“Do not wait to read in a book to learn what is good for you. By then it is too late. Never miss an opportunity to become a leader.” These words are from H.E. President Paul Kagame. (I am writing the quote from memory, so hopefully I’ve repeated it accurately.)
There are in this world certain people who can be described as visionary leaders – truly impressive people who are bold and sharp witted, who accept no nonsense, and who are committed to reaching sky-high goals even against odds that would make others turn and run. These are true leaders who care about their people and believe in human dignity and equality. I believe President Kagame is one of these people, and I was extremely honored to meet him in person last year.
The meeting took place at a small roundtable event hosted by the World Economic Forum. The purpose was to chat with the President about the business landscape in Rwanda. President Kagame showed a keen interest in understanding what Rwanda is doing right in terms of attracting and supporting business, and also what areas need to be improved upon. One of my comments was that Rwanda is a bit like a fresh canvas, such that an artist can paint whatever masterpiece one could dream of, without the difficulty of working around and over old paint.
Consider the case of Vuba and driverless transit systems. Engaging in a large infrastructure project using leading edge technology can be an extremely difficult and expensive endeavor. This is especially true in developed countries, as we must navigate around a myriad of obstacles. Some of the hurdles that come to mind include working around existing roads and infrastructure, interference from pipes and cables above and below ground, numerous districts that control access and rights of way, and of course any number of regulatory agencies that must be satisfied. Working through these things can take many years of effort before a project could even begin.
Rwanda, however, has a different approach to innovation and development. Rather than squash an idea before it begins, the leadership decides whether a new concept aligns with their vision. If so, they take the approach of working together to problem-solve and implement the idea. There is, of course, rigorous evaluation along the way – but there is an underlying “can do” attitude that is applied. Approvals and regulation are done in a way that supports the new technology and gives it a chance for success.
Evidence of this can be seen in Rwanda’s impressive jump into nationwide cell phone coverage, essentially leapfrogging landline infrastructure for most of the country. It can also be seen in Rwanda’s drone delivery system, which has been quickly and efficiently transporting critical blood and medical supplies across Rwanda for over three years already. With this practical approach, how many more new ideas can Rwanda embrace and implement as they strive to achieve their Vision 2050?
I’ll leave you with one more bit of advice from the President: “It is not just knowing what you ought to do or being capable of it, it is about actually doing it.”
Indeed, sir.
