Paul Kagame has urged African countries to strengthen cooperation with the private sector and rely more on internal solutions to boost development across the continent.

Kagame made the remarks on Thursday while speaking at the Africa CEO Forum 2026 currently underway in Kigali.

The Rwandan leader said Africa’s private sector has shown resilience and commitment despite obstacles that are sometimes caused by government institutions themselves.

“There are times when the private sector has to deal with problems created by governments. Without those challenges, both the private sector and Africa would be much more advanced today,” he said.

He stressed that governments and businesses must review their responsibilities and work more closely together to ensure that economic benefits reach citizens across the continent.

Kagame also highlighted Africa’s potential in a rapidly changing world, saying the continent must shift away from overreliance on foreign solutions and instead build on its own strengths and resources.

The Africa CEO Forum has gathered heads of state, business leaders, investors, and development partners for discussions focused on investment, innovation, and economic transformation in Africa.