Rwanda Development Board, yesterday, announced that they are targeting to register 20,000 businesses, this year.

This is encouraging news because it is proof that there has been a steady increase in the number of businesses registering, prompting RDB to aim higher.

In the 2009 World Bank Doing Business Report, Rwanda was ranked 143 out of 183 countries. Just one year later, Rwanda moved up 76 places to number 67, consequently occupying the world’s top business reformer slot.

Among the reasons for this feat, is the removal of bottlenecks that tend to discourage the setting up of businesses, including the start up cost, which have been reduced from $600 to only $43. According to the RDB’s Chief Operations Officer, plans are under way to ensure that doing business is cheaper and easier.

Such initiatives will not only attract investors, but will also foster the development of the private sector, which is key to Rwanda’s realization of Vision 2020.

The pace at which a country progresses, largely depends on its people and their attitude towards work. Rwandans have shown that they have the will to move forward and with the dedicated leadership there is a lot more the country can achieve. 

RDB is doing its part by streamlining the required procedures, making the country the ideal investment destination. Rwandans should, therefore, take advantage of these opportunities and start up their own businesses.

Ends