RWANDA DEVELOPMENT BOARDS CONTRIBUTES RWF 133,906,117 TO AGDF

KIGALI –The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has contributed One hundred and thirty three million, nine hundred and six thousand, one hundred and seventeen Rwandan Francs (133,906,117) to Agaciro Development Fund. The dummy cheque was handed over to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning John Rwangombwa today, October 2nd 2 2012 at RDB headquarters.

The Rwanda Development Board acting Chief Executive Officer, Clare Akamanzi, said “We are proud as staff of RDB to raise our own resources to voluntarily contribute to a very important initiative that the Agaciro Development Fund is. We join the rest of the Rwandans in solidarity towards finding solutions to our country’s economic development. We will continue to do our part, not only to promote the Agaciro Development Fund, but also in doing our work in promoting economic development.”

She added that aside from what has been contributed so far, RDB staff have several other initiatives that they have put in place and are working on to continue contributing to the fund such as the ‘piggy banks’ in the offices and National Parks as well as fundraising events.

Speaking to the staff who had gathered to witness the cheque handover, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning John Rwagombwa said that “your presence here indicates your voluntary contribution and commitment to the development of the nation.”

 Agaciro Development Fund, a solidarity fund initiated by Rwandans to improve the level of financial autonomy of Rwanda as discussed during last year’s National Dialogue. This fund will be used to support key priorities such as rural development projects among others. Actually the raised funds are over Rwf18bn within the period of less than a month. The Fund would not replace the traditional sources of state revenues, including donor aid, but will supplement them instead. The money in the fund will be managed as the governmental budget and audited by Auditor General.

Agaciro Development Fund was launched on August 23, 2012 with the aim of improving the level of financial autonomy of Rwanda as a nation through the contribution of Rwandans themselves. RDB joins the effort, showing their commitment by raising funds among its staff.