The minister made the remarks as Rwanda prepares to celebrate Umuganura, the annual harvest festival observed on the first Friday of August, saying the occasion should not only be a time to celebrate achievements but also reflect on measures needed to prevent society from regressing.
In a message shared on his X account, Dr. Bizimana said Rwandans should appreciate the progress they have made while also looking at challenges that could threaten future development.
“Celebrating our achievements requires us to also consider what can prevent us from moving backwards, because those who contribute to development are healthy and strong,” he said.
He warned that Rwanda is increasingly affected by the consumption of harmful alcoholic beverages, especially among young people, as well as other behaviours he described as damaging to individuals and society.
“Today, we are facing an epidemic of people producing and consuming harmful alcoholic drinks that damage the health of Rwandans. We are facing alcoholism among the youth, drug abuse, prostitution, immorality and other behaviours that devalue people, while there is a lack of guidance from elders who should tell them: ‘Stop, abandon these harmful practices,’” Dr. Bizimana said.
He called on Rwandans to use Umuganura as an opportunity to collectively fight against practices that threaten people’s wellbeing.
“Let Umuganura become a moment when we rise together and reject these harmful practices. Bad behaviours are destroying lives in the Rwanda of Kanyarwanda. Together, through our shared commitment, let us say: ‘Enough is enough; we reject them,’” he said.
The minister urged young people to prioritise healthy lifestyles, saying a healthy population is the foundation for personal and national development.
“Through one united voice, young men and women should say: ‘We are committed to living healthy lives because that is the source of our prosperity and development, as well as that of Rwanda. We will avoid the dangers of alcohol, drunkenness, drug abuse, immoral behaviour, self-destruction and anything that diminishes our dignity,’” he said.
The warning comes after the Ministry of Health revealed that during the first six months of 2026, about 500 people sought medical treatment in different health facilities after consuming substandard alcoholic drinks.
Among them, 100 suffered permanent blindness, more than 50 died, while over 11,000 people were reported to have developed addiction linked to the consumption of such drinks.
Rwanda has since taken measures to address the issue, including closing several factories producing substandard alcoholic beverages that posed health risks.
More than 50 types of imported alcoholic drinks were also removed from the Rwandan market over quality concerns.
Minister Dr. Jean Damascène Bizimana has reminded Rwandans that celebrating Umuganura should go hand in hand with promoting positive values and responsible choices.
Implemented by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), SAIP II aims to promote sustainable agriculture and strengthen food security from October 2024 to October 2026.
The project focuses on several areas of agricultural development, including irrigation, where more than Rwf5 billion has already been invested, while an additional Rwf6 billion is planned for use by December 2026.
SAIP II supports small-scale irrigation schemes covering areas of up to 10 hectares, particularly benefiting farmers growing crops such as vegetables, tomatoes, chilli peppers, avocados and maize seeds.
Through the project, farmers receive irrigation equipment, training on its use and support to access markets for quality produce.
Jean Paul Buregeya, a tomato and maize farmer in Mimuri Sector, Nyagatare District, said irrigation support transformed his farming activities. He previously relied on manual watering using watering cans, which limited production.
After receiving irrigation support through SAIP II, Buregeya said his tomato harvest value increased from about Rwf1.5 million to Rwf3.5 million.
The improved income has enabled him to invest in assets, including buying a cow worth Rwf1 million and a house valued at Rwf3.5 million within one and a half years.
In Murundi Sector, Kayonza District, farmers in the Buhabwa agricultural zone also say irrigation has helped them overcome challenges caused by drought.
Mbaraga Potiane, who leads farmers in the area, said SAIP II provided more than Rwf70 million to establish an irrigation system covering five hectares.
“On one hectare, watermelon production generates about Rwf7 million. Previously, crops would dry up during periods of intense sunshine. We now have reliable markets, and we have earned up to Rwf15 million from three hectares of chilli peppers, which we export,” he said.
Meanwhile, Faustin Ugirumurera, head of Ubuzima Bwiza Kayonza, a water users’ association, said SAIP II support helped improve irrigation systems in the Kayonza Kane agricultural zone in Kabare Sector, which covers 365 hectares.
The zone, where 416 farmers grow fruits and vegetables, had previously faced water shortages that affected crop production during dry periods.
Through SAIP II, farmers received more than Rwf800 million to purchase irrigation equipment, including 540 solar-powered systems and water pumping machines to supply water across the farming area.
