This unique programme will accompany young entrepreneurs through the process of developing a business idea, refining their business model, launching a start-up company, business expansion, and ultimately maturation of the enterprise.
During the entire journey from ideation to pre-incubation, incubation, and post-incubation, the programme will offer services to youth-led Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), including training and orientation, business planning, legal services, or connecting them with potential funders and mentors.
“This programme is yet another demonstration of how the EU supports Rwandan youth to acquire skills and create jobs. Innovative start-ups create new job opportunities and spur innovation within Rwanda’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. The EU-UNDP project demonstrates how the EU is spearheading initiatives to boost the growth of youth-led SMEs, with a strong emphasis on the inclusion of young women and persons with disabilities.
Our cooperation will focus on addressing the gaps and strengthening the synergies in the full cycle of SMEs development to provide comprehensive and effective support to young entrepreneurs launching their own companies,” said Myriam Ferran, the Deputy Director General at the European Commission, DG International Partnerships (DG INTPA).
Many young people’s businesses fail to take off because of post-incubation gaps, such as a lack of technical, management, and financial support for innovative start-ups. Through this programme, UNDP and the European Union are closing identified gaps, especially in the post-COVID19 period.
Ahunna Eziakonwa, the UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, said, “If harnessed for its full potential, Africa’s youth demography will be the cohort that broke the commodity curse; the cycles of poverty, climate change, socio-economic crisis; and inequality. Africa’s youth are already leading the fourth industrial revolution”.
The partnership launched ton Thursday 19th May 20222, will build and strengthen synergies with the YouthConnekt agenda and leverage complementarities with the national youth SMEs and start-up ecosystem, including the incubation hubs and the national business development initiatives.
The Minister of Youth and Culture Rosemary Mbabazi described the occasion as an essential opportunity to scale up the impact of youth-led enterprises, “As we embrace the 10th Anniversary of the YouthConnekt initiative, we are looking back to the past with much confidence of the socio-economic impact brought to our young people, together with our strategic partners such as UNDP. We are delighted to welcome the EU to the YouthConnekt family and looking forward for more impact, positioning youth-led enterprises as important contributors to the private sector development.”
{{Through this cooperation, UNDP and EU will support Rwanda to:}}
• Establish a support framework to accompany young entrepreneurs through the complete journey from the business idea to starting up and maturing an enterprise.
• Provide customized coaching, mentorship, and incubation services.
• Establish a unique investment model that accommodates the top entrepreneurs from various fields and distinct existing programmes implemented by other partners.
• Harness the gender dimensions by tailoring training, mentorship, and business development approach to the differing needs of young women and men.
• Promote Youth creativity to achieve the SDGs and Leave No One Behind by focusing on vulnerable youth populations (young women, youth from rural areas, refugees, etc.) and the youth from the creative industry (in partnership with Imbuto Foundation) and youth from TVET schools.
The present action will also cooperate with the Tony Elumelu programme and Norssken to deliver world-class mentorship. Qualified youth businesses will be offered a 1-year fellowship at the Norssken Foundation.
Burundian President, Evariste Ndayishimiye recently said that relations with Rwanda will be restored after sending individuals behind failed coup plot to overthrow former President Pierre Nkurunziza in 2015.
Premier Ngirente has told the media that discussions about the issue are ongoing.
“The issue is being discussed where negotiations have reached an advanced stage. I am not going to be specific on individuals to be exchanged but I would like to tell you that there is a room for negotiations about a particular issue when two governments are committed to do so,” he said.
Dr. Ngirente highlighted that the Government of Rwanda and Burundi have been sending emissaries and observed that a new page for bilateral relations is being turned.
“I cannot talk about it deeply as there are issues being sorted out. However, I want to assure you that our relations with Burundi are on the mend that borders will also be reopened in the near future. There is optimism. It is a decision taken by both countries to normalize relations,” he noted.
In March 2022, President Paul Kagame sent a message to his counterpart of Burundi, Evariste Ndayishimiye. The message on restoring relations was delivered by Rwanda’s Minister of Defence, Major General Albert Murasira at his palace in Gitega.
On 10th January 2022, President Paul Kagame also received a delegation led by Burundi’s Minister in charge of EAC Affairs, Youth, Culture and Sports, Amb. Ezéchiel Nibigira with a message from his counterpart Évariste Ndayishimiye.
