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Held for the first time in the country, the session marks a historic moment for Rwanda, which has been a member of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) since its founding in 1970.

The meeting takes place under the theme 'Thirty Years After Beijing: The Role of Women in the Francophone World,' coinciding with the thirtieth anniversary of the 1995 Beijing World Conference on Women, whose Action Plan continues to shape global standards for women’s rights and gender equality.

In her opening remarks, Chief Justice Domitilla Mukantaganzwa, representing the Government of Rwanda, expressed 'the pride of Rwanda in hosting for the first time one of the high governing bodies of La Francophonie.'

She highlighted the significance of this year’s theme, noting that the Beijing Platform for Action, adopted in 1995, continues to stand, thirty years on, as the most forward-looking global framework for promoting women’s rights and gender equality.

Domitilla Mukantaganzwa, Rwanda’s Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court, expressed Rwanda’s pride in hosting the forum for the first time.

Highlighting global challenges such as ongoing conflicts, the climate crisis, socio-economic inequalities, and gender-based violence, she stressed the need for strong political will to safeguard hard-won progress and to build more inclusive societies.

She pointed to Rwanda’s own experience, noting that after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the country chose to rebuild by placing women at the heart of its transformation.

Mukantaganzwa noted that women have since played a decisive role in the justice sector.

'Nearly half of all judges are women. In the Gacaca courts, they played a determining role in truth-seeking and reconciliation, and today they represent half of the community mediators and community workers active across the country,' she emphasised.

France’s Delegate Minister for Francophonie, Éléonore Caroit, praised Rwanda’s leadership and stated that the Francophonie, bound by a shared language, embodies values of openness and practical cooperation.

She noted that this format often proves more effective for building bridges than many mechanisms currently at a standstill. Caroit expressed confidence that the two days of discussions would produce tangible outcomes and commended Rwanda’s engagement.

Éléonore Caroit, France’s Delegate Minister for Francophonie, highlighted the significance of this cooperative framework, noting that the Francophonie embodies shared values of openness and practical collaboration among member States.

In her address, Secretary-General of La Francophonie Louise Mushikiwabo underscored the central theme of the conference, questioning whether societies have fully recognised 'the fundamental role women must play in social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.'

She noted that the world still struggles to 'clearly and fully recognise the rights and value of half its population,' adding with humour that this half may well be 'the better half.'

Mushikiwabo also addressed the state of global governance, describing the multilateral system as 'a model that is running out of steam,' increasingly unable to respond to international crises and 'disconnected from realities on the ground.' She said this context would guide ministers’ closed-door discussions on the question: 'What ambitions for the OIF in the reshaping of the international landscape?'

OIF Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo questioned whether societies fully recognise 'the fundamental role women must play in social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.

Reviewing progress since the 2024 CMF in Paris, Mushikiwabo noted the Organisation’s support to member States through electoral assistance missions and its 'high-impact campaigns' against disinformation in Lebanon, Moldova and the Central African Republic.

She also emphasised efforts to support Francophone candidates for leadership positions in international bodies including the African Union, the African Development Bank and UNESCO.

She highlighted programmatic achievements such as the mobility initiative for French teachers, which brought a third cohort of 50 educators from 15 countries to Kigali to exchange expertise with Rwandan counterparts.

Recent deployments to Ghana and Seychelles were noted, with Cambodia next. Mushikiwabo also pointed to the strengthening of the Francophonie économique, citing successful missions like the one to Benin, which resulted in several contracts, including one worth €30 million.

Reaffirming the OIF’s commitment to gender equality, she called for increased support to the 'Francophonie With Women' fund and invited member States to join a new initiative focused on training and integrating girls and women in emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence.

She paid tribute to Rwanda’s progress, noting that women hold 61 percent of parliamentary seats, the highest rate in the world and far above the global average of 26.4%.

She also highlighted that five of Rwanda’s seven major banks are headed by women, many of them young. Mushikiwabo added that other regions in the Francophone world are also advancing, citing Vietnam where '98 percent of girls complete primary school and 87 percent complete secondary school.'

Delegations will conduct field visits on Thursday and Friday to observe key OIF programmes, including teacher training, peacekeeping preparation for military personnel and women’s economic empowerment projects under the 'Francophonie With Women' fund.

