A child learning./ PHOTO; Courtesy
The LEGO Foundation, in partnership with the Government of Rwanda and the Education Outcomes Fund (EOF), has launched Rwanda’s first national outcomes-based financing programme for early childhood care and education (ECCE).
The initiative, supported by $82 million in outcomes funding across four African countries, marks a bold step toward linking education finance to measurable results, with the Rwandan component set to reach more than 25,000 children aged 3 to 5 years in 390 community-based early childhood development (ECD) centres nationwide.
At the heart of the programme is the LEGO Foundation’s long-standing commitment to transforming early learning through play, inclusion, and evidence-based approaches.
“Investing in the early years is one of the smartest and most transformative actions we can take,” said Sidsel Kristensen, CEO of the LEGO Foundation.
“At the LEGO Foundation, we believe that childhood is more than a phase of life; it’s the making of one. By placing inclusion and quality at the heart of early learning, we can ensure that every child, including those with disabilities, will thrive and grow through joyful, meaningful learning.”
The new programme integrates outcomes-based financing into Rwanda’s national early childhood strategy, ensuring that funds are tied directly to verified improvements in learning outcomes, school readiness, and inclusivity.
Over the next four years, the initiative will bridge quality gaps between formal and community-based ECDs and generate robust evidence on what works best for young learners, especially those with disabilities.
According to Ingabire Assumpta, Director General of the National Child Development Agency (NCDA), this approach strengthens Rwanda’s broader reform agenda.
“This initiative reflects Rwanda’s commitment to quality and inclusion in early childhood development. By tying funding to results, we make sure every investment leads to measurable progress, especially for vulnerable children,” she said.
Dr. Amel Karboul, CEO of the Education Outcomes Fund, described the partnership as a landmark for results-driven social investment.
“Every outcome here has a name and a face. Over 25,000 children, many with disabilities, will have a better start in life because the Government of Rwanda chose to link funding to their progress. When we measure success by children’s growth, reform moves from promise to proof.”
Three grantees will implement the programme: Help a Child (working with African Evangelistic Enterprise and Bridges Outcomes Partnerships), Plan International (with Caritas and Bridges Outcomes Partnerships), and Save the Children.
Under this model, payments are made only when independent verification confirms that agreed learning outcomes have been achieved, ensuring transparency, innovation, and value for money.
For Eduardo Ramos O’Connell, Associate and Programme Lead at Bridges Outcomes Partnerships, the model’s focus on impact over input is a defining feature.
“Early childhood is a critical stage in every child’s development. We’re delighted to be partnering in Rwanda’s first nationally commissioned outcomes partnership, which places children at the heart of delivery and ties funding to meaningful impact,” he said.
The programme’s design places children with disabilities at its core. Funds will support inclusive enrolment, upgrade ECD infrastructure for accessibility, enhance caregiver capacity, and strengthen referral pathways for children with additional needs. T
This aligns with the Government of Rwanda’s inclusive education agenda, ensuring that no child is left behind.
“It will not only expand access and improve quality in early childhood education but also generate robust evidence to guide future policy and investment in Rwanda and across the region,” said Rose Baguma, Head of the Education Policy Department at the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC).
An independent evaluation throughout the four years will assess the programme’s impact and cost-effectiveness, producing policy-relevant insights to shape future education financing in Africa and globally.
Rwanda’s outcomes-based ECCE initiative is one of four national programmes being rolled out with the support of EOF and philanthropic partners like the LEGO Foundation, alongside new efforts in Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Nigeria.
Together, these programmes represent a major shift in how education is funded, anchoring global investment in evidence, accountability, and the transformative power of early learning.
About LEGO Foundation
The LEGO Foundation is a philanthropic organization that works to ensure children everywhere can learn through play and reach their full potential.
The Foundation supports innovative education models and partnerships that transform early learning systems.
Its initiatives span more than 30 countries, focusing on equipping children, especially those in vulnerable contexts, with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
About the Education Outcomes Fund
The Education Outcomes Fund (EOF) is a global initiative transforming how education and skills are financed and delivered.
They partner with governments, donors, investors, and implementors to make education systems more effective, equitable, and accountable.
Through their outcomes partnership model, funding is tied to measurable results, aligning incentives across all actors to ensure that resources lead to real improvements in learning and employment outcomes.
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