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The special context of Rwanda in achieving the MDGs
 Rwanda is a country that continues to defy the odds. Since the devastating 1994 genocide, and related conflicts of 1996 – 2000, the country has aligned to the rest of the world to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. In addition, the legacy and trauma of the genocide worsened many pre-existing complex socio-economic problems. The main preoccupation after the genocide and related conflicts was the stabilization of the country, the integration of returnees, and re-building of structures.
Rwanda also has had to deal with other problems, besides the devastating effects of the 1994 genocide. The country has few natural resources, is landlocked, and has a high population growth rate. This situation makes the country vulnerable to external shocks, and fiscal deficits despite the growing needs of its young population. Against this background, Rwanda’s progress in the past decade has been impressive, despite all the odds.
Starting from a very low base after the genocide and associated conflicts, the economy registered a significant recovery, with the real GDP growing at annual rate of over 10%. The economy then stabilized between 2001 and 2006, and growth declined to an annual rate of around 6.4%. Similarly, fiscal performance improved, with revenue increasing to around 13% of GDP in 2006, although the fiscal deficit increased to 6% of the GDP in 2006. The country has also registered a strong growth of exports, which averaged 12.5% per annum since 2001.
 Rwanda has registered significant strides toward the attainment of the MDGs. Since the country’s first national MDG report in 2003, more progress has been made toward the MDGs. For example, while the country was off course with regards to the hunger and maternal mortality targets in 2003, it is now on course on both indicators. Similarly, the country recently completed the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) paper, the development framework for poverty reduction, the attainment of the MDGs, and realization of Rwanda Vision 2020. The country is thus solidly positioned from a policy and strategy perspective to scale even higher heights in the future, and bring development and better the lives of its citizen.
The maintenance of regional peace and stability is also very important to Rwanda. For this reason, the country continues to play a significant role in regional and continental peace-keeping programs. In addition, Rwanda continues to forge stronger economic ties with countries in the sub-region to bring prosperity and development to the area. Thus, the current national MDG report comes out at a most opportune moment for Rwanda to showcase the progress toward the MDGs, the challenges it faces, its policy responses, and expectations of its development partners. This report Rwanda once again reminds the rest of the world that although the country experienced severe and extreme hardships in 1994, a combination of the determination, mixed with sound policies, and visionary leadership is bringing out a sustainable justice, democracy, and economic growth toward the MDGs. |
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