Kigali, 2 October 2025 — Rwanda’s Government officials, representatives of the diplomatic community, Cooperation Partners  and the UN Country Team gathered to reflect on the outcomes of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3), held in Awaza, Turkmenistan, and the implications of the Awaza Programme of Action (APoA) 2024–2034 for Rwanda’s long-term development goals.Convened by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, the briefing provided an opportunity to unpack the new global framework designed to support landlocked developing countries overcome their unique structural constraints — from limited access to seaports, to high transport costs and trade bottlenecks.A Decade of Action for Landlocked Countries Opening the session, UN Resident Coordinator Ozonnia Ojielo emphasized that the Awaza Programme of Action marks the start of a decisive decade for landlocked nations like Rwanda.“The Awaza Programme of Action is not just another global document,” he said. “It is a plan to help landlocked countries move from vulnerability to competitiveness — to transform geographic constraints into engines of innovation, integration, and shared growth.”Ojielo underscored the need for stronger regional partnerships, better infrastructure, and smarter trade policies to make this transformation possible.“Connectivity — physical, digital, and institutional — will be at the heart of implementation. The countries that succeed under Awaza will be those that build regional value chains, not just roads.”Building on Rwanda’s Regional Vision Representing the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM), Godfrey Gakire, SPIU Coordinator, outlined that the Awaza outcomes are directly aligned with Rwanda’s own priorities for economic transformation and regional integration.“For Rwanda, the Awaza Programme of Action is not a distant plan — it speaks directly to our reality as a landlocked country,” he said. “Our transport costs are among the highest in the world, and that affects trade competitiveness. But through regional cooperation and investment in logistics and digital systems, we can turn this challenge into an opportunity."He pointed to Rwanda’s recent progress in trade facilitation and logistics as evidence of this commitment.“Initiatives like the Kigali Logistics Platform and the use of digital tools such as the ‘MAGERWA’ cargo tracking system are already reducing transit times and costs,” he noted. “These are the kinds of practical actions that Awaza calls for.” Aligning Awaza with National Priorities Grace Nyinawumuntu, Director General for Europe, Americas & International Organizations at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MINAFFET), stressed that Rwanda sees the Awaza framework as an important enabler for its National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and Vision 2050.“The Awaza Programme of Action provides a framework that fits perfectly with our priorities under NST2,” she said. “It emphasizes connectivity, digital transformation, and climate resilience — all of which are central to Rwanda’s development model.”She added that implementation will depend on sustained collaboration. “Our approach is not to work in isolation but in alignment — to ensure that global and regional frameworks add real value to national priorities. This requires strong partnerships with regional actors, the private sector, and the UN system ,” she explained. Partnerships for Implementation European Union Ambassador to Rwanda Belén Calvo Uyarra commended the United Nations and Government of Rwanda for contextualizing the Awaza commitments, and pledged the EU’s continued support to Rwanda through the APoA. “We really appreciate how the UN and the Government of Rwanda are bringing the commitments from Awaza into the national context.” she added “Our focus is on impact — on building ecosystems and regional value chains that can truly make Rwanda a land-linked country. We are in this together.”From the global perspective, Tomas Gonzalez, Team Leader for the Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC) Portfolio at the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS)  emphasized the urgency of moving from framework to action.“Awaza gave us a strong political and strategic framework, but the next step is translating that into results,” he said. “That means country-led implementation, data-driven follow-up, and stronger collaboration between governments, regional bodies, and development partners.”Awaza at a GlanceAdopted at the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) in Awaza, Turkmenistan, the Awaza Programme of Action for 2024–2034 sets out a ten-year roadmap to accelerate sustainable development in the world’s 32 landlocked developing countries. The conference, which recorded the highest level of participation in the history of LLDC meetings, brought together Heads of State and Government, senior UN officials, development partners, and representatives of the private sector and civil society.The Programme identifies five priority areas — connectivity and trade facilitation, structural transformation, digitalization and innovation, climate resilience, and partnerships and financing — and calls for stronger regional cooperation and international support to help LLDCs overcome high transport costs, limited market access, and vulnerability to external shocks. It is anchored in measurable targets and a results framework to ensure coordinated, data-driven implementation over the coming decade. 

