Emmanuel Nshimiyimana, a political scientist at the University of Rwanda (UR), says strengthening accountability across public and private institutions will be critical to achieving Rwanda’s target of raising gross domestic product (GDP) per capita to $4,036 by 2035, as the country seeks to accelerate economic growth and improve citizens’ living standards.

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He was speaking on Friday, October 9, during a consultative meeting held under the theme "The Role of Political Organisations in Building and Promoting Democracy Suited to Africa”.

The meeting was organised in partnership with the Pan-African Movement, Rwanda Chapter.

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"In a democracy, citizens should hold their leaders accountable to accelerate poverty reduction. It is commendable that good governance, sound resource management, accountability and the rule of law have enabled Rwanda to remain on course towards achieving a GDP per capita of $4,000,” Nshimiyimana said.

According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), the country’s GDP per capita was estimated at $1,156 in 2025, up from $1,091 in 2024.

Under Vision 2050, Rwanda aspires to become an upper-middle-income country by 2035 and a high-income country by 2050. Key economic targets include raising GDP per capita to more than $4,036 by 2035 and $12,476 by 2050.

Nshimiyimana said political parties have an important role to play in ensuring that Rwanda achieves its economic targets.

"With political parties, Rwanda operates under a system of consensus democracy, which is key to achieving economic development targets,” he noted.

The consensual approach to democracy emphasises the pursuit of solutions through dialogue and consensus.

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Democracy can also contribute to higher GDP per capita through several mechanisms, according to analysts. These include accountability, which enables citizens to hold underperforming leaders responsible for their actions; improved public spending, investment in education, healthcare and infrastructure; and the rule of law, which can strengthen investor confidence and protect property rights.

Other mechanisms include political stability and reduced corruption, as transparency and public scrutiny can help limit the misuse of public resources.

"Corruption, embezzlement and poor governance affect a country's development. We need proper management and use of resources. Democracy means accountability, and this helps increase citizens' purchasing power,” Nshimiyimana said.

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He added that servant leadership was another important driver of poverty reduction.

Servant leadership is an approach in which leaders prioritise the needs, growth and well-being of the people they serve rather than focusing primarily on their own power, status or success. It emphasises helping others succeed and creating an environment in which everyone can contribute and develop.

Protais Musoni, chairperson of the Pan-African Movement, Rwanda Chapter, said Africa should adopt forms of democracy that promote a culture of peace.

"We need political stability. Good governance, economic development and political stability are key to our democracy. Ethnic discrimination, which preceded the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, was a manifestation of poor governance and affected the country's GDP,” he said.

Veneranda Nyirahirwa, a member of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), reiterated the role of political parties in explaining democracy to ordinary citizens and showing how it relates to their welfare and development.

"We need citizen-centred democracy,” she said.

Leonard Ndagijimana, president of the Parti Démocrate Centriste (PDC) and spokesperson for the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations (NFPO), emphasised the importance of engaging young people and women in discussions about democracy.

"Good democracy takes into account the context and history of each country. We should also draw lessons from Pan-Africanism,” he said.

Pan-Africanism is a worldwide movement that promotes unity, political freedom and economic cooperation among African countries and people of African descent.