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On Thursday, February 12, 2026, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, told lawmakers that the current law was enacted in 2017 and revised in 2021.

However, he said, recent assessments, including a 2024 safeguards review by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), found legal gaps in the law governing BNR and recommended reforms to address them.

He emphasized that the revision aims to establish a stronger operational framework aligned with the central bank’s mandate, enhance its autonomy in staff management, governance and financial management, strengthen transparency in cooperation, and reinforce accountability.

While some provisions will remain unchanged, others will be revised and new ones added so that BNR’s legal and regulatory framework aligns with governance practices used by central banks worldwide and with international standards.

One major change concerns capital increases from the government. The current law does not clearly provide for recapitalizing BNR when its capital declines. Article 67 of the draft law establishes a clear procedure requiring the government to cover any capital shortfall within six months after receiving BNR’s request.

Murangwa noted that such recapitalization would be rare and used only when it is the sole way for BNR to maintain the financial independence necessary for sustainable operations.

The draft law also protects BNR leaders, staff, agents and decision-making bodies from external interference when exercising their authority or performing their duties. The existing law does not fully guarantee institutional autonomy in implementing BNR’s powers or achieving its objectives. The revised Article 4 strengthens independence for staff, representatives and decision-makers, shielding them from outside influence.

Another proposed change limits the powers that the Board of Directors can delegate to the Governor of the central bank. Supervisory and oversight responsibilities would no longer be transferable to the Governor.

The bill also gives BNR authority to impose administrative sanctions on individuals or legal entities that fail to comply with its regulations, regardless of criminal proceedings, while remaining consistent with other applicable laws.

Regarding governance, the number of Board members would increase to at least 11, selected based on expertise in accounting, risk management, law, technology or other fields relevant to BNR’s work. To strengthen independence, no more than 30% of Board members would be public officials, excluding the Governor, Deputy Governor and one member drawn from academia or research.

The proposal also allows the appointment of non-BNR members to the Monetary Policy Committee and the Financial Stability Committee to reinforce their independence.

The draft law reaffirms that BNR manages Rwanda’s currency, while the authority to change the currency remains with the President of the Republic as provided by the Constitution. BNR would retain an advisory role on currency changes.

Another expected reform expands BNR’s powers in foreign exchange management and protection of other financial assets.

The current law provides limited authority in this area. Given rapid financial sector growth and the increasing range of financial instruments, permitted operations would expand to include currency and other eligible assets such as support for cross-border trade, collateral instruments and a wider range of approved investments.

Murangwa added that, to strengthen financial stability and sound monetary management, the law will also establish a clear timeframe for repayment of loans BNR grants to the government.

Finally, the bill formally establishes an internal audit function within BNR (as provided in Article 63 of the draft law) to enhance oversight, risk management and operational effectiveness.

The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, told lawmakers that recent assessments, including a 2024 safeguards review by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), found legal gaps in the law governing BNR and recommended reforms to address them.

Rwanda’s Chamber of Deputies has approved the relevance of a new draft law on the National Bank of Rwanda (NBR), outlining mechanisms for the government to bolster the central bank’s capital and ensure it maintains robust financial resilience for long-term operations.

IGIHE

The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, told Parliament on February 12, 2026, that the overall cost of financing the new airport has decreased after the government shifted from more expensive commercial borrowing options to concessional funding arrangements.

He made the remarks while presenting a draft amendment to Law No. 018/2025 of June 30, 2025, which sets out the national budget for the 2025/2026 fiscal year.

Bugesera International Airport is one of Rwanda’s flagship infrastructure projects and is expected to play a central role in boosting economic growth and positioning the country as a regional and continental aviation hub.

According to Minister Murangwa, initial financing plans included borrowing nearly $400 million, primarily through commercial financial institutions, which typically charge higher interest rates. However, continued engagement with development partners, particularly the World Bank, resulted in a 95% guarantee on funds allocated for the airport’s construction.