In a high-level meeting that underscored Rwanda’s ambition to shape a resilient and inclusive future, UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Ozonnia Ojielo and the Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Mr. Jean-Guy K. Afrika -- explored a set of transformative pathways aimed at reshaping how Rwanda finances and fuels its national development. From shifting the country's development financing model to unlocking the creative sector’s potential and building real solutions for affordable housing, the conversation marked a significant moment in Rwanda’s journey toward inclusive, sustainable, and innovation-driven development.Transitioning from Aid Dependency to Private Capital MobilizationAs global aid patterns evolve and concessional financing becomes increasingly constrained, the meeting strategised on how Rwanda can proactively attract private capital and blended finance to sustain momentum on its development priorities and reduce reliance on traditional aid flows.Ozonnia and Afrika highlighted the growing urgency for Rwanda to transition from traditional donor-funded models to private sector-driven investment frameworks. With foreign private capital inflows increasing by 33.8% in 2023, reaching USD 886.9 million—of which foreign direct investment accounted for over 80%—Rwanda is clearly headed in the right direction (NISR, 2024). Yet, the reduction in concessional grace periods and the tightening of development finance calls for a more proactive stance. “Private capital is the engine of the future—we need to double or even triple its share of GDP. The current financial pressures are, in fact, prompting us to be more innovative and strategic in how we mobilize private capital to support national development goals.” said Jean-Guy K. Afrika, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB)They explored strategies for designing bankable, investment-ready projects, coupled with risk mitigation tools and regulatory incentives to ensure Rwanda remains a top destination for sustainable investment. The UN pledged its continued support in partnering with Rwanda to make this transition smoothly, through capacity building, technical assistance, and global convening power.“We have started implementing our new Cooperation Framework, which is very different from what we had in the past. In the previous framework, we had six outcomes and 25 outputs, which meant we could be everywhere and try to do everything, but that approach was not sustainable. The new Cooperation Framework focuses on just three outcomes, fully aligned with the National Strategy for Transformation, and six outputs. We want to be more coordinated in how we deliver our collective offer and leverage our comparative advantage,” said Ozonnia Ojielo, UN Resident Coordinator.Building a Sustainable Business Model for Sports and EntertainmentAnother key area of discussion was the development of a sustainable business model for Rwanda’s sports and entertainment sector. Ozonnia emphasised the need to move beyond one-off events and toward the creation of an institutionalised calendar of recurring high-profile competitions and festivals that would position Rwanda as a regional hub for sports tourism and creative culture. “Flyfest is a festival that takes place every year in Lagos and across West Africa,” said Ozonnia. “We could leverage the existing partnership with its organisers to bring it to Kigali every December. It has the potential to create multiple streams of income for Rwanda and open up new opportunities for Rwandan artists.”Rwanda’s recent record backs this ambition: the events and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry generated USD 95 million in 2023, a 48% increase from 2022, hosting over 160 events and welcoming more than 65,000 delegates (Rwanda Convention Bureau, 2024). The country’s investment in sports infrastructure, including the newly renovated Amahoro Stadium and the BK Arena, further strengthens its competitive edge. With strategic planning and partnership, both leaders agreed that sports and entertainment could serve as powerful engines for youth employment, tourism, and cultural branding.“Indeed, this sector holds immense potential—not just for growth, but for long-term transformation. What we're striving for is a fundamental shift in mindset: moving away from reactive, short-term investment approaches to a more strategic, forward-looking model. We're intentionally identifying high-impact areas, anticipating future trends, and positioning Rwanda as a hub where innovation, sustainability, and inclusive development drive investment decisions," noted Afrika.A Vision for Rwanda’s Creative EconomyThe meeting also explored the vast potential of Rwanda’s creative sector, an area increasingly recognised as a driver of inclusive growth. Drawing from his experience and insights from Nigeria, Ozonnia shared the evolution of Nollywood, which began with modest resources and is now valued at over USD 6.4 billion, contributing nearly 2.3% to Nigeria’s GDP (UNCTAD, 2021). He stressed that Rwanda has all the ingredients to emulate a similar trajectory: a young, tech-savvy population, political will, and a growing reputation as a clean and safe destination for international creatives. The ongoing partnership between the United Nations, the Ministry of Youth and Arts, and RDB aims to build a holistic ecosystem for film, music, animation, and digital arts. This includes investment in training, production facilities, export platforms, and intellectual property protection—laying the groundwork for Rwanda to become a continental leader in cultural entrepreneurship.“I remember in my early days as a young lawyer representing Nigerians who were selling VHS tapes—copying Chinese and Indian movies. But look at Nollywood now. It’s impressive, and something similar is absolutely possible here in Rwanda,” noted Ozonnia.Finding Scalable Solutions for Affordable HousingAs Kigali and other urban centers continue to grow rapidly—amid projections that 35% of Rwanda’s population will reside in cities by 2030—both Mr. Ozonnia Ojielo and Mr. Jeanine Afrika underscored the strategic importance of expanding access to affordable housing as a key pillar of inclusive and sustainable urban development. They emphasized the pivotal role of public-private partnerships in unlocking scalable, sustainable housing solutions and advancing SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, ensuring that urbanization in Rwanda is inclusive, resilient, and future-ready..With annual demand for affordable housing estimated at 25,000 units, but supply falling drastically short—only a few thousand units built in the last decade—the gap remains a formidable development challenge (UN-Habitat, 2024). Ozonnia proposed leveraging the technical expertise of UN-Habitat to design innovative models that combine private investment with affordability and sustainability. These include mixed-income developments, community-led housing cooperatives, and smart public-private financing tools to unlock capital for large-scale urban housing. The leaders underscored the need to build not just homes, but livable communities with access to jobs, transport, and essential services.“UN-Habitat has conducted a thorough analysis of models that could work for affordable housing in Rwanda, and presented an excellent proposal focused on using locally available and manufactured building materials. This approach could significantly reduce construction costs for low-income earners. One example is the use of earth-made bricks,” added Ozonnia.Charting a Bold Future Through a Shared VisionThis strategic dialogue served as a platform to explore not only the opportunities Rwanda can harness on its development pathway, but also the forward-looking partnerships and global cooperation that are helping the country respond proactively to emerging challenges. It reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to transition from aid dependency to innovation-driven growth, from event-based visibility to industry-led transformation, and from policy formulation to people-centered delivery.The partnership between the United Nations and RDB continues to evolve—as a collaborative platform for unlocking new models of sustainable and inclusive development—anchored in national priorities and aligned with global goals. As Rwanda pushes forward with its Vision 2050 agenda—to become an upper-middle-income country by 2035—this dialogue underscored the importance of multidimensional, cross-sectoral partnerships that will deliver results not just in numbers, but with meaningful and transformative impact in the lives of Rwandans.

The United Nations and I&M Bank have collaborated to develop a groundbreaking initiative toward universal health coverage. This strategic partnership, formalized through signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), is a powerful UN-private sector partnership to clear the way for Rwanda's push towards equitable and affordable healthcare for all.At the center of this partnership is the joint program titled "A Thousand Health Posts in the Land of a Thousand Hills"–a program that embodies the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and responds directly to the appeal for inclusive health systems expressed in UN General Assembly resolutions. Technical leadership is being provided by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with other UN agencies including UNCDF, UNDP, WHO, UNICEF, UNHCR and UN-Habitat. It aims to transform rural health infrastructure by putting in place 1,000 community-based health posts within the country. What sets this partnership apart is that it is leveraging private sector innovation to spur public good. Under the agreement, UN Rwanda, through UNCDF, will deploy a de-risking mechanism—a form of partial credit risk guarantee—to enhance access to capital for nurse entrepreneurs operating these health posts. Concurrently, I&M Bank will provide affordable financial solutions to these health providers, supplemented with capacity-building in business management and financial literacy. “We are excited to partner with I&M Bank Rwanda to scale up community health solutions that are people-centered and sustainable,” Noted Mr. Ozonnia Ojielo, the UN Resident Coordinator in Rwanda. “This collaboration exemplifies how the UN and the private sector can work hand in hand to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage, leaving no one behind.” "This partnership reflects our belief that sustainable health outcomes require innovative financing solutions and deep collaboration,” said Benjamin Mutimura, CEO of I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc. “We are proud to play a catalytic role in enabling health post operators to thrive and reach the communities that need them most.”Apart from financing, the MoU formalizes shared values of accountability, integrity and zero tolerance for abuse or exploitation. It reaffirms a shared commitment to ethical programming, as well as to advancing human rights, in a way that respects all parties involved, from partners to communities.In conformity with Rwanda's National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, this partnership embodies the UN's unshakeable resolve to sustainability in action and not just in words. It also embodies the rising leadership of the private sector as a close ally in confronting complex social challenges—anything from health equity to economic resilience.  By 2026, the project will reach over 2 million individuals, showing that where vision and collaboration meet, the result is revolutionary. Empowering nurse business leaders as changemakers, this initiative does not just provide healthcare—it builds community resilience, empowers women in leadership and brings Rwanda closer to a future in which no one is left behind. This isn't just a memorandum. It's a movement—toward health, hope, and humanity! 

