of finding a lasting solution.

The Presidential Press Secretary, Stephanie Nyombayire, has criticized leaders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for inventing a narrative of genocide to deflect attention from their own failures.

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Speaking on Sanny Ntayombya’s Long Form podcast, Rwabukumba revealed that a single government bond, costing just RWF 100,000 and yielding 11% annually, offers a low-risk way to beat bank savings rates and build long-term wealth.

'It’s as easy as opening a bank account,' he told the host.

According to Rwabukumba, a government bond at RWF 100,000 pays 11% a year—far outstripping the 8-9% interest typical savings accounts provide.

'Buy ten bonds for 1 million RWF, and every six months, you’d get about RWF 55,000 —totaling RWF 110,000 yearly,' he explained.

'After three years, you get your 1 million back,” he added.

Reinvesting the interest allows the magic of compounding to kick in, with the CEO disclosing that RWF 1 million doubles to 2 million in roughly six years and climbs toward 3 million in a decade.

For a young Rwandan making RWF 200,000 a month, Rwabukumba suggested setting aside RWF 50,000 regularly. That habit alone could accumulate to RWF 6 million in ten years.

'It’s not about the size of the savings,' he emphasized, 'but the discipline behind it.'

While private bonds might tempt with 14% returns, he prefers the government variety for their safety.

'Sure, a government could go broke,' he acknowledged with a shrug, 'but a nation keeps going—and Rwanda’s track record is solid.'

A Market Hungry for More

Under Rwabukumba’s leadership, the Rwanda Stock Exchange has demonstrated robust demand. He highlighted that every initial public offering since the exchange’s inception in 2011 has been oversubscribed by at least threefold, citing examples like Bank of Kigali’s $100 million raise and Bralirwa’s RWF 17 billion listing.

'We’ve never seen an undersubscription,' he stated, underscoring the market’s strength.

However, secondary market activity remains subdued, with investors holding onto bonds and shares. This year’s trading volume reached RWF 100 billion, a significant increase from periods of near-zero activity in prior years, though liquidity remains a challenge.

Rwabukumba also noted the $500 million in annual remittances from Rwanda’s diaspora as a potential catalyst.

'That’s capital from our own citizens,' he explained, suggesting it could finance infrastructure projects like roads or the Bugesera Airport, reducing reliance on foreign aid.

He views this as a critical move toward economic self-sufficiency, driven by retail investor participation.

Rwabukumba outlined a streamlined process for investing in RWF 100,000 bond. The first step, he explained, is deciding to prioritize saving over spending—a foundational shift in financial behavior.

Next, investors must open a Central Securities Depository (CSD) account through one of the six active stockbrokers listed on rse.rw. The process is cost-free, requiring only an ID and two passport photos, and is accessible remotely, including for diaspora members.

The final step involves transferring RWF 100,000 to the broker’s client account during a Central Bank bond issuance, yielding RWF 5,500 semi-annually.

'The system is online and straightforward, with no in-person requirement,' he affirmed.

Retail investors benefit from priority access in Rwanda’s oversubscribed primary market, ahead of institutional buyers. Rwabukumba added that mobile-based transactions via USSD codes are in development, signaling further accessibility improvements.

Despite the opportunity, participation remains limited. Rwabukumba identified inadequate public awareness as a primary obstacle.

'The lack of effective communication means many don’t understand what’s available,' he observed.

He noted that spending patterns—such as high consumption in the last week of each month—or investments in non-liquid assets like undeveloped land divert capital from the market. By comparison, he praised savings cultures in other regions, where individuals allocate half their income to investment before discretionary spending.

With only 100,000 active investors against a population of 13 million, he warned that low engagement undermines wealth creation potential.

'Without market participation, financial growth will stall,' he remarked.

Rwabukumba emphasized that bonds are just the beginning. He explained that each bond purchase supports infrastructure development while generating returns, aligning individual and national interests.

The RSE is preparing to launch Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) to enable ownership in high-value properties like Kigali Towers, alongside Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) and Sharia-compliant instruments to attract Middle Eastern capital.

Watch the full interview below:

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Dr. Francis Habumugisha, the company’s CEO, expressed his delight at receiving the prestigious accolade.

'This is a moment of great joy for us as a company. Our commitment to providing high-quality services and top-tier products is built on my 20 years of experience in the food supplements industry,' he said.

He attributed the award to the company’s dedication to customer satisfaction.
'Customers are our top priority. We ensure they receive high-quality, effective products that meet their needs,' he added.

Dr. Habumugisha emphasised that respecting customers means delivering exactly what is promised on product labels—whether it’s a remedy for a specific health concern or essential vitamins.

He also highlighted some of the company’s bestselling products that contributed to its recognition. These include Best Man Prime, which helps prevent prostate cancer in men, and Best Lady Care, which supports hormonal balance, uterine health, and libido enhancement in women.

Other popular supplements include Best Kids Brain Gummies, formulated to aid children’s growth and cognitive development. The company also offers Best Fish Oil, Best Fit & Detox Tea, Best X Power Coffee, and Best Brain Booster, all designed to promote overall well-being.

Reaffirming the company’s commitment to quality and reliability, Dr. Habumugisha announced plans to establish a manufacturing plant in Rwanda to produce supplements locally.

He also encouraged business owners interested in partnering with Mega Global Market to reach out, underscoring the company’s mission to provide premium products at affordable prices.

Dr. Francis Habumugisha, the company’s CEO, expressed his delight at receiving the prestigious accolade.

The officials and staff of Mega Global Market made a striking impression in white attire at the awards ceremony.

The CEO of Mega Global Market, Dr. Francis Habumugisha (third from the left), alongside other winners of the 'Consumers Choice Awards’ organised by Karisimbi Events.

The CEO of Mega Global Market, Dr. Francis Habumugisha, at the Consumers’ Choice Awards, organised by Karisimbi Events.

Dr. Francis Habumugisha receives the award won by Mega Global Market.

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Participants competed in two categories: Best Poster Presentation and Best Oral Presentation, with a special category reserved for those working at King Faisal Hospital. The first-place winners in each category received a prize of 600,000 Rwandan Francs (RWF).

Dr. Nkundimana Gerard, a kidney disease specialist, was recognized for his exceptional poster presentation. His study, which addresses ongoing healthcare challenges, focused on the dialysis filters used to purify the blood of kidney patients, which can sometimes become contaminated with microbes leading to infections.

'Research helps doctors improve their practice by keeping up with the ever-evolving medical field,' Dr. Nkundimana explained. 'By identifying problems early on, we can prevent complications for our patients.'

Dr. Sendegeya August, Chief Medical Officer at King Faisal Hospital, emphasized the importance of research in enhancing healthcare.

'Research enables us to contribute our knowledge and expertise to improve patient care. It is grounded in real issues faced by patients and the country,' he said.

'When we conduct research and clearly identify problems, we can work together to find solutions. This collaborative effort is more effective than working in isolation and allows us to share valuable insights.'

The research presented during the competition covered a range of medical topics, including kidney disease, childhood illnesses, heart conditions, and more, all aimed at finding solutions to pressing healthcare challenges.

e first-place winners in each category received a prize of 600,000 Rwandan Francs

Dr. Nkundimana Gerard, a kidney disease specialist, was recognized for his exceptional poster presentation.

Dr. Nkundimana Gerard, a kidney disease specialist, was recognized for his exceptional poster presentation.

Dr. Sendegeya August, Chief Medical Officer at King Faisal Hospital, emphasized the importance of research in enhancing healthcare.

The Deputy CEO of the King Faisal Hospital, Dr. Edgar Kalimba, stated that their goal is to conduct research that addresses existing challenges.

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Since 2017, Rwanda has moved away from importing second-hand clothing, commonly known as 'caguwa,’ and has instead focused on promoting the production of new, locally made garments.

