Rwanda will continue shocking the world

Only a few commentators have managed to notice that the innovation within public service will definitely drive the growth prospects in this country to unprecedented levels. Rwanda seems to be having a new kind of ecosystem within its public service likely to make it an African economic showcase after the first quarter of the 21st century. I will briefly give my reasons. Innovations that are crafted in Rwanda are often purposeful. Where in East Africa do you have government business being conducted in true private sector style? It is only in Rwanda. When the reforms being conducted within government start registering dividends, as the economy is driven past the EDPRS period then the performance indicators will most likely amaze many. For instance, once the clamour for mergers of duplicative public institutions becomes concrete, then Rwanda is likely to reap substantially from such innovations. Institutions like Rwanda Development Board, the Rwanda Agricultural Board the Rwanda Education Board and many others that are now being restructured, will most definitely deliver more innovations within public service. I believe that I can rightly state that, within the EAC, Rwanda seems to be the only country where public service is restructured private sector style. This new way of public service is bound to fuel a revolution within the Rwandan private sector despite the fact that it, at the moment, has numerous challenges. Actually there is bound to be, by post EDPRS framework, an explosion of sorts within Rwandan private sector. This is naturally bound to have various ripple effects within the entire EAC. That is what a single digit drive in attaining, ‘Doing Business Report’ for 2011 will very likely bring forth to the Rwandan economy. When that will happen I think Rwanda will have earned the tag it is seeking as we speak at the moment. It is the aspiration of being called a regional hub. Thus, one can say that the new system that Rwanda is building within its public service will have a trickle down effect on the entire EAC. Another thing that I can say is that resilience combined with extreme prudence, in a way, is a very good attribute within the leadership of any country. The challenges that Rwanda has faced as it struggles to move past ‘the failed state’ tag, is actually one of its key strengths at the moment. That resilience and inner strength with an added value that prudence brings, is being used to drive the growth prospects that will shock the world. Such attributes offers some form of regeneration of sorts within Rwandan public service. That is why the focus is now squarely on achieving a single digit for the 2011 Doing Business Report. I think that the leadership will use such unique attributes, it to its advantage to shock the world by delivering on some of the promises it is making to its people. ojiwah@gmail.com