The partnership combines Ecobank’s pan-African banking network with AGRA’s two decades of experience in agricultural transformation to address one of the sector’s biggest challenges — access to finance.

Anup Suri, Group Executive, Commercial and Consumer Banking at Ecobank Group, said the partnership reflects a shift in how Africa should view agriculture.

“To transform Africa’s economy, we must treat agriculture as a high-growth commercial sector rather than a subsistence activity,” he said. “Through this alliance with AGRA, Ecobank is unlocking the capital required to scale agribusinesses across the continent while building resilient food systems.”

Under the agreement, the two institutions will work together to develop innovative financial products tailored for agribusiness SMEs, cooperatives, and farmer organizations. These include working capital solutions, trade finance, and asset financing.

The collaboration will also focus on reducing the risks associated with agricultural lending through blended finance, guarantees, and risk-sharing mechanisms aimed at encouraging greater private-sector investment in agriculture.

Alice Ruhweza, President of AGRA, emphasized that agriculture remains central to Africa’s economic future.

“Agriculture is not one sector among many for Africa; it is the foundation on which the continent’s entire development agenda rests,” she said. “By combining AGRA’s on-the-ground expertise with Ecobank’s reach and financial capabilities, we are creating opportunities for women and young people to build thriving agribusinesses.”

The partnership places special emphasis on women and youth-led enterprises by aligning Ecobank’s Ellevate initiative with AGRA’s Value4HER and YEFFA programs. The initiative aims to increase targeted financing, technical support, and capacity-building opportunities for young entrepreneurs and women operating in agriculture and food systems.

As climate change continues to threaten food security across Africa, the two organizations also pledged to promote climate-smart agriculture and mobilize green financing solutions that support sustainable land use and resilient agri-food systems.

The agreement comes at a time when African governments and development partners are intensifying efforts to modernize agriculture, improve food security, and create jobs for the continent’s growing youth population.

Industry observers say the Ecobank-AGRA partnership could play a significant role in accelerating agricultural commercialization and unlocking new investment opportunities across Africa’s food systems

As social entrepreneurs, philanthropic leaders, impact investors, and policy influencers convene at the Skoll World Forum, an annual platform dedicated to advancing systems-level solutions and scaling impact, this year’s focus on moving from ambition to results brings a critical question into perspective for Africa: why does strong policy ambition so often fail to translate into outcomes at scale?
Africa has never lacked ambition for its food systems. What it lacks is sufficient food systems leadership capacity to turn that ambition into results. The Kampala Declaration, which took effect in January 2026, sets the agenda for the next decade, calling for inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agri-food systems across the continent. However, the African Union’s own Biennial Reviews of the just-concluded Malabo CAADP decade show that most countries were off track on the commitments they had already made, despite strong frameworks and political declarations. 

Across Africa, ambitious strategies often stall at the point of execution. Coordination breaks down across ministries. System actors operate in parallel rather than in concert. Promising innovations fail to scale because few actors seek to bridge policy, markets, and communities. Implementation gaps are often attributed to constraints such as a lack of financing, weak infrastructure, or market dynamics. But unlocking these complex areas depends on the ability of leaders across diverse organisations to see the bigger shared picture, align goals, collaborate, and advance delivery in a coherent fashion. 

Food systems leadership isn’t about titles or personal power. It’s about leaders in the ecosystem working across boundaries to coalesce around a common agenda, manage tough trade-offs, and push for collective action. Leadership programmes such as AGRA’s Centre for African Leaders in Agriculture (CALA), the African Food Fellowship (AFF) help strengthen these capabilities: enabling leaders to move beyond their own mandates, connect diverse actors, build coalitions, and turn big ambitions into real, measurable change. Where stronger food systems leadership exists, policies become impactful programmes, finance flows more effectively, and innovations scale. Where it does not, even substantial investments underperform.

Proof already exists – Africa can build transformational capabilities by design 
Evidence increasingly points to one missing piece: a critical mass of leaders equipped to work systemically, bridging institutions, wiring stronger connections across the public, private, and civic sectors, and operating at all levels of governance. Across initiatives such as the AFF, CALA, the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), and the Africa Capacity Building Foundation, leaders are being equipped with systems thinking, collaborative skills, implementation networks, and real-world delivery capacity grounded in country priorities. Leaders from these programmes are already demonstrating measurable results in strengthening delivery, influencing policy, and unlocking investment. 

In Tanzania, embedding food systems leadership within delivery systems produced transformative results. A CALA-supported intervention reduced poultry mortality from 55% to 3% by organizing previously fragmented producers, input suppliers, and extension actors into a coordinated cluster production model that aligned incentives and improved adherence to best practices. This approach improved coordination and execution, leveraging productivity gains that had eluded the sector for years. The success of this approach led to the team’s integration into national poultry sector reforms, now advancing through the Poultry Compact (2024–2028).

In Kenya, similar leadership capabilities are translating into large-scale economic outcomes. Through the African Food Fellowship, an aquaculture enterprise has mobilized partnerships across government, finance, and industry to unlock a long-standing financing gap in the sector. AFF fellows worked with financial institutions to de-risk lending and coordinated actors across the aquaculture value chain. This led to the launch of Africa’s first dedicated aquaculture credit product and catalysed production expected to reach 25,000 MT annually by 2031, alongside 8,000 jobs and improved incomes for 10,000 smallholder farmers. In both cases, the real breakthrough wasn’t just new technology or more funding; it was about bringing people together, aligning their interests, and driving collective action across the whole system.
Critically, the impact of these initiatives extends beyond individual leaders. When leaders are connected across countries and sectors, they form an organic movement for transformation. They share insights, coordinate action, and hold one another accountable. The goal, therefore, is not just to train individuals but to forge a collective force of diverse leaders across the continent, capable of shifting policies, business models, and incentives at every level.

The return on investment Africa can’t ignore: Food systems leadership 
Yet leadership remains among the least-funded components of food systems transformation. Estimates suggest that equipping 25,000 cross-sector food systems leaders across Africa over the Kampala Decade would require a modest US$25 million per year, roughly 0.1% of annual spending in Africa’s agrifood sector and just 0.25% of the total investment needed to achieve CAADP goals. 
Stronger leadership capacity attracts substantial commercial finance ready to invest in Africa’s agrifood sectors and achieve greater impact by improving coordination, accountability, and execution. Food systems leadership, therefore, is not an additional cost but a multiplier that determines whether existing investments translate into results at scale.

To accelerate transformation delivery, food systems leadership initiatives are forming a community of practice to learn from one another, spotlight delivery gaps, connect their alumni networks, and collectively advocate for investment in leadership. This is a coordinated call to action, ready to scale what is already working to build a new generation of food system leaders.

Delivering on ambition: What it will take

As the Kampala decade gets underway, the question is no longer whether Africa has the right ambitions for food systems transformation, but whether it has the leadership capabilities to achieve them.
This necessitates elevating food systems leadership to the pedestal of implementation and giving it top priority and funding from governments. Development partners must also go beyond technical fixes and invest in the institutional and leadership capacity that turns commitments into real, measurable outcomes. Ecosystem actors must transition from dispersed efforts to coordinated action to deepen collaboration, align around common priorities, and advance food systems leadership capacity at scale. The next step is to translate this momentum into actionable commitments at the 2026 Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali.
Without this shift, ambition will continue to outpace execution. With it, Africa has a genuine chance to turn a decade of commitments into a decade of delivering food systems transformation.

He underscored Rwanda’s long-term vision:

“We are confident that, with the establishment of a strong and functional food innovation ecosystem, Rwanda is well-positioned to become a leading hub for food innovation in Africa.”

He further stressed the need for systemic coordination:

“Unlocking the full potential of our agri-food system requires a deliberate shift from fragmented interventions to a well-coordinated innovation ecosystem that connects research, enterprise, and markets.”

And highlighted the importance of partnerships:

“Meaningful transformation will depend on strong collaboration with the private sector, research institutions, and development partners.”

Strong Emphasis on Nutrition and System Priorities

Dr. Laurence Haddad, Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), called for nutrition to be firmly embedded as a core outcome of the transformation agenda.

“We must ensure that nutrition is not only embedded, but elevated as a core outcome of food systems transformation, with clear and measurable targets.”

He added that accountability must be strengthened across the system:

“Reducing malnutrition should not be treated as a secondary goal—it must be a central performance indicator of the entire ecosystem.”

Belinda Bwiza, CEO of One Acre Fund Rwanda, welcomed the Strategy’s direction, noting that it builds on and accelerates existing frameworks.

“The Strategy does not replace existing frameworks; it accelerates their implementation.”

She also highlighted the need for clearer operational mechanisms, particularly the proposed regulatory sandbox approach and its potential to drive productivity and innovation uptake.

AGRA Reaffirms Commitment to Ecosystem Transformation

Jean Paul Ndagijimana, AGRA Country Director for Rwanda, emphasized collaboration, inclusivity, and long-term ownership as key to successful implementation.

He described the transformation agenda as a shared journey:

“If we work together, we can elevate the entire food system to a different level and accelerate transformation across the ecosystem.”

He also issued a strong call for inclusion:

“Can each one of you find a space in this strategy? And if not, challenge us to create that space for you—so we move forward together as one ecosystem.”

Reaffirming AGRA’s commitment, he said:

“We are not just building a document; we are building a house where every actor must find a place and contribute to its completion.”

And added:

“We are committed to walking this journey with you—not as observers, but as active partners in implementation.

FAO Highlights Regional Opportunity and Implementation Imperative

The FAO Country Director for Rwanda, Mohamed Aw-Dahir, emphasized that while the Strategy is strong and ambitious, its success will depend on execution and sustained commitment.

“The Strategy is necessary, but not sufficient. Its success will depend on strong commitment and effective implementation.”

He highlighted Rwanda’s strategic regional potential:

“Rwanda has the potential not only to transform its food systems but also to become a regional hub for livestock feed and agricultural commercialization across Eastern and Central Africa.”

He further emphasized FAO’s continued support:

“Wherever we cannot provide financial support, we will contribute knowledge, expertise, and global best practices to strengthen implementation.”

And underscored regional integration:

“Food systems transformation must go beyond borders—Rwanda is strategically positioned as a gateway to regional and continental markets.”

The workshop concluded with strong consensus that Rwanda’s food systems transformation will depend on coordinated action, inclusive innovation, institutional alignment, and sustained cross-sector collaboration.

The Rwanda Food Innovation Ecosystem Strategy will be officially unveiled in September during the Africa Food Systems Forum, positioning Rwanda at the center of continental dialogue on agri-food innovation and systems transformation.

Speaking at the launch, Alice Ruhweza, President of AGRA, highlighted both the progress made over the past two decades and the urgency of accelerating action.

“We have elevated food systems on the continental agenda and mobilized partnerships at an unprecedented scale,” she said. “But too many commitments have yet to translate into real financing and action on the ground.”

She stressed the need for a fundamental shift in approach:
“The next chapter must be about delivery—moving from pledges to pipelines, from external dependence to African capital, and from symbolic inclusion to real investment opportunities for youth and women.”

Ruhweza also underscored the importance of redefining agriculture’s role:
“Farming must become a viable business, not a subsistence activity, and productivity must grow without compromising soil health and sustainability.”

Board Chair of AGRA and Chair of the AFSF Partners Group, Hailemariam Dessalegn, reflected on the Forum’s 20-year journey and its growing continental significance.

“This platform is not just another meeting—it is where the complexity of Africa’s food systems is confronted, where policy, science, and investment meet,” he said.

He warned of the urgency of the current moment:
“Africa faces a food systems financing gap of over $100 billion annually. That is not just a number—it is a call to action.”

Dessalegn emphasized the need for African ownership and leadership:
“The AFSF belongs to Africa. Its future must be financed, driven, and delivered by Africans themselves.”

Delivering the keynote on behalf of the Prime Minister, Telesphore Ndabamenye reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to hosting the Summit and advancing the continent’s food systems agenda.

“Investment in food systems is not optional—it is a sovereign responsibility,” he said. “The consequences of inaction—food insecurity, unemployment, and economic stagnation—are simply too high.”

He added:
“Africa is not short of capital. What has been missing is the will and the right frameworks to channel that capital into transformative food systems investments.”

Ndabamenye also highlighted the role of youth and women:
“They must not be seen as beneficiaries, but as the drivers of transformation—through real access to finance, land, markets, and skills.”

The 2026 theme—“Investing in Africa’s Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience”—places strong emphasis on mobilizing capital, creating jobs, empowering women, and building sustainable food systems.

As preparations begin for the September Summit, leaders called for concrete delivery plans, measurable outcomes, and stronger accountability to ensure real impact across the continent.

With over 4,500 stakeholders expected, the AFSF 2026 Summit is set to shape the next decade of Africa’s food systems transformation—one defined not just by ambition, but by action.
End

Why the next wave of competitive advantage in African markets will be built from the ground up
Agriculture begins with soil, but for Africa’s growth story, soil is far more than an input. It is the foundation of food systems, the basis of livelihoods, and an increasingly critical lever for resilience, reliability, and long‑term value creation.
Across the continent, soil holds the potential to address food insecurity, restore ecosystems, and unlock economic growth at scale. Yet that potential remains largely unrealised, not because of lack of effort, but because the core asset underpinning agricultural systems has been systematically undervalued.

Consider a typical smallholder farmer managing at least three acres of land. Each season, she commits her primary productive assets, land, labour, and inputs into the business of farming. She prepares the land, purchases seed and fertiliser, plants, weeds, and manages crops through increasingly volatile weather patterns. The investment of time, effort, and capital is substantial and sustained.

Too often, however, the system fails to break even. Once input costs, labour, climate risk, price volatility, and post‑harvest losses are factored in, farming frequently struggles to generate sufficient surplus to reinvest. Productivity remains stagnant, vulnerability persists, and each season begins from a position of fragility.

In any other sector, this would signal a structural problem. Capital does not flow to businesses where the core asset is degrading, efficiency is declining, and returns fail to justify risk. Manufacturing systems are redesigned when productivity falls; retail models are restructured when margins erode. Yet in agriculture, this dynamic has been normalised.

The constraint is not farmer effort. It is that soil, the primary productive asset is rarely managed as one.
For decades, soil has been treated as a passive medium rather than as capital. Uniform input approaches have been applied across highly variable and often degraded landscapes, leading to diminishing returns over time. Nutrients are added, but crops respond weakly because the biological and physical systems that make soil productive have been compromised.

The result is a cycle of continued investment with limited payoff.
This is where the concept of a tipping point matters.
Agricultural systems do not improve incrementally. They operate around a threshold that determines whether farming functions as a survival activity or as a viable enterprise. Below this threshold, productivity remains low, soil health declines, and income barely covers costs. Any external shock, whether climatic or market‑related, pushes the system deeper into risk.

Beyond it, the system behaves differently.
When soil health improves to the point where nutrients are efficiently utilised, water is retained, and biological processes support plant growth, productivity stabilises and begins to rise. At that point, farming crosses a break‑even threshold. Surplus becomes possible. Reinvestment becomes rational. Agriculture shifts from coping to competing.
This transition is not about marginal gains. It is structural.

Crossing the tipping point requires deliberate soil management: rebuilding organic matter, restoring biological activity, and applying inputs in a targeted way aligned with actual soil needs. Water management, crop selection, and agronomic practices must also reflect local conditions rather than one‑size‑fits‑all models.
When these elements align, the economics change measurably. Crops access nutrients more effectively, soils retain moisture longer, and systems become less sensitive to seasonal variability. Evidence from integrated soil and landscape restoration across Africa shows sustained productivity gains alongside reduced degradation, demonstrating that this shift is both possible and scalable. Crucially, these gains compound over time.

Once farms consistently operate beyond the break‑even point, behaviour changes. Reinvestment in better technologies becomes the norm. Diversification into higher‑value production becomes feasible. Soil organic carbon accumulates, creating optionality around emerging climate and sustainability markets. Improved water retention reduces dependence on rainfall alone.
At this stage, farms are no longer just producing crops. They are building assets.

For businesses operating in African markets, the implications are significant.
Brand equity is often understood as trust, credibility, and relevance built over time. In food and agriculture systems, that equity is not only intangible, but also physical, embedded in the soil. Soil health determines whether farmers can produce reliably, whether supply chains hold under pressure, and whether shocks can be absorbed without disruption.

When farming systems remain below the tipping point, supply chains are unstable, costs are unpredictable, and trust is fragile. When systems move beyond it, reliability improves, resilience strengthens, and long‑term partnerships become viable.
Soil, in this context, is not simply an environmental concern. It is a strategic asset.
Investing in soil is therefore not a peripheral ESG activity. It is a system‑level intervention that strengthens productivity, stabilises supply, mitigates climate risk, and underpins durable growth. For companies seeking long‑term advantage in African markets, soil sits at the centre of value creation.

Africa’s growth will ultimately depend on whether its foundational systems can generate surplus rather than absorb effort. The brands that recognise this and invest accordingly, will be those best positioned for the next decade of growth, built from the ground up.

Iris Irumva, CEO of Lead Access, emphasized the importance of showcasing women agripreneurs and creating a platform for exchange:
“This is the second Women in Agri-Food Systems workshop we organized with the support of AGRA and other organizations funded by the Mastercard Foundation. It demonstrates how much we value the role of women in feeding the world.”
She added:
“The exhibition of women agripreneurs makes this event unique, providing an opportunity to exchange information and discuss issues like access to finance, collateral, and insurance.”

Peter Okamah, AGRA Rwanda Program Lead, highlighted the organization’s commitment to supporting women in agriculture:
“AGRA leverages programs like Valuer for Her and YEFFA to create decent jobs, improve market access, and de-risk financial barriers such as loans and collateral for women agripreneurs.”

Niyitanga Grace, a horticulture agripreneur from Rwamagana, shared her perspective:
“This workshop is a great opportunity to discuss challenges, find solutions, and connect with peers and partners who can support our growth.”

Uwamahoro Rose, another participant, added:
“I am inspired by the exchange of experiences and the commitment shown by partners to empower women in agriculture.”

The workshop included high-level policy dialogue, mentorship sessions, and an exhibition showcasing women-led enterprises, focusing on horticulture as a high-value, export-oriented value chain. The event concluded with a “Women in Agri-Food Systems Commitment Moment”, where partners and participants pledged concrete actions to advance women’s participation, leadership, and competitiveness in Rwanda’s agriculture sector.

Speaking during the engagement, Nana stressed the importance of listening directly to youth, especially young women:

“We want to hear your journey—what is working and what challenges you face, particularly as women in agri-food systems.”

The president of the cooperative, Munyaburanga Emmanuel, highlighted the cooperative’s vision of sustainability:

“We put our children together to equip them with skills so they can create jobs and eventually take over the cooperative, which gives hope for sustainability.”

Youth voices: progress and challenges

Participants openly shared both achievements and gaps in support.

Habimana Fidel, alongside his wife Tumukunde Lilian, emphasized the need for more flexible financing and improved farming support:

“We should be given extended time to repay loans so we don’t rush to sell our produce. We also need more training in agriculture practices. The first season had poor weather, leading to low yields—we prefer repayment over one year instead of six months.”

Ndacyayisenga Serverien called for more practical skills:

“The training is not sufficient—we need technical skills, especially in poultry. What we received was mainly in business development.”

Empowerment through Akazi Kanoze Access

The visit also extended to youth and women groups supported by Akazi Kanoze Access under the YEFFA programme through the “Work Readiness Now” and “Be Your Own Boss” trainings.

Fadhila Modeste, a teacher and leader of the AYEP (Agro Youth Empowerment Project) group, described how the programme transformed their mindset and livelihoods:

“Our group started by renting land to grow cabbage. We were trained in saving—we keep money securely before depositing it in the bank. After the training, it’s like our eyes opened. I no longer rely only on my teaching salary—I combine it with farming.”

He added:

“We invested RWF 450,000, sold to one of our members for RWF 700,000, and she later made RWF 1.2 million. However, lack of irrigation remains a challenge.”

Nyirabizeyimana Annonciata shared her personal growth:

“I invested RWF 50,000 and earned RWF 200,000 in three months. Before, I didn’t know how to record expenses and profits, but now I do. I also started with 30 chickens—now I have 100.”

