Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) has promised financial support to local governments that propose effective projects to fight climate change. This initiative is part of a five-year plan to protect the environment.
This announcement was made during a meeting held in Kigali on March 12, 2025, where local leaders and the City of Kigali shared ideas on how to address climate change in the next five years.
The meeting, organized by the Ministry of Environment, brought together deputy mayors in charge of economic development, secretaries of provinces, and the City of Kigali. The goal was to develop action plans that would help Rwanda meet its climate goals.
The action plans are part of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), which countries report to the United Nations every five years. REMA’s Deputy Director General, Faustin Munyazikwiye, emphasized the role of local leaders in implementing these plans. Local authorities, he said, are closer to the people and can directly help them face climate challenges.
The action plans will focus on disaster management, especially in areas prone to floods and landslides, like the Western and Northern provinces. Drought management will also be prioritized, with particular focus on the Eastern and Southern regions. One solution will be projects to irrigate crops and ensure food security.
Munyazikwiye encouraged local leaders to develop their own climate action plans and assured them that funding would be available for good projects. He stressed that funding comes once a clear problem and solution are identified, rather than when the focus is only on money.
Cyiza Béatrice, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Environment, reminded the leaders that Rwanda’s climate goals must align with global targets. She urged local governments to take action and educate citizens, as climate change is already affecting communities today.
Since 2020, Rwanda has been implementing a ten-year strategy to combat climate change, with a goal to reduce emissions by 38% by 2030. This plan will require $11 billion, including $5.3 billion to address the impacts of climate change and $5.7 billion to prevent further environmental damage.
In the current 2020-2025 NDC plan, Rwanda has already secured $4.5 billion for climate projects. However, an additional $6.5 billion is still needed to fully fund the plan.
The meeting showed strong commitment from local leaders to help their communities tackle climate change. With continued support and collaboration, Rwanda is on track to be a leader in environmental protection and climate action in the coming years.
