The Government of Rwanda, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Food Programme (WFP), and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), today officially launched the Rwanda Green Food Future – Accelerating Investment in Food System Transformation Joint Programme at Mövenpick Hotel Kigali.

Supported by the UN Joint SDG Fund, this multi-agency initiative aims to fast-track the transition toward sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient agri-food systems across six food-insecure districts: Rubavu, Rutsiro, Ngororero, Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru, and Burera.

The programme focuses on strengthening strategic partnerships, improving access to finance, and promoting affordable green technologies in horticulture, poultry, and livestock value chains. It further provides targeted support to agriMSMEs and cooperatives through financial literacy training, investment-ready business planning, and strengthened lending capacity among financial institutions.

Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, emphasized the programme’s transformative potential:

“The Rwanda Green Food Future programme represents a strategic step in strengthening our food systems through innovation, partnerships, and investment. By empowering farmers, cooperatives, and agribusinesses with climate-smart solutions and access to finance, we are building a resilient agricultural sector that supports national development and improves livelihoods across rural communities.”

Dr. Ozonia Ojielo, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Rwanda, underscored the collective commitment of the UN system:

“This Joint Programme reflects the United Nations’ commitment to supporting Rwanda’s vision for sustainable development. By bringing together multiple agencies, government institutions, and private-sector partners, we are creating a powerful platform to mobilize resources, scale innovation, and accelerate progress toward inclusive and climate-resilient food systems.”

Silvia Heer, Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Germany, spoke on behalf of the donors, emphasizing the significance of international partnerships and investments.

She stated, “Germany is proud to be one of the donors for this project, which supports initiatives aimed at strengthening sustainable food systems and creating opportunities for green investments. The Rwanda Green Food Future program demonstrates how coordinated partnerships can drive innovation, empower farmers and businesses, and create lasting benefits for both communities and the environment.”

The launch event convened government ministries, district authorities, development partners, financial institutions, agribusinesses, cooperatives, and UN agencies to align priorities and reinforce commitments for effective implementation.

The programme is designed to de-risk private investment, strengthen value chains, and expand financial inclusion, ensuring that farmers and small enterprises can access the tools, capital, and knowledge needed to scale sustainable production.

By fostering coordinated action among public and private stakeholders, Rwanda Green Food Future will:

• Expand adoption of climate-smart agricultural technologies
• Strengthen investment readiness of agriMSMEs and cooperatives
• Improve access to finance across agricultural value chains
• Advance in inclusive economic growth and food security in vulnerable districts
• The Joint SDG Fund Food Systems Transformation Window was established through a partnership between the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and the Joint SDG Fund Secretariat to support government-led food systems transformation and accelerate progress across the SDGs.

This joint programme is supported by the Joint SDG Fund in collaboration with the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub. We sincerely appreciate the contributions from the European Union and the governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland in accelerating progress towards the SDGs.

The launch marks a pivotal milestone in building a shared platform for collaboration and sustained partnership, accelerating Rwanda’s journey toward a resilient, competitive, and inclusive agrifood system.

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