By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Delegation of the European Union to Rwanda has signed off on a €10 million grant payment to the government of Rwanda. The grant will go towards the continued rehabilitation and maintenance of 200 kilometres of rural roads in Rwanda.
The Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Rwanda Ambassador Michael Ryan remarked: “Rural roads provide the backbone of economic activity for nearly 80% of Rwanda’s citizens, most of who depend on farming and small scale commerce for their livelihoods. EU financial support has the ultimate objective of reducing poverty and improving living conditions for Rwandans.”
The payment is the final stage of the €40 million under the framework of the Sector Policy Support Programme for the improvement of the rural road network in Rwanda over 6 years.
The road networks facilitates access to markets and basic economic and social services as well as enhancing access to food and improve rural policies at the local level.
Ambassador Michael Ryan added: “Eighty percent of our assistance is budget support, a sign of EU confidence in Rwanda’s economic management. I also take this occasion to wish all Rwandans a happy Christmas and a prosperous, peaceful new year”.