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DFID Rwanda
British Embassy, Parcelle No. 1131, Boulevard de l'Umuganda, Kaciryu Sud, BP576, Kigali, Rwanda
Tel: 250 585280/1/2/3/4/5 | Fax: 250 585286
Map courtesy of the FCO
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Rwanda
Rwanda was deeply damaged by the genocide of 1994, which was a brutal attempt
to eliminate the country’s minority Tutsi population. Around 1,000,000 people were
killed (more than one in ten of the population), large numbers of people were displaced
and the administrative and physical infrastructure was destroyed.
However, Rwanda has made extraordinary progress since 1994. Economic growth
averaged over 10% per annum between 1994 and 2004, the second highest in
Africa, while GDP per capita growth, at 5.3%, was the third highest in
Africa over the same period. Poverty levels declined from around 70% in 1994 to
under 57% in 2006.
In 2003, a new constitution was adopted and national elections followed. The
Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) won the parliamentary elections and, following a
landslide victory in the presidential poll, Paul Kagame was inaugurated
President. The next parliamentary and presidential elections are to be held in
2008 and 2010 respectively. Rwanda’s Parliament currently has the highest representation of women MPs
in the world (48.8%).
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DFID in Rwanda
 The
UK’s development partnership with the Government of Rwanda focuses on poverty
reduction and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, as well as
the promotion of peace and stability in the Great Lakes region. Over the past
ten years, the UK has provided Rwanda with £380 million of
development assistance, which has helped to fund Rwanda’s remarkable recovery.
DFID is currently Rwanda’s main bilateral partner with an annual programme of
£46 million in 2006/07, two-thirds of which is provided as budget support
which we believe is the most effective way of funding the priorities set out in
the Government of Rwanda’s poverty reduction strategy.
In order to ensure that this funding has the best possible impact on the
poor, we also provide targeted support for capacity building, with a focus on
We have also provided substantial support in key areas including:
- education, helping to introduce fee-free primary education;
- land reform; and
- agriculture and rural livelihoods.
It is important to ensure that development assistance is effective, and we
have worked with the Government and other donors through the Development
Partners’ Coordination Group to ensure that all aid to Rwanda is better
harmonised and aligned with the Government’s priorities.
The development partnership between the governments of the UK and Rwanda is
underpinned by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). A new
Memorandum of Understanding (321
kb) was signed on 13 February 2006. This replaces the previous MoU originally
signed in 1999.
The MoU provides a framework for cooperation between the two governments.
Subject to Rwanda honouring its commitments, the UK will provide at least
£460 million in development assistance over the next ten years. The MoU sets
out shared commitments as well as the commitments each government has made to
the other. It provides a clear basis for discussion and dialogue, and for
assessing the progress of the development partnership. By providing predictable,
long-term assistance under the new MoU, the UK will help Rwanda to build on the
progress made so far.
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Rwanda and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
Since
2002, a Poverty Reduction Strategy focused on the Millennium Development Goals
has been under implementation, with spending on health and education increasing
year on year. Over one-third of the Government’s budget is now spent on health
and education. Access to education and health services is increasing rapidly.
Rwanda is well on the way to meeting the education MDG, with net primary
enrolment at 94%, and the ratio of boys to girls enrolled in primary schools at
100%. Infant and maternal mortality rates are improving too. The AIDS epidemic
is being contained, with a prevalence rate of 3% overall and prevalence falling
in urban areas.
In September 2007, the Government of Rwanda approved a new Poverty Reduction
Strategy known as the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS)
which will give increased emphasis to economic growth to ensure that development
can be sustained. There are four key objectives of the second PRSP:
- Speed up poverty reduction
- Increase economic growth
- Reduce population growth
- Tackle extreme poverty
We have now started the design of our Country Assistance Plan (CAP) that will
help the Government of Rwanda in implementing its new Poverty Reduction
Strategy. We are currently running a
public consultation on the new CAP and we are inviting comments from people
and organisations with an interest in Rwanda. Please send your comments to
RwandaCAP@dfid.gov.uk
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Links
Last updated: 6 May 2008
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Government of Rwanda
