Kigali- President Paul Kagame has criticized the sanctions imposed on African countries, including Rwanda, describing them as unfair measures driven largely by the political and economic interests of powerful nations rather than by principles of justice or fairness.
Speaking during an interview with CNN journalist Eleni Giokos that officially opened the Africa CEO Forum, Kagame said Africa continues to face exploitation despite possessing vast natural wealth and strategic resources that are essential to the global economy.
The Africa CEO Forum brought together more than 2,800 participants, including heads of state, business executives, and investors from 69 countries. Among the African leaders present were Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Gabon’s President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, Guinea’s President Mamadi Doumbouya, and Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo.
During the discussion, President Kagame said the growing global challenges facing the world today should remind Africa of its importance and contribution on the international stage. He emphasized that Africa has spent decades being instructed by outside powers on what to do, but argued that the time has come for Africans themselves to take meaningful action based on their own priorities and interests.
“We should rely on the opportunities we have. Why is Africa always left behind?” Kagame asked.
The Rwandan leader pointed to Africa’s vast mineral wealth, particularly the minerals required for manufacturing batteries and supporting modern technologies, saying many of the world’s major powers are competing for resources found largely on the African continent.
“When you look at the minerals being talked about, almost all of them, or at least the majority needed to produce batteries, are found in Africa,” Kagame said. “Powerful countries are competing for them. But Africa, despite having these resources, remains silent, or nearly all of them are taken by the powerful few because they know how to use them.”
Kagame questioned how Africa can possess such enormous opportunities while continuing to struggle with poverty, instability, and underdevelopment. He stressed that African nations must unite and act collectively in order to protect their interests and fully benefit from their own resources.
“We need to come together and take action. We already know what needs to be done. I think we lose a lot because we fail to do what we should be doing,” he said.
Addressing the issue of sanctions and political pressure imposed on African countries, Kagame argued that such measures are often selective and influenced by the interests of nations that stand to gain economically or politically.
“Sanctions are imposed based on who gives less and who gives more,” Kagame said. “If someone knows they will gain more from a certain place, they will favor that place even if those people are actually the ones in the wrong.”
The President compared modern geopolitical practices to historical systems in which kings would hand territories to loyal subjects and allow them to rule for their own benefit.
“That is what is happening today,” Kagame stated. “They tell someone, ‘Go and do whatever you want in that region.’ That is how Africa is controlled.”
He further criticized what he described as the hypocrisy of some powerful countries that promote democracy and human rights while simultaneously exploiting African resources and weakening the continent’s independence.
“These powerful countries come here teaching people about human rights and democracy with one hand, while with the other hand they take away people’s resources,” he said. “That is why Africa sometimes needs to restore its dignity.”
President Kagame emphasized that Africans must learn to value themselves, defend their interests, and reject unfair treatment imposed from outside forces. He said the pressure currently placed on Africa should encourage the continent to reflect on its strengths, recognize its strategic importance, and take steps necessary to secure a respected place in the global system.
Also speaking during the forum, Rwanda Development Board Chief Executive Officer Jean-Guy Afrika said Africa’s rapidly growing population represents one of the continent’s greatest opportunities and should not be overlooked.
He explained that Africa’s demographic strength must be linked to productive sectors such as trade, innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in order to create sustainable economic growth.
Jean-Guy Afrika emphasized the importance of private sector participation, noting that increased investment will be essential for transforming Africa’s economic potential into long-term prosperity.
Using Rwanda as an example, he said the country has continued opening its economy and investing heavily in sectors such as tourism, technology, and other strategic industries, while implementing reforms designed to create a favorable environment for investors and businesses.
