Nyagatare – February 6, 2025: The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning is hosting the Annual Development Partners Retreat (DPR) on February 6-7, 2025, in Nyagatare district. This high-level gathering brings together senior government officials and development partners to discuss strategies for accelerating the implementation of the National Strategy for Transformation (NST 2). The retreat aims to leverage opportunities and address challenges in pursuit of sustainable development aligned with Vision 2050.

The DPR focuses on forging strong partnerships and identifying collaborations across various sectors to create integrated approaches for NST 2 implementation. Participants are working together to identify financing gaps and explore innovative financial solutions, including private sector investments.

Yusuf Murangwa, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning and chair of the DPR, emphasizes the urgency of transitioning from planning to actual implementation to achieve meaningful impact. "Moving from plans to implementation is quite challenging," he states. "This means our approach must change. Our priorities are clear: efficient public services, market-driven education, resilient health systems, a robust industrial sector, and food security. These straightforward priorities are achievable if we transform our way of doing business. I hope this retreat generates ideas that will allow us to achieve scale, sustainability, and impact in implementing NST 2."

Co-chairing the DPR, Aissa Toure Sarr, African Development Bank Country Manager, urges participants to think innovatively about delivering on NST 2. "NST 2 cannot become the unfinished business of NST 1. Times are changing, challenges are different, fiscal space is shrinking, and the resource mobilization architecture is evolving," she notes. "We need to do more with less and ensure a better return on investment for every dollar brought to the table. This necessitates robust collaboration in our delivery efforts."

The Development Partners Retreat serves as a crucial dialogue platform within Rwanda’s development coordination framework. It provides a unique opportunity for stakeholders to go beyond regular coordination meetings, ensuring that their collaboration leads to impactful, long-term solutions for the nation’s development.