Rwanda, in collaboration with PEMANDU Associates, a global consulting firm, has unveiled the “Inspiring Rwanda’s Private Sector Innovation: Call for Project Ideas.” This initiative aims to solicit catalytic and transformative projects that will expedite the realization of Vision 2050.
The call for project ideas is open to all Rwandans, partners, and friends of Rwanda, including members of the public, government ministries and agencies, development partners, experts, the diaspora, and private sector leaders.
The objective is to collect dynamic and visionary project proposals that can significantly contribute to the country’s development.
Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and PEMANDU will utilize the 8-step Big Fast Results© methodology to evaluate and select viable project ideas based on predefined criteria.
Selected projects will undergo further development during Lab sessions, which will involve extensive qualitative and quantitative analysis, market research, global trends assessment, benchmarking exercises, viability assessments, and detailed implementation plans.
These Lab sessions will foster ecosystem-wide collaboration between the government, development partners, public and private sector leaders, subject matter experts, prospective investors, and idea contributors.
The aim is to collectively refine the ideas into bankable projects ready for presentation to investors.
Francis Gatare, Chief Executive Officer of RDB, emphasized the pivotal role of the private sector in driving national economic development. He highlighted RDB’s commitment to facilitating and supporting the private sector, enabling rapid and sustainable growth in Rwanda.
The call for project ideas is viewed as a crucial step towards spearheading economic growth, expanding emerging sectors, and advancing Rwanda’s national development agenda.
Aida Azmi, Joint Managing Director & Partner at PEMANDU Associates, highlighted Rwanda’s shift towards an economic model centered on innovation and high-value-added activities, predominantly driven by the private sector.
Drawing from PEMANDU’s experience in economic transformation, particularly in Malaysia, she expressed confidence in Rwanda’s potential to achieve similar success.
The collaboration aims to pioneer paradigm shifts that amplify the private sector’s role in realizing Vision 2050 and the upcoming National Strategy for Transformation.
The call for project ideas from the Rwandan diaspora is seen as a catalyst for developing new sectors and economic capabilities that can be scaled across the continent, aligning with Rwanda’s vision for regional leadership and economic integration.