The New Times Rwanda

Africa’s Future Investments: IFC’s $20 Billion Plan Explained

Title: Africa’s Future Investments: IFC’s $20 Billion Plan Explained
Runtime: 24:13
Date posted: 5 months ago
Description: Why are global investors increasingly looking at Rwanda? What sectors will drive Africa’s next wave of growth? And can the continent finally produce its own vaccines?
In this exclusive interview, Ethiopis Tafara, Regional Vice President for Africa at the International Finance Corporation, speaks to The New Times Business Editor Julius Bizimungu during his visit to Kigali.
The IFC has invested over $330 million in Rwanda in the last five years, and the institution is now exploring new opportunities to support the country’s development ambitions under Vision 2050.
In this conversation, Tafara discusses:
* Why Rwanda is attracting private sector investment
* The sectors with the biggest job-creation potential in Africa
* Progress on vaccine manufacturing in Africa
* Climate-smart agriculture investment opportunities
* The role of SMEs, tourism, and manufacturing in economic growth
* What to expect from the upcoming Africa CEO Forum...

XTransfer targets Africa to fix costly cross-border payments for SMEs

Title: XTransfer targets Africa to fix costly cross-border payments for SMEs
Runtime: 17:12
Date posted: 5 months ago
Description: Founded in 2017 in Shanghai, XTransfer operates a global B2B cross-border payment platform that enables SMEs to send, receive and manage international trade payments more easily and at lower cost. The platform connects businesses to global banking networks, allowing them to pay suppliers, receive payments from overseas buyers and manage foreign exchange without relying on traditional bank transfer systems.
XTransfer’s business model is designed to reduce the cost of cross-border payments and foreign exchange transactions for businesses using its platform, according to the company. It indicated that transfers between users on the XTransfer platform are free of charge. When both the buyer and the seller hold XTransfer accounts, the company does not apply any transaction fees for sending or receiving payments.

Why stunting persists in Gicumbi District | Leaders and families speak

Title: Why stunting persists in Gicumbi District | Leaders and families speak
Runtime: 9:39
Date posted: 6 months ago
Description

The doctor who refused to give up: Dr. Isabelle Mukagatare’s inspiring story

Title: The doctor who refused to give up: Dr. Isabelle Mukagatare’s inspiring story
Runtime: 32:17
Date posted: 6 months ago
Description

Make no mistake, Rwanda wants peace: Kagame on FDLR, sanctions and DR Congo

Title: Make no mistake, Rwanda wants peace: Kagame on FDLR, sanctions and DR Congo
Runtime: 35:53
Date posted: 6 months ago
Description: Speaking on Friday, March 6, as he hosted diplomats for dinner at Kigali Convention Centre, Kagame noted that ongoing changes global geopolitics will affect every nation.
"One thing that has not changed, however, is the right and duty of every nation, to ensure the safety of its borders and its people," he said.
"Rwanda is no exception. And yet, for reasons that continue to elude us, Rwanda is consistently asked to ignore threats to its security and compromise its national defence."

Close to 1,900 convicts released on parole

Title: Close to 1,900 convicts released on parole
Runtime: 7:47
Date posted: 6 months ago
Description: A Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, March 4 approved the release of 1,847 convicts on parole.
Parole is the temporary release of a prisoner before the expiry of a sentence, on the promise of good behaviour. The law also provides for the revocation of parole. The Minister in charge of Justice may, upon request by the Public Prosecution, revoke parole if the beneficiary is convicted of another offence, engages in gross misconduct, or breaches the conditions attached to the parole order.

Rwanda’s Provincial Hospitals Received Life-Saving Eye Care Equipment

Title: Rwanda’s Provincial Hospitals Received Life-Saving Eye Care Equipment
Runtime: 6:29
Date posted: 6 months ago
Description

The Genocide lawsuit against France’s Central Bank

Title: The Genocide lawsuit against France’s Central Bank
Runtime: 44:50
Date posted: 6 months ago
Description: #Genocide #AlainGauthier #CPCR #GenocideTrials #Rwanda #France #ClaudeMuhayimana

In this exclusive interview, Alain Gauthier, president of the Collectif des Parties Civiles pour le Rwanda (CPCR), shares a firsthand account of the ongoing pursuit of justice for the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Recorded on January 21, a day before Gauthier returned to France to follow the appeal trial of genocide suspect Claude Muhayimana, this conversation provides an inside look at the challenges, and frustrations of holding genocide perpetrators accountable.

