Rwandans have been urged to actively participate in the effective implementation of the national budget and the monitoring of various projects as part of their civic duty.

This call to action was made during the unveiling of the Citizen Budget Guidebook for the fiscal year 2023/2024 by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning on September 6.

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The Citizen Budget Guidebook is a user-friendly publication available in three languages—Kinyarwanda, English, and French—designed to provide citizens with a straightforward explanation of how the government mobilizes and allocates resources for national priorities set during the planning and budgeting processes.

This resource offers a condensed overview of Rwanda's economic prospects, updates on tax policy reforms, insights into budget procedures, guidance on citizen participation, information on key investments driving economic growth and transformation, and the roles played by various stakeholders.

By disseminating this guidebook, the government aims to encourage active citizen involvement in both the planning and execution of selected projects, aligning with the principles of fiscal transparency and accountability.

Uzziel Ndagijimana, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, emphasized the importance of citizen engagement in the budgeting process, saying, "I commend Rwandans for their continued involvement in the planning and budgeting process, especially for the fiscal year 2023/24. I call upon all citizens to actively participate in the implementation and monitoring of budget-related programs and projects through various forums, as this greatly informs subsequent national planning and budgeting processes."

Safari Emmanuel, Executive Secretary of CLADHO, a local NGO dedicated to promoting human rights and aiding in the development of the guidebook, underscored the significance of citizen participation in the budgeting process, emphasizing that as end users, it is crucial for citizens to comprehend and take part in budget preparation and execution.

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In the fiscal year 2023/24, Rwanda is projected to allocate slightly over Rwf5 trillion, marking a 6 percent increase of Rwf265 billion compared to the revised budget of Rwf4.7 trillion in 2022/23.

The proposed budget is composed of Rwf2,956.1 billion in domestic revenue, constituting 63 percent of the total budget, external grants totaling Rwf652.1 billion, accounting for 13 percent of the entire budget, and external loans amounting to Rwf1,225.1 billion, representing 24 percent of the total budget.

The budget is further divided into recurrent expenditure, which amounts to Rwf2,902.3 billion, comprising 57.7 percent, and development expenditure, totaling Rwf2,127.7 billion, constituting 42.3 percent.

The Ministry of Finance notes that the allocation of resources to various sectors is guided by critical considerations aimed at enhancing NST1 delivery, implementing economic recovery plan interventions, and prioritizing ongoing projects.