Southern Province Residents Praise Government Programs for Helping Them Escape Poverty

Residents of Rwanda’s Southern Province say government-led social protection and poverty reduction programs have delivered tangible results, enabling many families to improve their living conditions and move away from extreme poverty over recent years.

In interviews with Top Africa News, residents from various districts across the province said they have benefited from initiatives such as livestock distribution, direct financial support, vocational training, and opportunities for self-employment interventions that have helped them become more self-reliant after years of economic hardship.

Mukandori Jeanne d’Arc, a resident of Nyanza District, says the Girinka Munyarwanda (One Cow per Poor Family) program transformed her family’s life after receiving a cow, which provided milk, organic fertilizer, and a stable source of income. “Girinka completely changed our lives. We were living in extreme poverty, but today we have manure for our crops, increased agricultural production, and our children drink milk regularly. We have even started saving for the future,” Mukandori said.

Similarly, Niyonzima Eric, a resident of Huye District, credits the Vision 2020 Umurenge Program (VUP) for helping him regain financial stability. Through public works employment, he earned a regular income that allowed him to start a small business. “VUP gave me a chance to start over. I now run a small business, earn my own income, and support my family independently,” Niyonzima explained.

Southern Province authorities confirm that these improvements are the result of sustained implementation of poverty alleviation and social development programs.

The Governor of Southern Province, Alice Kayitesi, says that over the past two years, more than 39,000 residents have been supported to move out of poverty, while many others continue to receive assistance through various government and partner-led initiatives. “Our focus has been on empowering citizens rather than providing short-term aid. Over the last two years, more than 39,000 people have successfully exited poverty, and others are steadily progressing toward self-reliance,” Governor Kayitesi stated.

She added that the province continues to work closely with local government institutions and development partners to ensure these programs reach more vulnerable households, particularly those in rural communities.

Government Programs Driving Poverty Reduction

Rwanda has implemented a range of national programs aimed at reducing poverty and improving livelihoods, including Girinka Munyarwanda, VUP, GiveDirectly, and other initiatives that provide financial support, skills training, and tools for income generation.

These programs have played a critical role in improving access to food, education, healthcare, and savings opportunities, particularly among low-income households.

According to the Seventh Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV7), Rwanda’s national poverty rate declined from 39.8% in 2017 to 27.4% in 2024, while extreme poverty dropped significantly from 11.3% to 5.4% over the same period.

While acknowledging the progress made, residents of the Southern Province say the journey toward full economic empowerment is ongoing. They have called for continued expansion and refinement of poverty reduction programs to ensure more households benefit from sustainable development initiatives.

Provincial authorities reaffirm their commitment to strengthening inclusive growth strategies and supporting citizens in achieving long-term self-reliance, as Rwanda continues its efforts to build a resilient and inclusive economy.