KIGALI – On Thursday, July 2, 2020, the Government of Rwanda and the United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), signed financing agreement worth US$ 48.6 million (approximately Frw 46.2 billion) which is part of a five-year agreement to commit 605 billion Rwandan Francs (approximately US $ 643.8 million) to Rwanda’s development efforts.

The commitment—detailed in a document called a Development Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG)—was signed at the offices of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning by USAID/Rwanda Mission Director Ms. Leslie Marbury and the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana.

In partnership and alignment with the Government of Rwanda development priorities, the DOAG directly links to the three pillars of Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation 1: Economic Transformation, Social Transformation, and Transformational Governance. An integral part of the funding, as well as USAID’s long standing support to Rwanda, is support to help combat global pandemics like COVID-19, and support the economy from negative effects caused by pandemic-related disruptions.

“With this funding, the United States maintains its commitment to a strong and mutually beneficial partnership with Rwanda as it works to achieve its own goals,” said USAID’s Mission Director Leslie Marbury at the signing.

“This support to Rwanda by the United States Government will prioritize Health, education, private sector growth and governance which are key areas of our National Strategy for Transformation (NST1). It is much relevant and equally important in implementation of our COVID-19 Socio-Economic Recovery Plan”. said Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning

USAID works closely with the government, civil society, the private sector and communities to build on decades of progress and advance Rwanda’s self-reliance. The goal of the partnership is to strengthen human capital, foster a robust private sector, and build accountable institutions.