The investment has significantly increased productivity. Farmers now harvest more than four tonnes of chilli peppers per hectare, compared with less than 500 kilograms previously. Tomato production has also increased to about five tonnes per hectare, up from less than 400 kilograms.
Kayonza District Acting Vice Mayor Jules Higiro said the project has expanded irrigated farmland in the district, adding more than 170 hectares to the area under irrigation, with further expansion ongoing.
The initiative has increased the number of agricultural zones equipped with irrigation systems in Kayonza to 11, with local authorities urging farmers to maintain the infrastructure so they can continue benefiting after donor-supported projects come to an end.
Farmers in Kayonza use irrigation equipment provided through SAIP II to grow crops during the dry season and increase productivity.Onions are now being grown during the dry season in Kayonza.A farmer in Eastern Rwanda irrigates crops using equipment supported by the SAIP II project to overcome dry-season farming challenges.These water-pumping motors were provided through the SAIP II project to farmers cultivating plots of up to five hectares.Kayonza District Acting Vice Mayor Jules Higiro said SAIP II had expanded irrigated farmland and improved farmers’ ability to produce throughout the year.Faustin Ugirumurera, head of Ubuzima Bwiza Kayonza water users’ association, explained how SAIP II improved irrigation systems in the Kayonza Kane agricultural zone.
MINEMA data shows that 8,905 Rwandans had already been repatriated before 285 more arrived on Wednesday through the La Corniche border post linking Rubavu and Goma.
More than 300 others also crossed into Rwanda through the Rusizi-Bukavu border.
Upon arrival, the returnees were transported by buses waiting at the border to Kijote Transit Centre in Nyabihu District, where they will receive initial assistance before being reunited with their communities.
Among those who entered through the Rubavu border were 177 children, 71 women and 37 men.
Speaking to IGIHE, François Bizumuremyi, who left Rwanda in 1994, said misinformation had kept him away from his homeland for more than three decades.
“We were constantly told to wait because nothing was happening in Rwanda and that one day we would all return together. Later, we realised we had been lied to. I decided to return home to Gikongoro, and I am ready to join fellow Rwandans in building our country,” he said.
Welcoming the returnees, Rubavu District Mayor Prosper Mulindwa urged them to embrace their Rwandan identity and avoid the divisions that had forced many into exile.
He noted that many had lived difficult lives as refugees through no fault of their own and reminded them that ethnic division was one of the factors that had driven people from the country.
“You did not choose to live as refugees, and you did not live well there. Some people fled without even understanding why. Embrace your Rwandan identity and stay away from the divisions that led to your displacement because they did not bring you a better life,” he said.
Mulindwa assured the returnees that the government would continue to support them throughout the reintegration process and provide assistance to help them rebuild their lives.
Each returnee aged 18 and above will receive an initial reintegration grant of US$188, while those under 18 will receive US$113. In addition, every returnee will receive basic food supplies valued at Rwf45,000 to support their resettlement.
Rwandan returnees formerly held by FDLR arrive at the La Corniche border post in Rubavu after returning from eastern DR Congo.Children and adults were among the latest group of returnees welcomed back to Rwanda after years away from their homeland.Rubavu District Mayor Prosper Mulindwa welcomed returnees and urged them to embrace unity and their Rwandan identity as they rebuilt their lives.
Trump’s comments came one day after a CNN report on U.S. weapons shortages following intensive military campaign against Iran.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that “large amounts are being manufactured and shipped to the U.S. as needed. Defense companies are building the largest number of plants and factories in our country’s history.”
On Tuesday, CNN, citing two sources familiar with the latest inventory report, disclosed that the U.S. military has burned through nearly four-fifths of its THAAD missile inventory compared to pre-war numbers and roughly half of its Patriot interceptors since the start of the Iran war.
The inventory report also noted that the stockpile issue was raised again prior to Trump’s decision last weekend to cancel new strikes on Iran, said CNN.
The U.S. Army has also used “virtually all” of its highly accurate long-range, surface-to-air weapons during the conflict, the news report said.
According to a report by the Washington Post on Wednesday, Trump at the presidential retreat Camp David last week vented anger at U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth that he thought the munitions issue “had been fixed.”
Trump demanded answers from Hegseth on why he had apparently been misled on extreme munitions shortages that threaten to limit military options with Iran, the newspaper said.
“The ‘leakers’ of these treasonous statements are being hunted down. Long term jail sentences will be sought,” Trump warned in his Thursday Truth Social post.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States has “massive” amounts of munitions, especially of certain types.
