"It’s only through inclusive growth that the city dwellers can do their best, otherwise they become passive recipients or even a cause of risk to development."

"A recent study by the World Bank indicated that if urbanization is unplanned, we leave it to go the way it is, and we come to correct it, often it’s not less than nine times the cost financially of doing it proactively. And that’s even without the political and social complications of trying to reorganize a chaotically-settled urbanization process."

"In our quest to address the issue of urban poverty by giving aid, we have not adequately tapped in to the potential existing even in informal settlements."

"we chose to unite, reconcile and rebuild our nation with a common vision and strive to think big"

"the process of building a sustainable city can also be used as a tool to create employment"

"besides financing, there is the need for planning and the right technical expertise on the city level for sustainable urban development."

"The business trip is significant to the recovery of businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic."

"Urbanization is not an accident, it is not something that is falling on us, it is something that we can think of, plan, lead in the way we want, and get us where we want."

"My Mission in life has been maybe not so much to focus on myself as on the difference I make to the people I serve."

"We need to ensure that the process of engagement, will finally capture the key issues and guide the policy in a manner that captures the views of the people and provide values on research that will enable the urbanization to be implemented."

"For urbanization to be successful and transform the lives of people, it has to be accompanied by several factors, which include planning by local government authorities and the engagement of people."

"Often time people are marginalized in the process, and we are now seeing the process of development in the cities being characterized with slums due to lack of planning."

"Planning is about doing it with people, and cities can become sustainable with careful planning. The bigger the city, the more it becomes susceptible to problems. Another factor to consider also is the need to address land governance issues when planning for the development of a city."

"Ethiopia is one example where the housing projects in Addis Ababa have been used to create jobs."

"Time has not deemed the memory of our loved ones. It has instead given us more resolve to live up the values they cherished and aspired to achieve."

"For it is through your willingness to forgive and move on that enabled us all as Rwandans, to embrace unity and reconciliation."

"singlehandedly stopped the Genocide as the International community looked on."

"To this young men and women who sacrificed their lives to undertake an almost insurmountable task and against all odds stopped the Genocide and liberated the country some paying the ultimate price, we shall never forget you."

"To learn from, and not being defined by our Past."

"The role of local leadership in establishing all these principles cannot be over-emphasized."

"Provision of urban infrastructure must not be an exclusive preserve but more importantly it should be people-centered."

"Governments need to build infrastructure in intermediate towns and villages for sustainability since much of the continent’s population is still rural, much depending on agriculture."

"Africa can focus on trading in agriculture to transform the continent."

"Relations between Rwanda and Benin are already very good and we are inspired by the commitment and visionary leadership of our Presidents."

"With such conducive environment, the ball is in our court; public servants, diplomats, the private sector, media and civil society to work hand in hand as one and deliver the best results."

"We as Team Rwanda are ready to closely work with Team Benin as one, and together we shall deliver."

"“Please consider the High Commission as partners and not just diplomats so we can both learn from each other."

"Ghana and Rwanda share common development agenda and aspirations and we have to explore them to promote trade between two countries."

"The etablishment of a Rwandan High commission in Ghana demonstrates our commitment to promote trade between the two countries."

"The AfCFTA is doable. But we first have to address the bottlenecks and barriers to trade to promote trade on the African continent."

"It is about creating relationships and partnerships in the face of expanding intra-Africa tourism and trade."

"As a High Commission, which was established last year in the middle of this pandemic, we have been able to make these strides, not only by our effort, but largely by this spirit and teamwork, and I want to reassure you that we are here to stay and fully committed to continue serving and facilitating this cause unreservedly."

"Kigali is one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa and we are committed to ensuring future growth is based on very good planning."

"This will not be achieved unless we transform from a subsistence agriculture economy to a knowledge-based society."

"As beautiful and as sustainable."

"This report takes us in a new, exciting direction as its subtitle The Geography of African Investment makes clear. Instead of focusing on urban planning, this 2018 State of African cities report explores how Africa can plan to finance its development through attracting foreign direct investment (or FDI) to its cities and guides us through the complex subject of global investment in Africa."

"As we know, Africa is urbanizing at an extraordinary rate – with tens of thousands moving to cities every day. Half of the continent is expected to be living in cities by 2030 bringing the familiar challenges – unplanned urbanization, informal settlements, poverty, inequality, unemployment humanitarian crises, conflict."

"If I have a problem with a man I’m working with, I don’t say, ‘Oh, men.’ If I say that I’m lumping together the whole constituency of men. I try to identify the specific problem with that particular person and address him as one man, so that the others who maybe don’t share that problem will not be brought on board unnecessarily. Then the rest of the team will actually help us out of it. That builds trust."

"I’ve had situations where I had to choose between my pride and my country."

"In the case of that man, I need to make him comfortable, to let him realize it’s not about his manhood but about an issue. Often when there’s a dispute, it’s about the person feeling challenged by a woman. Or maybe how we’re discussing it. I may need to go a bit lower, so that he has space to come up. Then I must make sure that when he’s starting to come up, I don’t let others pull him back down. If I make it a specific issue and the rest get on board, we all come up."

"I always pray to God that I never, ever think I’m indispensable, because that will be the beginning of my failing. I’m part of a team. Sure, important, but not indispensable."

"So however tough that man might be, he’s actually working to make me better. I see a lot of opportunity in that. On the other hand, there are so many other men around me who are out to help me, whom I may not see if I’m defensive. Ultimately, it’s about my attitude."

"If we proactively plan and lead cities to get us where we want, [urbanization] will be probably the most affordable tool to get us there."

"That singular act is now etched in history and it is a permanent reminder of the bonds of friendship which frame our long-standing relations."

"We are here to serve and to make a difference in the lives of our people that our two governments are very much committed to."

"You can never give love when you have never been loved."

"But you can be assured that the seeds of love transcend everything that will be challenging."

"We have made a choice to be different, so that our environment is in the best interest of the public and will not be corrupted by personal interests, so that what we do will stand the test of time."

"I wake up every day and ask God to give me the wisdom to help me create an environment that helps his people so they can do their best."