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Belgium-Rwanda cooperation programme 2024-2029 brochure released: A joint commitment to sustainable development and prosperity
Denise NSANGA | 10/01/2025
Enabel has been active in Rwanda since 1999 through partnerships and programmes with funding from Belgium and other commissioners. The current Belgian cooperation programme 2024-2029 of 95 million euros aims to contribute to Rwanda's socio-economic development, with focus on healthcare, agriculture, urbanisation and public financial management.It is complemented with a five-year Belgium-funded thematic portfolio on social protection worth 17.6 million euros. This highlights Belgium’s and Rwanda's joint commitment to fostering significant, long-term growth and prosperity, to enhance the quality of life for all Rwandans.With a budget of 45 million euros financed by the European Union, the Luxembourg Government, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Enabel has several projects focusing mainly on health, agroforestry and urbanisation. The projects align with Rwanda's Vision 2050 and the 2nd National Strategy for Transformation (NST2, 2024-2029), with priority sectors and objectives mutually agreed upon by the Belgian and Rwandan governments. Their goal is to promote sustainable development, enhance living conditions, and encourage inclusive growth within a climate-resilient welfare state. Find out more in this brochure.
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Rwanda: Enabel through TREPA Project builds capacity on Simplified Forest Management Plans
Abu Bernard MUTIJIMA | 13/12/2024
From Monday 9th to Friday 13th December 2024 Enabel through Transforming Eastern Province through Adaptation (TREPA) Project is training Private Forest Management Unity (PFMU) leaders, District foresters and TREPA partner’s technicians on planning for sustainable management of PFMUs established under the TREPA project being implemented in all seven districts of Rwanda’s eastern province namely Ngoma, Bugesera, Gatsibo, Kirehe, Nyagatare, Rwamagana and Kayonza . The trainings are focusing on the need and concept of Simplified Forest Management Plan (SFMP), a planning and forest management tool that will guide them on further sustainable management for established PFMUs. It also provides skills on how to elaborate and implement a Simplified Forest Management Plan (SFMP). These trainings will provide details on further elaborate SFMP concept and techniques, SFMP elaboration process to the community group leaders and District technicians and partners that who will cascade it down to the community to enhance their participation. This includes details on restored PFMU (location, map, area, species, management blocks (MB), management regime, PFMU members organization and leadership. SFMP has also a specific emphasis on sylvicultural operation plan, harvesting plan and other key guidance techniques on PFMU management. Along with PFMU establishment, the Simplified Forest Management Plan (SFMP) is a long-term forest management plan elaborated to guide on proper management for established private Forest Management Units (FMUs) and to that will help support the forest owners PFMU members, District and forest stakeholders to enhance their role in increasing and maintaining forest cover. of understanding and capacity in PFMUs sustainable management. About TREPA The Transforming Eastern Province through Adaptation (TREPA) Project is a six-year intervention operating in all seven districts of Eastern Province. This project is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and implemented by six implementing partners (RFA, IUCN, Enabel, Cordaid, ICRAF, and World Vision), where each institution has a specific component to implement. In TREPA project, Enabel- Rwanda is responsible for the implementation of activities related to restoration of 6,545 hectares of private smallholder forests through the private forest management unity (PFMU) approach and the one related to dissemination of 100,000 improved cooking stoves to the project beneficiaries.
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Rwanda: Enabel Forestry Team takes part in a 3-day supervision visit at TREPA project activity sites
Abu Bernard MUTIJIMA | 03/12/2024
This week Enabel Forestry project Team is taking part in a three-day supervision mission of the Transforming Eastern Province through Adaptation (TREPA) project funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) the supervision team is composed of IUCN Regional & Rwanda office, Rwanda Forestry Authority, CIFOR-ICRAF, World Vision, and Cordaid. This first supervision mission aims to assess progress toward the project’s goal of restoring 60,000 ha of drought-degraded land in Eastern Rwanda. Through reforestation, agroforestry, and erosion control measures, to create climate-resilient ecosystems. The team visited restoration sites coordinated by Enabel and engaged with beneficiaries, witnessing positive developments in afforestation, agroforestry, breeding seed orchards, and silvo-pastoral land restoration, among other initiatives.For the past two years Enabel contribution to TREPA project achievements by mapping and organizing very degraded private forests (to be restored) in Private Forest Management Unity (PFMU) where around 3,700 ha mapped into Forest Monitoring Evaluation System (FMES) tool, organized into 65 PFMUs and their restoration is achieved on 1471 ha (37%) and is on-going across all 7 Districts of Eastern Province. Enabel has contributed also to the achievement of project output 1.5 through dissemination of 7000 Improved CookStoves (ICS) to the project beneficiary. TREPA project is a six years initiative aiming to achieve a paradigm shift in land management practices in Rwanda’s Eastern Province in all the seven districts of the Eastern Province namely Gatsibo, Nyagatare, Bugesera, Ngoma, Kirehe, Kayonza, and Rwamagana from landscapes that are degraded, fragile and unable to sustain livelihoods in the face of climate change to restored ecosystems and landscapes through building community resilience to enhance livelihoods, food, and water security of the most vulnerable rural population.
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How we marked Fraud Awareness Week at Enabel Rwanda
Denise NSANGA | 21/11/2024
Fraud Awareness Week was a success at Enabel in Rwanda! We hosted 2-hour interactive sessions where every staff member participated, divided into four time slots of around 30 colleagues each. These sessions served as a valuable refresher on our code of conduct, integrity principles, and the essential ways to combat, prevent, and report fraud at Enabel. To deepen engagement, our Fraud focal person has been sending a daily quiz to all staff, featuring a fraud case to reflect on and think of the best ways to handle such situations. In addition to the sessions, anti-fraud posters were displayed across all Enabel offices, reinforcing our commitment to transparency and accountability.
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Learning Café: Skills Development programme with Enabel in Rwanda
Denise NSANGA | 11/11/2024
At Enabel, we believe in mutual learning, sharing experiences and perspectives to gain new knowledge insights, strengthen partnerships, and create new synergies. That’s exactly what the Learning Café aims to foster: an environment where Enabel colleagues and stakeholders come together to share experiences and explore new ways to drive impactful change. The today’s Learning Café - held on November 08, 2024 - focused on Skills Development, a crosscutting initiative implemented through the Urbanisation, Agriculture and Social Protection programmes. Through a dynamic role play, the Skills Development team highlighted the practical applications of the initiative, and we were all thrilled to hear personal testimonies of programme beneficiaries, about how the Skills Development programme has made a difference in their lives and communities. Such learning exchanges will follow in other topics soon from various programmes to foster knowledge-sharing, and the collective effort towards achieving the Belgium-Rwanda cooperation’s objectives.
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TuriKumwe Rwanda Team concludes a successful retreat
Denise NSANGA | 04/11/2024
Today, the TuriKumwe Rwanda Team concluded an energizing two-day retreat that fostered collaboration and alignment within the new organisational structure. The retreat provided an opportunity for team members to clarify mandates and roles, strengthening cohesion through authentic relating.In addition to aligning roles, the team reviewed collaborative practices and discussed the implementation of Strategy 2030 and the Business Plan 2025 by co-creating the CAP 2025, emphasizing shared leadership and collective vision.To celebrate the outcomes and the team’s efforts, group photos were taken, capturing the enthusiasm and camaraderie that defined the retreat. The TuriKumwe Team looks forward to implementing the insights gained during the workshop and continuing to work together towards Enabel’s goals. The TuriKumwe Rwanda Team is composed of the Country Management Team plus Project management teams.
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Rwanda: Enabel staff and community unite for National Tree Planting season 2024
Denise NSANGA | 01/11/2024
On Saturday, October 26, 2024, Enabel Rwanda proudly joined thousands of Rwandans in a mass tree-planting campaign to launch the National Tree Planting Season 2024, themed "Plant a Tree, Nurture It, Save the Planet!" The event took place in Kamamana Village, Rwamagana District, where participants planted 25,000 trees as part of a broader initiative to plant a total of 35,000 seedlings across 17 hectares during the fiscal year 2024-2025.This significant effort is part of the Transforming Eastern Province Through Adaptation (TREPA) project, aimed at restoring drought-prone landscapes into climate-resilient ecosystems. Funded by the Green Climate Fund, TREPA seeks to enhance the resilience of 75,000 smallholder farmers while restoring 60,000 hectares of degraded land through agroforestry, reforestation, and soil erosion control.The planting sites and seedlings were prepared in collaboration with IUCN Rwanda and local partners, highlighting the community's commitment to environmental conservation. The initiative transforms previously unproductive woodlots into productive forests, fostering a cooperative approach among local landowners through Private Forest Management Units (PFMUs).Environment Minister Valentine Uwamariya attended the launch, encouraging residents to cultivate a tree-planting culture and take responsibility for nurturing the newly planted trees. She emphasized the importance of safeguarding Rwanda’s forests for future generations.Through this initiative, Enabel and its partners aim to boost forest cover, combat climate change, protect water resources, and enhance local livelihoods, ultimately benefiting over 260,000 people in the Eastern Province.
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Rwanda's Kwihaza Project kicks off BDS training and coaching
Abu Bernard MUTIJIMA | 10/10/2024
Enabel Rwanda in partnership with RAB (Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board) and NAEB (National Agricultural Export Development Board) through "Kwihaza" project, funded by the European Union (EU) and Luxembourg, on 07 October 2024 kicked off tailored business development services trainings and coaching (BDS) to 65 SMEs operating in the horticulture and aquaculture value chains. The training and coaching programs aims to enhance their business, financial management and technical capacities to improve the way they run their business while boosting their productivity and competitiveness. This is part of the project target, to unlock sector potential, addressing challenges while boosting sustainable productivity and competitiveness for producer organisations, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) involved in the aquaculture, fisheries, horticulture (Onion, tomato, passion fruits, Avocado) and aqua feeds manufacturers. This 18-month coaching and training program will focus on financial management, business planning, marketing, standards, bookkeeping as well as market linkages and facilitation to access markets and facilitate ease access to financial tools. "The Transformation towards sustainable food systems", Kwihaza project is a four-year initiative (2023-2026) focused on advancing Rwanda's aquaculture, fisheries, and horticulture value chains. It seeks to unlock sector potential, addressing challenges while boosting sustainable productivity and competitiveness.
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Rwanda’s Kwihaza Project: Steering Committee members conduct field visits to witness the progress of project activities
Abu Bernard MUTIJIMA | 23/09/2024
In partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and animal resources (MINAGRI), European delegation in Rwanda, the embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Enabel conducted a 2-day steering committee meeting of Kwihaza Project in Huye District from 10th - 11th Sept 2024. The first day was dedicated to field visits in Kamonyi, Huye, Nyamagabe districts to witness the progress of the project activities. In Kamonyi district the team visited Koubite cooperative operating in horticulture value chain by growing onions; in Huye district, the team visited the University of Rwanda -Rwasave Fish Farming and Research Station (UR-RFFS) where the hatchery facilities are being extended; and in Nyamagabe district the team visited KIUM cooperative, doing pond fish farming, and Nyamagabe breeding Centre under construction on a grant through Rwanda Agriculture and Animal resources development Board (RAB). On the second & final day of Kwihaza Project steering committee meeting participants reviewed the status of budget execution, challenges encountered and provided overall direction for proper project implementation. In his remarks Mr. Olivier KAMANA, the permanent secretary in MINAGRI (Chair) thanked all participants for their time, contributions, and their team synergy. He said, “I am happy to attend this meeting and learn about the progress that has been made.” On the other hand, Ms. Charlotte HELMINGER, the co-chair, Chargée d’affaires a.i. in the Embassy of Luxembourg in Rwanda extended appreciation to the MINAGRI’s Permanent Secretary for creating time to participate in the field visit and SC meeting. She appreciated the openness of the exchange and further acknowledged the complexity of the project and reiterated the need to continue enhancing coordination among the partners. Kwihaza Project is in its 2nd year of 5-year of implementation & is specifically targeting sustainable increase in production, per capita consumption, and income generated from fisheries, aquaculture, and horticulture value chains, with focus on women and youth. The project steering committee is held twice a year, chaired by MINAGRI & Co-Chaired by European delegation in Rwanda, the embassy of the grand duchy of Luxembourg, bringing together Enabel Rwanda & project implementing partners RAB, MINAGRI- Agricultural Information and Communication Centre (CICA), Rwanda Inspectorate, competition and consumer protection Authority (RICA), Rwanda Standards Board(RSB), National Agricultural Export Board (NEAB), ACCESS to FINANCE RWANDA(AFR)& Appui au développement Autonome (ADA).
