This year, many people are looking forward to getting back on track— individuals and organisations alike—following a nearly three-year tumultuous period characterised by the impact of Covid-19, and economies suffering the impact of Russia-Ukraine conflict.
As Rwanda and the world generally continue to recover, it is only fair to say that while the past couple of years portrayed a bleak and uncertain future, 2023 presents a promise of hope and positivity for many. For one, Rwanda’s economy registered a 10 per cent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in the third quarter of 2022, ending the year on a high, as sectors such as tourism and hospitality, services and industry, and many more, showed signs of full recovery.
The New Times reached out to people in different sectors to hear what they have to say about the past year and their expectations, as well as aspirations for the year 2023.
Clare Akamanzi, CEO - Rwanda Development Board (RDB)
2022 was a good year with positive achievements in the tourism sector. We expect to more or less reach pre-pandemic levels when the 2022 annual results are published. The sector has been steadily recovering and we are very optimistic about the future. So, 2023 will be a year of growth with exciting events and projects already lined up. In addition to leisure and business tourism, Rwanda is consolidating its position as a sports tourism hub and events such as the BAL, Tour du Rwanda, or Ironman continue to attract more and more visitors.
Louis-Antoine Muhire, Board Member - Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA)
My expectation definitely is to leverage my learnings from the three years of Covid-19, at a personal level and career. We need to be equipped with skills that can help us be global players, where we can survive in times like that of Covid-19. I am talking about a Master’s degree and other online classes just to make sure that I’m ready for anything else that might happen in the future. My aspiration is to see quality education delivered to citizens because we are living in a new era where people need to be autonomous all the way to the last mile in communities. This means people in villages are able to make independent economic decisions without having to wait for the government to come to their aid.
This will require giving them abundant knowledge in terms of quality of education so that they can be active players in their communities in this new world order. I’m looking forward to a more open world where governance is not in the hands of a few people. Today we are living in a very dynamic world where all countries can exchange ideas and knowledge and experiences, rather than, for example, seeing the UN Security Council run by a few countries which make significant decisions for the entire world. I don’t think it is going to happen in one or two years but I feel like there is more momentum towards that. We are now seeing East and West Asian countries starting to form their own trading routes without necessarily using the US dollar as a currency exchange. We are also seeing the East African Community gaining momentum to resolve problems affecting the community, for example, the situation in DR Congo. That is what I mean when I say I am looking forward to a more open world. Together, we can efficiently address the various challenges we face.
Eric Kabera, Founder - Kwetu Film Institute and Hillywood/ Rwanda Film Festival
2022 was full of challenges and troubles around the world while we also witnessed wars in Ukraine, Ethiopia, DR Congo, hikes in prices on the market, and high inflation. However, we are happy that we crossed over into 2023 without a third world war, without huge famines striking the planet despite many challenges and calamities due to global warming.
As 2023 opens up, there are still fears, and rightly so. However, the only thing we can do as educators, storytellers, and believers is to have faith in God to turn things around. As far as career evolution in the cinema field is concerned, we saw many films being produced and many Rwandans on screen being celebrated around the world, from Kayije Kagame to Eliane Umuhire and many others.
We are proud to say that the year ended by having the first international Rwandan co-production streamed on Netflix, the movie ‘Africa United’, which I conceived and also co-produced and managed to negotiate with Netflix to have it streamed during the climax of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. This is a huge milestone for any Rwandan film since the real need for this story was to carry the Rwandan name onscreen beyond its borders, to speak of Rwanda in a different light. We can’t thank enough the people who believed in this idea to have the film made.
We are glad that this was achieved and ‘Africa United’ is now streaming to millions around the world who will be discovering the story of hope and a journey of children from Rwanda and the Great Lakes region trekking to South Africa for the FIFA World Cup. The beauty of films is that they last forever, and once you put your name on them, or the name of a country, this will be engraved for a long time and history will go down carrying that name.
So, we are hoping and expecting this trend to continue. We have now consolidated partners in Hollywood who are keen to collaborate with Hillywood Rwanda-based talents and producers. We hope the private and public sectors will continue to support this journey since the film is such a powerful tool to share your culture, journey, and identity.
Currently, we are working on another adventure romantic comedy as a way to share the Rwandan story with the world again. The hope for 2023 is to have those who believe in the power of cinema, to join forces and team up with us. We are a call away.
Remmygious Lubega, Head - RG Consult Inc
2023 will be a very competitive year after a recession that happened due to Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine. I am seeing businesses trying to catch up with the contraction they adapted to fill up the gaps and show presence and conversion. I expect, therefore, more prudent growth in our sector and a more authentic approach to homegrown solutions that seem to work far better than foreign ones.
I am expecting that God’s favour will be upon us as a country and give us leadership to manifest in ways like never before regardless of our shortcomings. My aspirations this year are to live a healthier lifestyle and have self-love this year, working smarter to grow capacity networks and enlarge our territory while leveraging on our strength and existing relationships created over the last few years.
On a personal basis, also doing what I know best, unlearning things that matter less, and learning how to relate with God in all aspects of my life.
I also want to be more frugal about what I spend, how I spend, and where I spend for me to catch a more valuable return on investment and social impact. I am also looking forward to exploring the world, taking up some new challenges socially, and expanding my regional and international network with friends and business affiliations. Finally, to see that I also lift God’s work in different ministries where I have strength, assist talents where I can, and give hope to those who are giving up.
Patience Mutesi Gatera, Rwanda Country Director - Trademark East Africa
In 2023, I hope for a more integrated Africa, driving towards one destiny, prosperity for Africans. The global challenges of slowing growth in Europe, the US, and China and disruptions in international trade will hopefully drive Africa towards developing more regional value chains for more sustainable trade systems. I am looking forward to more connectivity within the continent that will help promote trade. To drive this connectivity, first, more governments need to be willing to open up, for example, their airspace to more African airlines, and financing needs to be unlocked to develop transport infrastructure in road and rail.
Dr Emmanuel Rudakemwa, Chief Consultant, radiologist - Rwanda Military Hospital (RMH)
What goes around comes around. Keep your circle positive in 2023. Say good words. Think good thoughts. Do good deeds. One of the greatest challenges in life is being yourself in a world that’s trying to make you like everyone else. Life is how you make it. Take it easy and don’t beat yourself up for any fault. Let us do better than we did in 2022, success will be a must.
Joselyne Umutoniwase, Entrepreneur and founder - Rwanda Clothing
This year I am more than ever motivated to keep on going. There is nothing new I think but I will keep on dreaming—not only dreaming but also realising my dreams, one at a time. I will continue to serve my beautiful customers and help them redesign their wardrobes and style. I will continue to inspire talents around the country, collaborating with new talents and making sure that our industry continues to grow in a way that creates more jobs and develops the creative industry.
Sifa Sangwa Florence, Agripreneur
As a young farmer, I aspire to make an impact in my community through agriculture modernisation. I anticipate seeing more youth join the agriculture sector and pursue it as a career, as well as more adults focusing on agriculture more than before. Through my companies (Agvators Co., Ltd., and Walker Farm), I hope that I will be able to deliver affordable and reliable feeds to livestock farmers this year, as well as high-quality livestock, particularly chickens and pigs. I hope that through my consultations and extension services, I will be able to assist farmers in maximising profit on their farms and connecting them with customers in order to minimise post-harvest losses, which are the main difficulties farmers are facing today.