Rwanda has obtained US$18 million in funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), a significant step in scaling up its national climate resilience and environmental restoration agenda. The financing, announced on Thursday by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), will be allocated to support ecosystem regeneration and community-based resilience strategies within six districts in the country’s Southern Province.
The initiative forms part of the expanding Green Amayaga Programme, a flagship environmental project led by REMA, targeting Kamonyi, Muhanga, Nyanza, Ruhango, Huye, and Gisagara. These districts, known for their agricultural reliance and vulnerability to land degradation, have been prioritised for integrated ecological restoration and sustainable land management interventions.
Juliet Kabera, Director General of REMA, emphasised the importance of the funding in meeting Rwanda’s national goals. “Rwanda is committed to restoring its environment and strengthening the resilience of its people through inclusive, science-based, and locally driven solutions,” she stated. “This marks a critical step forward in our national efforts to build a climate-resilient, green economy. We are also deeply grateful to UNDP for their technical guidance and partnership in the development of this new project.”
The newly financed project will consolidate efforts around nature-based solutions, promote integrated natural resource management, and strengthen community livelihoods through ecosystem-based adaptation mechanisms. This aligns with Rwanda’s broader vision for achieving carbon neutrality and sustainable development, as laid out in its Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.
According to REMA, notable progress has already been recorded in the initial phase of the Green Amayaga Programme. More than 929 hectares of woodlots have been established, while the buffer zone of the ecologically significant Kibirizi-Muyira natural forest has undergone restoration. In addition, over 243,000 fruit trees have been planted to enhance agroforestry systems, and comprehensive soil erosion control measures have been implemented on 13,886 hectares. These interventions include terracing, agroforestry techniques, and strategic reed planting.
The Global Environment Facility’s commitment underscores growing international recognition of Rwanda’s environmental leadership and its capacity to implement locally contextualised, high-impact interventions. As environmental pressures mount across sub-Saharan Africa, Rwanda’s model could serve as a replicable framework for regional resilience planning and ecosystem-based restoration.
