What hosting CHOGM means for Rwanda

During the Common Wealth Heads of State Meeting (CHOGM) that took place in London, in 2018, Rwanda was chosen as the host of the 26^th CHOGM which was supposed to take place in 2020. However, the meeting was postponed due to disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Two years later, the meeting is confirmed to take place from June 20 to 26. Lately, 40 Heads of State and Government have already confirmed they will attend.

Although Rwanda was not a British colony, and is the newest entrant in the Commonwealth, choosing the country to host CHOGM is first of all a show of confidence in Rwanda, its people and leadership.

The nation has the technical and logistic capacity to successfully host this high level meeting. Rwanda, a country that has gone through a dark history – the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi – has also gone through a miraculous recovery process because no one expected such a meeting to take place in Rwanda some few years ago.

Rwanda has come a long way. Rwandans are proud that their country did not become a failed state just as those who committed the genocide against the Tutsi, and their foreign backers, wanted it to be. Rwanda, instead, gained recognition and acceptance as an equal partner not only in the Commonwealth, but also in many other international fora. 

When the 54 CHOGM member states convene in Kigali, under the theme “Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming,” it will be a great opportunity for networking and experience sharing that will help to learn from each other and explore  what can be done together for a common future.

The pandemic has taught the world that there is need for cooperation between countries, rich or poor, in order to tackle global challenges like climate change, cyber-crime, terrorism and many others. Finding solutions for issues that affect global citizens such as unemployment, issues in education and healthcare will also be of concern.

Rwanda has its own story to tell. A story of the rapid socio-economic transformation in the last 28 years.

There is also a negative image of Rwanda usually hyped in Western capitals, of “lack of democracy, human rights, all committed by the Rwanda leader Paul Kagame.” This narrative is picked from Rwandan haters and amplified to enormous dimensions. Rwanda is as a country that suffered a  genocide, with enormous consequences. It is naïve to say that the country faces no challenges. In fact, its challenges are bigger than those of other countries that never experienced a similar history.

As is the case world over, there is no government that can satisfy all its citizens as well as appeal to all foreigners. There are external voices demonizing Rwanda for this and that.

Majority Rwandans are happy with what was achieved, and much happier with their leadership under President Kagame for spearheading Rwanda’s recovery and transformation. And they are optimistic about a better future with continued hard work and resilience. Rwandans did not allow their country to be a failed state. The same spirit has strengthened them not to be distracted by negative critics.

CHOGM therefore, will provide an opportunity for those who only heard about Rwanda to have a personal experience, and those who knew it, to experience the positive change since they last visited.

Rwanda, often referred to as the land of a thousand hills, has its capital city Kigali,  feted as the cleanest city in Africa. Rwanda is on an ambitious journey to catch up, to win the war against poverty, and to be self-reliant. Rwanda will share its experience on what has been achieved through employing un-conventional home grown solutions in its social,  political and economic transformation.

Local and international investors in the hospitality industry are tiding up their hotels and conference venues expecting to have a wide smile as they walk to the banks at the end of the meeting. Their task though is not easy as they are expected to offer their highest standards of service delivery to the guests so that their stay in Rwanda becomes memorable.

Since most hotels and conference venues remained closed during lockdowns due to Covid-19, it is estimated that the hospitality industry lost about Frw 3 billion in revenue.

Tourism is the largest source of foreign exchange earnings in Rwanda. The country has a plan under the Visit Rwanda brand to attract high end tourists. According to figures from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), tourism revenues increased by 25 per cent from $131 million in 2020 to $164 million in 2021. Although the tourism sector experienced some positive trend, the challenges due to Covid-19 led to the loss of $10 million in revenue in March and April 2020, according to Rwanda’s finance minister Uzziel Ndagijimana. CHOGM will present a windfall of more than 5,000 guests, who are likely to visit different touristic sceneries. These guests will have an opportunity to experience the rich culture of Rwanda, through cultural shows and exhibitions.

Most importantly, the long-awaited meeting will be an important occasion to come together to address the challenges caused by the pandemic and to build on innovative technological and economic opportunities to solve other key problems facing citizens.

To all CHOGM guests, murakaza neza (you are welcome) to the country of a thousand hills.