Africa must move away from a mindset that questions its own capacity and instead build the confidence, leadership and institutions needed to translate the continent’s vast resources and human potential into sustainable development, President Paul Kagame has said.
Kagame made the remarks as leaders, policymakers, academics, young people and development partners gathered at the Kigali Convention Centre for the inaugural Africa Mindset Reset Forum, a two-day high-level dialogue convened by the African School of Governance (ASG).
The forum has brought together more than 600 delegates, including African leaders, former heads of state and government, senior officials, international development partners, academics and emerging young leaders to examine how a change in mindset can accelerate Africa’s transformation.
President Kagame, former South African President Thabo Mbeki, a former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, vice president of Ghana and other prominent African figures are among those participating in the discussions.
Addressing the forum, Kagame argued that Africa has already demonstrated significant progress but must overcome deeply rooted ways of thinking that can prevent the continent from fully exploiting its opportunities.
«“We shouldn’t be questioning ourselves yet. Africa has gone through so many challenges, and Africa has made progress in many areas,” Kagame said.»
He noted that the continent possesses many of the ingredients required for success, including a large and youthful population, abundant natural resources and lessons accumulated from decades of political and economic experience.
However, he said the central challenge is no longer simply identifying Africa’s problems, but changing the mindset with which those problems are approached.
«“The task is: how do we change our minds?” Kagame said, emphasizing the need for Africans to develop greater confidence in their ability to design and implement solutions suited to their own circumstances.»
The discussions at the forum are focused on governance, leadership, economic transformation, innovation, education and the role of young Africans in shaping the continent’s future.
Speaking at the opening, Gatare, a leader of the African School of Governance, said the strong turnout demonstrated the growing demand for a serious conversation about Africa’s future.
More than 2,500 participants were reported to be physically present at the Kigali Convention Centre, while more than 6,000 registered participants were following the discussions online through Zoom and YouTube, with additional audiences participating through open digital platforms and youth-led viewing hubs across Africa.
Gatare said the response had surpassed expectations and reflected a shared urgency, particularly among young Africans, for a fundamental reset in how the continent understands and approaches its development challenges.
«“This interest demonstrates a shared urgency, especially among young people, for the needed mindset reset to accelerate Africa’s transformation,” Gatare said.»
Youth organizations from across the continent have also joined the conversation, with partner organizations hosting viewing hubs in countries including Morocco, Nigeria, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
The forum comes at a time when African countries are seeking to strengthen home-grown approaches to governance and development while responding to challenges ranging from unemployment and inequality to institutional effectiveness and economic dependence.
Speakers are expected to explore how African institutions can become more effective, how leaders can cultivate innovative approaches to governance and how young people can play a greater role in shaping policy and decision-making.
The African School of Governance, which is hosting the forum, seeks to contribute to stronger leadership and governance capacity across the continent by creating platforms for research, dialogue and practical solutions.
The two-day gathering is therefore positioned not simply as a conference, but as a platform for challenging assumptions about Africa and encouraging a new generation of leaders to approach the continent’s challenges with greater confidence, innovation and determination.
The overarching message from the opening sessions was clear: Africa’s future will depend not only on the resources it possesses, but also on the mindset with which its people and institutions use them.
As Kagame put it, the continent must look beyond repeatedly discussing its challenges and focus on changing the way it thinks and acts if it is to reach the future it has long envisioned.