Rwanda has allocated over Rwf20.1 billion to various preparatory activities ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) due in Kigali next year.

Among priority areas the Heads of State and Government will consider during the 2020 CHOGM, include security, development challenges, climate change and the commitment to upholding the Commonwealth Charter, according to information from the organisation.

A big part of the funds will be spent on infrastructure development, including over Rwf10.87 billion for the expansion of the apron at Kigali International Airport as well as other airport-related infrastructure. Rwf3 billion will be used for roads in the City of Kigali.

Speaking during the budget consultation in May this year, Richard Sezibera, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said that preparations for the meeting are going well in terms of logistics.

"We have already reserved over 8,000 hotel rooms because the meeting will attract between 8,000 and 10,000 delegates.”

Jonathan Nzayikorera, Head of Fiscal Decentralisation Division at the Ministry of Finance and Economic planning, told The New Times that the country will profit from thousands of delegates expected for the meeting.

Speaking during the first official planning mission to Rwanda for the 2020 CHGOM, Katalaina Sapolu, Director of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Governance and Peace Directorate, said: "We were very encouraged by the infrastructure in Rwanda. The policy direction for the meeting will follow continuity for its mandate. The 2018 CHOGM was about working towards a common future and this trend will continue into the next CHOGM”.

Sapolu was briefing the Commonwealth Association’s annual general meeting last year, which sought to reflect on the outcomes of the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and set priorities for the 2020 edition. The meeting is held once every two years.

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