Mukantabana was recognised in the 'Exemplary Diplomat' category under the initiative, which highlights women whose leadership and contributions are making an impact across different fields and communities.
The recognition was announced on October 14 during an awards gala held at Cordell in Bethesda, Maryland, in the United States.
According to the organisers, the initiative seeks to increase the visibility of women leaders while creating opportunities for professional networking, collaboration and mentorship across industries and borders.
Mukantabana has served as Rwanda's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States since March 2013. She also represents Rwanda in Mexico, Brazil and Argentina as a non-resident ambassador.
Her diplomatic responsibilities include strengthening bilateral relations, promoting Rwanda's culture and economy, advancing the country's interests abroad and engaging Rwandans in the diaspora in national development.
Before entering diplomacy, Mukantabana worked in academia in the United States and Rwanda. She was a tenured professor of history in Sacramento, California, and lectured in social work at the National University of Rwanda.
She also co-founded Friends of Rwanda Association (F.O.R.A.), a US-based nonprofit relief organisation established following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Mukantabana has received several other honours, including the Peace and Justice Award from the Center for African Peace and Conflict Resolution and the Crystal Apple Award for Best Instructor at Cosumnes River College.
Rwanda's Ambassador to the United States, Mathilde Mukantabana, has been named among 25 influential women of 2026 by Silke Endress International, a global media and storytelling platform.
The developments follow changes introduced in 2025, when Ecofleet Solutions was tasked with managing public transport services in Kigali and surrounding areas.
The company took over fare collection, while transport operators retained responsibility for employing drivers and managing service delivery.
The changes were introduced to address longstanding challenges, including delays at bus terminals and stops, where some operators previously waited for buses to fill up before allowing them to depart.
Other measures included increasing the number of buses, introducing dedicated bus lanes and allocating specific time slots for buses to help reduce delays caused by traffic congestion.
200 digital displays planned for bus stops
Two displays are currently being tested in Kigali. One is installed near Sonatubes at a bus stop serving passengers travelling towards Remera, while the other is at Gishushu, where commuters board buses heading to the city centre.
The displays use bus location data to estimate arrival times, helping passengers know whether their bus is still at a terminal or has already departed.
Ecofleet Solutions Chief Executive Officer Rukera Aubin told IGIHE that the current trial is the company's second attempt to test the technology, following an earlier trial that did not produce the expected results.
He said that if the current trial is successful, the company will order an additional 200 digital displays for installation at bus stops across Kigali.
'If the trial goes well, we will decide at the end of this month to order another 200 digital displays.
'Considering the time required, once we place the order, delivery will take at least one and a half months, followed by the other necessary steps.
'We expect them to arrive by February 2027, allowing us to install them at bus stops and have them operational by March of that year, provided nothing changes,' he said.
Knowing when a bus is expected to arrive helps passengers decide whether to wait or take a motorcycle taxi.
Mobile application to help commuters plan journeys
In addition to the digital displays, Ecofleet Solutions is developing a mobile application that will help passengers identify nearby bus stops, check when buses are expected to arrive and determine where to board to reach their destinations.
The application is intended to help commuters plan their journeys in advance and reduce the time they spend waiting for buses.
Rukera explained that passengers would be able to use the technology to find the information they need before leaving for their destinations.
'For example, someone travelling from Gikondo to Kabuga will be able to identify the nearest bus stop, see when the bus is expected to arrive and where it will stop, and then plan their journey accordingly. We are still developing the system and gradually adding more features until we achieve the technology we want,' he said.
Both the digital displays and the mobile application will use Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to track bus locations and estimate their arrival times at stops.
The information will be consolidated at a dedicated control centre, where staff will monitor public transport operations.
The digital displays are powered by solar panels.
Passengers welcome technology but call for improvements
Passengers interviewed by IGIHE at the Gishushu bus stop said the technology was already helping them estimate how long they would have to wait for buses.
They said the information helped them decide whether to keep waiting or use alternative means of transport, depending on the expected arrival time.
