Category: Uncategorized

  • Kigali’s 2050 master plan positions the city as modern African economic hub (Photos) #rwanda #RwOT

    According to national development projections, Rwanda’s per capita income is expected to rise to USD 12,476 (over Rwf 17 million) by 2050, supported by rapid economic growth, increased productivity, and stronger social protection systems.

    Unemployment is forecast to drop sharply to 0.05 percent from 7 percent in 2035, while universal access to water, electricity, and improved social services is expected to significantly increase national living standards and life expectancy to at least 73 years.

    Kigali population growth driving infrastructure demand

    The 2022 national census estimated Kigali’s population at 1.7 million, a figure projected to more than double to 3.8 million by 2050. This population growth is shaping a comprehensive city development master plan that focuses on expanding affordable and modern housing, upgrading public transport and mobility systems, developing improved economic hubs and commercial districts, and protecting green spaces through environmentally sustainable planning.

    The master plan also identifies strategic zones for investment, including Nyarugenge CBD, Remera, Kimironko, Gahanga, Nyabugogo, and Muhima, each earmarked for specific economic and cultural roles.

    The vision for Kigali in 2050 positions the capital as a modern, competitive, and investment-ready city.

    Transformation of Nyarugenge CBD

    The Central Business District, home to major commercial towers such as M-Peace Plaza and KCT, is set for a significant upgrade to strengthen its role as Rwanda’s prime financial and business hub. The development will expand pedestrian-only zones and enhance urban aesthetics, redesign roundabouts to incorporate gardens, walkways, and improved traffic flow, and create new cultural spaces, including an arts complex near Sainte-Famille.

    Additionally, the historic Quartier Matheus commercial area will be modernised while preserving its heritage architecture. New pedestrian corridors will link the CBD to Muhima and Nyabugogo, integrating retail, tourism, cultural activities, and green spaces to create a more vibrant and connected city centre.

    How the city center, along with Muhima, Kiyovu, and surrounding neighborhoods, is planned in the master plan.

    Nyabugogo to become a modern regional transport gateway

    Nyabugogo, one of the region’s busiest terminals connecting passengers from Rwanda and neighbouring countries, will undergo a major redesign to ease congestion and meet international service standards.

    Plans include developing a modern bus terminal with enhanced commuter services, transforming the surrounding wetland into an urban park that integrates transit routes, landscaping, commercial facilities, and pedestrian pathways.

    In addition, Mpazi Park will be constructed as a mixed-use recreation and business zone featuring sports facilities, green spaces, and commercial amenities. New housing projects in Muhima are also planned to provide affordable urban accommodation for local residents, further supporting inclusive urban growth.

    Nyabugogo Station will be equipped to handle passengers efficiently and built to modern standards.

    Remera and Kimironko to strengthen sports and retail economy

    Remera, known for Amahoro Stadium, BK Arena, and several key institutions, is set to become Kigali’s primary sports, entertainment, and cultural hub. Investments will include new commercial developments, multi-storey parking solutions to reduce congestion around Gisimenti, and cultural centres, libraries, and event venues integrated with business facilities.

    Meanwhile, Kimironko Market, one of the city’s busiest traditional markets, will be upgraded alongside its local transport terminal to balance modern retail facilities with the preservation of traditional trading culture, ensuring that the market meets the demands of a growing urban population.

    Remera takes on a new look as Amahoro Stadium, BK Arena, and Petit Stade reach full capacity.

    Gahanga positioned as new business and innovation zone

    Gahanga, located in Kicukiro District and strategically positioned along the route to Bugesera International Airport, is planned as a major innovation and commercial zone to attract both domestic and foreign investment. The developments will include technology and innovation parks, green commercial centers connected through pedestrian networks, and new museums, arts centers, hotels, and leisure facilities.

    Mixed-use residential developments will be integrated with business and recreational services to create a cohesive urban environment. The nearby Gikondo Exhibition Zone will also be modernised to host large-scale international conferences and expos, complemented by hotels, business services, and green recreational areas.