The meeting takes place under the theme 'Thirty Years After Beijing: The Role of Women in the Francophone World.”

bringing together more than 400 delegates from 65 member States and governments for a two-day gathering.

IGIHE

Speaking at the UN General Assembly’s plenary meeting on Security Council reform, Fu said that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recently made a “brazen, provocative” statement on Taiwan at the Japanese Diet. She claimed that a “Taiwan contingency” could be a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan and implied that Japan may invoke the so-called right to collective self-defense to interfere militarily in the Taiwan Strait.

Takaichi’s remarks are “extremely erroneous and dangerous,” and constitute a gross interference in China’s internal affairs and a serious breach of the one-China principle and the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan, said Fu.

“They are an affront to international justice, damage the post-war international order, trample on the basic norms of international relations, and represent a blatant departure from Japan’s commitment to peaceful development,” he noted.

“Such a country is totally unqualified to seek a permanent seat on the Security Council,” said the ambassador.

Fu underscored that throughout its history, Japanese militarists have repeatedly used the so-called “survival-threatening situation” as a pretext to launch foreign aggression, including the Sept. 18 Incident in 1931, under the pretext of the right of self-defense, which provoked a war of aggression against China and brought profound suffering to the Chinese people and people around the world.

“Now, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi again raised the issue of ‘survival-threatening situation.’ What is her true intention? Is Japan going to repeat its past mistakes of militarism?” Fu asked.

The ambassador said Takaichi has also consistently advocated for removing the “renunciation of war” clause from Japan’s pacifist constitution. “Given the egregious behavior from Takaichi, how can we trust Japan’s professed commitment to peaceful development? How can the international community trust Japan to uphold fairness and justice? How can we trust Japan to shoulder the responsibility of maintaining international peace and security?” he said.

Fu stressed that Japan should immediately stop interfering in China’s internal affairs, retract its wrongful, provocative remarks and actions, and refrain from “playing with fire” on the Taiwan question. “Otherwise, Japan should be prepared to bear all the consequences.”

“If Japan dares to attempt an armed intervention in the cross-Strait situation, it would be an act of aggression and would definitely be met with a firm response from China. We will exercise our right to self-defense under the UN Charter and international law and resolutely defend China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Fu stated.

Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks at the UN General Assembly’s annual debate on Security Council reform, at the UN headquarters in New York, Nov. 18, 2025.

Xinhua

Construction is expected to be completed within 24 months, at a cost of over $24 million (over 34 billion Rwandan Francs).

The state-of-the-art facility is expected to address a critical gap in the country’s health security architecture by providing rapid, accurate diagnosis of zoonotic and transboundary animal diseases, the types of pathogens with the highest potential to trigger future outbreaks.

With modern molecular testing capacity and advanced biosafety systems, the NVRLL will enable quicker confirmation of diseases such as Mpox, Marburg, avian influenza, and Foot-and-Mouth Disease, improving national readiness and response.

The laboratory will also help safeguard Rwanda’s economy by reducing livestock losses, improving disease surveillance, and supporting safe animal movement and trade.

Besides, faster diagnostics will strengthen veterinary services, protect household livelihoods, and advance the country’s compliance with regional and international animal health standards.

Commenting on the development, Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, highlighted the importance of the new facility.

'Pandemics often begin in animals before spilling over to humans. This laboratory gives Rwanda the scientific capability to detect threats early, protecting our people, our livestock, and our economy,' he said.

Priya Basu, Executive Head of the Pandemic Fund also expressed delight at the groundbreaking initiative.

'Through projects like this, the Fund helps countries put the One Health approach into action, strengthening collective health across the human, animal, and environmental sectors.

'By enhancing disease detection and response, Rwanda is setting a new benchmark for health security in the region. We are proud to stand with Rwanda in building resilient systems that protect communities and livelihoods,' he noted.

The NVRLL is a flagship activity under the Strengthening Pandemic Prevention and Response Through One Health Approach in Rwanda (SPPROHRW) project, supported by the Pandemic Fund and implemented by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal resources through the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), RAB, and several development partners.

The One Health concept recognizes that the health of humans and animals are linked because they share the same environment.