Gauthier discusses trials in France including that of former first lady and Akazu leader Agathe Kanziga Habyarimana while highlighting delays, case dismissals, and procedural hurdles that continue to slow justice. He also addresses France’s historical responsibility, reflecting on the Duclert report’s findings and the long struggle to fully recognize the state’s complicity in the genoc...

In Gatsibo, refugees and citizens forge farming cooperative to uplift livelihoods

Title: In Gatsibo, refugees and citizens forge farming cooperative to uplift livelihoods
Runtime: 11:29
Date posted: 6 months ago
Description

Inside Fitness Point Gacuriro | Bigger Space, More Machines & Better Service

Title: Inside Fitness Point Gacuriro | Bigger Space, More Machines & Better Service
Runtime: 3:35
Date posted: 6 months ago
Description: Fitness Point Gacuriro now offers a wide range of modern equipment for all workouts, including glutes, chest, shoulders, legs, and full-body training. Members have access to hip thrust machines, leg curls, calf machines, shoulder press machines, and much more — all in a clean and spacious environment.

Fitness Point operates three branches in Kigali:
• Gacuriro (newest branch)• Kimihurura• Remera

One membership gives you access to all locations, including additional facilities such as a swimming pool, basketball court, sauna, clean changing rooms, and hot showers.
For beginners, professional trainers are available to guide you from start to finish. What sets Fitness Point apart is strong customer service — from maintaining one of the cleanest gyms in Kigali to checking in with clients, listening to feedback, and even reminding members before their memberships expire.

At Fitness Point, it’s more than just a gym, it’s a comm...

Kirehe: Where TVET schools offer skills to refugees and host community

Title: Kirehe: Where TVET schools offer skills to refugees and host community
Runtime: 8:47
Date posted: 6 months ago
Description

Refugees in Rwanda turn to businesses as aid shrinks

Title: Refugees in Rwanda turn to businesses as aid shrinks
Runtime: 13:58
Date posted: 6 months ago
Description: Mahama camp host some 72,000 refugees mostly from DR Congo and Burundi. With foreign aid shrinking, the refugees are encouraged to take advantage of available opportunities to earn a living.
One of the projects supporting refugees and host communites is called Jya Mbere, which started in 2019, targeting five refugee-hosting districts.
The $84 million project funded by the World Bank has supportd socioeconimc activities that has reached tens of thousands of people, including through grants.
Some Rwf9.7 billion hass been disbursed in grants to more than 5,500 people who started income-generating activities in businesses, agriculture, textile and hospitality sectors, according to Frank Ngoga, the Jya Mbere project manager.
As the project's first phase ends in October, Ngoga said its impact has been significant in access to basic services and socioeconomic investment as well as environmental management.

#refugees #burundi #drcongo #congo #unitednations ...

Actress Bazongere walks 160 kilometers to raise awareness about menstrual health

Title: Actress Bazongere walks 160 kilometers to raise awareness about menstrual health
Runtime: 22:21
Date posted: 6 months ago
Description: At dawn on Friday, February 12, as much of Kigali was just beginning its day, actress Rosine Bazongere tightened the straps of her backpack and set off on foot, determined to walk 160 kilometres for a cause she believes cannot wait.
The actress, community advocate and founder of Her Dignity campaign, Bazongere is trekking from Kigali to Nyagatare in a four-day journey aimed at raising awareness and mobilising support for girls who cannot afford essential menstrual hygiene products.
For many girls in rural communities, the lack of sanitary pads means missing classes several days each month, says Bazongere. and this is a silent setback that gradually erodes confidence and academic performance.

