Rwanda’s next growth chapter will be shaped by sustainable business leadership

The launch of Country Network Rwanda by the UN Global Compact marks a significant moment for sustainable business in one of Africa’s fastest-growing and most ambitious economies.

Announced on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, the new Country Network will provide a national platform to help companies align with the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, while accelerating private-sector contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The timing is significant. Over the past two decades, Rwanda has emerged as one of Africa’s leading reform-driven economies, earning recognition for its governance, ease of doing business and long-term development planning. The country has consistently positioned itself as a hub for innovation, green growth and responsible investment, guided by ambitious national frameworks including Vision 2050 and the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).

Rwanda’s economy grew by more than 8 per cent in 2024 according to World Bank estimates, driven by strong performances across services, tourism, construction and agriculture. At the same time, the country continues to prioritize climate resilience, digital transformation and inclusive growth as central pillars of its development model.

Against this backdrop, Country Network Rwanda is designed to help businesses translate sustainability ambition into practical action. The Network will support companies in embedding responsible business practices into governance, operations and long-term strategy, while helping them navigate growing global expectations around transparency, resilience and environmental and social performance.

“The launch of Country Network Rwanda is about turning commitment into action where it matters most within national economies and across real business operations,” said Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. “Rwanda’s growth story is one of ambition and innovation and the private sector has a central role to play in ensuring that this growth is inclusive, resilient and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Through this Country Network, we are creating a platform for companies to lead not just in setting targets, but in delivering measurable impact.”

Country Network Rwanda will work across a broad range of sectors, reflecting the country’s increasingly diversified economy. While agriculture, tourism, construction and services remain important drivers of growth, Rwanda is also seeing expanding opportunities in technology, renewable energy, manufacturing and financial services.

The Network will bring together businesses of all sizes alongside government institutions, civil society and development partners to encourage collaboration and collective action. This reflects a growing recognition that achieving long-term economic resilience and sustainable development requires stronger partnerships between the public and private sectors.

Rwanda has also become increasingly prominent in global climate and sustainability discussions. The country was among the first in Africa to introduce measures such as a nationwide ban on single-use plastic bags and has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 38 per cent by 2030 under its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). 

For companies operating in Rwanda, aligning with sustainability standards is increasingly tied to competitiveness. Investors, customers and supply chains are placing greater emphasis on environmental, social and governance performance, particularly in emerging markets seeking to attract long-term international capital.

Country Network Rwanda aims to help companies respond to these shifts while also contributing to national priorities around job creation, innovation and inclusive prosperity. Success, according to the Network’s founding vision, will mean building a community of businesses that see sustainability not simply as a compliance requirement, but as a driver of resilience, innovation and long-term value creation.

In its first year, the Network will focus on onboarding companies, establishing governance structures and launching initiatives aligned with Rwanda’s national development priorities and the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact. Capacity-building, peer learning and knowledge-sharing will form a central part of its work, alongside deeper collaboration with other African Country Networks.

The launch of Country Network Rwanda reflects the UN Global Compact’s continued expansion across Africa and growing momentum behind responsible business leadership on the continent. As African economies increasingly seek to balance rapid growth with long-term resilience and sustainability, Country Networks are becoming important platforms for turning global principles into local action.

With the establishment of Country Network Rwanda, the country is positioning itself not only as a participant in the global sustainability transition, but as an active contributor helping shape what responsible, inclusive and future-oriented growth can look like in practice.