EDITORIAL: Vision 2050 is not a pipe dream, it is attainable

The main talking point of the just concluded National Umushyikirano Council was the unveiling of Vision 2050. The provision is that by then, the country will have transformed into a high income economy with a GDP in excess of US$ 12,000 per annum. While we are still four years shy of wrapping up Vision 2020, the prevision of becoming a middle income nation is still a priority. Improving the living standards and building a more resilient self sustaining country free of aid is the ultimate goal. Vision 2050 might seem quite an ambitious project, but as we have seen in the past, dreaming big and striving to achieve the dream has been this country’s strength. But it will mean digging dipper into our bag of will power, focus and dedication. It will mean sustaining the annual economic growth by 10 percent, nearly the current level. If we have managed to grow our economy five fold in the last 20 years, then growing our current GDP of US$ 750 to over US$ 1,200 in 2020, and ten times the amount in the following 30 years, it is an attainable goal. But as usual, it will mean going the extra mile of embracing new technologies, investing in education and research, but above all, not deviating from the roadmap. This is a serious challenge that can only be surmounted if everyone comes on board and fully participates. As President Kagame never fails to remind us, we have some catch up to do. We don’t have the luxury of lagging behind. We have to run where others simply walk to reach their destinations. It is time to put on our running shoes.

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EDITORIAL: Vision 2050 is not a pipe dream, it is attainable