The discussions were held on Thursday during a meeting between Chea Vuthy, Secretary-General of the Cambodian Investment Committee of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), and Rwanda's Ambassador to Cambodia, Bakuramutsa Nkubito Manzi, and his delegation.
According to Cambodian media, the meeting focused on ways to deepen economic and investment relations between the two countries, with Vuthy highlighting the importance of stronger cooperation to support sustainable economic growth, enhance resilience, and attract quality investment.
Vuthy also commended Rwanda's progress in economic diversification and transformation, investment promotion and private-sector development.
He said the two countries could benefit from sharing experiences and best practices in these areas as they seek to expand economic cooperation.
A key proposal discussed during the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Cambodian Investment Committee of the CDC and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
The proposed agreement would provide a framework for cooperation in investment promotion and business facilitation while helping establish stronger links between the private sectors of Cambodia and Rwanda.
The two sides expressed their commitment to strengthening economic cooperation and turning the proposed initiatives into concrete actions that could generate mutual benefits.
The discussions come as Rwanda continues to seek greater foreign investment and expand economic partnerships with countries beyond its traditional markets.
For Cambodia, closer engagement with Rwanda could provide an opportunity to strengthen its economic presence in Africa while opening avenues for businesses from both countries to explore new markets and partnerships.
Secretary-General of the Cambodian Investment Committee of the Council for the Development of Cambodia Chea Vuthy (L) meets with Rwanda's Ambassador to Cambodia, Bakuramutsa Nkubito Manzi at CDC on Thursday.
By the time the seller responds, the customer may already have moved on.
This is the fragmented reality of social commerce that Zimbabwean fintech ChatCash is trying to change by turning messaging conversations into complete digital storefronts.
The fintech allows small businesses to create online shops, showcase products, communicate with customers and receive payments without forcing buyers to leave the messaging platforms they already use.
Launched in 2023, ChatCash has developed APOMA, an artificial intelligence-powered conversational operating system that enables businesses to create fully automated digital storefronts within messaging applications such as WhatsApp.
Months after expanding into Rwanda and securing a fintech pilot licence, ChatCash is positioning Kigali as a base for its planned expansion into other African markets.
John Sakala, the company's CEO, says the idea is built around a simple observation: much of Africa's commerce is already happening through conversations.
'The future of commerce is conversational, and Africa is where it's beginning,' Sakala told IGIHE in an exclusive interview.
He said businesses and customers increasingly begin transactions through platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and other messaging services, but the tools supporting those transactions remain fragmented.
A customer may ask about a product on WhatsApp, make a payment through mobile money or a bank account, and then send a screenshot to prove that the money has been transferred.
ChatCash wants to put those steps in one place.
Turning a chat into a shop
According to Sakala, a merchant can use ChatCash to build an online storefront in about six minutes.
The business owner creates a profile, uploads products and connects an AI-powered assistant to the store.
That assistant acts as a digital salesperson, responding to customers around the clock through messaging platforms.
The system can communicate in local languages, including Kinyarwanda, as well as French and English, according to Sakala.
Instead of directing customers to a separate website, the business can meet them where the conversation has already started.
'When a customer comes to the WhatsApp number linked to your storefront, they are responded to conversationally,' Sakala explained.
Once the customer decides to buy, the payment can also be completed within the conversation.
ChatCash connects different payment options, including mobile money and bank accounts, allowing the customer to complete the transaction without moving to another platform.
For Sakala, that is the difference between traditional e-commerce and what he calls conversational commerce.
An e-commerce platform such as Shopify gives a business a dedicated online store and expects customers to visit that platform.
ChatCash, on the other hand, brings the store to the customer.
'The dynamic in Africa is that your customers are already talking to you on WhatsApp,' he said.
'We're not giving you a platform to trade on or dictating where you should trade. We're helping you communicate in a more organized way, right where your customers already are.'
Sakala says the system can communicate in local languages, including Kinyarwanda, as well as French and English, according to Sakala.
Beyond chatbots
ChatCash's technology goes beyond automated responses to frequently asked questions.
Sakala describes its AI-powered systems as autonomous agents that can make decisions within parameters defined by a business.
For example, an agent can respond to questions about products, manage a shopping cart, verify information, collect a delivery location and operate within price ranges set by the merchant.
That allows the AI assistant to function more like a salesperson than a conventional chatbot.
'The agent represents you when you're not there,' Sakala said.
The company believes such technology could be particularly useful for micro and small businesses that cannot afford dedicated staff to manage online sales throughout the day.
From Zimbabwe to Rwanda
ChatCash began its journey in Zimbabwe, where Sakala says the company built its initial customer base.
