Rwanda’s Nyungwe–Ruhango Corridor to Become Model for Ecosystem-Based Restoration

Rwanda is set to restore vital ecosystems and strengthen climate resilience in the Southern Province, following the approval of a $9 million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The funding will support the “Ecosystem-Based Restoration Approach for Nyungwe–Ruhango Corridor Project,” which aims to improve land management, protect biodiversity, and enhance livelihoods in climate-vulnerable communities.

The initiative is part of the GEF-8 Ecosystem Restoration Integrated Program (ERIP), a global effort led by Conservation International to scale up ecosystem restoration and promote sustainable development. Rwanda’s project is one of 20 selected worldwide.

“This project reflects the strong partnership between the World Bank and the Government of Rwanda in building climate resilience and driving inclusive green growth,” said Sahr Kpundeh, World Bank Country Manager for Rwanda. “It aligns with our Country Partnership Framework and global priorities on climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and empowering local communities to lead sustainable change.”

Impacting Thousands Across Southern Rwanda

Targeting the Nyungwe–Ruhango Corridor, the project will rehabilitate 2,162 hectares of forests and wetlands and promote sustainable land use across 8,931 hectares of farmland. These efforts are expected to directly benefit over 289,000 people in the districts of Ruhango, Nyanza, and Nyamagabe.

In addition to restoring ecosystems, the project will promote income-generating activities aimed at reducing environmental degradation. These include the development of non-timber forest product value chains, fruit tree planting, and support for green small businesses.

Early estimates suggest the project could create more than 2,200 jobs, particularly for young people and women, through sustainable livelihood initiatives.

“This is a timely intervention that combines ecological restoration with community resilience,” said Tuuli Bernardini, Senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank. “By centering the role of women, youth, and local enterprises in landscape management, the project supports inclusive development and paves the way for scalable nature-based solutions.”

A Holistic Approach to Environmental Threats

The project, to be implemented by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), adopts a landscape-level approach to address pressing environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and climate-induced disasters such as floods and landslides.

Key interventions will include afforestation, reforestation, riverbank and wetland rehabilitation, and the promotion of agroforestry and climate-smart agriculture. These actions are designed to stabilize the land, regulate water flows, and safeguard habitats critical to biodiversity.

The initiative forms part of a broader portfolio of World Bank-supported conservation and climate-resilience investments across the Congo-Nile divide, spanning Rwanda’s Northern, Western, and Southern Provinces. These include the Volcanoes Community Resilience Project and the Commercialization and De-Risking for Agricultural Transformation Project (CDAT).

Building on Past Success

The new project builds on the success of Rwanda’s earlier landscape restoration efforts, such as the Landscape Approach to Forest Restoration and Conservation (LAFREC), and is aligned with the country’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).

By investing in ecosystem health and climate resilience, officials hope to create long-term environmental, economic, and social benefits for communities living in one of Rwanda’s most ecologically important and climate-sensitive regions.