Northern Province –The visiting Dutch State Secretary for European affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Dr. Ben Knapen, yesterday, commended projects funded under the Common Development Fund (CDF) in the Northern Province.

Knapen, concluded his two-day visit to Rwanda last evening. He toured schools, infrastructure projects and income generating activities funded by the CDF in the districts of Gicumbi, Burera and Rulindo.CDF aims at financing development projects at the local level.

"I am extremely happy to note that the CDF rural electrification programme has helped boost residents’ economic wellbeing in this area,” said Knapen.

Gicumbi Executive Secretary, Sinese Museveni, said the CDF is the District’s top development partner.

"CDF supports the District in terms of stemming poverty through Vision Umurenge Programme (VUP), infrastructure development and boosting income generating activities,” said Museveni. 

In a separate interview with The New Times, the CDF County Director, Leatitia Nkunda, said the Dutch government is a major donor to the CDF.

"The Dutch government supports Rwanda through CDF to finance energy rollout, decentralization and justice, among others,” said Nkunda.

The Dutch Minister was accompanied by Dutch Ambassador to Rwanda, Frans Makken, and was received by Northern Province Governor, Aime Bosenibamwe.

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