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Recently incorporated into the Volcanoes National Park, Buhanga is not only a haven of natural beauty but also a sacred place steeped in the traditions of Rwanda’s monarchy.

Buhanga Eco Park is a site of historical and cultural importance. Its name, derived from the Kinyarwanda word for 'creation,' reflects its profound significance in Rwandan tradition. Legend holds that this forest is where Rwanda’s first king, Gihanga, established the kingdom. For centuries, it served as the coronation ground for Rwandan kings, making it a revered place tied to the country’s origins.

The forest has remained pristine due to its sacred status. Tall Ficus and Drago trees form a lush canopy, creating a serene environment where visitors can wander along trails paved with lava stones. The atmosphere is alive with the sounds of birds and the fluttering of butterflies, adding to the park’s enchanting appeal. It is a sanctuary where nature thrives in harmony with the echoes of history.

Buhanga is home to many remarkable features, including caves and a natural spring called Gihanda. This spring, named after King Gihanga, was integral to the coronation rituals.

Kings would bathe in its waters as part of a ceremonial cleansing before being anointed and crowned. The lava rock platform where they received the instruments of power still stands, surrounded by tales of the blessings and protection the site offered to the kingdom.

Walking through the forest, visitors encounter ancient trees like the 'Unity Tree,' or Inyabutatu ya Rwanda, which appears as three trunks intertwined into one. This tree symbolizes the unity of the Rwandan people and serves as a powerful reminder of the country’s shared heritage. Other ancient trees, such as Umusando and Ibigabiro, contribute to the park’s timeless aura, some of them standing tall for over 300 years.

Beyond its cultural significance, Buhanga Eco Park offers a serene escape into nature. The forest is home to species like jackals, porcupines, leopards, and a variety of birds and butterflies. It provides a tranquil environment for anyone seeking peace, adventure, or a deeper connection to Rwanda’s past.

A visit to this sacred forest is a journey into the heart of the country’s identity, where the beauty of nature and the echoes of ancient rituals come together to create an unforgettable experience. For anyone exploring Rwanda, Buhanga is a destination not to be missed.

Beyond its cultural significance, Buhanga Eco Park offers a serene escape into nature.

Trails in the eco-park wind through rugged lava stones and lush terrain adorned with climbing plants.

Buhanga is home to many remarkable features including caves.

Walking through the forest, visitors encounter ancient trees like the 'Unity Tree,' or Inyabutatu ya Rwanda, which appears as three trunks intertwined into one.

Buhanga Eco Park is a sanctuary where nature thrives in harmony with the echoes of history.

Buhanga Eco Park is a sacred place steeped in the traditions of Rwanda’s monarchy.

Th eco park is home to different plant species.

Kings would bathe in the Eco Park’s waters as part of a ceremonial cleansing before being anointed and crowned.

Théophile Niyitegeka

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Instant payments, limitless potential: #IremboPay grows with you, offering everything from… pic.twitter.com/jFfWgvK9IB

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IGIHE

US blocks Gaza ceasefire resolution at UN, sparking global outrage

The United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, its fourth veto during the ongoing conflict.

Fourteen of the 15 Council members supported the resolution, which also demanded the release of hostages and condemned efforts to starve Palestinians.

The U.S. argued the draft failed to link a ceasefire to the release of hostages, with Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood warning it would send a “dangerous message” to Hamas.

Critics, including France and China, condemned this position, accusing the U.S. of enabling humanitarian violations. Human Rights Watch accused Washington of shielding Israel from accountability for alleged crimes in Gaza.

France expressed deep regret, while China questioned whether Palestinian lives held value to the U.S.
The war, sparked by a deadly Hamas attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages, has led to over 43,920 deaths in Gaza, according to Hamas-run health officials.

Israel defends its military campaign as targeting Hamas fighters, facilitating civilian evacuations, and delivering aid. Amid worsening humanitarian conditions and UN warnings of imminent famine in northern Gaza, the veto has intensified global calls for a permanent ceasefire and humanitarian relief.

US has blocked Gaza ceasefire resolution at UN meeting thereby sparking global outrage.

Biden denounces ICC war crimes warrant against Netanyahu

US President Joe Biden called the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) war crimes arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “outrageous.”

The ICC also issued warrants for former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas commander Mohammed Deif, citing their “criminal responsibility” during the Israel-Hamas war.

While European nations largely respected the ICC’s decision, the U.S. and Israel rejected it. Biden emphasized unwavering U.S. support for Israel, denying any moral equivalence between Israel and Hamas.