Many local garment factories now purchase fabric from various countries and transform it into finished products for both the domestic and international markets.

However, some Rwandans perceive these locally produced garments as expensive, with a pair of pants and a shirt labeled 'Made in Rwanda’ often costing up to 50,000 Rwandan Francs or more.

Despite this challenge, statistics show a significant growth in the output of Rwanda’s garment and leather industries, with production increasing fivefold from 34 billion Rwandan Francs (Rwf) in 2017 to Rwf154 billion in 2024.

As he addressed the issue on March 28, during a session with Parliament, Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente highlighted the critical role these industries play in the country’s economic development and their contribution to increasing exports.

“We do not have enough locally produced clothing, and so we must work harder to ensure that the garment industries can meet the needs of all Rwandans at an affordable price,” Dr. Ngirente emphasized.

He added, 'Our goal is to dress all Rwandans. We eliminated second-hand clothes so that Rwandans stop wearing outdated garments. The aim is to offer affordable clothing that people can buy without resorting to second-hand options.'

Strengthening local textile manufacturing

Dr. Ngirente further explained that during a Cabinet meeting on March 26, 2025, the government discussed strategies to enhance the local textile industry, with the objective of making fabric more accessible to tailors within the country.

He noted that UTEXRWA, which used to be the only textile factory, has been producing fabric and selling it to local and international garment manufacturers. However, many of those working in the garment industry still rely on importing fabric.

“Most garment manufacturers rely on imported fabric. During our recent government meeting, we explored ways to support local textile industries. This includes providing additional resources to businesses already in operation and supporting new entrants into the sector so that we can start producing fabric here in Rwanda,” Dr. Ngirente stated.

He confirmed that this initiative would soon be rolled out, enabling local tailors to source fabric domestically. The government also plans to help industry investors secure markets, further integrating Rwanda’s garment sector into the country’s broader economic development plans.

In addition, plans are underway to establish a factory in Musanze that will produce essential materials for the metal industry. Meanwhile, a leather processing factory is being set up in Bugesera. This facility will not only produce leather goods, including shoes, bags, and belts, but is also expected to generate $430 million annually for the country.

Many local garment factories now purchase fabric from various countries and transform it into finished products.

The Rwandan government is ramping up efforts to strengthen its domestic garment manufacturing sector, with the goal of increasing the percentage of Rwandans wearing locally produced clothing from 5% to 100%.

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The team, consisting of Kalisa Ineza Giovanni, 18, and Bisizi Muhire Ighor, 19—both graduates of Rwanda Coding Academy—along with Iradukunda Moustapha, 19, a student at SOS Technical High School in Kigali, impressed judges with their ingenious AI-powered solution designed to bridge the communication gap between people with hearing disabilities and those with speech impairments.

Their innovation, Signal AI, is an application primarily aimed at schools, promoting an inclusive environment by converting sound and text into sign language in Kinyarwanda and vice versa.

From left: Iradukunda Moustapha, 19, Kalisa Ineza Giovanni, 18, and Bisizi Muhire Ighor, 19, during the awarding ceremony.

“With this application, teachers will no longer struggle to teach students who are deaf or have speech impairments. They simply speak, and the application translates everything into sign language using a 3D model,” Giovanni explained.

“It can also translate sign language for someone who doesn’t understand it, converting it into text or sound for the other person,” he added.

Giovanni noted that the technology is scalable and can be applied in various real-life situations, including assisting traffic officers and accident victims in communicating during emergencies.

The Signal AI team presents their demo to a team esteemed judges at the Irembo Campus in Nyarutarama.

The team’s lead developer described the hackathon as an incredible experience that allowed them to apply their skills in a real-world setting and expressed excitement about their victory in the highly competitive event.

“This has been an incredible experience. We utilised both our skills and the resources provided to us, which helped us address the challenges faced by those who feel excluded due to hearing or speech impairments,” Giovanni said.

The team plans to use part of their RWF 5 million award—sponsored by AI and open data company Digital Umuganda—to further develop their solution.

