Background and context
In year 2000, the Rwandan government led by President Paul Kagame developed and initiated a strategic plan for how to ensure a sustainable development of the Rwandan society; the Vision 2020.
Vision 2020 outlines a clear set of targets within different areas that Rwanda must achieve to take the country out of poverty via economic growth and development.
Rwanda is a leading example of a developing country that has utilized funds from foreign development aid in an optimal fashion. From a very underdeveloped stage, following the genocide in 1994, Rwanda and especially its capital Kigali, is today experiencing the highest economic growth rate in Africa, is impacted by a low level of corruption, and has in a short period of time managed to establish gender equality in government administration – there are currently more women than men in the Rwandan parliament.
Let’s start with the Conclusion
The first concluding remarks of the “Vision 2020” may express well the thoughts and ideas behind the making of the document:
“VISION 2020 represents an ambitious plan to raise the people of Rwanda out of poverty and transform the country into a middle-income economy. Some will say that this is too ambitious and that we are not being realistic when we set this goal. Others say that it is a dream. But, what choice does Rwanda have? To remain in the current situation is simply unacceptable for the Rwandan people.”(Vision 2020, p. 25)
Vision 2020 in relation to the work of Educat
In support of the vision 2020 and the EDPRS (Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy), RILE will respond to the Human Capital Development Strategy and play a significant role in closing the skills gab in Rwanda. Rwanda strives to become a middle income society and emphasize the importance of the private sector becoming the principle growth engine for the economy. RILE will be a cornerstone in realizing this goal; a world class entrepreneurship education and extensive short term training to entrepreneurs will secure significant growth and formalization of Rwanda’s private sector. RILE will offer the best facilities within ICT and provide first class training to students and trainees and set new standards for ICT development in the region. Video conference, Smart Boards, high speed internet, hand in hand with social media, Skype etc. are some of the facilities of RILE. RILE will generate power entirely through solar and wind energy, rain water will be collected, waste water will be filtered and recycled, the buildings will primarily be constructed with local materials and RILE will utilize a variety of environmental sustainable technologies to show best praxis and inspire the surrounding society. RILE strives to be the leading institution in Africa to incorporate and effectively utilize environmental technologies and become energy positive thereby supporting the surrounding community with clean energy .(Ref.: Educat Project presentation 2010)
Major Challenges for Rwanda
The Rwandan government identified a range of challenges facing the Rwandan society in 2000. These were:
- Diminishing agricultural productivity and arable land distribution; Agriculture, accounts for more than 90% of the labour force, yet remains unproductive and largely on a subsistence level. A substantial number of rural families own less than 1 hectare, which is too small to earn a living. Ways and means need to be devised to move the economy into the secondary and tertiary sectors.
- Natural Barriers to trade; Rwanda is landlocked and lacks connection to regional railroad.
- Narrow economic base; It is clear that increases in the productivity and exports of Coffee and Tea (red: Rwanda’s main natural resource) alone, will not be sufficient to build the Rwandan economy.
- Weak institutional capacity; Governance, including the management of public resources remains insufficient due to lack of sound institutions and competent personnel.
- Low level of human resource development; The severe shortage of professional personnel constitutes an obstacle to the development of all sectors.. Illiteracy is rampant both amongst the urban and the rural population with 48% of Rwandans unable to read and write. Addressing this situation is made more difficult by the prevalence of major diseases, such as malaria and HIV/AIDS, which together with malnutrition reduce the productivity of the population.
- Public debt; in year 2000 debt accounted for US$ 1.5 billion, while the country GDP was US$ 1.3 billion.
- Social and Economic Consequences of the Genocide; the consequences of genocide have devastated Rwanda’s social, political and economic fabric. The already poorly developed productive infrastructure was completely destroyed and the nation was robbed of a generation of trained teachers, doctors, public servants and private entrepreneurs.
From an economic perspective the Vision 2020 seeks to transform Rwanda into a middle-income society. A defining key figure is increasing the year 2000 annual per capita income of US$ 290 to US$ 900 (compared to US$ 56 800 in Denmark, in 2010)
1). Promotion of economic stability to reduce dependency of foreign development aid
2). Transformation of Rwanda from a society based on agriculture to a knowledge-based economy 3). Creating a productive middle class and fostering entrepreneurship
Objective no. 1
- private sector development
- Rwanda is already a leader in terms of attractive conditions for starting up business. Together with policies such as trade liberalization, tax reforms, and market driven interest rates, the Vision 2020 seeks to expand tax base and attract foreign investors as a means to reduce the country’s dependency on foreign aid.
