By: Kanto
Kai Okanta
Rwanda and the African Union
Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) have reaffirmed their commitment to
advancing Africa’s transformation, with both sides highlighting stronger
coordination, sustainable financing and regional integration as priorities for
deepening continental development.
The commitment was
reinforced during a meeting between AUDA-NEPAD Chief Executive Officer H.E.
Nardos Bekele-Thomas and Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation, Hon. Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe, held on the margins of the
Africa Food Systems Forum.
The discussions highlighted
Rwanda’s growing role as a continental convening hub, including its hosting of
the Africa Food Systems Forum and the Africa HealthTech Summit, as well as its
contribution to regional cooperation in science, technology and innovation.
Rwanda’s role in Africa’s
institutional development was also recognised, including the country’s hosting
of the headquarters of the African Medicines Agency.
More than 40 AUDA-NEPAD
projects and interventions are currently underway in Rwanda across agriculture,
infrastructure, health, human capital, and science and technology. According to
AUDA-NEPAD, the initiatives are delivering practical results aligned with
Rwanda’s national priorities and the objectives of Agenda 2063.
Looking ahead, the two sides
stressed the need for stronger coordination and sustainable financing for
continental institutions, alongside continued advocacy for regional integration
and development.
The discussions also
explored the possibility of establishing an AUDA-NEPAD National Office in
Rwanda. Such an office could strengthen national ownership of continental
programmes, improve coordination and bring technical support closer to Rwandan
institutions and communities.
The proposed office would
also provide a stronger platform for aligning AUDA-NEPAD interventions with
Rwanda’s development priorities and improving the delivery of programmes at the
national level.
AUDA-NEPAD said Rwanda is
playing an increasingly important role not only in shaping continental
discussions but also in translating Africa’s development ambitions into
practical action.
The agency said it looks
forward to building on the partnership with Rwanda to support a more
integrated, resilient and prosperous Africa.