    Kigali’s 2050 Master Plan reflects Rwanda’s broader strategy to develop a competitive city that supports business growth while maintaining environmental sustainability and social inclusiveness.

    With major investments in mobility, housing, commercial zones, and cultural infrastructure, Kigali is being positioned as a central economic hub for East Africa and a model for modern urban development across the continent.

    Kigali in 2050 will be magnificent.

    The master plan envisions that by 2050, the commercial areas of Kigali, including Muhima, Nyarugenge, and Kimicanga, will be fully transformed.

    This type of urban development is designed to support and enhance business in Kigali.

    In Gahanga, business, technology, residential development, and environmental conservation will be integrated.

    The Gahanga hub will feature a state-of-the-art library and an arts center.

    In Gikondo, the exhibition and trade fair area will be purposefully designed.

    In Nyarugenge, modern infrastructure will define the area’s design.

    An aerial view of the city center roundabout and its surrounding neighborhoods.

    Development has begun on the Nyabugogo wetland, which will be transformed into a picturesque visitor attraction.

    Muhima and the Nyabugogo wetland as envisioned in the master plan.

    The city center, Muhima, Kiyovu, and surrounding neighborhoods are laid out like this in the master plan.

    The Muhima hub will feature commercial buildings and a cultural zone.

    Nyabugogo Park will provide a serene space for rest and relaxation.

    Gisimenti as envisioned in 2050.

    The Kimironko hub will feature a modern market and bus terminal.

    IGIHE

    Source : https://en.igihe.com/business-62/article/kigali-s-2050-master-plan-positions-the-city-as-modern-african-economic-hub

  • U.S., Ukraine, Europe meet in Switzerland to discuss Ukraine peace plan #rwanda #RwOT

    According to media reports, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff attended the meeting.

    The Ukrainian delegation was led by Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office.

    Also, national security advisers from France, Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as representatives of the European Union, also took part in the meeting.

    Yermak said on social media platform X on Sunday that the Ukrainian delegation had begun its work in Geneva.

    He said the team held its first meeting with national security advisers from the United Kingdom, France and Germany and would next meet with the U.S. delegation, adding that they were “in a very constructive mood.”

    Yermak added that a series of meetings in various formats was planned for the day as the sides continue working together to achieve a lasting and just peace for Ukraine.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also said on social media platform X on Sunday that he hoped the talks would be constructive and lead to a positive outcome.

    U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) speaks during a press briefing at the United States Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, Nov. 23, 2025. Representatives from the United States, Ukraine and European countries met in Geneva, Switzerland, on Sunday to discuss ways aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

    Xinhua

    Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/u-s-ukraine-europe-meet-in-switzerland-to-discuss-ukraine-peace-plan

  • President Kagame holds talks with his counterpart of CAR, Touadéra #rwanda #RwOT

    According to Rwanda’s Office of the President, the two Heads of State discussed the existing cooperation, including Rwanda’s ongoing support through the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) troops serving under the existing bilateral security agreement as well as those serving in the United Nations Mission.

    Both leaders also exchanged on the opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation through collaboration in various sectors of mutual benefit for the people of the Central African Republic and Rwanda.

    President Touadéra arrived in Kigali on November 23, 2025, where he was received by Rwanda’s Minister of Interior, Dr. Vincent Biruta, before meeting President Kagame later in the evening.

    Relations between Rwanda and the Central African Republic have grown significantly over the years, with security cooperation standing at the core of this partnership.

    Rwanda first deployed troops to the Central African Republic in 2014 as part of efforts to restore stability following waves of conflict that began in 2012.

    Rwandan forces were initially deployed under the African Union mission, MISCA, before transitioning to the United Nations peacekeeping mission, MINUSCA, a few months later.

    Their responsibilities included protecting civilians, safeguarding UN equipment, and ensuring the security of the CAR Head of State and his family.

    In 2020, Rwanda sent additional troops under a bilateral agreement with the Central African Republic. Through the same agreement, Rwandan forces have been training CAR’s national army.