At the time, Rwanda’s Presidency revealed that these leaders held discussions on strengthening bilateral relations.
The decline emanates from the impact of global economic crisis including hiked trade logistics occasioned by the increase in prices of petroleum products and the war in Ukraine.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently announced that Rwanda’s economy is projected to grow by 6.4% in this year.
As he officiated the launch of the second phase of the economic recovery fund with an injection of Rwf250 billion, Premier Ngirente said that Rwanda’s economy continues to grow.
“Regarding the national economy, it is apparent that economic recovery programs have yielded good results. In the year 2021, our economy grew by 10.9%, it is apparent that it is recovering gradually,” he said.
“In 2022, our economy is projected to grow by 6%. The growth is also expected in the years ahead,” added Dr. Ngirente.
The economic growth was registered in all sectors of the economy where the manufacturing sector grew by 13.4% while the service and agriculture sectors respectively grew by 12% and 6.4%.
Premier Ngirente mainly attributed the growth to collaboration in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery. As of today, 65% of the population has received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
These efforts helped to ease restrictions for different economic activities across the country.
The development was announced at the launch of the second phase of the Economic Recovery Fund officiated by Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente on Wednesday 18th May 2022 in a ceremony held at Kigali Serena Hotel.
The fund was created in June 2020 to mitigate effects of COVID-19 with initial Rwf100 billion to support sectors of the economy hit hard by COVID-19 pandemic.
The fund supported teachers, drivers, hotels and medium enterprises among others during lockdowns.
Beneficiaries of the fund launched in 2020 were given a three-year tenor.
Of these funds, Rwf42 billion was disbursed to 13 hotels across the country.
In public transport, the Government disbursed Rwf7.7 billion to 56 people to clear outstanding debts owed to banks and received additional support of Rwf11 billion.
The education sector also received Rwf13 billion funding distributed among 116 private schools including universities.
Among others, Rwf11 billion was disbursed to 156 companies from the private sector affected by COVID-19.
A total of 52,000 small and medium enterprises also benefitted from the fund with Rwf6 billion.
Speaking at the launch of the second phase, Prime Minister Ngirente highlighted that the first phase played a tremendous role in the recovery process of the country’s economy.
He underscored that the fund will draw special emphasis on supporting new investments or those seeking to expand existing businesses to remain relevant to the country’s economic recovery.
The Premier presented the status of the economy focusing on the current increase of commodity prices and also showing the measures taken by the Government of Rwanda to ensure that Rwandans do not continue to suffer from the burden of rising prices.
Among others, he noted that the prevailing inflation is a global concern and is related to various challenges including trade logistics, the war in Ukraine, and the on-going Covid-19 Pandemic.
Together with the confirmation of the death of Protais Mpiranya last Thursday, only four outstanding fugitives remain under the IRMCT’s jurisdiction. These Fulgence Kayishema, Charles Sikubwabo, Charles Ryandikayo and Aloys Ndimbati.
In response to the announcement on Wednesday 18th May 2022, Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz stated: “This result is yet another important step in my Office’s efforts to secure justice for the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda and complete our mandate. For the victims and survivors of Munyarugarama’s crimes in the Bugesera region, we hope this result brings some closure.”
Brammertz also expressed appreciation to national partners, including the authorities of Belgium and Rwanda, whose assistance meaningfully contributed to this investigation.
“With four fugitive cases closed in the last two years, my Office is now fully focused on accounting for the final four fugitives who remain at large. Our main priority now is Fulgence Kayishema, who we previously located in South Africa. This result further attests to the United Nations’ unwavering commitment to accountability for the most serious crimes,” he added.
Munyarugarama, a Lt Colonel in the Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR), was first indicted by the ICTR in 2002 for Genocide crimes he committed as the Commander of the Gako Military Camp in the Bugesera region, Kigali-rural Prefecture in 1994.
He was charged by the ICTR with a total of eight counts including genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, and crimes against humanity.
Munyarugarama was alleged to be responsible for mass killings, attacks, and sexual violence against Tutsi civilians at various locations in the Bugesera region, including the attacks on Tutsi who fled at the Ntarama and Nyamata Catholic Churches.
In June 1994, Munyarugarama and his family fled Rwanda for Zaire, and he soon joined ex-FAR military forces regrouping in that country to continue fighting the Rwandan Government even after the genocide.
