This archive report was first published on 8 December 2019.
On December 8, 2019, the Kusi Ideas Festival began at the Intare Conference Arena in Kigali, Rwanda. The event, organized by Nation Media Group, aimed to spark a conversation about the future of the continent.
Key speakers at the festival included Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi, and African Union Infrastructure Envoy Raila Odinga. Nation Media Group Board Chairman Wilfred Kiboro emphasized the significance of Rwanda as a symbol of the possibilities that African societies can achieve, particularly those with less painful histories.
"We are celebrating 60 years as Nation Media Group, and we thought it would be good for the continent to have a conversation about its future," Dr. Kiboro said. "We thought of bringing together Africans to talk about what they would like the continent to be for the youth."
The festival focused on four key themes: Feeding Africa's Billions, Towards a Borderless Continent, Winning the Fight, and Human Security in Africa. African Union Infrastructure Envoy Raila Odinga emphasized the need for African governments to provide more opportunities for the youth to thrive.
"As leaders, we need to look at where we are headed and not dwell on the past. When we start this, it means we will be planning for the continent's future - its young people," Mr. Odinga said.
