Enhancing Public Sector Performance through Corporate Governance

The role of governance in public sector organizations (PSOs) is increasingly under scrutiny, particularly in the context of developing economies. This study investigated the social impact of corporate governance practices on the performance of Rwanda’s Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC), a state-owned enterprise vital to achieving national water security and sanitation goals. By critically examining governance mechanisms such as board independence, transparency, ethical standards, and risk management, the study offers insights into how corporate governance contributes to sustainable public service delivery, public trust, and institutional accountability. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study draws on primary data from in-depth interviews with WASAC employees, supervisors, and board members in Kigali, alongside quantitative performance indicators. The findings reveal systemic governance gaps that affect WASAC’s operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and financial sustainability. Inadequate board diversity, weak risk oversight, and limited stakeholder engagement mechanisms have constrained WASAC’s ability to deliver high-quality public services in line with Rwanda’s Vision 2050 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). In terms of limitations, the study focused solely on WASAC’s operations in Kigali and was limited in temporal scope. Further research should include comparative analyses of other PSOs across Rwanda, East Africa, and even the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board in India. Additionally, future studies could explore the interplay between governance frameworks and national policy agendas, particularly in the implementation of Rwanda’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Vision 2050.