Kagame was speaking at the opening of the inaugural Saudi-African summit on 10th, November, 2023 at King Abdul-Aziz International Conference Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The head state also recognised the problems faced by the African continent which he said, despite their insurmountable state, there are solutions that can be found and applied since they’re a question of the mindset.
“We cannot remain stuck in the past, focused on grievances and difficulties, we must look forward and shape the future we want for our people,” remarked Kagame.
On the other hand, he thanked the leadership of the Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia as the Chair of the G20, for the support he’s rendering to Africa, notably, the affordable COVID vaccines and the recently signed ‘cooperation agreement’ between Rwanda and Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi-Africa Summit has been attended by African presidents including Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, William Ruto of Kenya, Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea, Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi, and Prithvirajsing of Mauritania among others.
The summit’s purpose is to enhance political coordination, address regional security threats, promote economic transformation through research, and the local development of new energy solutions in addition to boosting investment cooperation.
Kagame came to power in April 2000, succeeding Pasteur Bizimungu, who led the transitional government in 1994 after the Genocide against the Tutsi and unexpectedly resigned.
Two weeks after Bizimungu’s resignation, the Parliament and Cabinet elected Paul Kagame as the new President of the Republic of Rwanda, and a memorable inauguration ceremony took place within six days.
This political transition marked the beginning of Kagame’s visionary presidency. He was overwhelmingly elected in the August 2003 elections, securing the support of 95% of voters, a testament to his popularity and the trust Rwandans place in him.
Since 2000, Kagame has consistently worked to strengthen Rwandans’ unity, a mission that has borne fruit, increasing the national unity rate from 92.5% in 2017 to an impressive 94.7% today.
Rwanda is now a shining example of economic success in Africa, with an average annual growth rate of 7% since 2000. The annual GDP per capita has also seen a significant increase, rising from $374 in 1990 to $788 in 2018.
The national budget has been multiplied 14, and tax revenues have increased tenfold over the past two decades.
Kagame’s vision for Rwanda in 2034 was shared during an interview with the Chief Editor of Jeune Afrique, François Soudan and later published in a book entitled ‘Conversations with the President of Rwanda’.
He aspires to see a safe, prosperous, and independent Rwanda, where Rwandans enjoy a standard of living equivalent to that of developed countries. He envisions Rwanda becoming a donor country, contributing to the development of its African neighbors.
Kagame also expressed his desire to see Africa respected on the international stage, lamenting the persistent negative perception due to economic dependence and stereotypes. When asked if he believed these changes could occur in his lifetime, Kagame confidently replied that it is his hope, and that’s what he strives for.
Under Kagame’s ambitious vision, Rwanda continues its ascent towards a promising future, guided by principles of prosperity, security, and self-reliance.
The latter is owned by the Norrsken Foundation, a Swedish non-profit organization that supports and invests in entrepreneurs addressing global challenges, including poverty, famine, environmental issues, mental health, and discrimination.
Norrsken East Africa is situated on the former Ecole Belge premises in Kigali. By bringing together entrepreneurs, creatives, and corporate entities, Norrsken aims to foster business growth and networking opportunities for East Africa’s leading startups.
The inauguration ceremony, which took place on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, was attended by dignitaries, including the Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire Musoni, Co-founder and CEO of Norrsken, Niklas Adalberth, and the Managing Director of Norrsken Kigali House, Pascal Murasira.
Commencing operations in 2021, Norrsken Kigali House presently offers co-working space for 1,200 young entrepreneurs with innovative tech startups. The hub has generated a remarkable $45 million in just two years.
The inauguration coincided with ‘Norrsken Africa Week 2023,’ an event aimed at accelerating Africa’s growing tech and startup ecosystem. Hosted at Norrsken House Kigali, the two-day event will focus on opportunities for investors and startups on the continent.
Pascal Murasira, the Managing Director of Norrsken House Kigali, highlighted the comprehensive support provided to entrepreneurs by Norrsken Kigali House, including cutting-edge infrastructure, networking opportunities, and facilitating initial investments. The hub has emerged as a catalyst, showcasing local startups to an international audience of investors, and it embodies an ecological consciousness in both its aesthetics and functionality.
State-of-the-art connectivity ensures users seamless access to technological resources, making it an ideal space for entrepreneurs to thrive.
Niklas Adalberth expressed his gratitude to President Kagame and the Rwandan government for their support in establishing Norrsken in the country. Norrsken’s total investment in Rwanda amounts to $20 million, part of a broader commitment of $250 million dedicated to Africa.
