Abstract: The study aimed to explore the role of sustainable development initiatives in the performance of community-based tourism projects in Musanze District, Rwanda, with a specific focus on the Slow Hike Africa initiative. The study was grounded on two theories, Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) and the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) Theory. The study employed a descriptive and correlational research design. The target population consisted of 268 individuals directly involved in the Slow Hike Africa CBT project in Musanze District, including local community members, local businesses, government representatives, and project managers. A sample size of 159 was selected using Krejcie and Morgan’s Sample Size Table. The findings revealed that community-based tourism projects performed above average (Mean = 4.50), indicating strong project success across sustainability dimensions. Economic sustainability initiatives demonstrated a significant positive correlation (R=0.725, p=0.000 < 0.05) and explained 52.6% of the variance in project performance (β=0.690, p=0.000<0.05). Social sustainability initiatives showed the strongest effect, with a correlation coefficient (R=0.748, p=0.000<0.05) and explaining 56.0% of performance variation (β=0.715, p=0.000<0.05). Environmental sustainability initiatives also had a strong positive association (R=0.712, p=0.000<0.05) and explained 50.7% of performance outcomes (β=0.675, p<0.05). When all three dimensions were combined, they jointly explained 78.0% of the variance in CBT project performance (R² = 0.780, p = 0.000), with social sustainability initiatives having the greatest influence (β = 0.338). The study concluded that the integrated application of economic, social, and environmental sustainability initiatives significantly enhances the long-term success and resilience of community-based tourism projects.

Abstract: This study analysed the effect of human capital on economic development in Rwanda from 2000 to 2023. It adopted a quantitative, econometric research design. The population comprised Rwanda’s 24 annual national time-series observations for the period; all were used, so no sampling was applied. Secondary data were collected through documentary review of official statistical publications and analysed in E-Views 7 using descriptive statistics, Augmented Dickey-Fuller unit root tests, Johansen cointegration, Granger causality, diagnostic tests, and multiple regression. The model explained 55.6% of the variation in real GDP growth (Prob(F) = 0.0077). School enrolment had a significant positive effect on growth (β = 0.173, p = 0.0103), whereas labour force participation (β = −1.147, p = 0.0225), wage and salaried employment (β = −0.783, p = 0.0239), and current health expenditure (β = −1.456, p = 0.0263) had significant negative effects. The NEET rate, the proxy for skills and training, was not significant (p = 0.1168). The study recommends that the Government of Rwanda sustain investment in education, align vocational training with high-growth sectors, expand social services that support productive labour force participation, evaluate the efficiency of health expenditure, and promote formal, high-value jobs.

Abstract: Road infrastructure projects are expected to meet schedule, cost, quality, and stakeholder requirements, yet their performance can vary across these dimensions. This study examined critical success factors and performance in the Sonatube-Gahanga-Akagera Road Project in Rwanda, while documenting implementation challenges as contextual evidence. A mixed-methods case study design was used. Questionnaire data were obtained from 50 purposively selected road-sector professionals, comprising 35 general respondents and 15 professionals directly involved in the project. Ten semi-structured interviews and a review of project records complemented the survey. Descriptive statistics summarized five-point Likert-scale responses, and Pearson correlations were examined exploratorily. Project-specific respondents rated financing (M = 4.60), planning (M = 4.53), and contractor competence and qualified personnel (M = 4.47 each) highly. The most salient project-specific challenges were land acquisition and compensation (M = 4.33), COVID-19 (M = 4.20), and design changes (M = 3.93); financial constraints (M = 2.40) and inflation (M = 2.53) were less prominent. Performance ratings were highest for achievement of objectives and budget performance (M = 4.07 each), followed by quality and stakeholder satisfaction (M = 3.73 each), while schedule performance was lowest (M = 3.00). Project records show that the original 24-month contract period extended to approximately 39 months and two weeks, although major works reached substantial completion. The available data did not show a statistically significant correlation between critical success factors and performance in either respondent group. The study recommends earlier right-of-way clearance, utility coordination, design readiness, and proactive schedule-risk management. The findings are case-specific and do not establish causality.