From small capital to growing enterprises

Clarisse Mukamutsinzi highlighted how training unlocked her entrepreneurial journey:

“I started with RWF 250,000 from my husband and family. After YEFFA training in 2024, I opened a small shop and now earn about RWF 100,000 after expenses. I plan to expand and buy land.”

Nzabonariba Jean Providence also shared his transformation:

“The training helped me understand how to manage money and start income-generating activities. I began with RWF 20,000, borrowed from the savings group, and now my capital has grown to RWF 200,000.”

Scaling up in agroforestry

Mukashyaka Nadia, a member of the Twiteze Imbere group, demonstrated remarkable progress in agroforestry:

“After training by Akazi Kanoze, I started a nursery using savings group loans. In July 2024, I produced 16,000 trees at a cost of RWF 150,000 and earned RWF 755,000.”

She added:

“In 2026, I produced 22,841 trees, selling each at RWF 75 and earning over RWF 2.2 million. My plan is to expand and supply more areas, but I always secure the market first.”

A pathway to transformation

The one-day field visit highlighted the tangible impact of YEFFA in empowering youth—especially young women—with skills, confidence, and access to opportunities. At the same time, it underscored persistent challenges, including access to finance, technical training, and irrigation.

As Nana concluded her engagements, the message was clear: youth voices are central to shaping inclusive and sustainable agri-food systems in Rwanda.

Participants shared reflections on the gaps, opportunities, and strategies for telling more impactful stories. Eugene Kwibuka, Communication Manager at MINAGRI, highlighted missing narratives around nutrition, food quality, and youth engagement.

“Nutrition, food quality, and youth engagement are missing in current narratives. We need to teach balanced diets, reduce food waste, and inspire youth to embrace food systems with better productivity techniques,” he said.

Communication challenges were also discussed. Eric Mihigo, Communication Officer at YEARN, emphasized the need for stories that resonate with the public.

“The public wants stories that showcase new technologies, not just project achievements or politically driven narratives,” he said.

From a gender perspective, Dr.Olivia Kabatesi, of Empower Rwanda, highlighted the importance of centering young women in agri-food stories.

“We need more stories highlighting young women in agri-food systems—addressing childcare models, unpaid care work, land access, and climate shocks,” she said.

Private sector voices underscored the need for realistic expectations around youth engagement. Jean Baptiste Musabyimana, CEO of ABUSOL Ltd, said:

“AGRA has many success stories to communicate. But when talking about youth engagement in agriculture, not every young person can be an entrepreneur. Some will work on larger farms, creating employment, which also strengthens food systems.”

Participants also highlighted opportunities for innovation and digital solutions. Francois Nsengiyumva, CEO of KGB Seed Company, called for online learning platforms to support farmers.

“We need online platforms and digital extension programs to teach farming techniques, post-harvest management, and reduce agri losses, while popularizing agri communication through social media,” he said.

Meanwhile, Oswald Mutuyeyezu, a prominent journalist at Radio & TV 10, called for partnerships and capacity building for communicators.

“We need training on packaging content that attracts audiences and stronger partnerships to help us reach farmers and tell impactful stories on market access, agricultural insurance, and finance,” he said.

The session concluded with a shared commitment to improving the way African food systems are communicated, ensuring that stories around nutrition, youth, women, innovation, and market access reach wider audiences and inspire action.
End

The conversation, titled “Who Gets to Shape Africa’s Food Future?”, was hosted by AGRA in partnership with Global Citizen on the sidelines of MoveAfrika. The dialogue took place at Select Boutique Hotel & Restaurant, where a small group of young entrepreneurs and ecosystem actors engaged directly with policymakers on opportunities within Africa’s agri-food sector.

Minister calls for stronger youth engagement in agriculture

During the discussion, Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources Dr.Telesphore Ndabamenye challenged young people to view agriculture not only as farming, but as a strategic pathway to wealth creation and employment.

“You cannot market what you do not have,” the minister said, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing food production before focusing on profits. “In the food systems journey, we must first secure food. From food comes cash, and from cash come jobs.”

He also urged young entrepreneurs to take a more proactive role in agriculture rather than waiting for opportunities.

“Don’t be lazy in the food systems journey,” he told participants. “Ask yourself: how friendly are you with agriculture? Wherever you are today, try to see how you can shift and contribute to the food system.”

Dr. Ndabamenye highlighted the role of development partners, particularly AGRA and the Mastercard Foundation, in creating opportunities for youth, while stressing that young people themselves must take the lead.

“Partners such as AGRA and the Mastercard Foundation are already supporting youth initiatives, but young people must also step forward and play a bigger role. We want youth to help us produce healthy foods for our populations. When food systems are strong, the economy becomes stronger.”

Global Citizen highlights the importance of listening to youth

Speaking during the event, Ifeoma Chuks-Adizue, Managing Director for Africa at Global Citizen, said the dialogue created an important platform for young people to share their experiences and perspectives in the agricultural sector.

“It was a very good event. I really liked the interactions by young people. I continue to see that the choices they make shape the future not only for them, but also for Rwanda and Africa as a continent,” she said.

She emphasized the need for organizations working in the sector to better understand the challenges faced by young entrepreneurs.

“We need to understand what challenges they face as Global Citizen and as AGRA so that we can help them achieve their goals,” she added.

Chuks-Adizue noted that Global Citizen is working with AGRA through a grant focused on addressing food and nutrition challenges.

“One big issue is food and nutrition, which is a focus area of AGRA. Within Global Citizen, one of our focus areas this year is jobs. This event was organized to create an open and honest conversation among young people who are already doing great work within the agriculture space,” she said.

AGRA highlights youth innovation and ecosystems

During the dialogue, AGRA’s Director for Gender, Youth and Inclusiveness, Nana Yaa Boakyewaa Amoah, emphasized that empowering youth is central to transforming Africa’s food systems.

“We want to bring more young people on board in shaping Africa’s food future,” she said. “Young people are not just beneficiaries — they are innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders in the food system.”

She added that AGRA is working to strengthen the ecosystem supporting youth-led agribusinesses by collaborating with governments and financial institutions.
“If young entrepreneurs are given the right environment, they can transform food systems across the continent,” she said.

Youth entrepreneurs share experiences

Participants also reflected on the importance of creating more opportunities for youth in agriculture.

Lydia Murekatete from All Greens described the session as motivating and action-oriented.

“Don’t just talk about it, be about it,” she said. “The session was engaging and inspirational.”

Meanwhile, Evariste Sibobugingo, co-founder of Igisubizo Ltd, said the dialogue helped young entrepreneurs gain confidence and exchange ideas.

“This dialogue builds our confidence, opens our minds and allows us to share experiences with other young people,” he said.

The dialogue forms part of broader efforts by AGRA and Global Citizen to position youth at the center of Africa’s agricultural transformation, recognizing the sector’s potential to drive jobs, innovation and economic growth across the continent.

From One Cow to a Business Dream

Kashugera grew up in Nyagatare in Eastern Rwanda, in a family that depended largely on cattle keeping. Like many parents in rural Rwanda, his father believed in preparing his children for the future through livestock.

He gave Kashugera five cows.

Instead of keeping them all, the young Kashugera sold one cow and used the money to buy a sack of salt worth 1,550 Rwandan francs. He sold the salt at a profit and reinvested the earnings.

That simple trade became the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey.

Soon he bought a bicycle and began traveling between villages selling banana wine (urwagwa). Business grew steadily, and one bicycle turned into many. Before long, Kashugera owned 17 bicycles, all used to expand his trade across nearby communities.

As his profits increased, he upgraded from bicycles to motorcycles and later ventured into small-scale currency exchange and retail trade. Eventually, he purchased a Daihatsu pickup truck, using it to transport agricultural products to Kigali and bring clothing back to Nyagatare.

When Success Became Suspicious

But in those years, a young man becoming wealthy in rural Rwanda often attracted suspicion.

Kashugera’s business activity and growing financial success caught the attention of government spies. They noticed his frequent trips between Nyagatare and Kigali and began monitoring his movements.

Strangers would often approach him asking for rides to Kigali or Nyagatare. Some of them, he later learned, were informants.

One day, security agents arrested him.

They interrogated him about the source of his money.

Kashugera explained that his capital came from cattle his father had sold and given him to start his business.

The agents refused to believe him.

Instead, they accused him of receiving financial support from the Inkotanyi, the rebels who would later lead Rwanda’s liberation struggle.

“They told me my money was ‘Inkotanyi money,’” Kashugera later recalled.

Blindfolded, he was taken to several detention locations in Kigali — including Gikondo, Nyamirambo, Muhima, and even near the former presidential offices in the city center.

Eventually he was released. Rather than giving up on business, Kashugera decided to move his operations to Kigali and continue working.

Building a Lifetime in Business

That decision changed everything.

Over the years, Kashugera expanded his business activities and formed long-term partnerships. One of the most significant has been with Bralirwa, Rwanda’s leading beverage company.

For 37 years, he has worked as one of the company’s distributors, a role that eventually required him to invest in large trailer trucks to manage deliveries.

In total, Kashugera has now spent 47 years in business.

Despite his success, he believes the rules of business remain simple.

“Business speaks,” he often says. “You only need to listen carefully to what it tells you.”

According to him, success is built on honesty, discipline, and saving money wisely.

Honoring His Father’s Legacy

Behind Kashugera’s achievements lies a deep respect for his father.

Before passing away, his father gave him one important piece of advice: never abandon cattle.

Kashugera kept that promise.

Today, he still owns cattle descended from the herd his father once raised. In fact, he even moved his father’s grave closer to his pasture — a symbolic gesture that reflects his strong connection to his roots.

He says that spending time among those cows gives him more satisfaction than any business deal.

A Message to the Next Generation

Kashugera also has a direct message for Rwanda’s youth.

He believes success requires discipline and effort — something he feels many young people underestimate.

“Many youths today are lazy,” he says candidly. “They focus on sleeping instead of working. In the 47 years I have been in business, the time I spent sleeping is very small.”

His advice is simple: respect work and avoid shortcuts.

Wealth Beyond the Individual

Despite building a successful business career, Kashugera believes wealth is never purely personal.

For him, money should contribute to national development.

Pointing to a glass of water during one interview, he once said:

“This water we are drinking — that is ours. But money belongs to the country.”

The buildings he helped construct, he says, are not just private property but part of Rwanda’s national pride.

“They are the beauty of the country.”

And perhaps that is the greatest twist in his story.

The man once accused of having “Inkotanyi money” eventually used his success to help build the very nation that accusation once tried to silence.

End

The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with a broad coalition of partners including the Mastercard Foundation, UN Women, the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD), Business Professionals Network (BPN), CARE Rwanda, SNV, World Food Programme (WFP), AFR, and ESP, among others, reflecting a growing multi-stakeholder commitment to strengthening women’s role in agri-food systems.

Positioning women at the center of agri-food transformation

Rwanda’s agriculture sector remains a pillar of the economy, contributing about 25 percent of GDP and employing nearly 69 percent of the population. Women make up the majority of the agricultural labor force, yet their presence in leadership roles and structured markets remains limited.

AGRA Rwanda Country Director Jean Paul Ndagijimana said the organization has broadened its approach from focusing solely on productivity to strengthening the entire agri-food system.

“We started with agriculture only looking at productivity, then we said agriculture is bigger than just producing,” Ndagijimana said. “Today we are focusing on the agri-food system, and we are calling on women, especially young women, to consider opportunities across the value chain—from production and trade to processing and market engagement.”

He noted that AGRA has committed to creating 132,000 jobs in agriculture over the next five years, with 70 percent targeted at young women.
“Agriculture offers opportunities in at least five different areas of the value chain. We want young women to see the sector not only as farming, but as a dynamic ecosystem where they can build careers and businesses,” he added.

Expanding access to finance and markets

Equity Bank Rwanda emphasized that financial inclusion will be critical in enabling women entrepreneurs to scale their agribusinesses.
Equity Bank Rwanda Managing Director Hannington Namara highlighted the importance of partnerships in driving inclusive economic transformation.

“Equity Bank is a vehicle for transformation and giving people livelihoods,” Namara said. “Because of our vision and mission, we get excited when we see partners joining hands to make this journey easier and deliver results faster.”

“We know we do not have the power or resources to change the world alone, which is why we are very happy to work together with partners like AGRA and Lead Access,” he added. “By working together we can achieve much more.”

The bank’s social impact arm is also supporting programs designed to equip women entrepreneurs with financial skills and access to credit.
Loyce Bamwine, Director of Social Impact and Investment at Equity Bank Rwanda, said the Women’s Month activities are part of broader efforts to empower women and youth economically.

“Championing this initiative in partnership with different stakeholders is a privilege for us,” Babmwe said. “Beyond banking, we approach this from a social impact perspective. Through Equity Foundation Rwanda we design innovative programs that transform lives and livelihoods.”

She explained that the bank supports women through financial literacy training, entrepreneurship development and tailored financial products.
“Our focus is inclusion—helping women move from one level to another by giving them access to finance and working with partners to provide de-risking mechanisms that make loans more accessible,” she said.
Building a strong ecosystem for women agripreneurs
Lead Access CEO Iris Irumva underscored the importance of collective action in advancing women’s leadership in agriculture and other sectors.

“We know that institutions like AGRA and Equity are supporting women, but we also recognise that progress requires allies,” Irumva said. “As women, we cannot do this alone—we need the ‘He-for-She’ champions and partners who stand with us.”
She praised AGRA’s continued collaboration in promoting women’s participation in agriculture.
“AGRA has been a pillar in this journey. This is the third year we are partnering with them, and we are grateful for the impact this collaboration continues to create,” she said.

Irumva noted that the initiative is helping shift perceptions among young women about careers in agriculture.
“Many young women used to see agriculture as unattractive, but today we talk about it as ‘ag-tractive.’ We are seeing more women entrepreneurs entering the sector and being recognized for their innovation and leadership,” she added.

Women’s Day celebrations and national engagement

As part of the Women’s Month activities, partners also announced that International Women’s Day on 8 March will be marked through participation in Kigali’s bi-monthly Car Free Day, where stakeholders will deliver messages aligned with this year’s global theme on women’s empowerment and gender equality.

The event will provide an opportunity to raise awareness on the importance of women’s leadership in agriculture and economic development while engaging the public through sports and community participation.

A national platform for action

The March 25 workshop will serve as a national platform to strengthen coordination among government, financial institutions, development partners and private sector actors. Participants will include young women agripreneurs aged 18–35, investors, export agencies, and agribusiness leaders engaged in horticulture value chains such as production, aggregation, processing and export.
The event will feature policy dialogue, mentorship sessions, enterprise exhibitions and business matchmaking opportunities linking women entrepreneurs with buyers and financial institutions.

Organizers say the workshop will also conclude with a Women in Agri-Food Systems Commitment Moment, where stakeholders—including development partners and financial institutions—will announce concrete actions to support women-led enterprises and expand their access to markets and finance.

By positioning women as leaders across the agri-food value chain, AGRA and its partners aim to strengthen Rwanda’s agricultural competitiveness while ensuring that the sector’s transformation remains inclusive and sustainable.

The training focuses on modern agricultural skills, including the use of mechanized farming equipment, irrigation technologies, and value addition such as the fabrication of agro-processing machines.

Speaking during the visit, Wanu congratulated the graduates of the short term training programs, encouraging young people to view agriculture as a viable and profitable business sector.

She urged youth to change the long held perception that farming is an activity for the poor, emphasizing that modern agriculture has the potential to create wealth when approached with innovation and strong branding.

During her visit, the Deputy Minister also interacted with female trainees and expressed her admiration for their growing involvement in technical fields, particularly in operating heavy agricultural machinery used for land preparation and harvesting.

Deputy Minister commended VETA and AGRA for translating Tanzania’s national development vision into practical action through skills development and youth empowerment.

Speaking at the event, AGRA Tanzania Country Director, Vianney Rweyendela, said the organization is encouraged by the early progress made through the initiative, noting that creating employment opportunities for young people remains a central priority.

He explained that about 65 percent of Tanzanians depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, with 70 percent of them being women. For the sector to significantly contribute to economic growth, he noted, agriculture needs to grow by at least 10 percent annually.

Rweyendela added that the mechanization training aligns with the government’s Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT) initiative under the 10/30 agenda, which aims to transform agriculture through youth participation and increased investment.

He noted that as agricultural development progressed, stakeholders realized that traditional tools alone could not deliver the needed transformation.

“That is why we partnered with VETA to equip young people with practical skills in mechanization, irrigation, and agricultural value addition so they can drive modern farming,” he said.

He emphasized that AGRA’s broader goal is to create sustainable employment opportunities for youth while supporting Tanzania’s Vision 2050 development agenda.

VETA Director General, CPA Antony Kasore, said the program is part of the broader BBT initiative and aims to equip young people with practical agricultural skills, including mechanization, irrigation systems, and post harvest handling.

Kasore told the Deputy Minister that AGRA Tanzania has invested Tsh 3.5 billion to support the implementation of the program, which will be expanded to vocational training centers across all regions of the country.

“The objective is to produce skilled technicians who will not only apply these skills but also transfer knowledge to other young farmers,” he said.

The YEFFA project targets to train more than 5,600 youth across Tanzania, with 700 young people already graduating from the agricultural mechanization course.

The program is expected to contribute to improved agricultural productivity, job creation, and the transition toward modern, technology-driven farming.

Morogoro Regional Commissioner Adam Malima said the government has long emphasized agriculture, but the past five years under President Samia Suluhu Hassan have seen stronger implementation of agricultural development programs targeting citizens, particularly youth.

He noted that Morogoro region offers numerous agricultural opportunities and encouraged young people interested in grass production for livestock feed to seek support from his office, describing it as a profitable and reliable agribusiness opportunity.

The launch event also showcased innovations developed by the 700 graduates of the YEFFA short term training program, many of whom demonstrated practical solutions and technologies as they prepare to enter the agribusiness sector

Story by Roquefields Sailo

Mu bandi bitabiriye iyi nama harimo Demis Hassabis, umuyobozi wa Google DeepMind, wavuze ko Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) ubwenge buhangano bushobora gukora no gutekereza mu buryo busa n’ubw’umuntu bushobora kuzamurikirwa isi mu myaka itanu kugeza ku munani iri imbere. Ibi bisobanuye ko mu gihe kitari kirekire, hashobora kubaho sisitemu zishobora gusobanukirwa, gutekereza no gufata ibyemezo mu buryo bwagutse kurusha uko bimeze ubu.

Iyi nama yanagarutse ku iterambere rya “Agentic AI” sisitemu zifite ubushobozi bwo gukora imirimo yigenga, zitari ugusubiza ibibazo gusa, ahubwo zishobora gufata ibyemezo no kurangiza inshingano zahawe. Ibigo bya leta n’ibyigenga ku isi byatangiye gushora imari nyinshi muri iri koranabuhanga, rishobora kugabanya igihe gikoreshwa mu kazi, kugabanya ikiguzi, ndetse no kugabanya umubare w’abakozi mu nzego zimwe na zimwe.

Ibihugu bikomeye birimo Leta Zunze Ubumwe za Amerika n’Ubushinwa biri gushora imari itigeze ibaho mu bushakashatsi no guteza imbere AI, bigatuma habaho irushanwa rikomeye ku rwego mpuzamahanga. Ibi byihutisha ubuvumbuzi bushobora guhindura uburyo ibihugu bicungwa, uko ubucuruzi bukorwa ndetse n’imibereho rusange y’abaturage.

Nubwo hari icyizere cy’iterambere, impungenge nazo ntizabura. Bamwe mu batuye isi bagaragaza ko AI ishobora gusubiza inyuma ubushobozi bwo gutekereza bwa muntu, ndetse ko hari imirimo ishobora gusimbuzwa imashini cyangwa robots. Ariko Yann LeCun, impuguke mu by’ubwenge buhangano ukorera Meta Platforms kandi akaba n’umwarimu muri New York University, agaragaza ko AI iriho ubu igifite aho igarukira, cyane cyane ko ishingira cyane ku rurimi kurusha gusobanukirwa byimbitse isi nyakuri. Kuri we, AI ntikwiye gutera ubwoba, ahubwo ikwiye gufatwa nk’igikoresho cyafasha muntu kongera ubushobozi bwe.

