Rwanda: Sixth Review Under the Policy Coordination Instrument and Monetary Policy Consultation Clause-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Rwanda

This paper analyses Rwanda’s Sixth Review under the Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI) and Monetary Policy Consultation Clause. Rwanda continues to implement its Economic Recovery Plan while confronting the lingering effects of the pandemic and the spillovers from the war in Ukraine. Headline inflation has been on the rise since the beginning of the year. Rising inflationary pressures, exacerbated by rising commodity prices, are compounding the policy challenges of balancing economic recovery with maintaining price stability. In view of rising inflation, the National Bank of Rwanda should stand ready to tighten monetary policy more aggressively to anchor inflation expectations. Implementation of the interest-rate-based monetary policy framework should continue with greater exchange rate flexibility to ensure external sustainability. Policies under the PCI continue supporting the recovery from the pandemic, the response to mitigate the headwinds from the war in Ukraine while maintaining macroeconomic stability, and the implement the medium-term fiscal consolidation strategy to preserve debt sustainability. The PCI also supports reform efforts, such as financial inclusion, digitization, and green public financial management (PFM) to deliver a more inclusive and sustainable growth.