Planner Corretora de Valores S.A., a Brazilian firm, is set to operate the Gako beef processing plant under a new agreement approved by Cabinet, according to the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
The project is located at Gako Farm in Bugesera District, on state-owned land.
The agreement between the Government of Rwanda and the Brazilian investor covers the lease of state land and sets out terms for developing and operating the beef processing facility.
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RDB Chief Investment Officer Michelle Umurungi said the arrangement will allow the investor to finance, develop and manage the project under a structured concession aligned with Rwanda’s legal framework.
"The rationale is to bring in the capital and specialised operational expertise needed to unlock the full value of this strategic asset for Rwanda’s beef sector,” she said.
Under the deal, the investor plans to establish an integrated model spanning feed production, livestock rearing and meat processing. Expected benefits include job creation, skills transfer, import substitution, and improved consistency in the quality and supply of beef to the domestic market.
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The facility is designed for industrial-scale operations, with current plans targeting a processing capacity of up to 150 cattle per day. Annual output is projected to reach several thousand tonnes, depending on production ramp-up and product mix.
The Gako project is Rwanda’s flagship cattle farming and beef production initiative, targeting both domestic and export markets.
In February 2025, Gako Meat Company CEO Didace Rushigajiki said the government had allocated about 6,000 hectares of land to the project to support both local supply and export ambitions.
The project was initially implemented as a public-private partnership under Gako Meat Company Ltd. In April 2024, the government acquired all shares previously held by local investors, turning it into a fully public entity.
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As of January 2025, the farm had more than 6,700 head of cattle, with plans to expand the herd to boost production.
Efforts are also underway to scale up fodder production and irrigation.
About 1,050 hectares are already irrigated for feed production, including 310 hectares planted with maize in late 2024.
The company also plans to establish a feed processing plant to ensure a stable supply of inputs, with maize expected to play a central role.
Currently, about 500 cattle are ready for market each month.
Earlier plans envisioned a feedlot with a capacity of 56,000 bulls and a slaughterhouse capable of processing up to 300 cattle per day.
The project is pursuing certification to access international markets, with East Africa and the Middle East identified as key destinations.
Rwanda aims to increase annual meat production from 207,097 tonnes in 2023/24 to 247,223 tonnes by 2028/29 under the fifth Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation (PSTA 5), representing a nearly 20 per cent increase.