Mu gihe isi iri kwinjira mu bihe by’iterambere rishingiye ku ikoranabuhanga ku muvuduko utigeze ubaho mbere, ubwenge buhangano ntibukiri umufasha usanzwe. Abasesenguzi bagaragaza ko bugiye guhinduka igice cy’imibereho ya buri munsi mu burezi, mu buvuzi, mu buhinzi, mu micungire y’ibigo no mu miyoborere.

Ikibazo gikomeye cyagarutsweho muri Delhi si ukumenya niba AI izahindura isi, ahubwo ni igihe izabikorera n’uburyo abantu n’ibihugu bazayitegura. Mu myaka mike iri imbere, amahitamo azafatwa uyu munsi ashobora kuzagena uko isi izaba imeze ejo hazaza.

Narendra Modi atangiza Inya VoiceOS, model ya AI yihariye ikora mu buryo bw’ijwi-ku-jwi itanyuze mu guhindura ijwi mo inyandiko.

One of these partners is Abusol Ltd, a poultry farming company operating in Bugesera District in Eastern Rwanda. Over the past 10 years, the company has raised more than 130,000 chickens on 14 hectares of land. At full production, the farm produces up to 80,000 eggs per day. The company initially started with 10,000 chickens.

Founder’s Journey

Musabyimana Jean Baptiste, the founder and Managing Director of Abusol Ltd, is a Rwandan who studied economics in France.

“I went to France in 2003 to study. After completing my studies, I worked there for some time. Later, I realized it was important to return home and contribute to building my country. I studied economics, stock markets, and commercial law, and I returned to Rwanda in 2016,” he said.

He chose to invest in poultry farming after recognizing its importance in improving nutrition and its strong market demand.

“I decided to rear chickens because eggs are a nutritious food that helps prevent diseases and are affordable for many Rwandans. My initial plan was to meet the demand for eggs, and later venture into broiler production. That is why I founded Abusol Ltd,” he explained.

Regarding his long-term goals, Musabyimana says he is not only focused on profit but also on improving livelihoods.

“My dream is for every Rwandan household to include an egg in their daily meals. I also want many young people to find employment in this sector,” he added.

Partnership with AGRA

Musabyimana says partnering with AGRA through the YEFFA project has been a major opportunity for both his company and young people in the Eastern Province.

“We were pleased to join the YEFFA project because it aligned with our goals. We were tasked with training young people in the Eastern Province on entrepreneurship and self-employment,” he said.

In just two years, Abusol Ltd has trained more than 10,000 youth through the YEFFA project supported by the Mastercard Foundation. The training covers poultry project management, mar ket access, disease prevention and control, and other key aspects of modern poultry farming.

Youth Testimonies

Some of the youth beneficiaries say the training helped them transition from traditional poultry farming to modern, professional practices.

Jean Chrysostome Dukuzumuremyi from Bugesera District said:

“The YEFFA training has been very helpful. Previously, in our village, we raised chickens without proper methods. Now we understand that the best way is to keep them in proper housing to protect them from pests and diseases. You can raise many chickens on a small piece of land, use less feed, and still get high production. As youth, this allows us to start with small capital and gradually expand to own many chickens in a short time.”

Nyiransengimana Josephine from Nyagatare District said the project gave her in-depth knowledge and confidence.

“The YEFFA project provided me with detailed training on poultry farming. I learned about different chicken breeds and how quickly they generate income. Chickens can be raised on small land and produce fast returns, enabling farmers to improve their livelihoods and contribute to national development,” she said.

She added that the project empowered youth to become self-reliant.

“As young people, the project encouraged us to be confident and work hard without depending on others, which helps us improve our lives,” she noted.

Training Approach

Out of the beneficiaries:

• 2,100 youth received 10-day training sessions at Abusol’s training center, combining classroom lessons with practical sessions inside poultry houses.
• 900 youth were taken to modern poultry farms to observe advanced farming practices.
• Around 4,000 youth were trained directly at farms where poultry activities were already taking place.
• Approximately 3,000 youth were reached in villages to raise awareness about the benefits of engaging in agriculture and livestock farming.

Through the partnership between AGRA and Abusol Ltd, thousands of young Rwandans are gaining the skills and confidence needed to build sustainable careers in poultry farming and agribusiness.

Musabyimana Jean Baptiste, Founder and Managing Director of Abusol Ltd, at his poultry farm in Bugesera District, where more than 130,000 chickens are raised.

Youth participants attend practical training session under the YEFFA project implemented by AGRA

Inside the poultry houses of Abusol Ltd, where the farm produces up to 80,000 eggs per day at full capacity

Among the most scrutinized figures is Britain’s prince Andrew. The royal publicly denied allegations of sexual misconduct connected to Epstein and later reached out of court settlement in a civil lawsuit without admitting wrongdoing. Not only him but also the Epstein files that came out in years such as 2008, 2015 and 2016 even in 2021 include former US president Bill Clinton, although he denied of being aware of any criminal activity.

To add the current president of the US Donald Trump was also stated in the files “I think it’s time the country got on other things nothing came out of those files other than it being a conspiracy against me “president Trump said this in an interview with CNN

 Rumors swirls around online implicating singers, actors and stars from Beyoncé’ and Jay-Z to Rihanna, Michael Jackson, Elon musk, Chris Martin and many more although none were formally accused or charged these rumors, fueled by social media conspiracy theories only added to the intrigue surrounding Epstein’s network and the unanswered questions about who knew what and when.

 While royalty and politicians dominated headlines it also ended up in the media industry, these celebrity rumors while widely discussed online remain unverified still, they contribute to the intrigue and speculation surrounding Epstein’s criminal records, illustrating the powerful blend of wealth, fame and secrecy that characterized his life.

Jeffrey Epstein, The financier whose powerful connections, criminal charges, and unanswered questions continue to fuel global scrutiny and speculation.

The partnership comes at a pivotal moment as Africa advances implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement. With 50 countries having ratified the Agreement, attention shifts from legal commitment to practical implementation, particularly in agriculture. “The AfCFTA offers Africa a historic opportunity to shift from exporting raw commodities to building regional value chains that create jobs, raise farmer incomes and strengthen food security,” said H.E. Wamkele Mene. “Our partnership with AGRA is about moving from ambition to execution, ensuring that agricultural trade delivers tangible benefits for producers, processors and consumers across the continent.”

Through the AfCFTA Agri-Trade Action Plan, which proposes several interventions, including, among others, reducing non-tariff barriers, improving trade facilitation, promoting value addition and mobilising investment in regional agricultural value chains, the collaboration will advance agricultural trade under AfCFTA.

“Trade will not transform Africa’s food systems unless farmers and agri-enterprises are able to produce competitively, meet international quality standards, and connect to reliable markets,” said Alice Ruhweza, President of AGRA. “This partnership is about making intra-African food trade work in practice—linking policy to delivery so that agriculture becomes a driver of inclusive growth, resilience and shared prosperity.”

Together, the AfCFTA Secretariat and AGRA will drive this partnership toward practical, farmer-centered action, enabling agriculture to fully leverage integrated African markets and deliver inclusive growth, resilience, and shared prosperity across the continent.

“AGRA was founded in 2006 following the vision of the late Kofi Annan, who believed that transforming agriculture was the fastest way to transform Africa,” Ndagijimana said. “Over 60 percent of Africans depend on agriculture, so any serious development agenda had to start there.”

In Rwanda, AGRA’s work began in the context of post-genocide reconstruction, when institutions including agriculture were being rebuilt almost from scratch. The organization identified human capacity as the most urgent gap.

“At that time, what Rwanda needed most was skilled people scientists, breeders, extension specialists,” Ndagijimana explained. “So AGRA invested heavily in education.”

Through partnerships with institutions such as the Rockefeller Foundation and the Gates Foundation, AGRA supported more than 50 Rwandans to obtain Master’s degrees and over 27 to complete PhDs in fields including crop science, plant genetics, and breeding. Many of these professionals are now working in research institutions, government agencies, and the private sector.

AGRA’s support went beyond training. Over the past 20 years, the organization has invested approximately USD 20 million in Rwanda, channelled into research infrastructure, laboratories, equipment, vehicles, and production facilities.

“A country does not only need people; it also needs tools,” Ndagijimana said. “We supported laboratories, in-vitro facilities for potatoes, and research stations in Musanze and other areas.”

These investments contributed to Rwanda’s ability to develop its own improved crop varieties. Today, Rwanda produces locally bred, high-yield maize varieties and is making similar progress in rice, soybeans, and potatoes.

One of AGRA’s most impactful interventions focused on addressing aflatoxin contamination in maize a problem that once locked farmers out of major markets. When Africa Improved Foods (AIF) opened its factory in Rwanda, it was rejecting nearly 90 percent of locally produced maize due to quality concerns.

“It was painful,” Ndagijimana recalled. “The factory was in Rwanda, but farmers could not sell to it.”

AGRA worked with the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) and international partners to introduce biological control solutions such as Aflasafe, alongside improved post-harvest handling practices, including drying maize on the cob.

“Today, more than 90 percent of Rwandan maize meets AIF’s standards,” he said. “That completely changed the relationship between farmers and the market.”

AGRA also played a central role in shifting Rwanda’s seed system from state-dominated to private-sector-driven. In 2016, Rwanda had almost no private seed companies. Today, there are more than 20.

“Government was producing seed, distributing seed, and regulating seed it was too much,” Ndagijimana noted. “We worked with government to bring in private companies while allowing the state to focus on research and regulation.”

Private companies now dominate seed multiplication and marketing, while government institutions concentrate on breeder seed and quality assurance an arrangement that has strengthened sustainability and efficiency.

With youth and women forming the backbone of Rwanda’s population, AGRA has increasingly focused on making agriculture attractive, profitable, and modern.

“Young people don’t want agriculture that depends only on hard manual labor,” Ndagijimana said. “They want technology, data, and predictable income and that’s what we are supporting.”

Through greenhouses, irrigation systems, digital advisory services, and smart pest-management tools, AGRA has helped reposition agriculture as a business. The organization targets supporting 132,000 young people most of them women into agricultural employment by 2028.

AGRA’s latest strategy prioritizes value chains such as avocado, chili, and poultry due to their strong domestic and export demand.

“Chili can start generating income in as little as six months, and global demand is high,” Ndagijimana said. “Avocado offers long-term security one tree can produce for over 20 years.”

These commodities, he added, provide both quick wins and long-term income stability, especially for young agripreneurs.

Rwanda hosts the secretariat of the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF), a major continental platform convened by AGRA that brings together over 5,000 participants, including heads of state, investors, private companies, and development partners.

“Being the convener of AFSF shows the trust placed in AGRA,” Ndagijimana said. “And for Rwanda, hosting the forum generates millions of dollars in economic activity and invaluable knowledge exchange.”

He noted a growing trend of African and Rwandan diaspora investors using AFSF as a bridge to invest back home, particularly in high-value crops such as avocado and chili.

For Ndagijimana, the most meaningful measure of success is at the farmer level.

“What makes me happiest is seeing a farmer who used to beg for a buyer now negotiating prices with multiple buyers,” he said. “That power to choose that dignity that is real transformation.”

As AGRA looks ahead, its focus in Rwanda remains clear: strengthen implementation of sound policies, deepen private-sector engagement, and ensure that gains especially in seed systems and markets are sustained.

“We know where Rwanda is going,” Ndagijimana concluded. “The task now is to turn strong policies into everyday reality for farmers.”

After 20 years of AGRA’s engagement in Rwanda, the impact is no longer measured only in narratives, but in numbers. Over USD 20 million has been invested in Rwanda’s agricultural systems. More than 50 Rwandans have earned Master’s degrees and 27 have completed PhDs, strengthening the country’s scientific and institutional backbone.

Rwanda has moved from importing nearly 100 percent of its improved maize seed in 2017 to meeting domestic demand by 2022, with over 20 private seed companies now operating in the country, compared to virtually none a decade ago. In maize markets, rejection rates due to aflatoxin contamination dropped from 90 percent to below 10 percent, unlocking stable markets for thousands of smallholder farmers.

AGRA’s current strategy targets the creation of 132,000 jobs by 2028, most of them for youth and women, while high-value value chains such as chili and avocado are positioning Rwanda for long-term export growth.

Taken together, these figures point to a structural shift, from subsistence to systems, from uncertainty to structured markets, and from dependency to local capacity. For Rwanda’s agriculture sector, the next phase will be judged not by new pilots, but by how these numbers continue to grow and who benefits most from them.

Jean Paul Ndagijimana, AGRA Rwanda Country Manager, shares insights on 20 years of AGRA’s impact in Rwanda, from building local capacity to structuring agricultural markets on KPMEDIA Podcast

Youth in Poultry farming, turning effort into opportunity.

Behind every harvest is commitment, resilience, and hope.

When young people choose agriculture, they choose sustainability

Africa Improved Food factory in Rwanda ensures locally produced maize meets quality standards, connecting smallholder farmers to reliable markets

The conference was officially opened by the Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba (MP), who reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to scaling up sustainable agricultural mechanization as a strategic priority for boosting productivity, reducing production costs, increasing farmer incomes, and strengthening resilient food systems.

In his address, the Prime Minister emphasized that mechanization is essential for modern agriculture and called for coordinated efforts among governments, the private sector, development partners, and research institutions to expand access to affordable and environmentally responsible mechanization services.

“Africa’s agricultural transformation requires deliberate investment in sustainable mechanization that is accessible, inclusive, and climate-responsive,” the Prime Minister stated, underscoring Tanzania’s focus on public–private partnerships and the participation of youth and women.

During the conference, participating countries and stakeholders adopted a joint communiqué, reaffirming their commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural mechanization through policy alignment, increased investment, regional cooperation, and inclusive mechanization models.

As part of ACSAM 2026, AGRA, together with its implementing partners, is participating in conference discussions and exhibition activities aimed at strengthening collaboration, knowledge exchange, and practical approaches to improving access to agricultural mechanization across Africa.

Key Highlights

1. Official opening of ACSAM 2026 in Dar es Salaam by the Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania.

2. ⁠Official launch of Tanzania’s Agricultural Mechanization Strategy.

3. ⁠High-level plenary discussions on sustainable agricultural mechanization and agri-food systems transformation.

4. ⁠Parallel technical sessions on investment and financing, mechanization supply chains, innovation, digital solutions, and youth employment.

Stakeholders gather in Dar es Salaam to shape the future of sustainable agricultural mechanization in Africa.

AGRA joins partners at ACSAM 2026 to strengthen access to inclusive and climate-smart mechanization.

AGRA engages African leaders at ACSAM 2026 to advance sustainable agricultural mechanization across the continent.

By Roquefields SAILO

He says: “Many people fear investing in agriculture, seeing it as exposing themselves to risk. I consider that as selfishness, and someone who is selfish has nothing. When you invest in agriculture, you invest wisely, because that is where there are opportunities to do many good things that benefit you.”

His journey in agriculture began with his service to the Government of Rwanda starting in 1997, where he had the opportunity to work with various organizations operating in the agricultural sector, which made him grow more passionate about farming. In 2007, he joined the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, where he was entrusted with leading the agricultural modernization unit.

He says that working for government gave him knowledge and experience that now form the foundation of what he does today.

“There is nothing better than working for the government: it employs you, trains you, connects you with people, and also pays you. When you leave government, you leave with many assets you can use in self-employment,” he explains.

In 2014, Nsengiyumva decided to leave government service and start working privately. He began collaborating with farmers and conducting research on maize. This led him to focus specifically on maize seed development, seeing it as a way to address the problem of low national productivity.

He says: “People should stop believing that one must only work in what they studied. Instead, they should work where there is a need, identify gaps, and see where they can contribute.”

As part of his journey, Nsengiyumva applied for improved maize seeds from CIMMYT, an international research organization that focuses on maize and wheat. Beneficiaries receive advanced seed varieties but are required to multiply them and distribute them to other farmers within a period not exceeding five years.

It was through this process that he developed a maize variety he named MUHABURA, and it was also during this period that he partnered with AGRA, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa.

He says: “AGRA provided us with financial support that enabled us to conduct different seed trials, rent land for production, and work with pioneer farmers across the country.”

After three years of trials in different districts, the MUHABURA variety was submitted to the government for registration in 2019 and was officially approved in 2022. Nsengiyumva says it became the first maize seed variety to be published in Rwanda’s Official Gazette.

The MUHABURA seed yields between 10 and 12 tonnes per hectare, compared to 5 to 6 tonnes per hectare in many other production areas, while the national average maize yield currently stands at around 2 tonnes per hectare.

He says: “This shows that we can significantly increase our productivity if we have quality seeds that reach farmers on time.”

Partnership with AGRA helped strengthen their capacity in seed marketing, distribution, and the establishment of demonstration plots where farmers can learn by observing. However, he notes that the journey has not been easy, as he often faced discouragement from people who did not believe in his ideas.

“Many people supported me, but many others tried to discourage me. Without AGRA’s support, it would have been extremely difficult,” he says.

Nsengiyumva calls on the government to strengthen collaboration with private seed entrepreneurs, closely monitor them, and organize field-based training programs, especially since government institutions have many highly skilled professionals. He also proposes that seed entrepreneurs be granted access to national seed storage facilities so they can store essential genetic materials, helping to prevent losses in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Currently, MUHABURA seed, produced by KILIMO BUSINESS LTD, is available on the Rwandan market and is popular among farmers. The company has also developed three additional maize seed varieties that are approved at both national and international levels. It now operates on more than 220 hectares and produces over 1,000 tonnes of seed annually.

The journey of Nsengiyumva François demonstrates that investment in agriculture is possible, profitable, and capable of playing a major role in transforming livelihoods and the national economy.

Nsengiyumva François, changing the mindset about agribusiness in Rwanda

Where innovation meets farming: transforming maize production

Quality seeds, higher yields, stronger food security.

The report’s short-term (two-year) top risks are dominated by geoeconomic and geopolitical tensions as well as social and technological disruptions, including trade wars, misinformation and disinformation, societal polarisation, extreme weather events, and state-based armed conflict. Over the long-term (10-year) horizon, it highlights environmental threats such as extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse, alongside misinformation, adverse outcomes of artificial intelligence, and natural resource shortages. Hunger appears in neither of the top risk lists.

AGRA recognizes the seriousness of the risks highlighted in the Global Risks Report, including the way geopolitical fragmentation can crowd out long-term priorities. However, hunger is not a niche humanitarian concern. It is a compounding, destabilising risk multiplier that fuels displacement, undermines political stability, deepens inequality, and weakens human capital and productivity. You cannot have strong economies without healthy ecosystems, and you cannot have healthy people without access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food.

 “When hunger is treated as a downstream outcome rather than a front-line risk, the world responds too late after livelihoods collapse, after conflicts intensify, after children’s nutrition and learning are permanently damaged, and after fragile economies lose years of progress,” said Alice Ruhweza, President of AGRA. “The global community is rightly concerned about resilience and security. Food and nutrition security must therefore be integral to the global risk management architecture.”

A hunger crisis is already here, especially in Africa

The latest UN food security assessments show that hunger remains widespread globally and is rising in Africa. An estimated 673 million people faced hunger in 2024, and Africa’s prevalence of hunger surpassed 20 percent, affecting more than 307 million people. This trajectory is moving in the wrong direction for the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2 on Zero Hunger. This, against the backdrop of a growing African population projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050.

At the same time, the scientific consensus is clear that climate change is already reducing food security through its impacts on crop yields, livestock, fisheries, food access, and food prices, effects that are particularly severe in Africa and for small-scale producers. Without transforming agriculture, climate resilience will remain out of reach.

Climate and nature are one crisis—and hunger is how it reaches households

AGRA aligns with the growing global call, echoed by environmental leaders, for climate and nature to be placed front and centre, with measurable implementation rather than pledges alone. For food systems, this translates into a practical reality: degraded soils, water stress, biodiversity loss, and rising temperatures are direct threats to harvests, incomes, diets, and stability. Land and soil degradation are steadily weakening productive capacity and resilience, amplifying the effects of droughts, floods, and heat.

Meeting Africa’s future food needs will require nature and climate-positive innovations in agriculture that increase productivity and yields while reducing pressure on land, limiting further ecosystem conversion, and accelerating adaptation to climate change.

“Hunger doesn’t wait for the world to finish debating risk rankings. It grows quietly through depleted soils, failed rains, unaffordable diets, and stunted children,” Ruhweza concluded. “Davos should be a turning point where global risk leadership reflects the reality facing farmers and families.”

