2018 was quite a remarkable year as far as Rwanda’s relations are concerned. The African Union reform team headed by President Paul Kagame unveiled an ambitious plan that will see countries impose a 0.02 per cent levy on imported goods in order to finance the organization.

And that was not the end with the AU reforms; the continental free trade treaty was signed in Kigali that will bring the continent’s 1.2 billion people under one common market.

The year also saw Rwanda increase its footprint in the Francophonie world when its former foreign minister Louise Mushikiwabo was unanimously elected to head the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie. She begins her tenure today.

Then, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) pulled a rabbit out of its hat, a brilliant marketing coup. It took its "Visit Rwanda” campaign to the heart of London football kingdom. It struck a sponsorship deal with Arsenal football club.

The deal went viral, caused a lot of tongues to wag but RDB ran all the way to the bank. The Arsenal-mania soon arrived at the doorsteps of newcomer brewer, SKOL. It also struck a partnership deal with the English club.

And as usual, Rwanda continued its upward trend in all manners of rankings, from being one of the world’s fastest growing and least corrupt economies to being ranked by the World Economic Forum as the 6th best place to be a woman.

Milestones continued to pile up last year and by all indications, they are bound to continue this year. All the achievements are a result of hard work and capable leadership that should make every Rwandan proud.

We have seen that hard work and dedication pays off, it is our wish, as your partner in this journey, that we will continue to document achievements by an incredible people. Our partnership with our readership is a treasured element within our publication and we hope to see it grow stronger this year.

Happy New Year.