Its move into Rwanda followed Sakala's participation in the Visa Accelerator Programme in September 2025.
The startup was previously selected for the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator, gaining access to mentorship, product development support and Visa's global investor network.
The programme brought him to Kigali and introduced him to Norrsken House Kigali, where he learned more about Rwanda's business environment.
He returned to Rwanda in December and has since established ChatCash Rwanda as the company's regional headquarters for East Africa.
Sakala says the country's regulatory environment and multilingual market were among the factors that made Rwanda attractive.
He also points to the ease of registering a business and the support provided by institutions including the Kigali International Financial Centre and the National Bank of Rwanda.
The fintech recently secured a pilot licence from the National Bank of Rwanda, the regulator.
For ChatCash, Rwanda is not simply another market. It is intended to serve as a launch pad for the company's broader African expansion.
Sakala said the company is looking at Ghana and Nigeria as its next markets, while also targeting countries including Kenya and South Africa as part of its longer-term pan-African strategy.
'We believe this is a very good foundation for getting into other markets as well,' Sakala said.
He highlighted the possibility of licence passporting as another advantage of building the business in Rwanda, saying the framework can facilitate expansion into markets such as Ghana and Kenya with reduced onboarding requirements.
ChatCash enters Rwanda's fintech sandbox
ChatCash recently secured a pilot licence to operate as a fintech in Rwanda.
The pilot will initially involve a limited number of businesses and will operate within parameters set by the regulator, including limits on the amount of money that can be held in wallets.
Sakala said the company expects to start with about 100 businesses, despite having a waiting list of nearly 4,000 merchants.
He described the pilot as a controlled environment where the company can test its technology and operations before moving toward a full licence.
Once the process is completed and the limits are lifted, ChatCash plans to serve more merchants, including businesses on its waiting list.
The company has already spoken to more than 3,900 businesses in Rwanda, according to Sakala, while another 1,215 businesses have shown interest in Zimbabwe.
He said merchants have particularly appreciated the ability to bring their existing WhatsApp conversations, products and payments into a single system.
Moving beyond screenshots
One of ChatCash's key propositions is eliminating the reliance on screenshots as proof of payment.
Sakala said the platform creates a verifiable record for every transaction, allowing businesses to see the status of payments rather than relying on customers to send screenshots.
ChatCash has integrated with eKash, Rwanda's interoperable payment system, as well as MTN MoMo and other payment infrastructure.
The company also works with regional players such as Onafriq and Modu Pay.
Sakala said eKash is particularly important because it connects bank accounts and mobile money wallets while reducing the cost of transactions.
He argues that such interoperability could make it easier for fintech companies to build services around Rwanda's financial infrastructure.
From transactions to creditworthiness
ChatCash also sees another opportunity in the transaction records generated by small businesses.
Many micro-merchants operate across cash, mobile money and bank transfers, leaving them with limited formal records of their business activity.
Sakala believes that putting those transactions into a traceable digital system could eventually help merchants demonstrate their business performance to financial institutions.
'Every transaction counts,' he explained. 'The cash is in the chat.'
The platform, he argues, can create a record showing that a merchant has been trading consistently, potentially strengthening their ability to seek financing.
For businesses that have traditionally struggled to demonstrate their income and transaction history, ChatCash hopes its platform can become more than a sales tool.
ChatCash CEO John Sakala says the platform can help merchants build transaction records that could strengthen their ability to access financing.
Expansion plans
The company is preparing to raise more capital to support its expansion.
Sakala said ChatCash plans to seek about $5 million in its upcoming fundraising efforts and has been selected as a finalist in a financial inclusion competition organised by FINCA Ventures.
The startup founder will travel to San Francisco and London in October to participate in the FINCA Ventures Final Celebrations and Pitch Event, where the company will compete alongside other leading African startups developing solutions to expand financial inclusion and pitch to investors.
Financing the merchants' marketing
ChatCash's ambitions extend beyond payments and online storefronts.
Sakala said the company is working with local banks on a product that would help merchants finance their digital advertising.
Instead of paying upfront to advertise on platforms such as Facebook or LinkedIn, eligible businesses could receive marketing financing and repay after generating sales.
He expects the product to launch within two months, although the exact timing will depend on the company's rollout.
The data centers, supported by U.S. President Donald Trump, have emerged as a key topic ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Recent polls have found that more than 70 percent of the public opposes data centers near them, according to The Wall Street Journal, forcing governors and candidates who had previously embraced AI to backtrack on their positions.
Power pressure
The biggest source of public concern is the strain that data centers place on the power grid, with residents worried that the rapid expansion of such facilities could lead to higher electricity bills.
