Decentralization in Rwanda

[2] As a result, local governments have become main implementers of national policies, executing more than 25% of the domestic budget in 2011–2012 and employing 50% of the Rwandan administration.

[4] Today Rwanda is composed of 5 provinces, 30 districts, 416 sectors, 2,148 cells and 14,837 villages.

Members of sector and district councils are elected indirectly from the level below, with reserved seats for representatives of the interest groups of women and of youth.

Districts are the most important layer of Rwanda's decentralization system as they have financial and legal independence.

Districts coordinate the delivery of public services and can apply for grants for investment projects.

[6] Villages are not administrative units but they are official communication channels and can be used for the mobilization of citizens.

The public monitoring and evaluation of local governments performance through the Imihigo system in fact puts important pressure on mayors and administrations.