The launch event, held on May 15 at the Kigali Serena Hotel on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum 2026, brought together senior government officials, United Nations leaders, chief executives, development partners, and sustainability advocates.

Speaking as the guest of honor, Rwanda’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Prudence Sebahizi, emphasized the critical role of the private sector in driving sustainable and inclusive economic transformation.

“Tonight is not simply the launch of a network. It is the beginning of a stronger movement for responsible business leadership in Rwanda a movement that demonstrates that economic growth and sustainability can go hand in hand,” Minister Sebahizi said.

He added that economic growth alone is not sufficient unless it is sustainable, inclusive, and responsible, stressing that the UN Global Compact framework provides businesses with an important platform to align with those values.

The Rwanda Network now joins the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, which includes more than 23,000 companies in over 160 countries and more than 65 country networks worldwide.

Established in 2000, the United Nations Global Compact encourages businesses to align their operations with ten universal principles on human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption while advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Officials said the launch reflects growing recognition that the private sector must play a central role in addressing development challenges, driving innovation, creating jobs, and building a resilient economy.

Opening the ceremony, the Acting United Nations Resident Coordinator in Rwanda, Fatmata Lovetta Sesay, said the launch demonstrates Rwanda’s increasing commitment to sustainable, inclusive, and principled business practices.

“Tonight marks a significant milestone for Rwanda’s private sector and for our collective efforts to advance sustainable development through responsible business leadership,” she said.

Sesay noted that since 2023, the United Nations in Rwanda, working closely with businesses and partners, has supported efforts to establish the country network and mobilize companies around sustainability and responsible corporate governance. Nearly 40 companies have already joined the movement.

The launch comes as Rwanda implements the second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), which seeks to accelerate industrialization, innovation, export growth, and job creation through stronger private sector leadership.

According to the Acting UN Resident Coordinator, Rwanda aims to sustain average economic growth of 9.3 percent by 2029 after recording 9.4 percent GDP growth in 2025, reinforcing its position among Africa’s fastest-growing economies.

She said Rwanda also plans to increase exports from approximately $3.5 billion to $7.3 billion by 2029, mobilize private investment equivalent to more than 21.5 percent of GDP, and create 1.25 million decent jobs within five years.

The Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chief Executive Officer of the United Nations Global Compact, Sanda Ojiambo, described Rwanda as one of Africa’s most promising centers for sustainable investment, innovation, and resilient growth.

“As one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies and a regional hub for innovation, technology, and finance, Rwanda is poised to drive resilient growth across the region,” Ojiambo said.

She praised Rwanda’s investments in digitalization, infrastructure, and homegrown solutions, saying they demonstrate how long-term investments can strengthen both communities and businesses.

She cited findings from a recent CEO study showing that 88 percent of CEOs believe the business case for sustainability is stronger today than it was five years ago, while 99 percent are planning to maintain or expand sustainability commitments despite global economic challenges.

Participating companies in Rwanda will gain access to global sustainability programmes, including climate and gender equality accelerators, sustainable supply chain initiatives, SDG innovation programmes, and training through the UN Global Compact Academy.

The newly launched Rwanda Network will also focus on local priorities through policy dialogue, partnerships, and capacity building aligned with Rwanda’s development ambitions.

The Network aims to grow to more than 100 participating companies across sectors, including large corporations, SMEs, youth-led enterprises, and women-led businesses.

Among the key focus areas identified are youth employment, entrepreneurship, climate action, gender equality, digitalization, responsible supply chains, and inclusive economic growth.

Throughout the launch ceremony, speakers emphasized that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals will require stronger collaboration between governments, businesses, development partners, civil society, and international institutions.

“In a world marked by uncertainty and complex challenges, governments alone cannot achieve the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Acting UN Resident Coordinator Fatmata Lovetta Sesay. “The private sector must play a central role in driving solutions.”

Closing the event, Assistant Secretary-General Sanda Ojiambo called on businesses to view global challenges not only as risks, but also as opportunities to redesign economies and business models around resilience and sustainability.

“Business has a responsibility and an enormous opportunity to drive positive change in Rwanda and worldwide,” she said.