Economy

It is from the numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.
-- Robert F. Kennedy

With about 60% of the population below the poverty line, Rwanda struggles economically. Most people depend on subsistence agriculture. Rwanda is now the most densely populated country in Africa and food must be imported to make up for the rapid population growth and not-so-rapid growth in food production. There are a few natural resources and minimal industry in this land locked country. The 1994 genocide left its people severely impoverished and greatly hampered the country’s ability to attract private and external investment. Now that the GDP has rebounded and inflation has been curbed, there is hope of turning things around. Rwanda continues to receive substantial aid money and obtained IMF World Bank Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative debt relief in 2005. Kigali’s high defense expenditures have caused tension between the government and international donors and lending agencies. The lack of adequate transportation linkages to other countries continues to handicap export growth.
On the positive side, the economy does have potential for growth, should strong coffee and tea prices (the countries biggest foreign exchange commodity) and increased tourism continue. However, a more ambitious plan from the Rwandan government may also prove successful. Rwanda has development policies, called “Vision 2020”, focusing on poverty reduction, food security, attracting foreign direct investment, diversification of the economy, and privatization. The goal is to transform the economy from its 90% dependence on subsistence agriculture into a modern, broadly based economic engine, welcoming to investors, creating employment and new opportunities.

Kinyarwanda Words of the day
Coffee - Ikawa (EeKAHwah)
Tea - Icyayi (EeKEYAhYee)
Beer - Ibyeri (EeBeeYehRee)
Fruit Juice - Umutobe w'imbuto (OlMooToeBay WeemBooToe