Rwanda is a small, landlocked country with the highest population density in Africa. it is also one of the world’s poorest countries, still healing from the 1994 genocide, and working towards sustainable prosperity.
The Vision 2020 plan created by the government aims to make Rwanda a middle-income country by year 2035. Data trends suggest that Rwanda is actively moving toward achieving this goal.
OUR WORK
USAID is working in partnership with the Rwandan government, development partners, civil society, private sector, and communities to build on the current progress and address remaining challenges in health, economic growth, education, democracy, and governance. Our budget for FY 2024 is broken down by sector as shown here: Children from one of the USAID supported schools run home after school - Photo by Sarah Day for Rwanda
THRIVE: HEALTH
USAID helps strengthen the health system, end preventable maternal and child deaths, control the HIV epidemic, and combat infectious diseases, with a special focus on inclusivity throughout its programming. As Rwanda’s largest bilateral donor of HIV/AIDS funding, USAID strategically utilizes U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Rwanda also benefits from being a part of the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) that provides funding for expansion of strategies and tools for malaria prevention and treatment.
LEARN: EDUCATION
USAID helps improve early grade literacy and numeracy in Kinyarwanda as a foundation for future learning. As a part of these projects, teachers receive pre-service and in-service training providing them not only with effective educational techniques, but also tools for delivering quality instruction. A large focus is on promoting the culture of reading with the teaching staff, parents, and community leaders, and creating safe and inclusive spaces for reading.
PROSPER: ECONOMIC GROWTH
USAID expands economic opportunities and food security for people in rural areas. Over 70 percent of Rwandans rely on subsistence agriculture, so developing this sector is key not only for food security, but also for nutrition. Through the U.S. Global Food Security Strategy, USAID is funding programs that strengthen and increase the competitiveness of staple value chains, expand farmers’ access to markets, promote private sector investment in agriculture, and address the root causes of food insecurity.
ENGAGE: DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE
USAID focuses on improving the rule of law, supporting civil society organizations, and contributing to emotional healing and social cohesion to overcome the trauma of the 1994 genocide. In addition, USAID helps train journalists on investigative reporting skills, so that the citizens remain informed and can hold the government accountable.