The concern comes as electricity prices have climbed across the country. Average electricity costs in the U.S. have risen more than 35 percent in the last five years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Many consumers are blaming data centers for rising electricity costs, though the industry says it isn't solely to blame, according to the WSJ report.
The pressure is particularly visible in Texas, one of the country's fastest-growing data center hubs. The state recently froze new grid connections for data centers and launched an audit of proposed projects amid concerns over whether the surge in electricity demand can be reliably managed.
In March, major technology companies, including Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta, xAI, Oracle and OpenAI gathered at the White House to sign Trump's 'ratepayer protection pledge,' committing to 'paying the full cost of their energy and infrastructure, no matter what.'
However, the Financial Times reported the pledge lacks an enforcement mechanism and remains vague on which infrastructure costs data centers would have to cover.
The biggest source of public concern is the strain that data centers place on the power grid, with residents worried that the rapid expansion of such facilities could lead to higher electricity bills.
Other concerns
Beyond concerns about electricity costs, opposition has also focused on the broader environmental and community impacts of data centers.
In rural Nebraska, The Associated Press reported that residents worried about 'dwindling farmland' and 'declining water supplies' as large technology companies expand data center projects, while residents in East Texas complained of being forced to live in a 'gas cloud' so data centers could get enough electricity.
The report also cited Kardal Coleman, who leads the Democratic Party in Dallas County, criticizing data centers for 'replacing our jobs, polluting our air, and exacerbating the climate crisis, not to mention the noise disturbing our neighborhoods.'
A lack of transparency and public involvement has further fueled opposition to data center projects. In Oklahoma, The Washington Post reported how one person opposing a Google data center project said residents had been 'kept in the dark' about what would be built in their community.
Who benefits?
Trump has strongly supported the expansion of data centers during his second term, citing jobs and national security as reasons for accelerating the build-out.
'If they want to be successful and rich, with far lower taxes and jobs all over the place, let Data Reign,' Trump said on social media, referring to communities that reject such projects.
But some data center activists were wary of politicians and powerful corporations asking people to sacrifice in exchange for economic revitalization that may never arrive, according to The Washington Post.
In West Virginia, resident Shaena Crossland said that she feared data centers could repeat the pattern of industries such as coal mining and logging, which extracted resources from the state while leaving many communities struggling economically.
'Hopefully this cycle of extraction and taking advantage of people will stop,' Crossland said.
A drone image shows air handling units on the roof of a CloudHQ data center in Ashburn, Virginia.
Gen Muganga visited the APR FC squad on Saturday night, September 5, 2026, as the team prepared to travel to the DRC for the first leg of the CAF Champions League first-round qualifier.
Addressing the players, Gen Muganga described the match as one that would require maximum effort, urging them to represent the club and its supporters with pride.
'Fight hard and achieve the mission across the border. You have a game tomorrow, and for us, it is like the final. Victory must be secured there in Lubumbashi. After that, we will meet you at the airport and warmly welcome you for bringing pride to the team and our supporters,' he said.
He also stressed the importance of taking control of the tie in the first leg so that APR FC can approach the return match from a strong position.
'Hopefully, you will perform well in the first leg because that is the key to everything. We should play the second leg having already done our job,' Gen Muganga added.
APR FC departed for Lubumbashi early Sunday, September 6, aboard a chartered aircraft. The match is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Frédéric Kibassa Maliba Stadium.
The Rwandan champions will not spend the night at a hotel in the DRC. Instead, they are expected to travel directly to the stadium before returning to Kigali immediately after the match.
The players travelled to Kinshasa after CAF rejected the club's request to move the first leg from the DRC over security concerns and the Ebola outbreak.
The match will be played behind closed doors, with no spectators allowed inside the stadium due to Ebola concerns.
Players will not be allowed to exchange jerseys after the match, according to the arrangements put in place for the fixture.
Gen Muganga visited the APR FC squad on Saturday night, September 5, 2026, as the team prepared to travel to the DRC for the first leg of the CAF Champions League first-round qualifier.APR FC departed for Lubumbashi early Sunday, September 6, aboard a chartered aircraft. The match is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Frédéric Kibassa Maliba Stadium.
The concert, held on September 5, 2026, was part of the celebrations surrounding Rwanda's 21st Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony, which took place a day earlier in Kinigi, Musanze District.
Rema, one of the biggest names in contemporary Afrobeats, headlined the concert and performed for about an hour and 20 minutes, taking fans through some of his biggest hits, including 'Calm Down', 'Dumebi', 'Charm', 'Azaman', 'Bounce', 'Holiday', 'Soweto', 'Fun' and 'Ozeba'.
The concert was part of the celebrations surrounding Rwanda's 21st Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony.
From his opening performance, the atmosphere inside BK Arena was electric, with fans singing along to his songs and showing their excitement through banners and messages displayed on their phones.
