The Chief Executive of the French Development Agency (AFD), Remy Rioux, was in Rwanda recently on a two-day visit for talks on key areas of cooperation between Rwanda and France.

During the visit, AFD and Smart Africa Secretariat signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at supporting digital transition to accelerate its sustainable development and other areas. Sunday Times’ Michel Nkurunziza held an exclusive interview with Rioux and asked him about the Agency’s projects in Rwanda.

Read excerpts below:

This is not the first time you are setting up shop in Rwanda... What role does AFD hope to play in Rwanda?

Absolutely! We have long been present in Rwanda. We supported the development of public infrastructures in the energy, water and agricultural sectors as early as in 1975. More recently, AFD Group has supported the Rwandan private sector – and, more specifically, small and medium-sized firms – through enhanced cooperation with banks.

I signed, just a few days ago, while in Rwanda, a financing agreement of $20 million with Bank of Kigali. Renewing our partnership with this long-time partner reflects our shared engagement to facilitate SMEs’ access to financing.

AFD is ready to move forward and further support the men and women who shape the vibrant business environment of Rwanda. In particular, we are aware of, and believe in small and medium-sized companies to foster economic growth across Africa as a whole.

This is why we have launched an initiative called "Choose Africa”, which will support no less than 10,000 companies by 2022 via SME-dedicated funding solutions, including credit lines for African banks and guarantees for a total amount of 2.5 billion euros.

Rwanda is one of the fastest growing nations in the ICT Sector. Is it a sector of interest to AFD?

Harnessing digital innovation has an exponential effect on crucial sectors for development – from education to governance and mobile banking. And Rwanda – just like Africa as a whole, where 270 million young Africans eager to seize digital opportunities – can become the country of "digital natives”.

Rwanda is already pursuing this. Numerous programs have been initiated by the Rwandan Government to address digital challenges while creating opportunities for sustainable development and inclusive growth.

AFD can only admire and support this promising trajectory, as AFD recognises the specificity of digital innovation, which allows the emergence of new solutions to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.

This is why AFD Group has extended its support to entrepreneurs of the digital ecosystem through a €65 million facility, with the "Digital Africa” innovation platform and the annual "AFD Digital Challenge”.

AFD is already collaborating with Rwandan stakeholders to promote sustainable digital solutions. For example, the City of Kigali has joined the ASTON network.

This three-year project financed by AFD is designed to accompany the digital transition of 12 African cities through technical assistance and peer-to-peer collaboration. Furthermore, as you might know, we have just signed an MoU with the Secretariat of "Smart Africa” based in Kigali.

This alliance will support the development of African Smart Cities by fostering regulations that are favorable to startups ecosystem and supporting cross-border broadband development, for example.

AFD has been in the region for 20 years with a focus in agriculture, biodiversity and water sectors. Do we expect the same in Rwanda?

Over the past decade, AFD invested €2 billion in the energy sector and €1 billion in water and sanitation in East Africa. We will certainly continue to support actors operating in these sectors, with a focus on regional cooperation, environmental challenges and enhanced dialogue with local communities.

For example, we assisted the Kenyan authorities in setting up a resource management system with the Kenya Wildlife Service and the local population. In the same vein, AFD supports agricultural activities resilient to climate change, including by developing sustainable, economically viable agro-pastoral systems that can meet food security challenges.

Also, we established a regional office in 2018 to support more sustainable, inclusive and job-creating dynamics across the region. The region already benefits from a great dynamic and is promoting the emergence of innovative start-ups within vibrant ecosystems.

Has AFD thought about the youth of Rwanda? Any plans for any collaboration?

I traveled with French President Emmanuel Macron to Ouagadougou in November 2017. He made it clear that the youth would be a priority. As aforementioned, emphasis can be put on supporting entrepreneurship and innovation, including by building on the AFD Digital Africa initiative.

But AFD is also ready to support other types of activities, which can have a fruitful impact on development, not only from an economic perspective but also in terms of social link and gender equality. For example, sport is at the crossroads of all Sustainable Development Goals – including access to education, health, and women’s empowerment.

This is why AFD launched in February a "sport and development” strategy, which is also in line with our commitment to ensure that 100% of our activities preserve or improve the social link. And we are already working very concretely with NBA Africa and FIFA! Similarly, AFD encourages cultural and creative industries – another area of development that is frequently overlooked despite its great potential.

In this regard, I know that the Government of Rwanda intends to expand the country’s exports to $150m through creative industries, for instance.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com