The launch of the 8th Edition of the Rwanda Governance Score Card

• Hon. Dr Usta Kaitesi, CEO of RGB
• Hon Ministers here present
• Excellencies Heads Members of Diplomatic missions and International Organisations
• Representatives of Government Institutions
• Distinguished Representatives of CSOs, the Private Sector and the Media
• Colleagues from the UN Family
• All protocol observed

At the onset I would like to thank you all for your presence here today to launch the 8th Edition of the Rwanda Governance Scorecard and to congratulate the GoR and RGB, in particular, for the production and launch of this edition and particularly for keeping the regularity of production despite the challenging COVID 19 context.

I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to RGB for inviting and associating the UN to this important flagship tool which, since 2010, has become a master document on the state of governance in Rwanda.

Likewise, I Commend all stakeholders who contributed through data production and inputs to this important governance tool for Rwanda and the world. It is impressive to see how different sectors and institutions have, in their unique way, contributed through their own reports, research and assessments that formed the basis for analyzing the trends of governance in Rwanda and devising important recommendations.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,

By including citizen perception, the voice of the people, the RGS does not only consider expert perception and analysis of governance trends in Rwanda, but also it keeps people at the center of the assessment. The RGS reports represent therefore the expression of the views of a variety of actors, experts and citizens, on the governance status. The document also highlights areas requiring attention and conveying the sense of urgency of action for a better Rwanda.

Allow me to note that, while we are launching the RGS as a national assessment tool, its impact transcends the national level to play an important role in the context of renewed multilateralism and the UN decade of action to speed up the implementation of the shared commitment to sustainable development, in a more difficult context of recovering from COVID-19. Indeed, as we speak, an assessment of the status of domestication of SDG 16, on “Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels”, in Rwanda, is being prepared in collaboration with RGB, to better inform national planning and development processes and to identify areas that need a boost for the country to achieve the agenda 2030. The just concluded Universal Periodic Review has also assessed a variety of rights and the recommendations accepted require governance action.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,

Let me now highlight some points from the Report:

1. I wish to commend the GoR and particularly RGB for the sustained accountability, transparency and consistency in producing data on governance, including citizens’  voice , since the first edition in 2010.   The data and long term of improved evidence-based planning at national level have supported all the EDPRS and the NST1 2017-2024. The RGs is consistent with many global indicators on governance concerning Rwanda.

2. Of course, it is important to always make improvements, however, it is good to note the progress in all sectors, thanks to the work done. Since the inception of RGS in 2010, the pillar “safety and security” remains the best performer. These consistent outstanding results certainly contribute to sustaining an enabling environment for other sectors to better perform for the development of the country.

3. The pillar on quality service delivery is  the best improver of all pillars with +3.55% and passing from Yellow category for the first time of all past RGS edition to Green category under the current edition, scoring more than 80% even though it remains on 6th place (Pg 12). This shows that we are improving in this area, and we should make sure to enhance improvement by focusing on indicators left behind (Service delivery in Economic transformation and Service delivery monitoring). Quality service delivery entails satisfying the expectations and needs of the customer/beneficiary and sustaining the quality over times to create a general sense of high satisfaction within the community/Country, better lives.

4. It is also important to note that two of the 8 pillars remain in yellow zone: Investing in human and social development and particularly the “economic and corporate governance” which is the prerequisite for sustainable socio-economic development and still on a decreasing slope (Pg 12, 56).  Noting the decline in performance under this pillar, the report is challenging all of us to reflect on the consequences and find solutions for improvement.

5. Recalling that NST1 targets the private sector as the engine for economic growth in Rwanda, we are invited to move from the traditional scope of governance which was focusing on the public sector alone to include the corporate world.

6. The COVID-19 has impacted the results of the RGS. Indeed, for the first time, the pillar “Economic and Corporate Governance” is the lowest performer, due to the low performance (red) of economic growth and exports growth. This decline of performance while challenges are persisting in the areas of macro-economic as well as corporate governance affect the whole pillar and therefore sustainable socio-economic development. The impact of the global health and socio-economic crisis due to the pandemic has negatively the sector. Of course, the last data released by NISR showed a clear improvement during Quarter 2, 2021.

7. The private sector role is key, hence the need to rethink business growth and sustainability strategies including entrepreneurship skills particularly for the youth who constitute the majority of the population in Rwanda and beyond. I recommend that the next RGS track progress on the extent to which the country, including the private sector, is leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area, which we know will have major implications for Rwanda’s trade prospects related to service sector liberalization, competition policy, intellectual property rights, and free movement. Rwanda can play a positive role in pushing wider AfCFTA agenda forward within the region. An inclusive and long-term economic and corporate governance plan is timely. The inclusion of the private sector in planning, strategizing, and implementing the national development agenda is paramount.

8. The human and social capital development which is also lagging. The main question remains: is the private sector with us as we plan, assess, implement, evaluate? Or do we only consider them as service provider instead of sustainable development actor?  I invite all of us to reflect on this question and to come up with appropriate innovative solutions to help advance this pillar.  A critical question remains how Rwanda could nurture more, retain and expand a highly qualified workforce, that is also gender responsive, to match the ambition of the profound transformation grounded on knowledge and private sector led economy. Therefore the relevance of the recommendation “strengthen the education system and improve quality of education”. Highly skilled human capital will also support the public finance management and the efficiency of institutions, systems and service delivery.

9. Combining recommendations under pillar 6, it is important to “enhance the role and the partnership with non-state actors especially the civil society organizations, the private sector, academia to play a significant role in socio-economic transformation of citizens in the country”: capacity building, more fora of engagement. As the NST1 calls for a private  sector led economy, the state and private sector engagement (58.20%) needs tremendous improvement;

10. Continuing the inclusiveness is also paramount by tackling inequalities and extreme poverty (35.6%), more inclusion of people with disabilities under social protection (34.5%)

1. As we are towards Glasgow for the COP 26, we commend the Government for its NDCs and the excellent results in environment; however it is important to continue mainstreaming environment protection (implementation of environment and climate change indicators (52.0%), implementation of environment and climate change indicators in local government performance (28.6%)).
2. Not an easy task but is important to continue building back better from COVID-19.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In reference to what I just said, I would like to invite the audience today to reflect further about the correlation between service delivery, economic and corporate governance and human and social capital development and devise strategies for quality services in economic transformation and monitoring, foreign trade and industrialization, corporate governance, macro-economic indicators, education, social protection, climate change and environment resilience which were purposely targeted.( Pg 40,52, 56).

Beyond that, NST1 wants Rwanda to become a service-based economy. Considering that we are far in the implementation of the national development plan, let us review our strategies with a sense of urgency to take actions for quality services, improved economic and corporate governance and developed human and social capital in Rwanda. By doing so, we are setting the ground for us to leave a legacy of the “the world we want” for the current and next generation.

Good governance is not only the matter of the Government but the matter of all stakeholders, citizens, CSOs, private sector, academia, with the support of asl Development partners. It is also good for all us; so let us build a strong coalition so that we all improve the Governance status, to achieve the national development priorities and the Agenda 2030, for the benefits of all the people, leaving no one behind.

As I conclude, I would like to share two quotes:

“What gets measured, get managed” by Peter Drucker and another one “What get measured, get done”. Tom Peters. Let us reflect on the outcome of the RGS 8th edition, adjust our management approach to meet current needs and let us meet next year to celebrate what was done and results achieved!

The UN System Rwanda remains committed to working with the Government of Rwanda and development partners in fostering democratic governance values and in particular in producing data on governance for informed and evidence-based decision making.

I thank you for your kind attention.

Murakoze, Turikumwe!