Rema last performed in Kigali in October 2023, and his return was met with an enthusiastic reception from fans who had waited nearly three years to see him perform in the city again.
Rema brings his biggest hits to Kigali
Rema entered the stage a few minutes before 10 p.m., accompanied by a group of dancers, opening his performance with 'Azaman'.
He went on to perform a string of popular songs, keeping the crowd on its feet throughout the night.
'Calm Down', arguably his most recognisable hit, was among the performances that drew one of the strongest responses from the audience. The song, released in February 2022, has become one of the defining records of Rema's career.
From his opening performance to the closing of the concert, the atmosphere inside BK Arena was electric
His performance of 'Soweto', a collaboration with Victony, Tempoe and Don Toliver, also sparked a major singalong as fans joined him word for word.
Later, Rema performed 'Fun', a song centred on love, good times and socialising. He encouraged fans to enjoy themselves and share a drink as they celebrated the night together.
A fan gifted Rema a painting.
The singer also received a special gift from a Rwandan fan midway through his performance. The gift featured Rema's photograph, a gesture that visibly pleased the Nigerian star.
After around an hour and a half on stage, Rema brought the concert to a close with 'Ozeba', encouraging fans to dance along before ending his performance.
Rwandan stars set the stage
Rema was supported by some of Rwanda's leading performers, who helped build the excitement ahead of the headline act.
Kenny Sol was the first major performer of the evening, taking the stage at 7:41 p.m. He opened with 'Haso', his 2021 hit, before performing songs including 'Haje Gushya', 'Ikinyafu' and 'Phenomena' during his 20-minute set.
Kivumbi King followed, opening his performance with 'Hanze', which became popular after its release in September 2024.
He later brought Burundian artist Kirikou Akili onto the stage to perform 'Yampayinka', their recent collaboration.
Kivumbi also welcomed rapper Juno Kizigenza during 'Kirigute', giving fans another surprise collaboration.
Rwandan singer Saràh Phenom, who recently performed alongside Rema at his concert in Paris, also took the stage before the Nigerian superstar.
DJs keep the crowd moving
The entertainment continued between performances, with DJs helping maintain the energy inside BK Arena.
DJ Marnaud took over after Kenny Sol and Kivumbi King, later being joined by Intore Massamba and Ruti Joel.
Before Rema's appearance, DJ Jumbee, who regularly works as Rema's DJ, was also behind the decks, warming up the crowd for the highly anticipated performance.
Patrice Evra among notable guests
The concert attracted a mix of government officials, musicians, young people, social media personalities and other public figures.
Among those in attendance was former France international Patrice Evra, who played for clubs including Manchester United and Juventus.
Evra was also one of the distinguished Namers at the 21st Kwita Izina ceremony, where he named Muganura, a baby gorilla from the Izuba family.
Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire, Minister of State in the Ministry of Youth and Arts Development Umutoni Sandrine, and Rwanda Development Board Chief Executive Officer Jean Guy K. Afrika were also among the officials who attended.
A night of music and celebration
By 6 p.m., crowds had already begun gathering at BK Arena, with young Rwandans making up a large portion of the audience.
The concert provided a musical finale to a week of activities surrounding Kwita Izina, Rwanda's annual gorilla naming ceremony that brings together conservationists, public figures, artists, business leaders and visitors from around the world.
With Rema delivering a packed set of his biggest hits and Rwandan artists bringing their own energy to the stage, the concert ended the celebrations on a high note.
Rema, one of the biggest names in contemporary Afrobeats, headlined the concert and performed for about an hour and 20 minutes.He took fans through some of his biggest hits, including 'Calm Down', 'Dumebi', 'Charm', 'Azaman', 'Bounce', 'Holiday', 'Soweto', 'Fun' and 'Ozeba'.
The project was officially launched on September 3, 2026, and is expected to be completed within 18 months.
Lumia Lux, a company established with the involvement of Rwandans living abroad, said the development will provide high-end accommodation, particularly for visitors who prefer staying in serviced apartments rather than traditional hotels.
The project is also expected to contribute to the redevelopment of Kiyovu and add modern buildings to Kigali's skyline.
Lumia Lux Apartments Hotel will be built on a 2,800-square-metre plot and will have 14 floors, including two basement levels.
The development will feature studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, as well as penthouses. The apartments will be spacious and fully furnished for buyers.
The building will also include a swimming pool, gym, restaurant, voice-controlled smart home systems, security systems in common areas and international-standard medical services. It will also make use of solar energy.
Some apartments will be available for short- and long-term rental, while others will be sold. The development will also include offices, a supermarket and other services.