During his address, President Kagame invited investors to see Africa as a land of rich opportunities and untapped potential. He emphasized the importance of valuing not only the market but also the dynamic populations and societies of the continent, aligning with the vision of making Kigali an indispensable technological hub in Africa.
With the construction of a new facility, Norrsken Kigali House reaffirms its expansion ambitions.
This upcoming building, estimated at Rwf7 billion, commits to maintaining the organization’s environmental focus, with 30% of its area dedicated to greenery.
Rwanda’s Presidency, via an official account, disclosed that Kagame and Fatima engaged in discussions regarding the ongoing preparations for the 3rd United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC), scheduled to take place in Kigali in June 2024.
This marks the first time the conference will be held on the African continent. The conference is scheduled to run from June 18th to 22nd, with a primary focus on fostering partnerships among member countries for development. It also aims to establish mechanisms to facilitate innovations aimed at addressing barriers that hinder the development of member countries.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Girma, hosted by Kagame, conveyed a message on behalf of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali of Ethiopia. However, specific details about their discussions were not disclosed. Girma Birru Geda is a prominent figure in Ethiopian politics, having previously served as the country’s ambassador to the United States and held key positions as the Minister of Trade and Industry, as well as the Minister of Economic Development and Cooperation in his home country.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali sent this envoy following his visit to Kigali in 2021, during which he held talks with President Kagame. In July, President Kagame also engaged in discussions with Ethiopia’s President, Sahle-Work Zewde.
Rwanda and Ethiopia maintain a strong and friendly relationship built on mutual respect and cooperation agreements designed to enhance the well-being of the people of both nations.
The primary contributors to this remarkable revenue included Cassiterite, which accounted for 294,717 kilograms, yielding $5,367,704 in July, 415,482 kilograms, with revenues of $6,906,567 in August, and 440,176 kilograms, resulting in $6,783,099 in September.
Gold, another significant player, generated 1,155 kilograms, bringing in $73,181,036 in July, 1,000 kilograms, producing $62,156,101 in August, and 845 kilograms, amassing $52,676,671 in September.
Coltan also shone, contributing 189,183 kilograms, valued at $8,145,587 in July, 141,658 kilograms, generating $5,827,562 in August, and 208,155 kilograms, with revenues of $9,313,654 in September. Wolfram, on the other hand, yielded 237,116 kilograms, worth $3,040,783 in July, 198,409 kilograms, with a value of $2,663,971 in August, and 218,802 kilograms, resulting in $2,711,206 in September.
Additionally, the report released today also shows that various other minerals collectively contributed 1,210,458 kilograms, worth $1,085,647 in July, 1,219,670 kilograms, producing $1,249,889 in August, and 739,711 kilograms, generating $713,714 in September.
In comparison to the same period in the previous year, the total mineral export volume for July to September 2023 reached 5,516,538 kilograms, marking an impressive 22.4% increase, while the value amounted to $241,823,194. In the corresponding period last year, metals accounted for 4,321,566 kilograms, with revenues totaling $197,496,029.
For those traveling from the bustling City of Kigali, a three-hour journey leads to Karongi town. Upon arrival, you’re greeted with a medley of attractions, including the Congo-Nile Divide, the outskirts of Lake Kivu, the Gas Methane Plant, Rwabugiri Farms, Nyungwe Park, Gisovu Tea Plantations, Muciro Green Forest, Ndaba Rock, and the Tree of Goddess of Women.
Karongi is a bustling town adorned with contemporary hotels that grace its streets. Residents are engaged in a wide array of occupations, which encompass commercial fishing. The local schools are brimming with students from all walks of life, and the weekends see an influx of tourists in substantial numbers.
On the outskirts of Karongi, you’ll find a unique accommodation option – the Mantis Kivu Queen Uburanga boat hotel built. This establishment offers a novel experience where you can sleep in Karongi and then easily move on to Rusizi or Rubavu.
Over the past 15 years, Karongi has seen significant development, with numerous infrastructure improvements such as roads, schools, and hotels. Local leaders proudly mention the construction of 14 luxurious hotels, most of which have sprung up in the last decade and a half. It’s not just the hotels; they come with complementary infrastructure like roads, electricity, water supply, clinics, and schools.
The development isn’t limited to infrastructure alone; it encompasses the hospitality sector as well. Karongi hosts a range of hospitality establishments, including Cleo Lake Kivu Hotel, Moriah Hill Resort, Kivu Lodge Hotel, Bethany Hotel, Golf Eden Rock Hotel, Delta Resort Hotel, Rwiza Village Resort, Home Saint Jean, and more. Almost all of these facilities are strategically located near the picturesque Lake Kivu and its captivating islands.