Commenting on the results, NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora said: “The first half of 2026 was marked by a dynamic operating environment with pressure on inflation and a cautious policy approach by the regional Central Banks. Our focused execution of the UBUNTU strategy has ensured that we delivered a resilient total income growth of 15.1 per cent reflecting healthy business volumes, improved margins and continued customer activity.”
“Our balance sheet momentum remained strong, anchored on disciplined growth in quality lending demonstrated by well-managed non-performing loans of 10.5 per cent compared to the market`s 15.3 per cent (Kenya) and stable funding provided by customer deposit growth. We have increased provisions to KES 5.2 billion reflecting the realities of the current operating environment which positions us well to absorb potential risks.”
“We are also encouraged by the strength of our return on average equity at 19.0 per cent while maintaining a strong capital adequacy position of 21.7 per cent providing a solid foundation to support future growth and strategic investment opportunities.”
Subsidiary performance
The Kenya Bank subsidiary continued to be the Group’s key profit driver powered by disciplined cost of funds management and grew profitability by 24.3 per cent year-on-year to reach KES 13.7 billion. The regional subsidiaries (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda) delivered a combined KES 1.6 billion in profitability on the back of strong lending growth + 25 per cent year-on-year, income momentum +11 per cent and recovery opportunities.
The Non-banking subsidiaries (NCBA Investment Bank, Leasing, Bancassurance and NCBA Insurance) continued their strong performance momentum delivering profitability of KES 1.1 billion collectively, a growth of 40 per cent year- on- year reinforcing the value of NCBA’s diversified business model.
Strategic Priorities Highlights
The Group invested KES 2.4 billion in technology infrastructure to accelerate AI adoption, strengthen cyber resilience and fortify its core operations. This resulted in strengthened service resilience, delivering 99.68 per cent system uptime and higher customer advocacy with Digital Net Promoter Score rising to 69 per cent. NCBA ConnectPlus, the recently launched best in class business banking platform was scaled across the region to create a seamless and standardized offering.
The Group scaled high-growth segments by expanding its wealth Assets Under Management to KES 101 billion and surpassing 60,000 active wealth clients. Simplified automated customer journeys accelerated digital adoption with mobile banking accounting for 94 per cent of transaction volumes.
Embedding insurance in every relationship contributed to the growth of NCBA Insurance and Bancassurance Gross Written Premiums to KES 2.1 billion and KES 2.3 billion respectively. The priority on deepening focus in supporting small scale businesses contributed to a 12 per cent year-on-year growth in the Group`s SME loan book to KES 44.7 billion up from KES 39.9 billion.
NCBA unlocked new growth through strategic partnerships in Asset Finance to accelerate electric vehicle adoption and solar leasing uptake resulting to 30 per cent Asset Finance market leadership in Kenya. The digital marketplace CarDuka sold vehicles worth KES 1.94 billion while the KOMIUT digital transport platform processed over KES 117 million in collections.
In Retail Banking, the 123 branches across the region, digital onboarding and campaigns including BOOSTA for SMEs, EasyBuild for property finance, diaspora banking and segmented engagements helped acquire +10,000 new core bank customers per month and expand the retail loan book by 54 per cent.
The proposed Nedbank transaction is progressing as planned with the tender offer successfully closing on 10 July 2026, attracting strong shareholder support of a 121 per cent oversubscription. Completion of the transaction remains subject to the fulfilment of remaining conditions and regulatory approvals.
On building a Future-Ready organization, NCBA improved its operating efficiency reflected in a 130-bps cost-to-income ratio growth year-on-year. The Group scaled its Change The Story sustainability agenda through green financing including the oversubscribed KES 3 billion KMRC bond and regional electric vehicle financing.
Over 340,000 trees were nurtured and planted and more than 400,000 livelihoods impacted through community engagements including sports activations in golf and cycling. The momentum to build an iconic regional brand resulted to brand health growing to 7.1 per cent demand power and 49 per cent consideration in Kenya. As a certified Top Employer of the Year, NCBA invested +100,000 learning hours for its +4,000 employees and achieved a 91 per cent retention rate.
Looking forward
Looking ahead, Mr. Gachora said: “While the global macroeconomic environment signals uncertainty leading to a softer growth projection of 3.1 per cent for 2026, the investor landscape remains vibrant with major regional expansion transaction deals expected to close in the second half of the year.”
“We remain confident in the strength of our UBUNTU strategy enabled by a projected optimistic business outlook (Kenya private sector credit growth at 9.3 per cent) and our ability to unlock new growth opportunities which will generate enduring value for customers, shareholders, and the communities we serve.”