#rwanda #films #novies #industry #cinema #acting #walking #walk #sports #walking cause #support #supportingwomen #HerDignity160km #campaign #gils #impact #easternprovince

Behind cancer treatment, doctors carry their own pain

Title: Behind cancer treatment, doctors carry their own pain
Runtime: 51:11
Date posted: 6 months ago
Description

Meet the doctor helping improve orthopaedic care in Rwanda

Title: Meet the doctor helping improve orthopaedic care in Rwanda
Runtime: 20:24
Date posted: 6 months ago
Description: For years, Rwandans with serious knee injuries, fractures, or chronic joint pain had no choice but to travel abroad—India, South Africa, or Europe—for surgeries that their own hospitals couldn’t provide. In 2012, Dr. Emmanuel Bukara met a patient recovering from surgery overseas and started wondering: “Why should our people leave the country for care we can provide here?” It wasn’t just about convenience—it was about dignity, access, and equality in healthcare.

His vision has become reality, with the opening of Kigali Specialized Orthopaedic Hospital, the country’s first fully dedicated orthopaedic facility. From sports injuries and joint replacements to spine surgery and pain management, KSOH offers specialized, 24/7 care under one roof. Beyond surgery, Dr. Bukara trains the next generation of surgeons, building local expertise and making Rwanda a regional hub.

#RwandaHealthcare #OrthopaedicSurgery #DrEmmanuelBukara #SportsInjuries #Rwanda #Me...

Building Africa’s Future Health Workforce: A Conversation with Professor Abebe Bekele

Title: Building Africa’s Future Health Workforce: A Conversation with Professor Abebe Bekele
Runtime: 16:45
Date posted: 7 months ago
Description: Professor Abebe Bekele, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic and Research Affairs and founding Dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), reflects on the institution’s mission, growth, and impact across Africa.

In this conversation, he explains UGHE’s commitment to training compassionate, skilled, and equity-driven healthcare professionals, regardless of background or ability to pay. He traces the university’s journey from its early years to the expansion of medical, nursing, leadership, and research programmes, and discusses how UGHE navigated the COVID-19 pandemic without disrupting learning.

Professor Bekele also speaks on leadership in healthcare, the importance of global and local partnerships, and Rwanda’s role in shaping a new model of medical education that serves the most vulnerable communities.

20th edition of the National Umushyikirano Council | Closing Remarks by President Kagame

Title: 20th edition of the National Umushyikirano Council | Closing Remarks by President Kagame
Runtime: 13:51
Date posted: 7 months ago
Description: Kagame noted that one of the major challenges to development in Africa is the failure to translate good ideas into results. The President cautioned against turning the national dialogue into a ceremonial gathering characterised by many speeches and little action.
“Technically, you are able and capable, but something comes and takes away that capability, and you fail to know where it has gone. I think it comes from culture. If you have capability and knowledge but nothing tangible comes out of it, then there is a problem,” Kagame told the audience.
He made the remarks as he closed the 20th edition of the National Umushyikirano Council on Friday, February 6, at Kigali Convention Centre.

Kagame: Leaders must be held accountable for delayed projects

Title: Kagame: Leaders must be held accountable for delayed projects
Runtime: 54:40
Date posted: 7 months ago
Description: President Paul Kagame has called on leaders at all levels to be accountable for their actions and ensure that development projects are properly implemented.
The Head of State said this on Thursday, February 5, as he opened the 20th edition of the National Umushyikirano Council at Kigali Convention Centre.
“This dialogue is meant to remind us of our history, show us lessons, and guide our actions. It encourages us to unite efforts for the country’s development,” Kagame said.
He emphasised that the two-day event attended by thousands of Rwandans and leaders from all levels serves as a reminder for leaders to evaluate their own performance.

Kagame tackles FDLR security threat, DR Congo’s accusations at Umushyikirano

Title: Kagame tackles FDLR security threat, DR Congo’s accusations at Umushyikirano
Runtime: 8:14
Date posted: 7 months ago
Description: As he opened the 20th edition of National Umushyikirano Council on Thursday, February 5, President Kagame spoke about the security threat posed by DR Congo-backed FLDR militia and the need for Kinshasa to own up to its responsibilities in governance failures.

