Rwanda has taken a decisive step toward redefining its engagement with development partners as government leaders and international stakeholders convened in Rubavu District for the annual Development Partners Retreat (DPR).
Held under the theme “Strengthening Partnerships through Implementation of the New Development Cooperation Policy,” the retreat focused on translating policy into practice.
Central to the discussions was the draft Rwanda Development Cooperation Policy (RDCP), a forward-looking framework designed to replace the 2006 Aid Policy and align cooperation with Rwanda’s long-term national vision.
The proposed policy reflects Rwanda’s evolution from a period of post-recovery assistance to one of strategic partnership.
It prioritizes coordinated action, nationally driven programs, and measurable results shifting away from fragmented projects toward integrated efforts that support the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and ambitions toward 2050.
Commencing the retreat, Yusuf Murangwa, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning and Chair of the DPR, emphasized the importance of implementation and ownership.
“We are entering a new phase in our development journey. This policy is about working together differently moving from scattered projects to joint efforts that are designed here in Rwanda and driven by our own long-term vision.”
Development partners welcomed the new direction, underscoring the need for unity and shared accountability.
Ozonnia Ojielo, UN Resident Coordinator, highlighted the collective ambition behind the policy.
“This is about ambition grounded in reality. To achieve real scale and lasting change, we must all work as one. We are fully invested in supporting the government as this policy moves forward.”
Over the next two years, the Government of Rwanda and its partners will work collaboratively to operationalize the policy through multisectoral programs and flagship initiatives aimed at delivering tangible, measurable impact on the ground.
More than an annual forum, the Rubavu retreat marked a shared commitment to a new era of development cooperation one defined by stronger partnerships, effective implementation, and a common focus on lasting results for the people of Rwanda.
