The development was confirmed by the Office of the President, Village Urugwiro, on Thursday evening.

The meetings took place on the sidelines of the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum) 2026, which was held in Kigali and brought together leaders and stakeholders to discuss ways of strengthening Africa’s food systems.

IFAD is a United Nations specialised agency that works with rural communities to address poverty, improve food security and nutrition, and strengthen agricultural productivity and livelihoods.

The organisation focuses on supporting rural people, particularly small-scale farmers and vulnerable communities, to improve their livelihoods, expand businesses and build resilience to challenges affecting their development.

The discussions come as African countries continue to seek ways to transform agriculture, strengthen food production and build more resilient food systems amid changing economic and environmental conditions.
With the global population projected to reach about nine billion by 2050, pressure on food systems is expected to increase, making agricultural transformation and food security key priorities for developing countries.

IFAD directs much of its work towards countries and communities where poverty and hunger are most prevalent, supporting rural populations to improve their livelihoods and strengthen their ability to withstand economic, social and environmental challenges.