The Annual Government–UN Joint Steering Committee (JSC) convened today, Monday, 16th December 2024, bringing together high-level officials from the Government of Rwanda, the UN System, Development Partners, the Private Sector, Civil Society, and other stakeholders. This pivotal annual meeting, chaired by Honourable Yusuf Murangwa, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, and co-chaired by Mr. Ozonnia Ojielo, UN Resident Coordinator, served as a platform to review progress and renew commitments to supporting Rwanda’s sustainable development priorities.In his opening remarks, Honourable Yusuf Murangwa underscored the importance of aligning efforts to achieve shared goals: “The One UN Steering Committee Meeting reaffirms our commitment to strengthening coherence, innovation, and collaboration. The success of Rwanda’s transformative agenda lies in our ability to deliver results as one cohesive team, with the Government, UN agencies, and Development Partners working hand in hand.”The meeting focused on the transition to the newly elaborated UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), which is designed to advance Rwanda’s Vision 2050, the National Strategy for Transformation Phase Two (NST2), and global commitments, including the SDGs and AU Agenda 2063. With a budget of approximately $1.04 billion, the UNSDCF is structured around three pillars: Economic Transformation, Social Transformation, and Transformational Governance.“This new Cooperation Framework has three outcomes, reduced from six in the previous framework, and six outputs, down from the 25 we had before. This demonstrates our commitment to removing individual hats and wearing one unified hat of Delivering as One—joining efforts and rallying behind Rwanda’s success in achieving its development aspirations,” said Angela Zeleza, Head of the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator, while presenting the new Cooperation Framework.Participants also viewed an animated video showcasing cumulative results achieved by the United Nations System in Rwanda of the outgoing CF. These results were highly appreciated by participants as a meaningful reflection for informing decision-making and development interventions going forward.“It is critically important to appraise data with the realities of how people’s lives are being improved on the ground,” stated Hon. Minister Maj Gen (Rtd) Albert Murasira, who participated in the meeting. He commended the ongoing collaboration with the UN system, particularly in building resilience for refugees and addressing shocks and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management.Chairperson of the Rwanda Civil Society Platform, Theoneste Murangira, also commended the results presented: “We are extremely happy with the results showcased. Some of them were achieved with our support as Implementing Partners, while others benefitted us directly. We greatly appreciate that the United Nations involves civil society in these deliberations. Together, we can indeed make a greater impact,” he said.Mr. Ojielo, the UN Resident Coordinator, echoed these sentiments, describing the UNSDCF as a “partnership document.” He added, “Our job as the United Nations is an accompanying one—we stand firmly behind Rwanda’s aspirations, rallying for the country’s success.”Another key highlight of the Joint Steering Committee was the presentation of the Country Programme Documents (CPDs) for the UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, and the WFP Country Strategy Paper (CSP). These CPDs and CSP outline strategic initiatives for the 2025–2029 period, focusing on inclusive and sustainable development.The meeting concluded with optimism about the path forward, expressing confidence in the collective ability to deliver on development objectives, as well as noting the importance of maintaining momentum and adapting to evolving challenges for long-term success. “The discussions held today underscore the importance of partnerships, strategic thinking, and innovation in addressing development challenges while recognizing the complexities involved in coordination and execution,” Minister Yusuf Murangwa stated in his closing remarks.The Annual Joint Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment to fostering inclusive partnerships among the Government, Development Partners, the private sector, civil society, and the UN system. This platform serves as a vital forum for dialogue and collaboration, enabling the strengthening of development work to deliver impactful results. Recognizing the contributions of all stakeholders, the Committee emphasized the shared responsibility of ensuring that no one is left behind.