The project has been designed with environmental considerations in mind, combining conventional electricity with solar power. It will also have a wastewater treatment system to allow used water to be recycled.
Lumia Lux CEO Linda Lai said one of the project's key features is its focus on providing comfort and privacy for clients seeking high-end services.
She highlighted that Rwanda is increasingly hosting major events and other activities, making it an ideal place for such high-rise buildings.
Clients will have various options, including private spaces, dedicated elevators and private parking. This will allow those who choose such arrangements to stay in the building and access different services while enjoying a high level of privacy.
The development will also provide shared services for clients who opt for those arrangements.
Lai said Lumia Lux plans to continue investing in additional developments in Kiyovu after completing the current project, as part of efforts to modernise the area, which is regarded as one of Kigali's prestigious neighbourhoods but still has several ageing buildings.
Several Rwandan banks attended the project's launch ceremony, including BPR Bank Rwanda and Bank of Africa.
BPR Bank's Head of Retail Banking, Jean Marc Gakwandi, said the bank is ready to provide loans to people interested in purchasing apartments in the development once construction is completed.
BPR Bank and Bank of Africa were among the financial institutions represented at the launch of the more than $20 million Lumia Lux apartment hotel project in Kiyovu.The Lumia Lux Apartments Hotel is being developed on a 2,800-square-metre site in Kiyovu and is expected to be completed within 18 months.The 14-storey Lumia Lux development will incorporate solar power and a wastewater treatment system as part of its environmentally conscious design.Lumia Lux CEO Linda Lai said the project is designed to meet growing demand for high-end serviced apartments among visitors to Rwanda.BPR Bank Head of Retail Banking Jean Marc Gakwandi said the bank is ready to provide financing to clients interested in purchasing apartments in the Lumia Lux development once construction is completed.Lumia Lux has launched construction of a 14-storey apartment hotel in Kiyovu, Kigali, backed by an investment of more than $20 million.Lumia Lux Apartments Hotel will offer residents and guests facilities including a swimming pool, gym, restaurant, offices, a supermarket and other services.
The suspects were paraded at RIB headquarters in Kigali on September 5, 2026, among 81 people arrested in connection with the alleged cheating scheme. The remaining 42 suspects are still under investigation.
The two vice mayors are Mukanyandwi Janvière, Vice Mayor of Kirehe District in charge of Social Affairs, and Muhayeyezu Joseph Désiré, Vice Mayor of Nyamasheke District in charge of Economic Development.
The 39 suspects include 27 men and 12 women and are drawn from six categories, including district vice mayors, district education officials, school headteachers, teachers, examination supervisors and other people allegedly involved in facilitating the cheating.
RIB spokesperson Dr. Murangira B. Thierry said some suspects disguised the practice as 'helping children' while actually providing them with answers during examinations.
Investigators found cases where pupils from the same school had remarkably similar answers.
In Nyamasheke, a teacher allegedly photographed examination papers before they were distributed and sent them to a librarian, who reportedly used artificial intelligence to generate answers that were then printed and distributed to pupils.
RIB said testimonies from pupils also helped uncover the scheme.
RIB said the suspects are being investigated for three offences: abuse of authority for personal gain, forgery and disclosure of professional secrets.
Abuse of authority for personal gain falls under Rwanda's anti-corruption law and, upon conviction, can carry seven to 10 years in prison and a fine of Rwf5 million to Rwf10 million.
Forgery carries a possible five to seven-year prison sentence and a fine of Rwf3 million to Rwf5 million, or one of those penalties.
Those convicted of disclosing professional secrets can face one to two years in prison.
The Ministry of Education recently announced that 7,188 pupils who sat the Primary Leaving Examinations were found to have cheated and will be required to retake the exams.
RIB said the scheme was allegedly intended to boost district performance rankings by producing higher examination scores, even where pupils had not acquired the expected knowledge.
RIB spokesperson Dr. Murangira B. Thierry explained that suspects allegedly disguised examination cheating as 'helping children'.Two vice mayors are among 39 suspects paraded by RIB over alleged cheating in the national examinations.The suspects include district officials, school leaders, teachers, invigilators and others allegedly involved in facilitating cheating.RIB has paraded 39 suspects accused of helping pupils cheat in the national Primary Leaving Examinations.
Most wild giant pandas live in Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, with Sichuan home to the largest share of the population. For visitors, however, seeing these elusive animals does not require venturing into the remote mountains.
In Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, pandas are woven into the city's identity, appearing everywhere from signs and artwork to souvenirs and tourism attractions.
But beyond the images is the real experience. At the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, widely known as the Panda Base, visitors can see the animals for themselves in an environment designed around their natural way of life.
