Kagame: Trust and development flourish when leadership reflects people’s history

By The Inspirer.

President Paul Kagame has said that when leaders deliver on what citizens expect — working together and guided by their shared history — it strengthens trust and fuels sustainable development. He emphasized that this is the very foundation of Rwanda’s transformation journey.

The Head of State made the remarks on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, while speaking at the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The high-level panel also included Guyana’s President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Moderated by Richard Attias, Chairperson and interim CEO of the Future Investment Initiative Institute, the discussion centered on the theme “Are We on the Right Path?” and explored how the world can move toward shared prosperity and inclusive growth.

When asked how trust between citizens and leaders can be built, President Kagame said true leadership begins with understanding people’s needs through the context of their history and experiences.

He noted that leaders must align their actions with the expectations of citizens, explaining that trust cannot exist when leadership is detached from the people’s past. Rwanda, he said, chose a path of leadership rooted in its own history and values.

“We are a small country, but our people are not small-minded. Our mindset must match that of nations much larger than ours,” Kagame said.

He added that this mindset has helped Rwandans move forward with confidence — learning from their past without being defined by it. “We chose to trust ourselves and work with partners who share our vision. That collaboration continues to accelerate our progress,” he said.

President Kagame reaffirmed that national development should come from within, not from external actors. “No one from outside can solve a country’s problems better than its own people. That is the principle we live by, shaped by lessons from our difficult past, which taught us that together, we can achieve anything,” he added.

He emphasized that this approach — combining unity, self-belief, and accountability — has been key to Rwanda’s success and can inspire similar progress elsewhere.

President Mohamed Irfaan Ali of Guyana echoed Kagame’s views, noting that for business, investment, and cooperation to thrive, societies must support one another. “When ideas begin with one person, others should help expand and strengthen them. That is how true development happens,” he said.

The three-day Future Investment Initiative (FII9) Summit, running from October 27 to 29, 2025, aims to create a platform for dialogue and innovation around global investment and governance challenges.

Founded in 2017, the FII Institute organizes this annual event to bring together investors, policymakers, and thought leaders committed to building sustainable solutions for the world’s most pressing economic and social issues.