Bold leadership: The gateway to successful regional integration

Monique Mukaruliza Richard Karugarama Lebero The main themes on the need to maintain President Paul Kagame’s stewardship beyond 2017 have been aptly articulated. However, one important theme that has featured less prominently yet pivotal to Rwanda’s continued prosperity is regional integration. Importantly, Rwanda has progressed from a failed state to an efficiently governed country with a strong regional presence. Over the last two decades, Rwanda has proved a worthy regional player and routinely provides the prerequisite leadership both at the regional and continental level. Similar to domestic issues, President Kagame is decisive, consistent and effective when dealing with regional challenges and opportunities. Take for example, Rwanda became a full member of the East African Community (EAC) in July 2007 and assumed the Presidency of the community in 2008. During Rwanda’s Presidency, the Common Market Protocol was expeditiously negotiated and signed in November 2009. This was historically significant and demonstrated Rwanda’s resolve to positively contribute to regional integration. Throughout this period and beyond, President Kagame has built a reputation of trust and is widely respected as a leader that delivers on regional commitments. Overall, within the EAC framework, the implementation of the common market protocol and other projects was sluggish and the leaders of Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, using the variable geometry principal of the Treaty for the Establishment of EAC, decided to form the Northern Corridor Integration Projects (NCIP) initiative to drive the integration agenda through fast tracking project execution. Within the NCIP initiative, President Kagame has ensured that Rwanda led projects are swiftly implemented as directed by the Heads of State Summit. Indeed, all projects spearheaded by Rwanda are on track to be fully implemented within the agreed timelines and none of the projects is lagging behind. President Kagame’s hands-on approach embedded in the form of efficient service delivery, accountability and a sense of urgency are the key attributes behind Rwanda’s continued delivery of NCIP commitments. Rwanda’s engagement and leadership in the NCIP initiative demonstrates that the government is committed to deepening and accelerating regional integration. Also, Rwanda is committed to delivering a results-oriented and citizen-centric integration agenda. This is aligned with Rwanda’s quest to become a strategic regional and continental player. Beyond that, the fast paced implementation of NCIP commitments is already delivering dividends to Rwandans and the region. For example, the removal of Non Tariff Barriers through the creation of a Single Customs Territory has reduced the number of days a container takes from Mombasa to Kigali from 22 to 6 days and customs declarations as well as customs bonds reduced from 3 to 1 day. This has resulted into monetary saving of 1603 USD per container and increased Rwanda’s exports within EAC countries by about 38%. Significantly, reduction in multiple customs declarations for fuel has dropped by 90 percent and transit bonds on fuel in form of bank guarantees have been eliminated. The Kenya Pipeline Corporation has extended working hours at the point of loading. Equally, the use of national ID’s and student cards as travel documents has eased the free movement of citizens. In turn this has created opportunities for cross border trade as well as deepened integration among citizens. The single tourist visa has not only eased travel and increased touristic opportunities for tourists but also enhanced intra-regional travel for tourists visiting partner states. This has encouraged joint marketing and created a single tourism destination for the three countries. The Defence, Peace and Security cluster also spearheaded by Rwanda has made tremendous progress and concluded numerous pacts. The solid cooperation in defence, peace and security enhances immediate collective action against threats on national security and sovereignty. Notably, Rwanda’s private sector is progressively engaging and demonstrating strong interest and leadership. The recent Kenya-Rwanda Business Forum 2015 held in Kigali, is testament to the fact that private sector in the region mean business through deeper engagement and partnership. Rwandan business leaders are leveraging the abundant political will and are seizing the moment to tap into regional business opportunities, which will translate into tangible results. Most recently, Rwanda’s private sector led the establishment of the Northern Corridor Technology Alliance to implement the earmarked ICT projects under the NCIP initiative. Similarly, projects spearheaded by Uganda and Kenya are also making good progress. Through the NCIP Initiative, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and South Sudan have operationalised the One Network Area. This has reduced calling rates within the region and increased traffic numbers by about 400%. The reduction in communication costs across borders further enhances trade opportunities and interaction among the citizenry and businesses. The Airspace management cluster has concluded an MoU to establish a One Airspace Block that will reduce the cost of travel within the region through jointly managing the NCIP airspace. The construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) has started on the Mombasa-Nairobi route. Correspondingly, the SGR protocol has been ratified and the feasibility study for the Kampala-Kigali segment is at final stages. Once complete, the Railway will not only ease travel but also reduce the costs of doing business within the region. Also, efforts are underway for the region to interconnect and standardise power transmission lines at 400KV which will allow power trading and reduce the cost of doing business. Despite the remarkable achievements, there is still need to sustain momentum. At the recent NCIP Summit in Nairobi, President Kagame challenged the region to avoid the traps of complacency. President Kagame’s brand of leadership is critical for the delivery of regional projects.Put succinctly, it is only through Kagame’s visionary leadership that projects of such magnitude and complexity can be effectively delivered to Rwandans. His pragmatic approach to leadership will undoubtedly accelerate the construction of the Rwanda Railway route and rapidly enhance Rwanda’s ability to acquire power within and outside the region through attracting and retaining investors. More broadly, in a myriad of other investments, President Kagame has skillfully and strategically positioned Rwanda as a global power house by courting Western corporations with superior technology, which has transformed the lives of Rwandans. Undoubtedly, the same strategic foresight demonstrated through similar infrastructure undertakings will be replicated in the massive regional projects. The NCIP initiative continues to grow and more countries are coming on board. Monique Mukaruliza is the National Coordinator, Northern Corridor Integration Projects Dr. Richard Karugarama is an Investment/International Law Lawyer and a commentator on national and regional issues.

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Bold leadership: The gateway to successful regional integration