The guarantee has enabled Rwanda to secure significantly lower interest rates and more flexible borrowing terms.

'This arrangement allows us to draw funds when needed,' Murangwa said. 'Construction activities are ongoing and will not be interrupted. The key difference is that financing will now be cheaper, and we will access funds based on actual requirements.'

He added that while financing costs for the airport have declined, allocations for other government projects have increased by nearly Rwf 250 billion.

Construction progress

In May 2025, Jules Ndenga, Chief Executive of Rwanda’s aviation company, told IGIHE that major works, including the runway, drainage systems, and other critical infrastructure, were completed at the end of 2024. Construction has since continued on terminal buildings and related facilities.

The airport is being built by a consortium comprising Mota-Engil of Portugal, which initiated the project, UCC Holding of Qatar, and Consolidated Contractors Company of Greece. The three firms formed a joint venture known as UMC, which holds the construction contract with the government.

The first phase of the project has created approximately 2,000 jobs, with total employment expected to reach 6,000 once the airport is fully completed.

Beyond direct employment, the project has stimulated local economic activity in Bugesera District. New businesses, including restaurants in areas such as Nyabagendwa and Nyamata that cater to construction workers, have emerged, creating additional jobs and income opportunities for residents.

The airport is scheduled for completion in 2027. Upon conclusion of the first phase, it will have the capacity to handle seven million passengers annually. A second phase, planned for completion in 2032, is expected to expand capacity to 14 million passengers per year.

Middle Eastern carrier Qatar Airways holds a 60% stake in the airport project, which is estimated to cost around $2 billion.

The Government of Rwanda has announced a reduction in the projected financing costs for the construction of Bugesera International Airport, following the securing of more favourable loan terms from development partners.

The airport is scheduled for completion in 2027.

IGIHE

The disclosure was made by the Finance and Economic Planning Minister Yusuf Murangwa during his presentation of the revised national budget for the 2025/26 fiscal year to Parliament on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

Minister Murangwa stated that the construction of the Masaka hospital, where CHUK will move, is now 98% complete.

He confirmed that the relocation of the hospital will begin in March 2026, with the move being carried out in phases, and the entire process is expected to be completed by September this year.

Murangwa explained that the remaining tasks to ensure CHUK’s relocation include finishing the construction work, installing equipment, and preparing the staff, as the new hospital will have double the capacity of the existing one.

'The new hospital is significantly larger than the current CHUK; the current facility has 400 beds, but the new one will have over 800 beds. This requires more modern equipment and staff, which will exceed what we currently have at CHUK. However, as advised, the relocation cannot happen all at once; some services will move first, while others will continue to operate at CHUK to ensure that services remain uninterrupted during the transition,' he said.

'This is a well-thought-out plan, and we expect to begin the phased relocation starting in March, with full completion by September. Some services, such as emergency care, will remain at CHUK for a longer period, but eventually, all services will move. We aim for CHUK to be fully relocated by the end of this year,' Murangwa added.

Major construction work has now been completed, and the remaining tasks include final touch-ups, cleaning, and preparing the landscaping around the hospital.

The hospital is being built by the Chinese company, Shanghai Construction Group Co. Ltd, at a cost of 85 billion Rwandan Francs, (approximately 580 million Chinese Yuan).
The new hospital will have 18 operating rooms, excluding those for maternity cases.

The hospital will also be equipped with advanced medical technology, including four X-ray machines, two anti-rays, MRI machines, radiology services, and other essential equipment.

Rwanda’s goal is to build a healthcare system that serves as a leading medical hub in Africa and promotes medical tourism.

This move will help reduce the number of Rwandans seeking medical treatment abroad, as many of these services will now be available within the country.

The Kigali University Teaching Hospital (CHUK) is set to relocate to its newly expanded facility in Masaka, Kicukiro District, starting March 2026, following the near-completion of major construction works.

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President William Ruto made the announcement during a visit to the northeastern town of Mandera, saying the decision follows years of security assessments and preparations aimed at ensuring the safety of citizens.

