The European Union Delegation in Rwanda is set to prioritise skills development in future development programmes to boost the country’s competitiveness.

The new partnership priority was revealed by EU Ambassador to Rwanda Nicola Bellomo, recently during Europe Day celebrations.

EU and Rwanda co-operation mainly focuses on rural development, energy, infrastructure and governance.

Now, the EU is exploring new areas of co-operation as part of the 2014-2020 programme, which outlines priority areas for allocation of up to ¤460 under the 11th European Development Fund.

Mr Bellomo said skills development is among new priorities that will boost Rwanda’s economy.

Skills development to advance the country’s economic agenda has been a priority for Rwanda in recent years through the second Five-Year Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS-2).

The programme, launched in September 2013, seeks to transform the country by raising its per capita GDP to middle-income level by 2020.

One of the key challenges to the growth of the country’s economy is skills gap and this has seen authorities investing in vocational training centres and polytechnic colleges to equip the youth with employable skills.

The EU has not specified areas and projects for support in the post 2020 agenda as assessment for new projects is going on.

“We will carry out consultations with all relevant stakeholders in the next couple of months as part of this process,” the EU said in a statement seen by Rwanda Today.

Meanwhile, the EU is currently assessing the impact and outcome of a ¤500 million budget support to Rwanda.