Rwanda Cooperation October 2026 Highlights

As part of Rwanda Cooperation’s efforts to share Rwanda’s experience and knowledge, international delegations visited Rwanda this October to exchange insights on key development priorities, ranging from public financial management and healthcare to agricultural investment, digital governance and security.

Guinea was among the most active partners, sending three delegations in one month to explore public financial management, universal health coverage and economic diplomacy. Liberia focused on decentralised governance and public service delivery, while Sierra Leone examined Rwanda's approach to agricultural investment and agribusiness development. Other delegations from Nigeria, Ethiopia and Malawi explored areas including healthcare, water resources management, ICT regulation and national security.

Beyond these study visits, Rwanda Cooperation continued to strengthen international partnerships, extending its engagements from Kigali to Lisbon and Dili.

Understanding How Rwanda's Institutions Deliver

Three delegations from Guinea visited Rwanda in October, each seeking practical insights into institutional approaches that support national development.

The Inspection Générale des Finances focused on Rwanda's public financial management systems, examining processes ranging from budget planning and expenditure management to financial oversight and auditing. Through engagements with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, the Office of the Auditor General, the Office of the Ombudsman and Parliament, the delegation gained insights into Rwanda's accountability mechanisms. It also explored the role of digital systems in strengthening public financial management through exchanges with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation and the Rwanda Information Society Authority.

The Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene turned its attention to another important development priority: making healthcare accessible and affordable. Led by Mr. Moussa Cissé, Adviser to the Minister and Director of Cabinet of the President of the Republic, and accompanied by H.E. Soumaila Savané, Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea to Rwanda, the delegation undertook a seven-day study visit focused on Rwanda's progress in Universal Health Coverage. Discussions covered Community-Based Health Insurance (Mutuelles de Santé), performance-based financing, community health services, digital health information systems and medical supply chain management.

“Delegation from Guinea's Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene during its study visit in Rwanda - Mr. Moussa Cissé, Adviser to the Minister and Director of Cabinet of the President of the Republic, and accompanied by H.E. Soumaila Savané, Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea to Rwanda”

The third delegation, under the Programme to Support Economic Diplomacy, Strategic Intelligence and International Cooperation (PRODEIC), explored how Rwanda advances economic diplomacy, promotes investment and engages its diaspora. The programme brought the delegation into contact with key institutions, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration, the Rwanda Development Board, the National Bank of Rwanda, the Kigali International Financial Centre and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Bringing Public Services Closer to Citizens

For Liberia's Ministry of Internal Affairs, the study visit focused on how effective governance, decentralisation and public service delivery can improve the lives of citizens at the community level.

Led by Hon. Edward K. Mulbah, Deputy Minister for Research and Development Planning, the delegation undertook a nine-day study visit that began with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial. It explored Rwanda's decentralised governance model, fiscal decentralisation, Imihigo performance contracts and Umuganda as a platform for community participation and development.

Throughout the visit, the delegation engaged with the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, the City of Kigali, Rwanda Revenue Authority, Rwanda Governance Board, Rwanda Development Board, LODA, Irembo and RALGA. It was also received by Hon. Dominique Habimana, Minister of Local Government, and Hon. Godfrey Kabera, Minister of State for National Treasury.

Speaking to Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), Deputy Minister Mulbah highlighted the shared history and institutional similarities between Rwanda and Liberia. He expressed confidence that the lessons gained from the visit and the partnership between the two countries would contribute to meaningful results in Liberia.

During the delegation's welcome session at Rwanda Cooperation on 20 October, Richard Niwenshuti, Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Cooperation, emphasised that such exchanges strengthen friendly relations, encourage mutual learning and contribute to progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

“Hon. Edward K. Mulbah, Deputy Minister for Research and Development Planning, with Rwanda Cooperation CEO Richard Niwenshuti during the delegation's welcome session.”

Healthcare delivery at the community level also featured among October's knowledge-sharing priorities. Nigeria's Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board, accompanied by its partner, the Sanitas Health and Development Foundation, visited Rwanda to learn how the country extends healthcare services to communities.

The delegation explored Rwanda's experience in Community-Based Health Insurance, the role of community health workers and the use of digital solutions in healthcare delivery. In addition to engagements with the Ministry of Health, Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Ministry of Local Government and Rwanda Social Security Board, the programme included field visits to Musanze and Rubavu districts, providing an opportunity to learn from healthcare service delivery at the local level.

