Rwanda Secures $78.5 Million Grant for Kayonza Irrigation Project

Kayonza, February 25, 2026 - The Government of Rwanda has received a $78.5 million grant from the International Fund for Agriculture and Livestock Development (IFAD) to boost agricultural development and irrigation infrastructure in Kayonza District.

The grant agreement was signed on February 24, 2026, with Rwanda represented by Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Yusuf Murangwa, and IFAD represented by its Country Director in Rwanda, Dagmawi Habte-Selassie.

The funding will support the irrigation of hills currently used for agriculture and the development of value-added small livestock sectors, aiming to reduce poverty, enhance food security, improve climate resilience, and increase rural household incomes.

Kayonza, one of the districts most vulnerable to droughts caused by extreme heat, experienced significant agricultural challenges in late 2025. The grant is expected to complement ongoing projects, including the Gishanda artificial pond, which will help irrigate 200 hectares of farmland.