His active involvement in the recruitment and training of ex-FAR forces was reflected by his appointment as the “Commissioner of Defence” of People in Action for the Liberation of Rwanda (PALIR), the predecessor of the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR).
Following a comprehensive and challenging investigation, the OTP was able to conclude that Munyarugarama died of natural causes on or about 28th February 2002 in Kankwala, in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where he was also buried.
The symposium is held under the theme: “Contemporary Security Challenges: The African Perspective”.
The symposium which kicked off on Wednesday 18th May 2022, brought together academicians, government officials and subject matter experts including Generals and Senior Military Officers to discuss contemporary security issues.
While officiating at the opening ceremony, the Minister of Defence Maj Gen Albert Murasira underlined that the African continent is facing complex challenges ranging from surge of violent extremism, climate change, food insecurity, cyber security, economic uncertainty among others.
He emphasised that no single country alone can address the highlighted challenges.
“The need to promote Inter – state, inter-agency collaboration and cooperation has become more urgent and important to respond to emerging threats,” Maj Gen Murasira said.
The ninth National Security Symposium has attracted over 200 participants including student officers of the Senior Command and Staff Course from Rwanda and allied countries namely Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
The symposium discussions will cover a variety of topics ranging from democracy, Climate Change, Science and Technology Development, Improving Agricultural Productivity for Food Security and Socio-Economic Transformation, Alternative Energy Sources to address Future Energy Demand, Role of the African Security Forces in National Development and Societal Transformation.
The financing agreement signed on Wednesday 18th May 2022, has been witnessed by Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana and the EU Commission Deputy Director-General, Myriam Ferran.
Minister Ndagijimana has revealed that part of the funds will be allocated for capacity building in the sectors of governance and justice.
In the education sector, the Minister disclosed that the funds will be utilized to build new early childhood development centers and increase the capacity of existing ones.
Part of the funds will also be allocated for environment preservation efforts by addressing the issue of slums and mitigate floods among residents dwelling in wetlands.
commenting on the development, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana noted: “EU support to key areas such as human capital development, green economy through agriculture transformation, private sector development as well as governance is a sign of strengthened collaboration, partnership and enhanced ownership to deliver transformational change we both desire.”
Myriam Ferran has said that the new partnership will be beneficial to Rwandans and meaningful to different initiatives meant to support national development.
She underscored that the EU has bold ambitions to support the development of African countries, particularly Rwanda as a country that has been efficiently utilizing received grants.
“The European Union has a long standing partnership with Rwanda and we are proud to be one of the key partners in the country’s path to sustainable development. With this strategy we renew the EU’s commitment to support pro-poor, sustainable and inclusive economic growth, by focusing on (i) skills development as a pre-requisite to attract investment and spur growth, (ii) a green deal for agricultural transformation and (iii) good governance and private sector development, including through developing the pharmaceutical sector as an emerging high political priority,” said the Deputy Director General of European Commission, Myriam Ferran reaffirmeing the good cooperation between Rwanda and the EU.
The bilateral grant amount will be further complemented by regional and thematic funding, as well as lending by the European Investment Bank.
The new cooperation strategy will be implemented under the new Global Europe financing instrument. Global Europe will increase the collective scale and impact of European partners in Rwanda. This development instrument brings a much stronger #TeamEurope approach, entailing a focus on partnerships with the European Investment Bank (EIB), EU Member States, their agencies and their development banks. The MIP outlines two ambitious Team Europe Initiatives on “Agricultural Transformation” and “Sustainable Rwandan cities fit for the Digital age”, which both have a strong participation of EU Member States and clear potential for transformative impact.
All of the proposed priorities are also fully in line with the European Union’s Global Gateway Strategy with interventions focusing on fighting climate change and protecting the environment, improving education and global health security, as well as boosting the competitiveness of the Rwandan economy.
To operationalize the priority sectors, each year, the European Commission adopts Annual Action Plans, defining specific programmes. In December 2021, EU adopted Annual Action Plan 2021 for Rwanda, including programmes on: Climate-smart and inclusive agriculture (€69M), including a budget support operation and support for agriculture value chains; Economic Governance and Business Environment (€20,5M), including inter alia support to entrepreneurship, mining and RFDA on vaccine manufacturing.
