Government mandate
The Government of Rwanda's mandate to move quickly within a clear regulatory framework.
The RFIP Partners Group
Collaborate. Contribute. Shape Africa's food innovation future.
The RFIP Partners Group is the collaboration and coordination platform for Rwanda's food innovation ecosystem. It brings together the public sector, private sector, development partners, research institutions, and civil society to support implementation of the Rwanda Food Innovation Ecosystem Strategy (RFIES) 2026–2035, under the leadership of the Government of Rwanda.
It is a collaboration and coordination platform, not a financing vehicle. Its purpose is to align the efforts of organizations already investing expertise, resources, and capabilities in Rwanda's food system, so that individual initiatives add up to ecosystem-level results rather than running in parallel.
Why the Partners Group exists
Rwanda's food innovation ecosystem needs four things at once. No single actor can supply all four — which is precisely why the Partners Group exists.
Program capital
Development partners' program capital to de-risk early-stage ideas.
Market access
Private sector partners' innovation pipeline and market access to bring solutions to scale.
Evidence base
Research institutions' knowledge base to keep the whole system evidence-led.
What partners do together
- Coordinate ecosystem priorities and reduce duplication.
- Shape RFIP programs, accelerators, and Innovation Challenges.
- Share research, data, market intelligence, and expertise.
- Connect innovators, investors, institutions, and markets.
- Develop partnerships, pilots, and co-investment opportunities.
- Champion Rwanda's food innovation ambition nationally and internationally.
RFIP will seek to optimize the contributions of all partners in the ecosystem rather than replace them. The Partners Group exists to strengthen coordination across the ecosystem and to make every mandate-holder's work faster and more effective.
What partners gain
Partners gain structured access to Rwanda's coordinated food innovation platform — not isolated project touchpoints.
1
A seat on the national platform.
2
Direct engagement with Government.
3
Thematic working groups and policy dialogue.
4
Collaboration and co-investment opportunities.
5
Connections across Rwanda's innovation ecosystem.
6
Visibility through RFIP platforms and convenings.
7
Support for regional market expansion.
A light-touch model, built for action
During the 2026–2027 Foundation and Incubation Phase, the Partners Group is deliberately designed with low barriers to participation. There are no membership fees and no minimum financial contribution. Partners contribute according to their strengths, priorities, and capacity — through expertise, research, technology, investment, market access, facilities, networks, or other in-kind support.
RFIP Partners Group
Organizations across research, regulation, and businesses collaborating through the RFIP Partners Group.
Become a Partner
Complete the online form to express your interest in joining the RFIP Partners Group.