AGP Executive Report

Carbon Markets: Rwanda and Singapore are speeding up approvals under their carbon-credit agreement, sharing procedures for projects that could generate transferable emissions-reduction credits under the Paris Agreement. Intellectual Property: New rules set Rwanda’s provisional patent filing fee at Rwf 10,000, making it cheaper for inventors to seek protection; a full application costs Rwf 30,000. Smart Cities: Rwanda’s ICT authority and Singapore’s ST Engineering are exploring technology for urban mobility, traffic management and digital infrastructure. AI and Digital Services: Kigali-based Entelon is developing AI for organisations still reliant on paper, while World Bank funding is set to support Rwanda’s digital ID and civil-registration systems. Green Infrastructure: A Kigali assessment estimates nature-based projects could deliver more than US$2 in benefits for every dollar invested over 25 years, including through flood protection and healthier urban spaces.

Innovation Rules: Rwanda has introduced lower-cost intellectual-property filings, with provisional patent applications starting at Rwf 10,000 and new procedures for challenging applications. Greener Kigali: A study estimates the city’s nature-based infrastructure could return more than US$2 in benefits per dollar invested over 25 years, including through flood protection and public-health gains. Smart Cities: Rwanda’s Information Society Authority and Singapore’s ST Engineering are exploring technology for urban mobility, traffic management and digital infrastructure. Homegrown AI: Kigali-based Entelon is developing AI tools for organisations still relying on paper, while Rwanda has also strengthened discussions with Singapore on AI and cybersecurity. Regional Health Tech: East African and other African blocs are calling for coordinated financing, procurement and local production of medical supplies and technologies to improve outbreak preparedness.

Smart Cities: Rwanda’s Information Society Authority and Singapore’s ST Engineering are exploring technology for urban mobility, traffic management and digital infrastructure. Protecting Ideas: New rules let Rwandan inventors file a provisional patent application for Rwf 10,000, lowering the first step towards protecting an invention. Homegrown AI: Kigali startup Entelon is building AI tools for organisations still reliant on paper, including a health platform that helps residents report symptoms and a tool that turns paper questionnaires into digital surveys. Local-Language AI: Rwanda’s Digital Umuganda is among 60 organisations backing a five-year effort to make AI work in underrepresented languages. Digital ID: New World Bank funding is set to support Rwanda’s digital ID rollout and digitisation of civil registration.

Smart Cities: Rwanda’s Information Society Authority held talks with Singapore’s ST Engineering on technology for urban mobility, traffic management and digital infrastructure, as the country pursues more connected cities. Homegrown AI: Kigali startup Entelon is building AI tools for organisations still reliant on paper, including software that turns questionnaires into digital surveys and a health platform that helps communities report symptoms to support outbreak detection. Local-Language AI: Rwanda’s Digital Umuganda joined a global initiative to expand AI access in underrepresented languages, with partners aiming to build language data, models and applications while protecting privacy. Waste Management: A Rwandan housing delegation visited Zimbabwe’s Geo Pomona site to learn from its waste-sorting and water-treatment operations, exploring skills that could support better waste management at home.

AI & Cybersecurity: Rwanda is strengthening ties with a Singaporean technology expert, while a Singapore health-tech firm is exploring digital health collaboration. Vaccine Research: At a global health conference, the International Vaccine Institute’s Africa office in Rwanda highlighted ACHIEVE Africa’s work to build vaccine research, clinical-trial, regulatory and manufacturing capacity. Digital Infrastructure: New World Bank funding will support Rwanda’s digital ID rollout and the digitisation of civil registration; Ghana’s central bank also cited cross-border payment tests linking Ghana, Rwanda and Nigeria. Research & Health: A climate study is tracking heat and water, sanitation and hygiene conditions in schools in Kigali and Accra. WHO-backed efforts to expand blood-lead testing laboratory capacity also include Rwanda.

Climate Research: A multi-country project is tracking heat and poor water and sanitation conditions in schools, including 61 schools and 976 students in Kigali, to help shape practical interventions. Carbon Credits: Verra issued 387,015 more credits from Rwanda’s cookstoves project, bringing its total to more than 2.3 million credits expected to qualify for aviation emissions rules. Motorsport Engineering: Rwanda’s 10-year Formula 1 deal sets the stage for a purpose-built, FIA Grade 1 circuit in Bugesera, designed around the area’s hills and elevation changes and planned alongside the new airport. Digital Finance: Ghana’s central bank governor cited cross-border payment tests linking digital currencies, bank accounts and mobile wallets with Rwanda and Nigeria, while urging stronger African capacity in AI, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure.

AI & Education: Rwanda-based Nexus Inc. and Polish academic Wojciech Baluch are exploring AI-assisted university assessments that test students’ reasoning through live debate rather than relying only on take-home essays. Cybersecurity: Rwanda and Singapore-based Cavenagh Sovereign discussed potential AI and cybersecurity partnerships, with local technology agencies and firms taking part. Digital Services: World Bank support will help Rwanda expand digital ID and digitise civil registration. Research: A Rwandan scientist won a $150,000 grant for research on Congo Basin forests. Engineering: Rwanda’s planned Bugesera F1 circuit is being designed around the landscape, with a proposed 197-metre elevation gain per lap; the Grand Prix is expected in the early 2030s.

