Rwanda's Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) and the Africa Centre for Excellence in Sustainable Cooling and Cold-Chain (ACES), signed a strategic partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on March 26, 2026 to enhance the agricultural value chains in Rwanda.
The MoU will support the technical rehabilitation and operationalizing of 10 cold-room packhouses throughout Rwanda and create a national network of underutilized, climate-resilient food systems connected to the market.
Connecting Farmers with Market Systems
The goal of the initiative is to develop the network of systems necessary for farmers and growers to connect with markets and reduce post-harvest loss while creating new avenues for export growth. Located strategically in the regions of Rulindo, Rwamagana, Gatsibo, Ngoma, Nyanza and Karongi, these ten facilities will provide a total addressable population of smallholder farming households that is greater than four hundred thousand.
Understanding (MoU). Photo: CCN - Mireille Isimbi
Technical Specifications:
Size of Facility – 120 square meters with advanced cold storage.
Temperature: 12 – 15 degrees Celsius during processing and -4 degrees Celsius for storage.
Sustainable: Powered exclusively by solar energy systems.
Regulatory Compliance: HACCP, Rwanda GAP and Global G.A.P compliant.
Leadership Perceptions
Dr. Olivier Kamana, the Permanent Secretary of MINAGRI, during the signing ceremony pointed out the national importance of the initiative:
"Our shared commitment through this initiative is to transform agriculture into a modern, competitive, and market driven sector. Strengthening cold chain infrastructure not only helps reduce post-harvest losses but also unlocks new opportunities for rural household incomes."
Prof. Toby Peters, the ACES Executive Director, stressed the systemic importance of the project:
"The major challenge across Africa is how to get goods from farm to market. This initiative looks to create systems that connect the two, through cooling, logistics, standards, and skills. Rwanda is demonstrating how climate-smart agriculture can provide both economic and environmental benefits."
An Opportunity for Increasing Capacity
The project is aimed at supporting the development of the country of Rwanda through the Program for National Development (NST2), the Rural Development Plan (PSTA5) and the Vision 2050 plan which promote green growth and transform rural economies. Additionally to developing and promoting the capacity of the nation of Rwanda beyond its borders the ACES project will create a continent-wide platform to scale sustainable cold-chain systems (to enhance both food security and agricultural exports) throughout Africa.
