Patrick Kamuyu on V2020

The Rwandan population is expected to double to around 16 million by 2020. Given that the major aspiration of Vision 2020 is to transform Rwanda’s economy into a middle income country (per capita income of about 900 USD per year, from 290 USD today), this will require an annual growth rate of at least 7%. This will not be achieved unless we transform from a subsistence agriculture economy to a knowledge-based society, with high levels of savings and private investment, thereby reducing the country’s dependence on external aid. In this regard, timely and efficient service delivery is key in a country such Rwanda that has her people as the main resource. In an exclusive interview with Richard Nkubito of the Sunday Times, The General Manager of Bourbon Coffee Shops, Mr Patrick KAMUYU expressed his views as regards the vision. Below are excerpts: Qn. Will you briefly introduce yourself to the Sunday Times’ readers sir? A: My names are Patrick KAMUYU. I’m Kenyan by nationality and I’m a seasonal hotelier, having been a lecturer and also worked with various hotels in Kenya and Tanzania. I’m currently the General Manager for Bourbon Coffee shops. We have three out lets; Union Trade Centre, MTN Center and Kigali International Airport – Kanombe. Qn. What’s your take on V 2020? A: We need uniformity in growth. The vision 2020 will help us to pull together towards economic liberation without creating major disparity in social status. Qn. How does Bourbon Coffee translate the vision in its day to day undertakings? A: We have set our vision, mission and made commitment to our customers, employees, suppliers and to the entire society. In our day to day undertakings, our work involves getting the farmer’s coffee from cooperatives and we create a gate-way for their products. Our operations are meant to promote the Rwandan coffee both within and abroad. We are the producers and we need to tell the rest of the world about our coffee. Recently, we sent one of our Barristers, Jean pierre NYAMABUMBA for international competitions in Atlanta-USA and he became the overall winner after emerging champion in the country and the region. Qn. Does the human resource understand the vision? A: The generation we have now is open to communication. They are thirsty and hungry for information and knowledge which is also accelerated by the Diasporas and this makes it easier to understand and achieve the vision. In the past, the youth had limited access to information which is not the case today. Qn. Any challenges so far? A: Yes, we have a number of challenges; First, we have laid down the skeleton of coffee shops in the USA, South Africa and in the Region. We have tough challenges of identifying the strategic points in these areas. Human resource development is yet another general challenge. Most importantly, we need to maintain our standards. We have been known by our esteemed customers for equitable services and we must maintain them; we can not afford to deliver any services. Qn. What is your message to the entire community as regards the vision? A: It is a question of ownership. All the citizens, all of us need to own the vision. Let it not be a one man’s vision. Ends