Download CSPs in Rwanda

CSPs in 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.
RWANDA
GDP in mill
USD:
7,452
Population:
11,776,522
Doing
Business
Index:
54
Corruption
Perception
Index:
53
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,
post-conflict 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, such as SNV and AVEGA-AGAHOZO.
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 emphasizing ICT
infrastructure that supports education goals.
Infrastructure projects, such as the currently in
implementation East-African 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, 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.