Rwanda
The Belgian development cooperation supports Rwanda’s sustainable development agenda for the socioeconomic welfare of its people. The Belgo-Rwandan partnership 2019–2024 focuses on three main sectors in line with the priorities of the Rwandan government.
Health
Rwandan health care services have improved significantly, however, major challenges remain. For instance, in many rural areas the quality of and access to health care services are not optimal yet.
Belgium provides support to the construction and rehabilitation of health infrastructure and to capacity development of health institutions, in order to improve access to primary health care. A strong focus is put on reproductive and sexual health services, in line with Rwanda’s ambition to ensure access to quality health for all.
Belgium will be the first to implement support to reproductive and sexual health through Results-based Financing, linking incentives with agreed upon results.
Urbanisation
Rwanda’s urban population is expected to increase from 18.5% in 2015 to 41.,2% in 2050. This rapid urbanisation is a challenge which, if well managed, can offer opportunities for job creation and economic development.
Rubavu, Musanze and Rwamagana are emerging cities with a high economic potential due to tourism assets, fertile land and proximity to bigger cities like Kigali and Goma (DRC). We support these three cities to develop their local economy, and advise local authorities on urban planning for economic development.
We improve the infrastructure of market places and build roads connecting these commercial centers. In addition, Enabel works with the Government of Rwanda and local companies to address challenges of technology, standards and management experience. We also provide training to the construction sector.
Agriculture
As the backbone of Rwanda’s economy, agriculture and agribusiness are crucial for its growth and poverty reduction. The agricultural sector accounts for 39% of GDP and nearly three quarters of Rwanda’s employment.
But challenges such as low levels of productivity and inefficient farming practices need to be tackled in order to contribute to economic development and job creation. Jointly with the World Bank, the United Kingdom and Holland, Belgium supports the Rwandan Ministry of Agriculture to implement Rwanda’s Strategic Plan for the Transformation of Agriculture.
This aims to reform agriculture from a subsistence sector into a knowledge-based value-creating sector contributing to the national economy and ensuring food and nutrition security.
Public Finance Management
Enabel and its partners aspire to increase the effectiveness and sustainability of Public Financial Management systems at central and local government level. Good public finance management is also essential to achieve results in our other action areas of health, agriculture and urbanisation.
Related content
Enabel has been active in Rwanda since 1999 through partnerships and programmes with funding from Belgium and other commissioners. The current Belgian cooperation programme 2024-2029 of 95 million euros aims to contribute to Rwanda’s socio-economic development, with focus on healthcare, agriculture and urbanisation. It is complemented with a five-year Belgium-funded thematic portfolio on social protection worth 17.6 million euros. This highlights Belgium’s and Rwanda’s joint commitment to fostering significant, long-term growth and prosperity, to enhance the quality of life for all Rwandans.
Country brochure
Read the reflection paper. A collaboration between the European Union, the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles/Wallonie-Bruxelles International, Bozar and Enabel.
Culture and creativity for the future of cities
Have a look at our projects in Rwanda via the open.enabel platform.
Our projects in Rwanda
Contact the Enabel team in Rwanda
News & Events
News
20 August 2026
Belgium and Enabel support Ukraine’s recovery, from life-saving healthcare to safe classrooms
Discover how Enabel and Belgium back Ukraine’s recovery through healthcare, hospital renovation and safe school shelters.
Read more
News
18 August 2026
Science serving practice
Jens works as a Junior Expert in Benin for Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (VSF), where he develops evaluation tools and helps to monitor projects.
Read more
News
12 August 2026
Entrepreneurship to transform society
Discover how Awa Prize winners in Benin, Mali, Uganda and beyond drive social change through entrepreneurship, education and clean energy.
Read more
News
27 July 2026
When visibility becomes a driver of growth
Discover how the Awa Prize boosts women entrepreneurs with visibility, networking and sustainable business growth.
Read more
News
10 July 2026
Creating, passing on, undertaking: culture driven by women
Discover how the Awa Prize empowers women entrepreneurs driving culture, creative industries and sustainable impact across Africa and beyond.
Read more
News
9 July 2026
“Technical expertise is not enough without trust and mutual understanding”
How two years as a Junior Expert in Kasese, Uganda, shaped Xavier Tezzo’s career in food systems and development.
Read more