A development fund will provide technical assistance to enable SMEs to adopt or scale up circular business models. At the same time, the project aims to create an enabling policy environment to drive the transition.
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The development fund will provide technical assistance to
agri-food SMEs in
Rwanda to improve their ability to utilize and scale circular business
SMEs in Rwanda will be able to participate by applying to the SME Development Fund. Additional
details on the fund and how to apply will be available in early 2023.
The program will focus on creating effective policy and increasing
stakeholder engagement to create a stronger enabling environment for food systems transformation
in Rwanda.
This includes:
In Rwanda’s highly fragmented and decentralized food economy, SMEs have the opportunity to capture meaningful market share in newly emerging circular food systems.
98% of businesses in Rwanda are small or medium enterprises
(SMEs), contributing 41% of all private sector jobs (Rwandan Ministry of Trade & Industry,
2010).
SME-focused interventions therefore have the broadest potential to generate
revenue, create new jobs, and drive innovation across diverse geographies and industries in
Rwanda’s agri-food sector. However, based on 2021 findings from Rwanda’s Ministry of Environment
and National Fund for the Environment (FONERWA), Rwandan entrepreneurs currently lack sufficient
resources and capacity.
The Circular Food Systems for Rwanda Development Fund will enable SMES to design, adopt and scale circular business models.
Rwanda has already played an important role in leading the way towards a circular economy.
It was one of the first countries to ban single-use plastic bags in 2008.
In 2021, Rwanda collaborated with Peru to draft the international resolution adopted at UNEA 5 that aims to end plastic pollution.
Rwanda is a founding member of the African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA) and the Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency (GACERE), and uses both platforms to build interest and momentum on circularity in Africa and beyond.
Rwanda has great potential to transform its food systems to a circular economy and improve its economic, social and environmental impacts.
The agriculture sector engages more than 70% of the population, including more than six million small scale producers, and accounts for 33% of Rwanda’s GDP.
At the same time, UNEP’s Food Waste Index 2021 report estimates that 164kg of food is wasted per capita in Rwanda every year every year. Transitioning towards a circular economy has the potential to improve the economic, social and environmental impacts of the food system.
Circular food systems present an economic and environmental opportunity.
