Rwanda has launched an ambitious Climate Smart Agriculture Investment Plan (CSA-IP) aimed at mobilizing $335.4 million (RWF 449.7 billion) in private sector investment to modernize its agricultural sector, enhance food security, and build resilience against climate change.

Unveiled by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) and the Rwanda Green Fund in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the plan identifies a range of investment opportunities designed to benefit more than 170,000 farmers and 375 agri-based companies across the country.

In the short term, the CSA-IP will focus on raising awareness, building a pipeline of bankable projects, providing technical support to farmers and agribusinesses, and facilitating supportive policy solutions. Over the longer term, the plan aims to expand investment access, secure additional climate finance, and mainstream climate-resilient agricultural practices throughout the country.

Speaking at the launch event, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe said the plan supports the country’s broader Strategic Plan for the Transformation of Agriculture (PSTA5), which aims to strengthen climate resilience, improve productivity, boost market access, and promote private sector engagement.

“This CSA Investment Plan is a roadmap for transforming Rwanda’s agricultural sector. It allows us to mobilize investment, build climate resilience, and ensure food and economic security for future generations,” said Dr. Bagabe.

According to the report, approximately two-thirds of the targeted investment will go into improving water supply and irrigation systems. Other priority areas include climate-resilient crop planting and replanting, livestock development, post-harvest loss reduction, and soil health enhancement.

CEO of the Rwanda Green Fund, Ms. Teddy Mugabo, highlighted the country’s strategic approach to climate action. “This initiative enables us to mobilize climate finance at scale and reflects Rwanda’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development and private sector-driven growth,” she said.

The plan outlines an effort to make 83,250 hectares of land more productive through smart water use and improved farming techniques. It also proposes linking farmers and agribusinesses to financing channels that support climate-smart operations, to strengthen long-term business partnerships in the agricultural value chain.

IFC Resident Representative for Rwanda, Jiyeon Janice Ryu, emphasized the role of the private sector, stating, “This investment plan provides a national strategic framework to prioritize opportunities, identify financing mechanisms, and support impactful government actions.”

The CSA-IP also contributes to Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), which seeks to grow private investment in the economy from 15.9% to 21.5% of GDP. By targeting climate-resilient agri-food systems, the country hopes to create jobs, increase productivity, and reduce poverty in rural communities most affected by climate change.