The Government of Rwanda has embraced the One Health approach and continues to demonstrate strong political will to institutionalize it across relevant sectors.

Rwanda has launched the construction of National Veterinary Reference Laboratory

Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources delivering remarks at the event.

Breaking the ground for the construction of the National Veterinary Reference Laboratory (NVL) took place on November 18, 2025.

Group photo of participants at the groundbreaking ceremony for Rwanda’s National Veterinary Reference Laboratory.

IGIHE

In a statement released on Wednesday, RDB said the move reflects the Visit Rwanda brand’s broader strategy to diversify its global sports partnerships and expand into new markets that support the next phase of its tourism and investment ambitions.

The partnership, launched in 2018, has been widely credited with elevating Rwanda’s global profile, particularly in tourism and conservation. According to RDB, the collaboration surpassed its original goals by inspiring millions of Arsenal supporters worldwide to discover Rwanda and by strengthening the country’s positioning as a leading sustainable tourism destination.

Over the past eight seasons, the Visit Rwanda brand featured prominently on Arsenal’s men’s and women’s teams, supported by a series of joint campaigns that highlighted Rwanda’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. RDB noted that during this period, visitor arrivals climbed to 1.3 million in 2024, with tourism revenues reaching $650 million, a 47% increase since the partnership began.

The relationship also delivered standout promotional moments, including Rwanda Heritage Day at the Emirates Stadium and several visits by Arsenal legends and players such as Alex Scott, Bacary Sagna, Mathieu Flamini, Jurrien Timber, Caitlin Foord, Katie McCabe, and Laia Codina.

The visits showcased attractions ranging from mountain gorilla trekking and Big Five safaris in Akagera National Park to canopy walks in Nyungwe and leisure experiences along Lake Kivu. Many of the club’s representatives also took part in Kwita Izina, Rwanda’s flagship annual gorilla naming ceremony.

Beyond tourism promotion, the partnership supported Rwanda’s ambition to establish itself as a leading African sporting hub by helping deliver grassroots football initiatives that have benefited young players and coaches across the country.

RDB Chief Executive Officer Jean-Guy Afrika said the partnership 'broke new ground for tourism boards around the world,' adding that while Rwanda is now shifting its focus to new global markets, the country remains thankful for Arsenal’s support over the past eight years.

'We are proud of what this partnership has achieved over many years of collaboration. It broke new ground for tourism boards around the world, driving awareness and visitation for Rwandan tourism at a pace traditional campaigns could never match,” the RDB CEO stated.

He added that Rwanda will continue to work with the wider Kroenke Sports & Entertainment Group through its more recent partnerships with the LA Rams and SoFi Stadium.

“We look forward to continuing our relationship with the wider Kroenke Sports C Entertainment Group through our recent partnerships with the LA Rams and So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles, and we remain a fully committed and engaged partner of Arsenal’s men’s and women’s teams for the remainder of the season. We wish them all the very best in their continuing quest for even more sporting success in the months ahead,” he added.

Arsenal CEO Richard Garlick praised the collaboration, describing it as a 'significant journey' that helped raise awareness of Rwanda’s conservation efforts while strengthening the club’s connections across Africa and driving forward its ambitions.

“The commitment and support of Visit Rwanda throughout our partnership has played an important role in driving forward our ambitions, helping us invest in our long-term vision to win major trophies, in a financially sustainable way. We thank the Rwanda Development Board for their partnership and what we’ve delivered together,” Garlick stated.

Both sides confirmed they remain committed partners through the remainder of the season.

Visit Rwanda, the official tourism brand of the Rwanda Development Board, has a growing global sports portfolio, including partnerships with Paris Saint‑Germain, Atlético de Madrid, and FC Bayern Munich, before more recently signing deals with U.S. teams the LA Clippers and Los Angeles Rams.

The partnership with Arsenal, launched in 2018, has been widely credited with elevating Rwanda’s global profile, particularly in tourism and conservation.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The lower chamber voted 427-1 to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a nearly unanimous approval. Currently, there are 219 Republicans and 214 Democrats in the House.

The bill requires the DOJ to publish all unclassified records, documents, communications and investigative materials in its possession related to the investigation and prosecution of Epstein.

