As Rwanda joins the rest of the world in marking Labour Day 2026, the Ministry of Public Service and Labour says the country’s priorities are based on accelerating the formalisation of the informal economy, expanding employment services, strengthening labour standards, and aligning skills with labour market demands. Labour Day 2026 is both a moment of reflection on Rwanda's strong employment gains and a signal of our next phase: scaling what works, fast-tracking implementation, and accelerating the transition to more productive and resilient jobs, Minister of Public Service and Labour, Christine Nkurikiyinka, told The New Times. ALSO READ: Labour day is more than a party day, but a reflection on workers’ rights Employment gains in 2025 Rwanda's unemployment rate declined from 14.9 per cent in 2024 to 12.4 per cent in 2025, while mearly 240,000 new off-farm jobs were created over the same period. The Ministry attributes these gains to targeted investment policies, skills reforms and expanded youth employment programmes, alongside strong economic performance, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth above 7 per cent. ALSO READ: Labour Day: Thousands of mine workers benefit from minimum ‘living’ wage The reduction the unemployment and the increase in off-farm jobs reflect the combined effect of targeted interventions and deliberate efforts to mainstream employment across public and private investments, Nkurikiyinka said. Strategic investment promotion has helped channel capital into labour-intensive sectors, such as manufacturing, agro-processing, construction and hospitality, which continue to generate the bulk of new employment opportunities. We have prioritised attracting investment into sectors that can absorb large numbers of workers and expand opportunities for young people, she said. Graduate employment outcomes have also improved. Unemployment among university graduates declined from 11.5 per cent in 2024 to 10.2 per cent in 2025, while employment among technicians and professionals rose by 19.3 per cent over the same period. ALSO READ: Labour Day: 80% of new jobs filled by young people every year Nkurikiyinka said this reflects a shift towards demand-driven skills development and closer alignment between education and labour market needs. Key priorities for the next phase With more than 80 per cent of employment still in the informal economy, formalisation remains one of the government's most pressing priorities. Recognising that most Rwandans work in the informal economy, we will prioritise gradual formalisation pathways linking enterprises and workers to social security, simplified compliance regimes, and business development support, she said. The approach is to encourage formalisation through incentives rather than penalties, simplifying compliance processes and linking businesses to social protection systems while supporting them to improve productivity. Implementing the national employment and skills strategy The government is prioritising full operationalisation of the National Employment and Skills Strategy (NESS) 2024-2029, shifting from planning to execution with stronger coordination across institutions. We are embedding NESS targets into district development plans, strengthening inter-ministerial coordination, and introducing performance-based accountability across implementing institutions, Nkurikiyinka said. The focus will be on measurable outcomes, including job creation, earnings growth and skills relevance. Expanding employment services The Ministry plans to modernise and expand employment services across the country, scaling Employment Service Centres into a nationally integrated system combining job matching, labour market information, career guidance and recognition of prior learning. Employment services will be expanded and integrated with digital platforms to ensure nationwide access, particularly for youth in secondary cities and rural areas, Nkurikiyinka said. Strengthening labour standards and workplace safety The government also plans to strengthen labour inspection systems, with a focus on occupational safety and health in high-risk sectors. Labour inspections have already been intensified, with 3,783 establishments inspected in the 2024/25 period, recording an average compliance rate of 83.6 per cent. All employers are required to provide written contracts, ensure social security registration and guarantee safe working conditions. We will scale labour inspection and compliance systems, with a sharper focus on occupational safety and health, Nkurikiyinka said. Workplace wellness programmes will also be expanded, including mental health and the prevention of gender-based violence at work. Inspection efforts have been intensified in sectors such as accommodation and food services, where compliance challenges remain. Deepening social dialogue Social dialogue remains central to a stable labour market. We will deepen engagement between workers, employers and government through structured mechanisms, including collective bargaining, Nkurikiyinka said. The Ministry has also outlined targeted interventions for groups facing structural barriers to employment, including youth, women, persons with disabilities and rural populations. Existing programmes such as YouthConnekt, Hanga Pitchfest and public works schemes will be better aligned with labour market demand and entrepreneurship support systems. Employment programmes will be more deliberately targeted to those facing structural barriers, especially young women, persons with disabilities, and rural youth, Nkurikiyinka said. She added that the goal is to ensure inclusion is not only a policy but also reflected in actual access to opportunities across the labour market. Financing, value chains and youth programmes The government has expanded financing mechanisms through institutions such as the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) and commercial financial partners, targeting productive sectors including manufacturing and agribusiness. Concessional and blended finance instruments have been scaled to support businesses with the capacity to grow and hire more workers. Value chain development, particularly in agro-processing and post-harvest systems, has also been strengthened to link smallholder farmers to markets, creating jobs both upstream and downstream. Skills, work-based learning and the future of jobs The Ministry is scaling up work-based learning programmes, including internships and apprenticeships, in partnership with the private sector. More than 4,000 establishments have pledged to participate in-workplace learning initiatives, helping students gain practical experience while employers build talent pipelines. Future priorities will focus on high-demand sectors such as ICT, manufacturing, agribusiness, construction and green jobs, with digital skills increasingly integrated across education and training systems. We are not only focusing on access to jobs, but also on ensuring that skills match market needs and that graduates are prepared for the evolving economy, Nkurikiyinka said. She added that the Ministry of Labour and Public Service is strengthening connections between graduates and employers through digital platforms and employment services to reduce the mismatch between skills and available jobs.