    In March 2025, the third cohort of 438 CAR soldiers trained by Rwandan troops completed their military courses, which included enemy detection, territorial defence, map reading, and field operations.

    Over nearly 11 years of cooperation, the partnership has expanded beyond security, with Rwandan peacekeepers also supporting community welfare initiatives, including providing medical services to local residents.

    In February 2025, Rwanda and the Central African Republic further deepened their cooperation by signing a security partnership agreement between their respective interior ministries.

    President Touadéra’s visit comes just days before the Central African Republic heads to presidential elections scheduled for December 2025.

    In July 2025, he announced that he would be seeking another term in office.

    President Paul Kagame has held talks with his Central African Republic (CAR) counterpart, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who is in Rwanda for a two-day working visit.

    President Kagame and his counterpart of CAR exchanged on the opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation through collaboration in various sectors of mutual benefit for the people of the Central African Republic and Rwanda.

    IGIHE

    Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/president-kagame-holds-talks-with-his-counterpart-of-car-touadera

  • Central African Republic president in Rwanda for two-day visit #rwanda #RwOT

    President Touadéra was received by Rwanda’s Minister of Internal Security, Dr. Vincent Biruta. His visit underscores the strong partnership between Rwanda and the Central African Republic, particularly in the areas of security and peacekeeping.

    Rwandan forces first deployed to the Central African Republic in 2014 as part of peacekeeping efforts following civil unrest in 2012. Initially under the African Union mission MISCA, and later the United Nations mission MINUSCA, Rwandan troops have played a key role in protecting civilians, safeguarding UN facilities, and providing security for the Head of State and his family.

    In 2020, Rwanda reinforced its support through additional troop deployments and military training programs for the Central African Republic’s armed forces. The third cohort of 438 soldiers trained by Rwanda completed their courses in March 2025, gaining skills in enemy reconnaissance, tactical operations, and field exercises.

    Beyond security, Rwanda has contributed to improving the welfare of Central African citizens, with its forces supporting healthcare and other community services. In February 2025, both countries signed a security cooperation agreement to further strengthen bilateral ties.

    President Touadéra was received by Rwanda’s Minister of Internal Security, Dr. Vincent Biruta.

    The CAR Head of State is in Rwanda for a two-day working visit.

    The visit underscores the strong partnership between Rwanda and the Central African Republic, particularly in the areas of security and peacekeeping.

    IGIHE

    Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/central-african-republic-president-in-rwanda-for-two-day-visit

  • Avocado exports reach 4,200 tonnes as Rwanda earns Frw 125 billion from horticulture #rwanda #RwOT

    The latest results extend a consistent upward trend that has seen export earnings grow from $58 million in 2022/23 to $75 million in 2023/24, and now more than $86 million. Increased investment, growing farmer participation, and new markets have led to strong performances from avocados, macadamia, chili, and French beans.

    Speaking in an interview with Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), Jean Bosco Mulindi, Emerging Commodities Division Manager at NAEB, said the sector is now seeing the benefits of production that began several years ago.

    'We are now beginning to witness the impact of plantations that were established in recent years reaching maturity, and this is translating directly into higher export volumes and earnings,' he said.

    Mulindi highlighted chili as one of the strongest drivers of growth. In 2018/19, Rwanda exported 605 tonnes, earning under $1 million. Last year, that figure rose to 2,000 tonnes, generating $6 million.

    Chili peppers are grown by Gashora Farm PLC in Nyagatare District.

    Avocado output surges

    Avocado production is also expanding rapidly. A recent NAEB survey shows more than 550,000 avocado trees planted nationwide, with 88% aged between one and six years, meaning most are still maturing.

    Rwandan delegates, including NAEB and local exporters, showcase avocados and other horticultural products at the Fruit Logistica trade fair in Berlin, Germany.

    In 2018/19, Rwanda exported fewer than 1,000 tonnes of avocados, earning slightly above $400,000. Last year, exports rose nearly tenfold to 4,200 tonnes, valued at more than $8 million.

