Overview

Emerging from a decade marked by civil war and political instability, Rwanda began a comprehensive and ambitious campaign in 2000 to rebuild, foster national reconciliation and drastically reduce poverty. The government’s agenda gave priority to health, education, infrastructure, and private and financial sector development, showing a commitment to improving citizens’ living conditions and building a solid foundation for reconciliation. Starting early on in the reform campaign, Rwanda has implemented many business regulation reforms. These have transformed the life of the private sector and made it noticeably easier to do business. While challenges remain, the country has achieved much success in its reform agenda since the early 2000s. This success stems from many factors, and Rwanda’s experience may provide useful lessons for other nations seeking to improve their business climate, particularly for those coming out of conflict.