Download Rwanda - Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University

ROTTERDAM SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
ERASMUS UNIVERSITY
FACTS & FIGURES RWANDA
By Jeanne d’Arc Busingye
Why are CSPs necessary?
After Rwanda gained independence in
1963, the internal divisions between
ethnic tribes that had been widening
over the colonial era burst into violent
conflicts, resulting in widespread
genocide and mass displacement
among the population until 1998. This
brought about a post-conflict situation
where most of the population was
suffering from lack of basic needs,
private investments were minimal and
public sector institutions were absent
or fragmented.
However, in the years that followed,
development was high in the agenda
and much was improved. Still,
challenges remain and need for cross
sector collaboration is recognized.
Rwanda’s economy is largely
dependent on agriculture, a sector that
employs 90% of the economically
active population of the country. This is
therefore a priority development sector
for the government together with
health and education. However, there
is much effort needed in what can be
considered support sectors, which
facilitate the development of
agriculture, health and education.
Firstly, the public institutions still lack
institutional capacity. Moreover,
communication, production and
transportation infrastructure is very
poor and hampers development
initiatives. Finally, energy is not only
unavailable for much of the population,
but it is also an under-developed sector
in the country.
How have CSPs emerged?
Cross-sector collaboration can thus be
a mechanism to address these critical
issues as they allow implementing
initiatives that are directed at youth
employment, social inclusion, postconflict development and private sector
empowerment. At the macro level the
Rwandan government has tried to
institutionalize collaboration with the
Rwandan Private Sector Federation
(PDF) for policy making, particularly in
the topic of employment.
Civil society, on the other hand, has
focused its active participation on the
implementation of both peacebuilding
projects directly after the conflict, as
well as basic needs provision efforts.
During the conflict, Christian churches
have been the most active
organisations from civil society,
promoting peace, education and
community participation amid popular
unrest. However, the aftermath of the
conflict saw the emergence of other
types of civil organisations and the
entrance of international NGOs into
Rwanda
GDP in mill USD:
7,542
Population:
11,776,522
Doing Business Index:
54
Corruption Perception Index: 53
Rwanda, such as SNV and AVEGAAGAHOZO.
What do CSPs look like? Realizing
the potential of cross sector
collaboration mechanisms, the
Rwandan government drafted a
development strategy VISION2020,
which entailed a consultative approach
with private partners, civil society and
bilateral donors. The initial steps in
this particular macro-strategy however,
have thus far focused on developing
capacity within the government for
facilitating private sector led growth
towards making Rwanda a middle
income country. In particular, it aims
at the creation of an enabling
environment not only for private
development (including SMEs) but also
empowering private companies to lead
the process of long-term sustainable
development.
So far, projects have primarily entailed
infrastructure improvements
The Parnerships Resource Centre
emphasizing ICT infrastructure that
supports education goals.
Infrastructure projects, such as the
currently in implementation EastAfrican Railway and International
Airport have been accomplished
through public-private partnerships. As
the government focuses main efforts in
this type of
infrastructure development
partnerships with the private sector,
Postal address
P.O. Box 1738
collaborative models with the civil
society have remained at individual
project initiatives that are facilitated by
NGOs, and which complement
government efforts in particular areas
of health services provision, water and
sanitation and community
development.
Visiting address
Burgemeester Oudlaan 50