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The virtual event convened key stakeholders to discuss strategies for building a dynamic, tech-driven financial ecosystem. Panellists stressed the importance of regulatory clarity, strategic collaboration, and the essential role of Rwanda’s sandbox framework in enabling innovation.

Leila Rwagasana, FinTech Lead at Rwanda Finance Ltd outlined the country’s ambition to position Rwanda as a global financial hub through the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC).

'Through the Kigali International Financial Centre, we are working to attract global investors and technology-driven financial services. Regulatory clarity and strategic partnerships are key to achieving this vision,' she said.

Jerome Ndayambaje, Digital Innovation Analyst at CMA Rwanda shared insights into the authority’s sandbox programme, highlighting its role in adaptive policy development.

'The CMA sandbox is designed to help firms navigate regulatory requirements while promoting responsible innovation. It enables us to refine policies in real time in response to emerging trends,' he explained.

From an industry perspective, Darius Mukiza, Head of Fund Management at BK Capital, reflected on his organization’s experience with the sandbox.

'Being part of the sandbox allowed us to explore new digital investment solutions within a structured environment. This initiative is crucial for market participants seeking to integrate FinTech into traditional financial services,' Mukiza noted.

Samuel Njuguna, CEO of Moneto Ventures, also praised the collaborative nature of the sandbox while testing their Tunzi App.

'The sandbox was instrumental in helping us refine our product while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. This kind of collaboration between regulators and innovators is essential for FinTech growth,' he stated.

CMA’s Chief Executive Officer, Thapelo Tsheole reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to nurturing innovation within a secure and well-regulated financial environment.

'Our goal is to provide a framework that encourages innovation while safeguarding investor protection and maintaining market integrity,' he emphasized.

CMA Rwanda’s sandbox has paved way for sustainable Fintech growth.

IGIHE

On March 22, 2025, AFC/M23 announced that it had removed its fighters from Walikale and other bordering areas, after nearly three days of monitoring the situation.

A spokesperson for AFC/M23, Lawrence Kanyuka, explained that the decision was made to create a positive atmosphere for peace talks, but warned that if the DRC government forces resumed attacks, they would reconsider their position.

The spokesperson for the DRC military, Gen Maj Sylvain Ekenge Bomusa, also confirmed the AFC/M23 decision and called on government soldiers and local militias not to attack the fighters.

On March 23, the spokesperson for the Rwandan government issued a statement expressing Rwanda’s satisfaction with the decisions of AFC/M23 and the DRC government, emphasizing that Rwanda is committed to working with all parties to ensure the peace agreements are upheld.

In a statement released on March 24, 2025, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted the importance of dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution. The ministry praised both DRC and Rwanda for their commitment to engaging in diplomatic efforts to calm the situation and for their continued dedication to resolving the crisis through peaceful means.

'The Ministry also expresses its hope for the continuation of this constructive approach and positive spirit to ensure the protection of civilians as well as to achieve security and development,' reads part of the statement.

Qatar reiterated its support for the Nairobi and Luanda processes, which have been integrated into the East African Community and Southern African Development Community (EAC-SADC) framework.

The statement follows ongoing efforts to address DRC crisis. Leaders from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) met in Tanzania in February 2025, urging the conflicting parties to enter political talks.

With another virtual meeting scheduled for March 24, 2025, Qatar has expressed its support for the leaders’ plan and the adherence to international law principles.

Besides, Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, convened a meeting on March 18, 2025, between Presidents Paul Kagame and Félix Tshisekedi in Doha to discuss regional security. The two heads of state affirmed their support for political dialogue between the conflicting parties.

M23 rebels have captured Bukavu and Goma, key cities in North and South Kivu provinces since the beginning of 2025.

IGIHE

According to reports, Han, who had been suspended after the National Assembly’s impeachment, thanked the court for its decision and emphasized the importance of focusing on the nation’s pressing issues, such as global trade dynamics. He also called for national unity, stressing that the country’s progress should transcend political divisions.

Han’s reinstatement follows a turbulent period where both he and President Yoon faced impeachment, triggering political chaos and raising concerns over South Korea’s diplomatic and economic stability. For the time being, Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok had been serving as acting president.