AGRA’s position ahead of Davos 2026

As leaders gather in Davos next week, AGRA calls for a clearer global risk posture that explicitly recognises hunger and malnutrition as strategic risks and invests accordingly. AGRA urges governments, development banks, philanthropic partners, insurers, and agrifood businesses to act with urgency because the roadmap is clear.

1.    The African Development Bank is projecting Africa’s food and agriculture market to reach USD 1 trillion by 2030, an investment case representing the immense economic, social, and environmental benefits of ending hunger and building resilient food systems, and within reach. The question is whether development leaders, policymakers, and private sector actors gathered here in Davos will act with the urgency this moment demands.

2.    Reclassify hunger as a first-order global risk, tracked with the same urgency as conflict, cyber insecurity, and macroeconomic shocks, and integrated into national and global risk registers.

3. Scale climate adaptation that reaches smallholders, including stress-tolerant seeds, climate services, insurance and risk financing, and localized extension systems that translate science into farm-level decisions.
4. Put soil health and landscape restoration at the core of food security strategies, rewarding regenerative and sustainable practices that rebuild soil organic matter, reduce erosion, improve water retention, and protect ecosystems.
5. Invest in the enabling infrastructure of resilience, including water management, irrigation where viable, storage, rural roads, energy access, and efficient trade and market systems, so that climate shocks do not become food crises.

Because Africa faces a similar test in agriculture. We have the land, people and good climate. Yet too many of our children still go to bed hungry and many farmers struggle to make a living. Just as raw football talent does not guarantee trophies, fertile soil alone does not guarantee prosperity. What makes the difference is the system built around it.

Morocco offers a striking parallel. On the pitch its national teams and academies are now among the best in Africa. Off the pitch its farms and food factories tell a similar story. Two decades ago, Morocco decided to take agriculture seriously. It invested in research, in quality seed, in irrigation, in storage, and in markets that could connect farmers to buyers. Today agriculture is a major export earner and food processing is a strong pillar of the economy. None of this happened overnight but was the result of steady, patient planning much like building a winning football squad.

Walk through a football academy in Rabat and you will notice something else that matters. Nutrition is part of training. Young players are taught what to eat, how to recover, and how food fuels performance. Coaches know that no number of drills can make up for a body that is undernourished. This is where Africa’s bigger challenge comes into focus.

Across the continent some of our brightest athletic stars come from communities where meals are uncertain. Many of our children grow up stunted not because they lack ambition but because they lack protein, iron and a balanced diet in their early years. A stunted child may never reach full physical or cognitive potential. That is a tragedy not just for sport but for the economy and for society.

Brazil learned this lesson years ago, when alongside its football culture, it invested in programs that ensured poor families could feed and school their children. The result was not only better athletes but healthier more productive citizens. Africa needs a similar commitment. Imagine what could happen if every child in a farming village had access to safe nutritious food from infancy. The impact would echo in classrooms, hospitals, offices, and yes on athletic tracks and football fields too.

The connection between food and performance is personal for many of our athletes. One former East African striker once told me how he used to train on an empty stomach. His speed was there but his strength came late because his body had been undernourished as a boy. Though he still made it, many just as talented never do. The same story plays out quietly on our farms. Millions of farmers have the drive and the skill but lack the inputs, the finance and the markets that would let them thrive.

Just as football scouts look for raw talent, agriculture needs scouts too. We need extension officers who can help farmers improve yields, seed companies that deliver quality and banks that see farmers as entrepreneurs not risks. In Tanzania some local banks are stepping up and have started backing agribusinesses linked to strong value chains. In Uganda finance is flowing into processing and storage, making the first steps of the transformation.

Football analysis is famously candid. Commentators dissect tactical errors, highlight systemic weaknesses, and demand improvement. This honesty enables learning and adaptation. We need the same honesty in agriculture to judge which policies work, where money is wasted and where farmers see change. Being hypocritically polite will not feed anyone.

The truth is that smallholders matter as much as the players. You do not win AFCON by training only the national team. You anchor it with strong local leagues. In farming that means investing in village roads, in warehouses, in local processing plants, and in digital tools that let farmers are paid fair prices. 

When the final whistle blows at AFCON this weekend, we will celebrate goals and heroes but also the bigger story of the unseen work that made them possible. Africa’s nutrition and agriculture challenge is no different.

Manlan is Chief of Partnerships and Business Development, AGRA

“Our group started without any knowledge,” says group leader Nzabandora Ildephonse. “AGRA and AEE taught us modern farming. Many of us were unemployed when we started, but today we create jobs. During harvest, we employ at least 40 workers. If we continue with this support, we know prosperity is within reach.”

The group strengthened its savings culture and collective investment practices, enabling them to purchase essential inputs, expand their production area, and grow their business.

“Our goal is to grow from 62 ares to 3 hectares so we can create even more jobs for youth,” Ildephonse adds. “Before AGRA, our crops would rot in the garden. Today, buyers wait for our produce nothing goes to waste.”

Access to modern farming skills, high-quality seeds, and proper post-harvest handling tools has also increased community trust.

“Our parents used this land traditionally and harvested very little. When they saw our results, they trusted us with more land,” he explains.

From Household Chores to Job Creator: Ernestine’s Story

At just 24 years old, Bampire Ernestine is proving how opportunity and mentorship can unlock a young woman’s potential. After observing the success of the Dukorere Hamwe group, she was inspired to follow their path.

“Before this project, I thought chilli farming was for wealthy people,” she recalls. After receiving training under the AGRA-supported project and seeing how the group accessed buyers, she approached her parents for land and began farming on 17 ares. Her first harvest was profitable enough to allow her to lease more land.

Today, Ernestine farms 32 ares and expects 4–5 tonnes of chilli this season.“I used to wash dishes and cook in people’s homes. I earned nothing,” she says. “Now I am confident, smart, independent and I employ four workers who each earn 30,000 RWF a month. This project changed my life.”

In Mwulire Sector, Tuyizere Eric also drew inspiration from the success of his group. Seeing group members access reliable markets and apply modern farming techniques motivated him to scale his own ambitions.

After receiving comprehensive training and benefiting from AGRA-supported market linkages, Eric used his initial earnings from the group as startup capital. He then secured additional financing, leased a full hectare of land, and ventured into commercial chilli production.

“AGRA and AEE trained us professionally. They gave us tools that reduce post-harvest losses,” he explains. Equipped with drying nets, sheeting, and protective materials, his productivity has soared. He has already harvested two tonnes and counting.

“They told us a hectare can produce 18 tonnes. I am already harvesting about a tonne a week, I know it’s possible,” he says proudly.

A Model Ready for Wider Impact

In Rwamagana alone, 18 youth groups are benefitting from this AGRA–AEE initiative. The project strengthens access to quality inputs, improves post-harvest handling, links youth to reliable exporters, and unlocks new employment opportunities across the chilli value chain.

This work is made possible through AGRA’s partnership with Mastercard Foundation, a key driver of youth employment and agri-food systems transformation in Africa.

As Ernestine puts it “There is money in agriculture. Young people should not sit at home with diplomas opportunities are right here in the fields.”

This is the future that AGRA and Mastercard Foundation are nurturing: youth-led, market-ready, and full of promise.

With modern skills and market access, AGRA and Mastercard Foundation are enabling youth-led agribusiness to thrive

From small plots to reliable markets: Dukorere Hamwe youth group proves agriculture can create decent work

Rural youth in Rwamagana are turning chilli farming into jobs, income, and a new future for agriculture

“I had never imagined agriculture to be my profession. It was not appealing. It wasn’t aesthetic,”
she said.

As a young girl, Mariette pictured herself wearing a white doctor's coat, becoming an engineer, or standing in a courtroom as a lawyer. That future felt cleaner, more modern far from the mud-stained image of farming she grew up knowing.

Determined never to cross paths with agriculture, she deliberately chose to study Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry (MPC) in high school.

“In mathematics we used to say parallel lines never meet. That was my plan to never cross paths with agriculture,”
she says.

She carried this mindset into university, pursuing Energy Engineering at the University of Rwanda. By her second year, she was already an entrepreneur dabbling in fashion, construction, and recycling. Agriculture was still far from the picture.

But while searching for new business opportunities, she stumbled upon a gap in agriculture one technology could fill.

Mariette began building an agri-tech system designed to monitor and control environmental conditions in greenhouses and open fields supporting precision and climate-resilient agriculture. The idea was strong, but It exposed a reality she had been avoiding

“I realized I couldn’t do that without being a farmer. I had to experience what farmers face every day to solve their problems.”

It was an unexpected turn. She wasn’t proud at first. She felt insecure, unsure of how to explain to people why she had become “an agriculture person.”

“I always felt like I owed people an explanation. I wasn’t convinced myself… but I had trust that the path would make sense someday.” She said.

Her greatest barrier was capital. She had no job and the only income she had was a 40,000 Rwf monthly university allowance.

“That money wasn’t even enough. But I still believed something would work.” She said.

Her breakthrough came when she applied for the Imali Agribusiness program by the Imbuto Foundation and won 10 million Rwf to begin her project.

But even that, she says, “wasn’t enough” for what she needed to deliver.

She continued seeking support, including through BDF, while also acknowledging her second biggest weakness was lack of agricultural skills.

Through Rwanda Extension Agriculture programs and partners like AGRA, FAO, and Mastercard Foundation, she gained technical skills, exposure, and most importantly, access to markets.

She highlights one experience with particular gratitude: “At the AgriShow in Mulindi, they paid for everything our stand, transport, food, accommodation. That changed everything for me.”

Mariette eventually launched Smart Greenhouse, a company combining greenhouse farming and precision agriculture technologies. Her innovations monitor and regulate conditions that influence crop growth directly supporting Rwanda’s 2030 goal of increasing agricultural productivity by 25%.

Today, Smart Greenhouse operates in Gicumbi, Rwamagana, and Bugesera, serving both local and international markets.

The company currently employs 6 permanent employees and 30 temporary worker’s daily

Mariette says agriculture taught her that transparency inspires others.

“We were taught not to talk about money. But I want youth to know there are opportunities.”

Revenues vary by season tomatoes take four months, sweet pepper 6–8 months, habanero a year, strawberries 8–12 months. But across all three greenhouses. Smart Greenhouse earns between 28–30 million Rwf gross per season, after covering salaries, taxes, and costs.

Her journey mirrors the barriers many young people encounter capital market access and skills and technical capacity. Yet she insists these problems should not discourage anyone.

“Dear fellow youth, agriculture needs you. We eat every day. The population is increasing while the land is decreasing. Agriculture needs creative, innovative youth more than any industry will ever need you.” She said.

Mariette urges partners to support farmers in accessing premium markets: “Middlemen take our produce for very low prices, then sell it high because they access bigger markets. We take all the risk yet earn the least.”

She hopes for collaborations that expand market access both locally and abroad.

Her dream is bold, clear and rooted in the future of controlled-environment agriculture: “In five years, I will be a big greenhouse farmer. Saying my name Mariette will mean greenhouse farmer. You won’t separate the two.”

Mariette’s journey reflects a larger shift in Rwanda’s agriculture at a time when the country must create over 850,000 agri-food jobs by 2030 and still loses up to 40% of horticultural produce due to limited market access. With only 2% of Rwanda’s farmland irrigated and more than 70% of citizens relying on agriculture for their livelihoods, her smart greenhouse model shows how technology can boost productivity and resilience.

By earning 28–30 million Rwf per season from just three greenhouses, she demonstrates the untapped potential of youth-led agribusiness and directly contributes to Rwanda’s national goal of increasing agricultural productivity by 25% by 2030 proving that innovation, not land size, will define the future of farming. 

She once vowed never to become a farmer, today she is one of Rwanda’s rising agritech pioneers, turning three greenhouses into a model of productivity, resilience, and youth-led transformation

From rejecting farming to redefining it, Bisenge Mico Mariette is using smart greenhouses to prove that innovation, not land size, is the future of agriculture in Rwanda

Where others saw mud and struggle, Mariette saw technology and opportunity, her Smart Greenhouse journey is inspiring a new generation to believe that agriculture can be modern, profitable, and powerful

“I started farming with very little knowledge,” he said. “When I attended the training in Rwamagana under the AGRA project, I gained practical skills on how to manage pepper production and how to connect to reliable markets. That is when I decided to expand the land I was cultivating because I was confident the market was assured.”

He expanded his farmland from 50 ares to one hectare and 10 ares, which he currently uses for pepper production.

Before working with the AGRA-supported project, Ruhumuriza says he struggled to get meaningful returns from farming due to poor agronomic practices and lack of markets.

“Previously, I harvested without proper follow-up on crop management, and I had no stable market, which often led to losses,” he explained. “Today, I monitor my crop from planting to post-harvest and marketing, and the difference is visible.”

Through the programme, he was linked to Virunga as a formal buyer, which has increased his confidence and financial stability.

“Now I am assured of a market, and I can also approach financial institutions because they trust my business,” he said. “I have even learned the importance of taking crop insurance to protect my investment.”

Ruhumuriza expects a harvest of up to 13 tonnes of pepper this season. His production activities currently employ six permanent workers, and during harvesting seasons the workforce rises to 25 laborers.

Financially, he estimates that investments made so far amount to around Rwf 6 million, while projected returns from the ongoing harvest range between Rwf 16 million and Rwf 18 million.

He calls on AGRA and partners to continue expanding training and market opportunities for farmers.

“We need more exposure and technical support so that we can grow further, employ more people, and improve our livelihoods,” he said.

Ruhumuriza also appreciates government and partner support in strengthening irrigation and marshland development infrastructure.

“The infrastructure we have received, especially irrigation facilities have made a big difference in our farming activities,” he said.

Among those benefiting from the pepper farming enterprise is Liliane Tuyishimire, one of the workers employed on the farm. She says her monthly earnings have helped her improve household welfare.

“The money I earn from this job has allowed me to buy small livestock, including pigs and rabbits, I now have 12 rabbits,” she said. “I no longer depend entirely on my husband for financial support because I can meet some of my own needs.”

Liliane adds that the job has also been a learning opportunity.

“We learn a lot from our work here, and together with my colleagues we hope that, in the future, we will also start our own professional farming projects,” she said.

Another worker, Siborurema Jean d’Amour, who has been employed on the farm for a month, earns Rwf 60,000 per month. He says the income has already enabled him to start small livestock farming.

“From my salary, I managed to buy three goats and five chickens,” he said. “Before, I practiced farming informally, but working here has inspired me once I stabilize financially, I also want to start professional farming because I have seen that it can sustain a livelihood.”

According to global agricultural data, Rwanda is an emerging producer of pepper, with about 2,820 metric tonnes of black pepper produced in 2023, ranking the country among the world’s top 20 producers of this commodity. Historical export data also shows that Rwandan pepper exports which totaled more than 721 metric tonnes and generated over US $1 million in revenue during the 2018/19 fiscal year have been on a growth trajectory, signaling expanding market opportunities for farmers.

Ruhumuriza Jean Paul explains how agribusiness training helped him transition from subsistence farming to professional pepper production with reliable markets

Liliane Tuyishimire, one of the workers on the farm, says her monthly earnings have enabled her to invest in small livestock and improve her family’s welfare

Siborurema Jean d’Amour says the income from his job on the farm has helped him start small livestock farming, strengthening his journey toward financial independence

With support from the AGRA-supported project, Ruhumuriza expanded his farmland to 1.1 hectares, increasing productivity and strengthening market confidence

The development was announced on Sunday, 21 December 2025, by Mwizerwa Murisa, Founder, Managing Director and Exam Coordinator of the German Language Academy, during a press conference held to officially unveil the launch of the ECL German examination in Rwanda. Murisa said the certification will allow learners to obtain an internationally recognized language credential without having to travel abroad.

“This is a major milestone for us and for the country. Learners will now be able to sit for an international examination and receive a globally recognized certificate while remaining in Rwanda,” he said.

Since its establishment in 2022, German Language Academy has played a growing role in expanding German language skills among Rwandans. According to Murisa, the institution has trained more than 1,000 learners in German, with tangible outcomes already visible in migration, employment, and education pathways.

“We are proud of the impact we have made so far. More than 200 of our learners have already obtained visas, and many others are working in German-funded institutions and at the German Embassy here in Rwanda,” he noted.

Beyond language training for individuals aspiring to study abroad, Murisa explained that the academy also supports Rwandans employed in international organizations linked to Germany, equipping them with practical language skills required in their daily professional work. He added that the academy has established partnerships with several secondary schools across the country, where German is taught through specialized language clubs.

“Through these clubs, young people are introduced to German at an early age. It helps them build confidence and interest in the language long before they reach higher education,” he said.

Although the academy has been operating for three years, Murisa clarified that it is only now officially authorized to administer examinations leading to an internationally recognized certificate. The first ECL examinations in Rwanda are scheduled to take place in February 2026.

One of the beneficiaries of the academy’s programs is Munezero Marie, a former student who is now a staff member at the institution. She described her journey as life-changing, crediting the academy’s teaching approach for her rapid progress in the language.

“I joined the academy with a basic level of German, but the teaching methods here are intensive and effective. In a short time, I gained confidence in my abilities,” she said.

Munezero explained that within seven to eight months, she progressed from level A1 to B2, a leap she attributes to personal commitment and structured learning.

“I studied with full dedication. Moving from A1 to B2 in such a short time made me believe that passing an international exam is possible,” she added.

She said she arrived in Rwanda in April 2025 and immediately enrolled at the academy, where she later began supporting other learners as part of the teaching team. Munezero urged Rwandan youth to take foreign language learning seriously, particularly German, which she described as a gateway to well-paying opportunities abroad.

“Knowing multiple languages is a real advantage today. With German, there are opportunities to study and work in Germany at the same time, and in some programs learners can earn up to 1,250 euros per month,” she said.

She emphasized that while English remains a dominant global language, German offers distinct and growing opportunities for those who master it.

The ECL certificate, issued by the European Consortium for the Certificate of Attainment in Modern Languages, certifies language proficiency according to internationally recognized standards. It is widely used in applications for higher education, employment, and visas particularly within Europe and confirms a candidate’s ability to read, write, listen, and speak a foreign language at a professional level.

Rwanda becomes one of only five African countries where the ECL certification is offered, alongside Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, and the Republic of Congo. Education stakeholders say this positions the country as a regional hub for internationally accredited language training, while opening new horizons for Rwandan learners in an increasingly competitive global landscape.

Mwizerwa Murisa, Director of the German Language Academy, speaks during the press briefing announcing the launch of the international ECL German language examination in Rwanda.

Munezero Marie, a former student and now a staff member at the German Language Academy, says the training she received enabled her to progress from A1 to B2 German proficiency within a short period

Students attend a German language class at the German Language Academy as the institution prepares learners for the first ECL international examinations scheduled for 2026

Prof. Dr Rwigamba Balinda was born in Masisi, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in 1948, in what was then known as Zaire. His passion for education began early, as he started teaching at various universities in the DRC from 1974. He says that from a young age, he dreamed of doing something that would help people become self-reliant, aspiring to become a teacher in order to help others acquire lasting value.
“I wanted to do something that would help people help themselves, to gain a form of wealth that is not cattle, not land, nor any other wealth that fades away,” he says.

In 1994, Prof. Dr Rwigamba Balinda was appointed to a permanent teaching position at the National University of Rwanda in Butare, through a letter dated 09 December 1994. Although he had reached the level of teaching at the country’s public university, his vision went far beyond personal career achievement.

On 15 March 1996, Prof. Dr Rwigamba Balinda founded the Kigali Independent University (ULK). He says ULK was not conceived as a business venture, but as a project inspired by God.

“ULK is a project of God. I chose to invest my capacity in education rather than in anything else. I pray to the living God who hears and answers prayers. When a person has faith rooted in God, God gives them direction and the strength to do many things for His glory, not for personal enrichment, but to serve God and people,” he explains.

He notes that he never aspired to go into business, although he supports it, emphasizing that every decision a person makes depends on the vision they give to their life.

“Work comes fourth. First is thinking, second is planning, and third is organization. That is why I chose to establish ULK based on faith, without money, walking on foot, yet within me I felt it would become a very big institution,” he adds.

The early days of ULK were far from easy. Prof. Dr Rwigamba Balinda recalls renting two classrooms at Saint Paul, near Saint Famille, while setting up his office in a corridor. At the time, he was a volunteer, earning no salary, trusting that the small fees paid by a few students would cover rent and teachers’ salaries.