Netanyahu dismissed the ICC’s accusations as antisemitic, likening them to the Dreyfus trial, and declared Israel would not recognize the court’s authority. He also defended Israeli actions, claiming efforts to safeguard Gaza civilians amid Hamas’s alleged use of human shields.

The ICC’s allegations include policies leading to starvation in Gaza, which Netanyahu strongly refuted, citing substantial humanitarian aid provided to the region.

Meanwhile, the UN warned of dire survival conditions in Gaza due to prolonged sieges and minimal aid deliveries. Both Israel and Hamas deny the ICC’s charges, further polarizing global responses to the court’s controversial move.

US President Joe Biden has called the ICC war crimes arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “outrageous.”

Rwanda plans nationwide EV charging network

The Ministry of Infrastructure is developing a master plan to establish a well-distributed network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across Rwanda. The plan ensures that no driver will need to travel more than 50 kilometers to find a charging station.

This initiative seeks to guide investors in the EV sector, avoiding random placement of stations and ensuring optimal utilization.

The plan prioritizes densely populated and high-traffic areas, while considering existing fuel stations and commercial buildings for integration. Preliminary analysis estimates a need for at least 226 charging stations nationwide.

As of August 2024, Rwanda had 24 EV charging stations, four for electric motorcycles, and 49 motorcycle battery-swapping and recharging points, excluding home charging units.

With only 512 fully electric vehicles and 7,172 hybrid vehicles recorded between 2020 and 2024, the master plan aims to expand infrastructure to support the growing adoption of electric transportation. This project is a key step in promoting sustainable mobility and reducing Rwanda’s reliance on fossil fuels.

As of August 2024, Rwanda had 24 EV charging stations, four for electric motorcycles, and 49 motorcycle battery-swapping and recharging points.

Amahoro stadium to host first Athletics event after renovation

Amahoro Stadium will host the National Athletics Championship on November 23, 2024, marking its first athletics event since its renovation.

The competition will feature 1,117 athletes, including 268 men, 279 women, 288 boys, and 282 girls, representing teams such as APR AC, Police AC, Sina Gérard AC, and others.

Participants will compete in track events ranging from 100m to 10,000m and field events like long jump, triple jump, javelin, discus, and shot put.

This championship returns to Amahoro Stadium after three years, with the venue now upgraded to support diverse sports events.

In 2023, the championship was held in Bugesera, where Team Sina Gérard dominated in the women’s and overall categories, winning 15 gold, eight bronze, and three silver medals.

The University of Rwanda’s Huye Campus (UR-Huye) led the men’s category, earning six gold, one bronze, and three silver medals.

The event highlights Amahoro Stadium’s readiness to host major competitions and reinforces Rwanda’s commitment to advancing athletics.

The National Athletics Championship on November 23, 2024 will be held at Amahoro Stadium.

Adani Group faces U.S. charges over alleged bribery scheme in solar energy project

Indian billionaire Gautam Adani and his companies face U.S. criminal and civil charges for allegedly bribing Indian officials to secure contracts for a massive solar energy project.

In 2020, Adani Green Energy won a bid to supply 8 gigawatts of electricity, part of a 12-gigawatt project expected to generate billions in revenue. However, local electricity distributors resisted buying the power, leading to alleged bribes to persuade them.

According to U.S. authorities, Adani and associates promised hundreds of millions in bribes, including $228 million to Andhra Pradesh officials in 2021. By December, Andhra Pradesh and other states had agreed to purchase the power.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Justice Department began investigating in 2022, uncovering messages between Adani’s team and executives of Azure Power, the project’s co-awardee. Azure cooperated, stating implicated individuals had left the company.

Despite ongoing investigations, Adani’s companies raised billions through international investors, allegedly providing false assurances about anti-bribery compliance. A 2023 FBI search of Adani’s devices revealed further evidence.

On Nov. 20, 2024, an indictment against Adani and others was unsealed, causing a $27 billion loss in Adani Group’s market value. Adani Green Energy canceled a $600 million bond sale as fallout intensified.

Indian billionaire Gautam Adani and his companies face U.S. criminal and civil charges related to corruption.

Ugandan Minister denies gun possession claims against Besigye

Uganda’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Kahinda Otafiire, has dismissed allegations that veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye was found in possession of a firearm during his recent arrest in Nairobi.

