AS world leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly to renew global commitments to poverty reduction and sustainable development at the 2015 Sustainable Development Summit, Dr Lopes leads the special contributors as they analyse and share interesting, if not controversial insights on Africa’s current and future dispensation, touching on issues such as socio-economic inequality, smart protectionism and industrialisation. He says:

“There is a need for the pursuit of a strong and aggressive industrialisation agenda, supported by deeper regional integration and underpinned by an African leadership that provides clear vision and mobilises all sectors of society behind the development imperative.”

As the world embarks on a new set of development goals, Dr Lopes and his co-guests in this Special Edition, also highlight four megatrends that will impact the world – and favour Africa: the youth, urbanisation, the spread of ICTs and the management of climate change. Their views are further consolidated in an exclusive interview with Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, in which he not only discusses Africa, but also talks about the issue many want answers to – is he or is he not running for a third term? The interview reveals deep insights into one of Africa’s increasingly enigmatic leaders.

The President speaks at length on the issue of lifting the two-term rule in order to extend his term, and states categorically that the desire for a constitutional amendment is people-driven and not up to him in any way. He says: “The 3.7 million Rwandans who have signed the petition and the many others besides, are the ones who are saying, let’s change the constitution – after all, we wrote it in the first place. It is not me! Therefore, if, for them, they think they are going to change the constitution, that is their business. I respect the constitution, and will continue to respect the constitution made by the people”.

In this in-depth, broad-ranging interview, President Kagame also gives his views on ‘Western-style’ democracy, traditional conflict-resolution strategies and the African mindset. He talks openly and frankly about his anti-corruption stance, the rationale behind his gender-equality agenda and the role of women in his country’s socioeconomic development programme.