Rwanda Reviews AgriConnect Compact as Agritech and Data-Driven Food Systems Take Shape

On February 24, 2026, Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Hon. Telesphore Ndabamenye, and Minister of State Hon. Solange Uwituze met with a technical team from the World Bank Group and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to assess progress under Rwanda’s AgriConnect Compact.

The discussions centred on how the compact is being used as a planning and investment framework to guide capital into modern agrifood systems, with a focus on job creation, food security, and system efficiency.

From Subsistence to Systems-Based Agriculture

AgriConnect is designed to help countries shift agriculture from subsistence activity to a market-linked, data-informed system. Rather than isolated projects, the compact approach focuses on aligning policy, finance, technology, and private investment across the entire agrifood value chain.

In Rwanda, this includes improving how farmers and agribusinesses connect to:

• Markets and logistics systems
• Financial services and investment platforms
• Extension services and productivity tools
• Data for planning, risk management, and decision-making

Technology and Investment Coordination

During the review, participants examined how coordinated investment can support technology-enabled agriculture, including digital farmer services, value-chain traceability, and scalable agribusiness models. The goal is to ensure that public funding and private capital reinforce each other, rather than operate in parallel.

Officials noted that agriculture remains one of Rwanda’s largest employers, making system-level efficiency and innovation critical for sustainable job creation, particularly for youth and rural communities.

Role of the World Bank Group and IFC

Under the AgriConnect framework, the World Bank Group provides policy support, analytical tools, and development financing, while IFC focuses on mobilising private investment into commercially viable agribusiness and food system projects.

This dual approach aims to reduce investment risk, improve project bankability, and accelerate adoption of modern agricultural practices.

Alignment with National Priorities

The AgriConnect Compact supports Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) by linking agriculture, employment, and food security through coordinated systems rather than standalone interventions.

What Comes Next

The review highlighted the importance of continued collaboration to translate planning frameworks into measurable outcomes at district and value-chain level. Further engagement under AgriConnect is expected as Rwanda advances its agrifood digitalisation and investment agenda.