AfDB Supports Flood-Resilient Solutions for Vulnerable Rwandans
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB), in partnership with the Rwanda Water Resources Board, has launched a major flood-adaptation initiative aimed at increasing community resilience in western Rwanda. The project was officially unveiled during a three-day workshop and training session held in Kigali, the country’s capital.
The Nature-Based Flood Adaptation to Increase Community Resilience project will be financed through a $9 million grant from the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional lending window. It will implement ecosystem-based solutions in flood-prone areas to tackle recurring flooding, soil erosion, and land degradation in high-risk watersheds.
The initiative is expected to reduce flood risks while enhancing climate resilience for vulnerable communities across western Rwanda.
Western Rwanda has witnessed increasingly frequent floods and landslides in recent years, resulting in loss of life, damage to homes, destruction of public infrastructure, and disruption of economic activity.
Speaking on behalf of the AfDB Rwanda Country Manager, Vivian Chinyolo, Country Programme Officer for Rwanda, said: “Climate-related disasters continue to pose serious risks to communities in the western region. Through this investment, the Bank is supporting sustainable, nature-based solutions that reduce flood risks, strengthen livelihoods, enhance environmental protection, and create local employment opportunities.”
The project will restore degraded catchments, stabilise riverbanks, rehabilitate steep slopes, and promote reforestation and sustainable land management. It is expected to benefit 620,000 people vulnerable to flood and landslide risks. Key activities include watershed rehabilitation, tree planting, environmental monitoring, and capacity building, all of which are anticipated to generate green jobs and build local technical expertise.
The initiative will also introduce climate information services, early warning systems, and local planning to improve disaster preparedness. Gender equality and youth employment will be central to the project’s implementation.
Richard Nyirishema, Executive Chairperson of the Rwanda Water Resources Board, said: “This project represents a significant milestone in our national commitment to safeguarding vulnerable communities from the escalating impacts of climate change. By prioritising nature-based solutions, we are strengthening resilience across high-risk catchments while protecting critical infrastructure, agricultural livelihoods, and the long-term sustainability of our water resources.”
The launch workshop, held from 18–20 February 2026, included sessions on procurement, financial management, environmental and social safeguards, and monitoring and evaluation, ensuring the project begins efficiently, transparently, and with results-driven delivery.
The project supports Rwanda’s national climate resilience and sustainable landscape management priorities while reinforcing AfDB’s Climate Change and Green Growth Strategy.