These include materials that relate to Ghislaine Maxwell, who conspired with Epstein to sexually exploit underage girls.

The DOJ may withhold certain information, such as personally identifiable information of victims and materials that could jeopardize an active federal investigation.

Xinhua

The report, released on November 18, reveals that 58% of Rwandans said they had been approached through email, phone calls, text messages or online scams between February and May this year.

The report shows that Rwanda recorded the highest rate of suspected digital fraud at the account creation stage, with 2.8% of new account attempts flagged as suspicious in the first half of 2025. This mirrors the global trend, where account creation has become the most vulnerable stage in the digital consumer lifecycle.

TransUnion, which analysed billions of transactions across more than 40,000 websites and mobile apps, says the fraud landscape is expanding as more Rwandans move their financial and personal activities online.

'Rwanda’s fraud landscape is expanding with digital adoption, especially in banking and retail,' said Amritha Reddy, Senior Director of Fraud Product Management at TransUnion Africa. 'Low digital literacy, weak consumer protection and limited cybersecurity capacity are major vulnerabilities.'

Communities platforms most affected

Among transactions initiated within Rwanda, the communities sector, which includes online forums and dating sites, recorded the highest rate of suspected digital fraud at 2.5%, followed by financial services (1.4%) and gaming platforms (1.1%). Despite the relatively lower percentages, the report notes that fraudsters continue to adjust their tactics, exploiting platforms where users are more relaxed or less vigilant.

Globally, the video gaming industry was the most affected, with suspected fraud reaching 13.5% of transactions, a 28% increase from last year.

Money and gift card scams lead in Rwanda

Scammers targeting Rwandan consumers used a range of tactics, but money and gift card scams were the most prevalent. Almost half of those who were targeted (49%) reported receiving such attempts. Phishing (31%), vishing (28%), money mule schemes and fake third-party sellers on legitimate retail websites (25% each) were also commonly reported.

9% of Rwandans fell victim

The report shows that 9% of Rwandans who were targeted actually fell victim, placing Rwanda in the mid-range among African countries included in the study. South Africa recorded the highest victimisation rate at 13%, while Botswana had the lowest at 6%.

The report shows that 9% of Rwandans who were targeted actually fell victim, placing Rwanda in the mid-range among African countries included in the study.

TransUnion warns that the rapid rise in account takeover attempts, which rose by 21% globally compared to last year and has surged 141% since 2021, means businesses can no longer rely on reactive security measures. The report highlights identity verification, device reputation checks and behavioural biometrics as the most effective fraud-prevention technologies recognised by global business leaders.

'As scammers evolve their tactics, protecting customer accounts is not just a priority; it’s a business imperative,' Reddy said. She urged companies and financial institutions to invest in continuous consumer education and cybersecurity systems.

The report concludes that Rwanda’s digital safety will depend on collaboration between government, private sector players and consumers themselves. TransUnion encourages Rwandans to regularly review their credit information to detect unusual activity and reduce the risk of identity theft.

With digital adoption rising and fraud tactics becoming more sophisticated, experts say enhancing public awareness and strengthening cybersecurity infrastructure will be crucial to protect consumers and maintain trust in Rwanda’s rapidly growing digital economy.

The report shows that Rwanda recorded the highest rate of suspected digital fraud at the account creation stage, with 2.8% of new account attempts flagged as suspicious in the first half of 2025.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Unveiled on Monday, November 17, 2025, at The Atelier by Design in Kigali, Chidi is built on Anthropic’s Claude model and provides inquiry-driven guidance, contextual understanding, and personalised feedback to help learners develop deeper problem-solving skills.

'This collaboration marks a bold step in redefining how African talent learns, works, and leads in the age of AI,' said Fred Swaniker, Founder and CEO of ALX. 'We are ensuring that Africa’s youth are not just consumers of AI, but creators shaping the innovations that will define the global economy.'

The initiative follows a successful Phase 1 rollout of Chidi to ALX learners across Africa, which recorded over 1,100 conversations and 4,000 chats within just two days. Phase 2 expands the technology into Rwanda’s public education system, including the Rwanda Coding Academy, allowing up to 2,000 educators and a select group of civil servants to participate in ALX’s AI Career Essentials programme.

