Rwanda has called for a stronger, more investment-driven Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), positioning the bloc as a catalyst for economic transformation rather than solely a platform for cooperation. Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva made the remarks on March 28 during a roundtable on sustainable financing held on the sidelines of the 11th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the OACPS, currently underway in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. Today in Malabo, Prime Minister Nsengiyumva joined Heads of State and Government at the Inaugural Ceremony of the 11th OACPS Summit. “As the global context evolves, our approach to financing must also adapt. Rwanda believes the OACPS can further strengthen its role, not only as... pic.twitter.com/7UJrYAlcm6 — Office of the PM | Rwanda (@PrimatureRwanda) March 28, 2026 “Rwanda believes that the OACPS can further strengthen its role not only as a forum for cooperation but also as a platform that facilitates investment and drives economic transformation,” Nsengiyumva said. ALSO READ: Lift sanctions against Sudan, Zimbabwe -- Kagame The Prime Minister is representing President Paul Kagame at the two-day summit, taking place from March 28 to 29 at the Sipopo International Conference Centre. The meeting brought together leaders from member states across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific to discuss ways to enhance cooperation and address shared development challenges. Held under the theme, “A Transformed and Renewed OACPS in a Changing World,” the summit comes at a time when global economic dynamics are shifting, prompting renewed calls for sustainable and self-reliant financing models within multilateral organisations. In his address, Nsengiyumva underscored the importance of sustainable financing in ensuring that the OACPS remains a relevant and impactful global actor. “For many years, our cooperation has been supported by development assistance. As the global context evolves, it is natural that our approach to financing must also adapt,” he noted. He emphasised that transitioning from reliance on aid to more sustainable financing mechanisms is essential for the organisation’s long-term effectiveness. To achieve this, Nsengiyumva outlined three key priorities that could guide member states in strengthening the organisation’s financial base. First, he highlighted the need to reinforce domestic resource mobilisation across member countries. According to him, this would provide a solid foundation for greater financial ownership of the organisation and ensure predictable, timely, and sustainable contributions. “This will be essential to ensure predictable, timely, and sustainable contributions, including meeting assessed contributions in full and on time,” he said. Second, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of scaling up and improving the bankability of projects, particularly at the regional level, to attract long-term and institutional investment. He noted that achieving this would require stronger project preparation, effective risk mitigation strategies, and coordinated efforts among member states to unlock viable investment opportunities. The third priority, he said, involves deepening partnerships through co-investment approaches by engaging both traditional and emerging partners in a spirit of mutual benefit and shared responsibility. Nsengiyumva pointed to the Samoa Agreement as a key framework that could support these efforts, particularly in strengthening cooperation between OACPS member states and the European Union. “The Samoa Agreement provides a useful framework to support these efforts. At the same time, its impact will depend on our collective ability to translate commitments into concrete and measurable outcomes,” he said. He further called for the development of a clear and forward-looking roadmap on sustainable financing, including the exploration of innovative mechanisms that can contribute to the organisation’s long-term financial sustainability. However, the Prime Minister emphasised that achieving these ambitions would require a significant shift in mindset among member states. “We must move away from the dependency mentality that has characterised this organisation for too long, and instead take collective responsibility by honouring our contributions and embracing new approaches to financing,” he said. He reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to leading by example, noting that the country has consistently met its assessed contributions on time. “Rwanda commits again to continue to honour its commitments and its assessed contributions to this great organisation, and that will be done on time,” he affirmed. The summit is expected to deliberate on a range of key issues, including advancing South–South cooperation, promoting inclusive economic growth, addressing climate-related challenges, and reviewing the implementation of the Samoa Agreement. Leaders are also expected to adopt the Malabo Declaration at the close of the summit, outlining strategic priorities and key commitments aimed at strengthening the organisation’s role in an increasingly complex global landscape.
