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A fireside chat at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) on Saturday brought together two leading voices shaping Africa’s trade landscape; H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, and Prof. Benedict Oramah, outgoing President and Chairman of Afreximbank.

The session, held under the theme “The First Mile to the Future: Reflections on IATF, AfCFTA, and the Power of Partnership,” explored how African partnerships, policy, and finance are driving the continent’s trade transformation.

A new era for Africa’s economy was announced today as leaders, visionaries, and businesses gathered for the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025. This wasn’t just a business event; it was a symbol of African unity and the big dreams of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The opening ceremony was a lively event, attended by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and the other heads of state including President of Tunisia Kais Saied, President of Tchad Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno , President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania, and President Daniel Chapo of Mozambique. Their presence, along with representatives from other African countries, showed a shared commitment to bringing the continent closer through business. The IATF has become Africa’s main business meeting place, where plans become real partnerships and deals get made.

The Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) convened its sixth annual women’s convention this Thursday on 28th august 2025. The event, held in Kigali, focused on the theme “Digital Dignity: Upholding Professionalism and Gender Respect.”

The convention brought together women from across the RCS. The aim was to discuss development and address challenges in the workplace.

The Commissioner General of RCS Evariste Murenzi, highlighted Rwanda’s global leadership in promoting gender equality. “Rwanda stands as a global example for its commitment to gender promotion, and the RCS is fully aligned with this national vision,” CG Murenzi stated. He shared that women currently constitute 28.5% of the RCS workforce, a figure the service is determined to increase to surpass the government’s target of 30%.

ALGIERS - From September 4 to 10, 2025, Algiers is transforming into the central hub of African commerce, hosting the 4th Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025). This landmark gathering, more than just a trade event, signals Algeria’s renewed commitment to leading the continent’s economic future. It’s a statement of purpose, a bold move to leverage its historical role in Pan-Africanism to forge new economic bonds across Africa.

While the IATF 2025 spotlights Algeria’s continental ambitions, it also provides a unique stage for powerful bilateral collaborations. A prime example is the budding partnership between Algeria and Rwanda. Though separated by thousands of kilometers, these two nations are finding common ground in their shared vision for an economically integrated Africa.

Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, a diplomat and former Mayor of Kigali who passed away on August 12, will be laid to rest on Tuesday, August 19, in the Rusororo Cemetery, The New Times has learnt.

Kacyira, who was the Head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), died after a prolonged illness. She was 61.

According to the funeral programme seen by The New Times, the final vigil for Kacyira will be held on Monday at her residence in Kabeza, Kigali. The burial is scheduled for Tuesday in the Rusororo Cemetery.

In a significant step towards achieving Africa’s development goals, Alliance Bioversity International and the Government of Rwanda have strengthened their partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on August 14, 2025, in Kigali. This collaboration aims to drive progress towards the African Union’s Agenda 2063, a comprehensive plan for the continent’s socio-economic transformation.

According to Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg, Managing Director of of Alliance Bioversity Africa, the alliance’s work is deeply aligned with Agenda 2063 and other key African priorities, such as the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).

For Danielle and William Michael of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the International Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kigali was more than an event; it was a profound spiritual and emotional journey. Their experience as attendees left them with a strong desire for the convention’s return. “We hope that it could be even bigger and grander,” Danielle shared, confident that a future gathering in Kigali would be “a true reunion with the family we found in a new land.”

Africa is set to host a pivotal summit in October that could redefine how the continent finances its future. Under the leadership of the African Union and host nation Angola, the event will focus on mobilizing massive investment for infrastructure projects, moving beyond traditional aid models and embracing a new era of pan-African self-reliance. This shift is not just about money; it’s about a change in power dynamics.

The Third Summit on African Infrastructure Development Financing in Luanda is a clear signal that Africa is charting its own course. The goal is to close the annual funding gap of up to $90 billion needed to build essential infrastructure, from roads to digital networks. According to think tank Africa Intelligence, the strategy is to pull from a wider pool of global and local investors.

The final day of the International Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kigali, Rwanda, was a truly unforgettable celebration of faith and unity. The atmosphere was electric, filled with the vibrant colors and rich traditions of over 20 countries.

This wasn’t just a day of spiritual instruction; it was a testament to a global family brought together in one place. Delegates from around the world proudly wore their traditional outfits, transforming the stadium into a beautiful mosaic of cultures. Each garment told a story, representing the unique heritage of the people who wore it, all united by a common bond of faith.

The 2025 Jehovah’s Witnesses International Convention, a three-day event held from August 8-10, concluded today at the Amahoro National Stadium. This landmark gathering was a first of that kind in Rwanda. Mr. Migambi François Régis, the spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Rwanda said: “This International Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses is the first of its kind in Rwanda, and it has been a truly joyful occasion.”

The spokesperson highlighted Rwanda’s significant achievement in being selected as a host country, “We can stand with our heads high that Rwanda is a country that is safe, Of all the African countries, only three countries have been selected in Africa this year,” he noted. He emphasized that countries without a reputation for security “will not ever be considered for this event,” adding that this selection has raised Rwanda’s high profile.