On May 16th 2025, President Paul Kagame welcomed a group of Harvard Business School students to Urugwiro Village, where he offered a heartfelt discussion about Rwanda’s path to recovery and growth following one of the darkest periods in its history—the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
During the exchange, Kagame emphasized the importance of interpreting Rwanda through its own lens—one shaped by hardship, driven by determination, and anchored in self-awareness.
“Every country has its unique journey, and Rwanda is no exception,” Kagame remarked. “Our development strategy is influenced by our identity, our history, and our goals for the future.”
He encouraged the visiting students to think critically about global perspectives and avoid oversimplified assumptions, stressing that Rwanda’s progress is the result of internal reflection and honest societal dialogue.
“To move forward, we must be willing to face our past and speak openly about the problems we’ve endured. That’s how we create real, lasting solutions,” Kagame noted.
The president’s remark, “We don’t pretend,” captured the spirit of the conversation—Rwanda does not mask its struggles, but rather faces them directly. While acknowledging ongoing challenges, Kagame underlined that tangible progress has been achieved.
“We still have a long way to go. Success doesn’t happen in every area all at once, but we measure ourselves by the steps we take toward our priorities,” he said.
Reflecting on his experience leading the Rwandan Patriotic Army to end the genocide, Kagame described the country’s resilience as born from necessity.
“We didn’t have the luxury of comfort or ease. Our painful history left us no choice but to move forward or collapse,” he told the students.
The session offered valuable insights into Rwanda’s model of leadership and its unwavering commitment to building a society founded on justice, dignity, and locally driven solutions.
Today, Rwanda stands out for its steady development and effective governance. Recent data from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda shows a major reduction in poverty—by over 12 percentage points since 2017—demonstrating the impact of its people-centered policies.
In addition, the government continues to strengthen transparency and efficiency in public service, ensuring accountability and fostering trust.
