The African Development Bank Group and the Government of Rwanda have officially launched the Nature-Based Flood Adaptation to Increase Community Resilience project in western Rwanda. The initiative was introduced during a three-day workshop and training session held in Kigali and will be implemented by the Rwanda Water Resources Board. The project is financed through a $9 million grant from the African Development Fund, the concessional financing arm of the Bank Group.
The project aims to address recurrent flooding, soil erosion, and land degradation in high-risk watersheds by deploying ecosystem-based, nature-driven solutions. Western Rwanda has experienced increasingly frequent floods and landslides in recent years, resulting in loss of life, destruction of homes, damage to public infrastructure, and disruption of economic activities. By restoring degraded catchments and strengthening natural defenses, the initiative seeks to reduce flood risks and enhance long-term climate resilience for vulnerable communities.
Planned interventions include riverbank stabilization, rehabilitation of steep slopes, reforestation, watershed restoration, and sustainable land management practices. These efforts are expected to benefit approximately 620,000 people living in flood- and landslide-prone areas. In addition to environmental restoration, the project will generate green jobs, promote youth employment, and prioritize gender equality, while building local technical capacity in environmental monitoring and sustainable resource management.
The initiative also incorporates climate information systems and early warning mechanisms to improve disaster preparedness and community response. By integrating climate adaptation measures with local planning processes, the project aims to safeguard lives, farmland, and critical infrastructure.
The project aligns with Rwanda’s national priorities on climate resilience and sustainable landscape management and supports the African Development Bank Group’s Climate Change and Green Growth Strategy. The launch workshop, held from 18 to 20 February 2026, included training sessions on procurement, financial management, environmental and social safeguards, and monitoring and evaluation to ensure transparent, efficient, and results-driven implementation.
