Kigali, Rwanda – August 29, 2024

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN), in collaboration with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), and the Korea Institute of Public Finance (KIPF), last week successfully completed Rwanda Tax Policy Master Plan developed under the Tax Policy and Tax Administration Consulting Project. This initiative aims to support Government of Rwanda in establishing a more streamlined and effective tax policy and administration framework.

The Master Plan serves as a comprehensive, long-term roadmap for reforming Rwanda's tax system. It encompasses a broad range of areas, including direct and indirect taxes, critical tax legislation such as the tax procedures law and other tax laws, and advancements in e-tax administration. The Master Plan sets forth proposed pathways to enhance the effectiveness and fairness of Rwanda's tax system.

Last week, an in-depth workshop was held to review the Master Plan. It facilitated an exchange of insights regarding the project's outcomes, deepened participants' understanding, and encouraged discussions on the implementation of the proposed reforms. Valuable perspectives were shared from participants who took part in KOICA’s invitational training in Korea and the Capacity Improvement & Advancement for Tomorrow (CIAT) program.

In addition to the Master Plan's development, the project has featured extensive capacity-building programs in both Korea and Rwanda. Over 200 tax officers and stakeholders from organizations such as the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM), and the Private Sector Federation (PSF) have participated, gaining insights from Korea's advanced tax administration systems.

This Tax Policy and Tax Administration Consulting Project is part of KOICA’s broader initiatives in Rwanda, which also includes the ‘‘Enhancement of the EBM System and Development of a Taxpayer Relationship Management System Project’’ (2018-2023). Building on the foundation laid by the Master Plan, KOICA and KIPF remain committed to ongoing collaboration with the Rwandan Government to ensure the successful implementation of these critical reforms.

Representatives from KOICA, MINECOFIN, RRA, and KIPF underscored the importance of continuous dialogue and collaborative efforts in developing a tax system that is efficient, fair, and simple—tailored to meet Rwanda's development needs.