EU Pledges Rwf 44 Billion to Boost Rwandan Farmers’ Cooperatives

The announcement was made on September 30, 2025, during the East African Farmers Federation (EAFF) conference in Kigali, which brought together farmers, policymakers, and development partners from across the East African Community (EAC).

Elise Hadman, Deputy Head of Finance and Policy at the EU Delegation in Rwanda, said the EU has already helped cooperatives and agri-processors access over 75 million euros through partnerships with the Bank of Kigali. “Today, we confirm an additional 26 million euros, bringing total EU support to more than Rwf 170 billion,” she said.

Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, highlighted that sustainable farming thrives when land is pooled in cooperatives.

“Farming that sustains Rwandans is not small plots — it is agriculture practiced on consolidated land that reaches the market,” he said. Dr. Bagabe stressed that EU funding should be used to expand production, not for consumption, to reduce Africa’s dependence on imported food.

Market access and climate adaptation remain challenges for farmers. Elizabeth Nsimadala, EAFF President, said more than 250,000 cooperative members use digital platforms to sell produce. Youth and women are trained and linked with partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to improve skills, access financing, and reach markets.

Césarie Kantarama, a farmer and leader of the Ingabo union, noted that unpredictable weather affects yields, but government programs — including irrigation, tree planting, and high-quality seeds — help farmers adapt. He said cooperative action, from local to regional levels, strengthens production and builds resilience.

The EU expects its total support to Rwanda’s agriculture sector to reach 500 million euros between 2020 and 2030, signaling a continued commitment to sustainable farming and regional food security.