After three years of the COVID crisis, we now confront other formidable challenges. But as we have seen again and again in our history, we can find opportunities in every crisis, and move quickly to take advantage of them. There are stark realities facing Rwanda and the wider world. From war in Europe, to deepening big power rivalry in our part of the world, we all feel a palpable sense of danger — danger not just to the economy, but also to an open and stable global order. We will continue to be afflicted by these external headwinds. I know many Rwandans worry about the unexpected twists and turns that may lie ahead. They see interest rates, prices and bills going up, and impacting their livelihoods. This has resulted to inflation, with devastating consequences to Rwandan households. Besides increased cost of living, sustaining growth will be more challenging in this new environment. We will have to redouble our efforts to attract investments and capital, and to create good jobs and opportunities for Rwandans. We will have to intensify the pace of restructuring and transformation to stay ahead of the competition. All this will not be easy. But history has shown that Rwandans have what it takes — the grit and resolve to overcome tough challenges. The odds may appear stacked against us. But we can turn challenges into opportunity. With pride in our history, and strength from our unity, we can forge ahead with confidence. We must build on our strong foundations. But we must also have the courage to change where change is needed. Like majority of Rwandans, we are deeply invested in Rwanda’s future. Where is our country headed? What can we do now to secure the future we hope for, and how can each of us contribute? To address these questions, all Rwandans must embark on an exercise to review and refresh our social contract, and chart a roadmap for the future. A New Emphasis on Collective Responsibility It was our sense of collective responsibility that saw us through, first, the liberation struggle, and secondly, the COVID pandemic, and it is the same sense of collective responsibility that will carry us through our next bound. A social contract is not just about what Government will do for the people; it is also about what Rwandans will do for one another. So our refreshed social contract is not just about the Government doing more, and Rwandansdepending more on the Government. Rather, it is about the Government, businesses, youth, workers, the community, and civil society all doing their part for fellow Rwandans. It is about all of us coming together, to forge a society of opportunities and assurance for everyone. The idea of making a better Rwanda has always been, and always will be, a work-in-progress. It has been a relentless effort over the decades. We will never stop improving – not just for ourselves but also for future generations. This ethos of building for the future, rather than burdening or weighing down our descendants, is key to Rwanda’ssuccess. The sacrifice of the previous generation has enabled us to find our way through the different crisis faced over the years. We must do the same for those who come after us. So let us steward our resources well, so that our children and grandchildren will be well-endowed and well-prepared to tackle any challenge the future may bring – be it the climate crisis, the next pandemic, or the unknown unknowns which will come. Rwanda must therefore continue to sustain real income growth for most Rwandans and not a select few as we see in many parts of Africa. This is why economic growth is non-negotiable for us. Because, if we don’t grow the economic pie, there will be fewer jobs and less scope for social support. So please do not be mistaken. Any Rwandan Government must always be pro-growth and pro-inclusivity. Securing our economic competitiveness will become more, not less, important in the next phase of Rwanda. This is incumbent upon all of us: we must create good jobs and a good future for all Rwandans. It is therefore important to underline our social contract. At the core, it must be underpinned by the ethic of individual effort, and personal and family responsibility. We want Government actions to reinforce, not negate, individual and collective responsibility. We want Government actions to catalyse more involvement by other members of society – employers, youth, community groups, and non-governmental organisations. Then we can all chip in and do our part collectively, to tackle inequality, rekindle social mobility, and move forward together. In conclusion, our world has changed; so too must our way of doing things. Our refreshed social compact will be our compass for the road ahead. Renewing our social compact depends on all of us to realise. Though we will not see change overnight, we can each start to embrace the new social compact today. If we all do this, we can be assured that we, too, will benefit when others feel a deeper sense of responsibility towards us. We can then sustain a virtuous circle of uplift, progress, and confidence; and thus strengthen our solidarity and trust as a nation. The more we put into this new social compact, the more we will receive in return. And society, as a whole, Rwanda, will grow stronger and fairer; more just and more united. Faced with the stark realities of a troubled world, my message to Rwandans is simple: there is no challenge we cannot handle; no obstacle we cannot overcome. Rwanda can and must remain exceptional.