Programming for the 2022 Action Plan for a total amount of around €85 million is in full swing. EU support will focus on interventions supporting the education sector, including technical and vocational training, consolidating justice reform, accountability, and reconciliation efforts and thirdly, as well as upgrading informal settlements in Kigali
The road will connect two important national paved roads from northern part of the City of Kigali to Northern Province. It will start at the junction of Kigali-Gatuna in Gasabo District and will end in the junction of Kigali – Musanze Road in Rulindo District.
Once complete, the road will improve safety of road users including pedestrian and other non-motorized traffic; promote trade, increase mobility and reduce transport costs by facilitating regional mobility of both goods and people. It will also act as a diversion to reduce traffic congestion on the national road network especially to and from the Northern Province and DRC.
The financing agreement is concessional. It carries a 1.75% interest rate payment over 20 years including a grace period of 5 years. The entire project cost is estimated at US$ 41 million. The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) has committed a financing of US$ 18 million to this project while Government of Rwanda contribution is estimated at US$ 5 million which will mainly cater for payment of taxes and expropriation budget.
Speaking after the signing event on Tuesday 17th May 2022, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana said: “The rehabilitation of Nyacyonga-Mukoto road will support Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation through accelerating sustainable urbanization with a focus on improvement of rural and urban transportation services through the establishment of 14,100km of scheduled bus routes countrywide. We thank the OFID for the longstanding partnership in different priority areas of our economy.”
OPEC Fund Director-General Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said: “We are proud to have partnered with Rwanda for decades, promoting socio-economic development and support key sectors as infrastructure, agriculture and the financial sector. Our new loan will further contribute to Rwanda’s sustainable development agenda and its efforts to achieve its ambitious 2050 Vision, which sets a strategic direction to lead the country to the living standards of high income countries by 2050.”
The Government of Rwanda and OFID have over the years established development partnerships in various sectors including energy, transport, as well as water and sanitation to the estimate of US$ 165 million and support to private sector through lines of credit.
The Head of State was speaking at the Sustainable Energy for All Forum taking place in Kigali from 17th to 19th May 2022.
The Sustainable Energy for ALL (SEforALL) Forum was originally scheduled to take place from 6-8 May 2020, in Kigali, Rwanda. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was initially postponed until February 2021. It was subsequently postponed until 2022.
Focusing on the theme, ‘Building Speed, Reaching Scale, Closing the Gap,’ this Forum provides a global platform to mobilize resources, connect partners and showcase action to realize the promise of the sustainable energy revolution for everyone.
The event taking place in Africa for the first time brought together a diverse group of more than 2000 participants attending in a hybrid format. These include energy stakeholders to take stock of progress towards implementing SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and provides an opportunity to develop new partnerships, launch new financial instruments to close energy access gap, and connect with energy leaders from communities, cities, politics, business and finance.
Speaking at the event, President Kagame said that there are still gaps to be addressed despite registered progress towards universal clean energy.
“Over the past decade, significant progress has been achieved towards the seventh Sustainable Development Goal on affordable and clean energy for all. Nevertheless, the COVID-19 pandemic has reversed many of the gains,” he said.
“Today, in Africa, more than a half a billion people still do not have access to electricity. This energy crisis coincides with the threat of climate change to which our continent is especially vulnerable,” added Kagame.
To bridge the gap, the Head of State stressed the need to facilitate investment in sustainable energy.
“Switching to renewable energy is crucial. That is why creating an enabling environment to attract investment in sustainable energy is so important,” he noted.
President Kagame has highlighted that there needs to be increased financing to developing countries to support climate adaptation.
“By integrating sustainable energy in pandemic recovery plans, we can accelerate the transition to clean power. But the transition must be just and equitable,” he said.
“This means, it should align with Africa’s development priorities and aspirations to ensure no one is left behind. At the same time, there needs to be increased financing to developing countries to support climate adaptation in line with international agreements,” Kagame added.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) shows that developed countries account for around 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions which affects developing countries.
President Kagame has said that Africa should not carry the burden alone.
“Africa cannot carry the burden alone, especially given that its emissions did not create the climate emergency. However, Africa will be part of the solution,” he noted.
At least 800 million of the global population do not have access to electricity, majority of whom being from Africa.
Among others, 2.5 billion people mainly from Africa and Asia do not access clean cooking energy.
The UN Secretary General, António Guterres stressed the need to design special policies to deliver to the agenda 2030 to achieve universal access to electricity and take action on the climate change crisis.
The report shows that these gaps in agriculture-related projects impeded ambitions to create new jobs and uplift citizens from poverty.
