Rwanda shares experience on aid effectiveness

Finance Minister John Rwangombwa is in Belgium to share Rwanda’s success story on aid effectiveness at the invitation of the European Commission. The European Union views Rwanda along with Ghana as the best performer and eminent partner in the utilisation of general budgetary support. Rwangombwa recounted how the government had managed to realise its set development results to improve people’s incomes and health at a caucus in the Belgian capital, Brussels, which is also the seat of the EU. The event is dubbed ‘Launching the Agenda for Change: Increasing the Impact of EU development policy and the future approach to budget support’. He arrived there on October 19, 2011. Under the new policy, the EU aims to focus on fewer countries and fewer sectors, and put greater emphasis on democracy, respect for human rights and good governance. The minister recently told Business Times that: “Rwanda is one of the few countries where donors do not dictate terms because we are in the driving seat.” “Our goal is not to appease donors but to improve citizens’ lives. African governments must have a clear programme, be open and accountable and be committed to implement the programmes. This way, they will bring about development and also impress the donors.” In his speech, Rwangombwa said that Rwanda had made progress in implementing its structure especially in areas like planning and accountability. According to the Minister, the major drivers of aid effectiveness comprise strong public financial management system, the fight against corruption and ownership of the country’s development programs. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently commended government’s commitment in continuing to pursue broad-based structural reforms, particularly in the areas of public financial management, tax administration, and financial sector reforms to boost competitiveness and growth. Ends

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Rwanda shares experience on aid effectiveness