Since the launch of kidney transplant services in Rwanda last year, all 32 recorded cases requiring such surgeries have been successfully handled within the country, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, the Minister of Health, said
Introduced in May last year, the services are provided at King Faisal Hospital (KFH). The program began with three living donor kidney transplants in the same month, marking a significant milestone in the government's efforts to reduce expensive medical referrals abroad.
Prior to the introduction of these services, the government had referred close to 70 patients to other countries for kidney transplants at a cost of over Rwf 800 million.
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Minister of Health Dr Sabin Nsanzimana during the interview.Courtesy
A June 2023 article published by Rwandan doctors in the Rwanda Public Health Bulletin highlighted that while kidney transplants done abroad have provided Rwandan patients with survival opportunities, they are associated with significant financial implications.
These include travel costs, accommodation, medical procedures, and post-operative care, in addition to the usual expenses associated with transplants.
The cost of a kidney transplant in India, one of the cheapest treatment destinations, can range from $7,400 to $14,000 and depends on several factors including a patient's age, health, blood type compatibility, concomitant ailments, and hospital room preference. This does not take into account additional costs such as transportation.
The cost for transplants is higher when the procedure is carried out in nations like the US, UK, and Germany.
'This can place a financial burden on patients and their families. Other challenges include language and cultural barriers in a foreign country, as well as legal and ethical issues since the regulations and ethical practices surrounding organ transplantation vary across countries,' the article noted.
It further highlighted that patients who undergo kidney transplants abroad may face challenges in receiving follow-up care and ongoing management of their condition upon returning to their home country.
'Coordinating medical records, accessing necessary medications, and finding healthcare providers knowledgeable about the patient's specific transplant can be significant hurdles.
Lack of continuity of care is a major challenge faced by patients who get kidney transplants abroad due to the lack of skilled transplant specialists and infrastructure,' it stated.
Nsanzimana anticipates that with the ongoing enhancement of health services, the need for renal transplant transfers abroad will decrease. He also expects the referral of patients to other countries for various conditions to diminish, while more people from across the continent and beyond will come to Rwanda for treatment.
In March 2023, the parliament passed a law regulating the use of the human body, organs, tissues, cells, and products of the human body for therapeutic, educational, or scientific purposes, paving the way for lifesaving medical procedures, including kidney transplants.
The government, through the Ministry of Health, continues to upgrade KFH's infrastructure and equipment to enhance its capacity to perform kidney transplant procedures and various highly specialized medical services.
Nicolás Maduro's claim of victory in Venezuela's presidential election has brought the South American country to a hazardous standoff, with his thwarted opponents accusing him of rigging the election to remain in power, and many leaders in the region and beyond questioning the veracity and transparency of the vote.
Sunday's results, which followed an election described by independent observers as the most arbitrary in recent years â” even by the standards of the authoritarian regime founded by Maduro's mentor and predecessor, Hugo Chávez â” appeared to have dashed opposition hopes of ending a quarter of a century of chavista rule and economic turmoil.
After a six-hour delay in releasing the results prompted international concern, the government-controlled electoral authority claimed Maduro had won with 51.21% of votes compared with 44.2% for his rival, the former diplomat Edmundo González Urrutia.
The council said that with about 80% of votes counted, Maduro had secured more than 5m compared with González's 4.4m. Authorities delayed releasing the results from each of Venezuela's 30,000 polling stations, saying only that they would be released in the 'coming hours'.
On Monday morning, amid reports of the first post-election protests breaking out in and around Caracas, the electoral authority officially confirmed Maduro as the victor. 'I assume the mandate of the people to be their president and lead our country towards peace and prosperity,' Maduro told an audience of allies, calling the result 'irreversible'.
Critics blame Maduro, 61, for leading Venezuela into a crippling economic and social crisis, and turning the country into an increasingly repressive state where political opponents are routinely jailed and tortured.
People bang on pot lids, after Venezuela awoke to political uncertainty after both president Nicolás Maduro and his opposition rival Edmundo González claimed victory in the presidential election. Photograph: Leonardo Fernández Viloria/Reuters
Addressing supporters in the capital, Caracas, Maduro dedicated his victory to Chávez, who anointed him as his successor shortly before his death in 2013. 'Long live Chávez. Chávez is alive!' Maduro shouted.