The Constitutional Court’s ruling on Han’s impeachment concluded that the charges against him were either not illegal or insufficiently serious to justify his removal. One justice dissented, but seven others agreed with the decision.

The court has yet to make a ruling on Yoon’s impeachment. If upheld, South Korea would face a presidential election. If dismissed, Yoon would return to power.

Analysts suggest that Han’s restoration might offer more political stability, though the uncertainty surrounding Yoon’s case remains. Yoon has also been charged with rebellion related to the martial law order, which carries severe penalties, including life imprisonment or the death sentence if convicted. He was arrested but later released, pending trial.

The developments in both cases have divided the nation, with supporters of Yoon hopeful for a similar outcome to Han’s case, while opponents continue to call for his ouster.

South Korea’s Constitutional Court reversed the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating him as acting president on Monday.

IGIHE

In a white Fiat 500L, wearing nasal tubes for supplemental oxygen, Pope Francis entered Vatican City, marking a sigh of relief for many who feared his illness could lead to a fatal outcome or even his resignation.

According to media reports, the motorcade, which initially overshot the Vatican, took a detour to the basilica where Francis, too weak to get out of the car, offered a bouquet of flowers to the cardinal.

The flowers were placed in front of the revered Salus Populi Romani icon, a symbol of personal significance to the pope.

This moment followed his first public appearance in weeks, where he briefly waved from a hospital balcony, offering a thumbs-up and blessing to the crowd.

Despite his visible weakness, Pope Francis seemed grateful for the support of the many gathered outside the hospital.

Pope Francis returned to the Vatican on Sunday after a five-week hospitalization for life-threatening double pneumonia.

IGIHE

According to AP, Love, who was a daughter of Haitian immigrants, had been battling brain cancer and had recently received immunotherapy as part of a clinical trial at Duke University’s brain tumor center.

Love’s family shared the news of her death through a statement on her X account, noting that she passed away peacefully at her home in Saratoga Springs, Utah State.

Love’s political journey began in 2003 when she won a seat on the Saratoga Springs City Council, later becoming the city’s mayor.

She ran for Congress in 2012, losing narrowly to incumbent Jim Matheson, before securing a victory in 2014 against Doug Owens.

During her career, Love became a prominent figure within the GOP and was briefly considered a rising star.

She emphasized her belief in the American dream and urged for a more unified country. Despite challenges in her political career, Love’s legacy of service and her determination to bridge divides remains an inspiration to many.

Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, passed away on Sunday at the age of 49.

IGIHE

The expulsion followed Rasool’s critical comments about U.S. President Donald Trump during a webinar hosted by the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection, a South African think tank.

Rasool was labeled “persona non grata” by the U.S. government, a move he viewed as an attempt to humiliate him. However, he embraced the label, calling it a “badge of honor” and expressed his pride in returning to a place where “Ubuntu” (the African philosophy of interconnectedness) is valued.

Rasool spoke about South Africa’s approach to diplomacy, highlighting “the diplomacy of Ubuntu” as the art of speaking truth gently, not flattering others, and engaging in intellectual conversations. He emphasized that despite conventional diplomacy’s challenges, South Africa must continue to uphold its values.

Rasool expressed hope that President Cyril Ramaphosa would find someone to repair the relationship with the U.S. while preserving South Africa’s dignity.

Despite criticism from U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Rasool believed his message reached the highest levels of the U.S. government, proving that the diplomacy of Ubuntu had worked.

Rasool’s expulsion was announced by Rubio, who described him as a “race-baiting politician” and gave him 72 hours to leave the country.

Rasool is set to report the details of the incident to President Ramaphosa, who has downplayed the expulsion as a minor setback in relations between the two nations.

South African ambassador to the U.S., Ebrahim Rasool, returned to Cape Town on Sunday after being expelled by the U.S. earlier this month.

IGIHE

In a statement released by the Office of the Government Spokesperson on Sunday, Kigali expressed support for these developments, calling them steps towards fostering regional stability.

Rwanda reaffirmed its commitment to working with all parties to ensure adherence to peace agreements, particularly within the framework of the Joint East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit process.

“Rwanda is committed to working with all parties to ensure adherence to commitments, particularly in the context of the Joint EAC-SADC Summit process and other initiatives which pave the way towards a lasting political and security settlement for the region,” the statement reads.