About NCBA Group PLC
NCBA is a full-service banking group providing a broad range of financial products and services to Corporate, Institutional, SME and Consumer banking customers.
NCBA operates a network of more than 100 branches across five countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and the Ivory Coast. Serving over 60 million customers, NCBA is the largest banking group in Africa by customer numbers.
NCBA Bank Kenya is among the leading banks by assets. The Group continues to play a key role in empowering Africa’s economic ambitions. NCBA is a Market Leader in corporate banking, asset finance, and Digital Banking.
NCBA Group CEO John Gachora attributed the strong H1 2026 performance to the execution of the bank’s UBUNTU strategy, which supported business growth, improved margins and customer activity.
The designation followed the recommendation of the Joint Committee for the World Capital of Architecture.
Established jointly by UNESCO and UIA, the World Capital of Architecture program highlights the transformative role of architecture, urban planning, culture and heritage in advancing sustainable urban development. Every three years, UNESCO designates the host city of the UIA World Congress as the UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture.
According to UNESCO, Beijing was selected for its “exceptional ability to bring together one of the world’s richest architectural heritages with a forward-looking vision of sustainable urban development.”
“Its historic urban fabric, successful regeneration projects and vibrant architectural culture demonstrate how heritage, innovation and community life can reinforce one another in shaping resilient and livable cities,” UNESCO said in a press release.
Looking ahead to Beijing 2029, UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany expressed confidence in the press release that the city’s extraordinary architectural heritage, dynamic urban transformation and forward-looking vision would inspire new international dialogue on the power of architecture.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, became the first city to be designated the UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture in 2020, followed by Copenhagen and Barcelona.
A rainbow appears in the sky after rain in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Du Juanjuan)
Approximately 100 billion dollars of refunds, including duties plus interest, have been completed as of July 31, said Brandon Lord, an official with the U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Meanwhile, around 128.68 billion dollars in both potential and certified refunds have been accepted for processing through the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries system, said the official.
The Trump administration started to issue the first tariff refund payment around May 11 after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Feb. 20 that President Trump’s tariff policies under IEEPA are unconstitutional.
The CBP was projected to hand out up to 175 billion dollars of IEEPA tariffs in total, according to an earlier estimate issued by Penn Wharton Budget Model at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
US President Donald Trump’s administration has refunded about $100 billion in tariffs since the Supreme Court struck down a wave of his duties this year, court filings show.
The agreement was signed through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) and will support interventions in Gakenke, Burera, Musanze, Nyabihu, Rubavu, Rutsiro, Ngororero and Muhanga districts, benefiting more than 2.3 million people living in areas exposed to climate-related risks, including floods, landslides and soil erosion.
The project will finance activities such as flood risk reduction infrastructure, watershed restoration, landscape rehabilitation, biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihood programmes for communities in the region.
The VCRP is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment and implemented in partnership with the Rwanda Water Resources Board, Rwanda Meteorology Agency, Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
Communities living around Volcanoes National Park and surrounding areas have for years faced challenges linked to floods, landslides and land degradation, which have affected livelihoods, agricultural production and infrastructure.
The €65 million financing adds to broader efforts under the Volcanoes Community Resilience Project, which was launched in 2023 with support from development partners, including the World Bank.
The wider initiative, valued at more than $300 million, aims to reduce climate-related risks, restore degraded landscapes, improve disaster preparedness and strengthen livelihoods in communities surrounding Volcanoes National Park.
The project includes efforts to improve watershed management, restore degraded landscapes and strengthen communities’ ability to cope with climate impacts.
Among the planned interventions are forest restoration, tree planting, sustainable agriculture support and measures to reduce risks from flooding and soil erosion.
The project also supports the conservation of the Volcanoes ecosystem, including efforts linked to the protection and sustainable management of the national park and surrounding landscapes.
The agreement was signed through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN).Rwanda and EIB have signed a €65 million financing agreement to strengthen climate resilience, biodiversity conservation and livelihoods under the Volcanoes Community Resilience Project.
The campaign was unveiled at Expo 2026, currently underway at Gikondo, where MoMo Rwanda is showcasing its full range of services and providing customer support to thousands of visitors over the three – week exhibition.
MoMo Rwanda’s presence at Expo 2026 gives customers and merchants a firsthand look at the products behind the campaign. At its dedicated booth, running for the full three weeks of the expo, the company is providing visitors with access to the complete suite of MoMo services, including account registration, MoMoPay merchant onboarding, and hands – on support for digital payments, making the exhibition an extension of the MoMoBae launch itself.