He added: 'I am Nicolás Maduro Moros â” the re-elected president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ⦠and I will defend our democracy, our law and our people.'
But the opposition camp was quick to dispute the results.
'The Venezuelans and the entire world know what happened,' González said in his first remarks.
The opposition leader, María Corina Machado â” who had thrown her weight behind González's campaign after being banned from running â” rejected the result, claiming the opposition had won in every single state.
'We won, and everybody knows it,' she said. 'We haven't just defeated them politically and morally, today we defeated them with votes,' Machado told journalists, claiming González should be considered the country's president-elect.
Edison Research, which conducts high-profile election polling in the US and other countries, published an exit poll showing González had won 65% of the vote, while Maduro won 31%.
'The official results are silly,' said Edison's executive vice-president, Rob Farbman, adding it stood by the results of its survey. Edison's exit poll was conducted nationwide with preliminary data from 6,846 voters interviewed at 100 polling locations. Local firm Meganalisis predicted a 65% vote for Gonzalez and just under 14% for Maduro.
The Carter Center, which sent a team of electoral observers for the vote, called on the electoral authority to immediately publish the complete results by polling station.
A supporter of Edmundo González Urrutia and Maria Corina Machado attends a rally demanding the closure of polling stations during the presidential election in Caracas on Sunday. Photograph: Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images
Although Maduro's allies in countries such as Cuba, Bolivia and Honduras congratulated him on his victory, key players including the US, Spain and the EU expressed deep reservations about the election and its results.
Meanwhile, Paraguay, Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay said they would request an emergency meeting of the Organization of America States to discuss the election.
The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, said Washington had 'serious concerns that the result announced does not reflect the will or the votes of the Venezuelan people'.
He said the international community was watching the vote 'very closely' and would react accordingly.
'It's critical that every vote be counted fairly and transparently, that election officials immediately share information with the opposition and independent observers without delay, and that the electoral authorities publish the detailed tabulation of votes,' said Blinken.
Spain's foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, also called on the electoral authority to release voting information in the interests of 'respecting the democratic will' of the Venezuelan people.
'The people of Venezuela yesterday voted democratically and in very large numbers,' Albares told Spain's Cadena Ser radio on Monday morning. 'We want total transparency, and that's why we're asking for the results to be published, polling station by polling station. We don't have a candidate â” we just want a guarantee of transparency. The publication of polling station information is key so that the results can be verified.'
Josep Borrell, the EU's most senior diplomat, said the will of the Venezuelan people had to be respected, adding: 'Ensuring full transparency in the electoral process, including detailed counting of votes and access to voting records at polling stations, is vital.'
Engineer Nejcareth Paz, 32, hugs her boyfriend amid the unrest. Photograph: Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters
Many Latin American leaders, including Chile's leftist president, Gabriel Boric, were far blunter in their assessment of Sunday's vote.
'Maduro's regime must understand that the results are hard to believe,' Boric wrote on X. 'The international community and, above all, the Venezuelan people â” including the millions of Venezuelans in exile â” demand total transparency.' Chile, he added, 'will not recognise any result that is not verifiable'.
Panama's president José Raúl Mulino said his country was putting relations with Venezuela 'on hold' and would withdraw diplomatic staff from Caracas until a full review of the result is conducted.
Others were more cautious. Mexico's leftwing president Andrés Manuel López Obrador said he would only recognize a winner only after results were reported fully. 'We're going to wait until they finishing counting the votes,' López Obrador told reporters.
Brazil â” whose president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, said recently he had been 'frightened' by Maduro's warnings of a 'bloodbath' if he lost the vote â” hailed a 'peaceful' election day in Venezuela but said it was keeping a close eye on the vote count.
Celso Amorim, a former foreign minister who is now Lula's chief diplomatic adviser, said the Brazilian government would only comment on the results after reviewing the records.
Amorim, who observed Sunday's vote, said that while he was still familiarising himself with what happened, 'the main issue is transparency'.
'The [Brazilian] government continues to monitor the situation until we have the necessary data to make an informed decision [on whether or not to recognise the results], as with any election,' he said in an interview with the Brazilian newspaper O Globo.