About 10 kilometres from Tianfu Square, the city centre, the 238-hectare facility welcomes local and international visitors drawn by the chance to see giant pandas up close.
Upon arrival, visitors of different ages and from different countries can be seen making their way through the base, many with scenes that make the visit memorable.In one enclosure, a panda may sit quietly, climb into a tree or settle on a branch, while visitors gather nearby with the same curiosity: to see these gentle giants with their own eyes.
The wait is often rewarded with a panda resting beneath a tree, while another may be busy feeding on bamboo. Elsewhere, visitors can watch pandas climbing trees, moving between branches, descending to the ground or simply stretching out for a rest.
Their movements are unhurried, but fascinating. A panda can spend up to 14 hours a day eating, consuming large quantities of bamboo because it provides relatively little energy. Although pandas are biologically classified within the carnivore family, they have adapted to a diet made up almost entirely of bamboo.
A specialised wrist bone, commonly known as a 'pseudo-thumb', helps them grasp bamboo stalks and strip leaves from the stalks.
At the Panda Base, these behaviours can be observed as part of an environment designed to recreate aspects of the animals' natural habitat. Mountains, forests and bamboo-filled landscapes surround panda enclosures, while paths connect different sheltered buildings and visitor areas.
Panda nurseries, husbandry zones, research laboratories and a panda hospital are also integrated into the site, with panda 'villas' scattered among the greenery.
The experience extends to the panda nursery, where visitors can encounter younger pandas before they mature into adults. Watching the cubs move, climb and explore offers another glimpse into the early stages of a panda's life, while the care provided around the nursery reflects the specialised work involved in raising them.
Giant pandas can spend up to 14 hours a day eating bamboo, reflecting the demands of their low-energy diet.
The Panda Base is divided into four themed areas: Panda Creek Valley, Panda Forest Area, Panda Reception Hall and Panda Villa Area.
It is not only a place to see pandas, but also a major centre for conservation and research. The facility has spent more than three decades working on captive husbandry and management, breeding and cub rearing, disease prevention and control, and population genetic management.
Its conservation work is presented alongside education. In 2021, the Panda Base opened the world's first interactive themed museum dedicated to giant pandas. It now has eight major science education display scenes, including the Giant Panda Theme Museum and the Panda Scientific Discovery Center.
Its 'Panda Chat' programme brings science education directly to the animal enclosures, allowing visitors to watch giant pandas and red pandas while learning about their biology, habitats and conservation.
Panda cubs can be seen moving and climbing in an enclosure at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
Since 2025, the base has also offered customised educational activities, including an immersive practical course on the giant panda's scientific diet, an experience exploring the ecological information contained in panda feces, and a giant panda enrichment designer programme.
The work at the Panda Base forms part of China's wider effort to protect a species whose wild population once faced severe pressure from habitat loss and human expansion. Today, nearly 1,900 giant pandas are estimated to live in the wild, with their natural habitat concentrated in Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces. Sichuan is the species' main stronghold. The Panda Base itself is home to more than 200 giant pandas.
The species, once classified as Endangered, has been reclassified as Vulnerable following sustained conservation efforts, including habitat protection and the establishment of the Giant Panda National Park.
The Panda Base has also become an international centre for conservation cooperation, with research partnerships involving 46 research and conservation institutions across 17 countries and regions. It has hosted the Annual Conference of the Giant Panda Breeding Technical Committee for 29 consecutive years.
And the panda experience does not end at the enclosures. Along the visitor routes and rest areas, nearly 60 cultural and creative merchandise experience spots and specialty food and beverage outlets offer visitors the chance to take home panda-themed souvenirs.
Giant pandas live in different enclosures at the baseA giant panda is seen quietly feeding on bamboo at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.Visitors gather around an enclosure, eager to catch a glimpse of giant pandas at close range.A giant panda stretches out for a rest after spending time feeding on bamboo.Giant pandas can spend up to 14 hours a day eating bamboo, reflecting the demands of their low-energy diet.Sheltered buildings and panda enclosures are connected by paths winding through the green surroundings of the Panda Base. A panda moves between branches as visitors watch from below at the Chengdu Panda Base.After feeding on bamboo, a male giant panda rests beneath a tree at the Panda Base.The Panda Base covers about 238 hectares, with forests and visitor paths spread across the facility.A giant panda rests in the shade as it feeds on bamboos, offering visitors a quieter moment during their tour of the Panda Base. The Panda Base recreates aspects of the giant panda's natural habitat through its forestsA giant panda rests in the shade after feeding, offering visitors a quieter moment during their tour of the Panda Base.A giant panda climbs a tree, giving visitors a close view of one of the animal's natural behaviours.A giant panda spends part of its day feeding on bamboo, with the species capable of eating large quantities to meet its energy needs.Panda-themed artwork and displays are part of the experience visitors encounter around Chengdu, a city closely associated with the giant panda.A giant panda sits among bamboo and greenery at the Chengdu Panda BaseVisitors make their way along the paths connecting panda enclosures and other facilities at the 238-hectare Panda Base.A panda holds a bamboo stalk with its paws as it settles down for a meal at the Panda Base. Visitors browse panda-themed merchandise as they look for souvenirs to take home from Chengdu.Panda villas are set among greenery at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.Visitors from different countries and walks of life observe giant pandas at the Chengdu Panda Base.The excitement of seeing giant pandas up close draws visitors of different ages to the Panda Base.Mobile shops and cultural outlets along the visitor routes offer panda-themed souvenirs and other items.Air transport is popular in Sichuan
A vineyard estate is a property where wine grapes are cultivated and turned into wine, usually as part of one integrated operation. It may also combine wine production with tourism, hospitality and other visitor experiences.
