Rwandan agribusiness entrepreneur Nadege Uwamahoro has been named among 100 women recognised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) for their contributions to agriculture, food systems and rural development.

Uwamahoro, founder and CEO of Braimpire Ltd, received the honour at a ceremony held at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, on October 15, as part of the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026. She was among the inaugural recipients selected from 609 nominations across 131 FAO member countries.

Since founding Braimpire in 2016, Uwamahoro has focused on strengthening agricultural value chains, expanding market access and creating business opportunities for smallholder farmers. She said her company has worked more than 15,000 farmers, most of them women, young people and persons with disabilities.

ALSO READ: We must put women at the centre to achieve food security - Agric state minister

Braimpire works with products including coffee, tea, chilli and horticultural produce, connecting farmers to regional and international markets. The company also promotes value addition and helps reduce post-harvest losses, enabling farmers to increase their earnings.

ALSO READ: Why women farmers need more access to finance to cope with climate change effects

Uwamahoro has also championed cross-border agricultural trade. She is described as the first Rwandan woman to register a company under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to expand trade among African countries.

ALSO READ: Packaging remains a hindrance for local products – Rwanda’s AfCFTA trade pioneer

Speaking to The New Times, Uwamahoro dedicated the recognition to women farmers whose contributions to food production and rural livelihoods often go unrecognised.

"This recognition is deeply personal to me, but I do not see it as mine alone. I dedicate it to the thousands of women farmers in Rwanda and across Africa who wake up every day to cultivate our land, feed our communities, sustain their families and build a better future, often with little recognition,” she said.

She also thanked the government of Rwanda for supporting women’s leadership and entrepreneurship, saying the opportunities provided had contributed to her growth.

The FAO initiative recognises women working across agriculture, entrepreneurship, research, education and community leadership – highlighting their contributions to food security, market access, environmental protection and the preservation of traditional knowledge.

ALSO READ: World Food Day: Innovation from investment to impact

Uwamahoro said she hoped the recognition would inspire more women, particularly those in rural communities, to pursue their ambitions and appreciate the value of their work.

"May this recognition remind every rural woman that her work matters, her contribution is valued and her dreams are possible,” she said.