Rwandan Innovation Earns Global “Vote of Confidence”: IRIBA Water Group Recognized among Finalists for 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize

ABU DHABI, UAE – As winners are revealed today at the Zayed Sustainability Prize ceremony during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the spotlight shines brightly also on Yvette Ishimwe, the Founder and CEO of IRIBA Water Group.

Her Rwandan social enterprise was selected as one of only 33 finalists from a record-breaking 7,761 submissions representing 173 countries—a 30% increase in entries that underscores the competitive nature of this global honor.

For Ishimwe, the journey to the awards stage in Abu Dhabi is more than a personal achievement; it is a validation of Rwandan innovation.

 “Honestly, it feels deeply humbling,” Ishimwe told TOP AFRICA NEWS.

“Being selected as a finalist already feels like a strong vote of confidence in the work we are doing on the ground”.

She noted that the Prize’s history of recognizing practical, measurable impact places IRIBA among organizations that are making a “real difference” globally.

“This recognition says that solutions coming from Rwanda, built with and for local people, truly belong in global conversations,” Ishimwe added, describing the moment as one of pride, gratitude, and a “renewed responsibility to keep delivering impact with integrity”.

Solving Infrastructure with Smart Technology

IRIBA’s success is rooted in its ability to navigate the unique infrastructure challenges of Rwanda, where limited grid access and affordability often block clean water delivery.

The enterprise utilizes solar-powered smart water ATMs that can operate reliably in off-grid areas.

Ishimwe explained that the system uses a smart dispensing mechanism for real-time monitoring and accountability, while mobile payments ensure the water is affordable and accessible without the risks associated with cash handling.

Crucially, the system is designed for durability and local ownership, ensuring that water access is a permanent fixture rather than a short-term intervention.

Economic Dignity through Environmental Action

Beyond clean water, IRIBA has pioneered a franchise-based approach that bridges the gap between environmental action and economic opportunity.

This model has already created 194 jobs, primarily for women and young people who manage, maintain, and operate the ATMs within their own communities.

Ms. Ishimwe Yvette together with Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Jimmy Gasore, together with Amb. John Mirenge, joined global leaders at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) and the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony.

“From the beginning, we believed water access should not only improve health, but also create opportunity,” Ishimwe said.

 She emphasized that this model turns technical skills into stable income, stating, “That connection between climate action and economic dignity is at the heart of our approach”.

Scaling and Sustainability

As a finalist, Ishimwe is already looking toward the future of water security in Rwanda. The platform provided by the Prize offers access to a global network of peers and partners aligned with measurable sustainability outcomes.

IRIBA plans to scale by:

• Embedding solutions within national WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) and education programs through close cooperation with government institutions and schools.
• Expanding digital monitoring and exploring climate-linked financing, such as carbon mechanisms, to ensure long-term operational sustainability.
• Prioritizing community trust and affordability over sheer numbers to ensure quality remains high during growth.

A Vision Turned “Lived Reality”

Reflecting on the enterprise’s founding in 2017, Ishimwe described the experience of seeing her vision recognized globally as “emotional”.

The initiative began as an idea rooted in the lived experience of seeing children miss school due to waterborne diseases.

“There was no certainty, only conviction,” Ishimwe recalled.

“To now see that vision become a lived reality for hundreds of thousands of people… is incredibly grounding. It reinforces why we keep going: because access to safe water should never be a privilege”.

Since its launch in 2008, the Prize has recognised 128 winners across six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools.