Rwanda
Rebuilding with strength, growing with purpose
Rwanda, a land of rolling hills in East Africa, has overcome immense trauma to emerge as a symbol of recovery. Though the scars of the 1994 genocide still shape its journey, the country has made significant strides in rebuilding its society and economy. Many Rwandans continue to depend on agriculture, but land scarcity, soil degradation, and changing weather patterns pose ongoing threats to livelihoods.
While progress has been made in governance and infrastructure, rural poverty remains a pressing concern. Yet, Rwandans are determined and forward-looking. With support for sustainable farming, entrepreneurship, and climate-smart solutions, Rwanda’s path toward lasting prosperity is within reach.
Key challenges
In 2024, AllAfrica have estimated that a big proportion of the population living in rural areas face poverty. While this remains a key challenge for the country, there has been significant improvement over the past decade - in 2017 this poverty rate was at 44%, and 1.5 million Rwandans have lifted themselves out of poverty since then.
According to the World Food Programme, close to one-third of Rwandan children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition. This results in stunting (impaired growth and development) which, as UNICEF reports, affects one in three children, with rural families bearing the greatest burden.
Due to frequent landslides driven by climate change, and intensified by Rwanda’s steep terrain, the country loses nearly 600 million tonnes of soil each year (UNDP). This erosion strips away vital nutrients, significantly reducing soil fertility, lowering crop yields, and worsening food insecurity. As most Rwandans depend on agriculture for both their livelihoods and daily meals, this represents one of the nation’s most pressing challenges.
Angelique Barongo, Ripple Effect Rwanda Country Director
Empowering Rwandans with sustainable futures
Ripple Effect works in Rwanda to create lasting opportunities that help communities overcome poverty and environmental challenges. Through regenerative land practices and climate-smart agriculture, families boost food security and adapt to changing climates. Focused nutrition initiatives support the health and development of children under five, while enterprise development drives economic independence. Women’s empowerment is central to all our efforts, ensuring equal access to training, resources, and leadership roles. By equipping Rwandans with the tools and skills to thrive, Ripple Effect nurtures resilient, thriving communities across the country.
Current projects:
- Ongera Amata ("Increase the Milk") - Gatsibo and Nyagatare districts - 2023-2026
- Inka Nziza Zikamwa II ("Good cows that give milk") - Bugesera, Rwamagana, Kayonza, Ngoma, Nyanza, Nyaruguru, Nyamagabe, and Rulindo districts - 2024-2027
- Kwigira ("Self-reliance") - Rwamagana and Nyaruguru districts - 2024-2027
- RESTORE (Regeneration of Soils and Thriving Rural Ecosystems) - Bugesera district - 2025-2026
Our partners
Our work is made possible through the vital support and collaboration of a network of dedicated partners who share our vision of transforming lives through sustainable agriculture. Our funding partners help us empower farming families to build resilience, improve food security, and regenerate their land for future generations. We are also grateful for the past contributions of Heineken Foundation, Bothar, the Rwanda Green Fund, and AgFund, whose support helped lay the foundation for lasting change.
Our collaborative partnerships with the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society (RJAHS), the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), and the Ministry of Agriculture strengthen our technical expertise and ensure our programmes align with national agricultural priorities - enabling us to create deeper, more sustainable impact across rural Rwanda.
Our current projects are funded by:
Get in touch
Office address:
KG 2 Av 4,
Kimihurura,
PO Box 522,
Kigali,
Rwanda
Tel: +250 788 389 758
Email: rwanda@rippleeffect.org
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