EDITORIAL: AgDF strategy a positive step

The Agaciro Development Fund Corporate Trust (AgDF) will soon unveil a long-term investment framework with the help of investment experts. The decision comes three years after the Fund was launched with the aim of making the country self-reliant as far as funding development ventures is concerned. Initially, the Fund managers were reluctant to invest the money, saying it was too little to be exposed to large risks. However, with this new move to enlist services of an investment advisor, the future of the Fund looks bright. The Fund managers should ensure that as they engage the experts, priority should be investments which fall within the broader national development vision. The Fund’s investment objectives should be in line with the country’s development goals under the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy 2 (EDPRS2). Agaciro is a critical homegrown initiative which every Rwandan wants to be identified with. Its success will be a national pride and indeed the Fund managers should have this at the back of their mind. To ensure that Rwandans keep supporting this noble cause, the Fund should be invested in areas which are of national importance like health, water and electricity, among others. The sovereign fund, which stood at Rwf24.4 billion by December 2014, was a subject of debate last year, with many Rwandans arguing that the money so far raised be invested in projects like hospitals, housing and schools. But with the new Fund approach, which will be based on informed decisions and a feasibility study, the fund should be able to grow as it also keeps the momentum of sensitising Rwandans on the developments about the Fund and why it’s a national pride and a noble cause for every citizen and well wisher of Rwanda to associate with.

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EDITORIAL: AgDF strategy a positive step