The government has signed a cooperation agreement with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).

The five-year country programme framework is expected to contribute to Rwanda’s development programmes like Vision 2020 and second Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS II).

It will mainly focus on five areas namely: Industrial policy and support to special economic zones, agro-value addition and food processing, human capital for industrialisation and economic transformation, environment management, as well as energy development for productive use.

The agreement was signed, yesterday, between Trade and Industry minister Francois Kanimba and Li Yong, director-general of UNIDO – who is on a two-day official visit to Rwanda.

Kanimba welcomed UNIDO’s cooperation, saying Rwanda’s institutions and industries, in particular, are ready to take advantage of this cooperation.

He added that this programme will help reduce unemployment through capacity building.

"Our education will focus on sciences and vocational training programmes so that people are skilled enough to work for industries,” he said.

"The programme will also increase competence of local industries through enhanced technology in their operations as well as the use of renewable energy, thus, attract foreign investment.”

Minister Kanimba revealed that a roundtable with donors will be organised to raise funds for the programme. 

Rwanda’s devt efforts lauded

Li lauded Rwanda’s efforts to develop and promised more cooperation.

"Rwanda is increasingly becoming a model in development, with this programme Rwanda will set another example in industrialisation,” he said.

"We are happy to work with Rwanda. It is a beautiful country with lots of achievements. My first trip to Rwanda will lead to another round of cooperation.”

During his visit, Li and his delegation are set to discuss the technical cooperation between Rwanda and UNIDO in the context of the adoption of the 2030 sustainable development agenda and specifically the 9th goal of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals which says "Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.”

Li is expected to meet with President Paul Kagame and other government officials, technical and financial partners, the private sector and the United Nations country team in Rwanda.

He will also tour the Kigali special economic zone and talk to operators in different industries.

UNIDO is the specialised United Nations agency that promotes Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID) for the poverty reduction, inclusive globalisation and environmental sustainability in developing countries and economies in transition.

The organisation’s programmatic focus is structured in three thematic priorities, poverty reduction; trade Capacity building; and energy and environment, which represent different aspects of ISID.

The signing ceremony brought together government and UN officials, and a delegation of UNIDO that consisted of Sichuan Wang, director of the Office of the Director-General of UNIDO; and Jean Bakole, UNIDO representative and director of the regional office in Ethiopia, among others.

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