The Government of Rwanda and the German Development Bank have signed a grant agreement of 20.97 million Euros (which is 30 billion Frw) which will be used to support projects aimed at protecting the environment in the cities of Rwamagana, Rusizi, Nyagatare, Muhanga and Huye.
The agreement signed on December 18, 2024 between Rwanda and the German Development Bank, follows the 20 million euros signed in the past to support investments in environmental protection projects.
Rwanda aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 38% until 2030, where it will spend $11 billion until 2030, in programs to deal with the effects of climate change and protect the environment [Nationally Determined Contributions- NDCs].
In the recent COP29 international conference on environmental protection held in Baku, Azerbaijan in November 2024, Rwanda has shown the progress it has made in protecting the environment, programs aimed at attracting investment in this field, and encouraging countries to go to Rwanda's carbon market.
The Minister of Finance and Planning, Yusuf Murangwa announced that this support will help in building the immunity of the environment and the health of the residents in the rural areas and in some cities that support Kigali such as Rwamagana, Muhanga, Rusizi, Nyagatare and Huye.
He said, "Parts of the city that are at risk of being affected by the effects of climate change have been looked at, looking at projects that can be invested in and measures to be taken to repair the damage to those parts."
“Some of the projects to be carried out in this project include the rehabilitation of wetlands, the renewal of flood control systems for economic and social development.”
Rwanda and Germany have shared a cooperation agreement in the implementation of projects aimed at protecting the environment and development signed in 2022.
The Ambassador of Germany in Rwanda, Heike Uta Dettmann, expressed that what Rwanda is doing through the support that Germany has given is useful in the development of the welfare of the people.
He said, "During the COP29, there were talks[…] dealing with climate change is an important issue in the relationship between the two countries and you cannot separate measures to deal with climate change and development, that's why we are proud of what Rwanda is doing.
” He pointed out that the total contract signed by the two countries is worth more than 260 million Euros. The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) have a budget of $11 billion, with an estimated $6.2 billion needed until 2030.
The Director General of the Environment Agency, REMA Juliet Kabera confirmed that this funding will fill part of the gap in the implementation of the plan to deal with climate change and build the resilience of the environment in Rwanda.
He emphasized that according to the increasing number of partners, there is hope that the necessary budget will be reached by 2030.
Currently, the Government spends 10% of its budget on protecting the environment and dealing with the effects of climate change.
