Rwanda’s Vision 2020 recognizes the private sector as one of the six main pillars for driving social and economic development. The private sector can play an important role in securing livelihoods, ensuring sustainable use of natural resources and minimizing environmental impacts of its operations. Simultaneously, new business opportunities are arising from the global sustainability agenda.   

From the 27^th of February to the 25^th of April PEI supported a series of workshops across Rwanda on how the private sector can support the implementation of the Rio Conventions and how local business can tap into the business opportunities that are presented by MEAs such as carbon financing and renewable energy. The workshops also included a training element on the use of Environmental Impact Assessments and Green Growth Resilience strategies and called for the private sector to be pro-active when it comes to Environmental Audits and complying with biodiversity policies.   

PEI Rwanda has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Private Sector Federation to continue the implementation of similar workshops and to evaluate and track the impact of the sessions with regards to the level of implementation of the recommendations made in the private sector. Influencing the private sector to adopt pro-poor sustainability in their business models will be an important factor in enhancing the path for sustainable development that Rwanda has embarked upon.