Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement

What Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement does

Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement (ROAM) is a non-governmental organization established in 2007 and legally registered in 2014, headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda. It functions as the national umbrella body for organic agriculture in Rwanda, serving organic farmers, producer cooperatives, processors, exporters, and consumers, and serving as the custodian of the Kilimohai organic mark across East Africa. ROAM operates as an IFOAM member organization and is part of the AfroNet network, positioning it as a coordinating node between local organic value-chain actors and international organic agriculture institutions.

ROAM's core service portfolio comprises three certification pathways — the Kilimohai mark, a Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) launched in July 2025, and third-party certification — alongside training and capacity building, policy advocacy, market linkages, and knowledge management. Its technical assets include FiBL-co-developed digitalized training materials and a documentation framework for organic production. The organization also acts as a convener of major regional events, including the 5th African Organic Conference (December 2023), the African Food Systems Transformation Conference (November 2024), and the 2nd National Agroecology Symposium (2025).

ROAM's revenue model is characteristic of an African development-sector NGO: income is generated from a combination of membership fees from affiliated farmer groups and cooperatives, donations, and project-based grants from international development partners — notably GIZ, SDC, FiBL, the African Climate Foundation, Naturland, and Biovision Africa Trust. With approximately 11 staff, ROAM reinvests any surplus into programmatic activities rather than distributing profit, and is in the process of formalizing a 2026-2030 strategic plan aligned with Rwanda's emerging National Agroecology Strategy.

Name

Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement

Legal name

Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement

Website

https://roam.org.rw

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement (ROAM) is a Kigali-based NGO established in 2007 serving as Rwanda's umbrella body for organic agriculture and custodian of the Kilimohai organic mark in East Africa, supporting farmers and cooperatives through certification, training, and advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Certification and Agroecology Services

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency (BPADALAM)

Keywords

• Organic certification services
• Agroecology training programs
• Farmer cooperative development
• Sustainable agriculture advocacy
• Participatory guarantee systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Kigali

HQ country

Rwanda

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: ROAM collects membership fees from farmer groups, cooperatives, companies, and business services that join as members of the umbrella organization.
2. Donations: The organization accepts donations through its website with preset amounts (5,000 RWF, 10,000 RWF, 25,000 RWF, 50,000 RWF) and custom amounts for one-time or monthly giving.
3. Project Funding and Grants: ROAM receives funding from international development partners including African Climate Foundation, GIZ, SDC, and others for implementing agricultural development projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ROAM operates as the national umbrella organization for organic agriculture and agroecology in Rwanda, offering organic certification services (Kilimohai trademark, Participatory Guarantee System, and third-party certification), implementing continental and regional agricultural development projects (EOA Initiative, KCOA-KHEA), delivering capacity-building and training through master trainers and multipliers, and advocating for policy frameworks that support organic farming across East Africa.

Product overview

ROAM operates as an umbrella organization for organic agriculture and agroecology in Rwanda, offering a portfolio of certification services (Kilimohai Organic, Third Party Certification, and Participatory Guarantee System), agricultural development projects (EOA Initiative, KCOA-KHEA Knowledge Centre, and Land Restoration programs), training and capacity building services, publications, and a membership program. The organization connects farmer groups, cooperatives, and stakeholders through knowledge dissemination and certification services to promote sustainable agriculture across Rwanda and East Africa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kilimohai Organic Certification A certification mark for organic produce and processed products in East Africa (Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda) signifying products cultivated without synthetic inputs and meeting the East African Organic Products Standard.
• Third Party Certification International market certification services for organic products through third-party verification, enabling access to export markets for certified producer groups.
• Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) An inclusive and cost-effective approach to certify organic products for farmer groups, designed to strengthen domestic markets by enabling smallholder participation in organic certification.
• Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative A continental undertaking implemented under African Union guidance, designed to establish an African organic platform and mainstream ecological organic agriculture into national agricultural production systems.
• Knowledge Centre for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology in Africa (KCOA) A network of five regional knowledge hubs providing practical, accessible resources to support the shift toward sustainable farming practices, including a Digital Knowledge Platform for multipliers, farmers, and value chain actors.
• Land Restoration for Resilient and Sustainable Farming Systems A landscape restoration project in Rutsiro District implementing tree planting, agroforestry, and sustainable farming practices under the Terrafund for AFR100 initiative.
• Digitalized Training Materials for Farmers Digital training content developed for farmers covering value chains including avocado, pineapple, strawberry, Irish potatoes, poultry, and maize, implemented with support from FiBL.
• Publications Newsletters and annual reports sharing organizational updates, key announcements, and highlights from recent activities.
• Agroforestry Training Curriculum Training curriculum developed in partnership with Naturland Association for agroforestry-based organic coffee production in accordance with Naturland standards compliance requirements.
• Membership Program Membership program offering access to exclusive resources, training, and networking opportunities for farmers, students, researchers, and organizations engaged in organic agriculture.

