Paper short abstract:

Using a template based on international experience, this paper examines the status and prospects of public-private coordination in support of the export manufacturing drive in Rwanda.

Paper long abstract:

Countries across Africa are seeking a greater role for employment-intensive, export-oriented manufacturing. Experience in other parts of the world does not suggest that it will be easy for Africa to make the desired breakthrough into export manufacturing. However, results will depend in part on the ability of countries to create mechanisms that effectively coordinate public and private action in support of their declared goals.

In the literature, six institutional requirements emerge as particularly needing to be satisfied for success in export manufacturing. Using these as a template, this paper examines the status and prospects of public-private coordination in Rwanda. Based on extensive and ongoing interviews in the country under ODI's SET programme, it argues that Rwanda's political economy provides a uniquely favourable framework, compensating to some degree for the country's unhelpful physical location and limited resource base. However, meeting the other key requirements is proving challenging and must be regarded as work in progress.

While the Government of Rwanda has looked to some models in Asia, it is not clear that the right lessons have yet been drawn from Asian experience. At the same time, Rwanda's own experience of constructive, mutually accountable, engagement across the public-private divide is more diverse and interesting than appears at first sight. This domestic experience is equally relevant in thinking about the right way to strengthen the current institutional architecture for promoting export manufacturing.

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