Participants gain hands-on experience using generative AI tools, including Claude Large Language Model, to enhance teaching methods, lesson planning, and workplace productivity. Graduates receive a year of access to Claude Pro, Claude Code, and Claude for Education, ensuring AI literacy continues to shape classrooms and workplaces beyond the program.

Chidi acts as a personalised tutor for students and a teaching partner for educators. It prompts curiosity, encourages critical thinking, and provides guidance without giving away direct answers.

A joint working group from ALX, Anthropic, and the Rwandan government will document insights from the pilot to inform national AI policy in education and develop future innovations, including Chidi for Schools and African language models.

Commitments for the initiative are shared among the partners, with Anthropic covering costs associated with the large language model and API access, ALX providing training, delivery, and implementation infrastructure, and the Government of Rwanda contributing policy guidance, institutional support, and access to schools, without any financial obligations.

The collaboration combines ALX’s focus on nurturing African tech talent, Anthropic’s expertise in safe and responsible AI development, and Rwanda’s progressive approach to digital transformation. Together, the partners aim to provide Africa’s youth with learning tools on par with those available in global tech hubs such as Silicon Valley, Beijing, and London. Plans are already underway to explore expansion to other parts of Rwanda and Africa.

During the ceremony, Swaniker highlighted Chidi’s unique design for African learners, combining high-quality, scalable, and low-cost education with safeguards for reliability and cultural relevance.

'Chidi uses Claude as an ingredient, but we’ve wrapped it in 20+ years of African pedagogy and context. We have over 150 PhDs continuously researching, fine-tuning, and iterating with real African learners. We’re not just consumers of AI, we’re producers, adapting it to our realities,' he said.

Minister of ICT and Innovation Paula Ingabire highlighted Chidi’s role in cultivating curiosity and critical thinking among Rwanda’s youth.

'When my daughter was little, she would ask 'why?’ about everything. As parents, we sometimes get tired of all the 'whys,’ but that curiosity is how children truly learn and understand the world. Chidi is designed to do the same, to keep asking 'why,’ to push our learners, and to help them learn from their mistakes instead of just handing them the answers,' she said.

Joseph Nsengimana, Minister of Education, represented at the ceremony by Pascal Gatabazi, Chief Technical Officer at the Ministry of Education, added that Chidi aligns with Rwanda’s Education Sector Strategic Plan and National Strategy for Transformation, supporting teaching quality, enhancing digital literacy, and driving measurable improvements in student outcomes.

A panel discussion moderated by Nimie Chaylone, General Manager of ALX Rwanda and Kenya, explored the rationale for choosing Africa and Rwanda for the pilot. Drew Benton, who leads Education within Anthropic’s Beneficial Deployments team, emphasised Africa’s young population, talent ecosystem, and capacity for innovation.

'Over half of Africa’s population is under 25, creating an enormous talent ecosystem and opportunity for innovation,' he said.

Early results from Chidi’s use demonstrate significant engagement. Within two weeks of the pilot, learners exchanged 20,000 messages and processed approximately 80 million words of context, showing the platform’s capacity to scale personalised, interactive, and critical-thinking-driven learning.

Learners participating in the pilot praised Chidi for enhancing self-learning and boosting confidence. Shyaka Caleb, a 22-year-old Software Engineering and AI Career Essentials graduate, described Chidi as a 'sidekick' that provides in-depth answers and allows learners to ask questions without hesitation.

Giselle Akuzwe, another learner, highlighted how Chidi turned vague project ideas into concrete solutions. 'Seeing Chidi rolled out across Rwanda and Africa, especially for girls in tech like me, will be incredibly empowering, not just technically but in bringing our ideas to life,' she remarked.

As Chidi begins its pilot in Rwanda, the initiative signals a new chapter in AI-powered education across Africa. By equipping learners, teachers, and public servants with advanced, safe, and contextually relevant AI tools, the partnership sets a precedent for scalable, transformative learning solutions developed in Africa and shared globally.

Chidi acts as a personalised tutor for students and a teaching partner for educators. It prompts curiosity, encourages critical thinking, and provides guidance without giving away direct answers.

