Green Firms Target Rwf5bn for Circular Food Economy Growth

Transforming Agricultural Waste into Economic Opportunities

At least 20 Rwandan small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are leveraging innovative approaches to agricultural waste management, seeking a combined Rwf5 billion in funding to scale their operations. These businesses are part of the Circular Food Systems for Rwanda (CIRF) project, which aims to connect them with potential investors and partners.

A Vision for Sustainable Growth

Doreen Ntawebasa, Director General in charge of Trade and Investment at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, highlighted the initiative's goal of transforming Rwanda's agri-food system by turning waste into value. "Rwanda's vision is to build an economy that grows not by consuming more, but by optimising more," she said. The focus is on designing production systems that use water, energy, and nutrients efficiently, where the by-product of one process becomes a valuable input for another. This approach enhances soil health, extends product lifecycles, and generates greater value from every resource.

The project aligns with Rwanda's broader circular economy goals, including converting up to 70 percent of waste into fertilisers and encouraging investors to turn the country's 3,600 tonnes of daily waste into usable resources.

Innovations Driving Change

The 20 selected enterprises, spread across the country, are pioneering creative ways to recycle agricultural waste into valuable products such as fertilisers, animal feed, biofuels, and organic compost. Here are some of the key players:

1. Moulins du Nil Blanc
   Founded by Zilipa Nyirabyago, this company runs a zero-waste mushroom value chain that composts and reuses waste from mushroom production. It processes over 70 tonnes of coffee pulp and other organic residues annually and seeks a $50,750 grant to expand.

2. Golden Insect Ltd
   Dominique Xavio Imbabazi produces vermicompost and vermiliquid in Northern Province, processing over 20,000 tonnes of solid and liquid organic fertilisers each month. He seeks $250,000 to build a larger facility.

3. Henriette Uwineza's Firm
   This factory produces fertiliser from pig and agricultural waste and aims to expand from 50 to 400 pigs and raise fertiliser output tenfold. She seeks Rwf69 million to expand and start sausage production.

4. Glory Mixed Farm
   Agatha Mukagacinya employs 220 workers in crop, livestock, and fertiliser production, with plans to expand livestock and increase monthly compost output to 300 tonnes. She seeks $180,000.

5. Africa Food Supply Ltd
   Serge Ganza in Kamonyi District grows horticultural crops and produces manure, requiring a total of Rwf270 million over three years to complete expansion phases.

6. Tech Adopter
   Israel Niyonshuti operates agricultural machinery and produces fertiliser, seeking $100,000 for scaling.

7. Kigali Coffee Company
   Ignace Ntazinda turns coffee husks into organic fertiliser and pellets for cooking, recycling over 1,200 cubic metres of water per season. He seeks $300,000.

8. Holy Agriculture
   Based in Bugesera District, the firm integrates cassava, sweet potato, and pig farming and plans to process sweet potato flour and biscuits. It seeks Rwf500 million.

9. ZEAN
   Founded by Enode Nduwayezu, Christine Zaninka, and Angélique Nikuze, the Nyabihu-based firm converts banana and maize waste into compost and feed. It needs $100,000.

10. Triumviate Company
    Amani Twagirayesu in Nyamasheke District turns sardine fish into powder, selling by-products to poultry farmers and wastewater for irrigation. The firm seeks $200,000 to increase revenue to Rwf120 million monthly.

11. Domestica
    Grace Niwemuhoza's firm near Kigali produces hydroponic fodder, animal feed, and fertiliser from poultry and goat farming. It seeks $150,000.

12. CAPCN
    Focuses on organic farming using natural fertilisers and pesticides. Seeks $133,000.

13. Classic Farm Ltd
    A Kicukiro-based agribusiness growing organic vegetables and fish, turning residues into compost and feed. Seeks $340,000.

14. Elim Plus Farm
    Engaged in crop and livestock farming using composted waste. Seeks $350,000.

15. Ineza Mushroom Company
    Lea Utamuliza's Muhanga-based business transforms coffee and crop husks into mushroom tubes and compost. Seeks Rwf30 million.

16. Gisuma Coffee Cooperative
    A 56-woman cooperative in Rusizi District producing fertiliser from coffee pulp and wastewater. Seeks $148,864.

17. NjordFrey
    Faisal Razzaq's aquaponics company uses AI to monitor systems, recycling fish waste and rainwater. Seeks $200,000.

18. Rwanda Biosolutions
    Converts landfill waste into compost using microorganisms and rabbit urine. Seeks $80,000 to boost monthly output from 40 to 200 tonnes.

19. Souk Farm
    Operates on 200 hectares across Gatsibo, Bugesera, and Nyanza, processing horticultural residues into compost and avocado oil.

20. Virunga Biotech Ltd
    Produces vermicompost and oils from chillies, avocados, and vegetables, while recycling food waste. Seeks $25,000.

Turning Waste into Opportunity

Eric Ruzigamanzi, Country Representative of the World Resources Institute (WRI) in Rwanda, emphasized that agricultural waste remains an underutilised resource, with the country still losing up to 40 percent of its produce. "We see innovations turning food waste into resources," he said. "By working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, we can reduce these losses and ensure that what is lost is transformed into products that benefit farmers and communities."

He added that reducing agricultural waste also helps cut air-polluting emissions, supporting Rwanda's climate and sustainability goals.