{"id":52050,"date":"2024-11-28T15:24:24","date_gmt":"2024-11-28T15:24:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/afdb-celebrates-60-years-of-development-partnership-with-rwanda\/"},"modified":"2024-11-28T15:28:29","modified_gmt":"2024-11-28T15:28:29","slug":"afdb-celebrates-60-years-of-development-partnership-with-rwanda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/afdb-celebrates-60-years-of-development-partnership-with-rwanda\/","title":{"rendered":"AfDB celebrates 60 years of development partnership with Rwanda"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The occasion brought together key figures from the government, development partners, and private sector to reflect on the enduring partnership that has contributed to Rwanda&#8217;s transformation.<\/p>\n<p>Yusuf Murangwa, Rwanda\u2019s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, delivered a keynote address that highlighted the pivotal role the AfDB has played in the country\u2019s socio-economic growth.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis moment offers us an opportunity to reflect on our impactful journey and reaffirm our shared visions for a brighter and more inclusive world,\u201d Murangwa said, hailing Rwanda\u2019s progress, calling the country \u201ca beacon of hope and a model for economic development.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He acknowledged President Kagame\u2019s transformative leadership and the pivotal role of the AfDB in supporting Rwanda\u2019s recovery and growth after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. <\/p>\n<p>The AfDB\u2019s partnership with Rwanda dates back to 1965, with agriculture being the initial area of focus. Over the years, the collaboration has expanded to cover various sectors, including energy, water, sanitation, and infrastructure.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-77778 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/pic_1-100.jpg\" alt=\"Yusuf Murangwa, Rwanda\u2019s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning hailed the partnership with AfDB during his keynote address.\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cThese achievements are a testament to the strength of our partnership and the unwavering commitment of everyone involved,\u201d Murangwa stated. <\/p>\n<p>Today, Rwanda\u2019s portfolio with the Bank stands at $2.21 billion, with 27 projects directly aligned with the country\u2019s National Strategies for Transformation (NST1 and NST2).<\/p>\n<p>One of the key areas of success highlighted at the event was the Bank\u2019s investment in Rwanda\u2019s energy sector. \u201cThese investments have been crucial in improving the standards of living and creating a foundation for sustainable economic growth,\u201d Murangwa stated.<\/p>\n<p>The country\u2019s electricity access has seen a remarkable increase from 16.8% in 2012 to 74.4% in 2023, with the goal of achieving universal access in the near future.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to infrastructure, the AfDB has supported Rwanda\u2019s efforts in human capital development. A notable example is the establishment of Carnegie Mellon University Africa (CMU Africa) in Kigali in 2018, which offers world-class master\u2019s programs in fields such as artificial intelligence and engineering.<\/p>\n<p>Aissa Toure Sarr, AfDB Country Manager for Rwanda, highlighted Rwanda\u2019s exceptional relationship with the African Development Bank, noting that it is the only country in Africa to fully utilize all the Bank\u2019s financial mechanisms.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-77782 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/pic_8-23.jpg\" alt=\"Aissa Toure Sarr, AfDB Country Manager for Rwanda, highlighted Rwanda\u2019s exceptional relationship with the AfDB\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cRwanda is the fifth largest customer of the AfDB on the continent. This underscores the country\u2019s strong partnership with us,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>Sarr discussed key challenges faced by the private sector, particularly the lack of adequate access to finance, technology, and capacity building, especially within the informal sector. She also addressed climate change issues, explaining that the Bank has established a fund to raise climate financing, which will help build more climate-resilient infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p>Moving forward, Sarr stressed the importance of private sector development for Rwanda\u2019s long-term growth, saying that the country&#8217;s future economic development will be driven by the private sector to achieve Rwanda\u2019s Vision 2050 and National Strategy for Transformation goals.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe must continue to build on this foundation, especially through private sector development, to secure Rwanda\u2019s future prosperity,\u201d she pointed out.<\/p>\n<p>The celebration also featured the story of Jackline Gatsinzi Mupenzi, a beneficiary of the AfDB\u2019s investments in education and skills development. Gatsinzi, who began her career in prosthetics and orthotics in 2014, shared her personal journey.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThanks to the AfDB\u2019s investment in CEBE, I was able to further my education and refine my skills,\u201d she said. Today, Gatsinzi advocates for the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities, using her expertise to drive change in her community.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-77777 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/pic_7-31.jpg\" alt=\"Jackline Gatsinzi Mupenzi is a beneficiary of the AfDB\u2019s investments in education and skills development\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>Gatsinzi\u2019s story is one of many that highlight the AfDB\u2019s impact on human capital development. Thousands of professionals, including students, healthcare workers, and faculty members, have benefited from AfDB-supported training programs, scholarships, and research opportunities.<\/p>\n<p>Notably, 40% of these beneficiaries are women, reflecting the Bank\u2019s commitment to gender equity and inclusive growth.<\/p>\n<p>The AfDB\u2019s role in Rwanda\u2019s development has been transformative, and with the shared vision for a sustainable future, the partnership is poised to continue its success.<\/p>\n<p>This 60th anniversary not only marked a celebration of the past but also set the stage for the future, with a continued commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development for Rwanda.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-77779 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/pic_2-89.jpg\" alt=\"The occasion brought together key figures from the government, development partners and the private sector.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-77776 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/pic_5-47.jpg\" alt=\"A cake was cut in celebration of the milestone of the 60 year partnership between Rwanda and AfDB.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-77780 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/pic_3-78.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-77781 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/pic_4-62.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-77775 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/pic_6-38.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-77787 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/pic_9-16.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The African Development Bank (AfDB) on Thursday November, 28 marked its 60th anniversary with a special event in Kigali, celebrating six decades of strategic collaboration with Rwanda.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":135,"featured_media":2000077774,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[75],"byline":[3135],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-52050","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-homenews","byline-sam-k-nkurunziza-2"],"bylines":[{"id":3135,"name":"Sam K Nkurunziza","slug":"sam-k-nkurunziza-2","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":null}],"contributors":[{"id":3135,"name":"Sam K Nkurunziza","slug":"sam-k-nkurunziza-2","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default 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