RWANDA HAS OVERCOME
President Paul Kigame came into office in 2000 to meet a devastated Rwanda still suffering from the effects of the 1994 genocide. He was faced with the responsibility of rebuilding Rwanda after the terrible genocide. Twenty-five years later, the country has made giant strides as regards growth and development.
Basic social services are made available to all and sundry irrespective of one's ethnic affiliation, unlike what was applicable before the genocide. When Kigame was younger, he had to flee his home country for Uganda as a result of the genocide. He comes back years later with the need to put his country on the right track. Rwanda, to a great extent, has healed from the genocide and is an example to many African countries.
Kigame's government takes the issue of gender equality seriously. He not only preaches it but practices it. Women make up 50% of his cabinet, and 61.5% of parliamentarians are women too. Also, 50% of supreme court judges are women too. His cabinet is also youth-friendly as most of his appointments go to youths.
Rwanda was named the second-best place to do business in Africa; this is because her economy expanded by 8.6% in 2018. Local projects are financed through external borrowings, grants, and concessions. The government is not capable of singlehandedly sponsoring all projects, so it draws in foreign investors through public-private partnerships. Rwanda Development Board was set up in 2009 to oversee the country's business regulation. This board has been up and doing in matters concerning an investment in Rwanda (both foreign and local). Rwanda has created a business-friendly environment by diversifying its economy. A growing manufacturing sector now drives the country's economy alongside the dominant agricultural sector.
Although 39% of the population lives below the poverty line, living conditions in Rwanda has significantly improved. Healthcare is affordable and accessible to everyone, and the child mortality rate has reduced drastically.
Rwanda mapped out a vision 2020 that is tasked with ensuring good governance, accountability, efficiency, and transparency in government and private organizations. It has been named the third least corrupt county in Africa.
In 2018, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) registered over US$2 billion worth of investments. The government launched a made in Rwanda policy where it encourages citizens to purchase Rwanda made goods. This policy is aimed at reducing the trade deficit and support local manufacturing. The local workforce has grown exponentially in the past decade. For instance, the Rwanda clothing line that started with US$10,000 has grown to 20 times this value.
The Rwandan economy encourages the growth of entrepreneurs too. Entrepreneurs drive the economy because they pay taxes and help the government with employment. The ease of doing business is a big plus to entrepreneurs. Although entrepreneurs complain about the ease of accessing loans and grants, the business environment is still very encouraging. If access to soft loans and capital is easily accessible to entrepreneurs, they will fare better in the economy Rwanda is trying to build.
Rwanda has recovered significantly from the genocide compared to many African countries. Sooner than we think, they would be at the forefront of a healthy economy in sub-Saharan Africa.