Among these establishments is the remarkable Château Le Marara, which has brought a touch of European elegance to Karongi, reshaping the city’s landscape. With tourism as a driving force, the livelihoods of most residents revolve around hospitality and hotel services.
The Delta Resort Hotel, a three-star facility situated on the edge of Lake Kivu, offers accommodation services for those seeking relaxation or a one-night stay, along with various other amenities.
Rukundo Gad, the hotel’s manager, emphasizes the profound impact of these hotels on the local community, saying, “By fostering a symbiotic relationship with the local community, our hotels prioritize hiring from the immediate vicinity. When I consider this region, it becomes evident that our core mission revolves around hosting people, and our hotels thrive on the vibrant pulse of the populous area they call home.”
The vision is to transform Karongi into a sought-after tourist destination, a prospect that excites the locals as it promises development and improved livelihoods.
Jean Marie Ntabanganyimana conveys the sentiment that, “It fosters our communal growth, ensuring a sustained availability of employment opportunities. The presence of modern hotel developments holds significant value for our local community.”
Placidie Munyeshaka echoes the sentiment, highlighting the new opportunities for women, who previously felt left behind, but now have the chance to learn new skills and find employment in the burgeoning hospitality sector.
Dominique Ingabire, the Principal of the Integrated Polytechnic Regional College (IPRC) Karongi, underscores the significance of hotel management education.
He emphasizes that it not only provides students with internships but also opens doors to immediate employment opportunities, stating, “Since we teach about hotels and this town with tourism and many hotels, depending on our relationship with the existing hotels, those who need staff can see them or students who are still studying part-time courses, we welcome them to come, learn to cook, and then get a job cooking for these hotels.”
He underscores that it not only facilitates student internships but also opens doors to immediate employment opportunities. He explains, “Given that we educate students about hotels in a town driven by tourism and numerous hotels, our collaboration with these establishments allows those in need of staff to consider our students. Even those students currently pursuing part-time courses can take advantage of this opportunity to learn culinary skills and subsequently secure positions as chefs in these hotels.”
Reponse Ntirandekura, a first-year student studying horticulture production at IPRC Karongi, sees the impact on local agriculture. He notes that their knowledge benefits the community as they introduce new crops and practices, ultimately contributing to the thriving agriculture sector in Karongi.
The Governor of Western Province, Dushimimana Lambert, emphasizes their ongoing efforts to attract investors through Kivu Belt project to establish state-of-the-art hotels in Karongi. These establishments have the potential to significantly reshape the town’s landscape.
Karongi is positioned as one of Rwanda’s secondary cities, and it is projected that its population will experience substantial growth, expected to reach between 250,000 and 650,000 in the near future.
Karongi, in essence, stands as more than just a picturesque town; it serves as a testament to Rwanda’s unwavering dedication to sustainable development. This commitment ensures that both the environment and the local community reap the benefits of the thriving tourism industry.
As announced by Rwanda’s Presidency on X account formerly Twitter, Kagame and Blinken also discussed the need for de-escalation of hostilities and a political resolution to the conflict which has lasted for decades.
“President Kagame reiterated Rwanda’s firm support for the ongoing regional processes to bring peace and stability to DR Congo and the region,” reads part of the post.
In 2022, the on-and-off relations between Kigali and Kinshasa deteriorated due to the resurgence of M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo.
The rebel group blamed Kinshasa for violating previous peace agreements. In response, the Congolese government accused Rwanda of supporting the rebels, which Rwanda denied.
Rwanda also accused DR Congo of cooperating with the FDLR, a blacklisted terrorist group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
The FDLR launched cross-border attacks on Rwanda, which Kigali believed were backed by the Congolese armed forces (FARDC). Despite mediation efforts by Kenya and Angola in the Nairobi and Luanda peace processes, the situation remains tense.
In recent months, there have been multiple incidents, including DR Congo’s warplanes violating Rwanda’s airspace and rocket-shelling causing civilian injuries in northwestern Rwanda. The FDLR, based in DR Congo, has been launching attacks on Rwandan territory for over two decades, potentially emboldened by Kinshasa’s support.
On November 4, the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held an extraordinary summit to discuss various issues, including deploying military forces to eastern DR Congo.
In November 2022, the Luanda summit addressed the security crisis in eastern DR Congo and ordered the FDLR to immediately disarm and undergo “unconditional repatriation.”
Rwanda expresses deep concern about the ongoing collaboration and arming of FDLR and indigenous armed groups by the Kinshasa government.
