Rwanda
Image Credit - Michael Muli, Unsplash
Rwanda's nascent green recovery
Rwanda's green economy story combines genuine leadership in natural capital accounting and green finance, mixed with slower progress in other areas and several domestic economic challenges.
Rwanda’s national green financing mechanism, known as ‘FONERWA’, is the largest of its kind in Africa and has mobilised an impressive USD$250 million for climate finance projects to date. The Rwandan government has also developed and launched a broad suite of national ecosystem accounts for land, water, mineral resources and ecosystems, with assistance from the World Bank since 2013.
These initiatives represent a major achievement when set against the wider context of a country grappling with political and economic instability, including genocide and civil war as recently as 1994, along with subsequent authoritarian rule. Since taking office in 2000, President Paul Kagame’s controversial policies (such as his support to Congolese rebels, and blatant manipulation of election results) have drawn international criticism, leading to further withdrawal of international finance and worsening economic stability.
In 2021 a series of natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic proved the final straw, pushing the Rwandan economy into its first recession. Amidst severe fiscal constraints, Rwanda’s two-year Economic Recovery Plan during COVID-19 focused solely on stimulating the economy, with financial support directed at hard-hit sectors such as hospitality and on incentivising growth in manufacturing and construction. Perhaps unsurprisingly, green measures were few and far between.
Prior to the pandemic, President Kagame had voiced some support for ‘low-carbon’ development, emphasising the need for international climate finance assistance. In 2010 he launched Rwanda’s first national green economy plan, the ‘Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy’ - though it ultimately proved too difficult to implement and was scrapped. Similarly, Rwanda’s NDC was recently updated to include quantified emissions targets for the first time - yet it still lacks a long term implementation pathway to meet its 2050 net zero CO2 emissions goal. Without clear climate and green economy strategies in place, Rwanda’s national planners remain in the dark in terms of policy direction over the short-medium term.
At the same time, the government has made progress elsewhere when supported by international partnerships. This includes the development of a UNDP-backed Sustainable Finance Roadmap 2022-2029 aiming to establish the country as a leader in sustainable finance. The report outlines a series of steps to transition to sustainable lending, enhance ESG risk management, develop sustainable debt capital markets and a sustainable insurance sector.
While lacking grounding in national planning at present, Rwanda’s targets, climate and sustainable finance initiatives do demonstrate commitment to greening its growth model and - if backsliding can be avoided - that right investment and support can ensure Rwanda builds on its natural assets towards a greener and fairer future.
Image Credit - Michael Muli, Unsplash
Policy Scores
Last updated 18 Dec 2025
Governance
National Green Economy Planning
The Vision 2050 and the updated National Strategy for Transformation 2 (NST2), approved in 2024, provide the overarching framework, embedding the goal of becoming a low-carbon, high-income, climate-resilient economy by 2050. The Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy, revised in 2023, serves as the central planning tool with specific programmes of action. The updated Nationally Determined Contribution is its final validation stages as of September 2025, and is expected to strengthen beyond the 38% emissions reduction target of the previous NDC. The launch of the Rwanda Green Taxonomy in 2025, with an implementation roadmap and digital platform, is also a major step. Other planning instruments are the National Climate and Nature Finance Strategy (2024-2030), the National Carbon Market Framework (2023), and the National Circular Economy Action Plan (2022).
The Vision 2050 and the updated National Strategy for Transformation 2 (NST2), approved in 2024, provide the overarching framework, embedding the goal of becoming a low-carbon, high-income, climate-resilient economy by 2050. The Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy, revised in 2023, serves as the central planning tool with specific programmes of action. The updated Nationally Determined Contribution is its final validation stages as of September 2025, and is expected to strengthen beyond the 38% emissions reduction target of the previous NDC. The launch of the Rwanda Green Taxonomy in 2025, with an implementation roadmap and digital platform, is also a major step. Other planning instruments are the National Climate and Nature Finance Strategy (2024-2030), the National Carbon Market Framework (2023), and the National Circular Economy Action Plan (2022).
