HEINEKEN Africa Foundation through BRALIRWA Plc in partnership with Ripple Effect Rwanda has launched RUMBUKA Project aimed at strengthening climate resilience, improving household incomes and creating greater economic opportunities for women and young adults in Gatsibo and Ngoma Districts in Rwanda's Eastern Province.

The project was launched at events held in Kibungo Sector, Ngoma District, on 20 October 2026, and Gasange Sector, Gatsibo District, on October 21, 2026. District authorities, community members, project beneficiaries and other key stakeholders attended the events.

The three-year project which will run from July 2026 to June 2029 is expected to reach 12,000 beneficiaries in the sectors of Gasange and Murambi in Gatsibo District as well as in Kibungo and Rukira sectors in Ngoma District.

Through RUMBUKA, Ripple Effect Rwanda will work with smallholder farming communities to strengthen climate resilience through regenerative agriculture, improved water security, ecosystem restoration and better access to markets. Focusing on horticulture, maize and piggery value chains, the project will support farmers to improve productivity, diversify their incomes and move towards more sustainable, market-oriented livelihoods.

Angelique Barongo, Country Director of Ripple Effect Rwanda, highlighted the importance of the partnership in supporting farming households to build more resilient and economically secure livelihoods.

"The RUMBUKA Project would not be possible without the partnership and support of the HEINEKEN Africa Foundation and BRALIRWA. Through this collaboration, we aim to help farming households become more resilient, productive and economically secure. Our ambition is to support farmers to move beyond producing just enough to meet their household needs towards generating a surplus, increasing their incomes and building stronger futures for their families,” she said.

The HEINEKEN Africa Foundation empowers smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa to improve the health and productivity of their land and thrive despite climate shocks while improving their economic and social well-being. The Foundation runs similar projects through HEINEKEN subsidiaries in Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi, Namibia, and Mozambique.

According to Edwin Moerkerk, General Manager of the HEINEKEN Africa Foundation, the objective of the project is to address complex challenges through community-centric, innovative, and long-term solutions.

"RUMBUKA project marks a significant milestone in the HEINEKEN Africa Foundation’s ongoing commitment to foster sustainable development through regenerative agricultural practices. We are committed to working together with our partners to support farmers to thrive and build their resilience. We believe that investing in African agriculture is investing in the future of the world” he said.

In the past 10 years, the HEINEKEN Africa Foundation has supported projects in Rwanda through BRALIRWA in the fields of maternity care as well as Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in partnerships worth over €1 million.

Ethel Emma-Uche, Managing Director of BRALIRWA Plc, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to creating social, economic, and environmental resilience through strategic partnerships.

"As a proud HEINEKEN company, our core value of "Care for People and Planet” inspires us to contribute to the wellbeing of the communities where we serve, and we are confident that RUMBUKA Project will strengthen livelihoods while creating greater opportunities for women and young adults to benefit from economic growth” she said.

Speaking at the launch events, the Vice Mayors of Ngoma and Gatsibo Districts in charge of Economic Development, Cyriaque Mapambano Nyiridandi and Jean Leonard Sekanyange, respectively, warmly commended Rumbuka Project with confidence drawing on Ripple Effect Rwanda’s positive track record in implementing similar initiatives in the region, including Inka Nziza Zikamwa in Ngoma and Ongera Amata in Gatsibo, which have made a meaningful impact on local communities.

RUMBUKA Project will bring communities together to address shared farming challenges and develop solutions that respond to local needs. Through active participation, collaboration and ownership, communities will play a central role in driving sustained progress over time.

About Ripple Effect

Ripple Effect is an international development charity working with rural communities across Africa to tackle hunger, poverty and the impacts of the climate crisis. Since 1988, the organisation has empowered over four million people, supporting communities to transform their futures on their own land and on their own terms.

Through its integrated approach to sustainable agriculture, gender and social inclusion, and enterprise development, Ripple Effect equips farming families with the knowledge, skills and confidence to grow food sustainably, build resilient livelihoods and develop sustainable sources of income. Its programmes currently operate in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi and Zambia, working with communities to create lasting change that extends beyond individual households.

Women and young adults are a key focus of these projects, with interventions designed to strengthen their access to skills, productive resources, financial services and income-generating opportunities, while supporting greater participation in household and community decision-making.

About the HEINEKEN Africa Foundation

The HEINEKEN Africa Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to empower small-scale farmers to improve the health and productivity of their land, strengthen their livelihoods and build resilience to climate-related challenges through regenerative agriculture.

The foundation funds projects in sub-Saharan African countries where the HEINEKEN Company is present, drawing on local knowledge and connections to ensure initiatives respond to the needs and context of each country.

Working with local and international partners, the Foundation supports initiatives that strengthen the social, economic and environmental resilience of farming communities. Since 2007, the Foundation has committed more than €20 million to over 150 projects across sub-Saharan Africa.