The AFC/M23, which is part of the AFC rebel alliance, announced on Saturday that it would withdraw its forces, with spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka describing the move as a strategic decision aimed at creating a favourable environment for political dialogue.

M23 had captured the strategic town on March 19, along with the Kigoma airstrip, following its takeover of nearby areas, including Ngora, Kisima, and Mubanda.

Kanyuka urged local authorities and residents to ensure security in the aftermath of the group’s departure but warned that if Congolese forces resumed attacks on civilians or M23 positions, the group would reconsider its decision and retake the city.

The latest de-escalation efforts come amid diplomatic mediation led by Qatar. On March 18 the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, hosted Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and DRC’s President Félix Tshisekedi for a high-level meeting aimed at resolving tensions in eastern DRC.

A joint statement released by Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the talks acknowledged progress made in the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes, as well as commitments outlined during the EAC-SADC Summit in Dar es Salaam on February 8.

The statement stressed the leaders’ agreement on the necessity of ceasing hostilities without further delay and their commitment to continued discussions to build a foundation for lasting peace.

AFC/M23 asserts that it is fighting against poor governance and decades of ethnic persecution targeting Congolese Tutsis and other Kinyarwanda-speaking communities in the east.

Its latest offensive has led to the capture of Goma and Bukavu in recent months, prompting global calls for a political solution to the conflict in the eastern region, following heavy losses suffered by the Congolese army and its coalition forces, including SADC troops, the Burundian army, FDLR, and Wazalendo militia groups.

A statement released on Sunday by the Office of the Government Spokesperson, Yolande Makolo, expressed support for halting hostilities, calling them steps towards fostering regional stability.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The heavily armed Lendu militants, fighting under the Cooperative for Development of the Congo (CODECO), launched a series of attacks on a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) battle group on 18 and 19 March 2025. The fighters attempted to overrun the Ugandan troops in early morning raids but were repelled each time, suffering heavy casualties.

According to UPDF, 31 CODECO militias were killed in action on Wednesday, while another 211 died in Thursday’s counteroffensive.

The Ugandan army lost one soldier, and four others sustained injuries. The wounded soldiers were evacuated to Uganda for medical treatment and are expected to recover.

The UPDF was deployed in the region weeks ago as part of ‘Operation Shujaa’, a joint military campaign with the Congolese army (FARDC) aimed at preventing remnants of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) from infiltrating the area.

Security officials say CODECO recently formed an alliance with ADF, intensifying its attacks on Congolese communities, particularly the Hema ethnic group in Ituri.

The group’s brutal raids have left hundreds of civilians dead, including women and children, while entire villages have been torched and looted. The arrival of UPDF forces in Fataki, as well as the nearby towns of Bunia and Mahagi, has been seen as a relief by local communities that have endured relentless attacks by Lendu militias and their allies.

Additionally, Ugandan troops are expected to help curb the growing refugee crisis, as hundreds of Congolese civilians have been crossing into Uganda in search of safety due to the ongoing violence.

According to UPDF, 31 CODECO militias were killed in action on Wednesday, while another 211 died in Thursday’s counteroffensive.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

According to Icelandic media, Thórsdóttir admitted to having a child with a 15-year-old boy when she was 22, more than three decades ago.

Thórsdóttir shared that she met the teenager while working as a counsellor for a religious group. At the time, she was 22, and the boy, who was 16, became the father of her child when she was 23, according to reports by Iceland’s public broadcaster, RUV.

Although the age of consent in Iceland is 15, the law prohibits adults in positions of authority—such as educators—from engaging in sexual relationships with minors under the age of 18. Those found guilty can face up to 12 years in prison.

The father of the child stated that he never viewed himself as a victim, noting he was in a difficult personal situation at the time and turned to the church group for support. The relationship remained secret, but the father was present during the birth of their child.

Initially, he had access to the child, but this was nearly entirely cut off before the child turned one. However, he was required by law to pay child support for 18 years.

The young father sought legal help from the Ministry of Justice and the church’s family service in an effort to maintain contact with his child, but Thórsdóttir reportedly denied him visitation rights.

