Rwanda is ranked among the top 10 African countries in the 2023 Global Soft Power Index, released by Brand Finance, a leading independent brand valuation and strategy consultancy. The index measures the strength and appeal of a country's soft power assets, including its cultural heritage, education, governance, and global reputation. ALSO READ: Cultural heritage body to unveil sounds, songs recorded during colonial period In an announcement during the annual Global Soft Power Summit, held in London, England, on March 2, Rwanda ranked seventh in Africa and 85th globally with a score of 36.2 per cent. Egypt, South Africa, Morocco, Mauritius, Seychelles, Tunisia, Rwanda, Algeria, Ivory Coast and Ghana, respectively, are the top 10 African countries in soft power according to the world's most comprehensive research study on perceptions of nation brands - the Global Soft Power Index. Rwanda first appeared on the list in 2022 when it ranked 74th out of 120 countries with a score of 31.4 percent. ALSO READ: Where is Rwanda's soft power? Rwanda has made significant progress in rebuilding its reputation following the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, through investing heavily in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. The country has become a leader in the African tech industry, and emerged as a popular tourist destination, with its vibrant culture and stunning natural scenery attracting visitors from around the world. In all of the major and sub-indicators, Rwanda has made remarkable progress, which reflects the distinguished position the country has reached, making it one of the most advanced countries in Africa in terms of positive impact and good reputation. ALSO READ: What African nations can learn from Rwanda’s growth as an innovation hub Brand Finance suggests that The Global Soft Power Index incorporates a broad range of measures, which in combination provide a balanced and holistic assessment of nations’ presence, reputation, and impact on the world stage. These include: familiarity or nation brands which people know, and have mental availability of, reputation, where they ask about the strength of a country’s positive reputation globally, influence or the degree to which a nation is seen to have influence in the respondent’s country as well as on the world stage, and finally, the performance on the core eight soft power pillars. The eight core soft power pillars are: business and trade, governance, international relations, culture and heritage, media and communication, education and science, people and values, as well as a sustainable future. ALSO READ: Good governance a key catalyst for peace and security - Kagame According to Brand Finance, more than 111,000 interviews were conducted across the 101 countries surveyed. This included most of the 121 nations included for assessment of the Global Soft Power Index, with the exception of countries which are either very small or where online surveys are challenging. Rwanda's impressive performance in the 2023 Global Soft Power Index is a testament to its progress in achieving economic and social development, promoting regional peace and stability, and building a positive global reputation. As the country continues on this path, it is poised to become an even more influential player in the African and global arenas.
