The visit is aimed at discussing partnerships between African countries and IMF which launched the Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST) last year to help low-income and vulnerable middle-income IMF members address longer-term structural challenges such as climate change with longer-term, low-cost financing.

The RST started working with three countries including Barbados, Costa Rica and Rwanda.

As one of the pilot countries of the RST, Rwanda will access US$319 million to support climate change initiatives.

After receiving Kristalina on Wednesday, President Kagame commended him for her visit to Rwanda and IMF’s support to enhance climate change response in Rwanda.

“Thank you Kristalina Georgieva for your visit and for the innovative IMF Resilience and Sustainability Trust. It is productive and will play a key role in scaling up the work of Rwanda and developing countries towards a sustainable and green economy in our transformational journey,” he tweeted.

Before meeting with Kagame, Kristalina interacted with different top officials in the country and the region including authorities in the finance ministry, and central bank governors.

She hailed Rwanda’s efforts to mitigate effects of climate change and reiterated IMF’s commitment to partner with Rwanda along the journey.

The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana extolled IMF for making great strides with regards to the provision of funds allocated for climate change resilience.

He disclosed that Rwanda is glad to work with RST and ready to invest in projects aimed at enhancing climate change response.

These include Ireme Invest launched COP-27and Green Gicumbi among others.

Discussions between President Kagame and Kristalina focused on ongoing fruitful partnerships.

Kristalina received a warm welcome at Urugwiro Village.

Kristalina was hosted at Urugwiro Village on Wednesday 25th January 2023.

Kristalina and his delegation in a group photo with President Kagame and other Rwandan officials.