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Africa's leading electric motorcycle manufacturer, Spiro, has unveiled the EKON M1 V3, a new e-bike designed to meet the demands of Rwanda's varied terrain and the needs of local riders.

The motorcycle was unveiled on August 14, 2026, at Spiro's stand during the ongoing International Trade Fair in Gikondo, Kigali.

The launch brought together Spiro staff, customers and partners, as well as visitors attending the trade fair.

According to Spiro, the EKON M1 V3 was developed with Rwanda's mountainous landscape in mind. The country, known as the 'Land of a Thousand Hills,' has varying terrain and road conditions, including steep slopes and uneven or challenging surfaces.

The company said the motorcycle was designed to handle these conditions and has been given the nickname 'The Motorcycle of a Thousand Hills.'

Spiro Rwanda Managing Director Amit Chawla said the new model was developed after considering the daily challenges faced by motorcycle taxi riders.

'This motorcycle is different from the ones we have previously brought to the market. When we looked at what our riders face every day, from navigating hills and different types of terrain to the need for a motorcycle that is affordable and easy to maintain, the Ekon M1 V3 is the answer,' Chawla said.

Some motorcycle taxi riders who were among the first to test the EKON M1 V3 said its design sets it apart from other Spiro motorcycles previously introduced in Rwanda.

Mfashwenimana Amiel said the motorcycle's higher ground clearance makes it better suited to uneven and difficult terrain.

'With other motorcycles, when you reach an uphill area or a bad road, the motorcycle can sometimes hit the ground. But the EKON M1 V3 is high enough that even when you ride on uneven roads, it does not hit the ground. That makes it the best for our roads,' he said.

Spiro says the EKON M1 V3 can help users save up to 35 percent compared with using a petrol-powered motorcycle in the same category.

The company also says replacement parts for the model can cost up to 40 percent less, potentially reducing maintenance and operating costs for users.

The launch comes as Spiro continues to expand Rwanda's electric mobility infrastructure.

Over the past three years, the company says it has invested in developing and expanding electric transport infrastructure across the country, including battery-charging stations in different locations.

Spiro has also launched seven large 'mega stations' as part of efforts to strengthen the infrastructure supporting electric motorcycles in Rwanda.

The company plans to continue promoting the EKON M1 V3 across the country, giving motorcycle riders and other potential customers an opportunity to learn more about the model and its features.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/spiro-unveils-new-motorcycle-designed-for-rwandas-challenging-terrain/

'The most pressing challenges are still terrorism and cross-border crime,' Rwivanga said during an interview with The New Times' The Context podcast.

The former Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) spokesperson, who took over as Director of the EASF in May, identified Al-Shabaab and other extremist groups among the threats facing the region, noting that insecurity along the eastern coast can disrupt the movement of goods and services.

Regional countries, he argued, need closer cooperation in areas including maritime security and cross-border policing to address threats that transcend national borders.

Testing operational readiness

The EASF has been conducting exercises and force verification missions to ensure member states can deploy the personnel and equipment they have pledged to the regional standby arrangement, Rwivanga explained.

Established in 2004, the EASF is one of the African Union's five regional standby arrangements. It is mandated to support peace support operations, conflict prevention, crisis response and post-conflict reconstruction in Eastern Africa.

The organisation achieved full operational capability in 2014 after evaluating the forces pledged by member states, according to Rwivanga.

He stressed, however, that readiness is not a one-off process and requires regular exercises and verification.

'We have a checklist to verify the readiness of the forces such that when the need arises for us to engage these forces, we will prove that they are ready for integration,' he noted.

The EASF has conducted command-post, field-training and maritime exercises across member states to strengthen interoperability and ensure that different national forces can operate together.

Rwivanga spoke shortly after a force verification exercise in Uganda, where EASF officials were assessing the country's pledged capabilities.

Similar verification exercises have been conducted in other member states and will continue as part of the organisation's readiness programme, he added.

