Jolly Mutesi, who was crowned Miss Rwanda in 2016, defended Rwanda’s plans to host Formula 1 against criticism that the country had more pressing development priorities, arguing that addressing existing challenges should not prevent it from pursuing future opportunities.
In a message shared on X on Wednesday, October 14, Mutesi questioned why Rwanda should be expected to resolve all its development challenges before pursuing ambitious projects that could strengthen its international standing.
“Must Rwanda wait until it has solved every problem before it is allowed to dream bigger? Why should Rwanda’s ambition be placed on trial?” she wrote.
Mutesi challenged those arguing that Rwanda should focus on more urgent priorities instead of hosting Formula 1, describing some of the criticism as jealousy disguised as concern for the country’s development.
She maintained that hosting a major international sporting event would not necessarily prevent Rwanda from continuing to invest in essential public services.
According to Mutesi, Rwanda faces multiple development priorities, like any other country, but these should not stop it from pursuing opportunities that could contribute to long-term economic growth.
“The two are not mutually exclusive,” she wrote, referring to the country’s Formula 1 ambitions and investments in sectors such as education and healthcare.
She argued that development required strategic decisions that balanced immediate needs with preparations for future opportunities.
Mutesi also questioned who should determine Rwanda’s development priorities, maintaining that such decisions should ultimately rest with the country and its citizens.
“Who decides what is urgent for Rwanda?” she asked.
Referring to President Paul Kagame’s leadership, Mutesi said Rwanda had consistently demonstrated that its geographical size should not limit its ambitions or influence on the international stage.
She pointed to Kagame’s repeated message that Rwanda’s size should not determine how far the country could pursue its aspirations, arguing that its international ambitions deserved recognition rather than criticism.
Her comments followed the announcement of Rwanda’s agreement to host the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, a development that has generated discussions about the relationship between major international sporting events and national development priorities.
Formula 1 organisers have presented the partnership as an opportunity to support tourism, attract investment, develop local skills and create business opportunities.
During the official announcement, President Kagame also highlighted the importance of connecting African countries with major international sporting competitions, describing such partnerships as opportunities to strengthen Africa’s participation in global industries.
He emphasised that Rwanda wanted to contribute actively to the development of international motorsport rather than simply participate in it.
Mutesi maintained that Rwanda’s ambitions should be considered within the wider context of Africa’s development, arguing that the return of Formula 1 to the continent through Rwanda should be a source of pride rather than division.
Her remarks reflected her position that pursuing international opportunities and addressing domestic development challenges could form part of the same long-term national development strategy.
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