Inclusive Corporate Governance
Rwanda's development strategy, the National Strategy for Transformation 2 (NST2, 2024-2029), translates into a system of national voluntary standards for corporate governance. The country has a constitutional requirement of at least 30% of for all elected positions in government to be held by women. While there is no mandatory gender quota for corporate boards, voluntary initiatives such as the Gender Equality Seal Certification Programme, developed by the Gender Monitoring Office and Private Sector Federation, and the new national standard RS 560:2023 provide guidance for private companies to improve gender equality. Employee inclusion is also legally supported: companies with more than 10 employees must elect worker representatives (30% women where possible), ensuring employee consultation even if not at the board level. On ESG and SDG alignment, Rwanda has introduced mandatory ESG reporting for all RSE-listed companies from January 2025, growing participation in the UN Global Compact, and a strengthened national ESG regulatory framework. These measures amount to a national corporate governance strategy with voluntary but widely promoted standards.
Rwanda's development strategy, the National Strategy for Transformation 2 (NST2, 2024-2029), translates into a system of national voluntary standards for corporate governance. The country has a constitutional requirement of at least 30% of for all elected positions in government to be held by women. While there is no mandatory gender quota for corporate boards, voluntary initiatives such as the Gender Equality Seal Certification Programme, developed by the Gender Monitoring Office and Private Sector Federation, and the new national standard RS 560:2023 provide guidance for private companies to improve gender equality. Employee inclusion is also legally supported: companies with more than 10 employees must elect worker representatives (30% women where possible), ensuring employee consultation even if not at the board level. On ESG and SDG alignment, Rwanda has introduced mandatory ESG reporting for all RSE-listed companies from January 2025, growing participation in the UN Global Compact, and a strengthened national ESG regulatory framework. These measures amount to a national corporate governance strategy with voluntary but widely promoted standards.
Participatory Policymaking
The country has several mechanisms that mandate stakeholder consultation and social impact consideration. For impact assessments, a key development is the Ministerial Order of 2025 relating to Environmental and Social Impact Assessment. This new law explicitly requires the assessment of social impacts, including gender analysis and action planning, though it applies to projects rather than all proposed legislation and public policy. For consultation, the government actively promotes citizen participation, particularly in the planning and budgeting processes at the local level. The Rwanda Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning released a Citizen Budget Guide for 2024-25, a user-friendly resource to help citizens understand the national budget and how public funds are managed. The Rwanda Governance Scorecard (RGS) is a national index published by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) to consistently assess the state of governance in Rwanda. The Citizen Report Card (CRC) is an annual publication of RGB which is produced to ascertain the levels of community satisfaction with regard to services rendered.
The country has several mechanisms that mandate stakeholder consultation and social impact consideration. For impact assessments, a key development is the Ministerial Order of 2025 relating to Environmental and Social Impact Assessment. This new law explicitly requires the assessment of social impacts, including gender analysis and action planning, though it applies to projects rather than all proposed legislation and public policy. For consultation, the government actively promotes citizen participation, particularly in the planning and budgeting processes at the local level. The Rwanda Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning released a Citizen Budget Guide for 2024-25, a user-friendly resource to help citizens understand the national budget and how public funds are managed. The Rwanda Governance Scorecard (RGS) is a national index published by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) to consistently assess the state of governance in Rwanda. The Citizen Report Card (CRC) is an annual publication of RGB which is produced to ascertain the levels of community satisfaction with regard to services rendered.
Beyond GDP
Rwanda’s beyond GDP agenda remains partial: the NCA work is focused primarily on environmental assets (not yet covering human or social capitals), the use of these accounts is still moderate, and they are not yet fully integrated into the national planning or budgeting.
Rwanda’s beyond GDP agenda remains partial: the NCA work is focused primarily on environmental assets (not yet covering human or social capitals), the use of these accounts is still moderate, and they are not yet fully integrated into the national planning or budgeting.
Finance
Green Finance & Banking
The Sustainable Finance Roadmap (2022-2029) and the National Climate and Nature Finance Strategy (2024-2030) are high-level policy commitments.
A national green taxonomy was approved in 2025, becoming a mandatory requirement for defining and directing investments. There is a digital platform for this green taxonomy that facilitates its adoption. Some fiscal instruments, like the Environmental Levy on imported plastic-packaged items (2025), penalize environmentally harmful practices, but there is not a broad penalty on high polluting industries" The new Investment Code incentives also support green investment.
The National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) has introduced new mandatory reporting requirements, for instance the Guideline No 040/2024 (2024) on Disclosure and Reporting of Sustainability-Related Financial Information for financial institutions, aligning with international standards, or the ESG Guidelines for Banks which include scenario analysis and stress testing for climate risks.