Beyond military threats

While military preparedness remains central to the EASF's mandate, the organisation is broadening its focus to humanitarian assistance and disaster response, Rwivanga explained.

Member states are increasingly pledging capabilities that can be deployed during natural disasters and other humanitarian emergencies.

Ethiopia has pledged C-130 aircraft for strategic airlift, while Rwanda has committed medical evacuation support and Kenya has pledged air reconnaissance capabilities. Uganda is also expected to contribute search-and-rescue capabilities.

These capabilities could allow the region to respond collectively when a crisis overwhelms the capacity of an individual country, Rwivanga noted.

He pointed to natural disasters and climate-related emergencies as threats that should form part of the region's broader security preparedness.

'We should not just look at the enemy in the sense of rebel forces,' he said. 'You should look at the enemy even within with climate-related issues that could easily spiral out of order.'

Reducing reliance on external support

Rwivanga also highlighted efforts by African countries to increase their financial contributions to continental peace and security initiatives.

Greater African funding, he maintained, would help reduce dependence on external partners and strengthen the region's ability to respond to crises.

He pointed to increased contributions by Ethiopia and Kenya to the African Union's peace and security architecture as an indication of growing African ownership.

'At least in our small but very determined way, we are ready to operate even without that external support,' he stated.

The EASF is also seeking greater support from its member states to strengthen its resources and operational capabilities, he added.

Cooperation against cross-border threats

Regional cooperation is essential because terrorism, organised crime and other security threats do not stop at national borders, Rwivanga observed.

He cited joint security engagements between Rwanda and Uganda, as well as Rwanda and Tanzania, as examples of countries working together to address cross-border insecurity.

'Working together helps to deal with all the grey areas, the blind spots along the border,' he said.

He called for stronger cooperation between regional organisations, arguing that economic integration and security cooperation are closely linked.

Disruptions to the movement of goods and services can affect economies on both sides of a border, making security cooperation important not only for defence but also for regional economic activity, he explained.

Ultimately, the EASF's objective is to ensure that member states are prepared to respond collectively when a crisis emerges.

The organisation is seeking to become more cohesive and better prepared to address both traditional security threats and humanitarian emergencies across the region, Rwivanga stressed.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/easf-steps-up-readiness-as-region-faces-terrorism-cross-border-crime/

The final round of matches took place on Saturday, August 15, across venues including the Gahanga International Cricket Stadium, with the top three sides earning passage to next year's Regional Final.

Rwanda dropped its final fixture to unbeaten Uganda by six runs, wrapping up the tournament in third place within the six-team table.

Uganda claimed top spot to win the tournament, while Nigeria finished second. Joining Rwanda in the top three, both sides advanced to Division 1, where they will meet Kenya, Namibia, and Tanzania in 2027 to decide Africa's representative at the 2028 showpiece event.

The week-long tournament brought together six nations, Rwanda, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Mozambique, competing for three progression slots.

On the individual leaderboards, Nigeria's Kenneth Boniface stood out after capping his campaign with an unbeaten century (100 off 74 balls) against Sierra Leone.

Uganda's Robert Owilli finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 234 runs, while Ghana's Stanley Carson topped the bowling charts with 12 wickets.

The third-place finish keeps Rwanda's target intact as the squad advances to the final regional stage of 2028 U19 World Cup qualification.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/cricket-rwanda-boosts-qualification-hopes-for-u19-world-cup/

In a social media post on Sunday, Museveni congratulated Ruhamya and fellow Ugandan cadet Bakyira Ruyondo on completing their military training at the prestigious academy.

'Congratulations Ruhamya, congratulations Bakyira,' Museveni said, adding that military service provides young Ugandans with a good foundation.

Ruhamya, the son of UPDF Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, graduated from Sandhurst on Wednesday, August 5, alongside Bakyira and other international cadets.

The training prepares cadets for military leadership, command and operational responsibilities as they begin their careers as officers.

Museveni also congratulated the parents of the two newly commissioned officers and encouraged young Ugandans to consider army service.

