News

Rwanda Signs $150 Million Poverty Reduction Partnership With GiveDirectly

Rwanda Signs $150 Million Poverty Reduction Partnership With GiveDirectly
Wednesday, 25 February 2026 20:03
  • Rwanda and GiveDirectly will mobilize more than $150 million over five years to reduce poverty by 25% in the five poorest districts.
  • Rwanda reduced its national poverty rate by 12.4 percentage points between 2017 and 2024.
  • GiveDirectly has distributed over $100 million to more than 220,000 households in Rwanda since 2016.

The Government of Rwanda signed a five-year framework agreement with the NGO GiveDirectly on February 24, to accelerate poverty reduction through a joint financing mechanism.

The two parties established a co-financing mechanism called the “Poverty Acceleration Co-Financing Basket Fund.” The initiative aims to mobilize more than $150 million over five years. The partners will direct the funds toward targeted investments and direct cash assistance in the five districts with the highest poverty rates. The program aims to reduce poverty by 25% in those districts.

GiveDirectly described the agreement as a significant milestone. “A major step forward. We’re proud to partner with the Government of Rwanda on the Poverty Acceleration Co-Financing Basket Fund. A bold five-year commitment to accelerate poverty reduction where it’s needed most. Big ambition. Real partnership. Lasting impact.” the organization said in a statement posted on X.

Rwanda achieved substantial progress in poverty reduction in recent years through targeted public policies. The national poverty rate declined to 27.4% in 2024 from 39.8% in 2017, according to the Seventh Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV7). The data shows a decrease of 12.4 percentage points over seven years. However, a significant share of the population remains poor, particularly in rural areas.

GiveDirectly has operated in Rwanda since 2016. The organization reports that it has distributed more than $100 million to over 220,000 households across 22 districts.

The initiative aligns with Rwanda’s Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), which aims to significantly reduce poverty nationwide over the coming years.

This article was initially published in French by Ingrid Haffiny

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum

On the same topic
The April 2026 Fiscal Monitor reveals that the global fiscal gap has nearly closed, yet Africa's picture remains deeply uneven. Several African countries...
While attention is focused on the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and its impact on oil markets, another, less visible crisis is unfolding behind the...
Africa agrochemicals market to reach $15.08 billion by 2031 Growth driven by pests, food demand, government subsidies Fertilizers...
Montage Gold secures five exploration permits in northern Mauritania Move supports efforts to reduce reliance on Tasiast mine $2 million...
Most Read
01

Driven by above-average growth and rapidly expanding demographics, Francophone Africa is emerging as...

Francophone Africa: A Rising Economic Giant With Weak Internal Trade
02

Algeria launches bid for two NGSO satellite telecom licenses Move aims to expand broadband ac...

Algeria Opens Satellite Market to Competition, Inviting Global Operators
03

EBID aims to allocate nearly 41% of its commitments to environmentally and socially impactful projec...

EBID Charts Green Shift to Finance West Africa’s Growth
04

Coca-Cola unit trains 260+ SMEs in Namibia business skills Program targets women, youth, disabled...

Over 260 Namibian SME Owners Trained as Sector Faces Mounting Losses
05

Four major operators—Mauritel, Mattel, Rimatel, and Chinguitel—submitted a combined bid of ...

Mauritanian Telecom Operators Submit $27 Million Combined Bid for 5G Licenses
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

regie@agenceecofin.com 
Tél: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72


EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.