This paper considers the progress made in the implementation of Rwanda's Vision 2020 programme since its launch in 2000. At the halfway point, the overall picture is quite encouraging. Rwanda's economy is thriving and reported growth figures have been impressive. The country is on track to meet the Millennium Development Goals in the fields of education and health care. Its political leaders have been praised for their quality of technocratic governance and their proactive approach to creating an attractive business climate. However, some indicators remain problematic. This paper argues that the current strategy – one of maximum growth at any cost – is counterproductive to the objective of achieving the greatest possible poverty reduction. Strong economic growth, concentrated in the hands of a small elite, results in a highly skewed developmental path with limited trickle-down potential. A possible alternative lies in an exploration of a broad-based inclusive growth model founded on existing strengths and the notion of capacity building among rural smallscale farmers. Striving for a more inclusive concept of growth would appear to be crucial not only for successful poverty reduction, but also with a view to promoting long-term stability and peace in Rwanda.
This paper considers the progress made in the implementation of Rwanda's Vision 2020 programme since its launch in 2000. At the halfway point, the overall picture is quite encouraging. Rwanda's economy is thriving and reported growth figures have been impressive. The country is on track to meet the Millennium Development Goals in the fields of education and health care. Its political leaders have been praised for their quality of technocratic governance and their proactive approach to creating an attractive business climate. However, some indicators remain problematic. This paper argues that the current strategy – one of maximum growth at any cost – is counterproductive to the objective of achieving the greatest possible poverty reduction. Strong economic growth, concentrated in the hands of a small elite, results in a highly skewed developmental path with limited trickle-down potential. A possible alternative lies in an exploration of a broad-based inclusive growth model founded on existing strengths and the notion of capacity building among rural small-scale farmers. Striving for a more inclusive concept of growth would appear to be crucial not only for successful poverty reduction, but also with a view to promoting long-term stability and peace in Rwanda. [Vision 2020 du Rwanda à mi-parcours: ce que l'œil ne voit pas.] Le présent article analyse les progrès accomplis dans la mise en œuvre du programme 'Vision 2020 du Rwanda' depuis son lancement en 2000. À mi-terme, le tableau d'ensemble est encourageant. L'économie du Rwanda est en plein essor et les chiffres de croissance rapportés sont impressionnants. Le pays est sur la bonne voie pour atteindre les Objectifs du Millénaire pour le développement dans les domaines de l'éducation et de santé. Ses dirigeants politiques ont été félicités pour la qualité de leur gouvernance technocratique et leur approche proactive de la création d'un climat propice au business. Toutefois, plusieurs indicateurs restent problématiques. Cet article soutient que la stratégie actuelle – celle d'une croissance maximale à tout prix – est contre-productive par rapport à l'objectif qui vise à atteindre la plus grande réduction possible de la pauvreté. La forte croissance économique, concentrée dans les mains d'une petite élite, résulte en une voie de développement très inégal avec un potentiel limité de retombées. Une alternative possible réside dans l'exploration d'un modèle fondé sur une croissance inclusive sur la base d'un renforcement des capacités des petits agriculteurs. Ceci semble crucial, non seulement pour réduire la pauvreté, mais aussi en vue de promouvoir la stabilité à long terme et la paix au Rwanda.
Mots-clés: Rwanda ; pauvreté ; croissance ; politiques de développement
This paper considers the progress made in the implementation of Rwanda's Vision 2020 programme since its launch in 2000. At the halfway point, the overall picture is quite encouraging. Rwanda's economy is thriving and reported growth figures have been impressive. The country is on track to meet the Millennium Development Goals in the fields of education and health care. Its political leaders have been praised for their quality of technocratic governance and their proactive approach to creating an attractive business climate. However, some indicators remain problematic. This paper argues that the current strategy – one of maximum growth at any cost – is counterproductive to the objective of achieving the greatest possible poverty reduction. Strong economic growth, concentrated in the hands of a small elite, results in a highly skewed developmental path with limited trickle-down potential. A possible alternative lies in an exploration of a broad-based inclusive growth model founded on existing strengths and the notion of capacity building among rural smallscale farmers. Striving for a more inclusive concept of growth would appear to be crucial not only for successful poverty reduction, but also with a view to promoting long-term stability and peace in Rwanda.
This paper outlines the Rwandan government's achievements in terms of the execution of its Vision 2020 that was elaborated in 2000. Being 'halfway', the overall picture seems quite promising. Rwanda's economy is thriving with impressive economic growth figures. The country is on track to reach most Millennium development goals in the domain of education and health. The government is applauded for the quality of its technocratic governance and its pro-active policy to create an attractive business climate. However, there are also problematic indicators such as the limited extent of poverty reduction and the huge increase in inequality. This paper argues that the current strategy - one of maximal growth at all cost – is counterproductive to the objective of maximal poverty reduction. A strong economic growth, concentrated in the hands of a small elite, results in a highly skewed developmental path with limited trickle-down potential. As an alternative, the paper pleads in favour of broad-based inclusive growth building upon the knowledge and enhancing the capacities of rural small-scale farmers.
This paper outlines the Rwandan government's achievements in terms of the execution of its Vision 2020 that was elaborated in 2000. Being 'halfway', the overall picture seems quite promising. Rwanda's economy is thriving with impressive economic growth figures. The country is on track to reach most Millennium development goals in the domain of education and health. The government is applauded for the quality of its technocratic governance and its pro-active policy to create an attractive business climate. However, there are also problematic indicators such as the limited extent of poverty reduction and the huge increase in inequality. This paper argues that the current strategy - one of maximal growth at all cost – is counterproductive to the objective of maximal poverty reduction. A strong economic growth, concentrated in the hands of a small elite, results in a highly skewed developmental path with limited trickle-down potential. As an alternative, the paper pleads in favour of broad-based inclusive growth building upon the knowledge and enhancing the capacities of rural small-scale farmers.