AI & Cybersecurity: Rwanda’s ICT Minister Paula Ingabire met Singaporean tech expert Su Hock Koh in Kigali to explore potential partnerships, with officials highlighting data security, governance and talent development. Digital Payments: The Bank of Ghana is testing cross-border transfers between Ghana and Rwanda, and Ghana and Nigeria, using digital currencies, bank accounts and mobile wallets — with the aim of making regional payments work more smoothly. Motorsport Engineering: Rwanda’s planned Bugesera F1 circuit will use the area’s hills and lake, with a reported 197-metre rise per lap. The project could also open more pathways into motorsport engineering and technical careers for African youth.

Motorsport Engineering: Rwanda has signed a 10-year deal to host Formula 1’s African Grand Prix, with the first race expected in the early 2030s. A new FIA Grade 1 circuit is planned for Bugesera, near the future airport; its 6km layout will use the area’s hills and lake. Digital Payments: A Bank of Ghana pilot is testing cross-border transfers between Ghana and Rwanda using central bank digital currencies, stablecoins, bank accounts and mobile wallets, aiming to reduce reliance on overseas intermediaries. Digital Public Services: New World Bank funding will support Rwanda’s digital ID rollout and digitisation of civil registration records. Homegrown Tech: Rwanda is testing a platform to help small farmers access loans within 48 hours, while local startup Entelon is developing AI tools for organisations still relying on paper.

Motorsport Engineering: Rwanda has signed a 10-year Formula 1 deal, bringing the African Grand Prix to a purpose-built Bugesera circuit in the early 2030s. The project, near the new Kigali airport, is expected to create jobs and build local skills alongside its tourism ambitions. Digital Public Services: New World Bank funding will support Rwanda’s digital ID rollout and digitisation of civil registration, while ICT Chamber fellows have explored the e-Buzima health platform. Homegrown Innovation: Rwandan startup Entelon is developing AI tools for organisations still reliant on paper, and the country is testing a digital platform to help small farmers access loans within 48 hours. Forest Research: A Rwandan scientist has won a $150,000 grant for research on Congo Basin forests.

Digital ID: Rwanda’s lawmakers approved about $19 million in additional World Bank funding for the national digital ID rollout and digitisation of civil records. The ID rollout is 76% complete, while civil registration digitisation has reached 89%; the funding will also support cybersecurity, internet access and digital skills. Digital Health: Fellows in Rwanda’s Digital Health Mentorship Program visited health facilities to see how the e-Buzima records platform supports patient registration, consultations, lab services and pharmacy operations. Tech Investment: The Innovate Africa Conference opened in Kigali with a focus on technology, agriculture, energy and creative industries. Speakers said investment is key to helping African talent and businesses scale.

Digital Health: Rwanda ICT Chamber fellows visited Rutongo District Hospital and Remera-Mbogo Health Centre to see how the e-Buzima electronic medical records platform supports patient care, from registration and consultations to pharmacy services and reporting. Clean Mobility: A proposed $296 million deal would fund 50 solar-powered charging and battery-storage stations across several African countries. Spiro, whose battery-swapping network operates in Rwanda, is the project partner. Rwandan Innovation: Kigali startup Entelon is developing AI tools for organisations still reliant on paper, while a separate digital platform aims to help small farmers secure loans within 48 hours. Research: A Rwandan scientist has won a $150,000 grant for research focused on Congo Basin forests.

Digital Health: Rwanda and a Singapore health-technology firm are exploring collaboration, signalling a push to expand digital health services. Motorsport Engineering: Rwanda has secured a deal to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix, targeted for 2030, with plans for a new FIA-grade circuit near Bugesera Airport. AI in Rwanda: Local startup Entelon is building AI for organisations still relying on paper-based operations. Agritech: Rwanda is testing a digital platform designed to help small farmers access loans within 48 hours. Research: A Rwandan scientist won a $150,000 grant for research on Congo Basin forests.

Motorsport Engineering: Rwanda’s planned 2030 Formula 1 Grand Prix would require a new Grade 1 circuit near Bugesera, designed by WurzDesign and Tilke Engineering. Digital Health and AI: Rwanda and a Singapore health-technology firm are exploring collaboration, while local startup Entelon is building AI for organisations still running on paper. Forest Research: A Rwandan scientist won a $150,000 grant for Congo Basin forest research. Agritech: Rwanda is testing a digital platform aimed at helping small farmers secure loans within 48 hours. Research and Public Services: AIMS and the Institute of Legal Practice and Development have signed a five-year partnership for AI-enabled legal research; a laboratory upgrade has cut certification delays to one month.

Digital Health: Rwanda’s Information Society Authority and Singapore-based Jonda Health explored ways to use technology to improve healthcare delivery and access. Connectivity: Starlink’s proposed Community Wi-Fi programme lists Rwanda among nine markets, with flexible passes for users at host locations; a launch date has not been announced. AI: Rwandan startup Entelon is developing AI tools for organisations still reliant on paper processes. Agri-finance: Rwanda is testing a digital platform designed to help small farmers secure loans within 48 hours. Legal Research: AIMS and the Institute of Legal Practice and Development signed a five-year partnership to advance AI-enabled legal research.

Digital Health: Rwanda Information Society Authority is exploring collaboration with Singapore’s Jonda Health to expand digital health services and improve healthcare access. AI in Rwanda: Local company Entelon is developing AI tools for organisations still reliant on paper processes. Farm Finance: Rwanda is testing a digital platform designed to help small farmers secure loans within 48 hours. Internet Access: Starlink’s planned Community Wi-Fi service lists Rwanda among nine initial markets, with hosts able to offer customers flexible access passes.