Otafiire stated that immigration officials at both Entebbe and Nairobi airports confirmed that Besigye did not have a gun when he was checked.

The clarification follows Besigye’s arrest on charges linked to security offenses and alleged gun possession. These claims have sparked outcry among Besigye’s supporters, who view the accusations as politically motivated.

'I inquired from both Entebbe and Nairobi airport officials, and they confirmed Besigye was not carrying any firearm,' Otafiire said, countering speculation about the legitimacy of the charges.

The Minister’s remarks aim to dispel public doubts about the case. However, Besigye’s supporters argue that his arrest is part of a larger strategy of political suppression as Uganda heads toward the 2026 presidential elections.

The incident has garnered significant attention both domestically and internationally, with critics questioning the government’s motives. While officials maintain that Besigye’s detention is justified, the controversy continues to intensify, further highlighting the deep divisions in Uganda’s political landscape.

Uganda’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Kahinda Otafiire, has dismissed allegations that veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye was found in possession of a firearm during his recent arrest in Nairobi.

IGIHE

Brazilian senior officials bid farewell to Xi at the airport.

On the way to the airport, representatives of overseas Chinese, Chinese institutions and students waved the national flags of China and Brazil on both sides of the road, congratulating Xi on the complete success of the visit.

Representatives of overseas Chinese, Chinese institutions and students wave the national flags of China and Brazil on both sides of the road, congratulating Chinese President Xi Jinping on the complete success of his visit, while Xi’s motorcade is on its way to the airport in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 21, 2024. Xi left Brasilia on Thursday after attending the 19th G20 Leaders’ Summit and paying a state visit to Brazil. (Xinhua/Wang Tiancong)

Representatives of overseas Chinese, Chinese institutions and students wave the national flags of China and Brazil on the roadside, congratulating Chinese President Xi Jinping on the complete success of his visit, while Xi’s motorcade is on its way to the airport in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 21, 2024. Xi left Brasilia on Thursday after attending the 19th G20 Leaders’ Summit and paying a state visit to Brazil. (Xinhua/Wang Tiancong)

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s plane prepares to take off in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 21, 2024. Xi left Brasilia on Thursday after attending the 19th G20 Leaders’ Summit and paying a state visit to Brazil. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

Xinhua

The announcement, made during Xi’s state visit to Brazil, was further bolstered by the leaders’ commitment to align the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Brazil’s development strategies.

MUSICAL PRELUDE TO FRIENDSHIP

The warmth of China-Brazil relations was on full display during a grand welcoming ceremony hosted by Lula on Wednesday.

The ceremony featured a deeply touching moment: a Brazilian singer performed the iconic Chinese song My Motherland in the Chinese language.

It was a reciprocal gesture. When Lula visited China last year, the Chinese side played the Brazilian song Novo Tempo, or A New Time in English, at the welcoming ceremony.

Both songs carry profound significance in their respective nations. My Motherland, an ode to the Chinese people’s enduring resilience and love for their country, resonates deeply with the Chinese people, while Novo Tempo, with its hopeful lyrics about a brighter future, symbolizes Brazil’s aspirations for progress and renewal even in difficult times.

The choice of the two songs underscores a deep understanding between the two countries: they recognize and honor what each holds most dear.

During his meeting with Lula, Xi said he was deeply touched by the great importance Lula attaches to the China-Brazil relations and his deep friendship toward the Chinese people, as reflected by the grand welcoming ceremony of the highest courtesy accorded to Xi.

Brazil and China are good friends that respect and depend on each other, said Lula at the meeting, adding that China is Brazil’s most important strategic partner, and the Chinese people are the most trustworthy friends of the Brazilian people.

Xi’s visit to Brazil, his fifth to the South American nation, comes as the two major developing countries celebrate five decades of diplomatic relations.

During the meeting, Xi emphasized the deep ties forged over the past half-century, noting the two sides found a right way for major developing countries to get along with each other, one that is based on mutual respect, mutual benefit, amity and win-win cooperation.

Brazil holds a unique place in China’s global partnerships. It is the first country to establish a strategic partnership with China. It is also the first nation in Latin America to enter into a comprehensive strategic partnership with China.

For Julio Bandeira, author of the historical book “Brazil en Route to China,” the Brazilian people have a long history of loving Chinese culture and being close to the Chinese people.

“Today, the overseas Chinese in Brazil have also made great contributions to the Brazilian economy and society,” he said.

