It is a great honor to meet and work with any head of state; particularly one as passionate and inspirational as Joyce Banda.  This recent article in The Guardian provides a good portrait of the new president, her country, and how she endeavors to use her experience thus far to lead Malawi further and higher than has seemed possible in recent years.

Why is it that resource rich countries across the continent often continue to languish in poverty and remain far behind development goals and promised milestones?  This is a question often asked and highly debated over the past 50 + years.  I would posit that stories like Rwanda, and potentially this early chapter in Malawi’s new start hold the answer. Leadership makes the difference.

People want justice.  They long for fair play and predictable, logical decision-making from leaders.  They want to rally behind someone who puts the interest of others ahead of their own.  They want a merit-based society and the opportunity to show the world that they are capable of defying the odds and developing a country rich in industry and services, displaying dynamic growth and worthy of investment in key sectors like financial services, agri-business, and tourism.

In speaking with many CEOs and other executives less than two weeks after her Excellency was sworn in, the pride and hope of the Malawian business community shined through.  Emerging from an increasingly unjust political environment which saw the exit of critical development partners, punitive business regulations and a crippled economy, they know the challenge is great and that tough decisions must be taken by new leadership to address the errors of the past. In the short term things may get worse before they get better.  Without a doubt, this is a defining time for the country, its people and in particular the new president who must put aside past wrongs to embrace the future and all its potential.  The leaders we met with had many thoughts, opinions and perspectives on what was needed to ensure success moving forward.

Despite being intended for the new president at this specific time in the country’s history, the recurring themes of their counsel represent simple truths for us all:

• Surround yourself with the right advisors
• Rebuild and maintain key relationships
• Take the hard decisions to correct mistakes of the past
• Always tell the truth

We are excited to see this story unfold and look forward to supporting Malawi’s growth short and long-term.

-          Greg

Read more about the forum by following the link.

Follow the link to learn more about the conference.

An insightful newspaper editorial recently pondered why the rest of the world is perplexed by Rwanda “as a little country with such big ambitions.” The author helps us understand why Rwanda has a self-determinism that outstrips what can rationally be achieved from its current resources. Grand vision inspires grand accomplishments; good leaders develop consensual policies for collective well-being; international best practices illuminate a path to progress locally; traditional values blend with (even guide) modern development theory. Hope fuels this cycle to reach seemingly impossible destinations, and as participants surprise themselves with what they have accomplished, hope is fueled to do more of the same. Without this key ingredient, there is insufficient vision, leadership, progress and development for such a cycle to gain momentum. With sufficient quantities of hope, however, the virtuous cycle races faster and faster. Rwanda has momentum. Rwanda is on a roll unlike any other country I know.

John Rwangombwa, Rwanda’s Minister of Finance & Economic Planning, recently published an article in the Wall Street Journal. In it, Mr. Rwangombwa states, “As Rwandans, we know a thing or two about the resiliency of hope. We have learned it can endure and thrive in the most difficult conditions imaginable.” In the article, he describes some of the impossible accomplishments Rwanda has achieved against the odds: Since 2006, the poverty rate has been reduced from 57% to 45%, child mortality rates have been reduced by 41%, mothers now give birth to an average of 4.5 children instead of 6.1 (particularly important in Africa’s most densely populated country), and the number of children attending secondary school has doubled. Such progress could make even a small country believe anything is possible.

Rwandans and foreigners are drawn to this amazing case study, not because of what the country has, but because of what the country hopes. Today’s resources need not get in the way of implementing tomorrow’s dreams. Every country would do well to do exploration for hope. I can honestly say I’d rather live and work in a place that has hope than in a country with any amount of oil or other resources.

Onward and upward,

- Carter

The President opened the retreat with an inspiring, hard-driving address. Read it on the Office of the President website by clicking here.

The company gives the generators and lights to small traders, allowing them to pay in installments with the money they make from the equipment. Villagers then pay a small fee to the traders to have the lights charged every week.

Read more about the innovative product and its story here.

Read the article by following the link.

Read the full article here.

Read the full article here.