Running for a period of two months, the campaign will reward participants with weekly cash prizes ranging from Rwf 100,000 to Rwf 2 million, a brand – new iPhone 17, a brand – new Samsung A57, and the ultimate grand prizes: two brand – new Mitsubishi trucks, with one awarded to the best – performing merchant and the other to the best – performing customer. MoMoBae is open to both MoMo customers and MoMoPay merchants across Rwanda.
To participate, customers are encouraged to opt in by dialling 18216# then use their MoMo wallets to pay as many merchants as possible, while merchants are encouraged to receive as many MoMo customer payments as possible through their MoMoPay merchant codes.
With the introduction of eKash interoperability for merchant payments, merchants can now receive payments from customers across different mobile money networks, making digital payments more accessible, seamless, and convenient than ever before.
Speaking at the launch, Chantal U. Kagame, Chief Executive Officer of Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd, highlighted the significance of the campaign in driving digital financial inclusion and accelerating the country’s transition to a cashless economy.
“MoMoBae is more than just a rewards campaign; it is a celebration of the evolution of digital payments in Rwanda. The introduction of eKash interoperability on merchant payments marks a significant milestone, allowing customers to pay and merchants to receive payments regardless of their mobile money service provider or network operator.
“This is a game changer for businesses and consumers alike, removing barriers to digital transactions and bringing us one step closer to a truly inclusive cashless economy. Through MoMoBae, we are rewarding the customers and merchants who are embracing this transformation and making digital payments part of their everyday lives.”
The campaign is expected to drive increased adoption of digital payments among both consumers and businesses while encouraging merchants to leverage interoperable payment solutions to grow their businesses. By rewarding transaction activity rather than chance alone, MoMoBae reinforces the value of using secure, convenient, and interoperable digital payment solutions in everyday commerce.
Customers and merchants can transact using participating MoMoPay merchant codes throughout the campaign period to increase their chances of winning. Winners will be selected in accordance with the campaign mechanics and announced throughout the campaign.
MoMo Rwanda has reaffirmed commitment to providing innovative financial solutions that simplify everyday transactions, promote financial inclusion, and support Rwanda’s digital transformation agenda.
Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd is MTN Rwanda’s FinTech subsidiary, established on 27th April 2021 to provide and manage Mobile Money services in Rwanda. The company has about 6.4 million subscribers, over 65,000 Mobile Money agents, and over 60 0,000 MoMoPay merchants across the country.
With continuous innovations in services such as MoMoPay, MoKash Loans & Savings, Tap&Go bus payments, Bill Payments, International & Regional Remittances, and more, Mobile Money Rwanda seeks to position itself at the forefront of driving financial inclusion and supporting the digital economy in Rwanda.
The country is building a carbon market system that allows verified climate projects to generate carbon credits, which can then be sold to organisations seeking to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
Each carbon credit represents one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent that has been reduced, avoided or removed from the atmosphere through an approved activity.
For Rwanda, carbon markets are part of a broader strategy to support its ambition of becoming a climate-resilient and carbon-neutral economy by 2050.
The country is exploring these markets as a way to attract climate finance, support green growth and fund projects in areas such as clean energy, forestry, sustainable agriculture, waste management and clean cooking technologies.
Although Rwanda contributes a relatively small share of global greenhouse gas emissions, it faces significant climate-related challenges, including risks linked to floods, droughts, land degradation and changing weather patterns.
The government considers climate finance an important requirement for implementing mitigation and adaptation measures under its climate commitments.
Carbon markets operate through different mechanisms. They include the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) established under the Kyoto Protocol, voluntary carbon markets and mechanisms created under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
Article 6 allows countries to cooperate in achieving climate targets through approaches that include transferring emission reductions between countries. However, such transactions require strong systems to verify reductions and prevent the same emission reduction from being counted more than once.
Carbon markets allow high-emitting companies and countries to offset part of their emissions by buying verified carbon credits from projects that reduce or remove greenhouse gases.
Carbon market framework and international partnerships
Rwanda established a major foundation for its carbon market ambitions in December 2023 when it launched its National Carbon Market Framework on the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai.
Developed through the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), the framework establishes rules for generating, approving, monitoring and trading carbon credits. It aims to enhance transparency, safeguard environmental integrity and strengthen Rwanda’s participation in global carbon markets.
