The event followed the conclusion of the Commonwealth Leaders and CEO Investment Summit, which brought together leaders and business executives to discuss ways of promoting investment and economic cooperation.
Information released by the Office of the President, Village Urugwiro, on the morning of November 3, 2026, confirmed that President Kagame attended the reception.
The event took place during President Kagame’s visit to Antigua and Barbuda for the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), running from November 1 to 4, 2026.
This year’s summit is being held under the theme, “Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth.”
On November 2, President Kagame addressed the investment summit, calling for a change in the perception that investing in developing countries carries greater risks than investing in wealthy nations.
“What needs to change, and what could make a significant difference, is the mindset. There has been a long-standing perception that when you invest in developing countries, the risks are greater than in developed countries,” he said.
He stressed that this perception should no longer be upheld, arguing that every investment carries risks, regardless of the country in which it is made.
“That is not true. Risks exist everywhere, in any investment you want to undertake,” he said.
President Kagame called on countries to strengthen public-private partnerships to ensure that viable projects can access the capital they need.
He also emphasised that regional economic integration could expand markets, allowing projects based in smaller countries to reach customers across borders.
During CHOGM 2026, the Commonwealth launched an investment platform featuring more than 60 projects from 20 countries, with a combined value of 30 billion dollars. The projects cover sectors including energy, transport, agriculture and manufacturing.
The Commonwealth is made up of 56 member states, including Rwanda, which joined the organisation in 2009. Rwanda hosted CHOGM in 2022, when President Kagame became Chairperson-in-Office, a position he held until October 2024.