SYNERGIZING DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

At the heart of the leaders’ discussions was a commitment to align the BRI with Brazil’s key development strategies. These strategies aim to modernize Brazil’s infrastructure and strengthen regional connectivity, goals that echo the BRI’s mission of enhancing global trade and development through shared infrastructure.

The two sides should deepen cooperation in priority areas such as economy and trade, finance, science and technology, infrastructure and environmental protection, and strengthen cooperation in emerging fields such as energy transition, the digital economy, artificial intelligence and green mining, Xi said when jointly meeting the press with Lula after their talks.

Lula, for his part, highlighted plans to focus on expanding and deepening cooperation in areas such as sustainable development, infrastructure, finance, energy transition, and aerospace.

Concrete projects are already underway. For example, the Belo Monte UHV transmission project, which creates an “electricity expressway” linking north and south of Brazil, has not only provided adequate power to industrial hubs there, but also solved the power shortage problem for over 22 million Brazilians.

Meanwhile, Brazil’s abundant renewable resources, including hydroelectric, solar, and wind energy, align seamlessly with China’s expertise in clean energy technology and manufacturing.

Over the past years, Chinese companies have been actively participating in Brazil’s renewable energy sector, particularly in large-scale solar and wind projects, contributing to job creation and technological upgrades in the country.

In a signed article published in Brazilian media ahead of his visit, Xi called on both countries to “seize the opportunities offered by the times” as the new sci-tech revolution and industrial transformation gather pace.

“We should foster more exemplary projects that align with the trend of the times and deliver lasting benefits to the people, and contribute to the common development of our countries and regions,” Xi wrote.

Gleisi Hoffmann, president of Brazil’s Workers’ Party, highlighted the steady growth of economic and trade relations between Brazil and China over the past 50 years. She noted that the partnership has not only met the needs of both nations but also leveraged their respective strengths to create complementary cooperation.

In recent years, she said, China has achieved remarkable progress in areas such as technology, education, and health. Looking ahead, Hoffmann expressed confidence in the potential to deepen collaboration in these fields, envisioning a future marked by what she described as a “new golden 50 years.”

China is promoting high-quality development with new quality productive forces, said Mayara Araujo, a researcher from Brazil’s Fluminense Federal University, referring to advanced productivity that features high-tech, high efficiency and high quality.

Linking Brazil’s development strategies with the BRI will bring more new opportunities to improve and upgrade cooperation between the two countries, said Araujo.

STRENGTHENED VOICE FOR GLOBAL SOUTH

The elevation of China-Brazil ties to a community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet came shortly after the 19th G20 Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

With the theme “Building a just world and a sustainable planet,” this G20 summit offered a vital platform for leaders to address urgent global challenges, including hunger, economic inequity, and climate change.

After calling on Monday for a just world of common development and a fair and equitable global governance system, Xi on Wednesday called on both countries to step forward for world peace and justice.

The two sides should practice true multilateralism, speak up and act for justice, and make global governance more just and equitable, Xi said during his meeting with Lula.

As major developing countries, China and Brazil should take the lead in championing discussion and consultation, promoting global solidarity, and jointly tackling global challenges that affect the future of humanity, Xi added.

Brazil and China are both committed to expanding the participation of developing countries in the decision-making processes of international organizations, said Evandro Menezes de Carvalho, professor at Brazil’s Getulio Vargas Foundation.

Moreover, their collaboration within mechanisms such as BRICS demonstrates how they can unite around shared goals and translate that solidarity into concrete actions with substantial impact, said the expert, noting that it is precisely for this reason that an increasing number of developing countries are eager to join these institutions.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Representatives of overseas Chinese, local Chinese-funded enterprises and Chinese students in Brazil warmly welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping on the roadside while Xi’s motorcade is on its way from the airport to the hotel in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Rui)

Xinhua

China launched a monumental anti-poverty campaign on a scale unseen anywhere in the world in recent years.

In 2021, the country declared a “complete victory” in eradicating absolute poverty, which has lifted 800 million people out of absolute poverty, and met the poverty reduction target of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ahead of schedule.

China’s story is proof that developing countries can eliminate poverty, when there is the endurance, perseverance and striving spirit. If China can make it, other developing countries can make it too. This is what China’s battle against poverty says to the world.

