New cooperation programme with Rwanda

Three sectors

In most of its partner countries, Belgian development cooperation opts to limit its interventions to two sectors. After all, it is better to do certain specific things well than risk giving a whole host of different projects only half the attention they need. This is known as sector specialisation. But in Central Africa, where Belgium’s involvement stretches back over many decades and where it has built up a vast expertise, it chooses to be present in not two, but three sectors. In the new cooperation agreement with Rwanda, these are: health care, energy and decentralisation. The sectors represent a good balance between Rwandan development priorities and Belgian expertise.

€160 million

The new Indicative Cooperation Programme (ICP) 2011-2014 amounts to €160 million over four years. The previous ICP (2007-2010) amounted to €145 million. Rwanda is therefore receiving €15 million more than it did during the preceding 4-year period. The largest part of that €160 million will be spent on health care and energy. These two sectors will receive financing in the amount of €55 million each.

Good governance

The new ICP pays special attention to good governance. By investing in decentralisation, Belgium is demonstrating that governance and democracy are important facets of its development policy. The approach is intended to result in particular attention being paid to participation, transparency and accountability.

Following in the footsteps of the ICPs with Burundi and DR Congo, the cooperation programmes attach a great deal of importance to political and economic management and human rights, in terms not only of determining the budget but also by way of specific support or political dialogue. In the ICP with Rwanda, Belgium has included a system of “incentive tranches”. The aim is to encourage reforms and progress regarding governance, which is an indispensable element for development.

_{Source: dg-d.be}

• Rwanda