“I started believing that the little the students paid would help us pay rent and teachers. I earned no salary myself. But I was convinced that this initiative would grow into a giant university,” he recalls.

In its first year alone, ULK enrolled 204 students. Over the years, student numbers continued to grow, and ULK became a center of knowledge, making a tangible contribution to national development.

Prof. Dr Rwigamba Balinda says he does not like the term “capital”, because in his view, a true entrepreneur starts from zero.

“I don’t like the word capital. If you start with capital, you fail. A real entrepreneur is one who starts from zero. Even in the courses we teach here, there is a strong component of entrepreneurship,” he emphasizes.

His humanity was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when ULK chose not to abandon its staff. At a time when many institutions were shutting down, ULK had nearly 300 employees, and Prof. Dr Rwigamba Balinda made a bold decision to care for them.

“I said that no employee would starve. Those earning above one million francs had their salaries reduced by half, but those earning below 500,000 francs continued to receive their full pay. When the money ran out, I went to seek a bank loan, even though we did not know when COVID would end,” he says.

He adds, “I could not eat potatoes, sweet potatoes, or drink milk knowing that my employee had nothing. I am their parent. What I have, I share with others.”

Beyond education, ULK plays a significant role in social welfare through the ULK Foundation, established by Prof. Dr Rwigamba Balinda. Through this foundation, more than 2,000 underprivileged students have had their education financed, both in Rwanda and abroad.

Economically, ULK contributes at least 150 million Rwandan francs in taxes every month. Today, ULK has over 10,000 students, more than 4,000 of whom are international students, highlighting its role in international education and national development.

The story of Prof. Dr Rwigamba Balinda is a powerful lesson in how faith, vision, and perseverance can build a strong institution that benefits both the nation and its people. It is the story of a leader who believes that sustainable development is built on people, not on wealth that fades away.

 Seated in his office, Prof. Dr Rwigamba Balinda reflects on nearly three decades of building the Kigali Independent University (ULK) from vision and faith

Kigali Independent University (ULK), founded in 1996, now hosts more than 10,000 students from Rwanda and across the world.

Awards and trophies earned by ULK, symbolizing years of contribution to higher education, leadership, and national development

The newly launched initiatives aim to modernize veterinary service delivery, strengthen private sector participation, and enhance professionalism and accountability within the livestock sector. Through VSM, private veterinary practitioners are formally authorized to provide services on behalf of the public sector, addressing long-standing gaps in access, especially in rural areas. The reform aligns with national development priorities under NST2 and PSTA5, which emphasize productivity, resilience, and private-sector-led growth in agriculture

Local livestock farmers welcomed the reform, saying it responds directly to challenges they have faced for years. Marthe Bahate, a farmer from Ruharambuga Sector in Nyamasheke District, said delayed access to veterinary services had often resulted in losses.
“Many of our animals used to die because veterinarians arrived too late. Now that private practitioners can operate on behalf of the government, we expect services to be closer and faster, especially during disease outbreaks,” she said.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Munyanshongore Jean Nepomscene, a cattle and pig farmer from Wimana Cell, Ruharambuga Sector, who stressed the importance of skilled and timely services.
“What we needed most were quick services delivered by qualified technicians. This program gives us confidence that our livestock is in capable hands,” he noted.

According to MINAGRI, the Veterinary Sanitary Mandate is designed to close service delivery gaps by decentralizing animal health services while maintaining strong oversight. Thirty-four private veterinary companies have already been accredited by RAB and are authorized to operate under the VSM framework in different districts. These companies work under legally registered entities, are selected through a restricted tendering process, and are required to submit monthly performance reports to both district authorities and RAB

Veterinary professionals themselves see the reform as a turning point for the sector. Niyonsenga Festus, a private veterinary practitioner in Nyamasheke District, praised the decision to formally entrust service delivery to accredited private actors.
“This is a milestone for private veterinarians. We have been provided with essential equipment, which was one of the biggest challenges in our work. With these tools, we can now offer professional and timely services,” he said.

The launch also marked the digitalization of veterinary regulation through the AMIS Veterinary Registration and Licensing Module, developed jointly by the MINAGRI Digital Office and the Rwanda Council of Veterinary Doctors (RCVD). The platform replaces a previously manual and fragmented system, enabling efficient registration and licensing of veterinarians, accreditation of clinics and pharmacies, and strengthened compliance monitoring at the national level

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Ressources, Olivier Kamana, said the reform supports Rwanda’s broader ambition of building a knowledge-based and technology-driven agricultural economy.
“The Veterinary Sanitary Mandate is a new pathway to professionalize livestock services through collaboration with the private sector. It will improve service quality, strengthen disease prevention, and significantly reduce losses faced by farmers,” he said.

He further urged farmers to adopt professional livestock practices and to work closely with local authorities to access accredited veterinary services. Under the new system, farmers can use short-code telephone lines to quickly reach veterinarians wherever they are, ensuring timely intervention and affordable, standardized services.

To operationalize the program, each accredited veterinary practitioner in 3 districts of western province which is Nyamasheke, Rutsiro and Karongi received a professional equipment package valued at RWF 1,180,000, aimed at improving service efficiency and quality. The integration of these services into AMIS also enables real-time data collection, monitoring, and decision-making across the livestock value chain.

The VSM rollout begins with 34 accredited private veterinary companies, a 100% digital licensing and registration system, and equipment investments exceeding RWF 1.18 million per practitioner. The reform is expected to contribute to improved animal health outcomes, enhanced food safety, and reduced livestock-related losses key factors in strengthening rural livelihoods and national food security.

Olivier Kamana, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Kamana Olivier, hands over equipment

Mobile phones with short codes were provided for farmers to call whenever they need veterinary services

Dr. Florence Uwamahoro the Ag Director General of  Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB)

Launched nationwide on 2 December 2025, following a Cabinet decision on 28 November 2025, the new system is already reshaping how passengers move across Kigali.

Long Waits and Overcrowding — A Thing of the Past

For years, one of the biggest frustrations among commuters was the unpredictability of public transport. Long queues, delays, and buses waiting to fill up before departure pushed many residents to seek alternative means.

But since the introduction of the Eco-Fleet system, the experience is changing dramatically.

“Even with three people, the bus goes.”

Gateme Jean Marie Dynamique, a Kigali resident, says the improvement is visible.

“Many people used to arrive late at work because of traffic jams, but now things have changed. In the taxi park, a bus used to wait for 70 people just to be full. Now that’s no longer the case — even with three people, the bus goes.”

His testimony reflects one of the system’s biggest transformations: buses now move based on time, not the number of passengers.

Shorter Waiting Times for Passengers

Before Eco-Fleet, some commuters spent more than an hour waiting for a bus — especially during peak hours.

“We used to wait 1 to 1.5 hours.”

Resident Nikuze Alphonsine recalls how difficult it used to be.

“Back in the day, someone could stay at the bus park for one hour or even one hour and thirty minutes. And the buses would stop at every single bus stop.”

She says the new approach, which limits unnecessary stops and follows a regulated schedule, has created a smoother and more predictable journey.

Even the Doubters Are Returning

For some, the change was dramatic enough to bring them back to public transport after years of avoiding it.

“It has been three years… but now everything has changed.”

Mugabo, who had not boarded a public bus in three years, says the new system convinced him.

“It has been three years without using public transport, but now everything has changed. I can encourage people in Kigali to come back to using public buses — it’s now convenient.”

His return signals renewed trust in a system that many Kigali residents had gradually abandoned.

Drivers Are Also Experiencing a New Way of Working

The new model does not only benefit passengers; drivers also operate under new guidelines aimed at improving efficiency.

“We no longer wait for a full bus.”

According to Hakizimana Emmanuel, a public transport driver:

“Things have changed. We used to wait until the bus was completely full before moving. But now, even with 10 people or less, we follow the timing. If the stop is three minutes, we leave after three minutes without waiting for more passengers.”

The shift eliminates delays and allows buses to maintain consistent circulation throughout the day.

Eco-Fleet: The Engine Behind the Reform

The system is managed by Eco-Fleet, a company created by Government of Rwanda, to modernize public transport operations — from scheduling to fleet management.

Its introduction marks one of Rwanda’s biggest investments in a public mobility ecosystem designed for speed, transparency, and sustainability.

“No more long lines or buses sitting idle.”

Abenawe Oswald, the Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Eco-Fleet, says the new model was overdue.

“We no longer have those long lines where people would sit in a bus for two hours without moving. This new system is a best practice that will help Rwandans move more efficiently, especially here in Kigali where the rollout has begun.”

He notes that the system will continue to expand into secondary cities as the model stabilizes in Kigali.

A Greener, More Sustainable Kigali

Beyond improving movement, the system supports Rwanda’s broader development goals — especially under NST2 and Vision 2050, which emphasize sustainable and environmentally friendly urbanization.

By reducing long waits, unnecessary trips, and congestion, the Eco-Fleet model aims to lower emissions and promote cleaner mobility.

Residents Hope the System Will Stay Consistent

While many are pleased with the early changes, commuters say long-term consistency will be the ultimate test.

For now, the early signs point to a city rediscovering the reliability of public transport — and residents who are eager to embrace the improved service.

As Kigali transitions into a more modern and efficient transport hub, public buses appear to be reclaiming their role in daily urban life.

Tresor’s journey began unexpectedly in late 2022. A trained food scientist raised in Rwamagana among farming families, he met a farmer named Alice, a mother of five who had harvested 10 metric tons of chili but could not find a buyer.

“I didn’t plan this business. When I met Alice, she was desperate. She had produced over 10 tons of chili during a low-demand season, but no buyer. I couldn’t help her at that moment, and it made me think about creating a lasting solution. That’s how the idea was born.”

Faced with the recurring challenge of post-harvest losses, Tresor decided to develop a product that would prevent chili from going to waste while creating new value on the market. That decision marked the birth of Incuti Foods.

Incuti Foods is more than a chili processing plant. It is a food brand built around “food experience” a blend of flavor innovation and modern culinary culture.

“We produce different chili sauce flavors, and we also offer a unique chicken wings experience through our kitchen concept and mobile app. Customers get to taste our sauces directly through our wings packages.”

The company has developed seven distinct chili flavors, crafted from Rwandan ingredients and designed for local and international palates.

Today, Incuti Foods Operates a production facility in Gahanga, Employs over 15 full-time staff, 95% of whom are youth and women, Collaborates with around 50 chili farmers, Has sold hundreds of thousands of bottles and Exports to Kenya, Nigeria, the UK, the US, and Oman

“We’ve built a strong brand. People truly love our products, and that drives us every day.”

AGRA, through the Mastercard Foundation Fund, is helping youth-led agribusinesses scale. Tresor says AGRA has been instrumental in providing mentorship, exposure, and international linkages.

“AGRA is doing an amazing job. They empower youth and women, provide market linkages, training, and even funding opportunities. At the Africa Food Systems Forum in Dakar, I pitched Incuti Foods to investors and met customers we are still engaging today.”

One of the buyers he met in Senegal even traveled to Rwanda recently for due diligence, showing the seriousness of the market opportunities AGRA creates.

Following the Dakar Africa Food Systems Forum, Incuti Foods successfully raised funding to open a new chicken wings kitchen, which launches on December 1st.

“After Dakar, we raised significant investment to build our new kitchen concept. It’s fully ready, and we’re excited to open.”

At the same time, the company is raising USD 500,000 to expand production capacity, increase exports, and scale brand visibility.

Tresor participated in the official launch of NSYEAS and highlights its importance:

“One big idea from NSYEAS is working in clusters. When chili processors unite, we can meet international market demands that are too big for one company. Bringing youth together in value chain groups is essential for competing globally.”

Networking was another major takeaway:

“At the NSYEAS forum, I met more than 20 people within the chili value chain alone. These connections will shape joint production and market expansion.” He said

Looking ahead, Tresor’s greatest ambition is scaling Incuti Foods into Africa’s leading hot sauce brand.

“We want partners who help us expand into global markets. Our goal is to make Rwanda the home of Africa’s premier chili sauces. When you think chili in Rwanda or Africa we want you to think of Incuti.”

Key asks include Partnerships for market expansion, Investment in production scaling, Support in meeting global food safety standards and Linkages to international buyers and distributors

After three years on the market, Incuti Foods has built a fully equipped processing plant, a strong national brand, Seven commercially successful chili flavors, a chicken wings kitchen concept, a workforce dominated by youth and women, a network of 50 smallholder farmers and presence in five export markets

He has a Message to Youth Who Want to Start Something: “Start with what you have. Be confident, act fast, fail, learn, and improve. Know your numbers they run everything. And make sure your product is something people truly want to buy.” He said

In just three years, Incuti Foods has built an impressive foodprint on the market, developing seven unique chili flavors and expanding its workforce to 15 employees, 95% of whom are youth and women while partnering with 50 local chili farmers. The company has sold more than 100,000 bottles both locally and internationally, reaching five export destinations and establishing itself as a rising player in Africa’s agri-food landscape. With a current fundraising target of $500,000 to scale production and strengthen its global presence, Incuti Foods has launched a new kitchen concept on December 1, marking yet another milestone in its rapid growth trajectory.

Tresor Gashonga turned one farmer’s crisis into a solution now transforming Rwanda’s chili industry

Inside the Gahanga facility where Incuti Foods produces seven signature chili flavors for local and global markets

Dr. Ochola further highlighted that the platform was developed using 100% African engineering talent, calling it a historic achievement. “For the first time on the continent, we are launching a fully African-built national payment solution. This is proof that African talent is not only sufficient but powerful,” he added. He also shared that Rwanda’s success will be replicated across other African countries in the coming years.

On her part, Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire, emphasized the importance of interoperability in unlocking innovation for fintech companies and businesses. “As a fintech ecosystem, one of our biggest challenges has been connecting to the broader financial system. With eKash, transferring money across banks and mobile wallets becomes seamless, enabling us to reach more customers and provide more innovative financial services,” she said.

Paula Ingabire, The Minister of ICT and Innovation

The RSwitch team, which led the development of this national switch infrastructure, announced that they have achieved significant milestones so far. According to Mr. Gasabira Blaise, CEO of RSwitch: “eKash is an infrastructure built by RSwitch aimed at connecting and simplifying digital payments in the country. To date, 22 financial institutions have fully joined the platform, over 47 million transactions have been processed, more than 21 million users are registered, and transactions exceeding 203 billion Rwandan francs have been completed.”

The platform currently supports person-to-person (P2P) and person-to-business (P2B) payments, enabling users to transfer money instantly across networks without delays or hidden charges. Merchants can now accept payments from any wallet or bank using a single QR code, simplifying collections and improving cash flow management.

For ordinary citizens, eKash is already changing lives. Tresor Ngassa, one of the early users, said the platform has made digital payments easier and faster. “Before eKash, I had to ask which network someone was using before sending money. Now I just send directly without worrying about the service provider. It saves time and avoids unnecessary charges,” he said.

Another user, Bisangwa Redempta, shared how eKash has addressed the challenges she faced as a small business owner. “Before eKash, I struggled with multiple mobile money codes and paying high transaction fees. Sometimes customers would leave without paying because their wallet was not supported. Since I started using eKash, payments are instant, affordable, and I can receive money from anyone without complications,” she told this publication.

The CEO of Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR), Jean Bosco Iyacu, described the launch as a turning point for Rwanda’s financial sector. “eKash represents the future of inclusive finance in Rwanda. It reduces the cost of transactions, expands access for small businesses, and strengthens trust in digital payments. We believe this platform will accelerate economic participation for millions of citizens,” he said.

Development partners including AfricaNenda, the Gates Foundation, Access to Finance Rwanda, GIZ, and the Mojaloop Foundation were recognized for their financial and technical support in making the project a success. Industry leaders also urged financial institutions that are not yet fully integrated to fast-track their onboarding.

As Rwanda pushes forward with its Vision 2050, stakeholders agree that eKash will play a crucial role in building a secure, affordable, and interoperable digital payment infrastructure. With government backing and strong private sector participation, the platform is expected to drive financial inclusion, support small businesses, and deepen Rwanda’s digital transformation. 

From cash to convenience: eKash is transforming Rwanda’s payment landscape

All 22 institutions have fully migrated to eKash, with over 47 million transactions processed so far. – RSwitch CEO Blaise Gasabira

For the first time in Africa, we have a fully African-built national payment solution.’– Dr. Robert Ochola, AfricaNenda CEO

Shakira says she grew up with dreams of becoming an entrepreneur, though she did not know exactly what she wanted to do. She tried different ventures including making juice before observing that chili was a highly demanded product both in Rwanda and globally. She decided to build her business around it.

She says: “I grew up like any other child with dreams of becoming an entrepreneur but without knowing exactly what I would do. As I grew older, I tried different things, including making juice, but I eventually found myself in chili because I saw it was a product in high demand. I observed closely and saw its fast-moving market both locally and internationally, so I chose it.”

In her small processing workshop located in Runda, Shakira produces three types of chili sauce: Neza Chili, Neza Chili Oil and Neza Hits.

She explains that her unique value lies in making oil-free chili sauce.
She said: “People are used to chili that contains oil. I thought of those who are advised not to consume oil but still love chili, so I decided to make an oil-free product that anyone can enjoy.”

She works with chili farmers from the Eastern Province, especially in Kayonza and Bugesera districts, who supply her with raw materials.

“We work with different farmers from Bugesera and Kayonza who grow for us and deliver the produce which we then purchase.”

Like many who start agribusiness, Shakira faced challenges especially lack of capital and equipment. She started in her home kitchen, using basic household tools.

She said: “Starting wasn’t easy. I began working from home with less than Rwf 500,000. I would produce small batches and give them to family and friends to taste and give feedback. When they liked it, I started investing the little money I had, and slowly grew from there.”

In line with NSYEAS’ objective of creating jobs through value addition in agriculture, Shakira soon reached a point where she could no longer work alone. She now employs eight permanent workers’ young men and women from her community and four temporary workers, depending on market demand.

She said: “You cannot talk about value addition in agriculture and work alone. I now work with youth who help in sorting, processing, and packaging the chili. When we receive large orders, additional helpers join us, and together we can be up to 18 people.”

She believes that today’s youth should not only look for jobs but also create employment opportunities.

Regarding revenue, Shakira says her business earns between Rwf 4 million and Rwf 6 million per month.

Her biggest market is in Kigali from hotels and restaurants to retail shops but she also supplies customers in Kamonyi, Rubavu, Musanze, and Muhanga districts.

Shakira says she chose to build a brand grounded in quality rather than chasing quick profits. She collaborates with food inspection authorities, maintains strict hygiene, carefully measures ingredients, and uses certified packaging materials. She graduated from the “Zamukana Ubuziranenge” program and now holds all the required quality certifications.

She dreams of building a large, internationally compliant factory.
“I want to build a big factory that meets high standards and distributes products across the world.”

Her company, Shaky Ltd, can produce 800 kilograms of chili per week, enabling them to meet any order they receive.

While she acknowledges she has not yet reached where she wants to be, Shakira sees real progress.
“My dream was to create an agricultural product that supports my family and provides jobs for others. Now I can see the beginning of that dream becoming reality.”

For youth who constantly complain about unemployment, Shakira notes that the challenge is not always the lack of jobs but sometimes fear of starting small and limited access to accurate information.

“Many young people rely on misinformation or promises that don’t materialize. When you tell someone there are many business opportunities, they look at you like you say that because you have succeeded. But the opportunities are there you can start with very little and grow. People call it luck, but when you try and God blesses your effort, it works.”

She believes the future of youth in agriculture depends on sustained political commitment and support from partners especially in innovation and value addition.

Throughout her two-year journey, she has met various supporters and partners who helped her grow, including AGRA, which supported her with training and participation in expos; RYAF, which connected her to opportunities; the YouthConnekt Awards, where she won Rwf 5 million; and the Imali Agribusiness Challenge, where she won Rwf 10 million.

“I met partners who supported me, like AGRA which helped me with training and expanding my business, as well as participation in exhibitions and trade fairs. RYAF has always been close, linking me to opportunities. I also won Rwf 5 million in YouthConnekt and Rwf 10 million in the Imali Agribusiness Challenge. All these helped me reach where I am today.”