'When there is no heavy traffic congestion, the technology works because it helps us avoid standing in queues for long periods without knowing when the bus will arrive,' one passenger said.
However, passengers said the system still needed improvement, particularly during periods of heavy traffic congestion.
They noted that buses sometimes arrived later than the times displayed on the screens, with some arriving at the same time as buses scheduled to follow them.
They called for the system to update estimated arrival times to reflect prevailing traffic conditions.
Passengers at the Gishushu bus stop have begun using digital displays that show the real-time locations of buses.The digital display shows how long passengers can expect to wait for a bus to arrive.
Introduced in April 2024, the ZiG was designed to restore confidence in the domestic currency and promote monetary stability. However, many Zimbabweans remain reluctant to hold their savings in it, preferring the US dollar for everyday transactions.
According to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), annual inflation measured in ZiG stood at 3.7 per cent in September 2026, while monthly inflation was 0.54 per cent. Despite the relatively low inflation rate, the currency continues to face challenges in gaining widespread public acceptance.
Zimbabwe abandoned its domestic currency in 2009 following a period of hyperinflation that wiped out savings and undermined public confidence. Although a local currency was reintroduced in 2018, subsequent instability reinforced concerns about its ability to preserve purchasing power.
A report published by Al Jazeera examined the difficulties facing Zimbabwe's latest attempt to strengthen its domestic currency, highlighting the experiences of workers and businesses still wary of the ZiG.
Primary school teacher Charles Mbwandarikwa told Al Jazeera that he exchanges the ZiG portion of his salary quickly rather than keeping it, following losses suffered during previous currency crises.
He lost his pension savings when Zimbabwe's currency collapsed in 2009. After the reintroduction of a local currency in 2018, he said the value of his salary fell from the equivalent of $540 to $40 by the end of that year.
Economist Cornelius Dube told Al Jazeera that demand for the currency remained weak. 'ZiG has to be available in a ratio relative to its demand. Demand for ZiG is currently very subdued,' he said.
Dube said reducing dependence on the US dollar was possible, but would require patience. 'History shows that it is possible to de-dollarise, though it's not easy. It takes time,' he said.
He also argued that policymakers should encourage confidence in the domestic currency rather than force people to abandon the dollar.
'Policy should not try to force a conversion but should create the necessary incentives which will eventually see both businesses and consumers being indifferent to holding ZiG or US dollars,' Dube said.
Zimbabwe's experience highlights the difficulty of rebuilding confidence after repeated currency crises. While lower inflation can support monetary stability, the ZiG's long-term prospects will also depend on whether households and businesses believe it can reliably preserve the value of their earnings and savings.
For the government, the challenge is not simply to increase the circulation of the ZiG, but to convince Zimbabweans that holding and using the currency is a dependable choice.
Introduced in April 2024, the ZiG was designed to restore confidence in the domestic currency and promote monetary stability.
The Rwandan legislator at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) drew together arguments made by speakers on legislative independence, budget scrutiny, continental cooperation and the need to give women a stronger voice in political institutions. She warned against allowing the Forum's discussions to end without continued cooperation among those who had attended.
Amb. Ndangiza spoke at the Strategic Legislative Governance Forum, organised in Arusha by the Africa Governance Centre in partnership with EALA and Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL). The gathering considered how legislatures can translate national and continental ambitions into laws, budgets and accountable institutions. The Strategic Legislative Governance Platform launched at the event was conceived to extend that cooperation beyond a single meeting.
She also reflected on the divisions inherited from colonial rule, including language barriers that complicate exchanges between African institutions. The continent's long-standing ambition for unity, she suggested, required practical engagement across those divisions.
In a personal reflection on Rwanda's reconstruction after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, she emphasised unity, ambitious thinking and accountability as principles relevant to the rebuilding of public institutions.
Amb. Ndangiza returned repeatedly to the question of what parliaments could achieve for citizens. Greater cooperation between national, regional and continental legislatures would matter only if it strengthened scrutiny, representation and development results.