Held at the Irembo campus in Nyarutarama from Friday, March 28 to Sunday, March 30, the 48-hour hackathon was hosted in partnership with Irembo, the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR), and several other institutions that sponsored the awards. Twenty teams participated, competing for innovation glory.

Other Winners

The second-place winners, who took home RWF 3 million, developed ScholarSphere, an AI-powered platform designed to help users upload content and receive personalised career or subject paths based on their submissions. Once users upload content, the platform generates a summarised graph outlining a clear learning or career trajectory.

The second-place winners were awarded RWF 3 million for their AI-powered project, dubbed ScholarSphere.

The third-place award went to a team of two developers for their project, Maitress, an AI-powered educational tutor assistant. This virtual “teacher” speaks multiple languages and utilises computer vision. By pointing a camera at a question, Maitress can interpret what it sees. Users can either speak to it or show it something, and it will analyse the input. When asked a question, it processes the query and delivers a step-by-step solution.

Libériste Clarence and his teammate, Ndizihiwe Regis, won RWF 2 million for their project. This marks Clarence’s second podium finish, having previously won the first edition of the hackathon with Cedric Izabayo for their AI-powered chatbot, Bwenge.

“A representative from Proto hands Libériste Clarence (left) and his teammate, Ndizihiwe Regis (right), a RWF 2 million dummy cheque.

Speaking about his victory, Clarence couldn’t hide his excitement, sharing his determination to turn his ideas into reality.

“This is just the beginning,” he said. “I’m eager to push these impactful ideas forward so that they can start providing value to society.”

The second and third-place prizes of RWF 3 million and RWF 2 million were sponsored by Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) and Proto, respectively.

Peter Charles Djomga, Director of Software Engineering at Irembo, termed the second edition of the hackathon a big success, revealing that the teams presented even more impactful projects than in the previous edition.

“The candidates delivered amazing solutions, including voice AI, translation tools, contextual education platforms, and even a farming solution to identify plant diseases. We saw a wide range of impressive projects, and it was really tough to pick a single winner,” Djomga remarked.

In developing practical AI solutions, the participants leveraged large language models (LLMs) and locally built technologies. Teams also had the opportunity to access IremboPay APIs to integrate cutting-edge digital payment solutions into their projects. Pindo, a partner of the event, provided access to its latest speech-to-text and text-to-speech AI models for voice-enabled applications.

Beyond the innovative displays and prizes, the hackathon aimed to bridge the gap between concept and real-world application.

Addressing the potential commercialisation of the projects, Djomga highlighted the practical outcomes already emerging.

“Our goal isn’t just to award prizes but to create a space where ideas can grow into viable solutions. Take last year’s event, for instance. The previous winner joined our team and is already accelerating our internal services,” Djomga stated, referring to Cedric, who recently joined the company.

He further encouraged participants to leverage their ideas, networks, and experience gained to launch startups.

Patrick Ndjientcheu, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Irembo, echoed this optimism, emphasising the hackathon’s role in showcasing Rwanda’s digital potential.

“What I saw made me think, 'If these people keep doing what they’re doing, Rwanda will be on the world map for digital innovation,’” Ndjientcheu said.

He praised the participants for transforming ideas into working solutions in just 48 hours, noting that the event provided the right tools and energy to unlock their problem-solving skills.

The Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) was also represented at the closing ceremony. Odilo Rugamba, a software architect at RISA, praised the projects presented, noting their potential to revolutionise public services and beyond, aligning with the government’s National Strategy for Transformation goal of training one million developers by 2030.

“What we saw today was spectacular,” Rugamba remarked. “The projects they completed in just 48 hours were truly remarkable. We’re thrilled to see the talent and technical capabilities on display and hope this momentum continues to grow into the future.”

The hackathon came just days before Rwanda hosts Africa’s inaugural two-day summit on Artificial Intelligence (AI), scheduled for 3—4 April.

