Rwanda strengthens capacity for agrifood systems transformation

How can governments turn systems approaches into day-to-day practice? In November 2025, Rwanda’s public officials came together to tackle this question through a two-day learning programme titled Building Capacity to Apply Systems Approaches in Agrifood Policy and Practice, conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, and the Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, University College London (UCL IIPP). The learning programme was made possible with the financial support of Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM), Government of Ireland.

The programme brought together officials actively involved in implementing the country’s Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA5). Participants represented a broad mix of policy areas, including agriculture, health, environment, finance and social development, reflecting the country’s recognition that today’s agrifood challenges cannot be solved by any single sector acting alone.

The training included the introduction of  FAO's systems approach framework to analyse Rwanda's agrifood systems transformation journey, based on the following six lenses: systems thinking, systems doing, systems knowledge, systems governance, systems learning and systems investment.

Governance and coordination

A key focus was on coordination and governance arrangements, including exploring the potential role of a Food Systems Coordination Unit. Through structured discussions, participants examined different possible functions for a Coordination Unit; from cross-sectoral oversight and alignment, to facilitation of learning and experimentation, to data integration and monitoring.

A key takeaway was that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ coordination structure. The requirements for each structure comes with different requirements in terms of institutional placement, skills and resources; so tailoring their design to each context is essential for long-term effectiveness.

Rethinking monitoring, learning, and evaluation

A central message of the programme was that systems change depends less on perfect plans and more on the ability to learn, innovate and adapt. Participants reflected on how traditional monitoring and evaluation tools, while useful for accountability, can limit collaboration and experimentation if applied rigidly. In complex environments, success may lie in improved coordination, learning and empowerment rather than easily quantifiable outputs.

Market shaping and investment

The programme also explored how governments can move beyond correcting market failures to actively shaping markets. Tools such as public procurement, regulation and incentives can be used strategically to crowd in private investment and support innovation. International examples, including Brazil’s National School Feeding Programme, illustrated how public purchasing power can drive inclusive market development and support smallholder farmers.

Looking ahead

By the end of the programme, participants agreed that for Rwanda, the systems approach agenda builds on strong foundations. The country’s Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA5) already reflects many elements of a systems approach, and strong national direction, articulated through Vision 2050. The emphasis moving forward is on identifying practical, micro-entry points - concrete actions embedded in everyday practice that can gradually shift systems over time.

Planned next steps include continued peer exchange and the preparation of a Rwanda case study to contribute to international dialogue on systems-based agrifood transformation.