The just published Prosperity Index by the Legatum Institute has again highlighted Rwanda’s amazing and trailblazing journey to improve the livelihood of its people. It noted that the country had the highest “Prosperity Surplus” on the African continent and among the ten most prosperous. The most outstanding thing about it all is that it was able to deliver in nearly all areas despite being categorized among “low income” countries yet many so-called high income countries lagged at the bottom of the ladder. This report came close at the heels of another by the World Health Organisation that put Rwanda’s life expectancy at 66.1 years, the third highest in Africa, closely following Morocco and Senegal. In 1984, just ten years before the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, life expectancy, began its descent to reach 33 years in 1990, the worst ever recorded in Africa since four decades or so earlier. All these achievements did not just come out of thin air, nor was it a result of handouts; it was sheer hard work and determination. But most importantly, it was thinking outside the traditional development box that one template fits all. It sought its own solutions to its particular problems and now the results are there for all to see. It is not a coincidence that many foreign government delegations are regular features on study tours, especially in areas of governance and social protection. But they should be forewarned; to generate solid results needs dedication and resilience, without those two ingredients, it is a lost cause in advance. But all these accolades should not make people complacent, leaning back and enjoy the view. They should instead spur them to achieve more goals. There’s still a long way to travel.
