Rwanda Plans to Invest Over Rwf 270 Billion in Environmental Protection Projects

As the world grapples with the consequences of climate change, Rwanda has committed to pursuing development that prioritizes environmental protection, with over Rwf 270 billion earmarked for related projects in the next three years.

These projects will be implemented through partnerships between the government and various international donors that support environmental initiatives. Key focus areas include biodiversity conservation, helping communities adapt to climate change, promoting eco-friendly housing, and preventing disasters such as floods and landslides.

Rwanda has made significant progress in strengthening the environment sector, including increasing the budget allocated to the Ministry of Environment and its affiliated institutions. In the 2024/2025 fiscal year, the Ministry received over Rwf 24 billion, compared to Rwf 14.8 billion in 2022/2023. By the 2027/2028 fiscal year, this figure is expected to rise to Rwf 41 billion.

This vision is backed by the Rwanda Green Fund (FONERWA), a government initiative that plans to spend over Rwf 122 billion within the next three years. These funds will be used to implement projects like Green Gicumbi, launched in 2019 to help communities in Northern Rwanda cope with climate change. The project is expected to conclude in 2025 with a total investment of more than Rwf 46 billion.

Another major initiative targets communities living near Volcanoes National Park. It aims to prevent disasters, promote eco-tourism, and protect residents from human-wildlife conflicts. This project will run until 2028, with an investment of over Rwf 89 billion and is set to benefit approximately 1.4 million people in the districts of Musanze, Nyabihu, Ngororero, Muhanga, and Gakenke.

To preserve biodiversity in the Congo-Nile Ridge, a new project is underway to restore degraded ecosystems and protect wildlife habitats. With an investment of more than Rwf 55 billion, the project will be implemented in 10 districts of Western Rwanda. It will include planting agroforestry trees on over 3,300 hectares, developing terraces on 1,000 hectares, and providing clean energy solutions to more than 8,500 households.

Looking ahead, Rwanda is also advancing the Green City Kigali project, which aims to develop environmentally friendly and affordable housing for up to 200,000 residents. This initiative, to be implemented in Kinyinya Sector in Gasabo District, will cost more than Rwf 40 billion.

Another project, supported by the Adaptation Fund and coordinated by FONERWA, focuses on helping public institutions integrate climate change adaptation strategies into planning and decision-making. It is expected to consume over Rwf 7 billion by 2027.

Additional key investments include monitoring methane gas levels in Lake Kivu, which will cost more than Rwf 12 billion, and implementing the second phase of the Sustainable Urbanization Program, expected to cost Rwf 23 billion and be completed by 2025.

All of these efforts demonstrate Rwanda’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development.

For the government, protecting the environment is not optional it is a deliberate and long-term strategy to ensure the country’s resilient and inclusive growth.