Rwanda’s journey since the adoption of its decentralisation policy 25 years ago can best be described as a deliberate and tangible effort to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor and build a more balanced society. According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), the country's poverty rate fell from 58.9% in 2001 to 27.4% in 2024. The gap between the most and least developed districts has also significantly narrowed, reflecting a commendable level of regional equity and leaving no one behind. These outcomes reflect a clear, irrefutable commitment to poverty reduction through decentralised governance. While disparities in local revenue generation persist between districts, decentralisation has ensured that all local governments compete fairly and are held accountable for implementing national policies to benefit their communities. Imihigo: more than just targets When Rwanda introduced annual performance contracts, known locally as Imihigo, in 2006 — where District Mayors commit to performance targets directly with the President, it quickly became evident that decentralisation was key to accelerating grassroots transformation. Through competitive performance among districts, Local Economic Development (LED) targets have brought citizens closer to markets, ensured the routine delivery of essential infrastructure, and improved livelihoods by connecting faces to measurable outcomes. These efforts have driven a mindset shift away from dependency and towards human capital development. Today, decentralisation is not merely a policy; it is a practice that directly translates into community-owned socio-economic development. The same principle of Imihigo cascades down, with local leaders entering similar performance contracts with communities. The impact is visible in the rise of new businesses and jobs generated by investments in roads, electricity, irrigation, and other infrastructure. Social protection: Reaching the right beneficiaries Thanks to decentralised leadership, social protection policies have been delivered with greater transparency and effectiveness. In every village, community members actively identify the most vulnerable to benefit from social safety net programmes, ensuring fairness and accountability. Moreover, the Joint Action Development Forum (JADF) — a platform bringing together local authorities, NGOs, and the private sector strengthens joint planning, coordination, and resource mobilisation. In many districts, JADF contributions account for over 30% of annual budgets directed towards communities, demonstrating the importance of local partnerships beyond government funding. Inclusive Leadership: youth, women, and persons with disabilities Decentralised governance has also ensured inclusive representation in decision-making. Local elections guarantee seats for youth, women, and persons with disabilities on councils — the equivalent of local parliaments in other systems. This ensures that no voice is left unheard in shaping development priorities. Local authorities remain at the forefront of delivering Rwanda’s decentralisation agenda with a commitment to accountability and performance. Reviving home-grown solutions to address modern challenges Decentralisation has also enabled the revival and modernisation of home-grown solutions rooted in Rwanda’s precolonial traditions. Practices such as Umuganda (community work) have been harnessed to build homes for vulnerable people, pave feeder roads, and construct bridges — all through collective volunteerism. Similarly, traditional mediation and reconciliation mechanisms have been adapted to address issues ranging from social conflicts to gender-based violence. These cultural practices, revived and formalised by local leaders, continue to serve as pillars of community resilience and cohesion. A proven model for citizen-centered development Rwanda’s decentralisation policy remains true to its original objective: to deepen and sustain citizen-centered governance and promote equitable local development for socio-economic transformation. Over the past 25 years, Rwanda has experienced development that exceeds its resources, citizen engagement beyond mere mobilisation, and a growing sense of pride and ownership among communities. Citizens no longer see government initiatives as distant; they embrace them as their own. The writer is the Vice Mayor for Economic Development in Rwamagana District.
