The UN system in Rwanda and Equity Group Holdings, Equity Group Foundation and Equity Bank Rwanda have signed letters of intent to collaborate in accelerating the implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the country through supporting Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation and Vision 2050 programmes. The signing took place last week at Park-View Courts/Crown Conference Hall at Nyarutarama. The partnership aims to promote social inclusion and improve economic outcomes for human development – contributing to the socio-economic transformation of Rwanda and strives to achieve the SDGs in Rwanda through a public-private partnership and supporting Rwanda’s transition as an emerging middle-income country. The partnership will also harness innovative partnerships, investments, and financing to accelerate the SDGs for poverty alleviation and minimizing reliance on aid for transformation of the lives and livelihoods of the Rwandan people, leaving no one behind. Speaking at the signing ceremony, James Mwangi, the Managing Director and CEO of Equity Group Holdings Plc said, “Our existing partnerships with UN agencies, including system-wide agreements in both Kenya and Uganda have proven to be mutually beneficial to our common objectives of socio-economic development through the transformation of lives and livelihoods.” “For instance, alongside UN agencies and Government in our Social Protection work we have supported 3.3 million refugee and vulnerable beneficiaries and provided USD 852 million, as well as capacity building to advance their financial inclusion.” Fodé Ndiaye, the UN Resident Coordinator said that the Equity Group Foundation has demonstrated, beyond financial inclusion, its strong contribution to many African countries transformative journey. He added; “The UN has a global network of 193 countries, positioned in technical expertise, policy and strategy design and implementation, institution and systems building catalytic finance and innovations and enjoy a trustful partnership with the Government and various stakeholders, in Rwanda through its Cooperation Framework that we are revising.” He said that the strategic long-term partnership will promote and catalyse investments in the SDGs beyond short term cycles, enabling the UN system in Rwanda to reach more people on the ground through Equity’s financial and technical support, strong brand, its network, development expertise and local knowledge. Other areas of collaboration include youth education, job creation, financial inclusion, agriculture development and support, women’s empowerment and financing, health and energy and environment. In December 2021, the UN Inter-Agency team and Equity Group will be established and in February 2022, there will be a launch of the partnership implementation plan.
