Rwanda: Turning climate challenges into an opportunity for agricultural growth

In Rwanda, where agriculture is vital to a large portion of the population’s income, agrifood entrepreneurs are becoming increasingly aware of climate change impacts, and are taking steps to adapt. Sonia Umurungi from Green Dreams states: “Now I know more about carbon footprints, and I will try to produce more sustainably.” This commitment reflects the spirit of the Rwanda Adaptation Accelerator Program (RAAP), which aims to strengthen the capacities of small and medium-sized agrifood enterprises (SMEs) to adapt to climate impacts within their value chains.

RAAP is a joint initiative by the CGIAR Hub for Sustainable Finance (ImpactSF), in partnership with the Rwanda Green Fund (RGF) and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The program supports Rwandan agrifood SMEs by providing resources to understand, anticipate and mitigate the effects of climate change on their activities. It aims to build a robust pipeline of climate-smart agricultural projects and increase private-sector investments in agricultural adaptation. Through RAAP, agrifood SMEs now have access to the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome climate challenges and contribute to a more resilient future for Rwanda.