Amb. Ndangiza's concluding remarks drew together contributions that had approached transformation from different directions. Some speakers emphasised continental unity, others the financing of public investment or the independence of parliamentary institutions. Her synthesis returned to a common question: how political leadership can turn ambitious commitments into improvements that citizens recognise.
Her reflections on Rwanda's reconstruction placed national unity within a history of profound institutional and social destruction. The experience was presented as an argument for sustained public purpose and accountability, not as a claim that countries can simply replicate one another's political systems. Different histories require different responses, even when the need for effective institutions is shared.
The linguistic divisions she identified also have practical implications. Parliamentary cooperation across Anglophone, Francophone and Lusophone systems involves different legal traditions, working languages and administrative practices. Overcoming those barriers requires investment in translation, institutional relationships and the capacity to work across established boundaries.
She returned repeatedly to the need for parliaments to possess adequate resources. Budget scrutiny, public consultation and evaluation of major projects cannot be undertaken effectively without specialist advice and reliable information. Institutional independence is weakened when legislature is formally responsible for oversight but lacks the means to carry it out.
Her emphasis on women and young people broadened the definition of representation. Decisions about technological change, employment and education will shape opportunities for a population whose experiences may differ markedly from those of current office-holders. Legislative institutions must create ways for those perspectives to influence the policies that govern their future.
Her concluding appeal was for the conversation begun in Arusha to continue through practical institutional work rather than remain a record of speeches.
Ambassador Fatuma Ndangiza represents Rwandan at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
The meeting of the High Council of Defence was held at the presidential offices in Kinshasa on October 14, 2026. It brought together the Prime Minister, the Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs, the Deputy Minister of Interior Security, and senior military and security officials.
FARDC Chief of Staff Lt Gen Jules Banza Mwilambwe briefed the meeting on military operations across the country, with particular attention to eastern DRC, where fighting continues.
Following the briefing, Tshisekedi, who is commander-in-chief of the armed forces and police, instructed security agencies to step up efforts to defend the country's sovereignty and protect civilians and their property.
FARDC spokesperson Maj Gen Sylvain Ekenge Bomusa said the directives were intended to reinforce the security forces' efforts to fulfil their mandate.
'The Commander-in-Chief gave the armed forces and security agencies clear and firm instructions to ensure they effectively fulfil their responsibilities of defending national sovereignty and protecting civilians and their property,' Ekenge said.
He added that the priority was to translate the directives into tangible results on the battlefield, particularly in eastern DRC, where civilians continue to face the consequences of insecurity.
The meeting came two days after Kabila was announced as the leader of the Front pour la Refondation de la Nation (FRN), a new political and military movement established in Goma on October 12, 2026, to replace the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), which had been active for nearly three years.
FRN includes several prominent figures who previously held senior positions within the AFC/M23 coalition, including Corneille Nangaa and Bertrand Bisimwa. Maj Gen Sultani Makenga continues to lead its military wing.
The coalition, which accuses Tshisekedi's government of poor governance and marginalisation of Kinyarwanda-speaking communities, controls large swathes of territory in eastern DRC, including the major cities of Goma and Bukavu, the provincial capitals of North and South Kivu, respectively.
The meeting brought together the Prime Minister, the Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs, the Deputy Minister of Interior Security, and senior military and security officials.The meeting of the High Council of Defence was held at the presidential offices in Kinshasa on October 14, 2026.
Yet, for many young adults, this stage of life can also feel like a race against an invisible clock, with milestones to achieve and expectations to meet before turning 30.
The pressure can become more noticeable when social media brings other people's achievements into everyday view. Although these moments represent individual achievements, seeing them constantly can encourage comparisons about personal progress.
For young people still pursuing their education, searching for employment or working towards financial stability, such comparisons can create the impression that they are falling behind.
When people compare their everyday experiences with the highlights shared by others, they may end up measuring their progress against an incomplete picture.
A 2017 study published in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking examined the relationship between Facebook use, social comparison and psychological wellbeing among 1,104 undergraduate students.
The researchers found that Facebook use was 'associated with greater social comparison' among the participants studied. The study also linked social comparison with lower self-esteem and poorer mental health indicators.