    'We are seeing many farmers joining horticulture because the opportunities in international markets are clearer than ever,' Mulindi noted.

    Avocados are mainly exported to the Gulf, Europe, and neighboring countries, with a new market now opened in China.

    Mulindi said international demand now exceeds Rwanda’s current supply capacity. Fresh chili is primarily exported to European markets, including Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany, while dried chili is exported in large volumes to China and India.

    Avocados are largely exported to the Gulf region, which accounts for around 80% of the market, as well as Europe and neighbouring countries. Rwanda has also recently signed a bilateral agreement allowing avocado exports to China, opening another major destination.

    Rwandan delegates, including NAEB and local exporters, showcase avocados and other horticultural products at the Fruit Logistica trade fair in Berlin, Germany.

    Macadamia exports are in high demand in China, Vietnam, and Japan, where Rwanda is still unable to meet market needs. More than 90% of Rwanda’s French beans are exported to Europe, with the remaining share going to regional and Gulf markets.

    Mulindi said the results show the sector is well-positioned for continued growth as more plantations reach full production and export promotion initiatives expand.

    Rwanda recently signed a bilateral agreement allowing avocado exports to China, opening another major destination.

    Rwanda participated in the Fruit Logistica expo in Berlin.

    IGIHE

    Source : https://en.igihe.com/business-62/article/avocado-exports-reach-4-200-tonnes-as-rwanda-earns-frw-125-billion-from

  • Floating solar, 560 jobs, 57% progress: Inside Nyabarongo II Hydropower project #rwanda #RwOT

    The project, currently 57% complete, has already created 560 jobs and plans to install floating solar panels, marking a milestone in the country’s push for renewable energy.

    Once operational, the dam will generate 43.5 megawatts of electricity and give rise to a 67-kilometre lake, the fourth-largest in Rwanda, stretching from Kamonyi and Gakenke to Muhanga, Ngororero, and Nyabihu.

    The lake will reach a depth of 59 metres and hold 803 million cubic metres of water, reshaping landscapes and opening new opportunities for irrigation, flood control, and water-based activities.

    The project is being constructed by the Chinese company Sinohydro Corporation and represents the first phase of the Nyabarongo II Multipurpose Development Project. Beyond power generation, it will support irrigation along the Nyabarongo, Akagera, and Akanyaru rivers, reduce flooding downstream, and improve access to clean water for surrounding communities.

    According to the Energy Development Corporation Ltd (EDCL), the dam’s powerhouse, where turbines will convert water into electricity, is 54.5% complete, while the water-retaining wall has reached 41%. The transmission lines connecting the dam to the national grid are 6.4% complete, and the outlet channel for excess water is 32.6% built.

    So far, $93 million has been spent, representing 43.7% of the $214 million budget, while Italian firm Studio Pietrangeli oversees construction supervision, having spent €2.8 million (56% of the €5.2 million planned).

    Mushuti Anicet, EDCL official overseeing the project, highlighted the technical challenge of converting river water into energy:

    'To generate hydropower, we rely on two things: sufficient water volume and the height from which it falls. The river was in a valley, so we built a wall to hold the water and allow it to rise to the height we need. It will eventually reach 59 metres; currently, it stands at 15 metres.'

    Originally, the project was designed to produce 37.5 MW, but an upgrade in 2018 increased its capacity to 43.5 MW, adding to Rwanda’s total hydropower capacity of 406.4 MW. The government aims to achieve universal electricity access by 2029, up from the current 86%.

    The floating solar component will generate 200 megawatts and store energy for use during periods without sunlight, making Nyabarongo II one of the first projects in Rwanda to combine hydropower and solar energy on such a large scale.

    As the dam rises and the lake begins to take shape, the project is already impacting local communities. Roads are being upgraded, water transport routes prepared, and employment opportunities expanded. Officials say these developments will create a ripple effect for irrigation, agriculture, and other water-based economic activities across the region.

    The Nyabarongo II Hydropower Project is one of the key initiatives driving the country’s push to boost electricity generation.

    Photo illustration of the new lake to be created by the Nyabarongo multipurpose dam.

    A long wall will be constructed in the blue-marked area to contain the water, creating a lake behind it.

    On the Gakenke District side, construction work has progressed considerably.

    The project is being constructed by the Chinese company Sinohydro Corporation.

    Construction of the powerhouse, which will house turbines to generate electricity from water, is well underway.

    The areas above and below the dam have been reinforced to ensure stability and prevent any structural failure.

    An outlet sluice will regulate water flow through the underground channel when required.

    Excavation of the underground water channel is complete.

    The project is 57% complete.

    The project, currently 57% complete, has already created 560 jobs.

    IGIHE

    Source : https://en.igihe.com/business-62/article/floating-solar-560-jobs-57-progress-inside-nyabarongo-ii-hydropower-project

  • Rwandan conservation group signs cross-border agreement to protect migratory cranes #rwanda #RwOT

    The agreements were signed in Kigali on November 21, 2025, during RWCA’s 10th anniversary celebrations, which highlighted the organisation’s achievements in crane conservation over the past decade.

    Representatives from wildlife organisations in Burundi, Tanzania, and Uganda attended the ceremony and joined RWCA in signing the collaborative agreements. Partner organisations include Nature Uganda and the International Crane Foundation from Uganda, Nature Tanzania, and the Association Burundaise pour la Protection de la Nature from Burundi.

    Under the agreements, the organisations will work together to protect cranes across a 24,904-square-kilometre area. This includes the Rwandan border regions, home to 1,030 cranes, representing 82% of the national population, as well as 787 cranes in neighbouring Uganda. Additional coverage includes 266 cranes in Tanzania’s border areas and 19 cranes in Burundi.

    RWCA founder and Executive Director, Dr Olivier Nsengimana, said surveys showed that some Rwandan cranes, especially those in wetlands near borders, cross into neighbouring countries without returning, with their survival uncertain outside Rwanda.

    'In wetlands near borders such as Akagera, Akanyaru, and Kagitumba, crane numbers fluctuate and are generally low, but the birds are not dying. Some cross borders, while populations in protected wetlands like Urugezi increase each year. In wetlands used for agriculture, cranes may leave during planting seasons,' he said.

    Dr Nsengimana added that GPS tracking of some cranes revealed their cross-border movements, prompting RWCA to collaborate with local organisations to protect the birds, educate communities, and promote shared use of tracking technology.

    'We realised that monitoring these cranes would require complex permits, so we signed agreements with organisations in Burundi, Tanzania, and Uganda to jointly protect cranes in the region, share information, and take coordinated action,' he said.

    Over the past decade, RWCA has helped increase Rwanda’s crane population from fewer than 300 in 2015 to 1,245 today. Public awareness of crane conservation has grown, and the organisation has expanded from five volunteer staff to 300 permanent employees.

    Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Fidèle Bingwa, praised RWCA’s dedication, noting that the organisation’s work over the past 10 years has strengthened government efforts in biodiversity conservation and produced tangible results.

    Under the agreements, the organisations will work together to protect cranes across a 24,904-square-kilometre area.

    Five organisations signed the cross-border agreement to protect migratory cranes.

    Representatives from wildlife organisations in Burundi, Tanzania, and Uganda attended the ceremony and joined RWCA in signing the collaborative agreements.

    Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment Fidèle Bingwa praised RWCA’s 10 years of work in strengthening biodiversity conservation.

    The Head of the Tourism Department at RDB, Ariella Kageruka (centre), attended RWCA’s 10th anniversary celebration.

    A local dance troupe entertained guests at RWCA’s 10th anniversary celebrations on November 21, 2025.

    Juliet Kabera, the Director General of the Rwanda Environment Management Authority, was honoured for her role in strengthening collaboration between her agency and RWCA.

