Kagame urges Africa to reject dependency at Africa CEO Forum 2026 in Kigali

President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, has called on African nations to build self-reliance, embrace their value and stop allowing external powers to take advantage of the continent, as he officially opened the Africa CEO Forum 2026 in Kigali on Thursday, May 14.

Speaking before thousands of business leaders, policymakers, investors and development partners gathered in Rwanda’s capital, Kagame reflected on the many historical challenges Africa has faced over centuries, including slavery, colonialism, wars and epidemics.

He said that while such challenges may continue to exist, Africa must learn from them and focus on strengthening its own capacity and independence.

“There will always be challenges. We have gone through centuries of many things; slavery, colonialism, wars, epidemics and all of that will always exist in one way or another. But we cannot remain stuck there. We must learn from these experiences by expanding what we are capable of doing ourselves and allowing our actions to guide us in overcoming such problems,” Kagame said.

The Rwandan Head of State stressed that Africa possesses enormous untapped potential, despite often being viewed through the lens of crises and instability.

According to President Kagame, the continent has all the resources needed to compete globally, including renewable energy potential and strategic minerals essential for modern technologies.

“For Africa, let me say that we must take advantage of the opportunities to compete because they are many. Africa is always portrayed as being in trouble, yet when you look closely, the continent has everything. Africa holds 60% of the world’s solar energy potential, and when you look at the minerals found across this continent, they are the same minerals needed to manufacture batteries and many other modern technologies,” he noted.

Kagame also delivered a strong message about African dignity, sovereignty and the need to reject exploitation and double standards from more powerful nations.

“We need to give ourselves value of some kind. We can’t just be people who are waiting to be ripped off by someone who is shrewd enough and has power. No, we must be able to say no.”

This year’s Africa CEO Forum has brought together leaders from governments, private sector institutions, financial organizations and international companies to discuss the future of investment and economic transformation across Africa.

Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board, Jean-Guy Afrika, said the forum’s theme highlights the importance of collaboration between governments, investors and businesses.

“This year’s theme reminds us that scale will not be achieved by governments, businesses or investors acting in isolation, but with shared responsibility, shared risks and shared execution,” he said.

Jean-Guy Afrika also highlighted Rwanda’s recent economic achievements, especially in mining and tourism.

He revealed that Rwanda’s mining sector exported products worth 869.7 million US dollars in 2025 while creating more than 92,000 jobs.

At the same time, the tourism and meetings industry generated more than 685 million US dollars in revenue.

He used the occasion to encourage investors from across the world to choose Rwanda as a destination for investment.

“Today’s message is simple: if you are looking for a place to invest, come to Rwanda. We invite you to invest in Rwanda. We offer security, transparency, rule of law and an environment that allows investors to succeed,” he said.

Founder of the Africa CEO Forum and Chief Executive Officer of Jeune Afrique Media Group, Amir Ben Yahmed, praised Rwanda and President Kagame for hosting the continental gathering.

He emphasized that Africa’s economic future should focus on ensuring that Africans benefit more directly from the continent’s wealth and resources.

“Africa is about Africans owning more of Africa’s wealth,” he said.

Amir Ben Yahmed also commended the strong participation at this year’s forum.

“I would also like to thank the more than 2,800 participants present here today. It is a remarkable number and a clear sign of the growing strength of Africa’s private sector,” he stated.

Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation, Makhtar Diop, said Africa’s large and youthful population represents a major opportunity for the continent’s development.

He pointed to energy and infrastructure as critical sectors for Africa’s industrial growth and economic transformation.

“Energy and infrastructure are essential because no factory can operate without electricity. That is why we are committed to providing electricity access to 300 million Africans, and the private sector will play a major role in achieving that goal,” he said.

The two-day forum in Kigali has attracted more than 2,800 participants from 90 countries, including over 500 government officials, more than 750 women leaders and around 300 journalists from different parts of the world.

Several African Heads of State are attending the summit, including Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema of Gabon, Daniel Chapo of Mozambique, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania and Mamadi Doumbouya of Guinea.

The Africa CEO Forum 2026 continues in Kigali until May 15, with discussions focusing on investment, industrialization, infrastructure, energy and Africa’s economic future in a rapidly changing global economy.

“We must be able to say no.”, President Paul Kagame calls for African self-worth and independence