Speaking at the 2026 Africa CEO Forum in on Thursday 14, May 2026, Kagame argued that sanctions are often applied unfairly based on geopolitical interests rather than justice. 

The forum has drawn approximately 2,800 participants from more than 70 countries, including top business leaders and investors.

The forum features a significant gathering of continental leadership. Among Heads of State and Government who joined President Kagame were William Ruto (Kenya), Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Nigeria), Mohamed Ould Ghazouani (Mauritania), Daniel Chapo (Mozambique), Mamadi Doumbouya (Guinea), Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema (Gabon).

During an opening panel moderated by CNN’s Anchor and Correspondent Eleni Giokos, Kagame was asked how African leaders are navigating rising geopolitical tensions and “bullying” tactics by Western powers.

“Sanctions,... first of all, are they justified? It is not just in this case of Rwanda, but in other cases. Sometimes sanctions are just applied in a case of the one who provides less than the other,” Kagame said.

He further suggested that the application of such measures is frequently dictated by the economic interests of the powers imposing them.

“It goes in the favor of the highest bidder. When somebody knows they will extract more from a certain place, they will be more favorable to that place,” he added.

The President described the current sanctions regime as a broader system designed to keep the continent under pressure. While acknowledging the immediate negative impact of these measures, he emphasized the importance of maintaining sovereign policies.

“Sanctions or different measures are meant to hurt people...But I think it would hurt more by not doing what we are doing,” Kagame said.

He stressed that the solution lies in African nations working together to raise the continent to a level where it can effectively resist external pressure.