The Sustainable Finance Roadmap (2022-2029) and the National Climate and Nature Finance Strategy (2024-2030) are high-level policy commitments.
A national green taxonomy was approved in 2025, becoming a mandatory requirement for defining and directing investments. There is a digital platform for this green taxonomy that facilitates its adoption. Some fiscal instruments, like the Environmental Levy on imported plastic-packaged items (2025), penalize environmentally harmful practices, but there is not a broad penalty on high polluting industries" The new Investment Code incentives also support green investment.
The National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) has introduced new mandatory reporting requirements, for instance the Guideline No 040/2024 (2024) on Disclosure and Reporting of Sustainability-Related Financial Information for financial institutions, aligning with international standards, or the ESG Guidelines for Banks which include scenario analysis and stress testing for climate risks.
Greening Fiscal & Monetary Policy
The National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) joined the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) in 2022 .
On the fiscal side, the government has adopted a Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) Policy Framework in 2024, to leverage the government's purchasing power to stimulate a green market.
In 2025, the Cabinet officially approved a Green Taxonomy, developed with UNDP and GIZ (German development agency) support, providing criteria for sustainable investments across key sectors (agriculture, transport, energy, and construction) to guide both public and private capital flows and prevent greenwashing.
Rwanda has also launched a National Climate and Nature Finance Strategy aimed at positioning the country as a green investment hub and mobilizing funding for climate-resilient development. The Development Bank of Rwanda issued its second sustainability-linked bond (approximately USD 23.4 million), demonstrating compromise with green financial instruments.
The National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) joined the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) in 2022 .
On the fiscal side, the government has adopted a Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) Policy Framework in 2024, to leverage the government's purchasing power to stimulate a green market.
In 2025, the Cabinet officially approved a Green Taxonomy, developed with UNDP and GIZ (German development agency) support, providing criteria for sustainable investments across key sectors (agriculture, transport, energy, and construction) to guide both public and private capital flows and prevent greenwashing.
Rwanda has also launched a National Climate and Nature Finance Strategy aimed at positioning the country as a green investment hub and mobilizing funding for climate-resilient development. The Development Bank of Rwanda issued its second sustainability-linked bond (approximately USD 23.4 million), demonstrating compromise with green financial instruments.
Green Trade Practices
Rwanda is advancing important frameworks for green trade, such as a national Green Taxonomy and a National Carbon Market Framework. These could facilitate future interoperability with partners’ sustainable-finance and carbon-pricing systems, but its current trade/investment agreements do not include binding sustainable development chapters, recognise carbon-pricing/taxonomy interoperability, or CBDR-aligned access exemptions. In 2024, the country signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Union to develop a sustainable raw materials value chain. This partnership includes specific commitments to ESG standards, due diligence, and traceability to combat illegal trafficking of minerals. Another significant green trade action is its bilateral carbon trading agreement with Singapore, signed in 2025.
Rwanda is advancing important frameworks for green trade, such as a national Green Taxonomy and a National Carbon Market Framework. These could facilitate future interoperability with partners’ sustainable-finance and carbon-pricing systems, but its current trade/investment agreements do not include binding sustainable development chapters, recognise carbon-pricing/taxonomy interoperability, or CBDR-aligned access exemptions. In 2024, the country signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Union to develop a sustainable raw materials value chain. This partnership includes specific commitments to ESG standards, due diligence, and traceability to combat illegal trafficking of minerals. Another significant green trade action is its bilateral carbon trading agreement with Singapore, signed in 2025.
Pricing Carbon
In 2023, Rwanda launched a National Carbon Market Framework and since then has signed Implementation Agreements with countries like Singapore and Sweden to facilitate the trade of carbon credits from Rwandan mitigation projects. This framework focuses on project-based carbon credits rather than a cap-and-trade system. No carbon tax or emissions trading scheme (ETS) is in place. Rwanda has neither established a legally binding carbon budget but it has a non-binding accounting framework in place. The government's Climate Budget Tagging reports climate-related spending across all government expenditure.