'Army service gives you good foundation,' he said.

Ruhamya's graduation marks another connection between the Kainerugaba family and Sandhurst. His father, Gen Muhoozi, graduated from the academy in 2000 after joining Uganda's military in 1999 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.

Gen Muhoozi recently shared photographs of Ruhamya during his training at Sandhurst, including a comparison with his own experience at the academy 27 years ago.

Sandhurst, formally known as the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, trains officers for the British Army as well as military personnel from countries around the world.

Ruhamya now joins the UPDF following his training, alongside other Ugandan officers who have received military training at the British academy.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/museveni-welcomes-grandson-ruhamya-into-updf-after-sandhurst-graduation/

Political differences between Rwanda and Burundi should not hinder professional cooperation between their armed forces, Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga, Director of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF), has said.

Rwivanga made the remarks during an interview with The New Times' The Context podcast, where he discussed the role of the EASF, regional security cooperation and the challenges facing the Eastern African region.

Asked whether tensions between Rwanda and Burundi could affect cooperation within the EASF, Rwivanga said the organisation had not been affected by disputes between its member states.

'Surprisingly, this organization has not been affected in any way by the conflicts between individual states,' he said.

He pointed to previous tensions between Rwanda and Uganda, saying that despite bilateral disagreements, the two countries continued participating in regional security initiatives through the EASF.

The same principle, he said, applies to Rwanda and Burundi.
According to Rwivanga, both countries have remained consistent in participating in the EASF's military, police and civilian engagements despite their differences.

He said regional security cooperation requires member states to distinguish political disagreements from their professional responsibilities.

'Whatever transpires between nations, as professional forces, we need to go beyond the political issues between nations and work as professionals in the military field,' Rwivanga said.

He added that countries in the region have to continue working together because they share the same security environment and face challenges that do not respect national borders.

'Whether we like it or not, we are in the region together and we have to work together,' he stressed.

Regional security

Rwivanga, who recently took up his new role at the EASF headquarters in Nairobi after serving for nearly six years as Rwanda Defence Force spokesperson, said regional cooperation remains essential in addressing security threats.

He identified terrorism, cross-border crime, maritime insecurity and cyber threats among the key challenges facing the region.

He argued that stronger cooperation between regional organisations and neighbouring countries would help address such threats more effectively.
'Working together helps to deal with all the grey areas, the blind spots along the border,' he noted.

He cited cooperation between Rwanda and Uganda, as well as Rwanda and Tanzania, as examples of joint efforts to address cross-border insecurity.

EASF readiness

Rwivanga also sought to clarify the role and readiness of the Eastern Africa Standby Force, which was established in 2004 as one of the African Union's five regional standby arrangements.

The force brings together military, police and civilian components from countries in the Eastern African region and is mandated to support peace support operations, conflict prevention, crisis response and post-conflict reconstruction.

Rwivanga said the EASF reached full operational capability in 2014 after verifying the forces and capabilities pledged by member states.

He stressed that being a standby force does not necessarily mean that it must constantly deploy troops.

'The best generals are those who can win without necessarily going to war,' he said, explaining that conflict prevention and diplomacy are also central to the organisation's mandate.

He said member states have participated in various regional and international operations, providing experience that can serve as a foundation for collective
deployments.

Focus on disasters

Beyond traditional security threats, Rwivanga said the EASF is increasingly preparing for humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters.

He revealed that member states are pledging additional capabilities, including strategic airlift, medical evacuation, air reconnaissance and search-and-rescue capacity.

Ethiopia, he said, has pledged C-130 aircraft for strategic airlift, while Rwanda has pledged medical evacuation capabilities and Kenya has pledged air reconnaissance.

The aim, according to Rwivanga, is to enable the region to respond collectively to emergencies that may overwhelm an individual country.

He cited earthquakes and other climate-related disasters as examples of crises that could require a regional response.