Women work at a poverty relief workshop of a relocation site in Fugong County of Lisu Autonomous Prefecture of Nujiang, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, Nov. 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

Tourists ride horses in a lavender field in Sigong Village, Huocheng County, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 14, 2023. The lavender planting bases here have helped promote local tourism and increase the income of local people. (Xinhua/Hao Zhao)

A villager promotes local products via livestreaming at the relocation site for poverty-stricken people in Huawu Village, Qianxi County of Bijie City, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, April 13, 2021. (Photo by Fan Hui/Xinhua)

A child has free lunch at a kindergarten in Congjiang County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, Sept. 15, 2023. (Photo by Luo Jinglai/Xinhua)

Farmers pick tea leaves in Lianmeng Village of Pu’an County, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, Feb. 23, 2023. Pu’an County has tea gardens with an area of about 125,000 mu (about 8,333.3 hectares). Local farmers have benefited from the tea industry.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

A tourist takes photos at a tulip plantation in Donghuangtuo Town of Luannan County, north China’s Hebei Province, May 3, 2023. Donghuangtuo Town has been developing tulip planting industry so as to boost tourism and help increase the income of local people in recent years.(Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

A Fuxing bullet train runs on the Lhasa-Nyingchi railway during a trial operation in Shannan, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, June 16, 2021. (Xinhua/Chogo)

Medical workers tend to an infant at an intensive care unit (ICU) for infants at People’s Hospital of Tongxin County in Wuzhong City, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 18, 2020. Tongxin County has continued to carry out medical assistance to ensure that the poor population has access to basic medical and health services and prevent illness-caused poverty. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

An aerial drone photo taken on July 24, 2021 shows a view of a relocation site for poverty alleviation in Huawu Village of Xinren Miao Township, Qianxi City, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Zheng Changhao (3nd R), a local poverty alleviation official, leads children with his wife Wu Han (5th L) on a bridge in Wuying Village on the border between south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and southwest China’s Guizhou Province, Jan. 30, 2021. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

Xinhua

Geologists have detected over 40 gold veins, with a reserve of 300 tonnes of gold, within a depth of 2,000 meters beneath the Wangu gold field in Pingjiang County, according to the bureau.

The site’s gold reserve within the depth of 3,000 meters is further estimated at over 1,000 tonnes, valued at 600 billion yuan (about 83 billion U.S. dollars).

“Many drilled rock cores showed visible gold,” said Chen Rulin, an ore-prospecting expert with the Hunan Province Geological Disaster Survey and Monitoring Institute under the bureau, adding that a tonne of ore in the 2,000-meter range contained a maximum of 138 grams of gold.

Liu Yongjun, vice head of the bureau, said that new ore prospecting technologies, such as 3D geological modeling, had been used at the Wangu gold field.

Gold was also found during drills around the site’s peripheral areas, unearthing promising prospects, Liu said.

Technicians of Hunan Province Geological Disaster Survey and Monitoring Institute check rock samples at the Wangu gold field in Pingjiang County, central China’s Hunan Province, Nov. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Su Xiaozhou)

This photo taken on Nov. 20, 2024 shows rock samples at the Wangu gold field in Pingjiang County, central China’s Hunan Province. (Xinhua/Dai Bin)

Xinhua

Bio Usawa Inc. is a privately owned biotechnology company focused on developing and manufacturing monoclonal antibodies in Africa. The company aims to address medical needs by producing affordable therapies in areas such as oncology, immunology, and ophthalmology, ensuring that no patient is left without essential treatments due to cost barriers.

Diabetic macular edema occurs when the part of the eye responsible for sharp central vision becomes swollen due to fluid leakage from damaged or fragile blood vessels. It is estimated that 7—10% of individuals with diabetes develop diabetic macular edema, a condition that can lead to permanent vision loss or blindness.

Announcing the partnership, the company noted that while effective mAb biosimilars for diabetic macular edema are approved in high-income countries, their availability in African nations is extremely limited, despite the rise in diabetes cases reaching pandemic proportions.

The facility to be set up in Rwanda, the company said, will pave the way for local, end-to-end manufacturing of biosimilars that are affordable, high-quality, and accessible to all. Production of the first biosimilar from this facility is expected within 18—24 months.

'Our long-term goal is clear: to build biomanufacturing capacity across Africa, by Africans and for Africans, ensuring that no patient is denied life-saving therapies due to prohibitive costs. With this partnership, Bio Usawa aims to make treatments for serious eye diseases accessible and affordable, aligning with Rwanda’s strategic position as a healthcare hub in East Africa.

'We are immensely grateful to the Government of Rwanda for its steadfast commitment to advancing healthcare and are excited about the path ahead. Together, we look forward to transforming healthcare access across the continent and bringing affordable biologics closer to home,' said Menghis Bairu, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Bio Usawa.

