Rwanda National Police

As provided by Article 98 of Rwanda’s Constitution, this afternoon, President Paul Kagame delivered the State of the Nation highlighting key achievements this year in various sectors as well as pointing out areas for improvement.

President Kagame began by highlighting Rwanda’s security and stability that has enabled Rwandans to work and participate in the country’s development.

“This is the same stability and security we wish for other countries as well. This is why wherever we are called upon to contribute to peace building we do it with a keen understanding of its value. Rwanda’s stabil-ity affords us the basis to continue to work on building our economy, which is both the foundation and pulse of our development. This year’s figures reflect continued growth of our economy. Currently, growth stands at 6.6% and is predicted to be higher in the coming year. Beyond these figures is the continued im-provement in the well-being of Rwandans.”

A growing economy

President Kagame said that export revenues have reached 489 million dollars this year, representing a 27% increase over last year. Exports are mostly in agriculture, a sector expected to grow 5.4% this year. President Kagame said the launch of the East African Commodities Exchange is a significant step because it provides farmers a permanent market for their products.

“It is critical that we continue to increase agricultural productivity in the coming years and to enhance value addition in this sector. We must also further develop the practice of rain harvesting and grain storage to mitigate the dry seasons.”

President Kagame also projected that mining sector revenues would double this year, judging by the performance of the sector in the first six months of this year, where 30 million dollars was registered in mining revenue compared to 39 million dollars for the whole of 2012.

President Kagame also gave an overview of investments in Rwanda, which he said have continued to increase steadily. Overall, the Rwanda Development Board registered 456 million dollars in investments in the first six months of the year, compared with 538 million dollars in total in 2012.

“Tourism continues to be our top foreign exchange earner. Between January and October this year, Rwanda received over 714,000 visitors who injected 217 million dollars into our economy, a 4% increase over 2012. This year also saw growth in financial services by banks, SACCOs as well as other credit granting institutions. Between September 2012 and September 2013, bank deposits grew by almost 20% and loans grant-ed increased by 13%.”

Improvements in education, health and justice

This year, primary school and secondary school enrollment increased by 7% and 6% respectively while university enrollment increased by 10%.

In addition, with the increase of technical and vocational schools (TVET), enrollment at technical high schools and higher education institutions increased 15% and 47% respectively.

In the health sector, in 2013, Rwanda concentrated on increasing the number of hospitals and skilled medical professionals. Today, 81% of Rwandans have health insurance that helps them to access medical care anywhere in the country. Women giving birth in hospitals increased by 86%, child mortality has decreased with 95% of children immunized for 12 diseases.

In the justice sector, laws continue to be reviewed where necessary, based on international best practices and in a vote of confidence, the European Court of Human Rights declared that the justice system in Rwanda meets international legal standards.

Areas for improvement

Even with the strides taken in various sectors, President Kagame said improvements were needed in the energy sector, increasing access to health insurance and service delivery, especially at the local level. He challenged leaders to provide services in a timely, efficient manner that benefits Rwandans and allowed Rwanda to compete regionally and internationally.

Consolidating gains

President Kagame emphasized the need to consolidate the country’s gains by building on the foundation of the Rwandan spirit, even as Rwanda contributes to international organisations.

“For us to be able to contribute to those International organisations as well as get some benefits ourselves, we as Rwandans always have to have our own value. That is the main purpose of the new initiative that we have started of Ndi Umunyarwanda. It is therefore important that we keep supporting it, because it’s the right way to go. Next year, we will be commemorating the Genocide for the 20th time and we will also celebrate our Liberation for the 20th time. In that respect, I would like to sincerely thank all Rwandans as well as all the others who work with us for the level we have reached so far in building our country.”

In conclusion, President Kagame wished all Rwandans a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2014.

Source : gov.rw