Creating jobs and stimulating growth in Rwanda

Project description

Title: Special Initiative on Training and Job Creation: Job partnerships and SME promotion in Rwanda
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)​​​​​​​
Country: Rwanda
Lead executing agency: Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM)​​​​​​​
Overall term: 2019 to 2025

Participant in a training course for IT specialists in Rwanda working on a laptop. Copyright: Envision Rwanda

Context

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Rwanda has one of the highest economic growth rates in Africa. Even before the pandemic, Rwanda was already proving to be an increasingly attractive location for business and investment in the region. However, this growth has not yet translated into sufficient job creation. Rwanda therefore aims to create a total of 1.5 million jobs in the country by 2024. The Special Initiative on Training and Job Creation is supporting this endeavour under the Invest for Jobs brand.

Objective

African and European companies grow and create new jobs in Rwanda.

Participant in a training course on reintegration into the tourism sector. Copyright: Denyse Uwera

Approach

The project supports the Rwanda Development Board in establishing and consolidating partnerships with African and European companies. The aim is for these companies to expand their business activities and investment in the Rwandan market. To identify and reduce existing barriers to investment, the project provides needs-based services. The services assist companies across all sectors and promote growth, foreign investment and job creation.

Moreover, the project supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It trains staff and candidates, advises on business development and helps to increase product quality. The project also supports the development of the E-Commerce Centre in Kigali and a platform for online trade.

In addition, the project fosters the further development of Rwanda’s special economic zones (SEZs). The focus is on the special economic zone that has already been established in Kigali. Together with local companies, the project is improving business-oriented services and other offerings provided by the SEZ’s park management. Enhancing these services within the ecosystem of the SEZ increases growth and investment while creating jobs and improving working conditions for employees.

Last update: February 2022

Employee standing behind several packets of corn flour. Copyright: Emmanuel Hitimana

Additional information