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

Nearly two decades after Rwanda's horrific genocide, the country has been transformed. High rises are going up in the capital city of Kigali; a newly established stock exchange is attracting investors; and the economy is transitioning from subsistence agriculture to information and communication technology. In pursuit of the alchemy that made Rwanda such an unlikely success story, Patricia Crisafulli and Andrea Redmond interviewed Rwandan government officials, including current president Paul Kagame, as well as business leaders, foreign investors, NGOs, and everyday civilians. In Rwanda, Inc. they look at the key factors that allowed this tiny country to beat the odds—including Rwanda's efforts to encourage private sector development and foster entrepreneurship, and how Kagame's unique leadership approach led to gains in health, education, and food sustainability. They also explore what the future holds for this resilient nation, and the steps it's taking to develop the next generation of public servants. With so many eyes on Africa as nations rebuild in the wake of the Arab Spring, this is a timely and fascinating look at what other emerging democracies can learn from Rwanda's triumph.

Patricia Crisafulli is the author of the New York Times bestseller, The House of Dimon. She lives in Chicago, IL.Andrea Redmond is the co-author with Patricia Crisafulli of Comebacks , which won a Gold Medal in the 2011 Axiom Business Book Awards. She lives in Chicago, IL.