Trace Awards is a channel of expression and the best gift for any people, any part of society, President Paul Kagame told the Afro prestigious award winners on Sunday, October 22.

The Head of State hosted at Village Urugwiro the overall winners who were recognized in a colourful awarding ceremony that took place in Kigali on Saturday, October 21, at BK Arena to celebrate the creativity, talent, and influence of African and Afro-music and artists.

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They emerged from a pool of more than 150 nominated artistes who competed in 22 award categories from more than 30 countries in Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, and Europe, Algeria, Angola, Brazil, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Comoros, DRC, France, French Guiana, Gabon, Ghana and many other countries.

"Your talent, your creativity, having this [event] which becomes a channel of expressions of all different kinds. I think that’s the best gift for any people, for any part of society,” Kagame told them.

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"The arts, creativity, and the whole organization around it, is giving people a home, from different parts of the world. A home through which they express themselves.”

He further said that they can consider Rwanda as a home away from home.

The inaugural Trace Awards 2023, which is in line with the 20th anniversary of the global music powerhouse and Afro-music tastemaker, Trace, attracted celebrities from all corners of the world including Davido, Diamond Platnmuz, and Rema among others.

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The platform served as an opportunity for artistes, both local and international, to showcase their talents, with an impact that is cuts across sectors.

Prior the ceremony, Rwanda also hosted a festival that featured multiple fashion brands, visual artistes, entrepreneurs in the culinary arts, and many others that brought enriching diversity to the experience.

"This exposure has not only changed the perception of Rwanda as a tourist destination but also as an attractive place for investment. Furthermore, it has facilitated the dissemination of valuable information that is crucial for the nation&039;s progress,” noted Ariella Kageruka, Head of Tourism and Conservation at the Rwanda Development Board, ahead of the three-day ceremony and festival.