Rwanda’s development journey has been defined by resilience, innovation, and forward-looking planning. As the country transitions from its first National Strategy for Transformation (NST1: 2017–2024) to the second phase (NST2: 2024–2029), the government has laid out an ambitious but achievable plan to transform lives, grow the economy, and strengthen governance.
NST2 is the government’s five-year strategic framework
designed to accelerate progress toward Vision 2050, which aims to
position Rwanda as a high-income, climate-resilient, and inclusive economy by
mid-century. The strategy serves as the national blueprint for all public
institutions, districts, and sectors, aligning their efforts under three main
pillars: Economic Transformation, Social Transformation, and Transformational
Governance.
Key Achievements of NST1 (2017–2024)
NST1 provided the foundation for Rwanda’s resilience and
recovery during challenging global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Below are key highlights:
Economic Achievements
- Average
7% annual GDP growth over the NST1 period.
- Increase
in GDP per capita from USD 729 to USD 1,040.
- Over 1.3
million decent jobs created across sectors.
- Electricity
access rose from 34.4% to 78.9%.
- Tourism
revenue nearly doubled from USD 374 million to USD 620 million.
- Significant
investments in infrastructure, including 1,600 km of national roads and
4,137 km of feeder roads.
Social Achievements
- Life
expectancy improved from 66.6 to 69.9 years.
- Expansion
of the health system: 7 hospitals, 12 new health centers, and 1,252 health
posts.
- Over
27,000 classrooms built nationwide.
- TVET
coverage expanded to 396 sectors.
- National
school feeding program launched and teacher incentives introduced.
Governance Achievements
- Government
digital services increased from 155 to over 680.
- Strong
improvements in citizen engagement and local governance systems.
- Continued
peace and security with high public trust in leadership.
NST2 Pillar 1: Economic Transformation
NST2 focuses on creating a competitive, diversified, and
sustainable economy.
Key Targets (2024–2029):
- Achieve
an average 9.3% GDP growth rate.
- Double
export revenues from USD 3.5 billion to USD 7.3 billion.
- Increase
private investment to 21.5% of GDP.
- Create
1.25 million decent jobs.
- Ensure
universal access to electricity and clean water.
Key Sectors and Priorities:
- Agriculture:
Boost productivity by 50% on key crops, expand irrigation, and modernize
agribusiness.
- Manufacturing:
Promote “Made in Rwanda,” develop industrial parks, and attract private
investors.
- Tourism:
Increase high-value and eco-tourism revenues; expand MICE and sports
tourism.
- Transport:
Upgrade national and feeder roads, expand public transport, and
operationalize Bugesera International Airport.
- Digital
Economy: Train 1 million coders, boost digital literacy to 100%, and
digitize all public services.
- Financial
Sector: Expand access to capital, raise savings from 12.4% to 25.9% of
GDP, and promote FinTech innovation.
NST2 Pillar 2: Social Transformation
The goal is to develop a healthy, skilled, and resilient
population.
Core Objectives:
- Reduce
child stunting from 33% to 15%.
- Raise pre-primary
enrollment from 35% to 65%.
- Expand
TVET to reach 60% of upper secondary students.
- Improve
access to healthcare, including medical tourism and local
pharmaceutical production.
- Strengthen
social protection and increase graduation from poverty.
- Scale
up safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure.
Key Interventions:
- Build
district-level TVET Centers of Excellence.
- Improve
early childhood development centers and nutrition services.
- Expand
health workforce and services, including Community-Based Health Insurance
(CBHI).
- Implement
scalable poverty graduation programs supported by VUP and Ejo Heza.
NST2 Pillar 3: Transformational Governance
NST2 aims to create a more accountable, efficient, and
citizen-focused governance system.
Key Goals:
- Raise citizen
satisfaction with public services to over 90%.
- Cut
court case backlogs by 50%.
- Strengthen
rule of law, service delivery, and digital government platforms.
- Expand
adoption of digital ID systems, AI, and data-driven
decision-making.
- Enhance
local government capacity for planning, monitoring, and execution.
- Ensure
peace, security, and civic education across all communities.
Cross-Cutting Areas in NST2
NST2 mainstreams essential national values and global
sustainability commitments:
- Climate
Change & Environment: Target 38% reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions; promote climate-smart planning.
- Gender
Equality & Family Promotion
- Youth
Empowerment and Employment
- Disability
and Inclusion
- Disaster
Risk Reduction and Resilience
- Regional
Integration and Diplomacy
- Capacity
Development in Public Service
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Implementation
NST2 includes a comprehensive results framework supported
by:
- Performance
contracts (Imihigo) at national and district levels.
- A
robust Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Matrix.
- Digital
systems for real-time tracking and accountability.
- Integration
of the strategy into all Sector Strategic Plans (SSPs) and District
Development Strategies (DDSs).
NST2 will be funded through a mix of public resources
(57%) and private sector investment (43%), with a strong emphasis on
leveraging innovation and financial inclusion.
Conclusion
The Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2)
represents Rwanda’s bold commitment to accelerated, inclusive development. By
focusing on economic competitiveness, social equity, and accountable
governance, NST2 offers a roadmap for national unity, prosperity, and
resilience.
The strategy calls upon every Rwandan — citizens,
businesses, civil society, and development partners — to take an active role in
implementing this shared vision.
Rwanda’s transformation is not a government goal alone —
it is a national mission.
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