President Paul Kagame has urged Rwandans and Africans to recognize their own strengths and contributions, saying no individual or country is without something valuable to offer.
Kagame made the remarks during the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) Political Bureau meeting held at Intare Conference Arena in Rusororo, where he called for partnerships based on mutual contribution rather than dependence.
He said individuals and countries should first identify what they bring to any partnership instead of relying on others to solve their challenges.
“When you go into a partnership with others, first understand what you have and what you can contribute, so that it matches what others bring and everyone benefits,” Kagame said.
The president said one of Africa’s long-standing challenges is a tendency to engage with the outside world from a position of dependency, often overlooking the continent’s own resources, skills and opportunities.
“There is a major historical challenge for Rwanda and Africa, where we often appear as if we have nothing to put on the table to share with others. We expect others to bring something, and we come to share in it,” he said.
Kagame said this approach has contributed to a perception of African countries as mainly recipients of assistance rather than equal partners in global relations.
He acknowledged that external support can play a role but said countries should not build their future around dependence.
“Those who come to help do come, but what brings them? Why do they feel they should help you? Have you ever asked yourself that?” he said.
Kagame said every country, regardless of its size, has resources and capabilities that can contribute to development.
“Every country, even small countries like ours, has something,” he said, warning against waiting for others to develop resources that a country could use itself before receiving assistance.
“Do not allow yourselves to believe that you can only achieve something when another person comes to do it for you,” he added.
The president pointed to Rwanda’s own history as an example of the importance of self-reliance, saying the country would not have achieved its current progress without citizens taking responsibility for rebuilding after past challenges.
“If Rwanda had not stood up and done something for itself, where would we be today?” he said.
Kagame said international assistance contributed to Rwanda’s recovery, but added that the country had already built a foundation through its own efforts.
The RPF Political Bureau meeting brought together more than 2,000 party members and invited guests, with young people accounting for about 60% of participants.
