Kagame attends Africa CEO Forum, urges African leaders towards self reliance

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa have expressed a strong belief in African nations developing homegrown solutions to attract regional investments amidst a decline in aid financing across the continent. The leaders made these remarks during the Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, where they emphasized the importance of self-reliance for the progress and stability of African countries. President Kagame highlighted the need for nations to reduce their dependence on external partners and focus on building strong internal capabilities. He noted that historical events have shown the importance of addressing issues independently and not solely relying on external support. President Kagame emphasized the significance of initiatives such as the peace and security facility established by the African Union to reduce reliance on external funders and work towards sustainable solutions. He pointed out that while partnerships with external entities can be beneficial, African nations need to define their own development paths and not rely entirely on external contributions. President Ramaphosa echoed President Kagame’s sentiments, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to achieve peace and stability on the continent, particularly in the conflict-ridden eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He commended the various peace processes and agreements that have been instrumental in laying a foundation for peacebuilding and fostering trust among conflicting parties. President Ramaphosa highlighted the principle of ‘African solutions for African problems,’ emphasizing the need for African countries to take ownership of their challenges and resolutions. He reiterated that while external contributions are valuable, ultimate decisions must be endorsed and led by African nations to secure the continent’s future. The leaders’ calls for self-reliance and collaborative peace efforts reflect a renewed commitment to advancing Africa’s development and stability through internal capabilities and regional partnerships.