Rwanda was never part of the plan. To be candid, we didn’t know any better. Our limited knowledge was based on 'Hotel Rwanda' the movie we had seen ages ago. During a visit to an innovation hub in Ethiopia, someone spoke highly of Kigali and was hosting their annual retreat there. A global tech company gathering all its employees in Kigali? Why? Curious to learn, we hopped on a bus to Kigali from Kampala.
While our bags were screened at the border, we were asked to throw away plastic bags, an odd request. It was the first occurrence since arriving in Africa. It turns out Rwanda banned single-use plastic in 2008. Without the use of plastic, we found things to be quite clean and didn’t realize the extent until arriving in Kigali, the capital. The cleanest city we visited in Africa!!
This was just the beginning as we continued to learn about this tiny landlocked country. Innovation through investment and partnerships is a key focus for them. Industries include aviation, tourism, sports, and much more. A few highlights:
-The largest indoor arena (BK Arena) in East Africa with a capacity of 10,000 (NBA approved)
-$20 million tech hub by Norrsken (Swedish Entrprenweushiip Hub)
-$1.3 billion airport in partnership with Qatar Airways
-Hosted the first FIFA elective congress (4th meeting ever overall in Africa)
-Ranked number two in Africa for MICE only behind South Africa (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) in 2023
We met many working professionals who felt deeply accountable and motivated to help their country reach new heights. Most of them were mere infants during the genocide and never wanted such a situation to arise. Our visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial was heartbreaking and thought-provoking.
As we dug, we came across an article from Sep 2021 "‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero given 25-year sentence in ‘terrorism’ case." Once a hero now a terrorist? He was later released from prison in March 2023. This led us to the book 'Do Not Disturb' by Michelle Wong. It discusses the post-genocide complexities of Rwanda.
Our exposure to Rwanda was limited to Kigali and Musanze. There is a sense of optimism and excitement within these areas as the country progresses globally. We suspect we will continue to hear great things from this little country.
Sources:
Plastic Ban. United Nations Environment Programme. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/rwanda-leading-fight-against-plastic-pollution
BK Arena. BK Arena Official Website. https://bkarena.rw
Norrsken Foundation in Rwanda. Norrsken Foundation. https://www.norrskenfoundation.org/rwanda
Qatar Airways Expands in Rwanda. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/rwanda-qatar-airways-idUSL8N2FV53R
FIFA Meeting. Rwanda Government. https://www.gov.rw/blog-detail/rwanda-hosts-the-73th-fifa-congress
Rwanda MICE Industry. IBTM World. https://www.ibtmworld.com/en-gb/media/exhibitor-press-releases/rwandas-mice-sector-a-decade-of-remarkable-growth-and-global-recognition.html
Kigali Genocide Memorial. https://kgm.rw/
Paul Rusesabagina Found Guilty in Terrorism Case. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/20/rwanda-court-finds-hotel-rwanda-hero-guilty-in-terrorism-case
Paul Rusesabagina Prison Sentence Commuted. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/24/hotel-rwanda-hero-paul-rusesabagina-prison-sentence-commuted
Do Not Disturb by Michela Wrong. Penguin Random House. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/623858/do-not-disturb-by-michela-wrong