The first vines were planted in Kinigi, Musanze District, on September 4, 2026, coinciding with the 21st Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony.
The milestone brought together investors, partners, diplomats, government officials and members of surrounding communities.
The project will be developed across three sites in northwest Rwanda; Kinigi, Lake Burera and the slopes of Mount Karisimbi, with the latter expected to host Africa's highest-elevation fine-wine vineyard at approximately 2,700 metres above sea level.
VINMUSA Founder, CEO and Creative Director Andres de la Roche told IGIHE that the estate is expected to require approximately $22 million from the first planting through to full development.
'We expect the full development of VINMUSA Vineyard Estate to represent an investment of approximately $22 million, from the first vines we planted this week through to completion of the estate,' de la Roche said.
The investment will cover approximately 22 hectares of vineyards, a winery, nine luxury guest retreats and three suites, a Welcome Center and Tasting Gallery, an Experience Pavilion in Kinigi, as well as infrastructure, design and technical development.
The first phase alone is expected to cost approximately $9.8 million and will focus on Kinigi. It will include the first three guest retreats, the Welcome Center and Tasting Gallery, the Experience Pavilion and a winery that will eventually process VINMUSA's first harvests.
More than $1.1 million had already been invested by the time of the inaugural planting, according to de la Roche. The expenditure includes land acquisition, vineyard preparation and planting, architecture and engineering, technical viticulture work and establishing the company's initial team in Rwanda.
Building a new wine industry
VINMUSA is positioning itself not simply as a vineyard but as an integrated wine and hospitality destination intended to create a new premium wine industry in Rwanda.
The initial grape varieties include Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage, with certified disease-free planting material sourced from South Africa. The project is receiving technical guidance from Vinpro, South Africa's wine industry organisation, while Vititec is supplying the certified vines.
De la Roche said the company chose Rwanda after assessing the country's investment environment as well as its potential to support high-elevation viticulture.
'Rwanda is open for investment from really everyone. This is an innovation hub of Africa. This is a country that we want to be part of, the first wine production in the entire country,' he said.
He said the project's appeal goes beyond producing wine, with the company seeking to establish skills and employment opportunities around an industry that is largely new to Rwanda.
'What's especially important to us is the impact that this will bring for the country: training the first generation of Rwandan viticulturists, training the first generation of Rwandan winemakers, bringing jobs to rural communities, and really being women-forward and youth-led as well,' de la Roche said.
VINMUSA is working with Gold Youth Development Agency to create opportunities for young people, while partnerships with Bridge2Rwanda and the University of Rwanda's Busogo campus are being explored to support viticulture training.
The company is also working with women's agricultural cooperatives in preparing land in Kinigi, while young people and residents of Sunzu village in Lake Burera are involved in seasonal employment linked to the project.
Rwanda's elevation as a competitive advantage
The estate's three vineyard sites have been selected based on differences in elevation, volcanic soils and microclimates.
Kinigi, which will also serve as the future hospitality hub, has an initial vineyard covering about 0.9 hectares. The Lake Burera site is expected to cover approximately 1–1.1 hectares, while the Karisimbi vineyard will cover about 1.2 hectares in the initial planting.
The Karisimbi site is particularly significant because of its elevation.
'Our highest elevation vineyard will be 2,700 meters at the foothills of Mount Karisimbi. The high elevation allows for a cool climate,' de la Roche said.
He added that the company worked with South African viticulture specialists to conduct soil sampling and climate studies before selecting the sites and grape varieties.
'We also chose disease-resistant cultivars because of the high moisture. But the amazing volcanic soils, the minerality in the soils, will really produce something that is authentically Rwandan, that is very unique not only in Africa but really in the entire world,' he said.
The company's stated ambition is therefore not to replicate established wine regions but to develop wines that reflect Rwanda's own terroir.
First commercial wine expected in 2029
Although the first vines are now in the ground, consumers will have to wait several years before VINMUSA's first commercial bottles reach the market.
De la Roche said grapevines generally require about three growing seasons before producing fruit of the quality and quantity required for commercial wine production.
VINMUSA expects its first harvest in 2029, with the inaugural vintage projected at approximately 9,000 bottles.
The first white wines could be released from late 2029 into 2030, while the red wines will require longer maturation and are expected to follow between 2030 and 2031.
By around 2032, the estate is targeting annual production of approximately 90,000 bottles.
The company does not yet provide projected revenue figures, saying its focus at this stage is on establishing the vineyards, developing the estate and building the skills required for a sustainable wine industry.
A self-sustaining estate
VINMUSA plans to develop the estate in phases, with subsequent expansion partly financed by revenues generated from its earlier operations.
'Our longer-term plan is for a significant portion of the estate's subsequent development to be funded through the revenues generated by VINMUSA itself,' de la Roche said.
'The intention is that what Kinigi earns helps build Karisimbi, and what those operations generate helps us continue developing Lake Burera. We chose that approach deliberately: we want VINMUSA to become an estate capable of sustaining its own growth over time,' he added.
Beyond vineyards and wine production, the development will include luxury accommodation, public wine-tasting experiences, culinary programming, wellness facilities, artist-in-residence programmes, research and education initiatives and expanded community partnerships.
The hospitality programme is being developed in partnership with Virunga Mountain Spirits, with Kinigi Table serving as the estate's culinary and food-and-beverage partner.
For de la Roche, the broader objective is to create a destination that links agriculture with Rwanda's rapidly developing tourism and hospitality sectors.
'We want this to bring a new culture of fine wine in East Africa, and having the best be here from Rwanda,' he said.
VINMUSA's development comes as Rwanda continues to diversify its tourism offering beyond traditional wildlife experiences, with the estate seeking to add premium wine, gastronomy, luxury accommodation and high-elevation agriculture to the country's growing tourism economy.
VINMUSA's first vines were planted in Kinigi on September 4, marking the beginning of Rwanda's first fine-wine vineyard estate.The first planting at VINMUSA introduced selected grape varieties, including Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage, as the fine-wine estate began its phased development. Andres de la Roche and Liam T. Dall are the founders of the project.Guests and partners took part in planting the first vines at the VINMUSA estate in Kinigi.The future VINMUSA estate will feature a range of hospitality facilities designed around its vineyards and wine experience.The planned VINMUSA estate will feature nine luxury guest retreats and three suites alongside its vineyards and winery.The estate is planned to include spaces for wine tasting and other immersive experiences for visitors.VINMUSA's planned estate will combine fine-wine production with luxury guest retreats, culinary experiences and wellness facilities.VINMUSA plans to develop a Welcome Center and Tasting Gallery as part of its wider vineyard estate.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Stanford University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences investigated compounds called plasmalogens, which are naturally occurring fats found in high levels in sea squirts.
Sea squirts are marine animals eaten in parts of Asia, including Korea and Japan.
Plasmalogens are important components of cell membranes and are particularly abundant in the brain, heart and immune cells. Their levels naturally decline with age.
In the study, researchers added plasmalogens to the diets of aging mice and examined changes in their memory, brain health and physical appearance.
The results showed that the treated mice performed significantly better in tests of learning and memory than older mice that did not receive the supplements.
Researchers used the Morris water maze, a common test in which mice must learn to locate a hidden platform.
After five days of training, mice receiving plasmalogens reached the platform faster, performing more like younger animals.
When scientists examined their brains, they found that the treated mice had more synapses, the connections that allow nerve cells to communicate. These connections also appeared to be in better condition.
The researchers also found substantially lower levels of inflammation in the brains of mice receiving plasmalogens.
Chronic inflammation in the aging brain can damage nerve cells and interfere with communication between brain cells, potentially contributing to cognitive decline.
Another surprising finding involved the mice's appearance. According to the researchers, older mice receiving plasmalogens developed new hair that was thicker, darker and glossier than that of untreated mice.
Scientists believe plasmalogens may work through several mechanisms.
They may encourage the development of neurons and synapses, improve the flexibility of cell membranes and potentially influence the gut-brain connection.
However, researchers stress that the findings do not yet prove that plasmalogens can reverse aging in humans.
The study was conducted in mice, and further research is needed to determine whether similar effects occur in people, what dosage might be effective and whether long-term supplementation is safe.
A compound found in edible sea squirts improved memory and brain health in aging mice, while also restoring thicker and darker hair.
