Kagame, IFAD President Discuss Agricultural Development Cooperation

Nairobi, May 12, 2026 - Rwandan President Paul Kagame held talks with Álvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), focusing on strengthening cooperation in agriculture, rural development and support for smallholder farmers.

The meeting took place in Nairobi, Kenya, on the sidelines of the France-Africa Summit attended by leaders and development partners from across Africa and Europe.

According to Rwanda’s presidency, discussions centered on ongoing bilateral cooperation in agricultural transformation, resilience-building for rural communities and expanding opportunities for inclusive economic growth.

The two sides also explored ways to improve market access for farmers and encourage greater participation of the private sector in agricultural development initiatives.

IFAD, a specialized United Nations agency established in 1978, supports agricultural and livestock development programs aimed at reducing hunger and poverty, particularly in rural areas.

The organization says its projects have helped improve the livelihoods of more than 518 million people worldwide. In Rwanda, IFAD currently supports agricultural and rural development programs in 14 districts across the country.