President Paul Kagame, on Thursday, September 25, officially opened the third cohort of the Africa School of Governance (ASG) in Kigali, addressing 51 students from 14 African countries including Rwanda, Burundi, Cameroon, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, South Sudan, Gambia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.

During an interactive session, one student asked the Head of State what keeps him awake at night. Kagame replied that he constantly reflects on Rwanda’s challenges—such as poverty, security, and social unity—while also considering Africa’s broader struggles.

“The biggest concern for me as a leader is not just the problems themselves but when citizens fail to recognize their responsibility in solving them,” Kagame said. He stressed the importance of collective effort, explaining that national development requires every Rwandan to contribute solutions.

Kagame further noted that beyond local challenges, African leaders also face external pressures from powerful nations that attempt to dictate policies for their own interests.

Hailemariam Desalegn, former Ethiopian Prime Minister and co-founder of ASG, praised Kagame as a role model in governance, saying, “President Kagame is among the leaders I look up to for inspiration.”

Established in October 2023, the Africa School of Governance aims to nurture transformative leadership across the continent.