Kagame's keynote address focused on the urgency of supporting Africa in its fight against the devastating impacts of climate change, which continue to hamper the continent's development.
He began by acknowledging the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in convening the forum, and quickly turned attention to the global sustainability agenda, which, he argued, has yet to deliver its promised benefits, especially for Africa.
The Head of State emphasized that political commitments often lack the necessary action, leaving Africa vulnerable in the face of escalating climate risks.
'As one of the world's fastest-growing regions, Africa's population is projected to double by 2050, creating immense pressure on its economies to meet increasing demands for water, food, energy, and jobs,' Kagame said emphasizing that addressing these challenges requires affordable and scalable technologies tailored to the realities of developing nations.
'Rwanda has already made significant progress by fostering a pro-business environment with tax incentives and simplified immigration policies. The country has attracted global investments and supported various innovations. Innovation is the backbone of our approach to addressing pressing challenges,' he added.
Kagame highlighted the success of Zipline, a drone company launched in Rwanda to deliver medical supplies and now valued at $4 billion with operations spanning multiple continents. 'This is an example of what Africa can achieve when we create the right environment for innovation,' Kagame noted.
Commenting on the importance of renewable energy and digital technologies, he argued they are insufficient on their own to fuel industrialization. 'Africa's development requires energy solutions that are reliable, affordable, and capable of powering large-scale manufacturing. Without this, we are asking the continent to limit its growth,' he said.
To address this gap, Rwanda is preparing for small modular nuclear reactors to become part of its energy mix as this this is a clean and dependable power source that aligns with Africa's sustainability goals and industrial ambitions.
He stressed the need for collaboration and fairness in the global sustainability agenda, saying that sustainable development is a collective effort and Africa cannot succeed alone, and neither can the world.
'We need pragmatic and results-driven partnerships and Rwanda's cooperation with the United Arab Emirates through initiatives such as the Government Accelerator Programme and the One Million Coders Initiative are examples of impactful global partnerships,' he said.
Kagame called for greater inclusion of Africa in global sustainability efforts in the transition to a sustainable world pledging readiness on behalf of Rwanda to work with any nation committed to building a brighter and more equitable future.
Sam K Nkurunziza
