Paul Kagame has called for closer cooperation between African governments and the private sector to accelerate the continent’s economic transformation.

Speaking on Thursday at the Africa CEO Forum 2026 in Kigali, President Kagame said Africa’s private sector is already playing an important role in development but could achieve far more with stronger support and collaboration from governments.

“The private sector is doing its job well, but it would do even better if it worked more closely with governments because our interests are shared, especially considering what our continent needs,” Kagame said.

The Rwandan leader praised businesses for continuing to operate despite challenges sometimes created by public institutions, adding that Africa’s development could have advanced much faster under better conditions.

“If some of these obstacles did not exist, the private sector — and Africa itself — would be much further ahead than where we are today,” he added.

Kagame also urged African countries to rethink their approach to development by relying more on their own resources and capabilities instead of waiting for external solutions.

The two-day forum, hosted in Kigali, has brought together heads of state, investors, business executives, and development partners from across Africa to discuss investment and economic growth opportunities.