'It must be transparent. I'm not necessarily questioning what is being said, but the government was supposed to provide the records from which this number is derived, and that has not yet happened.'
González's campaign had generated a rare wave of optimism among millions of disillusioned citizens after a decade during which the economy of the country with the world's largest oil reserves contracted by 80% and nearly 8 million people â” almost a third of Venezuela's population â” fled abroad.
IGIHE has learned that the experienced banker has been confirmed for the position and will begin her new role in August 2024. She will be based at NCBA Group’s headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
NCBA Group operates as an investment company with a presence in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Higiro’s appointment is part of NCBA Group’s strategy to streamline operations across all its banks, benefiting both employees and customers. This approach allows employees to move between branches or to the headquarters, based on their skills and expertise.
Since 2018, under Higiro’s leadership, NCBA Bank Rwanda has experienced significant growth in assets and client loans. When she took over, the bank was grappling with a loss of Rwf2.5 billion but within three years, she transformed the bank into a new phase of profitability.
Statistics indicate that from 2019 to 2023, NCBA Bank Rwanda’s assets increased from Rwf35 billion to Rwf205 billion. Loans to clients rose from Rwf19 billion in 2019 to Rwf103 billion in 2023, while client deposits grew from Rwf21 billion to Rwf140 billion over the same period.
In March 2023, NCBA Group’s Chief Financial Officer, David Abwoga, noted that their fastest-growing bank is in Rwanda, with assets increasing by 56%.
Higiro played a crucial role in this growth by focusing on technological advancement and establishing effective operational frameworks that enhanced employee productivity. Her leadership also emphasized employee satisfaction, including providing maternal and partenal leave and creating a supportive work environment for mothers.
NCBA was the first bank to introduce a daycare and a mother’s room for breastfeeding, allowing mothers to work comfortably.
Similarly, fathers were granted 14 days of paternity leave, instead of the seven days mandated by law, which many employees say improved their ability to care for their families and increased workplace productivity.
She also launched the ‘Man Enough’ program, encouraging male employees to advocate for gender equality, making NCBA Bank Rwanda Plc the first to implement this initiative.
Recognizing the importance of mental health for productivity, Higiro initiated a program to support employees’ mental well-being, offering free services and access to psychological counsellors as needed.
In March 2023, NCBA Bank was awarded by the Government of Rwanda for its efforts in promoting gender equality and inclusivity among its employees.
In July 2023, Higiro introduced the need for mental health support programs for women in all workplaces to address issues such as gender-based violence and job loss due to pregnancy.
Higiro founded the Women In Finance Rwanda (WIFR) organization and serves as its CEO. The first WIFR agreement was signed in 2023 with the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) in the UK, providing scholarships to over 50 women.
WIFR also signed a partnership agreement with the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS) in June 2024, aimed at training women in the financial services sector in Rwanda.
Higiro noted that this agreement would benefit over 13,000 women by providing essential knowledge.
In 2021, Higiro was among the top three finalists for the Angaza Award, recognizing women for impactful and skilled leadership in banking and financial services.
With extensive experience in banking operations, Higiro previously served as Chief Operating Officer at AB Bank Rwanda and Head of Planning and Marketing at I&M Bank. From 2007 to 2011, she served as Head of Banking Services for small and medium enterprises at Guaranty Trust.
Higiro holds a Master’s degree in Business Leadership from the University of Liverpool in the UK, a Bachelor’s degree from North-West University in South Africa, and a diploma in Business and Communication from Ryerson University in Canada.
Lina Higiro will begin her new role in August 2024. She will be based at NCBA Group’s headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
The outbreak of mpox in Rwanda comes barely two weeks after 25 cases of the viral infection were confirmed in Goma town, the Eastern Province Capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Government of Rwanda has since assured the general population that it is well-prepared to handle the outbreak. But what exactly is mpox?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the viral illness is caused by a virus known as the monkey pox virus.
This virus was first identified in Denmark in 1958 during a research study involving monkeys. The first known human case was of a young child who was diagnosed in 1970 in the DRC.
The infection is transmitted to humans through physical contact with contaminated materials, or with infected animals or other human beings.
Medics say that the mpox virus enters the body through inhalation of respiratory droplets, pores of the skin, and mucous membranes mainly found in the mouth, throat, eyes, genitals, or the rectum.
It also spreads easily within households through sexual intercourse amongst couples, with individuals having multiple partners being at increased risk.
Common symptoms include a rash or sores that can last several weeks, accompanied by fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.
Preventive measures include avoiding close contact with individuals who have the virus. Vaccination is also effective in protecting those at high risk.
At the national level, the Ministry of Health says it will rely on advanced response systems and protocols to detect and contain the spread of the infection.
'Rwanda is well-prepared to handle a potential mpox outbreak, leveraging our experience and systems developed during previous health challenges like COVID-19,' Dr Edson Rwagasore, the Division Manager of Public Health Surveillance and Emergency Preparedness and Response at Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), told local media.
'We can now quickly test and confirm infections using advanced methods, including genomic sequencing, which is crucial for effective outbreak management,' he said.
Rwagasore says it is important to remain vigilant despite the measures instilling confidence in the country’s ability to manage potential health challenges, including mpox.
The infection is transmitted to humans through physical contact with contaminated materials, or with infected animals or other human beings.
The number of property developers and architecture firms registered in the country over the last decade has grown significantly as property entrepreneurs seek to capitalize on this promising sector.
Johnson Bigwi is the founder of Futuristic Design Group (FDG) Africa, a local company which offers engineering services with a special focus on urban development. He told IGIHE in a recent interview that the sector has experienced exponential growth over the last decade, particularly in the architectural design of buildings emerging in Kigali and other parts of the country.
Futuristic Design Group (FDG) Africa offices in Gikondo, Kigali.
A graduate of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Nairobi, Bigwi ventured into real estate in 2014. At the time, he observed that most buildings shared a similar aesthetic design and this presented him with an opportunity.
'This gave us the chance to offer alternative, well-orchestrated designs and we have since grown to offer other services, including surveying and construction, to cater for the growing demands on the market,' Bigwi said.
Kigali-based architecture Johnson Bigwi. He ventured into real estate market in 2014
Despite the setbacks brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, Rwanda’s economic is on a steady trajectory. This has led to a rising middle class with increased disposable income, creating a fertile ground for diverse real estate investments.
Boris Muhirwa, a project manager for DND Developers in Kigali, concurs that the demand for luxury apartments is on the rise.
Boris Muhirwa (l) is a project manager for DND Developers in Kigali.
A civil engineer with close to 15 years of experience, Muhirwa is currently overseeing the refurbishment of the Royal Golf View Apartment Hotel in Kigali’s upscale Kacyiru neighborhood. The 10-storey structure will encompass residential apartments, retail spaces, and a hotel upon completion.
He revealed that while the project is only a month old and has a two-year timeline, several clients have already placed bookings.
The 10-storey structure will encompass residential apartments, retail spaces, and a hotel upon completion.
'Previously, people were hesitant to pay upfront for something they had no input be it with design or execution. However, the industry has evolved, and clients now have more confidence in developers, allowing for installment payment plans,' Muhirwa said.
Beyond the traditional residential and commercial infrastructure, the Rwandan real estate market is experiencing robust growth fueled by a number of factors such as increased accessibility to financing through local financial institutions.
Government policies
Prince Hoffman Banamwana, a real estate marketer and founder of Quick Homes Rwanda, believes that investor-friendly policies and unmatched security have been instrumental in attracting foreign investment, thereby stimulating growth in the sector.
'The government policies have ensured one thing beyond reasonable doubtâ” safety,' says Banamwana, a social sensation renowned for his vibrant YouTube channel where he showcases houses for potential clients to buy.
According to him, once people feel safe, they are bound to stay or even engage in productive activities in a given area.
Government advertising initiatives such as Visit Rwanda have also opened up Rwanda’s tourism sector, promoting the hotel and hospitality industry.
'The government is doing us a great service by advertising the country through Visit Rwanda campaigns, such as the partnership with Arsenal and other teams, which attract people to visit. Once here, they often fall in love with the country and want to stay,' he added.
Banamwana observed that infrastructure development makes Rwanda an attractive destination for real estate investors. Investments in transportation, energy, and telecommunications are improving the business environment and supporting real estate development.
Beyond the current improvements, there is widespread consensus that there are substantial investment opportunities for real estate developers, particularly in affordable housing and high-rise buildings.
“The current market is unaffordable. It’s expensive across the board. Anyone investing in affordable housing here would tap into a significant market that could be supported by government initiatives,” Banamwana stated.
By and large, there’s a growing need to explore high-rise buildings due to limitations of available land, the demand for modern and amenity-rich living spaces, and the desire for efficient and sustainable urban development.
The real estate market in Rwanda is rapidly evolving as demand for residential and commercial housing continues to grow.
Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal at the Olympic Games, claiming a 6-1, 6-4 victory in the pair's 60th and potentially last meeting.
It was 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic's 31st win in a rivalry that began on the same Roland-Garros clay courts in 2006.
Nadal was largely outclassed in the much-anticipated encounter on Monday, only coming briefly to life when he won four games in a row in the second set.
'I'm very relieved,' said Djokovic. 'Everything was going my way, I was 6-1, 4-0 up but I played a sloppy service game and gave him chances.'
He added: 'I never thought back in 2006 that we'd still be playing each other almost 20 years later.'
In a sign of the wear and tear the pair have endured in recent months, Djokovic wore a protective strapping around his right knee while Nadal's right thigh was heavily strapped.
But Djokovic played freely, forcing Nadal to scamper around Court Philippe Chatrier, where the Spaniard had collected 14 of his 22 Grand Slam titles.
The 37-year-old Serb raced to a 4-0 lead, on the back of a double break, and held for 5-0 before Nadal stopped the rot much to the relief of a packed, sweltering crowd.
Djokovic pocketed the one-sided opener when 2008 Olympic gold medallist Nadal ballooned a forehand wide of the mark.
The statistics made grim reading for the 38-year-old Spaniard, who managed to eke out just four points off the Djokovic serve in the first set.
There was no respite for Nadal, playing just his seventh tournament of an injury-plagued season, as Djokovic again carved out a double break for a 4-0 lead in the second set.
Djokovic, seeking a first Olympic gold medal to add to his 24 Grand Slam triumphs, surprisingly handed Nadal a lifeline when he served up a double fault to be broken for the first time.
Nadal retrieved the second break to claw his way back from 0-4 to 4-4 as the top seed went suddenly off the boil.
Djokovic responded in style, a drop shot leaving Nadal flat-footed as the Serb broke for 5-4 on a fourth break point and clinched victory in style with an ace.
Despite his defeat on Monday, Nadal still has hopes of a gold medal in the men's doubles where he is playing alongside Carlos Alcaraz.
Serbia's Novak Djokovic returns to Spain's Rafael Nadal during their men's singles second-round tennis match at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games [Martin Bernetti/AFP]
A war of words has broken out between Israel and Turkey after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened his country could intervene militarily in Israel's war on Gaza.
Turkish and Israeli officials unleashed barbs at one another on Sunday and Monday after Erdogan said in a speech on Sunday that 'there is no reason' that Turkey could not act, noting military interventions made in the past in other countries.
While crude rhetoric between the two countries has been regular amid the war in Gaza, the threats and insults come as fears of a wider escalation rise once again.
Shortly after Erdogan's speech, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a post on X that the Turkish president was 'following in the footsteps' of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein by threatening to attack Israel.
'Just let him remember what happened there and how it ended,' he wrote in reference to the Iraqi president's infamous 2003 capture by United States forces while hiding in a hole in the ground near a farmhouse in Tikrit. Hussein was later executed.
In retaliation, Turkey â” not for the first time â” compared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler.
'Just as genocidal Hitler ended, so will genocidal Netanyahu,' said the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
'Just as the genocidal Nazis were held accountable, so will those who try to destroy the Palestinians,' the post continued. 'Humanity will stand by the Palestinians. You will not be able to destroy the Palestinians.'
'Humanity's conscience'
Erdogan, who has consistently issued strong rhetoric during Israel's 10-month war in Gaza, made the suggestion that Turkey could intervene militarily in a speech to his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party on Sunday.
'We need to be very strong so that Israel cannot do these ridiculous things to Palestine. Just as we entered Karabakh, just as we entered Libya, we can do something similar to them,' he said.
Turkey, which backs the Tripoli-based government of Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, in 2020 sent soldiers to the fractured North African country to support its United Nations-backed administration.
In the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, over which Ankara ally Azerbaijan has fought for decades against Armenia, Turkey has denied engaging in any direct military operations.
But it has pledged support for Azerbaijan with 'all means', which has included military training and modernisation, along with the provision of advanced combat drones and other military equipment.
In a post on X on Monday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan boasted that Erdogan 'has become the voice of humanity's conscience'.
'International Zionist circles, especially Israel, who want to suppress this righteous voice, are in great alarm,' he wrote. 'History ended the same way for all genociders and their supporters.'
Turkey restricted some exports to Israel in April â” six months into the war on Gaza â” and said it halted trade with Israel altogether in early May.
Israel said it would scrap the country's free trade agreement with Turkey in retaliation, with Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich signalling the move is reversible when Erdogan is replaced by a leader who is 'sane and not a hater of Israel'.
A statement released by the Prime Minister’s office on Sunday, July 28, indicated that the two leaders discussed their mutual commitment to addressing illegal migration.
'They acknowledged that illegal migration remains a pressing global challenge and emphasized the importance of dismantling the business model of criminal gangs profiting from human suffering,' the statement reads in part.
Illegal migration was a major challenge for the previous administration of Rishi Sunak and his predecessors in the Conservative Party. It remains a significant issue for the new administration as well.
Early this month, Starmer announced that he was terminating the UK-Rwanda Migration and Economic Development Partnership.
The agreement, signed in December 2023, stipulated that asylum seekers arriving illegally in the UK would be transferred to Rwanda, where their claims would be processed.
In response to the intention to terminate the deal, the Rwandan government highlighted its adherence to the agreement.
“Rwanda has fully upheld its side of the agreement, including with regard to finances, and remains committed to finding solutions to the global migration crisis,' said the office of the Government Spokesperson.
With the new leadership in the UK, the future of migration policies and international partnerships remains uncertain. However, the commitment demonstrated by both Starmer and Kagame to address global challenges collaboratively sets a hopeful tone for ongoing and future cooperation between the two nations.
President Paul Kagame and new UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer deliberated on their mutual commitment to addressing illegal migration.
Amilcar Cabral once said, “Always bear in mind that the people are not fighting for ideas, for the things in anyone’s head. They are fighting to win material benefits, to live better and in peace, to see their lives go forward, to guarantee the future of their children.” To a person who has not internalized the words of Cabral, a consistently above 90% victory in an election is evidence of lack of democracy.
The recent sweeping victory for President Paul Kagame of Rwanda at 99.18% has created a new termâ” poll dictatorship, although one wonders how you dictate a voter turnout of 98.02% if not explained by the will of the people to affirm their choice of leadership. I proffer a different opinion as one who has looked at Rwanda through the lens of statistical evidence, having been a Statistician General of South Africa and worked quite closely with the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda.
If you have lived under constant genocidal threat and ultimately, it materializes into the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi that in 100 days wiped more than a tenth of the population, you have to ask yourself what could be worseâ”is there anything you can ever fear or be afraid of? Based on what Rwandans experienced, I would argue that it is impossible to intimidate them. Anyone threatening Rwandans by deception, coercion or other acts faces an uphill battle because for them, it cannot be worse than what they witnessed.
So, the results of the poll in Rwanda speak not to the fear of what others think of as a dictator, but the fearlessness of fear because what fear can be left in you when you saw and endured the worst. The poll, rather than reflect fear, speaks to and affirms what Rwandans experienced out of a condition that swept their country in a blink of an eye and what progressively and cumulatively restored their dignity in the last thirty years. Why would you gamble that dignity ever again?
President Kagame, against all odds delivered on what Cabral referenced. Many do not remember or conveniently forget that President Kagame took six years from 1994 to 2000, before he could ascend to be the President of Rwanda even after winning the liberation struggle that lasted over four years. Perhaps what we need to ask him is what preoccupied him in those six years â” perhaps therein lies the secret of his transformative leadership so overwhelmingly appreciated by the Rwandese and surprising to others.
A statistical visit to count a 1000 Hills
In January 2007 was the year I first visited Rwanda. This was on the occasion that Rwanda hosted the bean counters of Africa under the banner of Africa Symposium for Statistical Development (ASSD) over which I presided for twelve years. This followed on the inaugural session in South Africa in January 2006. President Kagame was so determined to drive the statistical agenda in Rwanda that he had agreed to attend the inaugural session of the ASSD in South Africa. Even though this presidential participation did not eventually materialize at the time, it was sufficient motivation for Minister Trevor Manuel to wisely advise that the next ASSD should be hosted in Rwanda.
Indeed, the Second ASSD was opened by President Kagame himself in Kigali. In his address, the President led from the front on the subject of the importance of statistics and the strategic role it continued to play in Rwanda. I had little doubt that the National Statistics Institute of Rwanda was on the ready for greater heights. On the eve of the second ASSD the delegates were addressed on the history of Rwanda, the experience of the Genocide against the Tutsi as well as the national unity programme. The unity programme was also displayed in all the cultural events we attended during our stay in Rwanda.
At the end of a traumatizing journey through the genocide museum, it was hard to believe that a reconciliation programme was feasible. But the Rwandans showed determination to give birth to a new nation, building a different Rwanda. They drew from their cultural systems of justice and the Gacaca courts proved that they were not only bringing positive results in the atonement of crime, but facilitated peers to bring about remedy and reconciliation through the provision of grassroots-level justice for many of the cases.
What is behind Rwanda’s Transformation?
Transforming an organization starts with changing its culture, and the same holds true for society. Before 1994, Rwanda was mired in a culture of impunity, but today it upholds accountability and the rule of law. The previous culture of entitlement and laissez-faire attitudes has evolved into one of hard work and inclusion. Nepotism and mediocrity in public service have been replaced by merit-based teams, driven by performance contracts and enhanced by technological innovations for efficient service delivery.
Rather than following a prescribed rule book for development, the government has looked inward, drawing from historical context to develop homegrown solutions for societal and developmental challenges. A key aspect of this journey has been the continuous renewal of the ruling party and institutions, actively involving the youth as new talents emerge to ensure sustainable social progress and human development.
President Kagame, advocating for a growth mindset, famously said, “Work hard until it pains because poverty hurts more.” This message has resonated across society, igniting a culture of doing hard things and smart work. President Kagame’s government has prioritized security, national unity, effective governance, rapid development, and zero tolerance for corruption. The culture of meritocracy and performance-based benefits has transformed perceptions of both public and private sectors.
Transformation also goes with tangible results, Rwanda’s economic transformation has been impressive, with GDP growth rates averaging 7-8.5% annually over the past three decades. According to the World Bank, Rwanda’s GDP per capita has increased ninefold between 1994 and 2023. By focusing on technology-led development, Rwanda has positioned itself as a tech hub in Africa, with groundbreaking innovations in service delivery, such as using drones to deliver medical supplies to remote health centers and utilizing the digital platform IREMBO for efficient citizen services.
This is evidenced by the fact that Rwanda’s economy has shifted from being predominantly agrarian to a service-based economy. Services now contribute more than 50% of GDP, with agriculture and industry making up the balance.
Perfect vision through the lens of an outsider
I have visited Rwanda frequently since my first visit in January 2007 and I was back there on the 26-27 July. I am amazed by how Rwanda has successfully heeded the prescripts of Amilcar Cabral when he warned politicians that they should 'Always remember that the people are not fighting for ideas, nor for what is in men’s minds. The people fight and accept the sacrifices demanded by the struggle in order to gain material advantages, to live better and in peace, to benefit from progress, and for the better future of their children. National liberation, the struggle against colonialism, the construction of peace, progress and independence are hollow words devoid of any significance unless they can be translated into a real improvement of living conditions.'
No where has this been demonstrated with distinction as has been done in Rwanda. The evidence of progress after a genocidal calamity of unimaginable proportions shows the truth and possibility of what Morena Mohlomi, the 18th Century sage of the Ngolile Leadership Academy in the Caledon Valley of the then Lesotho, when he said that 'a responsible leader pursues peaceful and productive alliances, accommodates stakeholders, and uses new instruments of power to create intergenerational value.' The political renewal project, the abhorrence of corruption and incompetence and the creation of a developmental state using new instruments of power show that democracy can and does deliver spectacular affirmation in reality and at the polls.
Rwanda’s journey demonstrates that even from the darkest moments, with the right mindset and courage, selfless leadership with a vision supported by action, a nation can rise and thrive. As Rwanda continues on this path, its focus must remain on sustainable and inclusive growth, ensuring that every Rwandan benefits from the nation’s progress.
Dr. Pali Lehohla is a Professor of Practice at the University of Johannesburg, a Research Associate at Oxford University, a board member of Institute for Economic Justice at Wits and a distinguished Alumni of the University of Ghana. He is the former Statistician-General of South Africa.
EIGHT people including children have been injured in a stabbing on a residential street â” with armed cops swarming on the 'major incident'.
Cops were called to a property on Hart Street in Southport at around 11.50am today.
A man has been detained and a knife seized after a number of people were injured, Merseyside Police said.
North West Ambulance Service said eight patients have been treated so far and taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby Hospital.
Cops have warned people to avoid the area but said there is no wider threat to the public.
A local business owner, who was one of the people who called the police, said the incident in Southport was like a 'scene in a horror movie.'
Colin Parry, owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs on Hart Street, said: 'The mothers are coming here now and screaming.
'It is like a scene from a horror movie.'
'Police have got him,' he added.
'It's like something from America, not like sunny Southport.'
What we know so farâ¦
At least eight people, including children, have been injured in the 'major incident'
Armed police were called to the scene on Hart Street, Southport, at 11.50am
A man has been detained and a knife seized
Patients have been taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby Hospital
Witnesses have reported seeing around 20 police cars and several ambulances as well as a helicopter circling above.
One resident told the Liverpool ECHO they had locked their doors and windows to 'stay safe'.
Others have reported hearing 'loads of sirens' and the entirety of the street is behind a police cordon.
A statement Merseyside Police read: 'We can confirm that emergency services are in Southport following a major incident this morning, Monday 29 July.
'At around 11.50am, we were called to a property on Hart Street to reports of a stabbing.
'There are a number of reported casualties and more details will be confirmed when possible.
'Armed police have detained a male and seized a knife. He has been taken to a police station.
'Please avoid the area while we deal with this incident. There is no wider threat to the public.'
A spokesperson for North West Ambulance Service said: 'We're attending a major incident on Hart Street, Southport following reports of multiple stabbings in which we have dispatched multiple resources.
'We're assessing the situation and working with emergency partners.'
Cops were called to a 'major incident' at a property on Hart Street in SouthportCredit: PA
Witnesses have reported seeing around 20 police cars at the sceneCredit: PA
Fire crews gather equipmentCredit: CHRIS NEILL
An ambulance spokesperson said: 'North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) is responding to a major incident following a call at 11:48am to Hart Street in Southport following reports of multiple stabbings.
'We have dispatched 13 ambulances along with specialised resources of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), Air Ambulance and Merit Doctors to the scene.
'So far, NWAS has treated eight patients with stab injuries who have been taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby hospital.'
In a statement, an Alder Hey Children's Hospital spokesperson said: 'The Trust is working with other emergency services to respond to this incident and our Emergency Department is currently extremely busy.
'We ask parents to only bring their children to the Emergency Department if it is urgent.
'All other appointments and services are running as normal.'
Southport MP Patrick Hurley said he was 'deeply concerned' by the reports coming from Merseyside Police.
In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, he said: 'I am deeply concerned by the reports coming from Merseyside Police about a major incident on Hart Street in Southport today.
'I am hoping for the best possible outcomes to the casualties affected.
'My thoughts go out to all those affected, their loved ones and to the entire community.
'The police have confirmed that an individual involved in the attack has now been detained.
'I am repeating the advice of the police to avoid the area whilst the police and ambulance teams support this incident.'
A police officer secures emergency tape to a postCredit: CHRIS NEILL
Firefighters walk through the sceneCredit: CHRIS NEILL
