Launching AMEA Rwanda : A New Chapter for Agricultural Growth and Innovation
Written By Admin Published on March 10, 2025

On the 4th of March, 2025, the Rwanda Institute of Cooperatives, Entrepreneurship, and Microfinance (RICEM) hosts a pivotal event, marking the official launch of AMEA Rwanda and the initiation of the Agri-BDS Roadmap Development. This one-day workshop, organized by RICEM in collaboration with the Agri-business Market Ecosystem Alliance (AMEA) brought together key stakeholders from across Rwanda’s agricultural sector to discuss the future of Agri-Business Development Services (Agri-BDS) and to forge a strategic roadmap for coordinated action in the country. It served as a unique platform for fostering collaboration and engagement among diverse participants, including representatives from government institutions, local and international NGOs, farmer organizations, BDS providers, private sector actors, and development partners.

AMEA is one of the fastest-growing networks dedicated to the professionalization of farmer organizations. With over 34 members and strategic partners across 40 countries, the network is a global leader in advancing the development of farmer organizations and agri-SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises). AMEA’s mission is to transform the systems that support these organizations and create value for farmers, ensuring that they receive a living wage and fair working conditions. AMEA’s approach revolves around providing a platform for stakeholders to collaborate, learn, innovate, and scale the most effective strategies for supporting farmers. Through its network, AMEA reaches over 2.5 million farmers globally, improving the business development services available to them and fostering inclusive and sustainable growth in agricultural communities. AMEA aims to improve the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers around the world.

The primary aim of this workshop was to develop a draft roadmap for Agri-BDS that will guide and coordinate action across Rwanda’s agricultural ecosystem, ensuring that smallholder farmers receive the necessary support to thrive in a competitive market.
The launch of AMEA Rwanda marks a significant advancement for the country’s agricultural sector. Aiming to professionalize farmer organizations, AMEA Rwanda will drive innovation in Agri-BDS by collaborating with local service providers, public sector entities, and farmer organizations. This effort will develop scalable strategies that benefit both farmers and the broader agricultural economy. The creation of the Agri-BDS roadmap is crucial for ensuring Rwanda’s farmers have access to the necessary resources and support, fostering long-term, sustainable growth in the agricultural sector.