Annually, for the past eight years the government of Rwanda, and its development partners hold a Development Partners Meeting (DPM). 

The main purpose of the meeting according to organisers  is policy dialogue, where the government openly engages in dialogue with donors on major policy issues as well as facilitate the strategic orientation of their partnerships.

It is in this regard that the Rwandan government and over 400 of its development partners are meeting under the theme, "Beyond aid: innovation mechanism for financing the EDPRS.”

A theme that fully encompasses Rwanda’s economic vision , which is based on thinking outside the box of donor dependency in perpetuity.

A point well emphasised by Prime-Minister Bernard Makuza in his opening  remarks, "we need to go beyond aid and seek alternative and innovative financing for our long term development agenda.”

Something attainable, given Rwanda’s unique relationship with her development partners. It is rare that the donor community of any country develops a relationship with the government of the host country based on the basic tenets of transparency and accountability.

The Rwandan government goes through a public accountability process, whereby it accounts for every penny received from its development partners. No need for coercion, threats of sanctions or cutting of aid.

Rwanda opens herself up to scrutiny with much enthusiasm. She offers a solution as to why even if so much donor funding is poured into certain countries, poverty remains their hallmark.

This is all a result of the inherent culture of transparency, dominant in the country’s leadership. Making it possible to do away with corruption and abuse of donor funds.

The good use of donor funding only means that the country will benefit and develop fast - - in the end Rwanda will be too developed to need aid at all.

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