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Rwanda: The retreat of reflection
Denise NSANGA | 23/09/2024
On September 20, 2024, our Enabel Rwanda team gathered for a retreat, immersed in the beauty of nature and the promise of collaboration. Our first discussion centered on the urgent issue of climate change. During a session on Climate Fresk, we brainstormed actionable steps we could take to make a difference, from implementing sustainable practices in our offices to fostering environmental awareness.Next, we focused on building authentic relationships and promoting transparency and support among staff. We then explored ways to enhance workplace wellbeing and, together, identified key actions for our Country Action Plan (CAP) for 2025, addressing climate change, authentic relationships, and employee wellbeing. Following that, the Country Director shared insights on the new country programme (2024-2029) and called upon all staff for continued commitments to achieving Enabel’s mission. The afternoon brought a burst of energy with fun games that reinforced our sense of togetherness and unity. Overall, the retreat was a valuable experience, strengthening our commitment to each other and our shared mission.
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Adoption of best Aquaculture practices in Rwanda: Case of KIUM model farm
Djafari NSANZIMFURA | 27/08/2024
In line with the National Strategy for Transformation 2 (NST2, 2024-2029 ), Rwanda has drawn up a National Aquaculture Strategy for Rwanda (NASR) that contributes towards achieving better standards of living and improved nutrition conditions for the population of 14M (in 2023), which increasing at over 2.3% per year. To support this Strategy to realise the unmet potential for pond-based aquaculture, the Belgian development agency, Enabel, Government of Luxembourg through LuxDev, and the European Union have funded the Kwihaza (Transformation Towards Sustainable Food Systems) project to be implemented from 2023 to 2026. In order to increase the production of fish in Rwanda, Kwihaza project introduced a Master Training Program on Best Aquaculture Practices aiming at empowering smallholder farmers especially youth and women with hands-on and practical skills. At first glance, the project started with 19 Model Farms, each having three facilitators that were trained and coached. In the past three months of ToTs, the 57 facilitators extended the training to other 1,140 pond farmers. This capacity development will be delivered in a period of 15 months by ThinkAqua-a UK-based NGO specialising in sustainable aquaculture value chain development in partnership with Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) and RARICO, a cooperative tasked of extension service delivery in this project. Impressive fish growth rate: Success story On 22nd August, 2024, during the joint monitoring by Enabel, Rwanda Agriculture Board, RARICO and THINKAQUA, the team noticed a good project progress in terms of fish growth rate. Fish in the KIUM, a 28-member cooperative, selected as model pond farm located in Nyamagabe district, Southern Province of Rwanda have surged from 1g to 20g average in just 2.5 months. Top growers known as to have a very high growth rate, weighing 45g and above, are now graded and transferred to separate grow-out ponds. In the past 3 months, this cooperative, among others, have received training and coaching sessions about Best Aquaculture Practices, namely pond preparation, fish stocking, fish feeding and stock management.
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Kwihaza Project
Djafari NSANZIMFURA | 18/07/2024
Kwihaza is a 4-year project (2023-2026) aimed at developing the value chains in Rwanda's aquaculture, fisheries, and horticulture sectors. The program recognizes the significant potential for growth and opportunities in both domestic and foreign markets and seeks to unlock the full potential of these sectors while considering the various constraints faced. By addressing key challenges and constraints, the project aims to enhance sustainable productivity, profitability, and competitiveness of producer organizations, microbusinesses, and SMEs. Kwihaza seeks to contribute to socially and environmentally inclusive food systems – prioritizing the development of value chains in the aquaculture, fisheries, and horticulture sectors. Specifically, the project is aimed at increasing in a sustainable manner, the production, per capita consumption, and income generated by fish, aquaculture, and horticulture quality products, with a focus on women and youth.
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In Kigali, second National Agroforestry Conference promotes sustainable farming practices
Denise NSANGA | 01/06/2024
The Second National Agroforestry Conference has been successfully held in Kigali from 28 to 29 May 2024. The event emphasized the importance of adopting agroforestry practices among Rwandan farmers and policymakers to enhance soil protection, increase crop yields, diversify the sources of income, while restoring and sustaining the biodiversity to build a better resilience to climate change.Funded by the Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture (DeSIRA) project, the two-day conference was organized by the Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the European Union, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Belgian development agency (Enabel), the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), the University of Rwanda (UR), KU Leuven and Ghent University.Rwanda’s government policies, including the National Strategy for Transformation (NST), the Green Growth Strategy, and the Forestry and Agriculture Sector Strategic Plan, aim to integrate agroforestry targets and promote practices that address the needs and knowledge of farmers. In her opening statement, the Minister of Environment, Dr. Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya, highlighted Rwanda's leadership in climate change initiatives. She noted that the adoption of agroforestry practices "stands as a beacon of hope, offering practical solutions that harmonize the needs of people and prosperity."Representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI/RAB) and the Ministry of Environment / Rwanda Forestry Authority (MoE/RFA) expressed their commitment to jointly enforce and coordinate agroforestry efforts in collaboration with key actors.The conference provided an opportunity to share key results from research and lessons learned from projects and proposed key technical solutions and recommendations. Among them, the setting of a national high-level agroforestry steering platform has been proposed, to better coordinate actors ensuring synergy and complementarity, to harmonize approaches and best practices, and to better involve and support farmers in the intensive adoption of agroforestry on their lands. 170 individuals, including representatives from central and local government, government-affiliated entities, NGOs, farmers’ associations, research institutions, the private sector, and various development partners participated in this conference.
