Rwanda has made great progress since its devastating genocide nearly 15 years ago, Tony Blair said in Kigali, as he pledged to continue to work with the government on building a better future for all.

Mr Blair praised President Kagame for the stability Rwanda has achieved and for setting a clear vision for Rwanda's future, but said he would work with the government on building Rwanda's capacity to deliver the vision, "the question is how do we build the capability to make that happen, because the vision is one thing and to make it happen is another

He also pledged to see how to get the right levels of private sector investment and involvement so that people see the tremendous opportunities that are in Rwanda.

The pair have worked together, meeting since Tony Blair left office, to consider how he could help the President and the Rwandan Government increase their strategic capacity to deliver prosperity for Rwanda. Mr Blair's visit follows on from work a small team have been doing in Rwanda exploring what form this collaboration could best take.

Tony Blair, speaking to journalists with President Kagame, said: "I think the fascinating thing about Rwanda is that it's a country that has gone through a terrible and traumatic experience but has rebuilt itself.

"It stands now in situation where people want to take it to a new and higher level of development.

"I feel that this is just an exciting and interesting moment in which if there's anything I can do to help that process of development, it would be an honour and privilege to do.

"The vision is clear and good but it's doing it and doing it as we all know is the hard thing any help that I can give in that, is a privilege"

"In particular this is something that the President and I will work on, how to get the right levels of private sector investment and involvement so that people see the tremendous opportunities that are here. This is where we can work together."

Rwanda's President Paul Kagame hailed Blair's decision saying it would help his nation attain economic progress

"Tony brings a lot of experience, capabilities and the connections he has internationally-to fit very well into what we are trying to do and renders invaluable support to achieve results that we want," the President said.

The photograph shows Tony Blair at the Gisozi Genocide Memorial, courtesy of Tom Martin at Rock Solid