When survival becomes a second chance: Josiane Mukashyaka’s story

Title: When survival becomes a second chance: Josiane Mukashyaka’s story
Runtime: 11:26
Date posted: 7 months ago
Description: Josiane Mukashyaka’s life changed forever after a road accident in December 2020 left her with severe injuries and fighting for survival.

Struck from behind while riding a motorcycle taxi in Muhanga District, she lost massive amounts of blood and spent nearly six months at Kabgayi Hospital undergoing multiple surgeries and blood transfusions that doctors say saved her life.

Once a salon worker supporting her family, Josiane faced years of physical pain, emotional trauma, and the long journey of relearning how to walk. Through resilience, faith, and determination, she rebuilt her life—adapting her skills to work from home and becoming a source of hope for others recovering from serious injuries.

Her story is one of survival, healing, and the power of never giving up.

Goma: One year on after AFC/M23 takeover

Title: Goma: One year on after AFC/M23 takeover
Runtime: 20:30
Date posted: 7 months ago
Description: Goma’s streets, markets, and people one year under AFC/M23
Unlike the tense rhythm we observed in January 2025, life in Goma now moves at a hurried, seemingly restless pace, with people eager to get somewhere. On a wide, gently sloping street about three kilometres from the main DR Congo-Rwanda border crossing, La Corniche or Grande Barrière, motorists, cars, and pedestrians jostle past one another at startling speed, navigating a city that has been under the control of AFC/M23 rebels for a year.

https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/32883/news/africa/gomas-streets-markets-and-people-one-year-under-afcm23

#DRCongo #Goma #AFC/M23 #CRDH #VirungaNationalPark #FDLR #Wazalendo #Banking crisis #Securitysituation

Military students celebrate diversity at culture day

Title: Military students celebrate diversity at culture day
Runtime: 37:44
Date posted: 7 months ago
Description: The Rwanda Defence Force Senior Command and Staff College on Friday, January 23, held a Culture Day event showcasing cuisine, traditional dances, fashion, and other cultural displays presented by students from different countries. The annual event, held at the Musanze-based military college, brought together 109 students, representing 20 African countries and one from Jordan. Participants engaged in a range of cultural displays, with the Culture Day instituted to recognise and celebrate the value of every nation’s heritage.

#rdf #africa #culture #security #rwanda #mod #celebration #celebrate #world #unity #force #peace

Social Media, Mental Health and Comedy: Inside Japhet Mazimpaka’s New Stand-Up Special

Title: Social Media, Mental Health and Comedy: Inside Japhet Mazimpaka’s New Stand-Up Special
Runtime: 26:14
Date posted: 7 months ago
Description: Description: Rwandan comedian and radio personality Japhet Mazimpaka has warned that many people are getting lost in the world of social media influence, describing it as a “pandemic disguised as false validation.”

The comedian, who is doing solo performances after splitting with 5K Etienne, believes people are increasingly trapped in the need to appear on others’ screens, failing to balance online presence with real life.

Empowering Local Businesses Through E-Commerce: Inside Murukari’s 10-Year Journey

Title: Empowering Local Businesses Through E-Commerce: Inside Murukari’s 10-Year Journey
Runtime: 23:23
Date posted: 7 months ago
Description: From a personal challenge to a nationwide solution, Murukari has grown into one of Rwanda’s pioneering e-commerce platforms, connecting local businesses to buyers across the world.

Founder Yvette Uwimpaye shares her journey of building Murukari from the ground up—overcoming the absence of payment gateways, limited technology infrastructure, and early skepticism—to create a trusted digital marketplace that now supports over 1,000 vendors and serves customers locally and internationally.

Marking a decade of innovation, this story highlights how vision, resilience, and technology are reshaping how Rwandans shop, sell, and access global markets.

After one year of M23 rule, a Congolese traditional chief speaks out

Title: After one year of M23 rule, a Congolese traditional chief speaks out
Runtime: 5:30
Date posted: 7 months ago
Description: In an exclusive interview at his hilltop fortress in the Chefferie de Bukumu (Bukumu Chiefdom), about 20 minutes north of Goma, Mwami Isaac Butsitsi Kahembe IV, a Congolese traditional chief, said that areas under AFC/M23 control are peaceful and the rebels are “doing well,” but need more time. He said the rebel movement cannot be expected to have achieved so much after just one year in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province.