Shakira says that although she did not study agriculture, it hasn’t stopped her from excelling in value addition.

“I studied city all customs and tax operation not agriculture but I have attended various training sessions and continue to do so. Sometimes you study something and later find there are no opportunities in it, so you explore other options. That’s what I did, and it has paid off.”

As NSYEAS outlines billions of francs required for large national projects to create jobs and innovation in agricultural value chains, Uwineza Shakira’s journey from Runda shows that the strategy cannot be fulfilled by policy documents alone, it requires real people who take initiative.

In a broader sense, her story reinforces NSYEAS’ vision that the future of agriculture in Rwanda will be built by resilient, innovative young men and women who turn the harvests from their villages into products for national and global markets. 

Oil-free, youth-driven, job-creating: Shakira’s chili brand is redefining agribusiness in Kamonyi

Chili with a mission: Creating jobs, supporting farmers, and inspiring Rwanda’s youth

Behind every bottle of Neza Chili is a young woman proving that NSYEAS can work

(17) #TheRiseUp: Kuva mu gikoni kugera ku ruganda||Shaky Ltd Imaze guha akazi abantu 18 kubera urusenda - YouTube

Accra, Ghana – December 3, 2025 — The two-day ceremony, held December 2–3, brought together government officials, private sector representatives, farmer organizations, development partners, and young leaders to celebrate progress in strengthening leadership across Africa’s food systems.

The cohort, drawn from eight countries in East, West, and Southern Africa, completed CALA’s 16‑month Advanced Leadership Program.

Participants implemented Action Learning Projects (ALPs) aligned with national priorities, tackling issues such as post-harvest loss, food processing, youth and women inclusion, digital extension, policy influence, and resilience in food systems.

A notable feature of this year’s graduates is the strong representation of leaders under 35, underscoring CALA’s commitment to youth leadership. With Africa’s food economy projected to exceed USD 1 trillion by 2030, empowering young leaders is seen as critical to driving transformation.

“Many of the most promising solutions in agriculture today are coming from young Africans,” said Lilian Githinji, Senior Specialist at AGRA and CALA Lead.

“Our responsibility is to equip them and support their implementation with the right partnerships.” He added

During the ceremony, CALA announced the expansion of its Advanced Leadership Program to four Francophone countries — Togo, Senegal, Mali, and Burkina Faso — beginning in early 2026. The move reflects rising demand for collaborative leadership capacity and the need to harmonize efforts across regions and languages.

CALA emphasizes that systemic change in African agriculture depends not only on tools but on leaders and institutions capable of mobilizing collaboration and accountability. The success of the fourth cohort demonstrates that transformation is possible when African leaders are equipped to drive it.

Read more on the CALA’s Fourth Cohort

The launch event, held at the Kigali Convention Centre, brought together government leaders, development partners, private-sector actors, over 400 youth agripreneurs, civil society, and innovation hubs making it one of the most important milestones of YouthFAST 2025.

In his opening address, Dr. Marc Cyubahiro, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, emphasized the urgency and opportunity embedded in the new strategy.

He said: “Today, we launch a strategy that is not just a document but a commitment to action a pledge to unlock dignified, profitable and sustainable employment opportunities for Rwanda’s youth in our agrifood systems.”

Minister Marc Cyubahiro launches NSYEAS, calling it a national commitment to creating dignified and profitable jobs for Rwanda’s youth.

The Minister said that if the country acted with unity and determination. He said: “If we act with unity and determination, we will mobilize financing at the required scale, accelerate the implementation of PSTA5 and the Youth Strategy, and return next year to celebrate measurable progress driven by our young agri-preneurs.”

He also mentioned role of the youth in implementing this strategy. He said: “With a median age of 20 and nearly 60% of our population under 30, our youth represent a dynamic and innovative force. They are not just beneficiaries they are central actors in shaping Rwanda’s agrifood future.”

The AGRA Country Director in Rwanda Jean Paul Ndagijimana emphasized that the organization is committed to supporting farmers and addressing any challenges they face.

He said: “If you have an institution, a company, an association, or a cooperative, even a youth group organized in a savings, we don’t want you to struggle with any challenge you encounter. We want to help you overcome it.”

He added: “Our goal is to bring about transformation in agriculture and agri-food systems in a way that creates jobs, increases food production, and enhances learning, ultimately helping to lift many people out of poverty and improve their livelihoods.”

AGRA’s Country Director Jean Paul Ndagijimana reaffirms AGRA’s commitment to helping farmers and youth overcome challenges in agriculture

He also stated that AGRA aims to work with Rwandans to increase the value of agriculture so that it moves from subsistence farming where people grow only for consumption to a form of agriculture that is oriented toward investment.

He said: “Another important aspect is that we want Rwandans and non-Rwandans to invest their capital in agriculture and benefit from it. We no longer want subsistence farming; we want farming that generates income, farming that makes someone proud and fulfilled because they are part of the agricultural sector.”

Young agripreneurs present at the launch shared optimism about what NSYEAS means for their future.

Hawa Chloe Niyigena Agro-processing entrepreneur said:
“For years, youth have been working hard but lacked a clear national framework. NSYEAS gives us a seat at the table. We now know where to plug in, what opportunities to pursue, and how government and partners will support us.”

Dany Vassyly Mugisha said that The biggest challenge for young entrepreneurs remains financing, and now they have hope. He said:
“The biggest challenge for young entrepreneurs remains financing. If NSYEAS can make financing more accessible and reduce collateral barriers, youth-led enterprises like ours will scale faster and create more jobs.”

The launch of the National Strategy for Youth Employment in Agri-Food Systems (NSYEAS) signals a new phase in Rwanda’s commitment to youth-led agricultural transformation.

Data presented during YouthFAST shows that the seven flagship youth projects require a combined investment of 35.4 billion Frw, of which 25.5 billion Frw has already been secured, leaving a financing gap of 9.8 billion Frw that government and partners including AGRA and Masters Foundation are now working to close.

These projects are set to create 4,393 jobs for young people across key value chains such as greenhouse horticulture, poultry, piggery, mechanization, seed production and fodder systems. Mechanization alone carries the largest investment at 19.3 billion Frw, while youth-led greenhouse farming, poultry and piggery projects collectively engage thousands and demonstrate strong profitability, with Internal Rate of Returns ranging between 22% and over 70% in some seed and fodder systems.

The Anchor Farmer-Based Youth Flagship Projects presented at YouthFAST outline seven high-impact initiatives requiring a combined investment of 35.4 billion Frw, with 25.5 billion Frw already secured and a remaining 9.8 billion Frw funding gap.

These projects include greenhouse horticulture 2.8 billion Frw with 400 jobs, poultry 695 million Frw with 300 jobs, piggery 3.99 billion Frw with 3,156 jobs, mechanization 19.3 billion Frw with 117 jobs, potato seed production 4.61 billion Frw with 70 jobs, rice seed production 1.31 billion Frw with 150 jobs and fodder production 1.02 billion Frw with 200 jobs. Together, they are expected to create 4,393 youth jobs nationwide, showcasing the scale and economic potential of youth-led agrifood enterprises.

Last year AGRA supported with the launch of PSTA 5 and immediately moved on the development of a national strategy that would crystallize the inclusion of Rwanda's youth population.

Dany Vassyly Mugisha emphasizes that accessible financing under NSYEAS will help youth enterprises grow faster and create more jobs

Young entrepreneur Hawa Chloe Niyigena says NSYEAS finally gives youth a national framework and a real seat at the decision-making table

Vice Mayors in charge of economic development from all 30 districts participated in the launch, reaffirming local government commitment to advancing youth-led agrifood transformation

Photos:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1dHQP6pwC3hBMyT0lLn8sYw3YvgOoSdKy?usp=sharing

This inaugural edition was made possible through major financial support from AGRA, the main funder of the YouthFAST Forum, working closely with national institutions to champion youth-led agricultural transformation.

Introducing the initiative officially, Dr. Chantal Ingabire, Director General for Planning in The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal resources, said the Youth FAST Forum was founded on a simple but urgent premise: co-creating the transformation of Rwanda’s agrifood systems together with young people.

She said: “YouthFAST is a national platform that brings together youth, private sector, public institutions and development partners to pool knowledge, expertise and resources for a youth-led transformation of agrifood systems,”

She also added: “It is an annual forum, and this first edition is a significant milestone for our country.”

She noted that Rwanda’s demographic profile makes youth central to agricultural modernization 32% of all farmers are youth, two-thirds of farmers are under 46 and youth unemployment stands at 20%, higher than the national average of 17.3%

Under NST2 and PSTA5, Dr. Chantal said, youth must be placed “at the heart of adopting digitalization, mechanization and climate-smart innovations that will drive the future of our sector.”

Delivering his keynote remarks, Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye, Minister of State in The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal resources, praised youth for redefining Rwanda’s agricultural landscape through innovation, resilience and enterprise.

He said: “It is my great honour to welcome you to the 2025 YouthFAST Forum,” he said. “Today we gather to unlock the talent, innovation and energy of Rwanda’s young people as the driving force of our agrifood systems transformation.”

He highlighted recent labor force findings that 30.8% of all youth are employed in the agriculture sector, 56% of employed youth in agriculture are now in commercial, not subsistence, activities, yet nearly 60% of youth remain underutilized

He said: “These numbers show both the immense potential and the urgency, Youth are not just beneficiaries. They are architects of Rwanda’s agrifood future.”

This year’s theme, “Catalyzing Investments for Transformational Impact under PSTA 5,” challenges partners to align financing, skills development, and market systems to national priorities.

AGRA’s support is central to these ambitions, with the organization continuing to back innovations, youth skilling, and enterprise growth as part of its broader commitment to strengthening Africa’s agrifood systems.

During the youth dialogue sessions, young agripreneurs expressed optimism but emphasized the need for sustained support, affordable financing, and access to market-oriented training.

Shakira Uwineza, agro-processing entrepreneur from Kamonyi, said the Forum validates the aspirations of many young innovators who have long felt overlooked.

She said “What I like about YouthFAST is that we are not here to be lectured, we are here to contribute to solutions. We want to build companies that solve problems in post-harvest losses, value addition and digital extension. Give us finance and mentorship, and we will deliver.”

Evariste Sibobugingo, youth from Nyanza District, said YouthFAST shows a shift in how the country views young people in the agrifood value chain.

He said: “It is motivating to see government putting youth at the center digital platform helps smallholder farmers access weather-based advice, but scaling requires partnerships. Forums like this give us the door we have been knocking on for years.”

Among the young innovators attending the YouthFAST Forum, Elie Nsengukuri, the founder of Amaboko y’u Rwanda Ltd in Musanze District, stands out as a powerful example of how youth-led enterprises are reshaping Rwanda’s agrifood sector.

Elie shared his perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing youth agripreneurs, as well as what this national platform means for the future of value addition in Rwanda.

He said: “What we expect as youth is a more accessible financing system. In Musanze, we see countless opportunities for value addition, but high interest rates and collateral requirements keep many young entrepreneurs behind. Affordable loans would allow companies like ours to scale.”

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Telesphore reaffirmed MINAGRI’s commitment to youth-centered transformation He said: “As MINAGRI, we commit to unlocking finance, expanding skills, strengthening markets, and scaling youth-led flagship programs. But above all, we commit to listening to you because your ideas will shape the future of this sector.”

Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye, Minister of State, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Ressources 

As the first-ever YouthFAST Forum draws to a close, one message stands out clearly: Rwanda’s agrifood transformation cannot succeed without the full participation, creativity, and leadership of its young people. With AGRA as the main funder, this platform sets a new foundation for sustained youth engagement and investment in the years ahead. From digital innovators to agro-processors and climate-smart solution designers, youth demonstrated not only their readiness but their determination to shape the sector’s future.

Dr. Chantal Ingabire, Director General for Planning in The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal resources

Shakira Uwineza, agro-processing entrepreneur from Kamonyi

Evariste Sibobugingo, youth from Nyanza District, said YouthFAST shows a shift in how the country views young people in the agrifood value chain

Elie Nsengukuri, the founder of Amaboko y’u Rwanda Ltd in Musanze District, stands out as a powerful example of how youth-led enterprises are reshaping Rwanda’s agrifood sector

She says: “Coffee is life, and it is love more than many people think. It started as an idea my husband and I had when we were both baristas. We loved coffee so much that we decided to start a project of serving and processing it. That’s where the idea of establishing a training school came from the school that now teaches the entire journey of coffee, from the farm to the cup.”

Serge Iradukunda, who has been training for three months, says he began simply by enjoying watching others prepare coffee until he eventually embraced it as a profession.
He recounts: “I came to learn coffee because my brother, who studied it before, kept encouraging me to join. At first, things didn’t feel natural, but as days passed, I found myself not wanting to go home after classes because I was falling deeply in love with it.”

Similarly, Sandrine Ange Urusaro, who has been training for two months, says she always loved coffee but never knew how it was made.
She says: “I came because I loved coffee and wanted to understand everything about it from the farm to the cup and here they teach us all of that.”

These young people, like many others who passed through Elite Café, emphasize that the journey of coffee processing is far more complex than what the coffee drinker at the table imagines. It is a craft that demands skill, dedication, and a deep sense of passion.

Some pursue coffee only for profit or prestige, but Nkundira Coffee, the coffee brand by Elite Café was founded on one mission: “Make Rwandans fall in love with their own coffee.”

This is what inspired the “Coffee Hour” initiative, aimed at popularizing quality coffee among Rwandans, including giving out free coffee to the public as a way of introducing them to its value. This is explained by Muhorakeye Annet.

She says: “We offer a free coffee hour so that Rwandans can taste good coffee and feel the love behind it. Once they love it, they become curious, and curiosity draws them closer to coffee.”

In a country with a large youthful population, many of whom hold degrees but struggle to find employment Elite Café became an answer to the problem of unemployment. Here, unemployment is not viewed as destiny but as a classroom for innovation and finding new pathways.

Elite Café is fully certified to operate in Rwanda and works with the Rwanda TVET Board, making its certificates valid both locally and internationally. Many of its graduates are now employed, transforming their own lives and those of their families.

Mbabazi Anitha, now an employee of Elite Café, says: “I studied here for two months, and through their generosity, I got a job and started training others. I was unemployed before, but now I earn my own salary.”

According to Muhorakeye Annet, the fact that their certificates are approved by Rwanda TVET Board gives students an advantage.

She explains: “We are privileged to work with the Rwanda TVET Board, meaning our certificates are fully recognized. So far, 800 students have trained here, and 80% of them are employed both in Rwanda and abroad. About 100 have secured jobs in countries such as Oman, Qatar, and Dubai.”

Elite Café Founder, Muhorakeye Annet, guiding youth on how to produce high-quality coffee that meets global standards

She also expresses gratitude to the Government of Rwanda and other partners who have supported their journey, including YouthConnekt who awarded them a prize and partners such as AGRA, Profemme, and RYAF.

She says: “We wouldn’t have achieved this without the support of our country. YouthConnekt gave us 25 million Rwandan francs, which helped us buy machines for roasting and processing coffee. AGRA has been a strong partner they visit, support us in various ways, especially through their ‘Value for Her’ project. I am also part of Profemme and RYAF initiatives, all aimed at empowering youth. This support motivates me to help others the same way I have been helped.”

In 2024, Rwanda produced 21,295 tons of coffee, with only 5% consumed domestically.
Between 2024–2025, compared to 2023–2024, Rwanda’s coffee production increased by 25%, reaching 21,295 tons, while national revenue grew from USD 78.7 million to USD 116.1 million a 48% increase.

Serge and Sandrine, two of the trainees, sharing how their growing passion for coffee is transforming their life paths

Graduates of Elite Café who have secured jobs in Rwanda and abroad, proof that skills create sustainable opportunities.

Elite Café trainees during hands-on sessions, exploring the full journey of coffee from the bean to the cup

Our case in Belém is direct. Move the youth from the margins to the center of food and climate finance. The stakes are continental and immediate. By 2050 more than 600 million Africans will join the working age population and one in three people aged 15 to 34 on earth will be African. That surge will decide whether food systems create dignity and jobs or feed frustration and flight. Ministers and financiers gathering at COP30 have the chance to back proven youth led models with real money and clear metrics, starting now.

Over the course of 2025, youth from across the continent came together through regional Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture  (YEFFA) convenings in Botswana, Rwanda, and The Gambia to build a shared vision for their future. They brought stories of ingenuity and strain, of confronting climate shocks with improvisation and grit, of building businesses in fragmented markets, and of carrying the emotional and economic weight of households where farming remains both a livelihood and a gamble.

What emerged from the convenings was a collective assertion of agency.

And it is this agency that underpins the Unified Youth Statement on Advancing Climate-Resilient Food Systems in Africa, a declaration shaped by realities on the ground and infused with the urgency of a generation that cannot afford another decade of slow reform.

It calls for finance designed for young entrepreneurs, for formal representation in the spaces where food and climate decisions are made, for systems that recognise indigenous knowledge alongside modern tools, for value chains that do not collapse under climate pressure, and for accountability that cannot be softened by rhetoric.

The declaration reflects the practical terrain young people navigate every day. Youth already power agrifood systems worldwide, with 44 percent of working young people earning their livelihoods somewhere along the chain from soils to supermarkets. Yet food insecurity among youth has climbed sharply since the mid-2010s, hitting young Africans hardest. In Sub-Saharan Africa the share of young people not in employment, education or training stood at 21.9 percent in 2023, with young women most affected. That is lost talent and a warning flare for stability.

Skeptics will say youth programs come and go, that agriculture is risky, margins thin and shocks rising. They are not wrong about the risks. But risk falls fast when climate smart inputs, price discovery and aggregation come together with value chain finance. That is what corridor approaches and last mile services are designed to do. When youth run these services, adoption jumps because they move with speed, speak the language of their peers and compete on service.

For AGRA and the multitude of youth voices echoed over the course the year, we insist on bringing these realities to Belém. Because young Africans are already building the solutions we all say we want. Take Tafadzwa Chikwereti of Zimbabwe, whose work at e-Agro uses AI and satellite data to give farmers tailored crop advice and access to credit, transforming how smallholders adapt to unpredictable rains. Or Imungana Malikana in Zambia, whose solar-powered tools at Cranitech help farmers track their yields, irrigate efficiently, and unlock climate-smart finance. Or Fatima El Khou in Morocco, who is creating eco-friendly value chains with solar-powered processing that reduces waste and strengthens rural incomes. They are proving what is possible when youth have the tools and the trust to lead.

Yet their leadership persists in systems that were not built for them. Across Africa, 53 million young people are outside employment, education, or training. Young women remain structurally locked out of land and finance. Too many youth-led enterprises break at the point where ambition meets bureaucracy. And climate shocks are amplifying every inequality young Africans already face. COP30 offers a rare chance to take youth leadership seriously, not as a side event, nor a moral appeal, but as a proven pathway to deliver climate and food security goals that have stalled for years. Africa’s youth arrive in Belém with clarity, unity, and solutions already in motion. What they need now is political will and the financing to match it

Lead for Advocacy and External Engagements at AGRA

Mr. Rogito a Specialist for Soil Health Climate and Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU) at AGRA 

The Belém Declaration on Hunger, Poverty, and People Centered Climate Action calls for urgent investment to support climate adaptation, eradicate hunger, and build climate-resilient food systems. Africa’s farmers are ready. With nearly USD 2.8 billion already announced for climate-smart agriculture, funding exists; what matters now is ensuring it reaches farmers through tangible interventions like healthy soils, timely seeds, and reliable market access.Healthy soils underpin climate resilience. The AU’s 10-year Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan provides a clear pathway to restore soils and lift yields if countries and financiers back science-driven agriculture, extension and input markets. Success should be measured in hectares restored, yield gains, and losses reduced, ensuring investment translates into concrete farm-level results. 

Alice Ruhweza is the President of AGRA

Speeding up the time it takes seed from the lab to the local shop could transform African agriculture as powerfully as any new financing pledge. Across the continent, climate-smart and nutritious varieties already exist, yet too many are stuck behind slow release, certification, and distribution systems. AGRA’s SeedSAT tool and other regional efforts show how to cut those delays and crowd in local enterprises so that a farmer can buy the right seed on time, close to home. At the Growing Innovations Showcase in the AgriZone at COP30, we’ve seen practical solutions, from climate-resilient seeds to digital advisory services, demonstrate that delivery innovations are achievable. 

