The Ministry of Justice through RFI and the Embassy of People’s Republic of China in Rwanda through BGI Group signed a Technical Collaboration Agreement in Kigali, witnessed by the Hon. Minister of Justice & Attorney General and H.E. the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Rwanda.

This agreement marks a strategic milestone in Rwanda’s forensic science journey by introducing the DNBSEQ-G99 Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) system, a cutting-edge technology that will:

• Enable conclusive DNA results in degraded, mixed, and complex samples;

• Support non-invasive prenatal paternity testing from as early as six weeks;

• Strengthen kinship and ancestry testing, disaster victim identification, and genocide-related investigations;

• Expand Rwanda’s capacity into biodiversity protection, food safety, and biosecurity preparedness.

The ceremony reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to becoming a regional hub of forensic excellence, grounded in science, justice, and innovation.

Key Commitments and Action Points

• Formalize a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Justice and the Embassy of China to consolidate strategic cooperation.

• Acquire the NGS machine, ensure operationalization and Launch training programs in NGS, bioinformatics, and advanced forensic methodologies for RFI scientists.

• Facilitate benchmarking visits to China for RFI experts and leadership.

• Develop proposals for a state-of-the-art RFI forensic facility and a National Biobank.

• Integrate forensic cooperation into broader Rwanda–China bilateral frameworks, including FOCAC.

Hon. Minister of Justice hailed the agreement as “the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership that will advance justice and public safety.”

H.E. the Ambassador of China reaffirmed his country’s support, calling the partnership “a symbol of deepening China–Rwanda comprehensive strategic cooperation.”

BGI Group’s CEO pledged continued innovation and training support, noting that “this partnership is more than technology—it is about building a safer and more just society.”