This is a distressing reality to confront, given that adequate housing is considered a fundamental human necessity, alongside food, clothing, and education. Nevertheless, a significant portion of healthcare workers in Rwanda cannot afford this essential luxury due to the soaring costs associated with construction.
In October 2023, the Ministry of Infrastructure disclosed that a substantial 50.8% of Rwandans earning less than Rwf200,000 per month can only manage to acquire a residence valued at less than Rwf40 million.
During a talk show aired on Radio Rwanda, Dr. Corneille Ntihabose, the Head of Clinical and Public Health Services at the Ministry of Health, made a striking revelation.
He stated that among healthcare professionals, more than 80% do not have homeownership. “Out of the 3,000 healthcare workers we surveyed,” he explained, “82% admitted to renting their residences.” Surprisingly, 33% of them possess a plot of land but lack the financial means to construct a house.
This predicament is further compounded by their hesitance to take out bank loans due to the perceived exorbitant interest rates, which far exceed their modest salaries.
The healthcare workforce is distributed across the country, with 28% based in Kigali, 17% in the Northern Province, 18% in the Eastern Province, 16% in the Southern Province, and 21% in the Western Province.
To address this pressing issue, the “Muganga SACCO” cooperative was established in 2020. This cooperative now offers low-interest loans to enable healthcare professionals to build their own homes. Claudine Uwambayingabire, the Director General of the cooperative, highlights their unwavering commitment to alleviating the economic challenges faced by healthcare workers.
According to research conducted by the Ministry of Health, 38% of healthcare workers aspire to own homes valued between Rwf15 and 30 million, while 30% desire homes that do not exceed Rwf45 million.
However, the country “vowed to not let the past define their future” as it is now ranked the premium destination for world travel.
Rwanda has become the first African country to host the prestigious 23rd Global summit of World Tourism and Travel Council (WTTC), which commenced on 1st November, 2023 and will end on 3rd, November, 2023.
During the opening day, the president and CEO WTTC, Julia Simpson commended Rwanda’s efforts to transformation and development.
“Ten years ago, Rwanda didn’t even rank in the top 150 countries with the ease of doing business; today, it’s in the top 20,” she remarked.
Simpson also commended Rwanda’s efforts in conserving mountain gorillas that were on the verge of extinction due to poaching and deforestation.
According to Simpson , the population of mountain gorillas around the world has grown from 200 in 1990’s, to 1600 to date, thanks to Rwanda’s implementation of a financial premium on the coexistence of the gorillas with man.
Additionally, the CEO WTTC acknowledged Kagame’s role in promoting gender equality in the country terming the president a ‘man of his word’.
“Here it’s not just talk, the Rwandan parliament has the largest percentage of women in the world,” she exclaimed, stressing the role women play in the social and economic development of the country.
The WTTC summit intends to develop the economy of the African continent by boosting the tourism and travel sector that, according to Simpson, has doubled in the past two decades, and has potential to thrive more in the next decade.
“Eighty four million international visitors added 196 billion dollars to Africa’s bottom line, which is 7% of the continent’s economy. The focus in the next ten years is to grow the sector by 5.1% annually, twice as fast as the general economy,” she explained.
In agreement with the CEO’s remarks, the WTTC chair , Arnold Donald, sent a sounding message to the world stating that “the heart of tourism is strongly in Africa” after the continent’s tourism investments “rose to a much stronger rate than the Global average,” despite financial challenges and COVID-19 pandemic.
For the past 33 years, WTTC has been a strong advocate for the positive impact tourism and travel has on the world. However, according to Simpson, the sector faces a major challenge of visa regimes especially in Africa.
“With the right vision, tourism and travel could increase Africa’s GDP by 50 billion dollars by 2033 and create 6 million more jobs,” said Simpson.
In his speech, president Paul Kagame announced that “any African is free to get on a plane at anytime and come to Rwanda without paying anything” emphasising the need to not forget the continental market.
During the bilateral meeting, both officials signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Visa Waiver for holders of Diplomatic, Official, and Special passports.
This landmark decision marks a pivotal moment in the diplomatic relationship between the two nations.
This progressive step aims to simplify and expedite travel for these passport holders, promoting ease of diplomatic exchange and collaboration between Rwanda and Venezuela.
Minister Yván Gil Pinto’s visit to Rwanda holds particular significance in the broader context of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
It followed a promising meeting between President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela, which took place in September 2023 during the G77 meeting in Cuba.
During their meeting, the two leaders pledged to work more closely for the mutual benefit of their respective countries.
The diplomatic relationship between Rwanda and Venezuela date back to August 18, 1981.
Since then, both countries have been working together to strengthen their diplomatic ties and foster mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas.