“The main issue was tribalism. As you know, FDLR, they committed genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda and they tried to bring here in Congo, that genocidal ideology.” Asked specifically about life under AFC/M23 leadership, he explained: “You see, it's been just a year since M23 came here. But for what we are seeing, you know, you cannot do everything in one year. We have to give them time. Yeah, they are doing good actually.”

#AFC/M23 #North Kivu #Goma #EasternDRCongo #BukumuChiefdom
#KahembeIV #FDLR #Wazalendo...

Camp Zaïre: Inside Kigali’s once-vibrant Congolese community Remember, these weren't refugees

Title: Camp Zaïre: Inside Kigali’s once-vibrant Congolese community Remember, these weren't refugees
Runtime: 5:14
Date posted: 8 months ago
Description: In the early 1990s, long before petrol stations, supermarkets, and hardware stores reshaped the urban landscape, the area between what was then known as Rwandex and Mburabuturo pulsed with a distinct rhythm.
Camp Zaïre was not just a settlement; it was a lived cultural space, forged through decades of movement between Rwanda and what was then Zaïre, now the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). For its residents, the name evoked belonging, familiarity, and the subtle rhythm of daily life.
Today, little of that world remains visible. The physical structures are gone, replaced by roads, power lines, and commercial development tied to Kigali’s rapid urban expansion. Yet for those who lived there, Camp Zaïre endures vividly in memory, language, and shared histories.

“Just doing what I love”: Joshua Baraka shrugs off pressure to carry East African music

Title: “Just doing what I love”: Joshua Baraka shrugs off pressure to carry East African music
Runtime: 11:11
Date posted: 8 months ago
Description

New Year Groove delivers a marathon night in Kigali

Title: New Year Groove delivers a marathon night in Kigali
Runtime: 40:10
Date posted: 8 months ago
Description

From Genocide to Healing: How Rwanda rebuilt a nation through Cow for Peace

Title: From Genocide to Healing: How Rwanda rebuilt a nation through Cow for Peace
Runtime: 57:39
Date posted: 8 months ago
Description

Title: New Year’s Eve concert: The Last Night
Runtime: 54:24
Date posted: 8 months ago
Description

Kigali dazzles with vibrant lights and spectacular fireworks as city welcomes 2026

Title: Kigali dazzles with vibrant lights and spectacular fireworks as city welcomes 2026
Runtime: 21:20
Date posted: 8 months ago
Description

End Of Year Message by President Paul Kagame-2025

Title: End Of Year Message by President Paul Kagame-2025
Runtime: 5:51
Date posted: 8 months ago
Description

Tshisekedi robbed the banks in eastern DR Congo – AFC/M23’s Bisimwa

Title: Tshisekedi robbed the banks in eastern DR Congo – AFC/M23’s Bisimwa
Runtime: 1:14:52
Date posted: 8 months ago
Description: On December 10, 2025, the AFC/M23 movement announced that it had captured Uvira, a strategic town at the northernmost tip of Lake Tanganyika in South Kivu Province, eastern DR Congo. The town lies near the Burundian border, not more than 30 kilometres by road from Bujumbura, Burundi’s commercial capital. A vast military coalition comprising thousands and thousands of Congolese army forces (FARDC), Burundian troops, Congolese militias known as Wazalendo, genocidal militia from Rwanda (FDLR), and mercenaries from south America and Europe, failed to halt the AFC/M23 advance.
Suddenly, barely a week later, on December 15, the rebels announced a unilateral withdrawal from Uvira, describing it as a confidence-building measure intended to advance the Doha peace process and help secure a lasting solution to the conflict in eastern DR Congo. The Doha peace process is a Qatar-hosted mediation initiative aimed at promoting dialogue and de-escalation between the Congolese government and th...

