Rwanda is building on the strong progress already made in reducing poverty, by implementing a new social protection strategy that sets the foundation for a framework that is more inclusive, adequate, and adaptable.

The broader aim is eliminating poverty by 2030

Godfrey Kayigana, the Director General of Social Affairs and Community Development in the Ministry of Local Government, on October 10 presented a social protection sector strategic plan to be implemented from 2024 to 2029.

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The plan is also based on a government strategy under which over 900,000 households are targeted to be lifted out of poverty. There are seven things to be done to help needy households as part of the new social protection strategic plan&039;s implementation.

1. Empowering households to sustainably graduate out of poverty

According to the plan presented by Kayigana, empowering households to sustainably graduate out of poverty will involve coaching and financial training to support beneficiaries to learn on their own journey.

Households will gain assets and skills to diversify income and improve their resilience.

The government will strengthen social worker capacity and Government-CSO partnerships to avoid duplication and maximize investments.

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The empowerment also includes provision of employment for vulnerable youth, school dropouts, and teen mothers who will gain skills and capacity for better workforce participation.

2. Extending social security to all

Expanding the long-term saving (Ejo Heza) scheme is one of the interventions.

The dual-account system will be expanded to support informal workers’ short and long-term savings, supported by financial literacy and mobile partnerships.

There is also health insurance expansion which aims to increase coverage from 89% to 100% by 2029, ensuring universal access to essential health services. Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) and VUP will continue to expand coverage to tackle poverty.

3. Strengthening contribution of social protection to tackle malnutrition

In the next five years, the government has committed to early childhood development.

As such, ECD centres will deliver behaviour change communication to ensure proper nutrition during the first 1,000 days for children. Nutrition-Sensitive Support will benefit all eligible households, especially in the poorest districts.

4. All vulnerable groups to have access to high quality social care services

Social care providers will be trained in family care, mental health, and inclusive services for gender and disability.

Expanding community-based rehabilitation for delinquency, GBV, and child abuse will reduce institutional burdens while tailored reintegration packages will offer psychosocial support and follow-up care, coordinated across sectors.

5. Shock-responsive mechanisms for all vulnerable people at risk of being pushed into poverty because of shock

Climate-smart public works will include expanding climate-smart for mitigation and adaptation strategies to protect communities and livelihoods from environmental shocks.

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Shock-responsive cash transfers will help affected households recover without falling into deeper poverty in addition to strengthening early warning systems and disaster preparedness.

6. Using social registry system

The plan involves strengthening social protection systems to provide adequate benefits, while expanding coverage for poor and vulnerable people.

Improved targeting and a dynamic social registry will ensure support reaches the most vulnerable, including those impacted by shocks.

Benefits will be assessed and adjusted regularly to match recipients&039; needs and account for inflation. At present, 3.2 million households (99%) are registered for the Social Registry Information System. Government institutions and civil society organisations are actively targeting social program recipients from the system.

7. Increased finance, monitoring, and evaluation systems

Increased financing will be done by expanding partnerships with traditional and non-traditional donors.

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Modernising monitoring and evaluation systems as well as the launch of a Social Registry, monitoring and evaluation tools for graduation to track impact are part of the social protection strategic plan implementation in addition to comprehensive training programmes for local officials, service providers, and community-based committees.