Rwanda National Day Special

President Paul Kagame (seventh from left) poses The incredible success story of Africa with members of Parliament after the swearing-in ERNEST RWAMUCYO average of 7.5% per year since 2007, mak- president has provided the inspiration, have been affected in different ways. We ceremony in Septem- AMBASSADOR OF RWANDA TO JAPAN ing it the second-fastest-growing economy leadership and vision that have drastically look forward to a fast recovery. in Africa, according to the World Bank’s transformed the country. Vision 2020, the I would also like to use this occasion to ber 2018. Rwanda has Rwanda achieved 2020 Doing Business report. It is also the president’s blueprint for Rwanda’s socio- wish Japan and the Japanese people a suc- the world’s highest independence on most improved nation for human develop- economic transformation, was rigorously cessful Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralym- ratio of female July 1, 1962. While ment in the world, according to the United pursued and much of it was realized. pic Games. political representa- independence Nations Human Development Index. Japan has been a key and reliable part- tion at 64%. asserted Rwanda as The country enjoys a stable macroeco- ner in Rwanda’s transformation. Japan This content was compiled in collabora- OFFICE OF THE a sovereign state, it nomic environment. Per capita income has has made significant contributions to tion with the embassy. The views expressed PRESIDENT didn’t usher in the nearly quadrupled, from $220 in 2000 to Rwanda’s development through economic here do not necessarily reflect those of the political, economic $787 in 2020. It has a stable currency and cooperation, technology transfers, techni- newspaper. and social liber- the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in Africa, cal assistance and capacity development. ties that Rwandans with a stable credit rating. Both Fitch and Through the Japan International Coop- deserved. The period proceeding indepen- S&P Global ratings have given Rwanda a eration Agency, Japan has supported pro- dence was marked by political upheaval, sovereign credit rating of B+ with a stable grams for infrastructure and agriculture discrimination and suffocation of political, outlook. development, water and sanitation, access economic and social liberties. This culmi- Rwanda has invested heavily in its popu- to electricity and regional integration. Japa- nated in the brutal genocide against the lation to improve its health, skills, wealth nese businesses have invested in Rwanda’s Congratulations Tutsi in 1994. and productivity. Access to education has agriculture, information and communica- to the People of Congratulations The meaningful liberation and rebirth been rolled out. Net enrollment for pri- tion technology and business and tech- the Republic of Rwanda of Rwanda came on July 4, 1994, when the mary school has expanded to cover 96% nology start-ups. I would like to take this to the People of Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA), under the of school-age children. The free education opportunity to encourage more Japanese on the Anniversary leadership of Paul Kagame, now president, program covers nine years of basic educa- companies and business leaders to invest of Their Independence captured Kigali, stopped the genocide and tion in the primary school cycle. The lit- in Rwanda, which offers numerous invest- the Republic of Rwanda set the country on a path to rebirth. The eracy rate has subsequently grown to over ment opportunities and incentives. and Anniversary genocide had claimed over 1 million lives in 70% of the population. Rwanda is an attractive tourist destina- of Their Liberation Day on the Anniversary of just 100 days. The infrastructure had been About 95 percent of the Rwandan people tion for Japanese travelers. It is home to the ravaged, the social fabric of Rwandan soci- are meanwhile covered by the country’s famous mountain gorillas and offers rich Their Independence ety destroyed and the nation reduced to a community health insurance plan, guaran- attractions in its wildlife, eco-tourism and failed state. teeing access to health care services for the enchanting flora and fauna. Japanese tour- and Anniversary of On this 27th anniversary of Rwanda’s majority of the population. This has led to ists will receive a visa upon arrival at any liberation, we salute the gallant men and a drastic decline in infant, child and mater- port of entry to Rwanda, and air connec- women of the RPA, many of whom made nal mortality, and a significant rise in life tivity to and from the country is available Their Liberation Day the ultimate sacrifice to save Rwanda and expectancy. via major transit hubs in the Mideast, Asia, the Rwandan people. Rwanda has undertaken massive reforms Africa, Europe and North America. After 27 years, Rwanda has a lot to cele- to build a vibrant and competitive mar- The theme for the 27th anniversary of brate. Like the proverbial phoenix, Rwanda ket economy. The country has zero toler- liberation is “Together We Prosper.” This has risen from its ashes. A country that ance for corruption. Rwanda has also been eloquently captures the spirit of the new was a failed state over two decades ago has consistently ranked one of most reformed Rwanda. A nation on the move and one that become a model for successful post-conflict countries and No. 2 in Africa for ease of is determined to carry all its citizens along Graduate School of Information Technology nation-building. In 2015, Gallup ranked doing business in the World Bank’s annual by ensuring equal opportunity, a merito- Kobe Institute of Computing Rwanda as the fifth-safest country in the Doing Business rankings and Global Com- cratic society and a stable future for all. Social Innovation by ICT and Yourself world to walk through at night. petitiveness Report for 2020. We are observing this liberation anni- The economy, which had ground to a Visionary leadership has been critical in versary at a time when the world has been KOBE, JAPAN https://www.kic.ac.jp/eng/ www.toyota-tsusho.com halt, has rebounded strongly. Rwanda’s steering Rwanda away from its tragic past ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our gross domestic product has grown by an to a stable and prospering country. The thoughts and prayers are with those who

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