Information Minister Louise Mushikiwabo has urged young entrepreneurs to be proud of their country and embrace self confidence as the key to attaining practical leadership skills.

She made the call yesterday at the launch of Alumni Network of the Academy for Leadership in Competitiveness and Prosperity (ALCP), a function that took place the Prime Holdings in Kimihurura.

The ALCP initiative has trained over 100 young Rwandan professionals with the potential to become tomorrow’s leaders by equipping them with appropriate tools to take greater ownership of development strategies. 

"A right dose of pride is necessary despite being contrary to our culture which emphasises humility and discourages showing off. This will help to keep away negative thinking and create the ability to inspire,” Mushikiwabo encouraged.

She described this as the distinction between a leader and manager and commended the will to consolidate the gains made and provide young organisations with ready-made network of helpful and well-placed peer contacts.

Vincent Karega, the State Minister in charge of Mines underscored the need for a secured future with hope to avoid despair, restore hope and trust in the nation.

He challenged participants saying they are the foundation for socioeconomic transformation, better life, stability, togetherness and reconciliation.

"True leaders differ from highly trained managers and experts with blue prints. They are associated with unusual characters and capacities beyond the common and ordinary,” Karega said.  He said that good leaders should be characterised by integrity and free of corruption tendencies.

Ends