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Chicken and Pork Gastronomic Event 2024: Enabel promotes the consumption of pig and poultry products in Rwanda
Denise NSANGA | 25/03/2024
Enabel, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) and Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) host the "Chicken and Pork Gastronomic Event 2024", on March 22nd, 2024 in Kigali. This event aimed at revolutionizing the culinary landscape by promoting the consumption of pig and poultry products in Rwanda, focusing on pork and chicken. Meat consumption in Rwanda is among the lowest in the region, with an average of 14.2 Kg meat per person per year as per MINAGRI’s annual report 2022-2023. Recognizing the importance of balanced nutrition and sustainable development, Enabel, through its partnership with MINAGRI, has embarked on a mission to raise awareness about the nutritional benefits of pig and poultry products.The Chicken and Pork Gastronomic Event 2024 gathered approximately 150 stakeholders from various sectors, including delegates from sector associations such as the Rwandan Poultry Industry Association (RPIA) and the Rwandan Pig Farmers Association (RPFA), hotel and restaurant chefs, pig and poultry industry actors, culinary instructors, and TVET students among others.Speaking at the event, Mr. Jean Claude Ndorimana Director General of Animal Resources Development at MINAGRI called on stakeholders to bring this activity closer to ordinary citizens. He emphasized: ‘This activity isn't over, it's just beginning. Let's continue in provinces and remote areas to help people cook pork and chicken.’ The event featured a range of activities aimed at promoting pork and chicken consumption, including live cooking demonstrations by both local and international chefs, recipe tasting sessions, and networking.Speaking at the event PRISM-Enabel Project Manager, Gerrit Bosman, said: Let's share tasty pig and poultry products, combine the rational of animal protein for a healthy diet with the intuitive / emotional aspect of tasty meat products, as the proverb says: health is through the stomach." The event was also the opportunity for pig and poultry industry actors to showcase their products, exchange knowledge and establish valuable business connections and networking.
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From small farmer to pioneer: Enabel's impact on the pig farming in Rwanda
Denise NSANGA | 18/03/2024
Enabel, through its agriculture intervention has been instrumental in transforming the pig farming landscape in Rwanda.The intervention has not only addressed the insufficiency of exotic pig breeds but has also boosted productivity and profitability for pig farmers like Peace Niyoyita.Peace Niyoyita's journey began in 2017 as a small pig producer with 10 pigs. Today, she is the proud owner of Ntarama Pigs Farm, a medium-scale operation in Bugesera District. Her farm accommodates one of seven pig breeding centres established in 2022 in a partnership between Enabel and Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), and it plays a crucial role in supplying high-quality pig semen to farmers in the district and beyond.Ntarama Pigs Farm is not just about semen production and distribution; it's also a hub for sourcing top-quality piglets for other producers and fattening pigs for slaughter. In addition to the breeding centre, Niyoyita benefited from Enabel's Business Development Services training, conducted in partnership with the National Industrial Research and Development Agency (NIRDA) in 2023, which equipped her with the financial management and business planning skills necessary to scale up her business and make a real difference in her community. Niyoyita's journey is a powerful example of how empowering women in agriculture can lead to broader social and economic transformation: “I conduct field visits for over 500 individuals annually, assisting them in learning and commencing their journey into professional breeding. Our efforts have resulted in permanent employment for eight staff members and over 100 individuals each season. We empower women in our community by training them to raise pigs, fostering their development and growth. This venture is worthwhile for me, and I aspire to establish a small factory to process and distribute high-quality pork products to the Rwandan market and beyond!” Proudly recounts Peace Niyoyita. Currently, Ntarama Pigs Farm produces 40 pigs for slaughter, sources 20 piglets for other producers, and provides around 200 doses of semen per month.