Following the report from RUV, Thórsdóttir announced her resignation as Minister for Children and Education. However, she will continue her role as a member of parliament for the People’s Party.

Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir confirmed that Thórsdóttir had made the decision to resign after discussing the matter with the country’s three party leaders. Frostadóttir expressed that Thórsdóttir had taken responsibility swiftly and that the resignation was a personal decision.

While the minister denies the claims that she obstructed the father’s attempts to maintain contact with his son, her resignation will be confirmed by the President of Iceland at a meeting of the State Council on Sunday.

Thórsdóttir’s resignation has drawn significant attention in Iceland, though it remains to be seen whether the matter will further impact her political career.

Iceland’s minister for children resigned after admitting she had a child with a teenager more than 30 years ago.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Located in the southeast of Beijing, Tongzhou is often referred to as the eastern gateway to the Chinese capital. With its strategic location at the northern end of the Grand Canal and the easternmost point of Chang’an Avenue, this district has transformed into a hub of administration, culture, and cutting-edge technology.

A lot is constantly changing, but a few elements of traditional Chinese culture are still preserved.

At the center of Tongzhou’s transformation stands the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center (BMAC), proof of the city’s vision for sustainability and green development.

This contemporary complex represents Beijing’s attempts to decentralize and ease traffic in its historic center.

As you walk through this area, you’ll encounter many signs of technological progress, but you can still see elements of traditional Chinese culture, carefully preserved amidst the modern development.

As I strolled through the administrative center, I was astounded by how well it integrated eco-friendly architecture and cutting-edge urban planning with its surroundings.

The exhibits within the building narrate the remarkable story of Beijing’s growth, showcasing decades of urban evolution while staying rooted in its cultural identity.

The picture shows the entrance to the new headquarters of the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center (BMAC).

Drifting through history on the Grand Canal

Leaving the administrative center, I set off for a boat ride on the Grand Canal, a moment that turned out to be both educational and deeply immersive.

Every day, a variety of visitors come to learn and understand the history of this ancient waterway, the Grand Canal.

As I sat on the upper deck, a chill from the air bit through my t-shirt, but I hardly noticed. The guide’s narration transported me centuries back to when this marvel of engineering was constructed.

Built over 1,400 years ago, the Grand Canal is the longest and oldest canal in the world, stretching over 1,700 kilometers and connecting Beijing to Hangzhou.

The Grand Canal has been preserved while also being modernized.

This waterway, once a lifeline for trade and cultural exchange, passes through different municipalities and provinces, facilitating the movement of goods and people for generations.

Listening to its history while gliding over its waters was an amazing experience.

A library like no other

From history to innovation, my next stop was the Beijing Library, a structure that left me fascinated the moment I walked in. Its stunning architecture, which was designed to mimic a mountain, is an example of how science and nature can coexist.

This is the front side of the unique Beijing Library, one of the most prominent libraries in China, housing over eight million books.

Stepping inside, I was overwhelmed by the sheer scale of its collection. Home to over 8 million books, including works by President Xi Jinping, the library attracts 10,000 visitors on weekdays and twice that number on weekends.

Beijing Library is home to over eight million books, making it a central hub for learning and knowledge.

What fascinated me the most was the technology embedded within the facility. From AI-powered book-sorting robots to immersive digital reading experiences, the library represents the future of learning.

Readers can access e-books and use various tech features that allow them to explore a wealth of information digitally.

In the Beijing Library, even your coffee is served by a robot in just 70 seconds.

If it weren’t for my tight schedule, I would have spent an entire day exploring its many wonders.

In this library, technology is integrated to enhance the reading experience.

The library is designed to make visitors feel connected to nature, with the architecture and layout reflecting environmental considerations.

The innovation hub of tomorrow

Beyond its cultural and historical sites, Tongzhou is fast becoming a hub for technology and new energy enterprises. Companies like Colorfulead, Bor Ewin Technology Co Ltd and Wisson are leading the way in green innovations and robotics.

Tongzhou is also home to industries involved in robotics.

As my day in Tongzhou came to an end, I reflected on what makes this district so unique. It is a place where history, nature, and technology intertwine to create something extraordinary.

This machine, located in one of the companies in the area, is used to recharge electric vehicles. It operates autonomously, requiring no human intervention.

Mugisha Christian