President Kagame and Gianni Infantino Light Up FIFA Football Festival at Amahoro Stadium

Title: President Kagame and Gianni Infantino Light Up FIFA Football Festival at Amahoro Stadium
Runtime: 13:47
Date posted: 8 months ago
Description

Inside Christmas Celebrations Across Kigali’s Churches

Title: Inside Christmas Celebrations Across Kigali’s Churches
Runtime: 3:05
Date posted: 8 months ago
Description

Shop smart. Save big. Only at Simba Supermarket

Title: Shop smart. Save big. Only at Simba Supermarket
Runtime: 0:57
Date posted: 8 months ago
Description

Step Inside Simba Supermarket’s 5D Cinema & All-Ages Game Adventure

Title: Step Inside Simba Supermarket’s 5D Cinema & All-Ages Game Adventure
Runtime: 1:39
Date posted: 8 months ago
Description: Lights. Motion. Pure wow. 🎬✨

Step into Simba Supermarket’s 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝟓𝐃 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟑𝐃 𝐂𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐚 and feel every twist, splash, and thrill as the story comes alive around you. It’s not just watching a movie — it’s living inside it.

Then 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐚 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, where fun has no age limit

From colorful playgrounds and classic games to next-level adventures:

🚀 VR Flying Theater
🥚 VR Egg 360
🏍️ Ultra Moto Racing
🦖 Jurassic Park
🎯 Elevator Action Invasion
👣 Bigfoot Crush
🏒 Air Hockey
🎳 Bowling … and so much more!

One destination. Endless excitement.

Simba Supermarket — where shopping meets unforgettable family fun.

Kigali at Night: A Festive City Street Tour with The New Times

Title: Kigali at Night: A Festive City Street Tour with The New Times
Runtime: 2:11
Date posted: 8 months ago
Description

Radisson Blu Kigali closes 2025 on a strong note, eyes festive season boost

Title: Radisson Blu Kigali closes 2025 on a strong note, eyes festive season boost
Runtime: 31:08
Date posted: 8 months ago
Description

Holiday Spirit Shines at Kigali Convention Centre Christmas Tree Lighting

Title: Holiday Spirit Shines at Kigali Convention Centre Christmas Tree Lighting
Runtime: 5:36
Date posted: 8 months ago
Description

Celebrating 30 Years of UNDP’s Development Impact in Rwanda

Title: Celebrating 30 Years of UNDP’s Development Impact in Rwanda
Runtime: 27:44
Date posted: 8 months ago
Description

[FEATURED VIDEO] Inside Spiro’s drive to build Rwanda’s e-mobility ecosystem

Title: [FEATURED VIDEO] Inside Spiro’s drive to build Rwanda’s e-mobility ecosystem
Runtime: 17:53
Date posted: 8 months ago
Description

Healing the Inner Child: Mireille Karera on Coaching and Self-Discovery

Title: Healing the Inner Child: Mireille Karera on Coaching and Self-Discovery
Runtime: 52:30
Date posted: 8 months ago
Description

Our strength is simply that we protect ourselves - President Kagame

Title: Our strength is simply that we protect ourselves - President Kagame
Runtime: 32:59
Date posted: 9 months ago
Description: President Paul Kagame on Wednesday, December 11, urged leaders to recommit to serving the nation with strength and dedication as he presided over the swearing-in of newly appointed officials.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the parliamentary buildings in Kimihurura, Kagame used the occasion to reflect on the responsibilities that come with leadership in Rwanda.

When Rwanda’s Creatives Hit a Wall, Uwineza Builds Them a Door

Title: When Rwanda’s Creatives Hit a Wall, Uwineza Builds Them a Door
Runtime: 24:47
Date posted: 9 months ago
Description: She is the woman artists call when they have nowhere else to go. From radio plugs to videographers, from tax questions to podcast plans, she has spent years quietly connecting Kigali’s creative community to the tools, people and opportunities they need.

In this feature, we follow her world: the late-night calls, the problem-solving, the emotional labour, and the financial realities that shape Rwanda’s creative industry. She speaks candidly about the struggles artists face, from small budgets to a lack of formal support, and why she believes touring, networks and cultural export are the paths toward a sustainable future.