Umushyikirano: 35% to live in cities by 2024, says PM Ngirente

Government will in the next seven years accelerate the development of secondary cities across the country to ensure 35 per cent of Rwandans are resident in cities by 2024 from the current 17.5 per cent. This was said Monday by Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente, during the National Dialogue Council, Umushyikirano at Kigali Convention Centre where he presented to the 2,000 delegates led by President Paul Kagame, the National Strategy from Transformation. The strategy starts this year through 2024. He said that the dialogue is an important platform to reflect on where the country has come from and chart the way forward, with everyone cognisant of their role in the journey of transformation. “This government agenda targets sustainable development and the transformation of our people in three main areas; economy, social and governance. Rwanda is committed to the development of the private sector and set up a knowledge-based economy,” said PM Ngirente. As part of the incentives to attract more people in cities, the government will continue scaling up industries other services countrywide, which will also held enlarge the country’s export based. Exports are projected to grow by 17 per cent each year in seven years to come. Premier Ngirente said that Rwanda looks at itself in the future as a financial service hub, which will therefore increase the investment in the country to create more jobs for Rwandans. During a panel discussion, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Affairs, Louise Mushikiwabo said that in the past, having access to the city of Kigali required more documents even for a Rwandan national, saying that this the kind of leadership that prevailed before the Genocide. She said that but with this programme, towns will grow faster with an easy flow of people within them, not only for nationals but also for foreigners. The government also emphasizes that in the next seven years, the youth will be put at the forefront to ensure that more are in meaningful employment in the next seven years. Furthermore, the government says it’s committed to bridge the skills gap in all sectors for the youth to be more prepared for the job market. The agricultural growth was also considered in the new strategy and Ngirente said that this will be aligned with strategies to safeguard the environment.

News

Umushyikirano: 35% to live in cities by 2024, says PM Ngirente