    IGIHE

    Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwandan-conservation-group-signs-cross-border-agreement-to-protect-migratory

  • Gold watch from Titanic tragedy sets new Frw 3 billion auction record #rwanda #RwOT

    The 18-carat Jules Jurgensen timepiece, which had remained in the Straus family for more than a century, was the star item at a sale held by Henry Aldridge & Son Auctioneers on Saturday, November 22. The auction house, known for handling significant Titanic artefacts, confirmed the sale marks the highest price ever achieved for an item connected to the sinking.

    Straus, a prominent American businessman, politician, and co-owner of Macy’s department store, was travelling first class with his wife Ida when the Titanic struck an iceberg on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York. Both were among the more than 1,500 passengers and crew who perished.

    Isidor Straus and his wife Ida were among the more than 1,500 people who perished when the ship went down in 1912.

    Their story is remembered as one of the most poignant of the tragedy. Witnesses recalled Ida refusing a seat on a lifeboat, insisting she would not leave her husband of 41 years behind. The couple were last seen sitting together on the deck as the ship went down. Isidor’s body was later recovered; Ida’s was never found.

    Among the items discovered with him was the gold watch, its hands stopped at 02:20, the moment the Titanic slipped beneath the Atlantic. The piece had originally been a gift from Ida to Isidor for his 43rd birthday in 1888, engraved with his initials and carried with him until his final moments.

    The watch’s hands stopped at 02:20, the moment the Titanic slipped beneath the Atlantic.

    The watch was returned to the family after the disaster and carefully preserved through the generations. Isidor’s great-grandson, Kenneth Hollister Straus, later had the mechanism repaired and restored, while keeping the original casing intact.

    The auction generated strong global interest, with auctioneer Andrew Aldridge describing the watch as a symbol of the couple’s enduring legacy.

    It is believed the watch was a gift from Ida to her husband in 1888.

    'This world record price illustrates the lasting fascination with the Titanic and the profound human stories attached to it,' he said. 'The Strauses embody what many consider the ultimate love story of the disaster, and this sale is a testament to the respect in which they are held.'

    The auction also featured other significant Titanic-related items. A letter written by Ida Straus on Titanic stationery, posted during the voyage, sold for £100,000 (Frw 167 million). A passenger list fetched £104,000 (Frw 174 million), while a gold medal presented to the crew of the rescue ship RMS Carpathia was purchased for £86,000 (Frw 144 million). In total, the sale of memorabilia reached £3 million.

    A letter from Ida Straus fetched £100,000 at the auction.

    The previous record for a Titanic artefact was £1.56 million (Frw 2.6 billion) for a gold watch given to the Carpathia captain, sold last year. With this latest sale, the Straus watch now stands as the most valuable piece of Titanic history ever auctioned.

    The watch was returned to the family after the disaster and carefully preserved through the generations.

    Wycliffe Nyamasege

    Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/gold-watch-from-titanic-tragedy-sets-new-frw-3-billion-auction-record

  • G20 leaders reach consensus on major global challenges in declaration #rwanda #RwOT

    The announcement of the declaration’s adoption was made at the opening of the summit, the first ever held in Africa. The two-day gathering is being held in Johannesburg under the theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.”

    The declaration warns that increasingly frequent and intense disasters and shocks are undermining development and overstretching response systems. Leaders said they “hinder progress towards sustainable development and strain both national capabilities and the international system’s ability to respond.”

    They called for integrated, people-centered approaches and highlighted the need for “strengthened disaster resilience and response,” particularly for vulnerable small island developing states and least developed countries.

    Energy access and transition also featured prominently. The declaration underscores stark inequalities, noting that “over 600 million Africans have no access to electricity.”

    The leaders support efforts to triple global renewable capacity and double energy-efficiency improvements by 2030, and emphasized the urgency of mobilizing scaled-up investment and facilitating low-cost financing for developing countries in line with national circumstances. They also highlighted the importance of voluntary technology transfer “on mutually agreed terms.”

    On critical minerals, the G20 endorsed a Critical Minerals Framework, describing it as a voluntary guide for “sustainable, transparent, stable and resilient critical minerals value chains that underpin industrialization and sustainable development.”