The framework also lays the foundation for Rwanda’s engagement in Article 6 mechanisms under the Paris Agreement by setting procedures for project authorisation, emission reduction verification and carbon accounting.
At its launch, Rwanda said the initiative would support the transition to a low-carbon economy by attracting investment in clean technologies and sustainable solutions while ensuring locally generated carbon credits meet international standards.
However, establishing the framework was only the first step. Rwanda has since focused on strengthening the systems, skills and project pipeline needed to make the carbon market operational.
On March 27, 2025, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the Government of Rwanda, through REMA, launched a project aimed at improving Rwanda’s readiness to participate meaningfully and equitably in international carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
The two-year project, supported through GGGI’s Carbon Transaction Facility with a budget of $854,859, focuses on operationalising Rwanda’s National Carbon Market Framework.
The initiative addresses challenges including limited awareness among public and private sector actors about Article 6 opportunities, capacity gaps among stakeholders and the need to develop a stronger pipeline of high-quality mitigation projects.
Under the project, GGGI and REMA are supporting capacity building, strengthening governance systems, developing guidelines and supporting the identification of carbon projects in key sectors, including agriculture, forestry, energy, transport and waste management.
The initiative is also intended to improve engagement between project developers, government institutions and potential international buyers.
Rwanda has also entered into several international partnerships to support its carbon market participation.
In December 2023, Rwanda signed cooperation agreements with Singapore and Kuwait to advance collaboration under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
In September 2024, the Rwanda Green Fund (FONERWA), REMA, Gold Standard and Singapore-based investment company GenZero signed an agreement to develop a pipeline of Article 6-compliant carbon credit projects.
The partnership focuses on identifying projects capable of generating high-integrity carbon credits while providing additional benefits such as biodiversity protection, improved livelihoods and job creation.
In January 2026, Rwanda and Singapore launched a call for proposals for high-quality carbon credit projects under their bilateral implementation agreement, inviting developers to submit both technology-based and nature-based initiatives.
Improved cookstove projects are at the centre of Rwanda’s carbon market journey, helping households reduce reliance on firewood, cut emissions and improve indoor air quality while generating carbon credits for climate finance.
Projects, communities and the future of Rwanda’s carbon market
Rwanda’s carbon market activities have so far been largely driven by improved cookstove projects, which remain among the most developed climate initiatives in the country. These projects help households transition from traditional cooking methods that rely heavily on firewood to more efficient technologies.
Besides reducing greenhouse gas emissions, they contribute to lower indoor air pollution and reduced pressure on forests.
Improved cookstove projects accounted for about 87 percent of Certified Emission Reductions issued from Rwanda’s carbon market activities, according to national climate data. Lighting and solar projects accounted for much of the remaining share.
By December 2020, Rwanda had received more than 2.25 million carbon credits through Clean Development Mechanism and Voluntary Carbon Market activities.
The country is now expanding beyond clean cooking into other areas, including forestry restoration, agroforestry, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and water purification.
In June 2025, REMA announced that 19 projects were ready to participate in international carbon markets. The projects included 12 energy-efficient cookstove initiatives, three agroforestry and reforestation projects and four water purification projects.
Rwanda is also putting emphasis on ensuring that carbon finance benefits communities involved in climate projects.
New regulations require that at least 30 percent of revenues generated from land-based carbon projects directly benefit communities, landowners, farmers and other stakeholders whose land contributes to the projects.
The government expects carbon markets to become an additional source of climate finance. Rwanda estimates that selling 7.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in carbon credits could generate about $337 million, depending on market prices.
To support investors, GGGI and REMA have also developed practical guidance explaining carbon market opportunities, project requirements and approval processes.
Potential areas for investment include forestry projects, renewable energy installations, methane capture, energy efficiency initiatives, clean cooking solutions and sustainable agricultural practices.
Rwanda’s efforts come as African countries seek to increase their participation in global carbon markets. Kigali is scheduled to host the Carbon Markets Africa Summit in October 2026, bringing together governments, investors, project developers and climate finance institutions to discuss opportunities for scaling credible carbon markets on the continent.
As international buyers increasingly seek high-integrity credits, Rwanda is moving from establishing regulatory frameworks to developing projects that can attract investment and deliver tangible climate outcomes.
Through initiatives such as Green Gicumbi, Rwanda is restoring degraded forests and helping ecosystems recover their natural state. These reforestation efforts contribute to carbon removal, biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods while creating opportunities within the country’s emerging carbon market.
