Rwanda will need annual investment equivalent to between 12% and 21% of its gross domestic product (GDP) to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, according to the country’s latest Voluntary National Review submitted to the United Nations.
The report says Rwanda has made steady progress across several development targets but continues to face a significant financing gap. SDG-related spending stood at about 8% of GDP in the 2024/25 fiscal year, well below the level required to meet the global goals on schedule.
Among the country’s strongest achievements is poverty reduction. The national poverty rate declined from 39.8% in 2017 to 27.4% in 2024, reflecting progress toward the goals of ending poverty and hunger.
The report also highlights improvements in healthcare, including expanded immunization, wider access to HIV prevention and treatment, lower maternal and child mortality, improved access to health services, and continued investment in modern health infrastructure.
Rwanda credits its high health insurance coverage for helping protect households from catastrophic medical costs, a challenge that continues to affect millions of people across Africa.
The country also reported gains in economic growth and industrial development. Rwanda’s economy grew by 9.4% in 2025, life expectancy rose to 70.2 years, and financial services became accessible to 96% of the adult population.
Youth unemployment fell from 22.7% in 2023 to 19.8% in 2025, with the government attributing the decline to investments in skills development, entrepreneurship, and job creation.
The report also points to continued improvements in infrastructure and urban development. By 2024, 28.4% of Rwandans lived in urban areas, up from 18.4% in 2016/17, while 68% of the rural population resided in planned settlements.
Access to essential services also improved. By 2025, 89.5% of households had access to safe drinking water, 84.6% used electricity as their main source of lighting, and 4G mobile network coverage had reached 99% of the population, supporting the delivery of more than 200 digital government services.
According to the report, Rwanda has already achieved, or is on track to achieve, 28% of the SDG targets. Another 53% are progressing but not at the pace required to meet the 2030 deadline, while 19% have stalled or are moving in the wrong direction, highlighting the need for additional financing and accelerated implementation.
