On September 9th, 2024, Prime Minister Édouard presented Rwanda’s five-year government plan to the joint Plenary Sitting of both Chambers, setting an ambitious roadmap for the country’s future development—this plan, known as the National Strategy for Transformation 2 (NST2).
Key Focus Areas
Job Creation: One of the plan’s main priorities is to create decent jobs, especially for youth and women. The government aims to support sectors that provide many jobs, such as services, agriculture, and manufacturing. By encouraging more private investment and innovation, the plan is set to boost employment opportunities across the country.
 
Economic Growth: The government targets an average annual economic growth rate of 9.3% over the next five years. This growth will come from improving productivity in all sectors of the economy. For example, agriculture is expected to grow by more than 6% annually, while the industry and services sectors are projected to grow at rates exceeding 10%. The goal is to move from low-productivity activities to more valuable and innovative sectors.
Boosting Exports: Another major goal is to increase Rwanda’s exports. This includes expanding industries such as manufacturing and agriculture, which will help Rwanda sell more products abroad. The government also plans to attract more foreign investments by building special economic zones and improving infrastructure.
 
Tackling Stunting and Malnutrition: A significant part of the plan is focused on reducing stunting and malnutrition in children. By improving healthcare, nutrition programs, and social services, the government hopes to lower stunting rates and ensure that every child has a healthy start in life.
 
Improving Education: To ensure that the country’s growth is sustainable, the government is working to improve the quality of education. This includes building more classrooms to reduce school overcrowding, enhancing teacher training, and increasing the availability of technical and vocational education availability. The goal is to prepare Rwanda’s young population for the jobs of the future.
 
Better Public Services: The plan also emphasizes enhancing public service delivery. This means making sure that government services are efficient, accessible, and of high quality. By doing so, the government aims to foster better citizen participation and trust in public institutions.
Overall, Rwanda’s new five-year plan is focused on driving inclusive growth while addressing key social challenges. By prioritizing job creation, education, health, and innovation, the government aims to improve the lives of all citizens and ensure the country’s continued progress toward becoming a middle-income nation.