It has been observed that some of projects overseen by Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) awarded contracts at an abnormal price higher than the prevailing market price which resulted into the wastage of public funds estimated at Rwf1.4 billion.
On 31st January 2020, the report indicates, Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Board signed a framework contract with a contractor for the supply and installation of irrigation infrastructure in different locations in Rwanda. This contract provided for hiring of excavation machine at a cost of Rwf 3,800,000 per day.
According to prevailing market prices, this price is unreasonably high because the standard price ranges between Rwf300, 000 and Rwdf500, 000 in Kigali City or between Rwf600, 000 and Rwf1.6 million outside Kigali.
Similar contract was awarded during the execution of four projects including Gashora and Mukunguli Mashlands, Rwabiharamba dam and Bwera dyke.
During the year ended 30th June 2021, the government earmarked Rwf14 billion under the agricultural input subsidy scheme. This brought the total investment in the scheme since July 2017 to Rwf 53,935,236,289.
The Government through the Crop Intensification Program (CIP) provides agriculture inputs (seeds and mineral fertilizers) to farmers through a subsidy scheme to help them transition from subsistence agriculture to intensified agriculture for farmers to sustain the country’s food security.
However, the report indicated that the scheme is facing challenges in its implementation, which impinge on its intended objective of increasing agricultural production. These include weaknesses noted in the use of smart Nkunganire system, a digitized supply chain management system used in the management of the national farmer’s subsidy program.
A review of the system revealed weaknesses including information on arable land not shown for each farmer in the system and fertilizers sold without using Smart Nkunganire System yet all agro-dealers are required to use Mobile Ordering Processing Application (MOPA) to order and sale seeds and fertilizers to the farmers.
Other issues include the delay to pay suppliers’ invoices for agricultural inputs (fertilizers and seeds).
The audit noted that fifteen (15) districts delayed to pay suppliers’ invoices of seeds and fertilizers amounting to Rwf5.1 billion. The delays were up to 736 days. As a result, this may delay the supply of seeds and fertilizers to farmers.
There is also an issue of agro-inputs sold to neighbouring countries and failure to reconcile seeds distributed to agro-dealers with seeds received by farmers among others.
{{Weaknesses in the implementation of the irrigation program}}
The report has shown that some irrigation projects are not sustainable due to failure to correct pointed out defects.
One of key strategic interventions of National Strategy for Transformation (NST1) is to increase the acreage of consolidated and irrigated land from 48,508 ha (2017) to 102,284 ha in 2024 and to promote agricultural mechanization.
In responding to this national aspiration, RAB has invested heavily in mechanization and construction of irrigation projects in various marshlands across the country.
During this year’s audit, it was noted that there are rampant defects in constructed irrigation projects reported in previous audit that had not been addressed to enable efficient functioning of the irrigation schemes.
The report indicated that the government is not realizing value for money from funds invested in their construction as the beneficiaries are not using them for the intended purpose.
{{Problems in milk collection centres}}
The government has invested Rwf12.9 billion in Milk Collection Centres (MCCs) project with an aim of building milk collection centres to collect raw milk, where processors can get a greater volume and quality milk. However, the audit of this project revealed that many milk collection centres operate below their installed production capacity.
It was observed that 90 out of the 132 MCCs constructed (68%) are operating below 50% of the installed capacity, 17 MCCs (13%) were operating between 50-75%.
The milk collection centres were operating below their installed production capacity mainly due to low supply of milk from farmers.
Among others, three MCCs namely Busoro in Nyanza district, Bumbogo in Gasabo district and Nyamiyaga in Kayonza district that were constructed at a cost of Rwf 216,504,403 were not operating at the time of the audit. Further, twenty-nine (29) milk coolers and thirteen (13) generators worth Rwf 201,539,323 and Rwf133,195,010 respectively were idle.
{{Post-Harvest and Agri-Business Support Project }}
The Government invested funds amounting to Rwf 37,238,834,673 in the implementation of Post-Harvest and Agri-Business Support Project (PASP) with the objective of addressing challenges of post-harvest losses in priority crops to increase rural incomes and create new investment and employment opportunities for vulnerable groups.
PASP started in March 2014 without needs assessment and baseline data on the level of post-harvest losses and capacity of existing post-harvest handling infrastructure per commodity value chain in each district. The project was implemented without information about the capacity gaps in terms of facilities to be closed by the implementation of the project.