The findings highlight one possible way online interactions can influence how people evaluate themselves, although they do not mean that social media affects everyone in the same way.
Beyond social media, expectations about adulthood can contribute to the feeling that there is a correct timeline for success. Young adults may feel that they should have established a career, achieved financial independence, found a suitable partner or reached particular personal milestones by a certain age.
However, there is no universal schedule for achieving these milestones. Educational opportunities, economic circumstances, family responsibilities and access to employment differ considerably from one person to another and these differences do not automatically indicate that one person is more successful than another.
When ambition turns into constant self-criticism
Having goals can encourage people to learn new skills, pursue opportunities and work towards a more secure future. The difficulty arises when ambition becomes tied to the belief that personal worth depends on achieving particular results within a limited period.
Under this pressure, ordinary setbacks may begin to feel like evidence of failure. A rejected job application, a delayed graduation or a business that takes longer than expected to grow can become a source of frustration rather than an opportunity to reassess plans. And related comparisons can also make it difficult to appreciate progress that does not look impressive from the outside.
However, research suggests that the relationship between social media and wellbeing is more complicated than simply labelling online platforms as harmful.
A 2025 study published in the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication examined social media browsing and momentary wellbeing among emerging adults. Its findings highlighted that the relationship varies according to browsing habits and the content users encounter.
This suggests that the effects of online comparison should not be treated as identical for everyone. Social media can provide opportunities for learning, connection and inspiration, but the way people engage with online content also matters.
One way to reduce the pressure is to reconsider how success is defined. Instead of measuring life exclusively through visible achievements, young adults can also consider the skills they are developing, the responsibilities they are managing and the lessons they are learning from setbacks.
Setting personal goals that reflect individual circumstances can provide a more realistic basis for evaluating progress than following expectations created by other people's experiences.
There is no single timeline for success
The expectation to have everything figured out by 30 overlooks the fact that adulthood is not a uniform experience. People develop their interests, careers, relationships and ambitions under different circumstances.
For young people navigating these years, the goal need not be to abandon their ambitions or stop celebrating the achievements of others. It is to pursue personal goals without treating someone else's timeline as a measure of their own worth.
Success can involve securing a first job, completing a degree, learning to manage money, building meaningful relationships or gaining clarity about what matters most and not every achievement will attract public attention, and not every period of growth will produce an announcement worth sharing online.
Sometimes, progress is simply the work being done away from the spotlight and rather than asking whether life looks successful enough compared with everyone else's, a more useful question may be whether the choices being made today are helping build the life one genuinely wants.
For young people still pursuing their education, searching for employment or working towards financial stability, comparisons can create the impression that they are falling behind.
Dubbed VW Fleet Deals, the initiative runs until October 30, 2026, and covers 102 pre-owned Volkswagen vehicles across five models, with indicative prices already reduced by at least 20%.
Unlike conventional vehicle sales, where prices are predetermined, the programme allows interested buyers to select their preferred models, specify the number of vehicles they want to purchase and submit offers based on their budgets.
Volkswagen will evaluate the proposals and select offers based on factors including price and the quantity of vehicles requested.
Buyers given flexibility to negotiate fleet prices
Under the programme, customers can choose and combine different Volkswagen models depending on their needs.
The company will review each proposal to determine whether the proposed terms are commercially acceptable.
The approach, the company said, is intended to give customers greater flexibility when planning fleet purchases while allowing Volkswagen to engage directly with potential buyers on pricing.
However, the company has clarified that submitting an offer does not guarantee acceptance.
'Volkswagen reserves the right to accept or decline any proposal at its discretion, and all submitted offers will remain confidential,' the company said.
102 vehicles available across five models
The programme features 102 pre-owned vehicles spanning five Volkswagen models, with indicative prices ranging from Rwf30 million to Rwf55 million.
The Volkswagen Virtus has the largest allocation, with 40 units available at an indicative price of Rwf30 million each. Another 30 Volkswagen T-Cross vehicles are listed at Rwf35 million each.
