There is a silver lining to the Covid-19 crisis - Kagame

During the opening of the 8th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in Kigali, President Paul Kagame highlighted the silver lining in Africa's response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead of viewing it as a setback, he emphasized that the crisis can be leveraged to accelerate progress and introduce smarter ways to invest in human capital development. Kagame pointed out that while Africa has made significant strides in addressing economic and social challenges over the years, the pandemic has impeded the developmental gains and, in some instances, reversed the progress achieved. However, he asserted that amidst the challenges lies an opportunity for Africa to emerge greener and more resilient, with the sustainable development goals serving as a blueprint for the continent. The President outlined three key actions for consideration to propel Africa towards a brighter future. Firstly, he underscored the importance of building mutually beneficial partnerships to enhance Africa's capacity for manufacturing vaccines and pharmaceuticals. Secondly, Kagame called for a focus on domestic resource mobilization to finance the continent's development, particularly in bolstering national health systems. Noting the progress already made in domestic health financing, he urged for the momentum to be sustained. Lastly, to support Africa's transition towards green growth, Kagame advocated for the utilization of the African Continental Free Trade Area to drive the adoption of sustainable technologies and infrastructure. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals necessitates integrating them into national planning frameworks, requiring robust monitoring mechanisms and prompt adjustments in implementation to stay on track. President Kagame's vision for Africa amid the pandemic underscores the importance of resilience, innovation, and collaboration to navigate the challenges posed by Covid-19 and drive sustainable development across the continent. With a strategic approach and concerted efforts, Africa can emerge from this crisis stronger and more equipped to tackle future obstacles.