The Government of Rwanda and the United Nations have signed a landmark $1.04 billion (over Rwf 1.46 trillion) cooperation framework to accelerate inclusive and sustainable development over the next five years. Signed in Kigali by Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa and the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Rwanda, Ozonnia Ojielo, the agreement aligns Rwanda’s national development goals with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the newly launched United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2025–2029.
This strategic framework will serve as the UN’s primary planning and implementation tool at the country level, built on Rwanda’s Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) 2024–2029 and its long-term development vision, Vision 2050. Speaking during the ceremony, Murangwa hailed the agreement as a milestone in Rwanda’s development path. “This framework is a testament to our enduring partnership with the United Nations and to Rwanda’s vision for a more inclusive, prosperous and sustainable future. It reflects our shared priorities and our joint commitment to leave no one behind,” said Murangwa.
The UNSDCF outlines a collaborative agenda to mobilise the $1.04 billion over five years through integrated programmes, innovation and partnerships involving government, civil society, the private sector and global development partners. It will support national priorities around inclusive economic transformation, human capital development and transformational governance. Special emphasis is placed on gender equality, climate resilience and digital innovation as cross-cutting themes.
Ojielo reaffirmed the UN’s dedication to supporting Rwanda’s ambitious development goals. “As the United Nations turns 80, this Framework reaffirms our commitment to Delivering as One in support of Rwanda’s transformation journey. It is both a call to action and a platform for results driven by national ownership, powered by partnerships and guided by the ambition to achieve the SDGs.”
The design of the framework was informed by an extensive consultative process involving over 50 national institutions, UN agencies and key development stakeholders. This collaborative approach ensures that the framework is locally owned, responsive and rooted in Rwanda’s development reality. It also mirrors the country’s forward-looking model that prioritises green growth, climate action, youth empowerment and technology-led development.
As the global community approaches the 2030 SDG deadline, both Rwanda and the UN are calling for more focused, coordinated efforts to deliver tangible impact, especially at the community level. The new UNSDCF marks not only a financial investment but also a deepened strategic alliance aimed at ensuring sustainable progress for all Rwandans.
