WASHINGTON, December 1st, 2015 – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $95 million International Development Association (IDA) * credit for the Rwanda Social Protection System (SPS-2). This is the second in a series of Development Policy Operations (DPO) supporting the Government’s efforts to improve the efficiency and accountability of Rwanda’s social protection system, as well as expand safety net coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
Building on the World Bank Group’s longstanding engagement in Rwanda’s poverty reduction initiatives, SPS- 2 will continue to support the country’s social protection policy by strengthening the foundations of Rwanda’s social protection system. It will emphasize second-generation reforms needed to boost efficiency, while keeping direct alignment with core national principles and goals.
This program will focus on core areas of administrative efficiency and program harmonization to deepen needed reforms, especially through the Ubudehe database and social protection Management Information System (MIS). It will deepen the focus on accountability and transparency with an emphasis on accountable governance through improved budget transparency and citizens’ engagement. The program will also support expanded coverage of the Vision Umurenge Program as part of continued efforts to reach the poor and vulnerable, coupled with reforms to ensure that social protection efforts are both gender-sensitive and conducive to child development.
“Rwanda’s social protection system, including its flagship Vision Umurenge Program, is central to achieving the country’s ambitious poverty reduction goals. The Second Social Protection System Program ensures continued support to Rwanda’s policies for reducing extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity,” said Laura Rawlings, Lead Social Protection Specialist and Team Leader for the Second Social Protection System Program.
* The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, helps the world’s poorest countries by providing loans (called “credits”) and grants for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 81 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change for 2.5 billion people living on less than $2 a day. Since 1960, IDA has supported development work in 108 countries. Annual commitments have increased steadily and averaged about $15 billion over the last three years, with about 50 percent of commitments going to Africa.
