Rwanda’s growth game plan.

IS IT a coincidence that I met Dale Dawson, a member of the Rwandan President’s Advisory Council, last week? And in Bentonville, Arkansas, of all places! I believe that as Jamaica grapples with continued sluggish growth and a high cynicism for politicians to solve real problems, this meeting was serendipitous.

One of the fastest-growing economies, Rwanda achieved GDP growth of around eight per cent per year between 2001 and 2016. This was not always the case. After the massacre of one million Rwandans (primarily Tutsis and moderate Hutus) by fellow Rwandans (Hutus) in 1994, and a war that continued for four more years, they rebuilt from the ashes.

Elected president in 2000, Paul Kagame led a reconciliation and rebuilding process.

Taking the Singapore growth playbook and making it applicable to Rwanda, Kagame visited various developed countries, actively seeking partners for investment of a certain type. They had designed their economic development strategy and were clear on the kinds of leaders and investors they wanted to help advance their country.

RWANDA’S GAME PLAN: PLANK 1

How do you do this as a leader of a small, poor African country with low levels of education? Identify key global leaders whose values align with yours, meet them and share your vision with authenticity, and ask them to help you build a network for your country. Also, have their experts help negotiate favourable terms for the needed foreign direct investment (FDI) – and teach Rwandans at the same time so as to build local negotiating capabilities.

This was the basis for the ‘Friends of Rwanda’ - leaders of global businesses, faith-based organisations, academia and politics. This group, along with a team of Rwandans, form the Presidential Advisory Council (PAC) established in 2007.

As Dale told me, the PAC does not come up with the growth plan; Rwandans do. The PAC provides advice and the means to make the initiatives happen, drawing on their personal and global resources. Perhaps Jamaica’s Economic Growth Council should be reworked for different results.

RWANDA’S GAME PLAN: PLANK 2

While investing in local educational institutions, aggressively develop a generation of globally savvy, indigenous young talent, trained at schools across the world, and have them work in key areas of government and in these new FDI-established companies. As in Singapore, Kagame sees them running the companies in 10 years, and in 20 years these indigenous young leaders will lead the industries or start their own companies, which will be globally competitive. This is Rwanda’s approach to nationalisation and equitable, sustainable growth.

PHOTO BY RICCARDO GANGALE Through links with the Presidential Advisory Council, Starbucks CEO agreed to distribute Rwandan coffee. In photo, Howard Schultz (left), chairman, president and CEO, Starbucks Coffee Company, and Harriet Lamb (centre), executive director, Fairtrade Foundation with coffee farmers at a coffee washing station at Dukunde Kawa Cooperative in Rwanda in 2009.

TAKEN FROM DISTRICT’S FLICKR ACCOUNT PHOTO Imihigo Evaluation in Gasabo led by community associations and citizens. Evaluations are then sent to an independent body in Central Government.

PHOTO TAKEN FROM PRESIDENT KAGAME’S FLICKR ACCOUNT President Paul Kagame (right) welcomes Rick Warren, faith-based leader, who is head of the eighth largest church in the USA, author of ‘A Purpose Driven Life’ and also a member of the Presidential Advisory Council. Warren leads a series of health initiatives through local churches in Rwanda.

TAKEN FROM PRESIDENT KAGAME’S FLICKR ACCOUNT PHOTO Dale Dawson (centre) looks on as Rwanda President Paul Kagame (right) welcomes fellow members of the Presidential Advisory Council to one of its bi-annual meetings.