How One Rwandan Startup Is Using Tech to Transform Agriculture

In a world where climate change and unpredictable weather patterns are threatening agricultural productivity, one Rwandan entrepreneur is harnessing technology to help smallholder farmers adapt and thrive.

Jean Claude AKARIKUMUTIMA, founder and CEO of Faminga, an agri-tech company, is at the forefront of Rwanda’s agri-tech revolution. His company is using cutting-edge tools like artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and geospatial analysis to equip farmers with real-time, actionable insights.

“We are helping farmers to be more climate resilient, maximize their yield, and grow financially by making data-driven decisions,” AKARIKUMUTIMA said in an interview. “Our aim is to empower them through accessible technology.”

Farminga’s primary beneficiaries are smallholder farmers, many of whom are reached through cooperatives or the company’s Digital Literacy Program. This initiative trains farmers to adopt new technology and make the most of Farminga’s tools—especially its user-friendly soil sensors.

“These are plug-and-play devices. Farmers connect them to their smartphones—or even to basic mobile numbers if they don’t own smartphones—and we deliver the insights directly to them,” he explained. “We’ve made sure it’s affordable and easy to use because we understand the financial limitations most smallholder farmers face.”

Currently, Faminga boosts around 1,500 users, with 40 percent being women, a milestone AKARIKUMUTIMA says speaks to the inclusivity and accessibility of their model.

“We are really proud to see that women are actively using the platform. It shows we are reaching across gender lines and creating equal opportunities,” he added.

Though headquartered in Rwanda, Faminga is already growing beyond its borders. The company has begun operations in Kenya and is eyeing further expansion into Tanzania and other neighboring countries.

“We started in Rwanda, but our vision is regional. The challenges farmers face are not limited to one country, and neither should the solutions be,” said AKARIKUMUTIMA.

Faminga is already making a tangible impact in various districts across Rwanda. “We have farmers using our technology in Rusizi, Bugesera, Muhanga, and Nyanza,” he noted. “These farmers are becoming examples of what’s possible when technology meets tradition in agriculture.”

As the demand for climate-smart agriculture increases, Faminga represents a beacon of innovation. With a strong commitment to accessibility, gender inclusion, and local empowerment, Jean Claude AKARIKUMUTIMA and his team are planting the seeds of a more sustainable future for African agriculture.