Rwanda and the European Union have inked a new agreement, committing €50 million, (equivalent to Rwf 64 billion) to scale up the country's Early Childhood Development (ECD).

The deal was signed on Thursday, October 26, on the sidelines of the Global Gateway Forum. This development occurred during a meeting between Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente and Jutta Urpilainen, the European Commissioner for International Partnerships.

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The agreement will be complemented by a concessional loan from the European Investment Bank to fund the construction of classrooms and other school infrastructure.

The Global Gateway Forum 2023 kicked off on October 25 in Brussels, Belgium.

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Ngirente said during a panel session on education and research that education and research are integral components of the Global Gateway strategy for a green and digital transition.

"It is important to invest in education, innovation, and research to address current global challenges and pave the way towards a sustainable, green, and digital future,” he said.

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Meanwhile, the Prime Minister shared the country’s programme to establish an African Biomanufacturing Institute and to address the shortage of skilled professionals in the bio-manufacturing industry on the Continent.

"In addressing the issue of the capacity building while we were establishing the vaccine plant, we also anticipated, and we are putting in place African Biomanufacturing Institute, which is going to be a training center for all Africans who want to be trained as professionals in that field,” he said.