RwandaN President Paul Kagame, has called for Africans to strive for self-reliance in all sectors of the economy to ward off interference and control by outsiders. 

He also called for effective regional co-operation and for leaders to shun corrupt practices.

Addressing participants at the 18th National Dialogue Conference (Umushyikirano) that brings together leaders to dialogue on various national issues, President Kagame urged Rwandans and Africans to work hard to develop their economies.

“It takes everybody’s input, working together among ourselves, regionally and beyond. When you collaborate with people . . . it is the quality of what you did and sustainability that all comes into play. Self-reliance, food security in commerce and business is important,” he said.

“I don’t know if there is any Rwandan who is happy to be dragged by others. We are here as leaders and you think everybody is like you or you think what you are doing, you are doing, you are doing it for yourself? Now, what we are talking about requires us to work very hard and avoid being helped to move by other people. You can’t always be required to be pulled by others, including being fed”.

President Kagame said over-reliance on foreigners or outsiders leads to lethargy including loss of self-esteem and culture.

“They will (end up) teaching you how to behave, what culture to have and they will always remind you of how they have helped you. The only way out of this is none other than working hard and knowing yourself”.

President Kagame said God did not create the African continent with its 1,3 billion people to be worthless and always subservient to others.

“Rwandans, Africans cannot be assisted forever. God did not put this great African continent and its people – over 1,3 billion – and decide that they will go to waste just to live in poverty, fed by others, pitied, abused, assisted, and you believe it? How is that possible?”

Recounting the progress Rwanda has made in the last 30 years, President Kagame said he was gratified by the fact that life expectancy in Rwanda is now 69 years, a feat he said was unthinkable a few years ago.

“It’s almost 30 years rebuilding our country and 30 years is a generation. The last 30 years, if you look back and you don’t see the changes then it is unfortunate. Those who lived to 40 years were the lucky few, but today an average Rwandan can now live up to 69 years.

“What we are doing, we have results. We have covered the majority of households in all corners of the country with access to clean water and electricity.

“Access to clean water and electricity was difficult some years ago. It’s always difficult when starting from zero.”

On infrastructure, President Kagame said all the country’s districts now have good roads that connect them with the capital Kigali. He said the recent Census gave his Government a clear picture of the needs of the people and priority areas that need attention.

President Kagame condemned self-serving and corrupt leaders who fail to monitor the implementation of developmental projects in communities saying he will not tire in calling out to order some of these leaders including relieving them of their positions.

“When we talk about how we do business, starting from the highest offices to the grassroots in our communities- the leaders must monitor the implementation of projects that uplift people’s lives. I am surprised that when some leaders are asked about progress on specific projects, they appear lost and unaware of how the funds for those projects were spent. They start telling unrelated stories. This is unacceptable, it means your focus is not on the community but on yourself.”

He said his government will not relent in bringing to book officials caught on the wrong side of the law adding that leaders must strive to serve their community and ensure that no community or children were left behind malnourished.

The Rwandan President urged leaders to work hard and desist from engaging in ‘get rich quick’ money schemes that will wipe out their savings.

President Kagame said economic growth is projected to be 6,7 percent given the measures undertaken by the Government that include creating a fund for businesses to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. He, however, said the economic growth could be much higher if leaders and business people desist from engaging in some malpractices.

Speaking at the same conference, Rwandan Prime Minister, Mr Edouard Ngirente, said the Government wanted to increase hectares for arable land and provide fertiliser subsidies for farmers to ensure food security and create employment.

“The farmers were facilitated in getting improved vegetables and resilient crops like cassava to ensure food security for communities. The Government is collaborating with different universities to start a factory to produce fertiliser in October this year,” Mr Ngirente said.

He said plans were afoot for the Government to set up 114 vocational schools and another programme at universities for a degree programme to be called Bachelor of Technology that can be pursued to Masters level.

Zimbabwe and Rwanda enjoy excellent bilateral relations, which culminated in the two governments signing a Skills Exchange Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that has seen Zimbabwean teachers and other professionals working as expatriates in the latter.

In September 2021, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona, visited Kigali to enhance co-operation on infrastructure development, leveraging on the existing bilateral relations between the two countries.

President Mnangagwa has made infrastructure development a top priority as outlined in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1). Trade institutions in respective countries were challenged to deploy competent officials to drive the sustainable socio-economic development and change the historical trend characterised by low trade volumes between the two countries.

The Umushyikirano (National Dialogue), which began on 27 February, is scheduled to end on the 28th with resolutions outlining the country’s social, political and economic trajectory.

Every year, the President of the Republic of Rwanda chairs Umushyikirano during which Rwandans from all walks of life have the opportunity to ask questions directly to their leaders. The event is attended by members of the Cabinet and Parliament, representatives of the Rwandan community abroad, local government, media entities, the diplomatic community and others.

Those unable to attend in person can do so via telephone, SMS, Twitter and Facebook or can follow the debate live through television and radio coverage of the event. Since its inception in 2003, Umushyikirano has promoted participatory and inclusive governance by giving Rwandans an opportunity to engage with their leaders directly, raise their concerns, and hold them accountable.

The result has been accountability and the fast-tracking of Government programmes and numerous initiatives that have improved the lives of Rwandans.