Paul Raphael Kitula &Patrick Olemong’i
St. Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT), Arusha.
Email: kitula07@gmail.com& patrickngalaole@gmail.com

Abstract: This study examined the impact of rural living conditions on teachers’ job retention in public secondary schools in Monduli District, Tanzania. Specifically, the study examined the influence of access to social services (housing, transport and communication facilities) on teachers’ job retention. Job Embeddedness Theory guided the study. A convergent mixed-methods design was adopted. The study targeted a population of 577 participants, comprising 544 teachers, 16 schools heads, 16 Ward Education Officers (WEOs), and one District Education Secondary Officer (DEO). The sample consisted of 133 respondents, including 120 teachers, six schools heads, six WEOs, and one DSEO. Schools were selected by simple random sampling, proportionate stratified sampling for teachers, criterion purposive samplingfor schools heads and WEOs, while total population sampling was used to select DSEO. Data were collected through questionnaires and interview guides. Validity was established through expert review, while reliability of 0.894 was determined using Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. Trustworthiness of qualitative data was ensured through member checking, communicative validation, and broad description. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics through SPSS Version 25, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically and presented in narrative form. The findings revealed that access to social services (housing, transport and communication facilities) had a very high influence on teachers’ job retention, with a composite mean of 4.30. In conclusion, inadequate rural living conditions increased transfer intentions and weakened teachers’ willingness to remain in rural schools. The study recommends improving social services, staff housing, roads, transport, and communication facilities in rural public secondary schools.

Abstract: The study evaluated the effect of financial management practices on the performance of the Ngoma-Ramiro Upgrading Project in Rwanda. Specific objectives involved assessing the effect of financial planning, financial risk management, financial reporting, and financial monitoring on the performance of the Ngoma – Ramiro Upgrading Project. The study population comprised 146 individuals, including project managers, engineers, skilled field officers, RTDA officials, and local leaders directly associated with road work. A census method was employed, in which all 146 members of the target population were invited to participate, ensuring high precision and eliminating sampling error. Primary data were collected through structured Likert-scale questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, while documentation was used to analyze official project records and budgets. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 29. The multiple regression analysis demonstrated that all four financial management practices exerted a positive and statistically significant impact on the performance of the Ngoma Ramiro Upgrading Project. Specifically, financial planning exhibited the strongest predictive effect (B = 0.329, p < 0.05), followed by financial risk management (B = 0.297, p < 0.05), financial reporting (B = 0.194, p < 0.05), and financial monitoring (B = 0.164, p < 0.05). The study therefore concluded that these independent variables act as critical predictors of overall infrastructure success. It is highly recommended that project administrators enhance budget accuracy controls, maintain comprehensive risk registers, and enforce timely financial reporting to optimize practical construction outcomes.

Abstract: This study examined the effect of internal control mechanisms and risk mitigation on performance optimization in procurement and supply chains at World Vision Rwanda. The specific objectives were to assess the effect of internal control mechanisms on procurement and supply chain performance, examine the effect of risk mitigation on procurement and supply chain performance, and determine the combined effect of internal control mechanisms and risk mitigation on performance optimization. The study was guided by the COSO Internal Control Framework, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Framework, and Stakeholder Theory. The findings revealed that internal control mechanisms had a positive and statistically significant effect on performance optimization (B = 0.467, t = 5.122, p < 0.001). Similarly, risk mitigation had a positive and statistically significant effect on performance optimization (B = 0.502, t = 5.576, p < 0.001). The overall regression model was statistically significant (F(2,106) = 670.740, p < 0.001), with internal control mechanisms and risk mitigation jointly explaining 92.7% of the variance in performance optimization (R² = 0.927; Adjusted R² = 0.925). The findings demonstrate that effective internal controls and risk mitigation practices are important predictors of procurement and supply chain performance at World Vision Rwanda. The study recommends strengthening the regularity and follow-through of internal audits, establishing formal mechanisms for escalating high-priority procurement risks, improving routine supplier performance monitoring, and integrating internal control and risk-management reviews to enhance accountability, operational continuity, and performance optimization at World Vision Rwanda.

Abstract: Performance contracting links institutional priorities to measurable commitments, but implementation also requires stakeholder participation and follow-up. This article examines perceptions of stakeholder involvement and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in public secondary schools in Kisii County, Kenya. It uses a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, drawing on 1,079 usable questionnaires from principals (n = 173), teachers (n = 363), Board of Management members (n = 322), and parent representatives (n = 221), along with interviews with six education officers. Questionnaire results are presented descriptively by respondent category, and interview accounts are organized thematically. Category-specific mean scores ranged from 3.33 to 3.38 for stakeholder involvement and from 3.35 to 3.40 for M&E, within the study’s predefined moderate band (2.50–3.49). Officers described participation through meetings and consultation but reported variation across schools, limited access to information, resource constraints, incomplete records, and inconsistent follow-up. Questionnaire wording differed across categories; consequently, the results reflect role-specific perceptions rather than measures designed to be equivalent across groups. Small numerical differences are not interpreted as evidence of group differences or a ranking of implementation stages. The findings identify communication, inclusive review, and documented corrective action as processes for further examination. Because the study is cross-sectional and perception-based, with respondents clustered within schools, it does not establish causal effects or population-level differences. The article interprets performance contracting as a participatory cycle of planning, review, feedback, and context-sensitive follow-up rather than target setting alone.

Abstract: This study looked at how project risk management practices affect the success of the Electronic Billing Machine (EBM) project in Gasabo District, Rwanda. The EBM system helps the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) follow business sales for Value Added Tax (VAT). Even so, system failures, weak user skills, and taxpayer resistance still hold the project back. The study had four objectives: to find out the effect of risk identification, risk analysis, risk response, and risk monitoring on EBM project success. It used a mixed-methods design in which the quantitative and qualitative data were collected at the same time. From a population of 25,422 people, 378 were selected: 77 RRA staff by census and 301 taxpayers by purposive sampling. Data came from structured questionnaires and 15 key informant interviews. In total, 361 questionnaires were returned, a response rate of 95.5%. The data were analysed with descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression in SPSS, and the interviews were analysed by theme. All four practices had a positive and significant effect on EBM project success: risk response (β = 0.296, p = 0.000), risk monitoring (β = 0.271, p = 0.000), risk analysis (β = 0.238, p = 0.000), and risk identification (β = 0.214, p = 0.000). Together, they explained 67.9% of the change in project success (R² = 0.679, F = 189, p < 0.001). The interviews agreed with these results and showed that taxpayer training, technical support, and contingency plans helped the project most. Some weak points also came out. Taxpayer resistance was not expected early enough, risk analysis used few numerical methods, money and staff for risk response were sometimes short, and risk reports did not always reach decision-makers. The study concludes that good risk management makes the EBM project more successful. It recommends that RRA pay more attention to behavioural risks, use stronger risk analysis tools, fund risk responses properly, and keep monitoring risks throughout the project.

Abstract: This study investigates the conditional wage association accruing from primary educational attainment in Kenya using the Mincerian earnings framework and cross-sectional data from the 2022 Kenya Continuous Household Survey. We examine the relationship between an extra year of primary education and an individual’s gross monthly wages and salary while accounting for labour market experience and observable individual-level worker characteristics. The findings suggest that primary education yields insignificant returns of 0.08%. However, spatial, gendered, and age-related returns exist in the labor market. Specifically, returns to experience are concave, with an extra year of age associated with a 0.74% increase in wages, while male workers earn 69.24% compared to their female counterparts. The findings also point to rural wage penalty implying that the labour market value of primary education is driven by spatial differences. Accordingly, improving the quality and labour market relevance of primary education remains a priority, while spatial and gendered policies in earnings must be continuously addressed.

Abstract: Self-help groups are the main vehicle through which low-income women in Kenya’s informal settlements save, borrow and run enterprises, yet the contribution of financial literacy to their economic empowerment has rarely been estimated statistically in urban informal settings. This study determined the impact of financial literacy on economic empowerment among women in self-help groups in Kibera Sub-County, Nairobi City County, Kenya. Anchored on Behavioral Finance Theory and Social Capital Theory, it adopted an explanatory cross-sectional survey design. Of 184 members selected from six women self-help groups (N = 342) through stratified proportionate sampling, 165 returned usable questionnaires (90 percent). The scales were reliable (α = .798 and .851). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and regression analysis. Financial literacy was rated high (M = 3.65), with peer learning highest (M = 4.63) and use of formal financial services (M = 2.34) and application of training to financial decisions (M = 2.33) lowest. Financial literacy had a positive and significant impact on economic empowerment (R² = .672, β = .820, p < .001), which remained significant after controlling for marketing, customer relations, and communication and negotiation skills (β = .241, p = .005). The study concludes that financial literacy drives women’s economic empowerment in self-help groups, but knowledge gained from peers is not yet matched by its application in formal financial decisions. It recommends practice-based financial literacy embedded in group routines, linkage of members to suitable formal financial services, and assessment of members’ actual financial practices.