The border was closed after a wave of deadly cross-border attacks carried out by al-Shabaab, which said it was retaliating against Kenya’s military presence in Somalia as part of international peacekeeping efforts.

Among the most devastating incidents was the 2013 assault on the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, where 67 people were killed. Two years later, gunmen attacked Garissa University College, leaving at least 148 people dead.

Other major attacks included the killing of 28 bus passengers in Mandera County in 2014 and a 2019 hotel siege in Nairobi that left at least 21 people dead.

Kenya subsequently closed the 680-kilometre border with Somalia as a precautionary measure amid threats of further violence. In 2015, the government began constructing a perimeter security barrier along the frontier. However, the project stalled after nearly three years, with only about 10 kilometres of fencing completed at a cost of $35 million.

A previous attempt to reopen the border in 2023 was shelved following renewed militant activity. President Ruto said the renewed plan will see two crossing points reopened under heavy security deployment to prevent infiltration and curb the smuggling of illicit goods, including weapons.

'It is unacceptable that fellow Kenyans in Mandera remain cut off from their kin and neighbours in Somalia due to the prolonged closure of the Mandera Border Post,' Ruto said in a post on X.

He expressed optimism that reopening the crossings would stimulate formal cross-border trade and unlock economic opportunities for communities on both sides of the frontier.

Mandera, which has a predominantly ethnic Somali population, has been one of the areas most affected by insecurity linked to al-Shabaab. Addressing residents, Ruto urged them to support government efforts to combat extremism.

'These al-Shabaab are useless. I want to assure that Kenya will work together with you, just help us combat these criminals and terrorists,' he said.

The reopening marks a significant policy shift and signals Nairobi’s confidence in strengthened security measures along the frontier, even as authorities remain cautious about the persistent threat posed by militant networks operating in the region.

The border was closed after a wave of deadly cross-border attacks carried out by al-Shabaab, which said it was retaliating against Kenya’s military presence in Somalia as part of international peacekeeping efforts.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Asked who is running Venezuela in a Thursday interview with U.S. broadcaster NBC News, Rodríguez said, 'I can tell you I am in charge of the presidency of Venezuela, as it’s stated clearly in the constitution of Venezuela.'

She added that her daily workload reflects the seriousness of her role: 'From the amount of work that I have… it’s very, very hard work and we’re doing it completely day by day.'

The comment comes more than a month after U.S. forces captured Maduro in Caracas and transferred him to federal custody in New York on narcoterrorism, drug trafficking and corruption charges, where he has pleaded not guilty.

Despite his detention, Rodríguez made a clear legal and political defense of her predecessor, saying: 'I can tell you President Nicolás Maduro is the legitimate president… Both President Maduro and Cilia Flores, the first lady, are both innocent.'

Rodríguez, who once sharply criticised the U.S. military operation, has signalled a shift toward cooperation with Washington.

She confirmed receiving an invitation to visit the United States, saying, 'We’re contemplating coming there once we establish this cooperation and we can move forward with everything.'

The interview also took place amid an ongoing visit by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, focused on discussions over Venezuela’s crippled oil industry and potential economic and diplomatic engagement with the interim government.

Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez has reiterated that she is the acting head of state and insisted that Nicolás Maduro remains the country’s legitimate leader, even as he is detained in the United States.

U.S. forces captured Maduro in Caracas and transferred him to federal custody in New York on narcoterrorism, drug trafficking and corruption charges, where he has pleaded not guilty.

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The international competition, which concluded on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, drew 109 teams from 48 countries. It tested elite police and military units in realistic counter-terrorism and tactical scenarios across five challenging categories.

The culminating obstacle course, a grueling test of physical endurance, teamwork, wall scaling, and navigation through tough terrain, required five-member teams to tackle 19 complex stations as quickly as possible.

RNP SWAT Team I, Rwanda’s top-performing squad, completed the demanding course in 3 minutes, 40 seconds, and 90 milliseconds. This placed them third in the event, securing the bronze medal behind Kazakhstan’s dominant teams and ahead of strong showings from China and others.

In the overall standings, which combined results from all stages, RNP SWAT Team I finished an impressive sixth with 484 points, marking the team’s best-ever result in the competition. RNP SWAT Team II placed 29th with 386 points, while the Rwanda Defence Force Special Operations Forces (RDF SOF) Team came in 37th with 361 points.

Kazakhstan led the field decisively: their Team C claimed gold with 536 points, Team A took silver with 515 points, and China Police Team C rounded out the podium bronze overall with 493 points.

The Rwanda National Police (RNP) won a bronze medal at the UAE SWAT Challenge 2026, with its SWAT Team I finishing third in the final obstacle course event in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

IGIHE

The proposal was put forward by Angola’s President, João Lourenço, in his role as Chairperson of the African Union, who indicated that the ceasefire should take effect on February 18, 2026, ahead of peace talks involving Congolese stakeholders.

On February 12, Amb. Nduhungirehe recalled that in 2024, ceasefires were announced twice, and in 2025, six peace or ceasefire agreements were signed yet the DRC government failed to implement any of them.

“We can stack peace agreements or ceasefire declarations endlessly, but as long as Kinshasa shows no political will to stop its air and artillery attacks, as long as President Tshisekedi remains fixated on impossible military solution, and as long as the international community continues to turn a blind eye to Kinshasa’s actions, which violate all these agreements, it will be in vain.” he shared on X.

Angola’s call for a ceasefire followed a visit by DRC President Félix Tshisekedi on February 9, 2026, during which he met with AU mediator Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé and Olusegun Obasanjo, a mediator appointed by both the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The mediators emphasized the need to focus on African Union-led talks that include Congolese parties, stating that such dialogue is the only way to address the root causes of the DRC’s ongoing crisis.

Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, has expressed skepticism about the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) willingness to honor a new ceasefire proposed by Angola, noting that Kinshasa has so far shown no political will.

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Mushikiwabo, who has led the Francophone organisation since late 2018, said the strained relations have prevented her from travelling to Kinshasa.

'Because Kinshasa does not invite me, I have not travelled there. If the Congolese invite me, I will go,' she told Jeune Afrique, stressing her willingness to maintain diplomatic engagement despite the freeze.

Reacting to questions about supposed political tensions surrounding her candidacy, Mushikiwabo emphasised that the DRC’s opposition is expected and political rather than a reflection of her performance.

'Every election comes with opposition, and some use it to settle political scores. The fact that my candidacy is divisive for the DRC is no surprise. I anticipated it, and it is part of the game,' she added.

Rwanda officially nominated Mushikiwabo for a third term in January, ahead of the 20th Francophonie Summit, scheduled for November in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. If re-elected, she would join former Senegalese President Abdou Diouf as the only Secretary General to serve three terms. Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, told Jeune Afrique that the decision reflects Mushikiwabo’s widely recognised leadership and achievements.

'At the last OIF ministerial conference in Kigali, several member states expressed their wish to see Louise Mushikiwabo run for a third term,' Nduhungirehe said in January. 'This recognition represents a strong political signal, which Rwanda has taken into account. Since 2019, under her leadership, the OIF has embarked on a deep, structured, and coherent transformation that has strengthened its political credibility, institutional clarity, and operational effectiveness. We are therefore fully confident in the success of this proposal.'

Despite opposition from Kinshasa and the intention of the DRC to field a rival candidate, Mushikiwabo remains confident.

'Honestly, I think this competition is good for the OIF. It shows the dynamism of our organization, its attractiveness. I am personally very serene regarding this candidacy and this election,' she said.

She described the upcoming vote at the Phnom Penh summit as an opportunity to demonstrate the organization’s vitality, even in the face of competition.

With her accomplishments and Rwanda’s backing, Mushikiwabo is positioning herself not only to secure a historic third term but also to expand the influence of the Francophonie, strengthen multilateral cooperation, and continue reforms that have shaped the organization over the past five years.

