The three-member regional grouping of the Economic Community of Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL) has immense economic potential that can be harnessed to improve the wellbeing of its citizens, participants at a policy dialogue said yesterday.

The meeting in Rubavu town drew academicians, civil society organisations, and political leaders from DR Congo, Burundi and Rwanda to discuss available opportunities for sustainable development in the region.

 The participants cited agriculture and energy among the areas for potential investment.

The two-day policy dialogue, being held under the theme: "Foreseeing CEPGL at 50: Exploring opportunities for Sustainable Development and Stability in the Great Lakes Region,” was organised by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) and a Belgian college, Université Saint-Louis-Brussels. 

Francine Nzosabimana, the head of the CEPGL agriculture and food security department, said despite the fact that over 80 per cent of the region’s population depends on agriculture for their livelihood, only 10 per cent of arable land in DR Congo is being exploited.

The meeting also noted that there is need for sustainable peace and security to enable joint development projects to be conducted.

Prof Anastase Shyaka, the CEO of the RGB, said: "The CEPGL is a region of vast opportunities and our people in our region need more than what is currently being availed.”

Political economist Charles Kayitana, a lecturer at University of Rwanda’s College of Business and Economics (former SFB), said there is need for a common political ideology to create sustainable development.

Thursday’s opening session focused on how the seemingly defunct bloc can be revitalised in light of the existing challenges. 

Herman Tuyaga, the CEPGL executive secretary, said the grouping plans investments worth Euros3.5 billion over the next seven years.

He said the money will mainly go into energy development, transport and agriculture.

 "For the CEPGL to be revitalised, peace and security will be key. Free movement of goods and people will also be important,” Tuyaga said.

With political instability that has affected the Great Lakes region for decades, the dialogue aims at enhancing regional cooperation.

The countries  are planning to upgrade hydro-power generation on River Rusizi which is shared by Rwanda and the DR Congo, with a potential of garnering up to 432MW.

Also under consideration are projects like the Banque de Développement des Etats des Grands Lacs; the Institute de Recherche Agronomique et Zootechnique (an agricultural research body) and the energy development arm of the bloc. 

Today, the meeting will among other things discuss the role of  Non-Governmental Organisations in promoting regional integration as well as how peace and security challenges can be addressed.