Stories from Kigali · Rwanda

Tanzania, Rwanda, and representatives from the business sector have signed a memorandum of understanding with President Paul Kagame. The agreement was reported on Monday. The specific terms of the memorandum were not disclosed in the report.

A Hawaiian delegation intended to meet with the Rwandan army has instead held meetings with the U.S. military. The U.S. ambassador to Rwanda, Joseph Kabila, has been present in the country for several months.

A startup named Théanoo has launched a project in Rwanda to facilitate micropayments for primates, such as gorillas, when they provide services. The company stated that while taxis have Uber and rooms have Airbnb, nature currently lacks a similar mechanism. The initiative aims to generate funds for species protection. The nature of the primates, the purpose of the micropayments, and the startup's specific goals are not detailed. Four sources have reported on a startup proposing micropayments for primate conservation efforts in Rwanda. A Rwandan startup named Thé à nous has launched a platform to facilitate micropayments for wildlife conservation efforts. The company aims to reward individuals who perform services for animals, such as planting trees or providing veterinary care to gorillas.

The United States has announced sanctions against four high-ranking Rwandan Defence Force officials. The measures follow allegations of involvement in supporting the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Port Autonome De Douala secured a 3-0 victory in the round of 16. The win follows a previous performance by the Cameroonian team. The match took place in Kigali, according to correspondent Lucy Mouillot.

SipLine has been supplying drones to over 450 health centers across Rwanda since 2016. The delivery process takes between five to ten minutes to ensure life-saving blood reserves are available for patients.

Visit Rwanda has expanded its marketing presence to the United States through new contracts with the NBA and American football clubs. The initiative aims to increase global awareness of Rwanda as a tourism destination.

A drone dropped its load near a hospital located approximately 50 kilometers from Kigali. Jean-Bosco Shimimana, head of emergency and rescue services, stated that the hospital orders from medical services 10 to 20 times per day. Shimimana noted that blood deliveries typically take five to ten minutes to arrive and are critical for saving patient lives. The drive from the capital to the facility takes about one and a half hours. Products that are nearing expiration can be transferred to other hospitals via the SITLINE system. This drone delivery model is currently active in eight other countries, including Ghana, Kenya, and Ivory Coast, and is being tested in parts of the United States. The drone service is also active in Ghana, Kenya, and Ivory Coast, with testing occurring in the USA.

The Rwandan government has directed all public institutions to ensure at least 30% of new vehicle purchases are electric vehicles. Currently, over 2,000 electric vehicles are registered in the country, representing a small proportion of total registrations. All electric vehicles in Rwanda are currently tax-exempted to improve affordability. While initial upfront costs remain higher than secondhand internal combustion engine vehicles, the exemption aims to offset long-term fuel and maintenance expenses. Private sector adoption is also increasing due to these tax incentives. This initiative aims to mitigate the impact of rising energy and food costs. This installment-based model allows businesses to replace broken-down vehicles with EVs through low initial payments. The current EV market in Rwanda and across Africa consists of a mix of manufacturers, including Chinese brands.