The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) country representative is optimistic that more aid will reach Rwanda after his country’s recent promise of increased aid to Africa.

Japan’s prime minister promised to double Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the next five years.

"My feeling is that after such strong commitment by the Prime Minister, money flows from Japan will be increased in the near future so that we expand our activities in Rwanda,” said Murakami Hiroshi in an interview Friday.

However, he noted that because Japan recently cancelled Rwanda’s debt, the country is not yet eligible for further assistance.

"We are waiting for the World Bank and International Monetary Fund assessments after debt cancellation,” he said "this is normal, they send missions to evaluate economic status and measure capacity to return the money.”

Hiroshi noted that it depends on when a country’s debt servicing capacity improves but underscored that the final decision lies with the Japanese government.

"If the results show situation is getting better then Japan government will approve more loans,” adding "I hope that day comes very soon because we will then have more businesses between the two countries.”

Existing JICA projects

The JICA boss said that at the moment their focus is on human resource development and rural development.

JICA are technical and vocational education advisors to the Ministry of Education. They also set up Tumba College of Technology offering courses in IT, electronics and alternative energy. Japanese construction facilities and instructors in all the courses are provided.

"In Bugesera district, we conducted a development study and we have a team supporting income generating activities through quick projects plus support to the one-cow-one-household government initiative,” Hiroshi said.

JICA is helping provide water supply facilities in Eastern Province and Japanese teams are working closely with Rwandan counterparts help empower the community to maintain the facilities. Support in the transport sector has also been provided.

"A few years back, we supported Rwanda with over 100 buses,” said Hiroshi "In infrastructure, we have received a request from government of Rwanda for the reconstruction of the Rusumo Bridge.”

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