Rwanda

Rwanda has a population of approximately 13.6 million people (2024). It shares borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, and Burundi. The Rwandan government is committed to achieving development goals through strategies such as transforming the country into a regional logistics hub and strengthening regional trade, supported by a growing services sector.

The main economic challenges include low agricultural productivity due to land fragmentation, limited mechanization, and the impacts of climate change. Rwanda aims to become a middle-income country by 2035 and a high-income country by 2050. The country plans to achieve this through the implementation of its second National Strategy for Transformation (NST-2), a five-year development program based on sectoral strategies focused on achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Rwanda’s economy continued to perform well in 2025, with annual growth reaching 7.8% in the first half of the year, following an impressive average growth rate of 8.4% between 2022 and 2024. This expansion has been largely driven by strong investment activity and sustained growth in the services sector. However, agricultural production has slowed, reflecting a contraction in food production and only a moderate increase in export crops. (Source: World Bank)

Italian Contribution

Italian Cooperation currently supports several initiatives in Rwanda, implemented by Italian civil society organizations in partnership with local institutions and universities. The interventions aim to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth by strengthening agri-food value chains in coffee and horticulture, supporting sustainable farming practices and efficient irrigation, and improving access to safe drinking water and sanitation services in rural areas.

Through collaborations with partners such as ICU, the Movement Against Hunger (MLFM), and the University of Bolzano, Italian Cooperation contributes to strengthening local capacities and enhancing the resilience of rural Rwandan communities.Inizio modulo