Rwanda, Inc.: How a Devastated Nation Became an Economic Model for the Developing World

by Crisafulli, Patricia; Redmond, Andrea

• ISBN13: 9780230340220
• ISBN10: 0230340229
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-11-13
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Summary

Seventeen years after the genocide that made Rwanda international news, the country has achieved a miraculous turnaround. This war-torn country has adopted the most promising African model for economic development, shepherded by its shrewd and decisive president, Paul Kagame. Here, Patricia Crisafulli & Andrea Redmond look at Kagame's leadership and the key elements of the so-called Rwanda Model, including self-determination and self-sufficiency, and how it can lift developing nations out of poverty without relying on Western aid. They also explore the role of the West in assisting Rwanda with one of its most important goals: to educate its young people with nine years of compulsory schooling, and then sending the best and brightest to U.S. colleges and universities, in the hopes that they will return to help their home country achieve its development goals. As so many nations stand on the brink of political and economic revolution, this is a timely and fascinating look at the implications of Rwanda's success for the rest of the continent.

Author Biography

Patricia Crisafulli is the author of several books including the New York Times bestseller, The House of Dimon, a leadership profile of JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon. A former business journalist for the Chicago bureau of Reuters America, Crisafulli's articles have appeared in The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, and other national newspapers. Crisafulli has been featured on national television and in radio broadcasts, as well as in several magazines and newspapers.

 

Andrea Redmond is an expert in leadership and governance, and is a well-regarded consultant who works with corporate boards, CEOs, Fortune 500 companies, and private investors. She sits on several boards of directors, including The Allstate Corporation, Children's Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University Hospital, and the Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center.

Redmond and Crisafulli are also co-authors of the book Comebacks: Powerful Lessons from Leaders Who Endured Setbacks and Recaptured Success on Their Terms, which won a Gold Medal, Success and Motivation, in the 2011 Axiom Business Book Awards.

 

The authors live in Chicago, Illinois.

Table of Contents

“In Rwanda, Inc., Crisafulli and Redmond recount the rise of an unyielding people and their chief executive, President Paul Kagame.  The Rwandans, rallying around their national pride, have built predictable systems that reward enterprise and hard work, and created an exceptional blueprint for other developing countries.”—President Bill Clinton

“Crisafulli and Redmond investigate the Rwandan renaissance, focusing on ‘Rwanda's CEO,’ Paul Kagame…a fascinating portrait of a nation and a president at a pivotal moment in history.”—Publishers Weekly

"An instructive snapshot of Rwanda today."--Kirkus Reviews

“Rwanda is the most amazing story in Africa - the fastest rate of poverty reduction ever achieved on the continent, despite huge handicaps of history and geography. Yet until now, these achievements have largely been missed by the outside world. This book will awaken you to Africa's most extraordinary phoenix.”--Paul Collier, author of The Bottom Billion

“Andrea Redmond and Patricia Crisafulli are known for their ability to connect with people, examine leadership skills and teach us through their compelling observations and insights.  As advocates for the future of Rwanda, they are now telling a story that we can all benefit from hearing.”--Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO, JPMorgan Chase

 

"Rwanda Inc. documents this beautiful country's ongoing transformation through the lens of leadership, capturing the resilience of the human spirit and the potential for any country-or company-to chart an ambitious new course with ingenuity, collaboration, pragmatism and passion."--Howard Schultz, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Starbucks

"In the 21st century, finding ways to transform poor countries may mean the difference between war and peace.  Any country that can provide a model for how to make poor societies prosperous will contribute decisively to global stability.  This book suggests Rwanda may be building that model.  Rwanda Inc. is the story of the most exciting development project underway in the world today."--Stephen Kinzer, author of A Thousand Hills

“Paul Kagame is one of my heroes and I believe should be recognized as a ‘Hero of the World’.  He has led Rwanda out of the most hellish nightmare one can imagine, into the daylight of national reconciliation and the formation of a democracy.  This is a story that can become a model for the entire African continent.”--James Sinegal, Co-Founder & Director, Costco

“Rwanda has achieved a remarkable turnaround, from the poster child of despair to symbol of progress, in less than 20 years.  The unique leadership attributes of Rwandan President Kagame and his drive for broad-based economic growth continue to move the country forward. Rwanda today is inclusive, focuses on reconciliation, empowers women, decentralizes government, and involves the community in rebuilding—for the benefit of all. This is why Marriott wants to do business in Rwanda.  Here, Crisafulli and Redmond tell this turnaround story brilliantly.”--Arne M. Sorenson, President & Chief Executive Officer, Marriott International, Inc. 

"By adopting an approach of 'trade not aid,' our company has developed a sustainable multi-million-dollar business relationship with Rwanda since 2005. Our beautiful, handmade Path to Peace baskets, sold in Macy's stores and on macys.com, help hundreds of widows of the genocide support themselves and their families. In Rwanda, Inc., Patricia Crisafulli and Andrea Redmond outline how President Kagame rebuilt the Rwandan nation in a manner that encouraged business collaboration and projects like Path to Peace at Macy's. In the process, what was a tragedy has become a story of inspiration and hope, with all of the women of Rwanda working side by side."--Terry J. Lundgren, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Macy's, Inc.