Nairobi – President of the Republic of Rwanda Paul Kagame has stated that the future of the African continent must not be determined by external actors, emphasizing that no world leader, regardless of how powerful they may be, can come to “solve” the continent’s challenges.
He made the remarks on May 12, 2026, in Nairobi, while attending the Africa Forward Summit, which brought together African and European heads of state, investors, and development partners.
“The Primary Responsibility Lies with Africans Themselves”
In his remarks focused on clean industrial development and modern energy systems, President Kagame said Africa has for a long time been offered numerous promises that are not properly implemented, thereby slowing down its development.
He said:
“Many promises have been made to Africa, but they are not implemented in a way that delivers tangible results. This is an injustice, but we must also take responsibility before anyone else.”
He further stressed that Africa should not wait for external solutions, but instead rely on its own capacities and institutions. He said:
“There is no leader in the world, no matter how powerful their country is, who will rescue our continent. These discussions should help us understand that the solutions are ours first and foremost.”
The Africa Forward Summit was also attended by Kenya’s President William Ruto William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron Emmanuel Macron, and focused on the implementation of a renewed framework of cooperation between Africa and Europe.
President Macron emphasized that relations between the two sides must move away from traditional aid dependency and instead be based on investment and mutually beneficial cooperation.
He said:
“The era of treating Africa as France’s backyard is over. We must build partnerships based on shared interests.”
He also announced that France plans to invest USD 27 billion across Africa in sectors including energy and technology. President Ruto, on his part, stressed that Africa holds significant financial resources that remain underutilized, calling on African countries to prioritize investing within the continent before looking abroad
The Africa Forward Summit concluded with a strong emphasis on Africa’s need to transition from aid dependency toward self-reliance by strengthening its capacity in economic development, industrialization, and investment.
President Kagame’s message underscored a broader vision that sustainable development in Africa depends on the willingness of Africans to take responsibility and define their own future trajectory.
The discussions reflected an emerging shift in Africa’s engagement with international partners, grounded in mutual respect, investment-driven cooperation, and shared prosperity.
