Rwanda is one of the fastest growing countries in East Africa and Africa at large in social and economic aspects; and the factors that have made this landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley where the African Great Lakes region and East Africa converge, was explained by the High Commissioner to the United Republic of Tanzania, Major General Charles Karamba in a recent exclusive interview with one of the local Radio stations in Tanzania, Clouds FM on the program named Power Breakfast. 

While speaking to the Radio presenter who sought to establish why Rwanda has always been listed among Africa’s fastest growing economies, The High Commissioner cited major sectors where tremendous strides have been made and key economic factors attract¬ing investors and tourists from abroad. 

Health Sector 
The High Commissioner intimated that Rwanda provides health insur¬ance cover to every citizen (Universal Health Insurance) where every citizen contributes a small amount and the government tops it up, this has helped to improve the health condition of many people in the country. 

“We have improved the maternal health of many women by establishing health centers in every village-cell and this has led to the decline of maternal and child mortality rate; citizens have got good family planning and improved health schemes”, revealed Amb. Maj. Gen Charles Karamba. 

Education Sector 
Rwanda has given priority to Education as the backbone for the development of various sectors. 
The High Commissioner said Rwanda has been providing free of charge Education to students of Primary and Secondary schools for many years, emphasizing that no child has failed to be registered at school in the country for lacking school fees. 

The Ministry of Education makes reg¬ular follow up to ensure all children who have reached the appropriate age of school enrollment are registered accordingly. 

Information and Communications Technology is also one of the crucial aspects supporting learning process for the young generation whereby Rwanda
has a one laptop per child program which has helped children to study in a modern technology that motivates their desire to learn.

Infrastructure 
Rwanda has made effective utilization of the Internet technology whose use is reported to have increased in all mod¬ernized societies in Africa and world¬wide as it facilitates development activ¬ities to the communities. 

To this effect, the Government of Rwanda distributed fiber optic inter¬net connection nationwide; this has improved the use of internet at offices, schools and to the society in general.

In terms of Roads infrastructure, all districts in Rwanda are connected by good quality tarmac roads. We also have installed lights at the streets to increase security; but also, to decorate our country. 
This appeases tourists who visit Rwanda for their vacations, noted the High Commissioner Maj Gen Karamba.

Foreign Trade
Rwanda adds value to her grown com¬mercial crops such as Coffee and Tea to meet international quality standards for export. 
This has expanded market base and the number of local Coffee and Tea farmers has increased drastically.

Flowers, Fruits and Vegetables
In the Horticulture industry, Rwanda has empowered a great number of small farmers who deal with cultiva¬tion of flowers, vegetables and fruits to improve their agricultural methods. 
The introduction of modern methods of farming and improved skills has helped increase crop yields for export to the global market as well as improve farmers’ livelihoods.

Economic growth and invest¬ment climate
Before the Covid-19 outbreak, Rwanda’s economy had been growing by over 8.5 per cent achieved through setting up the easiest environment of doing business. 

Rwanda has a good investment code and is currently ranked the second country in Africa and the first in East Africa for setting a conducive environ¬ment for investment.

“The country accomplished the good and friendly environment for invest¬ment by ensuring there is availability of electricity energy, favorable conditions for starting business and construction and giving tax incentives to startup companies within the first two years of their startup operation”, emphasized the High Commissioner.

Corruption
Rwanda has been successful in the fight against corruption through its policy of zero tolerance to corruption, which has assured many investors to have faith and invest in the country.