How to keep Africa’s transformation on track has been answered, at least in theory, and the remaining challenge is implementing what has been agreed upon, President Paul Kagame told delegates at an international conference hosted by the ruling RPF-Inkotanyi, on Saturday, April 1.
Kagame was making an intervention during a panel discussion that was held under the theme; How will Africa take charge of its future?
"The ‘what’ and ‘how’ in theory have been answered, or at least people know, and that is what we get from these discussions every time, whether it is here, or Davos, or Addis, or Singapore, or New York, or wherever. We’ve been to places all over, and we have been in search of what it is that we can do in Africa to put the transformation journey on track as we wish to. Implementation is actually the main issue,” Kagame said at ruling party RPF headquarters in Rusororo.
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The conference, which attracted party cadres, representatives of other political organisations in Rwanda, international delegates representing political parties from different countries, diplomats and researchers, among others, was organised as part of the activities to celebrate the party's 35th anniversary
"When it comes to doing things, we either do nothing, or do the wrong things. How many conferences, how many experts, how many times, do we have to discuss ‘what’ and ‘how’? When do we get to do what we have even agreed that is needed to be done? It is implementation,” Kagame added.
He said this while responding to a question by a Cameroonian delegate, Acha Leke, who said the discussion about Africa transformation has been had for over two decades, and that the answer is almost known, but nothing was being done.
The panel which featured among others economists of global reputation, tackled how Africa can successfully navigate the current and future geopolitical environment.
"Africa has accepted implicitly the place of junior partner in international engagements. This we have to deal with, especially the young generation,” said Rwandan economist Donald Kaberuka, one of the panelists.
Kaberuka, who has previously served as President of the African Development Bank, made a case for a long-term strategy if the continent should want to end that kind of partnership.
Also on the panel, Carlos Lopes, a Professor at the University of Cape Town and Sciences Po and Former Executive Secretary at UNECA said that "you do not get what you deserve, rather what you have negotiated for. We have been penalized by those who used our resources to develop themselves."
He said that for African to succeed in transforming itself, intergration has to be at the centre of the efforts, saying that this can't happen when countries are still fragmented.
Rwandan entrepreneur, Maryse Mbonyumutwa shared her journey in the business world, saying that she for 27 years lived in different countries in Europe and China, which she said constantly reminded her that she was not home.
Mbonyumutwa currently owns Pink Mango, a textile manufacturing firm based in Rwanda, and exports some of her products to Europe.
She also recently opened a shop in Soho, one of London's affluent neighbourholds where she retails African-inspired apparel through her brand Asantii.
The RPF International conference, which was opened by the party's vice Chairman Christophe Bazivamo, was held under the theme: "Reflecting on 35 Years and Beyond”.
Participants discussed the ruling party’s role in nation-building while defining what is required to drive progress and success in the years ahead, in the context of global geopolitical and economic challenges.
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Among the notable participants included the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia Hailemariam Desalegn.
The party is expected to hold its national congress on Sunday, April 2, during which elections of the executive committee are supposed to be held, among ther items on the agenda.