Bank of Kigali (BK) has reaffirmed its commitment to financing Rwanda’s seed sector, positioning quality seeds as a key driver of agricultural productivity, food security and economic transformation. The commitment was announced during the 3rd Rwanda National Seed Congress 2026, which opened in Kigali on Monday, July 20. Held under the theme “Seeds as a Strategic Engine for National Transformation: Advancing a Competitive, Private-Sector-Led Seed System for Food Security, Jobs and Trade,” the two-day congress brought together policymakers, seed companies, financiers, researchers, development partners and farmers from Africa and beyond. Organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) in collaboration with the National Seed Association of Rwanda (NSAR) and other industry partners, the congress seeks to position Rwanda as a competitive player in the regional and global seed industry. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s seed sector set for growth with partnerships and BK financing Experts noted that Rwanda has made significant progress in developing its seed sector through investments in agricultural research, seed multiplication, certification and private-sector participation. According to MINAGRI, the country has achieved self-sufficiency in certified seed production for strategic crops namely maize, wheat and soybean, which were previously imported. ALSO READ: Rwanda will no longer import maize, wheat and soybean seeds However, challenges remain, particularly in horticulture, where Rwanda still relies on imported vegetable seeds. Despite Africa’s favourable agroecological conditions, rich genetic diversity and growing scientific capacity, the continent accounts for only about 2.2 per cent of the estimated $85 billion global seed market due to fragmented markets, limited investment, weak regulatory systems and challenges in commercialising research, according to data shared during the congress. BK’s support for seed sector Speaking during the congress, Alexis Bizimana, Head of Agri-Business at Bank of Kigali, said the lender is implementing a five-year strategic partnership with NSAR to strengthen Rwanda’s seed value chain. “We are partnering with the National Seed Association of Rwanda because we need the seed sector to grow and become more competitive. Quality seed is the foundation of agricultural productivity, so strengthening the sector also helps de-risk our lending portfolio,” Bizimana said. “Strong seeds mean good harvests, and the repayment capacity of farmers improves.” Beyond financing, BK and NSAR are working together to train farmers on the importance of quality seeds and promote improved farming practices through awareness programmes targeting major farming zones. Expanding affordable finance Expanding access to affordable finance remains one of BK’s priorities. Bizimana said the lender has committed more than Rwf50 billion to the seed and agricultural inputs value chain. The financing includes Rwf10.3 billion extended to seed multipliers and suppliers and about Rwf40 billion for seeds and other agricultural inputs used by farmers. He noted that the figures represent outstanding balances because agricultural financing is seasonal, and the total amount disbursed to the sector is significantly higher. Backed by development partners, BK is also leveraging blended finance arrangements to lower borrowing costs and increase access to concessional financing for seed companies and other value chain actors. “We support seed sector players to access affordable financing through blended finance, where they can obtain loans at interest rates of between 9 and 12 per cent,” Bizimana said. To further expand financing opportunities, the bank is mobilising resources from development partners, including an existing €100 million financing agreement with the European Investment Bank to support sustainable agriculture, including seed production. ALSO READ: European Bank, BK announce €100m plan to enable Rwandan farmers adapt to climate change The bank is also finalising an agreement with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to finance farmer organisations, with seed production identified as one of the priority areas. “We are trying to look in every corner to see how we can mobilise blended and concessional financing to support this sector,” Bizimana said. Digital financing BK also plans to deepen support through digital supply-chain financing tailored to the seed sector. The platform will enable the bank to monitor financing across the value chain while allowing seed companies to access funds more efficiently. Bizimana said the bank is exploring digital solutions to improve access to agricultural finance by leveraging its network of farmers and agro-dealers. “We have three million farmers and agro-dealers, and we want to deploy digital loans so they can access funding more quickly,” he said. Building a competitive seed industry Opening the congress, State Minister for Agriculture and Animal Resources Dr Solange Uwituze said seeds should no longer be viewed only as agricultural inputs but as strategic assets capable of driving economic transformation. “Today, we must look beyond the traditional understanding of seed simply as an agricultural input. The seed industry has become a strategic economic sector that drives agricultural productivity, food security, climate resilience, employment creation, private-sector investment, innovation and international trade,” she said. She noted that Africa’s participation in the global seed economy remains constrained by fragmented markets, inadequate investment, weak regulatory systems and limited compliance with internationally recognised seed standards. For Rwanda, she said, the challenge presents an opportunity to build a competitive seed industry. “Our ambition is not only to achieve national seed security. Our ambition is to build a modern, innovative, internationally competitive and private-sector-led seed industry capable of serving regional and international markets,” Uwituze said. Innocent Namuhoranye, Chairperson of NSAR, said BK’s partnership has helped improve access to affordable finance for seed multipliers, dealers and farmers. “Bank of Kigali is a good partner in providing affordable financing for seed multipliers, seed dealers and farmers. As an association, we also collaborate with the bank to strengthen the agricultural value chain so that farmers can adopt best practices and improve productivity,” he said. The expanded partnership comes as Rwanda seeks to strengthen its private-sector-led seed industry, improve food security and position itself as a competitive supplier of quality seed in regional and international markets.
