President Paul Kagame hosted a delegation of Harvard Business School students at the State House today, engaging in a candid discussion about Rwanda’s journey of transformation, the importance of self-reliance, and the necessity of context-specific solutions in addressing national challenges.
“Like any other country or society, Rwandans have their ways, they have their problems, they have their restraints,” President Kagame remarked.
“So we approach the management of our affairs and society and deal with our problems based on that understanding of who we are, who we want to be, where we are coming from, where we want to go.”
He highlighted the importance of introspection and open communication among Rwandans to identify and address national challenges.
“It’s important to read and understand carefully what all that entails. And more importantly, to try and communicate it among ourselves and do the kind of soul-searching [we need] to find solutions to the many problems we have or have had.”
Acknowledging the progress made, President Kagame also recognized the ongoing journey towards national development.
“We don’t pretend about anything. We know that a lot of progress has been made, but we have not succeeded in everything. We are not even bound to succeed in everything. But we try to register progress in the things that matter most to us.”
Reflecting on Rwanda’s history, he noted, “We are not spoiled. We don’t have much to spoil us. We have just had the lessons of our past that are tragic. Therefore, you either pick up your pieces and move forward or you perish. We operate within these kinds of limitations.”
President Kagame’s remarks underscore Rwanda’s commitment to forging a path of development rooted in its unique context and experiences, focusing on resilience, self-determination, and continuous progress.
The meeting provided the Harvard Business School students with firsthand insights into Rwanda’s development strategies and the leadership principles guiding the nation’s progress.
