Netherlands announces €44.9m grant to Rwanda

The Kingdom of the Netherlands Thursday announced 44.9 million euro grant towards Rwanda's Water Resource Management and education.

The big percentage of the money will go to Water Resource Management while the balance 10 million euro will go to Rwanda's education sector under the Netherlands Initiative for Capacity Building in Higher Education (NICHE 2).

The two projects are supposed to be implemented in the next four years as part of efforts to achieve sustainable economic development of the country.

Leoni Cuelenaere, the Kingdom of the Netherlands ambassador to Rwanda said the project will facilitate better collaboration between Rwandan stakeholders and Dutch institutions.

"They will in the medium term open up opportunities for increased investment in water infrastructure, agriculture, and economic development," Cuelenaere said.

The water project, according to the ambassador, will help Rwanda to establish institutions and in capacity building.

"Based on its long experience fighting water problems, the Netherlands can mobilize knowledge institutions, firms, and individuals who will work closely with Rwandan stakeholders in the ministries of Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Infrastructure but also at district level and private firms," she said.

She pointed out that integrated water resource management program is a relatively new concept that needs all stake holders to work together to be able to achieve best results.

Claver Gatete, Rwanda's Minster of Finance explained that the project will support development objectives in education sector by providing necessary skills in education training with focus on securing and providing adequate and quality water for all social and economic needs.

He said the funding will be used to develop, implement and maintain quality technical and vocational education and training programs with focus on practical skills in the agricultural sector.

"This will help deliver graduates that respond to the needs of farmers as well as demands of farmer support groups, farmer cooperatives and agribusinesses," Gatete said.

The Dutch intervention in Rwanda is in the areas of private sector development, Justice, Reconciliation, Law and Order Sector, Decentralization and Governance, water and sanitation.