Rwanda showed strong investment opportunities during the Africa CEO Forum 2025 held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The country is pushing hard to become a high-income nation by 2050, and it is focusing on several key sectors to attract investors. These sectors include manufacturing, financial services, tourism, mining, and agriculture.
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB), led by CEO Jean-Guy Afrika, revealed plans to boost Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from the current 15 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 25 percent. This goal is part of Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation, known as NST2, which aims to promote urban growth, build a skilled workforce, and grow the private sector.
Jean-Guy Afrika also spoke about the Kigali Innovation City, a 60-hectare technology hub designed to drive digital transformation in Rwanda. This project is expected to attract tech companies and create jobs, helping Rwanda to become a tech leader in Africa. Alongside this, the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC) is being developed to make Rwanda a regional centre for banking, insurance, and capital markets, encouraging more investments into the country’s financial sector.
President Paul Kagame, during his speech at the forum, called on African countries to focus on self-reliance and building their own strengths. He stressed that relying too much on foreign aid is not sustainable. According to him, African countries should work harder to develop their economies and attract investments from within the continent and beyond. Kagame’s message was clear: Africa must stand on its own feet to secure a better future.
The Africa CEO Forum highlighted Rwanda’s efforts to improve its business environment. The government has introduced policies that make it easier for investors to operate in the country. These policies, along with new infrastructure projects, are helping to position Rwanda as a top destination for both local and international investors.
The forum also showed that Rwanda is keen to attract more foreign investors to help create jobs and grow the economy. With a focus on innovation, finance, and infrastructure development, Rwanda hopes to increase its share of investments in Africa and beyond.
The Rwanda Development Board’s commitment to growth is part of a bigger plan to transform the country’s economy. By encouraging investments in diverse sectors, Rwanda is working to reduce its dependence on aid and raw exports. Instead, it wants to build industries that add value locally and create sustainable wealth for its people.
Many investors who attended the forum expressed interest in Rwanda’s promising future. The country’s stable political environment and business-friendly policies were seen as strong reasons to invest. Experts also noted that Rwanda’s focus on technology and financial services could set an example for other African nations.
As Rwanda continues to develop key projects like Kigali Innovation City and the Kigali International Financial Centre, it is expected to attract more businesses and investors. This will help the country achieve its vision of becoming a high-income economy by 2050.
