Last year, after a business exploration tour of Rwanda, I wrote an article on the land of a thousand mountains (Rwanda) and how I was freaking impressed with the speed and ease of doing business, my experience at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), how I was gifted a bag of coffee and some assorted things for simply making inquiries (my first experience from any government agency anywhere in the world).
Today, I want to share with you all how my expectations were exceeded a few months after RiceAfrika Rwanda commenced business in Rwanda.
I came to Rwanda a week ago to attend the SPAC2024, which was organized by FARA/AU and the Rwanda Ministry of Agriculture.
After the conference, I decided to join the RiceAfrika Rwanda team at the Rwanda International Agric Show, which started on 31/7/2024 and will end on 9/8/2024.
After the opening ceremony a few days ago, we were told that the Rwanda Minister of State for Agriculture, Eric Rwigamba, may visit some exhibiting booths.
Within minutes, he arrived at our booth (No. 13), gave us his full attention, and spent over 30 minutes with us.
After his departure, one of his aides came back and informed me that the Minister would like to have a meeting with me and the rest of the team the next day, even though it was a public holiday. He summoned everyone related to the digitalization of the agricultural sector in Rwanda to his office.
We went prepared and had an extraordinary session for over four hours. And all this happened within 24 hours of our first meeting.
This is beyond amazing.
Mr Eric Rwigamba, the Rwandan Minister of State for Agriculture, is one of the most cerebral public servants I have met in Africa (and I have met many).
We were privileged to hear about the Rwandan government grand vision towards the digitalization of the agricultural sector, and I have to admit that it has quadrupled my love, respect and admiration for H.E. Paul Kagame.
H.E. Kagame’s vision for agriculture in Rwanda is simply unique.
Also, the humility, speed, and ease of communication between the Minister and his team were so admirable.
This validates that Rwanda is far ahead of many African countries.
Rwanda may be small in size but the vision of its leadership is BIG.
And like we all know, in this age it is not the big that eats the small but the fast that eats the slow.
Rwanda is FAST.
Rwanda is on the MOVE.
I am proud as an African for the level of development in Rwanda.
Murakoze Cyane Rwanda.
Ibrahim is the Founder/CEO of www.RiceAfrika.com
(A tech driven agriculture optimization service provider with operations in Nigeria,Tanzania and Rwanda)
