Rwanda has taken a major step toward modernizing its agricultural sector with the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) and the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-Chain (ACES).
The partnership aims to rehabilitate and operationalize 10 cold-room packhouse facilities nationwide, transforming underutilized infrastructure into a coordinated network that supports climate-resilient agriculture, research, and market access.
The initiative is expected to strengthen Rwanda’s agricultural system by linking farmers to markets, reducing post-harvest losses, and enabling value addition and export growth. The packhouses, located in Rulindo, Rwamagana, Gatsibo, Ngoma, Nyanza, and Karongi, will serve more than 400,000 smallholder farmers in key production zones.
Each facility will feature modern processing and cold storage capabilities, including temperature-controlled environments, solar-powered energy systems, and post-harvest handling infrastructure. These improvements are designed to move produce efficiently from farms to markets, extending shelf life and improving product quality.
Technical assessments indicate that Rwanda’s fruit and vegetable cold-chain market spans over 495,000 hectares across more than 13,000 production sites. The 10-packhouse network alone will cover 36 percent of this market, serving over 4,800 production sites and supporting an annual output of more than 2.3 million metric tonnes of produce. Even at minimal utilization, the facilities are expected to operate at full capacity, demonstrating both scalability and commercial viability.
The project also seeks to establish integrated food corridors connecting farmers to premium local markets as well as regional and international export opportunities. The facilities will operate under recognized food safety and quality standards, including HACCP and Rwanda GAP, with plans to progress toward Global G.A.P. certification to meet international market requirements.
Under the collaboration, MINAGRI will provide policy guidance and coordination, while ACES will lead on technical design, operationalization, training, and business model development. The facilities will also serve as hubs for innovation, research, and skills development, with a joint steering committee overseeing implementation and scaling.
Speaking at the signing, the Permanent Secretary of MINAGRI, Dr. Olivier Kamana, said the partnership marks a pivotal moment for Rwanda’s agriculture sector. “Strengthening cold-chain systems will not only reduce post-harvest losses but also open new opportunities for value addition, exports, and increased rural incomes,” he said. “This initiative is about building inclusive systems that enable farmers to actively participate in the economy through innovation and sustainable investment.”
Professor Toby Peters, Executive Director of ACES, highlighted the broader significance of the initiative, noting that connecting farms to markets remains a major challenge. “This project addresses that gap by integrating cooling, logistics, standards, skills, and market access into a single system, positioning Rwanda as a model for climate-smart agricultural development,” he said.
Beyond its national impact, the initiative positions Rwanda as a platform for scaling sustainable cold-chain solutions across Africa. It is expected to attract collaboration from investors, agribusinesses, logistics providers, and market off-takers, while contributing to food security, climate resilience, and green economic growth.