Louise Mushikiwabo, who has led the Francophone organisation since late 2018, said the strained relations have prevented her from travelling to Kinshasa.

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Construction work has largely finished, with final touches underway, including cleaning, interior landscaping, and minor corrections. The project is reportedly 99.8% complete.

A key part of the new facility involves installing modern, internationally standard medical equipment, reflecting the hospital’s high-level services.

The project is being carried out by the Chinese company Shanghai Construction Group Co. Ltd, at a total cost of approximately 85 billion Rwandan francs (around 580 million yuan).

The hospital will have a capacity of 827 beds, nearly doubling the current CHUK capacity of 400 beds.

Advanced facilities and technology

The new hospital will feature 18 surgical rooms, excluding operating theaters for maternity cases. It will also be equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies, including four X-ray machines, two anti-radiation devices, MRI machines, radiology equipment, and other modern medical instruments.

This expansion aligns with Rwanda’s vision to develop a world-class healthcare system in Africa and promote medical tourism. It is expected to reduce the number of Rwandans seeking treatment abroad, as advanced services will now be available domestically.

During the National Dialogue held on February 5—6, 2026, Rwanda’s Minister of State for Health, Dr. Yvan Butera, disclosed that Rwanda successfully performed 83 kidney transplants over the past three years, saving around $800,000. Heart surgeries included 543 pediatric patients and 318 adults.

Construction and design

On-site, workers are completing final corrections identified by the Rwanda Housing Authority. Some employees are also preparing interior landscaping for the hospital. Local Rwandan laborers contributed to the construction, and most of the building materials, including sand, bricks, and stones, were sourced within Rwanda.

The hospital consists of three multi-story buildings, one with five floors and two with four floors. One building will house outpatient services, while another will serve as an inpatient unit. The remaining two buildings, located separately, will accommodate hospitalized patients and include a dedicated medical technology building for advanced treatments.

Each patient room is spacious and includes its own toilet and shower, a feature not common in other hospitals. The hospital is also designed to be environmentally friendly, with natural ventilation and private terraces in each room, allowing patients to enjoy fresh air and sunlight without relying on air conditioning.

Accessible pathways and elevators have been incorporated to accommodate patients with disabilities.

Helicopter landing pad and medical gases

The hospital will include a helicopter landing pad to transport critically ill patients from remote regions. It will also have a specialized room for medical gases, such as oxygen, which can now be generated on-site rather than imported in bulk. Piping systems will deliver these gases directly to patient rooms as needed.

The hospital is equipped with two generators to provide backup power, ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply. It also has advanced fire suppression systems capable of targeting specific areas in the event of a fire.

Medical equipment and patient beds are currently being installed. If all goes according to plan, CHUK’s relocation to Masaka is expected to begin in April 2026, though the process will be gradual.

The new hospital is located in a dedicated medical zone near IRCAD Africa, which specializes in teaching cancer surgeries and robotic-assisted procedures. There will also be specialized cardiac care units, as well as an infectious disease research and treatment center.

Construction of CHUK’s new hospital is complete.

The hospital was built to modern standards.

The facility will serve both outpatients and maternity patients.

Pathways connecting buildings make patient movement easier.

Roads and pathways are fully prepared.

The hospital is expected to start operations in April 2026.

Most buildings are interconnected, allowing the hospital to accommodate a large number of patients.

CHUK’s new hospital was built with support from the Chinese government.

Landscaping work is ongoing.

Rwanda aims to make its healthcare system a regional hub in Africa.

Moving into the new hospital will be done in phases.

Rwanda plans to promote medical tourism alongside healthcare services.

Room 10 will be dedicated to respiratory treatments.

The hospital features a helicopter landing pad.

Parking is available for hospital visitors.

CHUK will provide international-standard healthcare services.

Interior design

Room 10 will be dedicated to respiratory treatments.

IGIHE