In 2023, Rwanda launched a National Carbon Market Framework and since then has signed Implementation Agreements with countries like Singapore and Sweden to facilitate the trade of carbon credits from Rwandan mitigation projects. This framework focuses on project-based carbon credits rather than a cap-and-trade system. No carbon tax or emissions trading scheme (ETS) is in place. Rwanda has neither established a legally binding carbon budget but it has a non-binding accounting framework in place. The government's Climate Budget Tagging reports climate-related spending across all government expenditure.
Sectors
Cross-Sectoral Planning
Rwanda has integrated its green growth agenda into its primary national development framework: the Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy (GGCRS) was revised in 2023 to align with the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), which covers the period from 2024 to 2029. This is a crucial step that moves beyond the previous issue of the Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy (GGCRS) being a standalone document that was difficult to align with other plans. The revised GGCRS, which has been updated and is fully aligned with NST2, now provides a clear and integrated roadmap for sectoral policies.
New, comprehensive, and sector-specific plans are now being implemented. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning has launched a National Climate and Nature Finance Strategy to mobilize over $6.5 billion by 2030. This strategy will help to create a dedicated framework for channeling both domestic and international resources into green sectoral projects.
Rwanda has integrated its green growth agenda into its primary national development framework: the Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy (GGCRS) was revised in 2023 to align with the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), which covers the period from 2024 to 2029. This is a crucial step that moves beyond the previous issue of the Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy (GGCRS) being a standalone document that was difficult to align with other plans. The revised GGCRS, which has been updated and is fully aligned with NST2, now provides a clear and integrated roadmap for sectoral policies.
New, comprehensive, and sector-specific plans are now being implemented. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning has launched a National Climate and Nature Finance Strategy to mobilize over $6.5 billion by 2030. This strategy will help to create a dedicated framework for channeling both domestic and international resources into green sectoral projects.
Circular Economy
Rwanda has adopted a National Circular Economy Action Plan & Roadmap (2022), with 17 policy interventions across priority sectors (waste, construction, agriculture, ICT, transport), and set a vision for 2035 where circular economy is integrated into decision-making. It has launched a Sustainable Public Procurement Policy Framework (2024) requiring procurement to support circularity. Still, no binding national CMUR target, strong enforceable product design / repair rights, or full inclusion of the informal sector or the just transition. The country's famous 2008 ban on single-use plastic bags and the subsequent 2019 law banning single-use plastics are foundational to its circular economy efforts. These legal standards, enforced by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), have created a market for alternative materials and incentivized waste collection and recycling
Rwanda has adopted a National Circular Economy Action Plan & Roadmap (2022), with 17 policy interventions across priority sectors (waste, construction, agriculture, ICT, transport), and set a vision for 2035 where circular economy is integrated into decision-making. It has launched a Sustainable Public Procurement Policy Framework (2024) requiring procurement to support circularity. Still, no binding national CMUR target, strong enforceable product design / repair rights, or full inclusion of the informal sector or the just transition. The country's famous 2008 ban on single-use plastic bags and the subsequent 2019 law banning single-use plastics are foundational to its circular economy efforts. These legal standards, enforced by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), have created a market for alternative materials and incentivized waste collection and recycling
Green Transport & Mobility
As part of Rwanda's national plan, the country aims for 20% electric buses, 30% of electric motorcycles, and 8% of electric cars by 2030. It has introduced tax and duty exemption policies for BEVs and EV infrastructure, mandates that only electric motorbikes be eligible for public transport registrations in Kigali starting 2025, is expanding electric bus procurement, and is embedding EV charging station planning into building codes and city planning. Key gaps remain in rural & intercity public transport electrification, binding mandates across all vehicle types (including freight), and scaling infrastructure and standards.
As part of Rwanda's national plan, the country aims for 20% electric buses, 30% of electric motorcycles, and 8% of electric cars by 2030. It has introduced tax and duty exemption policies for BEVs and EV infrastructure, mandates that only electric motorbikes be eligible for public transport registrations in Kigali starting 2025, is expanding electric bus procurement, and is embedding EV charging station planning into building codes and city planning. Key gaps remain in rural & intercity public transport electrification, binding mandates across all vehicle types (including freight), and scaling infrastructure and standards.
Clean Energy
The 60% clean energy target is a key part of Rwanda's Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy (GGCRS). The revised GGCRS, updated in 2023 and aligned with the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), explicitly commits to maintaining the share of renewables in the energy generation mix at or above 60% from 2025 onwards, with a new target to increase the country's total installed capacity to 556 MW by 2030.
