President Paul Kagame has called on Africa to raise up on its own toward prosperity by leveraging its advantages, rather than depending on powers he says are primarily interested in exploiting the continent’s natural resources.

He made these remarks during a conversation with Jeune Afrique, held in front of several African leaders attending the Africa CEO Forum, which is taking place this week in Kigali.

This year’s forum has brought together a number of African heads of state, including Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Nigeria), Mohamed Ghazouani (Mauritania), Brice Oligui Nguema(Gabon), Mamadi Doumbouya(Guinea), Daniel Chapo (Mozambique), and Togo’s Council President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé.

The event, jointly organized by the Government of Rwanda, Jeune Afrique Media Group, and the International Finance Corporation, has also attracted Côte d’Ivoire’s Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé and Guinea’s Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah, alongside more than 2,800 business leaders from 90 countries.

President Kagame urged participants to fully harness Africa’s own resources instead of relying on external powers, arguing that such dependence often leads to exploitation rather than genuine partnership.

He emphasized that Africa possesses immense potential, including abundant renewable energy, critical minerals, and a large, youthful human capital capable of transforming the continent within a few years.

He says Africa is constantly portrayed as lacking everything, yet in reality it has almost everything. “In the area of green energy, this continent is home to 60% (of the world’s solar potential). If you look at critical minerals, the majority is found on the continent for making batteries and so on.”

Kagame noted that global powers are actively competing for these resources while Africa remains largely silent, resulting in significant losses of its own wealth. He added that the continent’s demographic strength is another major asset, with Africa expected to become home to the world’s largest middle-class population in the coming years.

“So, how can we have these resources and then…!” he said. “We are here wondering how to overcome challenges. We must come together and act. There is a lot we can do to raise Africa to the level where it should be, don’t mind about these powers who think that the own the world and heaven and everything else.”

The President further argued that current global economic disruptions should serve as a wake-up call for Africa, rather than being seen purely as a crisis.

Responding to a question about international sanctions reportedly imposed on Rwanda, Kagame said such measures would be better directed at those who exploit Africa’s resources the most .