The Global AI Summit on Africa will convene world leaders from governments, businesses, academia, and civil society to accelerate AI innovation, mobilise investment, and promote strategic policy alignment to bolster Africa’s AI capabilities for competitiveness and inclusive growth.

Kalisa Ineza Giovanni, 18, and Bisizi Muhire Ighor, 19—both graduates of Rwanda Coding Academy—along with Iradukunda Moustapha, a student at SOS Technical High School in Kigali, impressed judges with their ingenious AI-powered solution designed to bridge the communication gap between people with hearing disabilities and those with speech impairments.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The team, consisting of Kalisa Ineza Giovanni, 18, and Bisizi Muhire Ighor, 19—both graduates of Rwanda Coding Academy—along with Iradukunda Moustapha, a student at SOS Technical High School in Kigali, impressed judges with their ingenious AI-powered solution designed to bridge the communication gap between people with hearing disabilities and those with speech impairments.

Their innovation, Signal AI, is an application primarily aimed at schools, promoting an inclusive environment by converting sound and text into sign language in Kinyarwanda and vice versa.

From left: Iradukunda Moustapha, 19, Kalisa Ineza Giovanni, 18, and Bisizi Muhire Ighor, 19, during the awarding ceremony.

“With this application, teachers will no longer struggle to teach students who are deaf or have speech impairments. They simply speak, and the application translates everything into sign language using a 3D model,” Giovanni explained.

“It can also translate sign language for someone who doesn’t understand it, converting it into text or sound for the other person,” he added.

Giovanni noted that the technology is scalable and can be applied in various real-life situations, including assisting traffic officers and accident victims in communicating during emergencies.

The Signal AI team presents their demo to a team esteemed judges at the Irembo Campus in Nyarutarama.

The team’s lead developer described the hackathon as an incredible experience that allowed them to apply their skills in a real-world setting and expressed excitement about their victory in the highly competitive event.

“This has been an incredible experience. We utilised both our skills and the resources provided to us, which helped us address the challenges faced by those who feel excluded due to hearing or speech impairments,” Giovanni said.

The team plans to use part of their RWF 5 million award—sponsored by AI and open data company Digital Umuganda—to further develop their solution.

Held at the Irembo campus in Nyarutarama from Friday, March 28 to Sunday, March 30, the 48-hour hackathon was hosted in partnership with Irembo, the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR), and several other institutions that sponsored the awards. Twenty teams participated, competing for innovation glory.

Other Winners

The second-place winners, who took home RWF 3 million, developed ScholarSphere, an AI-powered platform designed to help users upload content and receive personalised career or subject paths based on their submissions. Once users upload content, the platform generates a summarised graph outlining a clear learning or career trajectory.

The second-place winners were awarded RWF 3 million for their AI-powered project, dubbed ScholarSphere.

The third-place award went to a team of two developers for their project, Maitress, an AI-powered educational tutor assistant. This virtual “teacher” speaks multiple languages and utilises computer vision. By pointing a camera at a question, Maitress can interpret what it sees. Users can either speak to it or show it something, and it will analyse the input. When asked a question, it processes the query and delivers a step-by-step solution.

Libériste Clarence and his teammate, Ndizihiwe Regis, won RWF 2 million for their project. This marks Clarence’s second podium finish, having previously won the first edition of the hackathon with Cedric Izabayo for their AI-powered chatbot, Bwenge.

“A representative from Proto hands Libériste Clarence (left) and his teammate, Ndizihiwe Regis (right), a RWF 2 million dummy cheque.

Speaking about his victory, Clarence couldn’t hide his excitement, sharing his determination to turn his ideas into reality.

“This is just the beginning,” he said. “I’m eager to push these impactful ideas forward so that they can start providing value to society.”

The second and third-place prizes of RWF 3 million and RWF 2 million were sponsored by Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) and Proto, respectively.

Peter Charles Djomga, Director of Software Engineering at Irembo, termed the second edition of the hackathon a big success, revealing that the teams presented even more impactful projects than in the previous edition.