Government officials joined ALX and Anthropic for the launch at The Atelier by Design in Kigali, held on Monday, November 17, 2025.

ALX Founder and CEO Fred Swaniker highlighted Chidi’s unique design for African learners, combining high-quality, scalable, and low-cost education with safeguards for reliability and cultural relevance.

A panel discussion moderated by Nimie Chaylone, General Manager of ALX Rwanda and Kenya, explored the rationale for choosing Africa and Rwanda for the pilot.

Drew Benton, who leads Education within Anthropic’s Beneficial Deployments team, emphasised Africa’s young population, talent ecosystem, and capacity for innovation.

Minister of ICT and Innovation Paula Ingabire highlighted Chidi’s role in cultivating curiosity and critical thinking among Rwanda’s youth.

Pascal Gatabazi, Chief Technical Officer at the Ministry of Education, represented Joseph Nsengimana, the Minister of Education, at the ceremony.

US Ambassador to Rwanda Eric Kneedler attended the launch.

Various representatives and stakeholders attended the launch.

Fred Swaniker is the Founder and CEO of ALX.

Nimie Chaylone is the General Manager of ALX Rwanda and Kenya.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The programme, titled 'Forsaken for a Sake,' was officially unveiled on November 9, 2025, at Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos, Nigeria.

The launch marks the beginning of Cohort 1—2025, which will support an initial group of 100 mentors and mentees in Nigeria. Africa Re served as the host institution for the event, selected from among 10 African cities identified for the programme rollout under the campaign 'From Rwanda to the World.'

Tackling fatherhood and fatherlessness

The mentorship initiative focuses on the transformative role fathers play in shaping children’s lives, and the deep social consequences linked to fatherlessness. Research shows that children raised by present and supportive fathers are more likely to perform well academically, develop stronger self-esteem, and avoid high-risk behaviours such as substance abuse and crime.

Conversely, the partners emphasise that fatherlessness is strongly linked to poverty, emotional distress, poor educational outcomes, and increased vulnerability to early pregnancies and other social challenges.

Speaking on behalf of Dr Corneille Karekezi, Group Managing Director and CEO of Africa Re, Roger Bong Bekondo, Director of Communications & Public Affairs, emphasised the corporation’s dedication to building inclusive and resilient African societies.

'Africa Re is deeply committed to fostering a healthy and inclusive continent, one where every child feels the love of a father or finds a community that helps them heal from his absence,' he remarked.

Bong Bekondo added that partnering with KORA Academy aligns with Africa Re’s long-standing mission to uplift communities through sustainable development initiatives.

He encouraged mentees to immerse themselves in the programme and use the opportunity to heal, grow and develop leadership skills. He also called on mentors to give back by offering guidance, hope and stability to young participants.

'Let Forsaken for a Sake be a beacon of hope and a catalyst for a better society across Africa,' he said.

The launch event featured a panel discussion involving prominent Nigerian thought leaders who shared their personal journeys shaped by either strong paternal guidance or the absence of it. Their insights highlighted the long-term effects of fatherhood experiences, underscoring the need for awareness, healing, and mental health ownership among the youth taking part in the programme.

A book to guide the journey

The mentorship launch also included a ceremonial handover of the book 'Forsaken for a Sake: Your 30-Day Self-Coaching Collection: Overcoming Fatherlessness' authored by Mireille Karera and published by KORA Coaching & Business Academy. Each mentor and mentee received a copy as part of their upcoming training.

In her remarks, Karera expressed gratitude to Africa Re for its trust and commitment to a pan-African partnership. She shared a poignant personal story linking her own life to the founding history of Africa Re.

Born a refugee in East Africa in May 1976, just months after Africa Re was established, she revealed that she later grew up fatherless, making the programme’s mission deeply personal. At 49 years old, and with Africa Re now also marking 49 years, she described the launch as 'a living testimony' of the organisation’s founding vision of continental collaboration and shared progress.

Karera stressed that the programme is in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, particularly Aspiration 6, which champions people-driven development and places women, youth and children at the centre of Africa’s transformation.

The ceremony concluded with a book-signing session, followed by individual interactions between the author and programme beneficiaries. Participants will now embark on an intensive short certification course focusing on mentoring skills and practical sessions tied to the daily devotional workbook.

With its blend of personal reflection, professional mentorship and continental collaboration, the Forsaken for a Sake programme aims to create a new cohort of empowered youth and leaders committed to building stronger, more supportive African communities.

The programme, titled 'Forsaken for a Sake,' was officially unveiled on November 9, 2025, at Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos, Nigeria.

Bong Bekondo encouraged the programme’s mentees to embrace this opportunity not only to heal but to develop the skills to engage meaningfully with mentors and leaders as part of a pan African and global movement.

Karera stressed that the programme is in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, particularly Aspiration 6, which champions people-driven development and places women, youth and children at the centre of Africa’s transformation.

Mireille Karera hands over a copy of her book to Roger Bong Bekondo during the launch ceremony.

(Left to right): Titilayo A. Akisanya, CEO of Theta Alpha Consults Ltd (Nigeria); Siaphoro Kishimbo, Senior Manager, Human Resources, Africa Re Corporation (Nigeria); Mireille Karera, Author and Entrepreneur (Rwanda); and Charles Okeibunor, Executive Coach (Nigeria).

The ceremony concluded with a book-signing session, followed by individual interactions between the author and programme beneficiaries.

Each mentor and mentee received a copy as part of their upcoming training.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Using food supplements is a modern approach to obtaining nutrients from a variety of plants, all compressed into a single pill or spoonful of powder.

This method is commonly used in developed countries, where people seeking a diverse range of fruits, including rare ones, turn to supplements to access the nutrients they cannot easily obtain.

In Rwanda, there is only one factory producing these supplements, known as Alpha Natural Resources Company (ANARECO Ltd).

It was founded by Dr. Emmanuel Manirafasha, a visionary dedicated to developing food products that function as medicine without causing any harm to the body.

Dr. Manirafasha is one of Rwanda’s leading experts in Biochemistry and Chemistry, specializing in the creation of non-toxic medicines derived from natural resources. He pursued his studies in China at one of the world’s top universities, where he earned a Ph.D. His work has resulted in the development of several innovative formulas for various projects.

Dr. Emmanuel Manirafasha is a visionary dedicated to developing food products that function as medicine without causing any harm to the body.

The Chinese government offered him considerable financial support to implement his formulas, including a hefty sum of $5 million, as well as other assets, including land and properties in China. However, he turned down the offer and decided to bring his innovative work back to Rwanda.

One of the formulas he developed allows for the creation of nutritional supplements that combine various plants into a single pill or spoonful of powder.

These products help the body gain the required strength and energy and efficiently eliminate waste.

This formula was so valuable that the Chinese government tried to secure it by offering Dr. Manirafasha $5 million, along with further perks, but he chose to remain in Rwanda to develop it.

Among the supplements he developed is METABOOSTa, a combination of 12 different plants, some found in Rwanda, others imported. The ingredients include fruits, vegetables, grains, and seeds, such as bananas, maize, papaya, and chia seeds, all combined into a single supplement.

Another supplement, MetabAsta, is made in capsule form. The capsule dissolves in the stomach to protect it from stomach acid and supports the body’s energy production.

Dr. Manirafasha has leveraged advanced technology in his factory, ANARECO Ltd, to create these products.

When the Chinese government realized he refused to sell his formula to them, they decided to collaborate, offering access to their high-tech laboratories for his work.

METABOOSTa is easy to use; one takes two spoons of powder, mixes it in water, and drinks it like tea without needing sugar, as the formula replaces the need for sweeteners. It is taken before consuming any other food or supplements. On the other hand, MetabAsta requires the consumption of two capsules in the morning and evening after meals.

According to Dr. Manirafasha, a 250g pack of METABOOSTa costs Frw 20,000, which is affordable compared to other similar products on the market, which can cost up to Frw 400,000 for various packages taking into consideration the variety of blended ingredients.

For MetabAsta, Dr. Manirafasha says, one can buy 60 capsules for just Frw 40,000 at ANARECO Ltd, while elsewhere the same package could cost up to Frw 800,000.

