(eTN) – The just-concluded World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town, South Africa, saw Rwanda singled out by a leading World Bank executive for their tireless efforts on conservation and to promote tourism as an engine of sustainable economic growth.
When launching the “Africa Competitiveness Report 2011,” the presenter, the World Bankโs Chief Economist for the region, heaped praise on Rwandaโs achievements in bringing local communities on board when implementing conservation measures, creating jobs, percolating benefits to rural communities adjoining national parks and giving locals a stake in the industry.
A source from Cape Town repeated this correspondentโs own sentiments when saying: “Rwanda has risen like the Phoenix from the ashes of the genocide. No one thought it possible but good governance and a vision for the countryโs future have made it possible. I admire the discipline Rwanda shows in conservation and how it has banned plastic bags, for instance, to promote a cleaner environment. Their re-forestation ratio must be the best on the continent from what was said here in Cape Town and many other countries should emulate Rwandaโs example.”