Good afternoon, dear colleagues. Today, we gather here at Ntarama Genocide Memorial, a place that holds not only the memory of thousands of lives lost, but also the enduring pain and resilience of a nation. It is a place of deep sorrow, but also of truth, reflection, and an unbreakable spirit. As the world observes the 31st commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi — Kwibuka 31 — we at Airtel Rwanda join the rest of the country in remembering the more than one million innocent lives lost during those tragic 100 days. Standing on these sacred grounds, I am moved — and humbled. I speak to you not only as the CEO of Airtel Rwanda, and not only as someone who has worked across this continent for many years — but as a human being. A husband, a father, a colleague. A person who, like all of you, cannot remain untouched by the history that surrounds us here. To those of you who are survivors, who lost family, friends, neighbours — we honor your pain, and we honor your courage. To the descendants of survivors, many of whom walk with silent grief or inherited trauma — we see you, and we stand beside you. To those who may not have been alive in 1994, or were too young to remember — it is our duty to ensure that the truth is never forgotten, and that it is never distorted. Kwibuka — to remember — is not simply to look back. It is to hold the memory of those we lost with dignity. It is to listen. To learn. To carry forward their legacy by building a more just, more united, more compassionate society. Here at Ntarama, we are reminded of how hatred, when left unchecked, can lead to unthinkable destruction. We are reminded of the dangers of divisionism, of silence in the face of injustice, and of the consequences of failing to protect human life and dignity. But we are also reminded of the incredible strength of the Rwandan people. The strength it takes to survive. To forgive. To rebuild. To rise. Rwanda has shown the world that a nation can emerge from its darkest hour with resolve, grace, and a vision for a better future. Today, Rwanda stands as a symbol of unity and resilience. And it is our responsibility — as individuals, as companies, and as communities — to preserve and protect that unity. At Airtel Rwanda, we believe that our role in this society goes beyond technology and service. We believe in empowering people, in connecting hearts and minds, and in creating spaces — in our offices and beyond — where empathy, diversity, and inclusion are not just words, but values we live by. As we remember the Genocide against the Tutsi, let us commit — each in our own way — to building a future where such horror can never happen again. A future where every person, regardless of their background, feels safe, heard, and respected. Let us remember with compassion. Let us live with intention. Let us lead with love. In closing, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for being here today. Your presence matters. Your remembrance matters. Together, we honor the past, stand united in the present, and work for a brighter, more humane future. To the victims whose names we may never know — We remember you. To the survivors among us — You are heroes. To the people of Rwanda — We are with you. May the memory of the lives lost guide our actions. May peace always find a home in our hearts. Murakoze cyane.
