Kigali Hosts Africa Community-to-Community Exchange 2025: Showcasing Community-Led Nature-Based Solutions and Innovation

Kigali, Rwanda – 29 August 2025: More than 150 innovators, farmers, and cooperative representative from 19 African countries converged in Kigali this week for the Africa Community-to-Community Exchange 2025—a dynamic platform celebrating local solutions and charting a path toward a sustainable future.

Hosted at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village, the two-day exchange showcased how communities are driving change in agriculture, biodiversity, and climate resilience. Organized by the Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS) in collaboration with the government of Rwanda and with support from different partners including the Africa NGOs Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (ANAES), AUDA-NEPAD, Bezos Earth Fund, Circular Bioeconomy Alliance (CBA), Livelihoods Fund, Reforest’Action and other valued partners. The gathering amplified the voices of Africa’s rural innovators.

Exhibitors displayed many different creative solutions from their communities. Each cooperative present had earned its place through a competitive selection process, underscoring excellence in agroecology and community-led conservation.

“We are proud to host this community exchange bringing together groups from 19 African countries, each bringing their unique stories, innovations, and solutions to the table,” said Philippe Kwitonda, Director General in Charge of Land, Water and Forestry in Ministry of Environment.

He added: “This platform is more than an exchange and competition. It is a space for peer learning, cultural exchange, and collective inspiration. It is where we recognize excellence, share knowledge, and build bridges across landscapes and borders.”

Dialogue sessions brought to light shared challenges: limited access to finance, market barriers, and mounting climate risks. Yet, participants didn’t stop at diagnosis. They put forward concrete strategies, calling for greater private sector collaboration, investment in nature-based solutions, and stronger integration of community knowledge into national policy.

“This exchange proves that communities are not waiting to be helped—they are leading with courage, knowledge, and innovation. What we see here in Kigali is the blueprint for a sustainable Africa shaped by its own people.” — Dr. Sam Kanyamibwa, Founder and CEO of ARCOS

“We are deeply grateful to the Government of Rwanda and our partners for making this exchange possible. Our commitment is to see this platform grow—connecting communities, strengthening cooperatives, and scaling up the innovations showcased here,” he concluded.

The exchange marked its end in an awards ceremony honouring outstanding cooperatives/groups in both emerging and advanced categories. Winners received financial backing to expand their projects, while all participants signed a joint resolution reaffirming commitment to collaboration and resilience.