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Building on Rwanda’s pioneering 2016 launch of the world’s first national drone delivery service, the new deal expands Zipline’s operations to full nationwide coverage, introduces Africa’s first urban drone delivery network, and establishes the continent’s first autonomous delivery testing centre.

Under the expansion, Rwanda will also become the first country in Africa to deploy Zipline’s next-generation urban delivery system, Platform 2 (P2), designed for fast, quiet and highly precise deliveries in dense cities such as Kigali, where nearly 40 per cent of national healthcare demand is concentrated.
The system is already in use in the United States, delivering thousands of items daily to homes, offices and public spaces.

Minister of ICT and Innovation Paula Ingabire said the partnership reflects Rwanda’s long-term commitment to using technology to improve public services and save lives.

'Rwanda and Zipline have been working together for years to harness technology for the good of our people,' Ingabire said. 'We have seen the extraordinary impact of drone delivery in saving time, saving money and saving lives. With this partnership, we are expanding to urban delivery and reaching even more communities. We thank the U.S. Government for supporting Zipline’s expansion and for joining us in building the foundation for Africa’s future in healthcare and innovation.'

As part of the agreement, Zipline will establish a new long-range distribution hub in Karongi District, complementing its existing centres in Muhanga and Kayonza. The Karongi hub will extend delivery services to districts beyond the Nyungwe Forest, including communities near Rwanda’s western border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Within Rwanda, the facility is expected to serve about 200 health posts and 60 major health facilities, reaching more than 2.9 million people.

With the addition of the new hub and the rollout of urban services, Zipline’s nationwide network in Rwanda will cover more than 11 million people and support approximately 350 local jobs. The Karongi site, built near the Rwanda—DRC border, has also been described as a symbol of cooperation and peace between the two countries.

Zipline Africa CEO Caitlin Burton said Rwanda’s approach to innovation continues to set a global benchmark.

'In 2016, Rwanda made a decision that changed health access forever,' Burton said. 'Rwanda did not ask whether it had been done before. It asked whether it could work and whether it could save lives. Today, Rwanda is doing it again. This is a global first — not because the technology exists, but because the leadership exists.'

She added that Rwanda’s leadership was a key reason the U.S. Government is backing the expansion and why Zipline is investing beyond its contract in research, technology and high-skill jobs in the country.

In another first, the agreement includes the establishment of Zipline’s first overseas research and development hub in Rwanda. The new AI and robotics testing facility will support aircraft performance testing, development of new safety systems and next-generation logistics software, while also contributing to local skills development and innovation.

Pierre Kayitana, Zipline Rwanda’s Country Director, said the expansion creates a single, integrated logistics system serving all Rwandans.

'Rwanda pioneered autonomous logistics for the world,' Kayitana said. 'With the addition of a third hub and upcoming urban services in Kigali, Rwanda is creating a seamless national system that serves all citizens equally.'

Under the financing model, the U.S. Government will provide upfront infrastructure funding to enable the scale-up, while the Government of Rwanda will cover ongoing operations. Officials say the approach ensures the expansion is financially sustainable, nationally owned and fully integrated into Rwanda’s broader strategy for resilient, technology-driven healthcare.

Since its launch, Zipline’s drone delivery network in Rwanda has provided on-demand access to blood, vaccines and essential medicines, significantly reducing waste and improving health outcomes. According to Zipline, the system has contributed to a 51 per cent reduction in maternal deaths and strengthened real-time health data integration with national emergency response systems.

Zipline has been operating in Rwanda for a decade.

Pierre Kayitana, Zipline Rwanda’s Country Director, said the expansion creates a single, integrated logistics system serving all Rwandans.

Zipline Africa CEO Caitlin Burton said Rwanda’s approach to innovation continues to set a global benchmark.

“The signing ceremony for the agreement to expand Zipline Rwanda’s operations was attended by several stakeholders.

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Addressing the 20th National Dialogue Council (Umushyikirano) at the Kigali Convention Centre (KCC), Kagame dismissed the claims as baseless and used a sharp hypothetical to make his point clear.

'By the way, if we were really in Congo for minerals we would be 100 times richer than we are now,' he said.

President Kagame also challenged the logic behind the repeated questions about Rwanda’s alleged presence in Congo, often centered on minerals.

He explained his standard response to such inquiries: 'If you ask whether we are in Congo, do you first ask yourself why would Rwanda be in Congo? Then you would get the answer without asking me.'

He made clear that any discussion of Rwanda’s posture toward eastern Congo must start with long-standing security threats.

'We have told you for the last 30 years about the threats coming from Congo to do with our security and those threats have materialized several times. You just don’t want to see or hear it.'

The Head of State was referring to a threat posed by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a terrorist group formed by remnants of those responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which continues to spread genocidal ideology.

The group has, at various times, launched attacks on Rwandan territory and has collaborated with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government to shell Rwanda during confrontations with the AFC/M23 rebel coalition. This situation has compelled Rwanda to put in place defensive measures to protect its citizens.

President Kagame also recalled being asked by ambassadors accredited to Rwanda, as well as representatives of other governments, including ministers, whose inquiries appeared to downplay the seriousness of the threat posed by the FDLR.

Reports indicate that as of June 2025, the FDLR was estimated to have between 7,000 and 10,000 fighters, most of whom, including senior leaders, were based in the Walikale and Masisi territories of North Kivu Province.

As he addressed participants of the meeting, Kagame argued that the mineral narrative serves to obscure these defensive necessities and shift blame.

He highlighted that acknowledging Rwanda’s presence, even hypothetically, would conveniently let others 'load the problems of Congo on your shoulder,' while ignoring the root causes , persistent threats that have forced Rwanda to take protective measures over decades.

Kagame also recalled a past exchange with a CNN journalist who asked directly about Rwanda’s involvement. His reply at the time was 'I don’t know,' which he described as technically safe.

'Simply, that is really technically an answer that I should not have given, but also technically it is an answer that would not take me to court… How would you prosecute an ignorant man who doesn’t even know what you are talking about?'

He stressed that this back-and-forth has trivialized the real issue, security threats originating from eastern Congo, while accusations of mineral motives serve to shift blame away from the actual sources of the problem.

Kagame concluded by reaffirming Rwanda’s position: 'We are not responsible for Congo.' He insisted that protecting Rwandans remains non-negotiable: 'For protecting our people, that one we shall. There is no question about it.'

President Paul Kagame has rejected persistent allegations that Rwanda is in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to exploit its mineral resources.

The National Dialogue Council brings together Rwandans from across the country for an inclusive exchange with their leaders on the progress of Rwanda’s transformation.

Théophile Niyitegeka

The Head of State made the remarks during the 20th edition of Umushyikirano, Rwanda’s National Dialogue Council.

'The UN is everybody, but at the same time it is nobody. The international community is all of us, but actually it is none of us when it comes to some of these problems,' Kagame said, arguing that the lack of clear accountability often leaves Rwanda unfairly blamed for issues it did not create.

Kagame highlighted the persistent threat posed by the FDLR militia, formed by remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He noted that while some claim that the fighters are ageing, the ideology is passed down through generations, creating a continuous security risk.

'I meet ambassadors and ministers who ask how many Interahamwe or FDLR are in Congo. […] If you say they are 90 years old, it means they are there. But when children are trained, taught this ideology, and become fighters, how does being 90 years old make the problem irrelevant?' he said.

'The easiest answer for me sometimes is: why don’t you ask the UN forces you put there?' he added.

He also cited the ongoing hate speech from Congolese leaders that perpetuates genocide ideology.

'Even if you think there are few who give such a speech, there are millions who are listening, and among them, they are recruited into that and they become part of the threat that Rwanda faces,' Kagame said.

The President expressed frustration with global actors who, he said, simultaneously create problems that worsen regional tensions. He suggested that this approach has emboldened some leaders, including DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, to continue aggressive rhetoric and policies against Rwanda.

'You can’t create problems for me, blame me for them, and then start threatening me. It’s a daily thing,' he said.

Addressing accusations about the alleged presence of Rwandan forces in the Congo, Kagame dismissed claims that the country is motivated by minerals, saying its posture along the DRC border is purely defensive.

'If we were in Congo for minerals, we would be a hundred times richer than we are now… the threats coming from Congo to do with our security have materialised several times. You just don’t want to see it, you don’t want to hear it,' he said.

He urged the international community to hold the responsible parties accountable rather than placing the burden on Rwanda.

'Congo must own their responsibilities and must not transfer their responsibilities to others who are not responsible for Congo,' Kagame said, stressing that Rwanda’s defensive measures are aimed at protecting its people, not pursuing aggression.

The President concluded by emphasising that solutions exist if the root causes of regional instability are addressed.

'If you address the root causes and simply put responsibility where it belongs and accountability, I think this problem can be resolved,' he said.

President Paul Kagame has criticised the international community for what he described as inconsistent and ineffective responses to security threats emanating from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly those linked to the FDLR militia.

The Head of State made the remarks during the 20th edition of Umushyikirano, Rwanda’s National Dialogue Council.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

In a statement released on Tuesday, the ministry said the EU states’ envoys were called in by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi and the relevant director generals at the ministry, describing the bloc’s labeling of the IRGC as “a strategic mistake and an unforgivable insult” to Iran.

According to the statement, the EU members’ ambassadors gave the assurance that they will relay Iran’s protest to their governments as soon as possible.

The EU decided last week to add the IRGC to the bloc’s terrorist list.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday the European ambassadors had been summoned by the ministry on Sunday and Monday.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday his country considers EU militaries “terrorist groups” in response to the bloc’s action.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has summoned the ambassadors of the European Union (EU)’s member states in strong protest to the bloc’s designation of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

Xinhua

Abdullah Othman Abdurrahim, a member of the team, posted the announcement on Facebook, stating that four masked gunmen carried out a “treacherous operation” by storming Gaddafi’s residence at noon in the city of Zintan.

The attackers reportedly disabled surveillance cameras before a “direct armed confrontation” ensued, resulting in his death.

The political team called on the Libyan judiciary and the international community to investigate the “crime” and identify the perpetrators and those who “masterminded” the attack. Authorities in Tripoli and Zintan have not yet confirmed the details of the incident.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi has remained a significant and polarizing figure in Libya since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ended his father’s rule.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, was killed in an armed attack in western Libya on Tuesday.

Xinhua

Citing unnamed sources, the Fars news agency reported that the drone “successfully” monitored military movements in areas adjacent to Iran and transmitted data to ground bases in real time. The report described such missions as vital for the “overall monitoring” of the region.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted an informed source as saying that Iran had lost contact with one of its drones, the cause of which is under investigation and will be announced once it is determined.

The U.S. Central Command said earlier in the day that a U.S. F-35C warplane “was forced” to shoot down an Iranian Shahed-139 drone in the Arabian Sea. The command said the drone had “unnecessarily maneuvered” toward the USS Abraham Lincoln while the carrier was transiting international waters approximately 800 km from the Iranian coast.

According to the U.S. statement, the drone was shot down in “an act of self-defense.” No U.S. troops were injured, and no equipment was damaged in the encounter, the military said.

The encounter comes amid tentative prospects for U.S.-Iran talks in the coming days.

Earlier in the day, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said he had instructed the Foreign Ministry to pursue “fair and equitable” negotiations with the United States.

Writing on social media platform X, Pezeshkian said the move followed requests from regional governments to respond to a negotiation proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump. He said any talks must take place within a framework of “dignity, prudence and expediency.”

While Türkiye has offered to mediate, Tehran appears to be seeking to limit the scope of the discussions. U.S. outlet Axios, citing informed sources, reported that Iran prefers Oman as a venue and favors direct talks with Washington rather than a broader format involving Arab and Muslim states.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said consultations were underway to finalize a venue for talks expected in the coming days, the official IRNA reported. Baghaei said Türkiye, Oman, and several other regional countries had expressed readiness to host the talks, which Iran highly values.

The diplomatic push, however, has drawn resistance from Israel.

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Jerusalem on Tuesday for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, ahead of a possible meeting later this week with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi.

After the meeting, Netanyahu’s office said Iran “has repeatedly demonstrated it cannot be trusted to keep its promises.”

Israel’s public broadcaster Kan reported that Israeli officials are seeking U.S. assurances of “operational freedom of action” against Iran and are pressing for a complete halt to Tehran’s ballistic missile program and uranium enrichment.

Complicating matters further, Iran is also facing a diplomatic dispute with the European Union.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it summoned EU ambassadors on Tuesday to protest the bloc’s recent designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization over its role in the “crackdown” on nationwide protests. Tehran previously responded by designating EU militaries as “terrorist groups.”

Also on Tuesday, Iranian authorities said they had arrested 139 foreign nationals in the central city of Yazd during recent anti-government protests. The city’s police chief said those detained were involved in “organizing, inciting or directing unrest” and, in some cases, had contacts outside the country, according to Tasnim. The nationalities of those arrested were not disclosed.

Weeks of protests erupted across Iran from late December to January over the sharp depreciation of the rial. Initially peaceful, the demonstrations escalated into clashes that caused casualties and damage to mosques, government buildings, and banks. Tehran has blamed the unrest on the United States and Israel.

Israeli and U.S. naval forces participate in a joint drill in the Red Sea on Feb. 1, 2026.

Xinhua

Researchers from the University of Queensland’s (UQ) Frazer Institute studied cell interactions at cellular resolution in non-small cell lung carcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer, to better understand why some patients don’t respond to immunotherapy treatment, said a UQ statement on Wednesday.

Using machine-learning algorithms and computational approaches, the study, published in Nature Communications, examined how cells interact and metabolize glucose, which cancer cells thrive on, said Associate Professor Arutha Kulasinghe from UQ’s Frazer Institute.

“We were able to dive deep into the complex nature of cells, basically looking at the cells’ personal lives in the complex composition of a tumor, and found certain metabolic neighborhoods were associated with response and resistance to immunotherapy,” Kulasinghe said.

Immunotherapy is costly and benefits only a minority of patients, he said, adding that “it’s important to understand how to identify these patients, and those that might need combination or alternative therapies.”

Lead author James Monkman from UQ’s Frazer Institute said higher glucose uptake in cancer cells was associated with poorer outcomes.

“We know cancer cells love sugar, and we analyzed where glucose was being processed in the cells and where it wasn’t,” Monkman said. “You could have a region of a tumor processing glucose in a completely different way to another area of the tumor.”

The next step is to develop targeted treatments, such as with metabolic inhibitors, to make immunotherapy more effective, and eventually enable precision medicine tailored to each patient’s tumor, with plans to extend the approach to other cancers, the researchers said.

A cancer cell featuring metabolic uptake (in yellow) and vessels (in blue). Photo credit: The University of Queensland

Xinhua

In a communiqué released by Lawrence Kanyuka, Head of the Department of Communication, the armed group said the facility served as a central hub for the planning, coordination, and execution of drone operations, which it says were used in attacks against civilians as well as AFC/M23 positions in areas under its control.

The group said the drone strikes affected several territories in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, including Masisi, Walikale, Rutshuru, Lubero, Kalehe, Mwenga, and Minembwe.

'The AFC/M23 will never stand idly by while innocent civilians are systematically targeted,' the communiqué said, warning that the group would act 'to neutralise these threats at their source' if such attacks continue.

The statement also called on the Kinshasa government to make what it described as 'an unequivocal choice between peace and war,' adding that 'if it chooses peace, it must strictly respect the ceasefire.'

The AFC/M23 further rejected any attempt by the government to shift responsibility for the attack, asserting that it carried out the Kisangani operation.

“The AFC/M23 carried out the operation in Kisangani. The Kinshasa regime is fully aware of the military equipment it abandoned at the airports of Goma and Kavumu and must also understand that the use of drones and mercenaries is neither exclusive to nor the sole prerogative of Kinshasa,” the statement reiterated.

The group issued an appeal to the international community, urging immediate action to end abuses against civilians and to address impunity for alleged crimes.

“The AFC/M23 issues an urgent appeal to the international community to act without delay to put an end to the barbarity of the Kinshasa regime and to end impunity for crimes committed against civilians,” the AFC/M23 stated.

AFC/M23 rebel coalition announced on Tuesday that it destroyed a military drone command centre at Kisangani Airport during an operation carried out between January 31 and February 1, 2026.

Lawrence Kanyuka, Head of the Department of Communication, said the facility served as a central hub for the planning, coordination, and execution of drone operations, which it says were used in attacks against civilians as well as AFC/M23 positions in areas under its control.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The airline shared the update on X account, on February 4, 2026.

'Due to heavy fog causing low visibility at Kigali International Airport, some flights to and from Kigali may experience delays,' the statement read. RwandAir sincerely apologized for any inconvenience this may cause to affected passengers.

Under international aviation regulations and safety standards, adverse weather conditions, such as dense fog that reduces visibility below safe operational minimums, are a valid and recognized reason for airlines to delay, divert, or suspend flights.

Pilots and air traffic control prioritize safety, and proceeding in unsafe conditions could pose serious risks, including potential accidents.

Common weather-related triggers for such disruptions include heavy rainfall, strong crosswinds, dense fog, thunderstorms, extreme temperatures, or any factors deemed hazardous by aviation authorities.

Rwanda’s national carrier, RwandAir has announced that some flights to and from Kigali may experience delays due to heavy fog causing low visibility at Kigali International Airport.

IGIHE

The Sudan Doctors Network said the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted several residential neighborhoods and the Al-Shartai Health Center. The group condemned the attack as a “flagrant violation” of international humanitarian law.

“Most of the victims were patients who were receiving treatment inside the health center at the time of the strike,” a witness in Kadugli told Xinhua, adding the attack occurred at 4:00 p.m. (1400 GMT).

The RSF did not immediately respond to the volunteer group’s report.

The strikes follow a strategic shift in the conflict. Earlier on Tuesday, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) said its units had finally entered the city, which has been besieged for more than two years by the RSF and the allied Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N).

The prolonged blockade has forced nearly 80 percent of Kadugli’s 183,750 residents to flee and caused severe food shortages, according to the UN data.

The RSF has intensified its campaign across the Kordofan region since October 2025, following its capture of El Fasher, the last major army stronghold in neighboring Darfur.

Sudan has been engulfed in a power struggle between the SAF and RSF since mid-April 2023. The war has killed tens of thousands and created the world’s largest displacement crisis.

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