The investment committee approved beneficiary’s business plans without assessing whether the plans were viable and ready to be implemented. In aggregate, forty-four (44) approved projects involving investments of Rwf 3,365,149,212 including grant amounting to Rwf 899,709,733 have failed and were abandoned by business promoters before starting operations.
Regarding idle buildings and machines procured with PASP grant funds, the audit identified one (1) fruits and vegetables collection centre, five (5) processing plants and maize milling machines worth Rwf 907,073,852, that were idle for a period of up to four (4) years.
The fruits and vegetables collection centre lacked cold rooms, a key equipment in storage of fresh vegetables and fruits. On the other hand, the processing plants and maize milling machines lacked three-phased electricity connections which contributed to the assets being idle as these were not included in the project design as indicated by business plans approved by Business Development Fund.
Among others, thirteen (13) projects that cost Rwf 3,323,078,903 which received PASP grants amounting to Rwf 1,302,929,347 were completed and not put to use due to incompatibility of machines and solar systems, and equipment not being in conformity with technical specifications. As a result, government is not realizing value for money.
The report established that BDF held undisbursed funds amounting to Rwf765,918,178 and it was also expected to recover funds amounting to Rwf 790,249,471 from beneficiaries whose grant contracts were cancelled as a result of unsuccessfully implementation of funded projects. However, there is no provision on how the remaining funds will be used after the project’s closure.
{{Glitches in Gako Beef Project}}
Gako Beef Project started in October 2014 with the aim to establish a sustainable cattle production system for development of quality meat, and marketing value chain in Rwanda. The Government invested Rwf 14.6 billion in constructing infrastructure including roads, water and electricity.
The audit of this project has however pointed out gaps including the lack of project design and clear strategic direction.
The report shows that RAB did not have a project profile documents detailing specific objectives of Gako Beef Project, key performance indicators, roles and responsibilities of involved stakeholders, project technical design, required resources and market strategies.
Else, it is reported that RAB did not have a clear multi –year action plan detailing what and how activities and the targets were to be implemented from 2014 up to 2020 when Gako Meat Company was registered to replace Gako beef project.
This hindered the implementation, coordination and monitoring of the project.
Agreement between Government and investors stated that investors should have a business plan indicating the established breeds of cattle, the allocated land to grow pastures, the minimum number of cattle to deliver to the abattoir, the minimum beef production and the type of feedlot that will be constructed.
However, the audit did not get the business plans from investors for analysis. As a result, investors were rearing types of breeds that were not included as agreed, and they did not establish the minimum number of cattle to deliver to the abattoir. Consequently, the report reveals, type breeds unfit for meat production are being sold by Gako Meat Company.
{{Gaps in Girinka Program}}
Girinka program was initiated to reduce poverty through dairy cattle farming, improve livelihoods through increased milk consumption and income generation, improve agricultural productivity through the use of manure as fertilizer, improve soil quality and reduce erosion through the planting of grasses and tree.
From January 2016 to June 2021, the Government invested Rwf18 billion in this program. However, the audit of this program indicated that contradicting criteria between Ubudehe categorization and Girinka Program resulted in providing cows to beneficiaries incapable of managing them.
According to the program design, the eligible beneficiaries to benefit from Girinka Program should be in category 1 or 2 of Ubudehe, have well-constructed cowshed and at least 0.25 to 0.75 hectares of land for plantation and grazing. Category 1 is described as extremely poor family and category 2 as poor family. In addition, category 1 beneficiaries are those that neither own a house nor land.
This led districts to provide cows to beneficiaries who are incapable of keeping them to yield the intended quantities of milk. As a result, 23 beneficiaries returned cows to Districts’ authorities (Burera and Bugesera). Besides, the report noted instances where cowsheds were not adequate to keep cows in good condition. Consequently, the Districts registered death of 1,570 cows in three (3) years due to poor maintenance.
At the start of the program in 2016, MINAGRI identified 1,037,111 poor families to be considered for the program with equivalent number of cows needed to accomplish the program objectives. A baseline survey was not conducted to establish the number and localities of eligible beneficiaries who need cows as required in the concept note.
The audit has established that RAB continues to inject funds into the program without updated information on the needs in each district. Up to the time of audit in October 2021, RAB had not established key performance indicators to measure the extent to which the program has met the target objectives, key achievements and areas that need improvement.