From Managing Natural Resources to Attracting Investment

October also provided opportunities for countries to exchange knowledge on natural resource management and the creation of an enabling environment for economic growth.

Ethiopia's Ministry of Water and Energy undertook a week-long knowledge exchange focused on water resources management, hydrological monitoring, water data systems and infrastructure development. Through engagements with the Ministry of Infrastructure, WASAC, Rwanda Water Resources Board, Meteo Rwanda and RURA, the delegation explored Rwanda's institutional and technical approaches to managing water resources.

Meanwhile, a joint delegation from Sierra Leone's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) focused on agricultural investment and agribusiness development.

Led by Hon. Bryan Bakar Smart-Kanu, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, the delegation undertook a five-day study visit to understand how Rwanda attracts, facilitates and retains investment in agriculture. Engagements with the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, RAB, NAEB, RDB, RRA, Rwanda Standards Board, RICA, National Land Authority and Private Sector Federation provided insights into the policies, institutions and partnerships supporting Rwanda's agricultural investment ecosystem.

The programme also included a field visit to an agribusiness in Bugesera District, allowing the delegation to observe how agricultural investment and business development approaches are applied in practice.

“Delegation from Sierra Leone's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and FAO during a working session at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources.”

Securing the Digital Future and Strengthening National Security

As technology becomes increasingly central to public service delivery and national development, digital governance and security remained important areas of knowledge exchange during the month.

A delegation from the Ethiopian Communications Authority visited Rwanda to learn from the country's experience in ICT regulation, licensing, spectrum management, infrastructure sharing, consumer protection and internet governance. The programme included engagements with RURA, RISA and RICTA, providing insights into the institutional frameworks that support a connected and well-regulated digital environment.

Rwanda also welcomed senior officers from the Malawi Defence Force Senior Command and Staff Course 05 for an exchange covering defence transformation, regional peace and security, foreign policy, ICT and cybersecurity.

Welcomed by Richard Niwenshuti, Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Cooperation, the delegation engaged with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ministry of ICT and Innovation and National Cyber Security Authority.

“Rwanda Cooperation CEO Richard Niwenshuti receives a delegation from the Malawi Defence Force Command and Staff College during the Senior Command and Staff Course 05 visit.”

Taking Cooperation Beyond Study Visits

Beyond facilitating study visits, Rwanda Cooperation continued to build relationships aimed at translating knowledge exchange into sustained institutional partnerships.

In Kigali, CEO Richard Niwenshuti received H.E. Ambassador Ibrahim G. Zanna, High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Rwanda, for a courtesy visit. With more than 100 delegations received from Nigeria to date, the country remains one of Rwanda Cooperation's most engaged partners.

Discussions focused on establishing a technical cooperation framework to deepen institutional engagement, monitor the impact of study visits and expand collaboration in priority development areas.

In Lisbon, Portugal, Rwanda Cooperation CEO participated in the 10th International Meeting on Triangular Cooperation, where he engaged with g7+ leaders to discuss expanding the existing Memorandum of Understanding from seven to all twenty-member countries. He also held discussions with Timor-Leste’s Minister of the Interior to prepare for a Rwandan delegation’s working visit to Dili in March 2027. 

“CEO Richard Niwenshuti with g7+ Secretary-General Dr. Helder da Costa during the 10th International Meeting on Triangular Cooperation in Lisbon.”

Israel was another focus of Rwanda Cooperation's partnership-building efforts. Building on discussions surrounding the Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Israel in September, the CEO received Mr. Haim Bibas, Mayor of Modi'in-Maccabim-Reut, to explore potential knowledge exchange in smart city development, e-mobility and urban planning.

Back in Kigali, Rwanda Cooperation welcomed a delegation from the Office of the President of Liberia, led by Dr. Augustine Konneh, Senior Advisor to the President, and Dr. Macdonald M. Metzer, Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration in the Office of the Vice President.

Discussions focused on Rwanda's experience in digital transformation and public service delivery, as well as opportunities to strengthen future collaboration between the two countries.

October at a Glance

During October, Rwanda Cooperation welcomed 14 delegations from nine countries, while continuing strategic engagements with international partners. From public financial management and universal healthcare to agricultural investment, digital governance and national security, these exchanges connected international partners with Rwanda's institutions and demonstrated the value of learning from one another.

Through study visits, institutional partnerships and continued international engagement, Rwanda Cooperation remains committed to advancing South-South and Triangular Cooperation, facilitating the exchange of practical development solutions and supporting sustainable development across the Global South.