President Kagame criticized the notion that partnership means issuing instructions from one side and mere implementation from the other, saying that such approaches have never yielded the progress Africa seeks.

“For some, partnership means giving directives and setting rules. For others, it means compliance. Africa’s experience has shown that such arrangements do not lead to the development we desire,” he said.

Africa Needs Partnerships That Serve Mutual Interests

The President stressed that Africa is not seeking partnerships that undermine its sovereignty but rather collaboration that advances shared growth especially in infrastructure, technology, and industrialization.

He highlighted Africa’s vast potential, including its youthful population, growing markets, and abundant natural resources, as a foundation for equitable cooperation.

“If you want to work with Africa, genuine and sustainable partnership must be grounded in equality sharing both the risks and the benefits,” Kagame said.

A Concrete Example: The BioNTech Vaccine Plant

President Kagame cited the BioNTech project in Kigali, launched in 2023 with support from the EU, as an example of tangible and mutually beneficial cooperation. The facility will enable Africa to manufacture its own vaccines and medicines, strengthening the continent’s capacity to respond to future pandemics.

He concluded by urging greater support for the private sector to ensure that Africa–EU collaboration delivers real and lasting impact, reaffirming Rwanda’s readiness to play its part.