Rwanda has replaced its outdated 2015 energy policy with a new Energy Policy for Rwanda (2025). This new policy is aligned with the country's Vision 2050, and sets a ten-year roadmap for the sector. It details specific actions and targets, like adding 300 MW hydropower, 50 MW solar, and 15 MW wind by 2035. The policy also commits to achieve universal access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy by 2030. This includes a mix of on-grid and off-grid solutions, with a strong focus on empowering local companies and experts. Nationwide electrification has improved, achieving 82.2% household connectivity in 2025.
The 60% clean energy target is a key part of Rwanda's Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy (GGCRS). The revised GGCRS, updated in 2023 and aligned with the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), explicitly commits to maintaining the share of renewables in the energy generation mix at or above 60% from 2025 onwards, with a new target to increase the country's total installed capacity to 556 MW by 2030.
Rwanda has replaced its outdated 2015 energy policy with a new Energy Policy for Rwanda (2025). This new policy is aligned with the country's Vision 2050, and sets a ten-year roadmap for the sector. It details specific actions and targets, like adding 300 MW hydropower, 50 MW solar, and 15 MW wind by 2035. The policy also commits to achieve universal access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy by 2030. This includes a mix of on-grid and off-grid solutions, with a strong focus on empowering local companies and experts. Nationwide electrification has improved, achieving 82.2% household connectivity in 2025.
Just Transition
Green Job Creation
Rwanda has expanded its green job creation, mainly public diriven and also entrepreneurship initiatives. The Rwanda Green Fund (FONERWA) has created hundreds of thousands of green jobs, provided thousands of households with improved off-grid clean energy access, and funded climate resilience and green ventures.Through the Greenpreneurs Network, Rwanda has nurtured eco-innovators with financial and technical support to launch sustainable businesses. These coordinated programs foster decent green job opportunities, but there is no just transition strategy in place. New, large-scale projects like Jya Mbere II, supported by the World Bank, are creating thousands of jobs linked to climate-resilient infrastructure, while a new National Circular Economy Action Plan set to stimulate green employment in recycling and sustainable manufacturing.
The new National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) 2024-2029 now explicitly prioritizes green jobs, with a goal of creating 1.25 million decent jobs in key sectors like agriculture and renewable energy.
Rwanda has expanded its green job creation, mainly public diriven and also entrepreneurship initiatives. The Rwanda Green Fund (FONERWA) has created hundreds of thousands of green jobs, provided thousands of households with improved off-grid clean energy access, and funded climate resilience and green ventures.Through the Greenpreneurs Network, Rwanda has nurtured eco-innovators with financial and technical support to launch sustainable businesses. These coordinated programs foster decent green job opportunities, but there is no just transition strategy in place. New, large-scale projects like Jya Mbere II, supported by the World Bank, are creating thousands of jobs linked to climate-resilient infrastructure, while a new National Circular Economy Action Plan set to stimulate green employment in recycling and sustainable manufacturing.
The new National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) 2024-2029 now explicitly prioritizes green jobs, with a goal of creating 1.25 million decent jobs in key sectors like agriculture and renewable energy.
Just Transition Frameworks
Through the PAGE partnership, Rwanda is actively engaging in just transition dialogues and is developing a Green Jobs Assessment Model to inform policy choices. Its updated Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy (2023) explicitly includes a programmatic focus on resilient rural livelihoods, social protection, and community-based natural resource management. Projects such as the Ecosystem-Based Restoration for the Nyungwe–Ruhango corridor link ecosystem renewal with livelihood benefits for vulnerable communities. The Green Gicumbi Project similarly combines climate-resilient housing and watershed management targeted to disadvantaged rural households. But there is not yet a unified national just transition framework, nor mandatory mechanisms guaranteeing compensation, reskilling or benefit-sharing for communities.
Through the PAGE partnership, Rwanda is actively engaging in just transition dialogues and is developing a Green Jobs Assessment Model to inform policy choices. Its updated Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy (2023) explicitly includes a programmatic focus on resilient rural livelihoods, social protection, and community-based natural resource management. Projects such as the Ecosystem-Based Restoration for the Nyungwe–Ruhango corridor link ecosystem renewal with livelihood benefits for vulnerable communities. The Green Gicumbi Project similarly combines climate-resilient housing and watershed management targeted to disadvantaged rural households. But there is not yet a unified national just transition framework, nor mandatory mechanisms guaranteeing compensation, reskilling or benefit-sharing for communities.