Equally critical is connecting farmers to markets and finance.  Corridor approaches linking surplus zones to demand centres with storage, cold chains, harmonised rules, and value chain finance reduces waste and attract private capital. AGRA’s consortia approach, working with agro-dealer networks, anchor firms, and the Africa Corridor Initiative, strengthens input-output linkages, and gives smallholders visibility to buyers, builds trust and attracts investments. COP30 must ensure governments, donors, and financiers scale these proven approaches quickly.

Some argue we should wait for new funds, flawless data, or perfect safeguards before acting. Accountability matters, but progress cannot pause. We already have tools to target innovations and track progress. The AU Soil Plan provides a clear delivery framework, the CAADP Biennial Review offers mutual accountability, and the Emirates Declaration united over one hundred and thirty countries around a shared intent on food systems. Building on this, AGRA is scaling proven solutions across borders, coordinating innovation and finance for maximum impact. The sensible path is to use what exists, scale what works, fix what doesn’t, and spread proven methods. That is how public money attracts private capital and how farmers see real change within seasons, not decades.

So what should happen now?

Belém is not the place to rehearse promises. It is the place to fund delivery that puts smallholders first, especially women who carry much of the labour in our value chains. By acting decisively, we can make the scene on the Makueni road an everyday reality rather than the exception. If we stall, floods and droughts will continue to devastate communities and we will keep rehearsing grief.

The choice at COP30 is stark. Fund and scale tested methods that put smallholders first. African governments should also integrate climate action finance into their annual budgets. Or explain to our children why hunger rose in a decade of promises. If we get it right, smallholders can thrive when finance, delivery, and knowledge converge, and COP30 can be the turning point.

Director for Climate Adaption, Sustainable Agriculture and Resilience at AGRA.

“Africa’s farmers are not waiting for the future; they are shaping it,” said Alice Ruhweza, President of AGRA. “A farmer-first climate breakthrough means turning promises into progress, converting finance into resilience, and transforming ambition into action where it matters most, on farms.”

AGRA believes COP30 offers a vital opportunity to advance the adaptation and resilience agenda through agriculture and food systems. Across its engagements in Belém, AGRA will spotlight proven pathways for scaling impact, including coherent policies, fit-for-purpose finance, functioning markets, and soil health systems that sustain productivity, with a view of putting youth and women at the center of Africa’s agricultural transformation.

This call aligns with the newly adopted Belém Declaration on Hunger, Poverty, and Human-Centered Climate Action, endorsed by 43 countries and the European Union. The Declaration recognizes that climate action and social justice are inseparable and urges a rebalancing of climate finance to support people most exposed to climate shocks. It highlights the need for climate-responsive social protection, insurance for smallholder farmers, and livelihood programs that build long-term resilience.

AGRA supports this global shift and emphasizes that small-scale producers are not just victims of the climate crisis, but are key drivers of resilience and transformation.

“Resilience is built when the right policies, finance, and technical solutions meet at the farm level,” said Tilahun Amede, AGRA’s Director for Sustainable Farming, Climate Adaptation, and Resilience. “At COP30 together with partners, we aim to show how soil health, water management, inclusive finance and stronger value chains can turn climate ambition into practical results for farmers for short term gains and longer-term resilience.”

The UNEP Adaptation Gap Report 2025 warns that developing countries face an annual shortfall of USD 284 - 339 billion in adaptation funding. Current flows meet barely a tenth of that need. AGRA is calling for a stronger push to direct climate finance where it has the greatest impact, into the hands of farmers and rural enterprises that power food and job systems across Africa.

The farmer-first approach reflects African negotiators’ calls for adaptation that delivers tangible improvements for producers. AGRA is working with governments to streamline regulations for climate-resilient seed, support risk-sharing mechanisms that attract private capital, and align donor programs with national priorities rather than short-term pilots.

Soils and Youth at the Center of Action

Years of land degradation have depressed yields and weakened resilience across smallholder systems. According to the Africa Food Systems Report 2025, nearly 65 percent of productive land in Africa is degraded, reducing yields and eroding resilience. AGRA is highlighting the urgent need to invest in soil health, promote diversified cropping, and improve nutrient management through both organic and mineral sources. It is also advocating for data systems that track soil health and productivity to guide national planning and investment.

AGRA’s youth agenda focuses on skills, enterprise financing, and procurement opportunities that bring young Africans into higher-value roles in processing, logistics, and input distribution. AGRA wants measurable progress on youth employment indicators and financing pathways for agri-SMEs that can retain young talent.

From Declarations to Delivery

Drawing on its work in fifteen African countries, AGRA argues that a delivery-first approach, tying finance to evidence-based actions, can help governments achieve climate and food security goals faster. The ultimate test of COP30, AGRA says, will be whether commitments channel resources into practical solutions that farmers can access.

AGRA is also a partner in the Growing Innovations showcase, co-hosted by the Gates Foundation, Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Embrapa, AIM for Scale, CGIAR, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), and the United Arab Emirates. The showcase both a high-level event on November 10 and a physical exhibition, will highlight affordable, climate-smart solutions designed for and, in many cases, by farmers.

AGRA is an African-led organization that works with governments, the private sector and partners to transform agriculture by improving smallholder access to quality inputs, markets, finance and policy support. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Nairobi, AGRA supports country-led delivery and continental initiatives that strengthen resilience, drive inclusive growth and improve food security.

Parliamentarians sit at the center of this transformation. They bridge citizens and policy, turning continental commitments into national priorities that change lives. They carry the mandate to turn continental frameworks such as the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) into national priorities that change lives. Beyond policy debate, their advocacy must secure the budgets and governance systems that drive delivery while ensuring inclusion of youth and women in shaping and owning solutions.

Encouragingly, several countries are demonstrating what delivery looks like. Uganda’s agro-industrialization policy anchors its national development plan, creating value-added jobs for smallholders. Kenya’s devolution model has brought agriculture closer to communities through county-led agribusiness and extension programs. Zambia is opening regional trade corridors and attracting private investment into processing and logistics. These are deliberate choices that increase incomes, stabilize prices, and restore dignity in rural homes.

Ambition is also rising elsewhere. Tanzania’s Agriculture Master Plan has placed agriculture as a driving force for economic propensity and projected  over $100 billion by 2050 from $18 billion in 2022, with commitments to triple rice exports, double sunflower revenues, and expand horticulture. Malawi’s Vision 2063 prioritizes commercialization, value addition, and export diversification in maize, soy, and groundnuts. These strategies go beyond GDP; they seek to transform livelihoods through productivity and inclusive growth.

Innovation is amplifying what strong leadership can achieve. The Africa Digital Crop Variety Catalogue, launched in July 2025 with support from AGRA, puts decades of crop data at the fingertips of breeders, farmers, and investors across seven countries. Scaled continentally, it could modernize seed systems and make climate-smart, high-yield, nutrient-dense varieties more accessible. Such data-driven governance, backed by parliamentary oversight, turns good ideas into measurable results.

However, the gap between international pledges and domestic resource allocation remains wide. Many commitments made on global stages rarely translate into national budgets or local action. African leaders must bring these commitments home, aligning them with local priorities and making food systems transformation central to national development.

The Kampala CAADP Declaration marks a shift from focusing on agriculture alone to building integrated food systems that link nutrition, health, climate, trade, and jobs. Parliamentarians can drive this shift by ensuring food systems are treated as cross-government priorities rather than confined to agriculture ministries.

Equally important is a change in mindset. Agriculture must be seen as enterprise and innovation, not subsistence. With over 600 million young Africans, the continent can turn agri-entrepreneurship, technology, and green solutions into engines of prosperity. Empowering youth and women through inclusive investment and policy frameworks will be essential to unlocking this potential.

Transformation also requires enabling infrastructure. Seeds and fertilizer alone cannot drive change without reliable energy, transport, irrigation, storage, and digital connectivity. Parliamentarians can champion integrated planning that aligns sectoral budgets, ensuring that roads, power, and broadband investments directly enhance productivity and market access.

At the regional level, trade integration remains a major opportunity. Bottlenecks at borders raise costs and shrink markets. Through the Pan-African Parliament and regional blocs, legislators can push for harmonized standards, lower transaction costs, and efficient logistics, turning the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) into a living reality for food producers.

With debt pressures mounting, every dollar invested in agriculture must deliver measurable results. Parliamentarians have both the mandate and tools to enforce accountability under CAADP’s 10 percent public expenditure and 6 percent annual growth targets. Partnerships with think tanks, universities, and civil society can enhance evidence-based policymaking and ensure smarter, more transparent spending.

Effective communication is also vital. Food systems reform cannot remain an elite or technical conversation. Legislators can make progress tangible by showing how better policies lower food prices, improve family nutrition, create jobs, and strengthen economies. Partnerships with media, academia, and digital platforms can amplify impact and sustain citizen engagement.

Africa’s food systems transformation will not be built on new declarations but on the courage to deliver existing ones. The next decade, the Kampala Decade, must be defined by leaders who move from vision to action, from frameworks to fields, and from promises to progress. Africa does not lack ideas; it needs implementers who can turn policy into productivity and vision into victory.

Dr. Siliya is a former Minister of Agriculture in Zambia and Communications Advisor to the African Food Systems Parliamentary Network.

Mr. Keizire is the Director of Policy and State Capability at AGRA

This year’s CAADP Partnership Platform saw AGRA and partners align on the top priorities driving tangible outcomes in Africa’s Agri-food systems. During the forum, AGRA showcased the Africa Food Systems Report (AFSR) 2025, which contains indicators to track progress across supply chains, diets, food environments, systemic drivers, and outcomes.

Jonathan Said, Vice President, Technical Expertise at AGRA, noted.

“The CAADP Partnership Platform is where partners align on what we will deliver together. Our role is to support the AUC and AUDA-NEPAD to secure partner coherence and focus on key priorities, such as food corridors, end-to-end value chain development, and seed system commercialization, so that countries can implement their National Agriculture Investment Plans (NAIPs) faster, crowd in private investment, and expand access to finance for farmers and SMEs.”

The shared commitments centered on priority areas such as tangible support for governments to strengthen the coordination and delivery of flagship agricultural programs and policies that drive food systems transformation. Another priority agreed upon is advancing regional trade integration while supporting the private sector to invest in value addition and market access.

“AGRA’s initiatives are designed to connect smallholder farmers to regional markets, de-risk investment in agro-processing, and mobilize new financing models that catalyze growth along entire value chains toward Africa’s self-sufficiency and inclusive agricultural growth.” Jonathan Said, Vice President, Technical Expertise at AGRA, noted.

The partners also agreed on accelerating the African Soil Health and Fertilizer Agenda, recognizing that soil degradation remains a major constraint to Africa’s food security. Interventions are underway to promote integrated soil fertility management, the efficient use of fertilizers, and the development of farmer-centered extension systems that improve access to knowledge and inputs.

The partners convening in Kigali also agreed on fast-tracking the implementation of the AU’s Seed and BioTechnology action plan, with a strong focus on the commercialization and adoption of climate-smart, high-yielding, and nutrient-dense seed and technologies. Through its Centre of Excellence for Seed Systems in Africa (CESSA), AGRA showcased a tri-partite model linking it (AGRA), One CGIAR, and National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) to develop and deploy climate-resilient, nutrient-dense varieties.

Renewed emphasis has been placed on accelerating the inclusion of youth and women as intentional drivers of Africa’s food systems transformation. Recognizing that women and young people form the backbone of Africa’s agricultural economy, AGRA is promoting targeted programs that expand access to finance, land, and skills.  The African Union Commission convened a side event focusing on tracking youth entrepreneurship and employment in agrifood. CAADP-PP organizers say countries lack coherent metrics to judge progress, making it harder to steer finance and skills toward viable youth enterprises.

Speaking on Rwanda’s progress in promoting women’s access to finance, Jean Bosco Iyacu The Chief Executive Officer of Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR) said the country’s success story is rooted in accountability and evidence-based policymaking. He explained that the Finscope Survey, conducted every four years, has been a key instrument in tracking inclusion levels.

“What gets measured gets done,” Iyacu noted. “Rwanda’s culture of accountability where government, private sector, and civil society work as one team has driven progress in closing the gender gap in finance.”

He highlighted that access to finance for women has risen from 92% in 2020 to 96% in 2024, crediting both data-driven decisions and institutional mechanisms such as the Gender Monitoring Office and the Central Bank’s inclusive finance guidelines that encourage banks to design products for women entrepreneurs.

For Sakina Usengimana ,CEO of Afrifoods and Chairperson of Rwanda Youth in Agribusiness (RYAF), the progress achieved so far should not overshadow the challenges that remain. She pointed out that many women still struggle to access credit due to the lack of collateral and limited access to public procurement opportunities.

“Collateral remains the biggest wall for women,” she said. “Women are not asking for favors; they’re asking for opportunities and recognition.”

Usengimana also praised Rwanda’s Gender Seal Certification, an initiative recognizing institutions that adopt gender-responsive practices, saying it is helping to institutionalize inclusivity in both public and private sectors.

Jonathan Said, Vice President for the Centre of Technical Expertise at AGRA, emphasized that while policies are crucial, their implementation must be closely monitored. He introduced AGRA’s Gender Mainstreaming in Agriculture tool, piloted in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, which helps governments assess how gender-responsive their policies are.

“The tool allows governments to evaluate each policy and determine whether it’s gender-blind, neutral, sensitive, intentional, or fully responsive,” Saidi explained. “This ensures that commitments on paper translate into real action for women.”

He encouraged African countries to integrate such monitoring tools into their national planning systems to make gender equality a measurable part of development outcomes.

Representing the African Union Commission, Nsama Chikolwa Nsemiwe, Land Governance and Gender Specialist at the African Union Commission reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to advancing women’s empowerment in agri-food systems. She said the AU is developing a Framework for Women in Agri-Food Systems, aligned with Agenda 2063, the CAADP Strategy, and the Kampala Declaration.

“This is not just a policy document,” Nsemiwe said. “It’s a reform agenda to position women as central actors in resilient and inclusive agri-food systems.”

She noted that the framework aims to promote equal access to inputs, land, and finance, while strengthening women’s leadership and participation in markets. It also seeks to establish gender-responsive data systems to track progress across member states.

The discussion concluded with a shared message: empowering women is not just about fairness but about transforming Africa’s food systems. Through Proofs (data), Policies (inclusive reforms), and Partnerships (collaboration across sectors), countries can unlock women’s potential and accelerate sustainable growth.

As one panelist summarized, Africa’s future food security depends on how fully women are included in its transformation journey.

Nsama Chikolwa Nsemiwe, Land Governance and Gender Specialist at the African Union Commission.

Jean Bosco Iyacu, The Chief Executive Officer of Access to Finance Rwanda

Jonathan Said, Vice President for Technical Expertise at AGRA

Sakina Usengimana ,CEO of Afrifoods and Chairperson of Rwanda Youth in Agribusiness (RYAF)

According to Dr. John Ulimwengu, Senior Research Fellow at IFPRI, the 2025 report introduces a comprehensive monitoring framework. He said: “This report introduces a comprehensive monitoring framework built on five domains food supply chains, diets, food environments, systemic drivers, and outcomes.” These domains will guide how Africa measures progress in food systems transformation and accountability across countries.

Dr. Chantal Ingabire, Director General of Planning at Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture, emphasized that Rwanda’s experience offers valuable lessons. “We are integrating food systems thinking into our national agricultural policies to ensure resilience, from irrigation and mechanization to post-harvest management,” she said. “The goal is efficiency and long-term sustainability.”

Dr. Chantal Ingabire, Director General of Planning at Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture, emphasized that Rwanda’s experience offers valuable lessons

Dr. Hamady Diop, CAADP Post-Malabo Process Coordinator, noted that the findings of the 2025 AFSR will guide implementation of the CAADP Kampala Declaration, which places food systems transformation at the center of Africa’s development strategy for the next decade. “Transitioning from Malabo to Kampala requires a mindset change, one that links policy, investment, and innovation,” he explained.

Panelists also explored how multi-stakeholder partnerships can finance and strengthen Africa’s agri-food value chains. Jonathan Said, Vice President at AGRA, said the shift from agriculture to food systems “deepens our understanding of resilience and inclusion.” He added, “AGRA’s technical expertise in finance and market systems will support countries to operationalize the Kampala CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2035).”

Jonathan Said, Vice President at AGRA, said the shift from agriculture to food systems

For Dr. Getachew Legese of ILRI, monitoring and evaluation are key pillars in this transition. Sharing lessons from Ethiopia, he explained how data-driven tracking of progress can align national efforts with continental targets.

Ultimately, the Kigali session underscored a shared belief that transforming Africa’s food systems is not only about feeding the continent, but also about fostering economic growth, equity, and climate resilience.

As the discussions continue toward the CAADP Kampala Declaration, Africa’s vision for the next decade is clear: a food system that is data-informed, youth-driven, and capable of nourishing both people and the planet.

Kigali panelists discuss the Status of Africa’s Food Systems and pathways toward a resilient and inclusive future

Sakina Usengimana, a Rwandan youth agripreneur, highlighted the financial and systemic challenges that continue to constrain young farmers and agribusiness owners.

“Some of the challenges still affecting youth include fragmented supply chains and limited access to financing,” she said. “Most banks offer post-financing instead of pre-financing. Even if you are generating $200 million in cash flow, you can still fail to find $1 million because the banking system is built on collateral.”

She called for “smart partnerships” that value youth as equal players in Africa’s agribusiness ecosystem.

“People think the youth are small, but we are not small we are simply alone because no one wants to partner with young people,” Usengimana added. “We need win-win partnerships and inclusive investment models that address pre-financing, insurance, and digital credit scoring.”

Adding to the youth perspective, Cynthia Ndayishimiye, Operations Manager at JR Farms Rwanda, underlined the need for innovation and cross-border collaboration to integrate African farmers into global markets.

“We are working to bridge the gap between African agrarian production and global marketable products,” she explained. “Climate change has reduced production, so we are conducting research to develop climate-resilient seeds and promote irrigation.”

From a policy standpoint, Mrs. Estherine Fotabong, Director for Agriculture, Food Security, and Environmental Sustainability at AUDA-NEPAD, emphasized that Africa’s food transformation must go beyond yields to focus on nutrition, dignity, and justice.

“We cannot speak of development while millions of Africans face chronic hunger and malnutrition,” she said. “Achieving food security is not charity, it is justice.”

She underscored that 282 million Africans still go hungry, while nearly a billion people face some form of food insecurity.

“Africa imports food worth $50 billion every year while losing nearly 48% of its own harvests. This must change,” Fotabong noted. “By producing, eating, and trading what is truly ours, we strengthen our sovereignty and pride.”

Representing the African Union Commission, Dr. Janet Edeme, Acting Head of Agriculture and Food Security Division, reinforced the AU’s commitment to tackling hunger through evidence-based, nutrition-sensitive agriculture.

“Over 282 million Africans face hunger. These are not just statistics they represent mothers who skip meals and children who go to bed hungry,” she said.

Dr. Edeme presented key AU frameworks, including the Africa Regional Nutrition Strategy (2026–2035) and the Kampala Declaration on CAADP, as guiding tools for linking nutrition with agriculture, health, and education.

“Food security is not only about calories, it’s about dignity, equity, and the farmer who prospers,” she asserted. “We must act with urgency and unity to secure a nourished Africa where no one is left behind.”

Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, urged African leaders to move from policy to practice, emphasizing that transformation will come from within the continent.

“Africa’s transformation will not be driven from outside, it will be built by Africans through partnership, innovation, and collective purpose,” he declared.

He highlighted the three key engines of Africa’s agricultural transformation: governments, farmers, and the private sector, each with a crucial role in aligning investment, productivity, and innovation.

“We must strengthen digitalization, AI-driven research, and data-based decision-making,” he said. “Healthy soils mean healthy diets, so we need a continental ‘Healthy Soils for Healthy Diets’ initiative.”

Minister Bagabe highlighted the key engines of Africa’s agricultural transformation

Dr. Bagabe also emphasized youth inclusion through Agri-preneurship Hubs that offer mentorship, incubation, and blended-finance models to de-risk youth-led innovations.

“Let Kigali be remembered as the place where Africa moved from statements to signatures, from concepts to contracts, and from pilots to scale,” he concluded, invoking President Kagame’s words: “Well-crafted ideas mean nothing if they remain just written in documents.”