“The candidates delivered amazing solutions, including voice AI, translation tools, contextual education platforms, and even a farming solution to identify plant diseases. We saw a wide range of impressive projects, and it was really tough to pick a single winner,” Djomga remarked.

In developing practical AI solutions, the participants leveraged large language models (LLMs) and locally built technologies. Teams also had the opportunity to access IremboPay APIs to integrate cutting-edge digital payment solutions into their projects. Pindo, a partner of the event, provided access to its latest speech-to-text and text-to-speech AI models for voice-enabled applications.

Beyond the innovative displays and prizes, the hackathon aimed to bridge the gap between concept and real-world application.

Addressing the potential commercialisation of the projects, Djomga highlighted the practical outcomes already emerging.

“Our goal isn’t just to award prizes but to create a space where ideas can grow into viable solutions. Take last year’s event, for instance. The previous winner joined our team and is already accelerating our internal services,” Djomga stated, referring to Cedric, who recently joined the company.

He further encouraged participants to leverage their ideas, networks, and experience gained to launch startups.

Patrick Ndjientcheu, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Irembo, echoed this optimism, emphasising the hackathon’s role in showcasing Rwanda’s digital potential.

“What I saw made me think, 'If these people keep doing what they’re doing, Rwanda will be on the world map for digital innovation,’” Ndjientcheu said.

He praised the participants for transforming ideas into working solutions in just 48 hours, noting that the event provided the right tools and energy to unlock their problem-solving skills.

The Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) was also represented at the closing ceremony. Odilo Rugamba, a software architect at RISA, praised the projects presented, noting their potential to revolutionise public services and beyond, aligning with the government’s National Strategy for Transformation goal of training one million developers by 2030.

“What we saw today was spectacular,” Rugamba remarked. “The projects they completed in just 48 hours were truly remarkable. We’re thrilled to see the talent and technical capabilities on display and hope this momentum continues to grow into the future.”

The hackathon came just days before Rwanda hosts Africa’s inaugural two-day summit on Artificial Intelligence (AI), scheduled for 3—4 April.

The Global AI Summit on Africa will convene world leaders from governments, businesses, academia, and civil society to accelerate AI innovation, mobilise investment, and promote strategic policy alignment to bolster Africa’s AI capabilities for competitiveness and inclusive growth.

Kalisa Ineza Giovanni, 18, and Bisizi Muhire Ighor, 19—both graduates of Rwanda Coding Academy—along with Iradukunda Moustapha, a student at SOS Technical High School in Kigali, impressed judges with their ingenious AI-powered solution designed to bridge the communication gap between people with hearing disabilities and those with speech impairments.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Employed by Ocean Heights Aviation Training Centre, an aviation school based in Entebbe, the pilots had been sent to South Kivu to evacuate personnel of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to Kampala.

According to Daily Monitor, the pilots were flying aboard an American-registered Cessna Caravan aircraft. As they approached Kavumu Airport in Bukavu at dusk, unknown assailants opened fire on the aircraft.

Despite the attack, the pilots managed to land the plane but were subsequently captured and taken to an undisclosed location.

The kidnappers later contacted the pilots’ handlers in Kampala, demanding an undisclosed ransom for their release.

Reports indicate that one of the pilots, a South Sudanese national, succumbed to his gunshot wounds over the weekend, while the Ugandan pilot sustained injuries but was successfully repatriated for treatment.

On March 31, Colonel Chris Magezi, the acting spokesperson for the Ugandan military, clarified that the pilots were civilians, refuting the earlier claims that suggested they were soldiers.

“These are civilians operating commercial charter services. The government of Uganda is following up on this matter through relevant diplomatic channels but the UPDF is not involved at all. However, we are concerned that our fellow citiens have been harmed in some place and we will do eveyrthing required if we are asked to provide any assistance,” he noted.

Colonel Chris Magezi, the acting spokesperson for the Ugandan military

Armed assailants opened fire on the aircraft as pilots approached Kavumu Airport in Bukavu.

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