Rwanda’s achievements in sustainable and innovative tourism were celebrated at the 21st Akwaaba African Travel Market, held in Lagos from 14–16 September 2025. The annual event, one of Africa’s leading tourism platforms, brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the continent. 

During the awards session on Monday, September 15, President Paul Kagame was named Champion of Travel and Tourism in Africa, while the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) was recognized as one of the Best Tourism Marketing Agencies in Africa. Organizers described these distinctions as among the most prestigious of the Akwaaba platform. 

The award citation praised President Kagame for his “bold vision to make Rwanda the ‘Singapore of Africa’ in efficiency, order, and hospitality” and for creating a tourism model that blends nature conservation with economic growth. 
Similarly, RDB was commended for its “unwavering commitment to positioning Rwanda as a premier tourism destination,” citing strategic branding, impactful storytelling, and active participation in global tourism platforms that showcase Rwanda’s landscapes, cultural heritage, and hospitality.  

Accepting the awards on behalf of the Government of Rwanda, Ambassador Christophe Bazivamo stressed that the honors reflect more than accolades. “These awards reaffirm the visionary leadership of President Kagame, whose tireless efforts have made tourism a driver of resilience, sustainability, and inclusive growth,” he said. He emphasized that Rwanda’s success is rooted in leadership anchored in vision, courage, and accountability. 
He also linked Rwanda’s achievements in tourism to its broader national journey. Having risen from the devastation of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda has embraced resilience and unity, with tourism now a pillar of national renewal. “Tourism funds schools and clinics, empowers women’s cooperatives, and positions Rwanda on the global map, not as a country defined by tragedy, but as a country of possibility,” he noted.

Ambassador Bazivamo pointed to deliberate policies such as conservation-led and community-driven tourism, noting that 10% of all national park revenues are reinvested in surrounding communities. Coupled with eco-friendly measures that have made Kigali one of Africa’s cleanest capitals and a growing MICE sector, these initiatives have established Rwanda as a model of sustainable and inclusive tourism, enhancing both its domestic impact and international visibility.
He further underscored the continental dimension of Rwanda’s recognition. “This recognition is not only for Rwanda. It is for Africa. Imagine if we harmonized visa regimes, invested in intra-African air connectivity, and marketed ourselves as one brand: Africa, the Home of Humanity, the Cradle of Culture, the Future of Tourism,” he said, pointing to Nollywood and Afrobeat as examples of Africa’s global cultural influence. 

Akwaaba 2025 itself showcased the continent’s dynamism through exhibitions, cultural performances, and sessions on domestic tourism, aviation, women in tourism, and youth engagement, alongside country presentations. The platform served not only as a space for recognition but also as a forum for sharing best practices and forging partnerships across the African tourism sector. 

For Rwanda, the honors serve as both recognition and motivation. “These awards will inspire us to aim higher, to innovate more, and to ensure that tourism remains a force for good, not just for Rwanda, but for Africa as a whole,” Ambassador Bazivamo concluded. 

Looking ahead, Rwanda’s tourism sector remains firmly anchored in sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation, reflecting Africa’s shared journey of resilience and its promise to the world.