The session concluded with a strong message: unlocking the potential of youth agripreneurs is not just an economic necessity, it is Africa’s greatest opportunity to build a resilient, inclusive, and nourished continent.

Mrs. Estherine Fotabong, Director for Agriculture, Food Security, and Environmental Sustainability at AUDA-NEPAD

Dr. Janet Edeme, Acting Head of Agriculture and Food Security Division in African Union Commission

The meeting, hosted by the Government of Rwanda in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and AUDA-NEPAD, provides a platform for stakeholders to assess progress and chart new strategies toward sustainable agricultural transformation across Africa.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), welcomed delegates to Kigali and called on African nations to transform commitments into measurable results.

“Africa’s future depends on how effectively we move from commitments to coordinated action,” she said. “We must sustain the momentum of the Malabo Declaration and build on it through the Kampala Strategy and Action Plan, ensuring that our agrifood systems are productive, inclusive, and resilient to shocks.”

Dr. Ndabamenye Highlighted that achieving food security requires more than simply increasing production volumes.

“Food security is not just about producing more; it is about producing better ensuring that every African, especially children and vulnerable groups, has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food,” she noted.

Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources

Delivering the keynote address, H.E. Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment at the African Union Commission, underscored the importance of unity and political will in achieving Africa’s food sovereignty.

“Rwanda’s performance in all the CAADP Biennial Reviews is living proof that transformation happens when political will is matched with practical implementation,” he said.

Commissioner Vilakati drew attention to the alarming state of food insecurity in Africa, where more than 280 million people remain undernourished and one in five children suffers from chronic malnutrition. He warned that Africa’s food import bill could exceed USD 150 billion annually by 2030 if current trends persist.

“No nation can be truly free if it cannot feed its people,” he declared. “Food security is not only a technical issue; it is a question of justice.”

Jean Paul Ndagijimana, AGRA’s Representative in Rwanda, urged participants to focus on measurable impact and shared accountability.

“The 21st CAADP Partnership Platform comes at a defining moment. It must mark the decade where we move from commitments to measurable outcomes through bold and collective action.”

Highlighting AGRA’s experience across the continent, Ndagijimana emphasized that sustainable transformation requires partnership where governments, private sector, and farmers’ organizations work hand in hand under strong local leadership.

“Transformation is possible when partnerships are anchored in capable and reliable local leadership. Governments must create enabling environments, the private sector must invest, and development partners must align with country-led strategies.”

Linking his remarks to the African Union’s 2025 theme, “Year of Reparations: Justice for Africans and People of African Descent,” the Commissioner said that true reparative justice goes beyond financial restitution.

“True reparative justice must mean reclaiming control over our food systems, restoring the dignity of our farmers, and creating fairer trade and investment pathways,” he emphasized.

Adding a voice from Southern Africa, Tuto Tsegafatso, an Agricultural Economist and CAADP Focal Point for Botswana, shared insights into his country’s progress in implementing the CAADP framework.

“I’m the one coordinating all the CAADP processes in Botswana. When you look at the first Biennial Review, we were on track. Although we faced challenges in Biennial Review 2 to Biennial Review 4, I’m happy to say that by Biennial Review 5, the results show we have really improved,” he explained.

Tsegafatso noted that youth participation in agriculture remains relatively low but is beginning to grow.

“The youth is not yet much into agriculture, but we’re seeing an improvement in participation recently. We are at an infancy stage, but the momentum is building,” he said.

The opening day was not only about policy it also highlighted the lived experiences of farmers. Beatha Uwimana, a smallholder farmer from Rwanda’s Eastern Province, said she was inspired by the discussions but urged leaders to ensure practical impact.

“We are ready to feed our continent, but we need access to affordable seeds, irrigation, and markets that value our produce. Climate-smart agriculture should not stay in documents, it must reach the fields,” she said.

Her message echoed the broader sentiment of the conference: that transformation must start at the grassroots level, where the realities of climate change, limited access to inputs, and market barriers continue to affect millions.

As the first day of deliberations concluded, delegates reaffirmed their resolve to accelerate the Kampala Strategy, deepen cooperation, and build an Africa that is self-reliant, just, and food-secure.

The Kigali meeting set the tone for the next decade of agricultural transformation, one grounded in accountability, inclusion, and justice.

Jean Paul Ndagijimana, AGRA’s Representative in Rwanda, urged participants to focus on measurable impact

Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment at the African Union Commission

African leaders, farmers, policymakers, and partners gather in Kigali to shape a decade of just, resilient, and inclusive agrifood transformation

Mukangango Delice, widely known as Furaha, has been working as a tailor for 20 years. She said receiving this certificate marks the beginning of a new chapter in her professional journey.

“I’m very happy to have received this certificate. It will help me go further, I’m planning to establish a tailoring school and collaborate with other entrepreneurs in Rwanda and abroad who do similar work. I now see greater opportunities to reach new markets,”. She said.

Theopiste Mukamurenzi, a tailor from Muhanga District, was also among those certified. She previously worked in government institutions but later realized her true calling was in tailoring.

“I used to ask myself, ‘How can someone work with their hands for years and make a living, but not be officially recognized?’ Today I’m proud because RPL has shown me that practical skills have value. I plan to establish my own company that operates legally and professionally, I’m no longer afraid,”. Theopiste Mukamurenzi Said

Daniel Nshimiyimana, Chairperson of the Rwanda Tailors Association (RTA), said the program is a major step toward restoring the dignity of skills acquired through practical experience.

“For a long time, many people with talent and vocational skills were not valued because they lacked formal certificates. The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program is helping us address that challenge. Anyone with practical knowledge can now prove their competence in an official way, which opens doors for job creation and professional growth,”. Daniel Nshimiyimana, RTA Chairperson said

Williams Buningwire, Spokesperson of the Private Sector Federation (PSF), emphasized that such training programs inject fresh energy and innovation into Rwanda’s private sector.

“When people are trained like this in any profession, they become a new force within the private sector. It’s new knowledge and expertise that the country gains, which is essential for economic growth. These individuals are like fresh blood in business, bringing creativity and renewed passion to their work,”. Buningwire Williams said

In this latest round, all 193 tailors who sat for the RPL assessment passed and were awarded certificates recognized by the government.
In the first phase, conducted in 2024, 800 tailors took part and 763 passed.
This means that across the two cohorts, a total of 956 tailors have now been certified under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program.

The RPL program continues to demonstrate Rwanda’s commitment to valuing practical knowledge and work-based skills. For beneficiaries like these tailors, it represents a new path toward professional recognition, self-confidence, and broader career opportunities.

Tailors from across Rwanda proudly display their certificates after completing the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment, officially joining the ranks of certified professionals

After 20 years in the tailoring profession, Mukangango Delice known as “Furaha” says her new RPL certificate will help her open a tailoring school and reach international markets.

Daniel Nshimiyimana, Chairperson of the Rwanda Tailors Association, says RPL restores dignity to hands-on skills and creates new opportunities for job creation

“This is more than a symbolic gesture,” said Hailemariam Desalegn. “It’s a call to action across Africa. I am proud to stand with Rwanda in this restoration effort and personally commit to following up on the trees I planted they must grow.”

As part of its climate action plan, the City of Kigali aims to plant 3 million trees by 2029.

“We are planting for the future,” said Mayor Samuel Dusengiyumva. “But planting alone is not enough we must also protect and nurture these trees to ensure they mature and serve both people and planet.”

Minister Bernadette Arakwiye underlined the importance of local action in global climate efforts. “This season’s launch reminds us that every tree counts. Nature-based solutions like this are key to Rwanda’s fight against climate change.”

The event also reflected AGRA’s ongoing commitment to supporting Rwanda’s agricultural transformation, climate adaptation, and food systems resilience contributing to a greener, more sustainable future for all.

Minister Bernadette Arakwiye emphasizes that every tree counts in Rwanda’s fight against climate change

AGRA Board chair alongside City Mayor and Minister of environment

“Planting alone is not enough; we must protect and nurture our trees,” says Mayor Samuel Dusengiyumva.

Speaking as Guest of Honour, Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva commended the graduates for their resilience and contribution to Rwanda’s development vision.

“Today is not just your graduation day, it’s your launch day. The moment you step boldly into the future you’ve been building towards,” he said. “You’ve overcome challenges, stayed focused, and worked hard to reach this point. You made it, and you’ve earned every bit of this celebration.”

The Prime Minister also thanked the families, lecturers, and communities who stood by the graduates through their academic journeys, describing them as “a village of quiet champions.”

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the University of Rwanda in its mission to become a world-class institution that produces skilled, innovative, and work-ready graduates.

“Rwanda’s journey to transformation is powered by our people. Our vision is to become a knowledge-based economy driven by innovation, creativity, and skill,” he added. “Research must be purposeful, and innovation must be practical. Ideas must become solutions that create value for our communities.”

In his address, Prof. Didas Kayihura Muganga, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Rwanda, congratulated the graduates for their dedication and perseverance, while emphasizing the importance of adaptability in today’s world.

“We now live in a pivotal era where artificial intelligence and technological innovation are transforming every aspect of life and work,” he said. “Continuous learning is your greatest tool for staying relevant. Keep updating your skills and use technology ethically and responsibly.”

Prof. Muganga also thanked parents, sponsors, and partners for their unwavering support, describing their contribution as the foundation of the university’s success.

This year’s cohort of 9,526 graduates included 4,204 women and 5,322 men, reflecting the university’s ongoing commitment to gender balance in higher

For many, the day was filled with deep emotion and reflection on their academic journeys.

“Graduating from the University of Rwanda is a dream come true,” said Ange Uwase, a graduate from the College of Business and Economics. “It has been a journey of hard work, friendship, and growth. I now feel ready to contribute to Rwanda’s development in the private sector.”

“I joined UR with curiosity and leave with confidence,” added Jean Bosco Ndayisaba, a graduate from the College of Science and Technology. “The exposure we got through research and innovation will help us solve real problems our country faces.”

As the graduates tossed their caps into the air, the atmosphere was filled with optimism and national pride. The ceremony not only celebrated individual success but also reflected Rwanda’s continued investment in education as a cornerstone of its transformation agenda.

This year’s graduating class reflected the University of Rwanda’s diverse academic landscape, drawing students from all seven of its colleges. The College of Education produced the largest number of graduates with 2,554, followed by the College of Business and Economics with 2,005, and the College of Science and Technology with 1,688. The College of Medicine and Health Sciences awarded 1,136 degrees, while the College of Arts, Language and Social Sciences had 1,006 graduates. Meanwhile, 981 students completed their studies from the College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, and 156 from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, all together showcasing the university’s commitment to producing skilled professionals across a wide range of disciplines.

Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva urges graduates to be changemakers and innovators driving Rwanda’s transformation

Vice Chancellor Prof. Didas Muganga challenges graduates to embrace lifelong learning and ethical use of technology in the age of AI

Leaders from various institutions attended the ceremony.

From classrooms to communities: UR Class of 2025 is ready to turn knowledge into solutions that shape Rwanda’s future.

Research presented at the dialogue showed that agricultural insurance is not only a risk management mechanism but also a potential source of new employment opportunities for youth in cooperatives, microfinance institutions, or agricultural advisory services.

Emmanuel Ndagijimana, a tomato farmer from Huye District who has farmed for over five years, explained:

“We have insurance for other crops, but companies often tell us tomatoes are excluded. If tomato insurance becomes available, it will restore our confidence and help us treat farming as a genuine profession rather than a gamble.”

Similarly, Gaudence Dukuzumuremyi, a tomato farmer from Nyabihu District, noted that the absence of crop insurance has discouraged youth from investing in tomato farming.

“Tomatoes are vulnerable to diseases and natural disasters, and without insurance, many young people fear the risks. Once insurance is introduced, we’ll invest without hesitation and in turn, create jobs for other youth,” she said.

According to Emmanuel Ntagozera, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Officer at Pro-Femmes / Twese Hamwe, empowering young people who view agriculture as a profession is a long-term investment in the nation’s future.

“When youth decide to take up farming as a career, they deserve structured support. Insurance is one of the most critical tools that protect them from losses and give them confidence to invest,” he emphasized.

Currently, Rwanda’s National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) provides insurance for maize, beans, potatoes, and rice, with the government covering up to 40% of premiums. However, tomatoes are not yet included despite their high market value both domestically and in agro-processing industries.

Lucia Zigiriza, Senior Partners Coordination Officer at AGRA-Rwanda, explained that the meeting brought together all key players to advocate for the inclusion of tomatoes under national crop insurance.

“This dialogue is about pushing for change. Youth have repeatedly highlighted the lack of tomato insurance as a barrier. We want to demonstrate the potential of this crop to create jobs and promote food security, and we are working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture to make this a reality.”

Alice Mukamugema, Director General for Agriculture Value Chain Management and Trade at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), said the government is conducting feasibility studies to determine the best way to integrate tomato farming into the national insurance scheme.

“The national insurance program is still relatively young launched in 2019 and we began with a few priority crops. Because the funds come from the government, we must ensure the system benefits all citizens. Tomatoes are indeed among the essential crops we are assessing, and there is a strong possibility they will be added soon,” she explained.

The five-year SERVE project (2023–2027), funded by the Mastercard Foundation, aims to create decent and resilient employment for over 80,000 youth, particularly young women, through agribusiness, access to finance, and market-driven opportunities. It focuses on value chains such as tomatoes, chili, and beans crops with strong potential for youth-led enterprise growth.

According to recent research by Pro-Femmes / Twese Hamwe, Rwanda produces over 81,000 tons of tomatoes annually, yet farmers face significant losses due to pests, diseases, and climate variability. Participants at the policy dialogue called for a comprehensive national framework to extend insurance coverage to tomato farmers a step they say will unlock access to credit, stimulate investment, and accelerate job creation in the tomato value chain.

Under the SERVE project, which is funded by the Mastercard Foundation, Pro-Femmes / Twese Hamwe conducted research resulting in a position paper titled “Extending Agricultural Insurance to the Tomato Value Chain in Rwanda.” The study highlights the economic importance of tomatoes and calls for three key policy actions: Inclusion of the tomato value chain under NAIS, development of tailored insurance products for tomato farmers and bundling insurance with inputs, finance, and market access to maximize impact.

The research also revealed that Rwanda produces over 81,000 tons of tomatoes annually, yet farmers lose a significant share due to pests, diseases, and climate variability. Among the 23,504 youth profiled in the SERVE project, 8,111 mostly young women are engaged in tomato, chili, and bean value chains across 10 districts.

The five-year SERVE project (2023–2027) aims to create decent and resilient employment for over 80,000 youth, particularly young women, through agribusiness, access to finance, and market-driven opportunities. By extending agricultural insurance to the tomato value chain, stakeholders believe Rwanda can unlock access to credit, stimulate investment, and accelerate job creation across the agricultural sector.

Ms. Alice Mukamugema, Director General of Agriculture Value Chain Management and Trade

Lucia Zigiriza, Senior Partners Coordination Officer at AGRA-Rwanda

Emmanuel Ntagozera, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Officer at Pro-Femmes / Twese Hamwe

Emmanuel Ndagijimana, a tomato farmer from Huye District

Tomato farmers in Rwanda are calling for insurance that covers their crops and secures their future

Many farmers lose almost half of their tomato harvests before reaching traders, according to Francois Munyengabe, a farmer from Rugalika Sector in Kamonyi District, who told KP Media:

“It’s hard to get your produce to the market in good condition. Once we harvest, we rush to pack and transport it quickly before it spoils under the sun. If we had a way to preserve it longer, it would help us a lot.”

According to Dr. Toby Peters, Executive Director of the African Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES), the festival aims to highlight the vital role of cooling in daily life from food to medicine.

“We’re doing two things. First, we’re making cooling more visible. We all use mobile phones to record videos, but data centers rely on cooling to function. Our food is cooled; our vaccines are cooled. Second, there’s no single solution for everyone. There are many technologies, but what we’re doing is creating a strong system training cooling technicians, helping farmers identify the right technology for their needs, and building an efficient chain from farm to fork.”

He went on to say that cooling should be treated as basic infrastructure:

“Cooling is an essential part of modern society. It’s like water pipes or power lines because it moves vital goods food and medicine from factories to the people who need them.”

Dr. Florence Uwamahoro, Deputy Director General in charge of Agriculture at the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), acknowledged that there is still a long way to go in preserving agricultural produce but expressed optimism that food losses will decline thanks to ongoing initiatives.

She said: “Indeed, we still have a long journey ahead in preserving harvests, especially fruits and vegetables, but the technologies showcased here at this festival are part of the solution to reducing post-harvest losses, in line with the government’s five-year plan.”

She also announced that training sessions would be organized for farmers at ACES to raise awareness on proper storage and post-harvest handling.

“Some farmers will participate in training here, but we will also partner with this center to reach farmers across the country, understand their needs, and work together to reduce post-harvest losses.” She added.

As outlined in Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), the country aims to increase agricultural productivity by 50% for selected priority crops to achieve food security and expand agricultural exports.

Meanwhile, the Strategic Plan for the Transformation of Agriculture (PSTA 5) focuses on promoting knowledge-based, productive, and environmentally friendly agriculture that supports national development. It sets clear annual targets to reduce post-harvest losses for key crops from 13.8% in 2023 to 8% by 2028/29.

The plan also aims to increase the value added by agro-processing industries by 10% per year (up from 8.8%), while strengthening farmer cooperatives increasing cooperative membership from 13% in 2020 to 23% in 2028/29, with special emphasis on youth and women leadership.

Additionally, the plan envisions a rise in agro-processing facilities, including animal feed factories and cold storage centers, which are expected to increase from 90 to 120 by 2029.

Dr. Florence Uwamahoro, DDG at RAB said With solar-powered cold storage, farmers can now preserve their harvests longer

Dr. Toby Peters, DG of ACES, Explains Cooling is not a luxury, it’s essential infrastructure for food and medicine

Reducing post-harvest losses is key to improving incomes and nutrition

PSTA 5 and cooling innovations are helping Rwanda build a knowledge-based, productive, and environmentally friendly agricultural sector

“Previously, conducting research was challenging; we relied only on textbooks in the library. Now, we can access knowledge from all over the world within moments, which inspires me to dream big and become an expert in many fields.”

Isingoma Elijah echoed the sentiment, noting that before technology arrived at their school, learning was limited. Now, they can leverage digital tools for research and other critical tasks:

“Before the arrival of technology, our learning was limited because we couldn’t access advanced information. The new Smart Classroom has given us the ability to learn more efficiently and in less time.”

Teachers have also welcomed the change, saying it has simplified their work. Didas Tuyishime, a teacher of entrepreneurship at Kagarama Secondary School, explained:

“We constantly struggled with outdated textbooks, but now I can prepare up-to-date lessons digitally and share them with students quickly.”

The Minister of Education, Dr. Joseph Nsengimana, emphasized that the first phase of the project marks a significant step toward technology-driven education:

“1,500 schools across the country now have high-speed internet, and two advanced Data Centers have been established. This forms the foundation for a nationwide education network that supports teaching and learning through technology.”

He further highlighted the project’s alignment with national development goals:

“This achievement contributes significantly to Rwanda’s 2050 vision and the Government’s five-year development plan (NST2). We are positioning our country to compete globally in a knowledge-based economy.”

The second phase of the project will expand internet access to an additional 2,500 schools and establish 100 smart classrooms, further strengthening digital learning infrastructure.

In addition to expanding digital access in schools, the Government, through the Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT) in partnership with Huawei, has launched the DigiTruck Project. This is a mobile solar-powered classroom equipped with computers, internet connectivity, and educational technology resources.

The DigiTruck will travel across all 30 districts of Rwanda, providing specialized and free digital skills training to underserved populations, including out-of-school youth.

Aligned with the NST2 objectives of equipping 1 million Rwandans with ICT skills, the DigiTruck project is expected to directly benefit over 5,000 people within three years, helping citizens gain basic digital literacy and tools to improve their livelihoods.

Minister of Education leads the way Dr Joseph Nsengimana said that 1,500 schools already online, as Rwanda prepares to connect 2,500 more.

Learners across Rwanda are the real winners: from faster internet to smart classrooms, Rindiro Shami Belyne, a student

The Minister of Education is being presented with the achievements of the first phase of this project.

Inside the mobile classroom powered by solar energy