'We should not just look at the enemy in the sense of rebel forces. You should look at the enemy even within, with climate-related issues that could easily spiral out of order,' he argued.

Rwivanga highlighted that the EASF's priority over the next three years would be to strengthen cohesion, readiness and the ability of member states to respond collectively to security and humanitarian crises.

He said regional cooperation would remain critical even when individual member states have political differences.

'In regional integration, we have to work together to find solutions,' he stressed.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/rwanda-and-burundi-forces-should-rise-above-political-differences-easf-chief-rwivanga/

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said in a press statement that the meetings are part of the movement's ongoing 'contacts and diplomatic efforts with mediators to inform them of Israeli violations.'

Qassem provided no further details about the visit.

A source within Hamas told Xinhua that a delegation headed by Khalil al-Hayya arrived in Cairo late Saturday, marking his first visit since assuming the post of head of Hamas' political bureau in July.

The source said the delegation is expected to meet with Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad to discuss developments concerning the Palestinian issue and efforts to consolidate the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

The visit comes as mediators from Egypt, Türkiye and Qatar continue efforts to consolidate the ceasefire agreement amid disagreements over the implementation of its next phases.

Earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally rejected a U.S.-backed 15-point plan for ending the Gaza conflict, insisting that Israel will not withdraw its forces from the enclave until Hamas is fully disarmed.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/hamas-delegation-holds-talks-in-cairo-over-israels-compliance-with-roadmap/

Known as Visit Kivu, the initiative is being driven by the Bwishyura Kivu Boat Cooperative, a youth-dominated cooperative based in Bwishyura Sector in Karongi District.

The initiative brings together boat tours and other experiences around Lake Kivu, offering visitors opportunities to explore the lake and some of its islands while also discovering the communities and landscapes around it.

Through 16 motorised boats, the cooperative takes visitors onto the lake and to islands including Nkombo and Ijwi. Its boat operators work across Karongi, Rubavu, Nyamasheke, Rusizi and Rutsiro, the five Rwandan districts bordering Lake Kivu.

'We have a legally registered cooperative, and our goal is to take tourists around Lake Kivu and its islands,' said Niyomugabo Moïse, president of the cooperative.

Visit Kivu also links lake excursions with experiences on land. The cooperative has helped establish a hiking route connecting Karongi town to Bisesero, allowing visitors to combine the scenery of the lake with the area's historical heritage. Members also participate in community work to clear and maintain paths used by visitors.
Among the more distinctive experiences is seeing cattle swimming in Lake Kivu, an activity that offers visitors an unusual glimpse into life around the lake.

The tourism activities have also become an important source of income for members of the cooperative. Founded in 2018 with one employee and Rwf370,000 in capital, the cooperative now has 37 members, 18 permanent employees, including three women, and a capital of Rwf8.7 million.

The cooperative says its tourism activities generate about Rwf4 million a month, helping members meet household needs and pay for health insurance.

Members say joining the cooperative has also allowed them to work together, support their families and interact with visitors from different places.

Niyomugabo says the expansion of tourism around Lake Kivu should go hand in hand with protecting the environment and preserving the culture and heritage of communities around the lake.

He says members need training in cooperative governance, financial management and marketing, as well as more investment to help expand tourism activities, an initiative backed by authorities acknowledging their impact to the community and national development at large.

With its combination of boat trips, islands, hiking, history and community experiences, Visit Kivu reflects the growing effort to present Lake Kivu as a destination to be explored beyond its shoreline.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/beyond-the-shoreline-how-visit-kivu-is-opening-up-new-ways-to-experience-lake-kivu/

The partnership was launched on August 12, in a ceremony attended by representatives of Karongi Tea Factory and Izuba Tea Co. Ltd, Chinese investors, Karongi District Mayor Gerald Muzungu, tea producers organised under the KATECOGRO cooperative, and other stakeholders in the tea sector.

The joint venture brings together Rwanda's long-standing experience in tea cultivation and processing with Chinese technology, technical expertise, international trade knowledge and access to one of the world's largest tea markets.

