President Paul Kagame has called for a change in perceptions that investment in developing countries is riskier than in advanced economies, arguing that risks exist everywhere and can be managed through cooperation.
He made the remarks on Monday, November 2, 2026, during a high-level leaders’ dialogue on leveraging the potential of the Commonwealth, where he highlighted the importance of cooperation among countries in attracting investment and accelerating development.
Kagame said countries need to increase investment across different sectors to drive development, create jobs for young people and equip them with the skills and capabilities to pursue economic opportunities.
He identified the perception that investing in countries in the Global South, many of which are still developing, carries greater risks than investing in the Global North as one of the barriers holding back investment.
“There is a perception that investing in developing countries, particularly those in the Global South, is riskier than investing in countries in the North. This perception has been around for a long time, but it is not justified. Risks can arise in any investment, wherever it is made,” he said.
He explained that managing such risks requires cooperation among countries, including pooling resources and expertise to identify and support projects that deliver economic and social benefits.
He said working together can help countries reduce potential risks and ensure that worthwhile projects are implemented rather than being discouraged by assumptions based on geographical location.
“If we strengthen cooperation and recognise that risks can arise anywhere but can be managed by pooling resources, working together and combining our efforts, there should be no reason why worthwhile investments cannot be implemented,” he said.
“Risks will always exist, but they exist everywhere. We must therefore understand that they are not confined to one region, rather than continuing to view them through a divide between the Global North and the Global South,” he added.
Kagame said the Commonwealth could play an important role in changing these perceptions by strengthening cooperation among its member states, connecting them with investors and encouraging different stakeholders to pool resources for development projects.
He emphasised that changing perceptions of investment risk and strengthening cooperation could help countries mobilise the capital they need to grow their economies, create jobs and provide young people with opportunities to acquire skills and build better futures.
