The National Strategy for Transformation (NST) is Rwanda’s roadmap of getting to Vision 2050. It is the means to a desired end. It is however important to note that any strategy may change depending on the dynamics at play and cannot be cast in stone. Implementing a strategy is invariably a creative and dynamic process which needs to be continually informed by new developments on the ground. The NST has therefore been divided into periods, the first being NST1 which covers a 7 year period from 2017 to 2024 after which it has to be recalibrated.

Underlying the NST1 is the implementation plan which will include Sector Strategic Plans/SSPs (Covering Specific areas e.g. health, education) and District Development Strategies (Integrating National/sectoral priorities with District/City of Kigali specificities).

Rwanda’s Vision 2050 aspires to take Rwanda to high living standards by the middle of the 21st century and high quality livelihoods. In order to achieve this, it will be important to focus on specific areas and these are the three pillars of NST1 which include: Economic Transformation, Social Transformation and Transformational Governance.

This week I want to deal with the Economic Transformation pillar and the necessity to empower district economies if we are to see real inclusive growth and development.

Any vision that is worth its salt, must naturally lead to positive social economic impact where as many citizens as possible experience better social conditions, better incomes and a better quality of life. Inclusive economic growth and development are therefore the key outcomes that are necessary in order to achieve the per capita targets and also decisively deal with poverty.

The overarching objective of the Economic Transformation pillar is therefore; "To accelerate inclusive economic growth and development founded on the private sector, knowledge and Rwanda’s natural resources.” It seeks to: