Beautiful rural landscape with agricultures terraces, Rwanda near Nyungwe National Park, Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa

Rwanda

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Rwanda aspires to reach Middle Income Country (MIC) status by 2035 and High-Income Country (HIC) status by 2050. This aspiration will be carried out through a series of seven-year National Strategies for Transformation (NST1), underpinned by detailed sectoral strategies that are aimed toward achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The NST1 came after the implementation of two, five-year Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategies—EDPRS (2008-12) and EDPRS-2 (2013-18), under which Rwanda experienced robust economic and social performances. Growth averaged 7.2 % over the decade to 2019 , while per capita growth domestic product (GDP) grew at 5% annually. The lockdown and social distancing measures, which were critical to control the COVID-19 pandemic, sharply curtailed economic activities in 2020. The government expects GDP to drop by 0.2% in 2020, compared to a projected expansion of 8% before the COVID-19 outbreak.

Rwanda’s public-sector led development model has shown limitations, as public debt has increased significantly in recent years. Rwanda’s growth model has relied heavily on large public investments (12.3% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019) leading to substantial fiscal deficits financed mainly through external borrowing. Consequently, the debt-to-GDP ratio rose to 56.7% in 2019 (from 19.4% in 2010). External financing through grants, concessional and non-concessional borrowing played an important role in financing public investments. Going forward, the private sector will play a bigger role in helping to ensure economic growth. Low domestic savings, skills, and the high cost of energy are some of the major constraints to private investment. Stronger dynamism in the private sector will help to sustain high investment rate and accelerate the growth. Promoting domestic savings is viewed as critical.  Inclusive growth also remains a critical challenge.

Source: World Bank, Rwanda Country Overview

Investment Opportunities
Describes the number of investment opportunities in the country.

13

Most Affected SDGs
Describes the three priority SDGs the investment opportunities address in the country.
Zero Hunger (SDG 2) Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8) No Poverty (SDG 1)
Priority Target Sectors
Describes the three priority sectors the investment opportunities address in the country, based on the SASB Sustainable Industry Classification System®️ (SICS®️) classification.

Food and Beverage, Infrastructure, Renewable Resources and Alternative Energy

Human Development Index
Developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Human Development Index is a summary measure for assessing a country’s long-term progress in three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living.

0.543

How is this information gathered?

SDG Investor Maps employ an 8-step methodology, combining data research and stakeholder consultations to identify Investment Opportunity Areas (IOAs) and potential business models with significant financial and impact potential.

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