    The declaration stresses that mineral resources should serve as “a catalyst for value-addition and broad-based development, rather than just raw material exports,” affirming the right of producing countries to harness their endowments for inclusive growth.

    The leaders’ declaration reflects a shared recognition that global challenges require more coordinated and equitable approaches.

    The G20 (Group of Twenty) is the premier international forum for economic cooperation, comprising the world’s major advanced and developing economies. It currently includes 19 countries and two regional bodies (the African Union and the European Union), bringing the total number of participants to 21 members.

    Despite this broad representation, the United States did not participate in the G20 South Africa Summit, an absence ordered by President Donald Trump. The stated reasons for the U.S. boycott were discredited claims that South Africa’s government was persecuting its white Afrikaner minority and the administration’s opposition to South Africa’s summit priorities, which focused on issues like climate change and global inequality.

    South African International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola speaks during a press conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, November 22, 2025. World leaders at the 20th Group of 20 (G20) Summit adopted the G20 South Africa Summit’s Leaders’ Declaration on Saturday.

    Xinhua

    Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/g20-leaders-reach-consensus-on-major-global-challenges-in-declaration

  • Solid’Africa launches campaign to enhance funding for patient meals #rwanda #RwOT

    The campaign seeks to expand access to healthy, life-sustaining meals for vulnerable patients, with a goal to reach individuals across the country.

    The campaign encourages contributions of all sizes, emphasizing that even the smallest donation can make a significant impact.

    'We want to remind people that they have the power to make a difference with Solid’Africa so we can expand our efforts,' said Inkesha Ariane, one of the founders. 'Our goal is to reach every patient in Rwanda, ensuring they receive healthy meals to support their recovery.'

    The campaign introduces a new partnership model, allowing customers to contribute through designated accounts by making donations at participating supermarkets, restaurants, and other businesses. Through this, customers can make financial contributions with ease, helping to support patients in need.

    'If you buy a bottle of water, you can also buy one for a patient. If you purchase a kilogram of rice, you can contribute the surplus to help a patient,' explained Inkesha.

    The six-month awareness campaign is just the beginning, as Solid’Africa plans to make this model a permanent part of its operations.

    While the focus is initially on providing free meals to the most vulnerable patients, there is also a plan to allow individuals with the means to contribute a small amount, no more than 600 Rwandan Francs per meal, to support the initiative. This will help sustain the program while continuing to provide meals to those who cannot pay.

    Currently, Solid’Africa provides free meals to patients at six hospitals in Kigali and its surrounding areas, including the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK), Kibagabaga Hospital, Muhima Hospital, Nyarugenge Hospital, Masaka Hospital, and Rwinkwavu Hospital (PIH — Partners In Health).

    Kamaliza Isabelle, another co-founder, added, 'This is not a restaurant model. It’s a solution to help patients access meals that support their recovery. We want the less fortunate to continue receiving free meals.'

    Since its inception in 2010, Solid’Africa has been providing free meals to thousands of patients in hospitals, helping alleviate the financial burden on those struggling to afford food and supporting their recovery alongside medical treatment.

    The organization currently serves meals to 19,500 patients and students daily, with positive feedback about the impact on recovery and strength.

    The organization currently serves meals to 19,500 patients and students daily, with positive feedback about the impact on recovery and strength.

    Currently, Solid’Africa provides free meals to patients at six hospitals in Kigali and its surrounding areas,

    Solid’Africa’s campaign seeks to expand access to healthy, life-sustaining meals for vulnerable patients, with a goal to reach individuals across the country.

    Since its inception in 2010, Solid’Africa has been providing free meals to thousands of patients in hospitals.

    Solid’Africa has launched a new campaign, “We Are Solid Together,” aimed at raising funds to provide meals for patients in public hospitals who cannot afford them.

    The food is prepared in accordance with strict hygiene standards.

    The quality of the food is carefully monitored at every stage, from the farm to the final consumer.

    IGIHE

    Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/solid-africa-launches-campaign-to-enhance-funding-for-patient-meals