President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame on Saturday hosted Francine LeFrak and her delegation for a luncheon at Village Urugwiro, as part of a high-level visit aimed at strengthening international partnerships and showcasing Rwanda’s transformation journey.
LeFrak, President and Founder of the Francine LeFrak Foundation, is leading a delegation of first-time visitors drawn from a wide cross-section of sectors including education, real estate, law, art, finance, media, philanthropy, and technology.
The visit is structured as an immersive learning experience, offering participants direct engagement with Rwanda’s institutions, leadership, and development model.
During the luncheon, President Kagame highlighted Rwanda’s governance philosophy centered on accountability, citizen-focused leadership, and long-term planning, emphasizing that the country’s progress is rooted in unity and a commitment to inclusive growth.
First Lady Jeannette Kagame, through her long-standing work with Imbuto Foundation, also underscored the importance of investing in youth, girls’ education, and community health as pillars of sustainable development.
The delegation’s visit places particular focus on understanding Rwanda’s recovery and reconstruction following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, examining how the country has rebuilt institutions, fostered reconciliation, and achieved notable gains in stability and economic growth over the past three decades.
Participants are expected to visit key memorial sites, innovation hubs, and development projects to gain a holistic perspective.
Beyond historical reflection, the visit also explores Rwanda’s current trajectory as a regional hub for innovation and investment, with discussions touching on sectors such as fintech, green urban development, creative industries, and digital transformation.
Rwanda’s efforts to position itself as a gateway for investment in Africa, supported by reforms that prioritize ease of doing business and transparency, form a central theme of the exchange.
LeFrak noted that bringing together leaders from diverse industries allows for cross-sector collaboration and the identification of practical opportunities to contribute to Rwanda’s continued growth.
The delegation is also engaging with local entrepreneurs, policymakers, and civil society actors to explore partnerships aligned with Rwanda’s national development priorities.
The luncheon concluded with a shared commitment to deepen collaboration, with both sides emphasizing the value of knowledge exchange, responsible investment, and people-centered development.
The visit reflects Rwanda’s broader strategy of engaging global networks to sustain momentum in its socio-economic transformation and to share lessons in resilience, reconstruction, and inclusive leadership.