Dr. Manirafasha imports certain ingredients from China, where high-tech factories help in manufacturing a variety of plant-based powders. These ingredients are then blended in Rwanda, using machines capable of processing up to 400kg at a time.

In an interview with IGIHE, Dr. Manirafasha stated his plan to export 80% of his products abroad.

He explained, 'We combine various ingredients like papaya, maize, chia seeds, and bananas into METABOOSTa, providing every type of nutrient needed without missing any. That’s the power of our formula.'

For MetabAsta, the capsules are produced in machines at ANARECO Ltd, which ensure the proper filling and sealing of each capsule. The factory uses high-tech equipment to ensure the quality of each batch.

Once the process is complete, each product is labeled with a unique technological mark that prevents counterfeiting.

One of the formulas developed allows for the creation of nutritional supplements that combine various plants into a single pill or spoonful of powder.

Dr. Manirafasha also shared his ambitious plans for the future. “We are expanding our factory. In three years, we aim to have a major production facility with 12 different manufacturing lines for products like METABOOSTa. We are also looking to hire over 3,000 employees.”

The capsules produced at the factory are highly efficient, with one machine able to produce 400 capsules per minute. Soon, another machine will be introduced, capable of producing 1,000 capsules per minute. With plans for a large-scale factory, Dr. Manirafasha’s vision is to be able to produce up to 10,000 capsules per minute.

'We are in the process of acquiring land for the factory, which will include research and testing labs to ensure our products meet the highest standards,' he added.

Through his innovative work, Dr. Manirafasha is not only revolutionizing the nutritional supplement industry in Rwanda but is also positioning the country as a leader in advanced health supplements on the global market.

Dr. Manirafasha has leveraged advanced technology in his factory, ANARECO Ltd, to produce food supplements.

IGIHE

The U.S.-drafted Resolution 2803 won the support of 13 council members. Russia, which has presented a competing draft resolution, abstained, along with China.

The resolution endorses the 20-point Comprehensive Plan for Gaza announced by U.S. President Donald Trump in September.

It welcomes the establishment of a Board of Peace (BoP) as a “transitional administration” that will set the framework and coordinate funding for the redevelopment of Gaza “until such time as the Palestinian Authority (PA) has satisfactorily completed its reform program … and can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza.”

After the PA reform program is faithfully carried out and Gaza redevelopment has advanced, conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood. The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous coexistence, reads the resolution.

It authorizes UN member states and the BoP to establish a temporary ISF in Gaza to deploy under a unified command, with forces contributed by participating states, and to use all necessary measures to carry out its mandate consistent with international law.

The ISF is tasked, among others, to help secure border areas, stabilize the security environment in Gaza by ensuring the process of demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, protect civilians, and coordinate with relevant states to secure humanitarian corridors, according to the resolution.

The ISF operates under the strategic guidance of the BoP and will be funded through voluntary contributions from donors and BoP funding vehicles and governments.

The resolution authorizes the BoP and the international civil and security presence in Gaza until Dec. 31, 2027, subject to further action by the Security Council.

It requests the BoP to provide a written report on progress to the Security Council every six months.

In a statement released by the official WAFA news agency, the PA welcomed the adoption of the resolution, reiterating its readiness to assume full responsibilities in the Gaza Strip within the framework of the unity of land, people, and institutions, and stressing that Gaza is an inseparable part of the State of Palestine.

The PA also voiced readiness to work with all relevant parties “to implement the resolution in a manner that ends the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, and advances a political path leading to peace, security, and stability between Palestinians and Israelis based on the two-state solution in line with international law and legitimacy.”

Hamas issued a statement on the same day, criticizing the resolution for not meeting the political and humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people, particularly those in Gaza.

It added that the proposal seeks to impose outcomes that Israel “failed to achieve militarily,” and separates Gaza from the rest of the Palestinian territory in a way that undermines Palestinian national rights.

Hamas also warned that assigning tasks to an international force inside Gaza would compromise the force’s neutrality and turn it into a party to the conflict. It said that any international force should operate only along the borders under full UN supervision and in coordination with official Palestinian institutions, and should focus on monitoring a ceasefire and facilitating humanitarian aid.

The UN Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution to endorse the creation of an international stabilization force (ISF) in Gaza.

Xinhua