- These initiatives and reforms as well walks hand is hand with the Vision’s goal of transforming the Rwandan society into a knowledge-based society, focusing on ICT- and other technology focused educations.
- To support the development of the secondary and tertiary industries, a great investment focus is put to develop energy, water, telecommunication, and transport to reduce costs. Improvements of educational and health systems will be crucial to ensure an efficient and productive workforce.
- The backbone of the developmental process and capital formation should be a middle class of Rwandan entrepreneurs. Productive entrepreneurship must be fostered to perform its traditional role of creating wealth, employment and vital innovations through opportunities for profit.
- Provision of high quality educational services in sciences and technology will be necessary for consolidating development gains made in the short and medium term.
- Rwanda should also aim to find a niche market in the region, for example, becoming a telecommunications hub.
- It is envisaged that with these reforms, Rwanda will transform from a subsistence agricultural economy to a knowledge-based society, with a vibrant class of entrepreneurs.
The Pillars of Vision 2020
Vision 2020 defines six significant areas or pillars that will serve as the means through which the Vision will be realized. The six pillars are:
- Good governance and a Capable State
- Human Resource Development and a Knowledge-Based Economy
- Private Sector-led Development
- Infrastructure Development
- Productive high value and market oriented agriculture
- Regional and International Integration
The focus on “Good Governance and a Capable State” entails among other aspects the role of a transparent and accountable state, and the goal that “Rwandans will be a people, sharing the same vision for the future and ready to contribute to social cohesion, equity and equality of opportunity.”(Vision 2020, p. 12) The latter is expressed in an initiative, implemented by the government, that takes place every last Saturday of the month. The activity is called Umuganda and is a working-day for the Rwandan people in their community and social sphere.
The focus on “Private Sector-led Development” along with “Human Resource Development and a Knowledge-Based Economy” are the two main drivers that will take Rwanda from an agrarian based economy to a technology-driven market-based economy. Further, these also play key roles in making the Rwandan society independent from international development aid.
Cross-cutting issues of Vision 2020
Three cross-cutting areas are identified as symbiotic with the six defined pillars. The cross-cutting issues thus are affected by the economic transformation taking place through the initiatives of the pillars, and at the same are essential in achieving the development goals. The three issues are:
- Gender equality
- Natural Resources and the environment
- Science, Technology and ICT
To support gender equality government policies will practice positive discrimination towards women, and integrate gender in all development policies and strategies. Presently, Rwanda is the only country in the World is more women than men in the national parliament.
Natural resources (land, water, flora, fauna, and non-renewable resources) are scarce compared to the population in Rwanda, and the natural environment of Rwanda has been degrading for decades. “In order to ensure sustainable development, Rwanda will implement adequate land and water management techniques, coupled with a sound biodiversity policy.”(Vision 2020, p. 20)
Science, Technology and ICT will be supportive to create the social and economic drive in Rwanda. Aligned with the focus of education in the pillar concerning “Human Resource Development and a Knowledge-Based Economy”, this issue addresses the Rwandan society’s need for highly skilled scientists and technicians.
A national ICT plan has been developed, and the everyday-life it is evident that the development of ICT-infrastructure plays a key role in the mindset of policy-makers and the population in general.
The Road Map
To ensure a smooth implementation of Vision 2020, a Road map has been developed, and long-term targets have been translated into a set of short- and medium-term programs and strategies, to make the targets more tangible and manageable.(See vision 2020, p. 21 and Figure 2 ”Converting Vision 2020 into reality”, p. 22.)
The conclusion of the Vision 2020 document mentions the Rwandan government’s inspiration from the East Asian “Tigers”.(These are: Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea) “…there is a need to devise and implement policies as well as mobilize resources to bring about the necessary transformation to achieve the Vision. This is realistic based on the fact that countries with similar unfavorable initial conditions have succeeded. The development experience of the East Asian ‘Tigers’ proves that this dream could be a reality.”
Concluding remarks
Finally, it can only be strongly recommended to read the Rwandan government’s Vision 2020. It is a very easy way to get a sense of the background for the fast and focused development currently taking place in Rwanda. Further, Vision 2020 is the founding paradigm and document for current policy making, why it is also the guiding frame of reference for e.g. embassies’ project policies, and likewise a framework and inspiration to Educat’s in the development of our diploma program.