Yesterday 27th April 2015, President Kagame has joined over 3500 participants and 700 leaders for the Milken Institute Global Conference held in Los Angeles. President Kagame began the day with the traditional corporate investor roundtable where speakers also included Hon. Tony Blair and former President of Mexico, Vicente Fox. The discussion, which takes place every year, brings together leaders to further private and public sector partnerships and discuss successful policies aimed at improving investment.
Addressing leaders from a variety of sectors including infrastructure, renewable energy, finance and ICT, President Kagame highlighted the role of business in creating prosperity:
“The urgency to act is not only about businesses having returns. It is about what businesses leave behind and how many lives are transformed. The more lives are transformed, the better it is for business.”
President Kagame added that although perceived risks far outnumber real risks when it comes to investing Africa, it is the responsibility of government to reduce risks to a minimal level and decrease the cost of doing business.
Sharing the example of the one area network that reduced roaming fees between Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda’s mobile operators and led to a 300% increase in subscribers, President Kagame emphasized the role of political will in implementing policies that can benefit both citizens and the private sector.
Attending the conference for the third time, President Kagame is set to participate in a session on actions needed to make the world better for women and girls as well as a panel discussion on exploring the future of Africa.
The four-day conference brings together leaders including investors, government officials, scientists, and members of the media from 55 different countries. The Milken Institute describes itself as a non-profit, nonpartisan think tank determined to increase global prosperity by advancing collaborative solutions that widen access to capital, create jobs and improve health.
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