The available stock also includes 11 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace SUVs priced at Rwf37 million each, 17 Volkswagen Teramont SUVs at Rwf55 million each, and four Volkswagen T6 Caravelle vehicles at Rwf52 million each.
The vehicles were manufactured between 2023 and 2025, with recorded mileage ranging from 30,000 to 60,000 kilometres, depending on the model.
The indicative prices have already been reduced by at least 20%, according to Volkswagen. However, they are not fixed selling prices under the programme, as buyers can propose their own prices based on their budgets and the number of vehicles they intend to acquire.
An opportunity for businesses to expand their fleets
The introduction of VW Fleet Deals comes as Volkswagen Rwanda seeks to provide more flexible vehicle purchasing options for businesses and institutions.
For companies operating multiple vehicles, fleet acquisition often represents a significant investment, particularly in sectors such as transportation, tourism, logistics and corporate services.
By allowing buyers to propose prices based on the number of vehicles they intend to purchase, the initiative provides an alternative to conventional fixed-price sales of pre-owned vehicles.
Customers can also access Volkswagen's after-sales services, including maintenance and genuine spare parts.
Interested buyers can inspect the vehicles at the Amahoro Stadium parking area, commonly known as Kwa Rwahama, in Kigali, where the available stock has been assembled for viewing.
The vehicles are available for inspection from Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Prospective buyers can view the different models, assess their suitability for their needs and obtain additional information from Volkswagen representatives before submitting their proposals.
To participate, buyers must select their preferred vehicles, indicate the quantities they wish to purchase and specify their proposed prices.
Volkswagen has set October 30, 2026, as the deadline for submitting offers under the programme.
Interested buyers are encouraged to submit their proposals early, as the company will review offers on a rolling basis and may contact selected buyers and conclude sales agreements before the deadline.
This means some vehicles could be allocated before October 30, depending on the offers received and the availability of the selected models.
With a limited number of vehicles available, prospective buyers are encouraged to visit the viewing location and submit their offers early to improve their chances of securing their preferred models.
For additional information, customers can contact Volkswagen Rwanda on 0788 368 527 or 0781 924 627by phone or WhatsApp.
In a message posted on X on Thursday, October 15, the Head of State thanked Ramaphosa for congratulating Rwanda on securing a 10-year agreement to host the race and for offering South Africa's assistance as preparations move forward.
'Thank you very much, my brother, President Cyril Ramaphosa, for your congratulatory message and the support you have offered. We look forward to working with you and all those who share this vision, to make this Grand Prix truly African in every way possible, and to raise the level of motorsport on this continent,' President Kagame wrote.
His remarks followed a message from Ramaphosa congratulating Rwanda on securing the hosting agreement, which will bring Formula 1 back to Africa for the first time since 1993.
'On behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency President Paul Kagame, the Government and the people of Rwanda on securing a 10-year hosting agreement for the Formula 1 African Grand Prix,' Ramaphosa wrote.
The South African leader described the agreement as recognition of Rwanda's capabilities and those of the continent, while expressing his country's readiness to share its experience in organising major sporting events.
'This agreement is a testament to the recognition of the capabilities of the Rwandan people and the African continent as a whole,' he said, adding that South Africa would be happy to provide any support Rwanda might need.
South Africa hosted the last Formula 1 race on African soil at the Kyalami circuit in 1993. The country has also been pursuing a return to the championship, competing with Rwanda, Morocco and Nigeria to host a race.
'As host of the first Grand Prix on African soil in 1993, and organiser of other major global events, South Africa will be happy to provide any support we may be invited to share,' Ramaphosa stated.
Kagame's response places emphasis on cooperation between African countries, with Rwanda seeking to use the Grand Prix not only to attract international attention but also to strengthen motorsport across the continent.
The 10-year agreement announced on October 13 will see the championship return to Africa in the early 2030s, once a purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, near Kigali, has been completed.
The project forms part of Rwanda's broader plans to develop sports infrastructure, attract tourism and investment, create jobs and expand opportunities for local businesses.
