page_title: Decentralization in Rwanda
section_title: Administrative layers
hierarchical_section_title: Decentralization in Rwanda / Administrative layers
caption_attribution_description: Map of Rwanda from CIA World Factbook, with province boundaries and names added.
context_page_description: In the year 2000, Rwanda engaged in a decentralization process materialized by the adoption of the National Decentralization Policy. The policy's objective were the promotion of good governance, the reduction of poverty as well as the promotion of efficient, effective, and accountable service delivery.
  As a result of the policy, local governments have become the main implementer of national policies, executing more than 25% of the domestic budget in 2011-2012 and employing 50% of the Rwandan administration.
context_section_description: Prior to 2002, Rwanda was composed of prefectures, subprefectures and communes. The Government of Rwanda reshaped the institutional framework of local governments into five major administrative layers and reduced their number by a territorial reform in 2006. Today Rwanda is composed of 5 provinces, 30 districts, 416 sectors, 2,148 cells and 14,837 villages.
  Elections are established at every tier of local government, except the provincial level, where the Governor is appointed by the national government. Elections are only direct elections by the citizens at the cell level. 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. No candidate at local elections can claim partisan affiliation.
caption: Provinces of Rwanda
exif: {}