Rwanda
The Belgian development cooperation supports Rwanda’s sustainable development agenda for the socioeconomic welfare of its people. The Belgo-Rwandan partnership 2019–2024 focuses on three main sectors in line with the priorities of the Rwandan government.
Health
Rwandan health care services have improved significantly, however, major challenges remain. For instance, in many rural areas the quality of and access to health care services are not optimal yet.
Belgium provides support to the construction and rehabilitation of health infrastructure and to capacity development of health institutions, in order to improve access to primary health care. A strong focus is put on reproductive and sexual health services, in line with Rwanda’s ambition to ensure access to quality health for all.
Belgium will be the first to implement support to reproductive and sexual health through Results-based Financing, linking incentives with agreed upon results.
Urbanisation
Rwanda’s urban population is expected to increase from 18.5% in 2015 to 41.,2% in 2050. This rapid urbanisation is a challenge which, if well managed, can offer opportunities for job creation and economic development.
Rubavu, Musanze and Rwamagana are emerging cities with a high economic potential due to tourism assets, fertile land and proximity to bigger cities like Kigali and Goma (DRC). We support these three cities to develop their local economy, and advise local authorities on urban planning for economic development.
We improve the infrastructure of market places and build roads connecting these commercial centers. In addition, Enabel works with the Government of Rwanda and local companies to address challenges of technology, standards and management experience. We also provide training to the construction sector.
Agriculture
As the backbone of Rwanda’s economy, agriculture and agribusiness are crucial for its growth and poverty reduction. The agricultural sector accounts for 39% of GDP and nearly three quarters of Rwanda’s employment.
But challenges such as low levels of productivity and inefficient farming practices need to be tackled in order to contribute to economic development and job creation. Jointly with the World Bank, the United Kingdom and Holland, Belgium supports the Rwandan Ministry of Agriculture to implement Rwanda’s Strategic Plan for the Transformation of Agriculture.
This aims to reform agriculture from a subsistence sector into a knowledge-based value-creating sector contributing to the national economy and ensuring food and nutrition security.
Public Finance Management
Enabel and its partners aspire to increase the effectiveness and sustainability of Public Financial Management systems at central and local government level. Good public finance management is also essential to achieve results in our other action areas of health, agriculture and urbanisation.
Related content
Enabel has been active in Rwanda since 1999 through partnerships and programmes with funding from Belgium and other commissioners. The current Belgian cooperation programme 2024-2029 of 95 million euros aims to contribute to Rwanda’s socio-economic development, with focus on healthcare, agriculture and urbanisation. It is complemented with a five-year Belgium-funded thematic portfolio on social protection worth 17.6 million euros. This highlights Belgium’s and Rwanda’s joint commitment to fostering significant, long-term growth and prosperity, to enhance the quality of life for all Rwandans.
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News & Events
18 December 2024
Internships at Enabel: a springboard for future career and life plans
Meet Patrick Rached, Sohaila Osman and Aunalia Magne Foungue, who have been interns at Enabel’s Health Unit over the past months.
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18 December 2024
Renewed partnership between Enabel and Port of Antwerp-Bruges International: stronger positioning in Africa
Enabel and Port of Antwerp-Bruges International announce the renewal of their strategic partnership for a period of five years, aimed at strengthening their joint commitment to Africa.
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13 December 2024
Evaluation of Enabel’s 2030 organisational strategy
In 2024, Enabel undertook a strategic evaluation of its 2030 Strategy to assess the strategy’s relevance and alignment with the evolving geopolitical context and partners’ needs.
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12 December 2024
Enabel’s crucial role in Belgium’s Comprehensive Approach
Enabel, a key partner of the federal State in international cooperation, plays an active role in the implementation of the Comprehensive Approach.
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12 December 2024
A New Gateway to Skills
Sub-Saharan Africa faces a significant skills mismatch. This Team Europe Initiative addresses this by focusing on opportunity-driven skills and vocational training.
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27 November 2024
Enabel welcomes second mandate of its CEO Jean Van Wetter
Last September, Enabel’s Board of Directors extended the mandate of CEO Jean Van Wetter for a term of six years.
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