EU commits Rwf 44 billion to boost sustainable farming in Rwanda

Elias Hakizimana Oct 1, 2025Oct 1, 2025 0 Comments

By The Inspirer.

The European Union (EU) has announced a new grant worth Rwf 44 billion to support Rwandan farmers’ cooperatives, aiming to promote sustainable agriculture and improve farmers’ livelihoods.

The announcement was made on September 30, 2025, during the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) conference held in Kigali. The gathering brought together farmers from across the East African Community (EAC) and development partners to discuss food security and the future of long-term agricultural transformation.

This latest support adds to more than Rwf 127 billion previously provided by the EU through the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to strengthen smallholder farming in Rwanda.

Elise Hadman, Deputy Head of the EU’s Economic Policy Section in Rwanda, commended EAFF’s two decades of contribution to advancing smallholder farmers’ interests and productivity across the region.

Hadman revealed that through the Global Gateway Strategy, the EU, in collaboration with the Bank of Kigali (BK), has already channeled more than Rwf 170 billion to Rwandan farmers’ cooperatives and agribusinesses.

**Elise Hadman, Deputy Head of the EU’s Economic Policy Section in Rwanda, said the EU and Bank of Kigali have provided over Rwf 170 billion to support Rwandan farmer cooperatives and agribusinesses.**

She explained that so far, farmer cooperatives and agro-processors have benefited from over €75 million (Rwf 127 billion) in EU support through BK and IFAD. The new funding of €26 million (Rwf 44 billion) brings the total support to more than Rwf 170 billion.

Hadman reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to continued investment in Africa’s agricultural sector to strengthen food security and build resilience to climate change.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe said the grant will enable farmers, processors, and agribusinesses to expand operations and better respond to the impacts of climate change.

“As we celebrate EAFF’s 20th anniversary, we must look ahead to building a sustainable and profitable agricultural sector for the region. When we receive funding, it must be directed toward boosting productivity, not leisure. This is how we’ll reduce our dependence on imported food,” he said.

The EU’s total investment in Rwanda’s agriculture is expected to reach €500 million—approximately Rwf 680 billion—between 2020 and 2030, supporting the country’s vision for agricultural transformation and food sovereignty.