Quantifiable outcome

• Trained 2 Master Trainers and 115 Trainers/Multipliers who reached 3,750+ farmers
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AfroNet (African Organic Network)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008ROAM is a member of AfroNet, the umbrella organization uniting and advocating for African organic stakeholders across the continent.
• IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007ROAM is a member of IFOAM, which represents nearly 800 affiliates across 117 countries, providing international credibility, networking, and knowledge sharing for organic agriculture stakeholders in Rwanda.
• PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting ROAM's initiatives as part of their partner network.
• AFSA (Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerROAM collaborates with AFSA on initiatives to promote agroecology and strengthen local and territorial markets. AFSA's General Coordinator Dr. Million Belay participated in ROAM-organized symposium.
• SNCC (National Song and Cultural Centre)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in ROAM's network of development partners.
• NaturlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNaturland Association facilitated curriculum development on agroforestry for organic coffee production in accordance with Naturland standards, with potential expansion across East Africa.
• FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAO works with EALA and stakeholders on agroecology policy development. EALA, through its committee on agriculture, tourism and natural resources, partnered with FAO to endorse resolution recognizing agroecology as strategic priority.
• COLEACPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in ROAM's development partner network.
• Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBvAT is the Lead Coordinating Agency of the KCOA-KHEA Project and executes the SDC-supported component of the EOA Initiative.
• PELUM UgandacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPELUM Uganda is Co-Host of the KCOA-KHEA Project alongside Biovision Africa Trust.
• BVAT (Biovision Africa Trust)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferenced as partner in ROAM's network; executes the EOA Initiative under SDC support.
• FiBL (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFiBL financially supported the stakeholders' workshop on value chains selection for digitalized training materials development. Working with ROAM on digitalization of training contents for farmers.
• ICRAF (World Agroforestry Centre)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICRAF participated in agroforestry curriculum development workshop facilitated by Naturland Association.
• NIRDA (National Industrial Research and Development Agency)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIRDA organized competition promoting small entrepreneurs with innovative ideas, where ROAM-trained multipliers pitched bio-fertilizer innovations.
• UTAB (University of Technology and Arts of Byumba)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUTAB is the Pillar Implementing Partner (PIP) for research and applied knowledge under EOA-I Project, collaborating with ROAM-trained multipliers.
• African Union (AU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe EOA Initiative is implemented under guidance and oversight of AU chaired Continental Steering Committee. AU Commission (DARBE) provides oversight for KCOA-KHEA alignment with continental agricultural priorities.
• AGRIRESEARCH UNGUKA LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerROAM collaborated with AGRIRESEARCH UNGUKA Ltd to organize the 2nd National Agroecology Symposium in Rwanda.
• RCCDN (Rwanda Climate Change and Development Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerROAM collaborates with RCCDN on agroecology initiatives and was thanked for collaboration in developing National Agroecology Strategy workshop.
• YALTA (Youth in Agroecology and Business Learning Track Africa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerROAM collaborated with YALTA to organize the 2nd National Agroecology Symposium, focusing on youth engagement in agroecology.
• World Animal ProtectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization co-organizing the 2nd National Agroecology Symposium.
• EALA (East African Legislative Assembly)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEALA has endorsed resolution recognizing agroecology as strategic priority for sustainable policies across East African Community, working with FAO and supported by ROAM advocacy efforts.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• PELUM Uganda: Ugandan NGO network promoting ecological land use and sustainable agriculture among smallholders, co-host of the KCOA-KHEA project. Comparable civil-society model and smallholder farmer focus.
• Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN): National organic agriculture umbrella in Kenya coordinating producer groups, certification, and market access. Closely comparable structure and offerings to ROAM but operating in a different East African country.
• Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT): Tanzanian NGO promoting organic farming through training, research, and farmer-to-farmer learning. Comparable capacity-building, training-of-trainers approach, and smallholder focus.
• Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement (TOAM): National organic movement in Tanzania also using the Kilimohai mark, working on PGS, advocacy, and market development. Structurally analogous to ROAM and a peer custodian of regional organic standards.

Direct peers

• Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA): Pan-African advocacy coalition promoting agroecology and smallholder food sovereignty, actively collaborating with ROAM. Highly comparable mission, advocacy model, and donor base.
• Biovision Africa Trust: East African organization leading the KCOA-KHEA project alongside ROAM, working on ecological organic agriculture knowledge dissemination and farmer training. Directly comparable mission and beneficiary base, and an active strategic partner.
• AfrONet (African Organic Network): Continental umbrella organization uniting African organic stakeholders, of which ROAM is a member. Directly comparable as a network/advocacy body in the organic agriculture space.

Broad incumbents

• Naturland: Germany-based international organic certification and association, partner on ROAM's agroforestry curriculum. Comparable organic certification and standards work, but at a global commercial scale.
• IFOAM Organics International: Global umbrella for the organic agriculture movement with nearly 800 affiliates across 117 countries, of which ROAM is a member. Operates at a much larger global scale with overlapping advocacy and standards work.

Others

• FiBL (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture): Switzerland-based organic agriculture research institute, financially supporting ROAM's digital training materials. Adjacent enabling partner providing research, knowledge, and technical inputs rather than competing services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rwanda-organic-agriculture-movement

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement