President Paul Kagame has urged Commonwealth countries to encourage investment in viable business projects, saying that once a project demonstrates its potential to make a profit, other obstacles become easier to address.
Kagame made the remarks during a high-level discussion at the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, on November 2.
“We must teach people that when any project, regardless of its size, is viable and shows that it can be profitable, the other problems that need to be solved become easier to address,” he said.
Kagame said investment projects need access to larger markets, cooperation between countries and stronger collaboration between governments and the private sector to grow and generate returns.
He argued that countries within the same region should integrate their markets so businesses can reach customers beyond their national borders rather than plan around the size of a single domestic market.
A larger market can give businesses more customers and greater scope to expand, improving their ability to compete, he said.
Kagame also stressed the importance of government policies and institutions that support investment and make it easier for businesses to operate.
“Policies and institutions that make this possible are needed, and this is the responsibility of every government,” he said.
He added that good governance, strong institutions and cooperation between the public and private sectors were necessary to support investment.
The discussion also featured Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Samoa’s Deputy Prime Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioʻo.
CHOGM 2026 is being held from November 1 to 4 under the theme “Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth.”
