Rwanda: The African blueprint president Diomaye Faye wants to follow

Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has praised Rwanda for its exceptional commitment to developing tourism and sports, describing it as “a source of great lessons for Africa.” During his meeting with senior officials from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the Minister of Sports, Nelly Mukazayire, President Faye emphasized the importance of continued cooperation between the two countries, saying that “behind every Rwandan success story lies strong preparation, clear objectives, and disciplined execution.”

During the discussions, Jean Guy Afrika, the CEO of RDB, presented Rwanda’s development journey since the Board’s establishment in 2008. He explained that RDB’s mandate includes promoting investment, creating business regulations, and advancing both conventional and conference-based tourism. Rwanda’s results are striking: tourist arrivals grew from 497,000 in 2015 to 1.36 million in 2024, while tourism revenue jumped from $131 million to $647 million. The number of hotel rooms more than doubled, reaching over 21,000. Afrika added that Rwanda aims to increase tourism revenue to $1.1 billion by 2029, with the Visit Rwanda initiative in partnership with major international sports clubs playing a key role in achieving that goal.

Minister Nelly Mukazayire highlighted that in Rwanda, sports are not merely a recreational activity, but “a powerful pillar of national unity and development.” She noted that the country’s vision for inclusive growth and good governance has fueled its rise as one of Africa’s leading conference destinations and an emerging sports hub. She added, “Kigali is becoming a laboratory of our vision , a city that puts sports at the heart of development.” Rwanda’s investments in world-class facilities such as BK Arena, Amahoro Stadium, and Zaria Court demonstrate its determination to build a sustainable urban and youth-driven future.

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Mukazayire also reaffirmed Rwanda’s readiness to support Senegal in preparing for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, saying, “Our people are ready to accompany you in this journey, from preparation to implementation, if you wish.”

In response, President Diomaye Faye commended Rwanda’s consistency and discipline in building success, stressing that Africa’s progress depends on partnerships like these. “It is clear that Rwanda remains a strong source of lessons,” he said. “Every victory you achieve reflects careful planning, purpose-driven leadership, and coherent execution. That is the secret of Rwanda’s success  and a source of pride for all of Africa.”

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