In announcing the agreement, Kagame said the ambition extended beyond hosting a single race weekend, highlighting the potential for African markets to benefit more directly from the global sports industry.
The planned circuit is expected to meet the FIA's Grade 1 requirements for Formula 1 racing and form part of a wider development project linked to sports, tourism and commercial activities.
President Kagame has also expressed the hope that the African Grand Prix will encourage more races to be hosted on the continent.
President Paul Kagame has welcomed an offer of support from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, pledging to work with him and other partners to make the Formula 1 African Grand Prix a truly continental event.
The proposed expansion is expected to bring services closer to communities, potentially reducing the distance patients must travel to access care at designated health facilities.
The pilot programme was implemented at 43 health centres in Musanze, Karongi, Rwamagana and Ruhango districts, where between 900 and 1,000 women and girls accessed legal abortion services during the 2025/26 financial year.
Dr François-Régis Cyiza, Director of the Health Facilities Programmes Unit in RBC's Maternal, Child and Community Health Division, said the programme had demonstrated that health centres could provide the services appropriately.
The planned expansion comes as the number of people accessing legal abortion services in Rwanda continues to rise. According to RBC, 3,200 women and girls received the services in the 2025/26 financial year, compared with between 1,800 and 2,200 annually in previous years.
'Comparing the figures with those of three years ago, before June 2025, we found that between 1,800 and 2,200 people received legal abortion services at health facilities each year,' Cyiza said during discussions with journalists on October 9.
'However, last year, the number of people who sought legal abortion services reached 3,200. This represents an increase of about 1,000 people compared with previous years.'
Cyiza attributed the increase partly to changes in the legal framework and improved access to services, explaining that care had previously been concentrated mainly in public and private hospitals and polyclinics.
'Between 900 and 1,000 people received the services at health centres during the last financial year, from July 2025 to June 2026,' he said, referring to the pilot programme.
Under the model, a trained nurse or midwife receives the patient, conducts an initial assessment and arranges the necessary tests. The results are entered into an electronic system and reviewed by a doctor at a hospital before a decision is made on providing the service. This arrangement allows health centres to participate in service delivery while maintaining medical oversight by doctors.
Rwanda amended its ministerial regulations in December 2024 to allow authorised public and private health centres to provide abortion services, alongside hospitals and polyclinics. Facilities must meet the applicable requirements and obtain the necessary authorisation.
However, abortion remains legally permitted only under specific circumstances outlined in Rwanda's legal framework. These include pregnancies involving minors, those resulting from rape, forced marriage or incest within the legally specified degree of kinship, and pregnancies that pose a risk to the life or health of the pregnant woman or the foetus.
Dr François-Régis Cyiza, Director of the Health Facilities Programmes Unit in RBC's Maternal, Child and Community Health Division, said the programme had demonstrated that health centres could provide the services appropriately.
The searches were conducted at several locations in Brussels and across municipalities in the Belgian regions of Flanders and Wallonia.
Belgium's Office of the Prosecutor General confirmed that the searches were linked to an investigation launched in July 2025 following complaints filed by non-governmental organisations.
In a statement issued on October 14, the prosecutor's office said the investigation concerns allegations of embezzlement involving public assets in the DRC.
The complainants, represented by lawyers including Bernard Maingain, allege that members of Tshisekedi's family, including his younger brother, Christian Tshisekedi, have for years been involved in the alleged theft of mineral resources in the former Katanga Province.
An employee of a mining company described the situation last year, alleging that the region's resources were being exploited without sufficient local investment.
'Since 2019, things have become much worse. Katanga has become the Tshisekedi family's cash box. You extract resources from these provinces, particularly Lualaba, yet you invest nothing there,' the employee said.
According to Belgian newspaper La Libre, more than 10 police officers took part in searches at the President's residence and properties belonging to members of his family.
Belgian authorities have not released detailed information about all those targeted by the investigation or confirmed whether any arrests have been made.
Tshisekedi's home among several searched in Belgium, prosecutor confirms.
