Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente has called on leaders and experts to reflect on the continent’s opportunities and recommit to unlocking its vast potential. Speaking, through video link from his office in Kigali, during the launch of the Foresight Africa Report 2025, on January 14, he emphasized the importance of utilising foresight to achieve the ambitious goals in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. ALSO READ: Digital technologies could unlock Africa's trade potential, says Ngirente Ngirente described the report as a vital platform for dialogue, delivering actionable insights on the continent’s top priorities. “Reflecting on our journey toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we recognize that there is more to be done to achieve our global ambitions. These goals are within our reach,” he said. “Africa is on a promising growth path, presenting new opportunities across various sectors. Our continent will soon be home to the youngest and most active labour force in the world, offering huge potential for economic development.” To unlock this potential, Ngirente underscored the need to prioritize human capital development, job creation, infrastructure development for transport and connectivity, agriculture modernization to ensure food security, and improvements in energy systems. He also emphasized the urgency of addressing “the pressing issue” of climate change proactively. Ngirente pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a testament to the continent’s collective strength. “Promoting the use of modern technologies in every sector is key. And we must continue to innovate and adapt to the changing global landscape to remain competitive,” he added. Lessons from Rwanda Sharing Rwanda’s experience, Ngirente outlined a few lessons learned over the past three decades, including the importance of visionary leadership, investing in human capital, and establishing strong accountability mechanisms, all which contributed to Rwanda’s current progress. He said that strong leadership is essential, with citizens at the core of economic transformation to ensure inclusive participation in development processes, and noted that Rwanda’s focus on education and skills development has empowered its citizens to drive inclusive growth and accountability mechanisms. Ngirente stressed that Africa is positioning itself as a pivotal player in the global arena. “Strengthening and enabling the private sector to support government initiatives is crucial to achieving our goals,” he said, adding that the Foresight Africa Report 2025 sets the stage for forward-thinking strategies. Ngirente urged stakeholders to reflect on Africa’s opportunities and recommit to unlocking its potential. “Let us seize this moment to drive sustainable development and enhance the well-being of our citizens,” he said. The Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings Global launched a special edition of its flagship report, “Foresight Africa: Top priorities for Africa 2025-2030,” focusing on Africa’s progress toward achieving the SDGs. Report takes stock of the achievements made, challenges faced, and identifies concrete actions that will accelerate Africa’s sustainable development progress. The annual report, organized by the Brookings Institution in collaboration with the Africa Growth Initiative, provides a comprehensive analysis of Africa’s opportunities and challenges. It highlights critical focus areas, including climate change, development finance, and technology, offering insights and recommendations to guide African governments and societies toward sustainable development. Its launch also featured a high-level lineup of experts to offer insights on unlocking the region’s economic potential, achieving the SDGs, empowering women and girls, the role of good governance and citizenship in service delivery, bolstering Africa’s relations with the world, and the diverse role of technology in approaching these important issues.
