The United Nations has committed $1.04 billion to support Rwanda’s development priorities over the next five years, under a new cooperation framework signed Monday with the Rwandan government.
The funding, covering the period from 2025 to 2029, is part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), aimed at advancing Rwanda’s socio-economic transformation and sustainable development goals.
Finance and Economic Planning Minister, Yusuf Murangwa signed the agreement on behalf of the government, while UN Resident Coordinator, Ozonnia Ojielo represented the United Nations during a signing ceremony in Kigali.
“This new framework symbolizes our strong partnership with the United Nations and Rwanda’s vision for an inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable future,” Murangwa said. “It reflects our shared values and a common goal of leaving no one behind.”
The five-year program is designed to promote inclusive economic growth, strengthen human capital, support transformative governance, advance gender equality, respond to climate change, and foster innovation. The funding will also back joint initiatives, civil society, and private sector-led projects.
Ojielo said the partnership comes at a significant moment, as the UN marks its 80th anniversary.
“This cooperation underscores our shared commitment to working together and supporting Rwanda’s transformative journey,” Ojielo said.
Development of the framework involved consultations with more than 50 public institutions, UN agencies, and development partners. Officials say the program will help tackle pressing global and regional challenges, including climate change, security threats, and economic constraints.
The new UNSDCF follows a similar agreement implemented from 2018 to 2024 and aligns with Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and Vision 2050. The NST2 outlines the country’s goal of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2035 and a high-income country by 2050.
Key focus areas of the plan include reducing the country’s trade deficit by promoting domestic industries, creating decent jobs, improving the quality of education and health services, tackling childhood stunting, and strengthening citizen engagement in governance.
Implementation will rely on good governance, innovation, data and technology, and capacity-building to drive long-term progress.
Rwanda’s Vision 2050 aims to deliver sustainable economic growth and equitable access to quality services for all citizens, positioning the country as a resilient and inclusive economy in the decades ahead.
