Local governments have called on the central government support in attracting investment in local economic development projects.

"We call for further public and private partnership in order to promote ‘Local Economic Development’ (LED) investment. We are exploring untapped opportunities in districts across the country and some potentialities have already been identified. We want to implement LED strategy and this discussion intends to mitigate gaps affecting that implementation,” said Local Government minister Francis Kaboneka.

Kaboneka was speaking in Kigali, yesterday, at the first conference on Local Economic Development Investment, which was organised by Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA), under the theme, "Exploiting LED opportunities,”

The Governor of Northern Province, Aimé Bosenibamwe, said districts should be provided with more capacities to boost investment.

"Considering what they have done, districts are already motivated and ready to engage the private sector, but funds are insufficient to lay the ground for investors to operate. Let’s improve further access to finance systems and empower districts by putting in place adequate infrastructure,” he said.

Trade and Industry minister Francois Kanimba said concerted efforts are needed to spur local development investment.

"There is need for operational framework to ensure that central and local governments work closely to build modern infrastructure to provide a conducive environment for the private sector. Waiting for private sector to do everything in local development causes unnecessary delays in the implementation of many projects,” he said.

‘LED could reflect national devt’

The Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Stella Ford Mugabo, said LED investment is a a crucial topic that requires a thorough discussion to come up with an implementable strategy which engages all stakeholders.

"We should identify challenges and devise ways to mitigate them. This initiative will surely lead to a sustainable solution and we need to engage all actors on the ground. Promoting LED investment will reflect national development,” she said.

Rulindo mayor Justus Kangwagye said districts have identified opportunities for investment but lack of capital remains a challenge, adding that focusing on local investment would create more jobs.

Kangwagye’s Nyaruguru counterpart Francois Habitegeko said the available investment opportunities are not exploited, citing Kibeho religious site that lies idle because of lack of infrastructure despite its potential to attract tourists.

"We identified cross-border trade market as an opportunity for Nyaruguru residents but funds became an issue for the implementation of the project. With central government intervention, we shall be able to provide an enabling environment for the private sector to invest in development projects,” Habitegeko said.

The private sector has asked the government to provide evidence on investment opportunities in order to avoid losses and appealed for space in decision-making.

Yan Kwizera, the director of business development at RwandaOnline, said they are attracting local investment by facilitating investors to easily access government services including passport, driving permit and criminal record certificate among others.

"We are partnering with the government on public and private partnership in improving service delivery and promoting cashless economy by using ICTs,” he said.

Francis Gatare, the chief executive of Rwanda Development Board, commended the initiative of engaging all actors in LED investment, saying it is a government policy to promote local investment.

The conference also saw the awarding of the best five LED projects with focus on agro-processing, small production and handicrafts, and eco-tourism sectors.

Gisagara District emerged the best with the project on construction and extension of Rwanza Handicraft Centre, while Nyanza District’s project was first runner-up.

Rulindo, Rutsiro and Nyagatare districts emerged the second, third and fourth runners-up, respectively.

The best projects will receive Rwf500,000 funding from LODA and technical support for implementation.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw