Tea Production and Processing

Rwanda’s tea production has grown from 5,414 MT in 1980 to 39,833MT in 2023/24, generating USD 113.1M in exports in 2024 and ranking as the 15th largest tea exporter globally. The sector benefits from ideal growing conditions, premium auction prices, and ongoing expansion of 8,335 ha with quality seedlings, high-yielding clones, and product diversification.

Under the Hand-in-Hand programme, the Government plans to: (i)Produce 150M seedlings (US$ 10M) and expand tea cultivation by 8,335 ha for 15,000 farmers. (US$36M) (ii) Establish a Research & Innovation Centre to lift yields from 6 MT/ha to 8 MT/ha (US$ 20M), (iii) Build a tea blending facility for value-added exports (US$ 60M) and (iv) Construct 1,230 km of feeder roads (US$ 163M).

Targeting Nyamagabe and Ngororero Districts plus the Gitwe-Kaduha Corridor, this USD 289M investment has an NPV of USD 129.7M, an IRR of 22.3%, and will directly benefit 85,000 people and indirectly impact 195,831 more.

Coffee Production and Processing

Rwanda’s specialty Arabica coffee, renowned worldwide for its quality and premium market value, accounts for 9.3% of the country’s total exports. Between 2020 and 2024, exports

averaged 21,387MT annually, positioning Rwanda as the 39th largest coffee exporter. The sector is supported by 319 coffee washing stations, engages around 400,000 farmers, and covers 42,000 hectares under cultivation. Production is dominated by fully washed coffee (81.31%), followed by semi-washed (7.14%) and roasted coffee (1%) (NAEB 2023–2024). Export revenues are projected to grow from USD 90 million in 2024 to USD 116 million by 2029 (PSTA5).

To achieve this, the Government is implementing a USD 237 million investment plan aimed at boosting productivity, quality, and global competitiveness. This includes (i) the rejuvenation of 10,000 ha of aged coffee trees and expansion of an additional 10,000 ha (USD 100M), (ii) establishment of a Research and Innovation Centre to develop improved varieties and raise yields to 6 kg of cherries per tree (USD 7M), and (iii) the upgrade and optimization of national coffee roasting capacity (USD 130M)

These 237 million investments have an NPV of US$129 million and an IRR of 18.3

Irish Potato

Suitability studies confirm Irish potatoes as a high-potential crop in HIH targeted districts, yet yields average 7.6 MT/ha, is lower than the 15MT/ha achieved in Rwanda’s leading potato regions. The gap is driven by limited access to early generation potato seeds (EGPS), limited high yielding varieties and the absence of processing facilities to stimulate production. The USD 63.8M investment plan will (i) produce early generation potato seeds (EGPS) including (tissue culture plantlets, mini-tubers, pre-basic seed), (ii) build standardized storage facilities, and (iii) establish a potato processing plant. With an NPV of USD 15.9M and IRR of 29%, the project will benefit 41,772 producers and indirectly impact 245,341 value chain actors.

Pig and Poultry Production

Under Rwanda’s PSTA5, pigs and poultry are priority value chains for boosting protein supply and farmer incomes. The HIH identified and targeted districts that lack layer chicken hatcheries, have limited quality feed access, and no feed plants in the zones. Demand for eggs, chicken, and pork is high, but production remains low with 5.5M poultry and 1.5M pigs (2021). The USD 169.8M investment will (i) establish a layer hatchery and genetic improvement farm (US$ 59.9M), (ii) Establish model animal hubs for poultry and pigs (US$ 51.1M), (iii) a feed production facility (US$ 39.8M), as well as (iv) 10 slaughterhouses (US$ 19M). With an NPV of USD 126.9M and IRR of 27%, the project will directly benefit 123,000 pig farmers and 69,953 poultry farmers and indirectly impact over 650,000 people.

Avocado & Chili

Avocado, and chili are some of the flagship projects under the Rwanda Legacy Program, launched during the African Food Summit in Kigali (September 2024) to attract operational, bankable investments that transform agriculture, create jobs for youth and women, and boost exports.

Avocado Opportunity

Avocados present a fast-growing export market for Rwanda, with revenues targeted to rise from USD 8.38M in 2024 to USD 12.96M by 2029 (PSTA5). The strategy focuses on (i) establishing production hubs and orchard plantations, consolidating and scaling up 2,533 ha by 2029 (USD 8.5M), and (ii) improving sea transport and logistics for avocado and chili exports (USD 104.5M). The total avocado investment is USD 113M, with an NPV of USD 3.4M and IRR of 19%.

Chili Opportunity.

Chili exports stood USD 6.08 million in 2022–2023, with plans to grow up to USD 48.14 M by 2029 (PSTA5). The investment plan includes (i) expanding chili production by 3,000 ha (USD 45.3M), (ii) producing high-quality seeds (USD 30M), and (iii) developing protected agriculture infrastructure for fresh chili exports (USD 34M). New irrigated schemes in Eastern Province offer strong opportunities for private investors. The total chili investment is USD 109.3M, with an NPV of USD 5.4 M and IRR of 18%.

Together, these two investments will directly benefit 37,190 producers, processors, and exporters, and indirectly support 87,880 people, while significantly strengthen Rwanda’s position in high-value horticultural exports to Asia, Europe, and beyond.