At the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, ahead of her bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Ngirente, Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen and Minister of Education of Rwanda Gaspard Twagirayezu signed an agreement worth €50 million to support early childhood development in Rwanda.
Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen said: “As a teacher, I know how critical the first years of a child are. I am delighted to sign this programme which will cover several dimensions of early childhood: quality of education, health and nutrition, school infrastructures. Global Gateway is all about ensuring lasting benefits for local communities, preparing a better future for young people. We will empower more young Rwandans to create and take up jobs in the knowledge economy and build sustainable growth, resilient and prosperous society.”
The €50 million programme on scaling-up early childhood development will include several components:
• Pre-primary education: Budget support will help finance the expansion and strengthen quality and inclusivity of pre-primary education, including through the expansion of the national school feeding programme, and increasing the number of trained teachers on payroll.
• Education system: A Twinning grant will harness EU expertise to partner with Rwandan ministries on standards, assessment and curriculum for pre-primary, and on governance, strategy and planning coordination between ministries and agencies.
• Child development & protection: A grant to the National Childhood Development Agency will support community and parental education programmes for early learning, links to nutrition and health, and increased access to school materials, especially for children with special needs.
• Infrastructure: The EU grant is expected to be complemented by a concessional loan from the European Investment Bank under the Africa Investment Platform to help improve education infrastructure by building new classrooms. The loan, which is currently under discussion, would represent the first dedicated EIB support for education in Rwanda.
This new EU investment will support Rwanda in achieving its ambitious goals for human capital development and in delivering on its commitment at the Transforming Education Summit in 2022.
The European Union supports Rwanda in its economic transformation and green transition, including by fostering a more equitable and cohesive society through the priorities for education, green deal and good governance.
In particular, the EU partners with Rwanda in transforming its education system and enabling Rwandan children and youth to acquire the skills they need for a just, green and digital transition.
The Global Gateway Forum brought together an assembly of government representatives from the European Union and across the globe, alongside key stakeholders from the private sector, civil society, thought leaders, financial institutions, and international organisations to promote global investment in infrastructure.
During this landmark occasion, a series of strategic investment announcements and agreements with partner countries were presented, marking a significant leap towards the implementation of the Global Gateway strategy. These announcements not only underscore the tangible worldwide impact of Global Gateway but also provide a platform for governments and businesses to engage in critical discussions surrounding its priorities.
The Global Gateway Forum highlighted a collective commitment to fostering sustainable growth and resilience worldwide through a Team Europe approach.
Global Gateway represents the European Union’s effort reduce the worldwide investment disparity and boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems. It provides sustainable investment opportunities to enhance the prosperity and security of our global partners and Europe alike.
The Global Gateway strategy embodies a collaborative approach that brings together the European Union, EU Member States, and European development finance institutions. Together, we aim to mobilize up to €300 billion in public and private investments from 2021 to 2027, creating essential links rather than dependencies, and closing the global investment gap.
Team Europe stands out with a compelling proposition for democratic partner nations, focusing on sustainability across social, environmental, and financial aspects, promoting long-term drivers of growth through a comprehensive 360-degree approach, encompassing both hard and soft infrastructure, and reinforcing the resilience of nations seeking strategic autonomy. (End).