Partnership driven by quality of Rwandan tea

David Mutangana, Managing Director of Karongi Tea Factory, said the partnership was partly driven by Chinese investors' interest in the quality of Rwandan tea.

'Tea is an important crop for the country. It contributes to the development of producers and the region as a whole. That is why we decided to look for investors in China. When they came here, they visited the tea plantations and were impressed by the quality of the product. That is what convinced them to invest in this sector,' he said.

Mutijima Bryon, Managing Director of Izuba Tea Co. Ltd, highlighted the importance of working with Chinese experts, describing the partnership as a 'strong technical and commercial bridge to China.'

The collaboration is expected to help Izuba Tea add greater value to tea produced in Rwanda and strengthen its presence on international markets.

The company aims to become 'a globally recognised Rwandan tea company' within the next five years, targeting markets across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

'Our role is to combine this natural advantage with the technologies, expertise, investments and access to international markets that are necessary,' Bryon said.

Liu Quiming, speaking on behalf of the Chinese investors, said the partnership followed positive results from tests conducted on Rwandan tea.

'We are very happy about this partnership. When we came to Rwanda to test the tea, we were very satisfied. We took samples to China, where they were very well received. We found that the Karongi factory perfectly matched our expectations in terms of its operations and production capacity, which is why we are here today to launch this partnership,' he said.

Expanding production and value addition

Located in Karongi District in Rwanda's Western Province, near Nyungwe Forest, Karongi Tea Factory began operations in 2012 and specialises in tea processing.

The factory produces several varieties of high-quality tea and has a production capacity of several dozen tonnes per day.

The partnership is also expected to create additional value in the tea sector, increase farmers' incomes, strengthen their economic independence and create jobs.

As production expands, improving the transportation of tea from farms to the factory will be important to supporting the sector's growth and ensuring that farmers can fully benefit from new market opportunities.

Mutangana said the factory is already working with the KATECOGRO cooperative and that continued improvements in transport infrastructure would help facilitate the movement of tea from farms to the factory and strengthen access to markets.

'The factory started operations in 2012. We already work with the KATECOGRO cooperative, and as the sector grows, continued improvements in infrastructure will be important in facilitating the movement of produce to the factory and connecting farmers to expanding markets,' he said.

Karongi District Mayor Gerald Muzungu said local authorities would continue working with stakeholders to support the development of the project and create an enabling environment for its growth.

'We will do everything necessary to ensure the success of this project,' he said, emphasising the initiative's potential to generate economic opportunities for local communities and contribute to the development of the district.

Building a bridge to the Chinese market

In its first phase, Izuba Tea plans to reach an annual production capacity of about 1,000 tonnes.

The initial phase will form the basis for a broader expansion programme. Shareholders plan to reinvest up to $10 million across four development phases to progressively increase production capacity, modernise technology, expand the product range and strengthen the company's international distribution network.

The company also plans to move beyond conventional tea production by developing speciality and value-added products, including matcha.

Izuba Tea intends to adapt its production capacity and product portfolio to meet the requirements of different international markets, positioning the joint venture as a potential channel for increasing the global reach of Rwandan tea.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/karongi-tea-factory-partners-with-izuba-tea-to-boost-rwandan-tea-on-international-markets/

The company officially opened its Rwanda office on Friday, August 14, 2026, at the MIC Building in Nyarugenge District, Kigali.

The Kigali office gives NIMCO Flintwood a physical presence in a market where it already serves customers and comes as the company plans to relocate its headquarters from Mombasa, Kenya, to Rwanda within the next five years.

'Within the next five years, Rwanda will be our headquarters. Our headquarters will no longer be in Mombasa because I will also be working here in Rwanda,' NIMCO Flintwood Founder and CEO Nimmoh Muriithi stated.

Muriithi said the decision to establish a permanent physical presence in Rwanda was influenced by the large share of the company's customers based in the country, as well as Rwanda's business environment, operational systems and strategic position in regional trade.

The Kigali office is expected to bring the company closer to its customers and make it easier for them to access services, obtain information and track their cargo without having to contact the company's offices in Mombasa.

'When your partner from Mombasa is sitting in an office in Kigali, you no longer need to call them on the phone or send them a WhatsApp message to get answers. Instead, you can go to the office and they can help you resolve your issues,' Muriithi remarked.

NIMCO Flintwood Country Sales Manager Marcelin Mudatenguha said the company's immediate priority would be to strengthen customer confidence by improving service delivery.

'The first thing we need to do is take the lead in providing efficient services to our customers when they place their cargo orders,' he noted.

The company has also introduced a rail-based cargo transportation service from Mombasa through Naivasha and Malaba. Cargo will then be transferred to trucks for onward transportation to Kigali, a model expected to reduce transportation costs.

NIMCO Flintwood also plans to expand into other sectors, including petroleum products, as Rwanda and Kenya continue to strengthen economic cooperation.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/nimco-flintwood-opens-kigali-office-to-bring-services-closer-to-customers/

The call was made during a forum titled 'Unlocking AfCFTA Services: Challenges and Opportunities for Youth and Women in Rwanda,' held at M-Hotel in Kigali on August 13, 2026.

The forum brought together government officials, entrepreneurs and private sector representatives and youth to discuss practical ways of increasing Rwanda's participation in Africa's growing services market.

Discussions focused on challenges including cross-border payments, currency conversion, taxation, business registration, regulations, logistics and limited access to information about African markets.

Doreen Ntawebasa, Director General of Trade and Investment at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, emphasized the importance of turning AfCFTA commitments into practical opportunities for businesses.

'AfCFTA provides Rwanda with an important opportunity to connect its businesses to a much larger continental market. Our focus should now be on ensuring that entrepreneurs have the information, capacity and support they need to use these opportunities,' Ntawebasa said.

Participants also discussed the need to simplify regulations and strengthen cooperation between African countries so that businesses can operate more easily across borders.

The movement of professionals under Mode 4 was highlighted as an important opportunity in services trade, particularly for skilled young people seeking to provide professional services in other African countries.

The panel also examined Mutual Recognition Agreements, which can help facilitate recognition of professional qualifications across borders.

Digital trade and payments were another major focus. Participants noted that high transaction costs, currency conversion and difficulties accessing cross-border payment systems can make it harder for businesses to trade within Africa.

The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) was highlighted as one solution that could make cross-border payments easier and reduce some of the costs associated with currency exchange.

Doreen Ntawebasa also stressed the importance of ensuring that AfCFTA information reaches entrepreneurs beyond Kigali.

'We need to take AfCFTA closer to the people, especially young people and women in rural communities, and provide information in a language they can easily understand,' she said.

Participants recommended using Kinyarwanda, social media and community-based channels to improve awareness of AfCFTA opportunities.

They also called for stronger export-readiness programmes to help entrepreneurs understand market research, rules of origin, regulations and other requirements before entering international markets.

The forum further emphasized the need for gender and age-disaggregated data to measure how youth and women are benefiting from AfCFTA.

The discussions were moderated by Amos Akandwanaho, National AfCFTA Youth and Women Champion.

Other speakers included Gloire Kayitare, External Trade Policy Specialist at the Ministry of Trade and Industry; Vyanie Kamikazi of Mbere Enterprises; Moise Tuyizere, Director of Operations at the Rwanda ICT Chamber; Tadhim Uwizeye, Founder of Olado Business Group Ltd; and Norman Mugisha, Founder and CEO of Afri-Farmers Market.

The forum concluded with a call for stronger public-private cooperation, better access to information, improved digital payment systems and targeted support to help Rwanda's youth and women turn AfCFTA opportunities into real businesses and jobs.

Source : https://new.igihe.com/english/stakeholders-weigh-in-on-unlocking-afcfta-opportunities-for-youth-and-women/