Greening MSMEs & Social Enterprise
Rwanda's national green investment fund FONERWA provides grants, credit lines and innovation financing to climate and environment-related projects., but support for MSMEs specifically to transition green remains general. The launch of the Rwanda Green Taxonomy provides regulatory standards to classify activities as "green" across sectors. The government has introduced a Community Benefit Company legal form under its Companies Law (2021) to allow firms with primary social objectives to incorporate with a legal identity suited to social missions. However, the CBC is not strictly tailored to green social enterprises.
Rwanda's national green investment fund FONERWA provides grants, credit lines and innovation financing to climate and environment-related projects., but support for MSMEs specifically to transition green remains general. The launch of the Rwanda Green Taxonomy provides regulatory standards to classify activities as "green" across sectors. The government has introduced a Community Benefit Company legal form under its Companies Law (2021) to allow firms with primary social objectives to incorporate with a legal identity suited to social missions. However, the CBC is not strictly tailored to green social enterprises.
Inclusive Social Protection
The new National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) 2024-2029 explicitly prioritizes social protection by expanding poverty reduction programs and strengthening coordination to ensure resilience-building. This strategic alignment is a key improvement over the previous plan, which lacked a clear link between social protection and climate action.
Technological Innovation: Rwanda is also making strides in using technology to improve its social protection system. The government is working to operationalize a dynamic social registry, known as Imibereho. This registry is designed to better identify and track eligible households in real-time, improving the system's efficiency, targeting, and ability to respond to shocks.
The government, with support from the World Bank and GIZ, has made progress in operationalizing a shock-responsive social protection (SRSP) system. The system uses the existing social protection infrastructureto quickly provide cash transfers and other assistance to households affected by climate-related disasters. This moves the policy from a passive, poverty-alleviation model to an active, crisis-responsive one.
The new National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) 2024-2029 explicitly prioritizes social protection by expanding poverty reduction programs and strengthening coordination to ensure resilience-building. This strategic alignment is a key improvement over the previous plan, which lacked a clear link between social protection and climate action.
Technological Innovation: Rwanda is also making strides in using technology to improve its social protection system. The government is working to operationalize a dynamic social registry, known as Imibereho. This registry is designed to better identify and track eligible households in real-time, improving the system's efficiency, targeting, and ability to respond to shocks.
The government, with support from the World Bank and GIZ, has made progress in operationalizing a shock-responsive social protection (SRSP) system. The system uses the existing social protection infrastructureto quickly provide cash transfers and other assistance to households affected by climate-related disasters. This moves the policy from a passive, poverty-alleviation model to an active, crisis-responsive one.
Nature
Ocean & Land Conservation
In 2025, Rwanda unveiled a new National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP 2025–2030) to serve as the national roadmap for biodiversity conservation, aligning with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The new NBSAP includes 22 national targets, including restoring degraded lands and waters, halting species extinction, reducing invasive species, and sustainable management of landscapes and ecosystems. One specific target is to conserve 11% of land and inland water areas by 2030 (versus current ~9.1 %) through expansion or improved management of protected areas. Legal foundations — including the Environment Law (2018), Biodiversity Law (2013), and existing policy instruments — support these commitments.
In 2025, Rwanda unveiled a new National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP 2025–2030) to serve as the national roadmap for biodiversity conservation, aligning with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The new NBSAP includes 22 national targets, including restoring degraded lands and waters, halting species extinction, reducing invasive species, and sustainable management of landscapes and ecosystems. One specific target is to conserve 11% of land and inland water areas by 2030 (versus current ~9.1 %) through expansion or improved management of protected areas. Legal foundations — including the Environment Law (2018), Biodiversity Law (2013), and existing policy instruments — support these commitments.
Natural Capital Accounting
The country has long been a core implementer of the WAVES (Wealth Accounting and the Valuation of Ecosystem Services) programme, moving beyond accounts for land, water and minerals to incorporate biodiversity and ecosystem data, aligned with SEEA methodologies. These accounts are used to inform policy such as land use planning and environmental reporting. Rwanda coordinates its accounting work through a steering committee composed of ministries and agencies, under Minoecofin. This committee acts as a cross-government platform. Rwanda hosted the 7th Global Policy Forum on Natural Capital in 2024.
