Agaciro Fund, why it might be impossible elsewhere

The enthusiasm with which millions of Rwandans across the globe are coming up to contribute towards the Agaciro Development Fund must be baffling many people’s minds.The Fund today is more than Rwf8 billion, an equivalent of about $13 millionand the figure keeps growing each day.But let’s take a moment and ask ourselves why Rwandans, out of their own will, are rushing to put a coin in this noble initiative. To understand it better, we need to look at how this model would be received both across our borders and across the seas.We have all witnessed the kind of mayhem that the global economiccrisis has caused. This crisis has not only left millions jobless, it has also been responsible for a high mortality rate of some governments, including some of the most powerful in Europe.The reason for their collapse is one: Resentment from the public over tough austerity measures as a solution for a problem largely caused by greed and recklessness of the politicians and a few elites.Yet much as the Agaciro Fund is far from the purpose and meaning of ‘austerity measures’ like we see in Europe, its vision borders on the same cause.But the acceptance of these two initiatives is different largely due to a number of reasons that I will explain shortly.If we brought the debate closer to home, and suggested a project like the Agaciro Fund, say to our brothers within the EAC, I am certainly convinced that it would be turned into a laughing stock.Debate on every FM radio would reduce its purpose to another avenue or opportunity for ‘eating.’ It would attract all sorts of criticisms and attacks, right from civil society to the opposition to elements within government – all calling for a boycott.Yet what we see in Rwanda is a different situation. Rwandans, from all walks of life are rushing to make their contribution. The rural farmer, the motorists, small trader, civil servant, market vendor, school children have all joined the queue and the Agaciro Fund is as popular as the Primus brand.Some critics will say this initiative is forced down our throats. They are dead wrong. Otherwise how would you explain the response from hundreds of thousands of Rwandans in Diaspora, who are using electronic money transfer to make their contribution?It boils down to a few things.Whereas in Europe, any austerity measure is resented because people have largely lost confidence in leadership, in Rwanda, this confidence grows by the day, mainly due to the government’s track record on delivering.Therefore, an initiative where the hand of the executive is visible, most Rwandans will give it a benefit of doubt because of this record.With our neighbours, the story might be a little different. It rotates around the mistrust created by existing gaps in transparency and accountability leading to run-away corruption as recent reports suggested. Any suggestions pointing to a project like the Agaciro Fund would be viewed with a lot of suspicion and scepticism.Therefore, asking anyone to sacrifice a portion of their income is as good as asking them to go throw it in a deep ditch.This is not to suggest that Rwanda is clean. Not at all. Corruption exists but on a different scale. The only distinct difference is the existing strong and genuine political will to fight it.So, on average, a Rwandan is assured that every coin put in such an innovation will serve the rightful purpose and hence worth the sacrifice.That is one side of the coin. The other is something that relates, again, to the exceptional performance of this country especially when it comes to being innovative.For the last 18 years, Rwanda has been on a sketch board crafting manyinnovations that have raised controversy but also won admiration from many circles.The list of such innovations is long and follows into the folder of ‘home-grown’ solutions. The vision and mission behind the Agaciro Fund might not necessarily be new on paper. It might have even been tried in some other countries. The difference here and which makes it more “Rwandan” is the direct involvement of the ordinary person.Now Rwandans have grown to appreciate being the drivers of their innovations.They have driven Gacaca and succeeded. They have driven innovations like Imihigo, Ubudehe, Girinka et al and are enjoying the fruits.Agaciro Development Fund is just like any of the above; one thing that Rwandans detest a lot, is the word “umugayo” or room for failure. The Agaciro Fund will have to flourish.

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Agaciro Fund, why it might be impossible elsewhere