A Night of Inspiration: Coach Gael Opens Up About Dreams, Choices and Failure

During the “Meet Me Tonight” segment, Gael, the founder of Kigali Universe, engaged young people in a candid conversation about ambition, career choices, and entrepreneurship.

He revealed that as a child, he dreamed of becoming the Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda  even imagining himself signing the country’s currency notes one day.

Gael emphasized that success is rooted in the daily choices people make. He advised the youth that there is no perfect time to start a personal business  only determination.

To illustrate, he highlighted well-known figures like:

Mark Zuckerberg, who founded Facebook at 12 and later expanded his empire to include Instagram under Meta;

And Colonel Harland Sanders, founder of KFC, who started the business at 66 before building a global franchise.

Gael shared his own failures without hesitation. He disclosed that he started three different businesses, all of which collapsed:

At 18, he tried reselling CDs  but came back home with losses;

In the U.S., he partnered with Kenny Mugarura in a poultry business of 2,000 chickens  which also failed;

He later ventured into agriculture  with no success.

Despite the setbacks, he described those failures as his greatest teachers: “I learn more from my losses than from my wins,” he said.

Gael added that he invested in the entertainment industry out of passion, but encouraged young people to pursue careers that align with their personal goals.

On Technology and AI: A Warning and an Opportunity

Gael highlighted the enormous opportunities that today’s generation has  especially technology and AI. “Anyone sitting here today has faster and better access to information than Bill Clinton had when he was President of the United States,” he said.

He warned that many young people use technology mainly for leisure, instead of growth: “It’s good to have fun, but it shouldn’t take all your time.”

He also touched on the sensitive issue of restructuring within his music and creative company, 1:55 AM, saying such decisions require caution and long-term thinking.

Riderman and Gisa Set Camp Kigali Ablaze

The evening blended learning with entertainment as Riderman and Gisa cy’Inganzo electrified the crowd.

Riderman performed some of his biggest hits, turning Camp Kigali into a dance floor as fans sang along.

Gisa cy’Inganzo captivated the audience with his signature poetic and soulful performances, bringing cultural richness and warmth to the show.

Though rapper Logan Joe was scheduled to perform, he did not take the stage after failing to appear on time when first called.

A Night of Lessons and Celebration

The event left many young people inspired by Gael’s honest reflections on failure and resilience, while others enjoyed an evening of music, culture, and laughter.