The country has long been a core implementer of the WAVES (Wealth Accounting and the Valuation of Ecosystem Services) programme, moving beyond accounts for land, water and minerals to incorporate biodiversity and ecosystem data, aligned with SEEA methodologies. These accounts are used to inform policy such as land use planning and environmental reporting. Rwanda coordinates its accounting work through a steering committee composed of ministries and agencies, under Minoecofin. This committee acts as a cross-government platform. Rwanda hosted the 7th Global Policy Forum on Natural Capital in 2024.
Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems
Rwanda has an updated food systems strategy with long-term targets for sustainable agriculture and ecological footprint reduction.
Rwanda has made clear strides with PSTA 5 (Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation 2024-29) explicitly adopting a food-systems, climate-resilient strategy that integrates production, value chains, nutrition and environment. The plan includes financing, partner/private sector participation, targets for post-harvest loss reduction, climate-smart agriculture, resilience and data/institutional capacity. PSTA5 has a MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning) framework built in to track progress.
The government is promoting sustainable farming practices. The Climate Smart Agriculture Investment Plan, launched in 2025, aims to scale up climate-resilient farming methods like agroforestry and soil conservation, with a goal of having 100% of households involved in agriculture implementing agroforestry practices by 2030.
Binding targets for ecological footprints or harmful subsidy reform are not yet established.
Rwanda has an updated food systems strategy with long-term targets for sustainable agriculture and ecological footprint reduction.
Rwanda has made clear strides with PSTA 5 (Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation 2024-29) explicitly adopting a food-systems, climate-resilient strategy that integrates production, value chains, nutrition and environment. The plan includes financing, partner/private sector participation, targets for post-harvest loss reduction, climate-smart agriculture, resilience and data/institutional capacity. PSTA5 has a MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning) framework built in to track progress.
The government is promoting sustainable farming practices. The Climate Smart Agriculture Investment Plan, launched in 2025, aims to scale up climate-resilient farming methods like agroforestry and soil conservation, with a goal of having 100% of households involved in agriculture implementing agroforestry practices by 2030.
Binding targets for ecological footprints or harmful subsidy reform are not yet established.
Nature Finance
In 2024, the government launched a National Climate & Nature Finance Strategy (2024–2030) to align public investment, private finance, and fiscal tools with nature-positive outcomes. The country has introduced environment-levies and is implementing the green taxonomy roadmap. Specific financial instruments are operational, including the Rwanda Green Fund (FONERWA) and the new digital platform IremboPay (launched in 2024) which directly collects environmental fees and fines, channeling them to conservation.
In 2024, the government launched a National Climate & Nature Finance Strategy (2024–2030) to align public investment, private finance, and fiscal tools with nature-positive outcomes. The country has introduced environment-levies and is implementing the green taxonomy roadmap. Specific financial instruments are operational, including the Rwanda Green Fund (FONERWA) and the new digital platform IremboPay (launched in 2024) which directly collects environmental fees and fines, channeling them to conservation.
Green Recovery
Green Recovery Measures
The Revised Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy (GGCRS), updated in June 2023, is explicitly designed to guide the economic pathway toward climate resilience and a low-carbon economy. It requires an average of US $2 billion per annum in funding, with government budget and the Rwanda Green Fund (FONERWA) leading the mobilization of both public and private capital. The Inclusive Green Economy Policy Stocktaking reports that Rwanda has already attempted to align its post-COVID recovery with green economy priorities, via PAGE engagement and alignment of green growth strategies. However, there is incomplete integration across sectors, and no broad green stimulus packages accounting for large GDP share.
The Revised Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy (GGCRS), updated in June 2023, is explicitly designed to guide the economic pathway toward climate resilience and a low-carbon economy. It requires an average of US $2 billion per annum in funding, with government budget and the Rwanda Green Fund (FONERWA) leading the mobilization of both public and private capital. The Inclusive Green Economy Policy Stocktaking reports that Rwanda has already attempted to align its post-COVID recovery with green economy priorities, via PAGE engagement and alignment of green growth strategies. However, there is incomplete integration across sectors, and no broad green stimulus packages accounting for large GDP share.