Francis Gatare, Rwanda Development Board Chief Executive Officer, lauded the partnership as a significant step in advancing Rwanda’s healthcare sector and regional innovation.
'By establishing the first facility for monoclonal antibody-based biosimilars in the country, we are addressing critical healthcare challenges, including access to life-saving treatments like those for diabetic macular edema. This collaboration reaffirms Rwanda’s commitment to improving healthcare access and building local capacity, ensuring sustainable solutions for Africa by Africans,' stated the RDB CEO.

The new partnership is part of Rwanda’s efforts to increase healthcare capacity, transforming the country into a healthcare hub that offers quality services to locals and those beyond its borders.

Menghis Bairu, the Chief Executive Officer of Bio Usawa and Francis Gatare, Rwanda Development Board’s Chief Executive Officer.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The joint call by the AU, the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) was made in a joint statement issued late Wednesday on the occasion of Africa Industrialization Day, which is commemorated every year on Nov. 20 in line with African leaders’ decision in 1989.

Reaffirming their joint commitment to advancing inclusive, sustainable, and resilient industrialization as a pathway for Africa’s structural transformation, the three organizations underscored that industrialization remains the linchpin of Africa’s development ambition.

Noting that industrialization is crucial to address Africa’s socioeconomic challenges, such as poverty, unemployment and inequality, they emphasized the need to build Africa’s resilience amid challenges in the global industrial landscape, which is increasingly shaped by global supply chain disruptions, the economic consequences of geopolitical conflicts and environmental challenges.

“These events underscore the necessity for Africa to build resilient industries capable of navigating such external shocks. Africa must seize opportunities to diversify its industrial base, leveraging its natural resource endowment, youthful population, innovation and rising middle class,” the joint statement read.

They also emphasized the urgent need for Africa to be fully part of the fourth industrial revolution and utilize emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, blockchain, robotics, and 3D printing technology to build industries that are beneficial to current and future generations.

The three organizations highlighted the importance of creating conducive environments for investments in infrastructure, skill development, and industrial productivity, emphasizing the role of the private sector in advancing innovation and competitiveness.

Underscoring the collective need to advance Africa’s economic diversification in line with the AU’s 50-year continental development blueprint Agenda 2063, the three organizations called on partners and stakeholders to join forces to expedite Africa’s industrialization.

“Our shared efforts will drive the continent towards greater economic resilience, social equity, and environmental sustainability, ensuring that Africa takes its rightful place as a global industrial powerhouse,” the joint statement said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a message issued Wednesday on the 35th anniversary of Africa Industrialization Day, urged Africa to harness the transformative potential of technology and advance inclusive and environmentally conscious development and economic growth.

The bird’s eye view of Kigali Special Economic Zone (KSEZ) which is home to around 120 companies with activities ranging from manufacturing, agro-processing and education among others.

Xinhua

Speaking to Rádio Moçambique in Harare, Zimbabwe, after the conclusion of an extraordinary Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit, Nyusi highlighted the significance of the EU’s contribution to bolstering the efforts of Rwandan forces operating alongside Mozambican troops in the troubled northern region.

Addressing questions on why the funding was allocated directly to Rwanda instead of Mozambique, Nyusi clarified that Mozambique already receives substantial EU support across various sectors. This includes military training and strategic initiatives amounting to €800 million.

The EU Council’s approval, announced on November 18, 2024, under the European Peace Facility (EPF) supplements the €20 million pledged in late 2022 and aims to strengthen the operational capacity of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) in Cabo Delgado.

The new funds will facilitate the acquisition of personal equipment and cover strategic airlift costs to sustain the Rwandan deployment.

Rwandan troops were first deployed in Cabo Delgado in July 2021 at the request of Mozambique’s government.

Their mission has been critical in countering terrorism, which had claimed over 3,000 civilian lives and displaced more than 800,000 people prior to their intervention. The insurgency also halted development projects in areas under terrorist control.

Over the past three years, Rwandan forces, in collaboration with Mozambican troops, have made significant progress in dismantling the Al Sunna Wa Jama (ASWJ) terrorist group.

They successfully cleared key strongholds such as Mocimboa da Praia and Palma, enabling thousands of internally displaced persons to return to their communities and resume their lives.

President Filipe Nyusi has commended EU’s increased support for Rwandan troops in Cabo Delgado.

IGIHE