NESG Delegation Meet President Kagame OF Rwanda

As part of its commitment  to provide opportunities for its membership to access new markets, create business linkages and expand their business horizons, the Nigeria Economic Summit Group( NESG) led 15 man  delegation on a  5 day business trip to the East – African country of Rwanda.

Led by the Chairman of the Group Mr. Foluso Philips and the Director General, Mr. Frank Nweke Jr. the 15-man delegation that went on the   five day visit comprised the leadership of companies operating in the Infrastructure, Finance, Commodities trading, Aviation, Media and ICT sectors.  In Kigali, the Rwandan capital, they were received by President Paul Kagame along with other top government officials.

During the meeting with President Kagame,  Mr.  Philips commended Rwanda’s remarkable progress in reconciling her citizens after the tragic genocide of 1994. He also praised he steady transformation of  the country’s  business environment into one of the most competitive economies in which to do business on the African continent.

On his part,  Mr Nweke said that Rwanda’s phenomenal progress was undoubtedly underpinned by President Kagame’s visionary leadership and the very young and dynamic team of bureaucrats who manage Rwanda’s public service.

In response President Kagame welcomed the NESG delegation warmly and restated  his joy at the very cordial and brotherly relations  that exist between Rwanda and Nigeria. He emphasized the need for African countries to recognize and exploit the significant opportunities which exist for intra African trade and commerce.

Pres Kagame and NESG Chairman Foluso Philips

He condemned the victim-mentality which had characterized the relationship between Africa and the West and emphasized that African countries and her peoples alone have the power to change the fortune of the continent. President Kagame encouraged the delegation to engage the Rwandan team and exploit the huge investment opportunities which abound in Rwanda’s Energy, Agriculture, Aviation, ICT, Railways and Education sectors.

While in Kigali, the delegation also met with the Ministers of Infrastructure, Trade and Industry, Education, the Governor of Rwanda’s Central Bank and the Managing Director of the Rwandan development Board. The Rwandan private sector federation, an organization similar to the NESG mobilized the private sector to meet with the delegation and provided quality perspectives on the business environment.

The delegation also made a very emotional visit and laid a wreath at the genocide memorial where the remains of the over one million Rwandans who perished during the 1994 conflict were buried.