“Language policy in Rwanda has revolved around three languages— Kinyarwanda, the indigenous language of Rwandans, French and English: 90 percent of the population speaks Kinyarwanda; 8 percent speaks French; and, 4 percent speaks English. In the aftermath of the 1994 genocide, the Rwandan government has
worked strenuously to develop the country and construct a new national image; the shift in language policy from French to English is part of this ambitious project. A shift in language from French to English is expected to have profound effects on the equality of citizens and on the political and economic landscape of the country.”