RYAFRwanda

What RYAFRwanda does

RYAF (Rwanda Youth in Agribusiness Forum) is a non-profit membership organization established in 2016 under the Government of Rwanda's initiative through the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), with participation from four additional ministries (Youth, Public Service, Education, and Trade) and FAO support. Legally constituted under Rwandan labor law with statutes published in the Official Gazette in December 2017, RYAF functions as a national platform that aggregates youth organizations, individual young farmers (aged 16-35), and entrepreneurs across crop production, livestock, agro-processing, inputs, agro-services, and ICT for Agriculture. Its operational footprint spans all 30 districts of Rwanda through a layered governance structure comprising a Board of Directors, General Assembly, Secretariat (33 staff), 90 district committee members, and district coordinators, supported by an online membership portal at membership.ryaf.rw.

RYAF delivers value through six strategic pillars: Strategic Advocacy, Mentorship and Capacity Building, Access to Finance, Climate-Smart Agriculture and Technology, Access to Markets, and Communication and Knowledge Management. These are operationalized through five thematic clusters (Inputs and Agroservices, ICT4 Agriculture, AgroProcessing, Livestock, and Crop Production) and a portfolio of multi-donor projects including R-YES (IFAD/BMZ), SAIP (World Bank/GAFSP/KOICA), KIIWP (IFAD), RDDP (IFAD), and the AGRA/Mastercard Foundation Eastern Province youth employment project (2024-2027). Reported outcomes include 819 youth certified and 1,535 jobs created via R-YES, 779,061 fruit tree seedlings distributed to 29,236 beneficiaries through SAIP, and targets of 34,038 employment opportunities and 300,000 mobilized youth under the AGRA project.

The business model is donor-funded rather than commercial: revenue accrues from project implementation grants (IFAD, BMZ, World Bank, GAFSP, KOICA, Mastercard Foundation via AGRA, USAID KWA, French Embassy, Heifer International) and member-related fees rather than product or service sales. Distribution combines digital channels (bilingual website, quarterly newsletter, YouTube, social media influencer training), community organizing at the district level, event-based demand generation (Rwanda AgriShow, Africa Food Systems Forum, AYuTe Challenge, YouthConnekt), a physical RYAF shop at Kimironko, and policy dialogue with ministries. The 2026 AYuTe Africa Challenge Rwanda disbursed RWF 65 million in prizes (up 30% YoY) through a Heifer International partnership, signaling sustained programmatic momentum.

Name

RYAFRwanda

Legal name

Rwanda Youth in Agribusiness Forum (RYAF)

Website

https://ryaf.rw

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

RYAF (Rwanda Youth in Agribusiness Forum) is a government-anchored, non-profit membership platform that mobilizes youth aged 16-35 across all 30 districts of Rwanda into agribusiness, delivering training, financing access, market linkages, and policy advocacy through a network of district coordinators and donor-funded projects with IFAD, World Bank, Mastercard Foundation, AGRA, Heifer, and USAID.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Agribusiness Development Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Institutional Capacity Building & Training (Workforce/Systems Strengthening) (BPADAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK), Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance (BPADAEAL), Climate Policy, Governance & NDC Support (BPADALAA)

Keywords

• Youth agribusiness forum
• Agricultural capacity building
• Rural youth employment
• Agribusiness market access
• Agricultural value chains

Headquarters

HQ city

Kigali

HQ country

Rwanda

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Services & Platform: RYAF provides a platform for youth agribusiness networking, advocacy, capacity building, market access facilitation, and access to finance linkages. As a registered forum/organization, revenue is generated through membership fees, project implementation grants, and donor funding rather than commercial product sales.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels14 records

Core offering

RYAF is a national membership-based youth agribusiness forum that mobilizes, trains, and connects young Rwandan farmers and entrepreneurs to financing, markets, training, technology, and policy advocacy. It delivers its mission through six strategic pillars (Strategic Advocacy, Mentorship, Access to Finance, Technology/Climate-Smart Agriculture, Access to Markets, and Communication/Knowledge Management) and operates implementation projects such as R-YES, SAIP, RDDP, and KIIWP in partnership with government ministries and international development organizations.

Product overview

RYAFRwanda is a youth agribusiness forum and support organization, not a unified technology product. It operates a membership platform offering advocacy, capacity building, business development services, market access facilitation, and mentorship. The organization manages multiple agricultural development projects (SAIP, RDDP, KIIWP, R-YES) across Rwanda's 30 districts and operates through five thematic clusters (Inputs & Agroservices, ICT4 Agriculture, AgroProcessing, Livestock, Crop Production) and six strategic pillars (Strategic Advocacy, Mentorship/Capacity Building, Access to Finance, Technology/Climate Smart Agriculture, Access to Markets, Communication and Knowledge Management). Services are delivered through partnerships with government ministries, international organizations (IFAD, World Bank, FAO), and implementing partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• RYAF Membership Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 819 youth completed experiential learning courses; 1,535+ jobs created; 356 youth certified through R-YES project; 779,061 fruit tree seedlings distributed to 29,236 beneficiaries through SAIP; 34,038 employment opportunities targeted through AGRA partnership.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Hinga WungukemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 September 2024RYAF and Hinga Wunguke signed an MoU to empower youth in agriculture and boost Rwanda's food security, focusing on collaborative projects and initiatives.
• Centre d'Etude et de Cooperation Internationale (CECI)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 January 2024RYAF and CECI signed a 3-year MoU (renewable) focusing on promoting gender mainstreaming among youth in agribusiness, women's economic empowerment, and joint initiatives to tackle climate change through agroecological approaches.
• Rwanda Institute of Cooperatives, Entrepreneurship and Microfinance (RICEM)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 January 2024RYAF and RICEM signed an MoU to strengthen youth capacity development within the agribusiness ecosystem. RYAF members gain access to RICEM programs including the Business Simulation game and Climate Resilience Simulation game, with joint initiatives on project proposal writing and implementation.
• SPIU IFAD Funded ProjectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021RYAF signed MoU with SPIU IFAD Funded Projects for the implementation of KIIWP (Kayonza Irrigation and Integrated Watershed Management Project) since 2021. Focuses on strengthening farmers' organization capacity through cooperative managerial improvement and youth graduate deployment.
• Rwanda Agricultural and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019RYAF signed MoU with RAB through SPIU for implementation of SAIP (Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Food Security Project) since September 2019. RYAF provides technical expertise to increase agricultural productivity, market access, and food security in SAIP intervention areas.
• Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership agreement since 2018 renewed for 2023-2025 focusing on inspiring young people in both countries to be involved in agribusiness, supporting entrepreneurship and innovation, coaching and mentorship, capacity building, leadership, cultural exchange, and study tours.
• Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016RYAF was established under the initiative of the Government of Rwanda specifically through MINAGRI. MINAGRI provides institutional backing, co-develops agricultural policies, and hosts RYAF's headquarters at the MINAGRI Head Office in Kacyiru, Kigali. The ministry collaborates with RYAF on youth employment, agribusiness development, and agricultural transformation initiatives.
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAO was involved in the establishment of RYAF and continues to support youth agribusiness programs. FAO has collaborated on the Buy from Youth Campaign and supports capacity building initiatives for youth in agriculture.
• Kilimo TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKilimo Trust leads the R-YES (Rural Youth Employment Support) project consortium in partnership with RYAF and Rwanda Polytechnic. The 5-year project (2020-2024) funded by IFAD and BMZ builds technical skills and creates jobs for rural youth in agribusiness across 16 districts.
• Heifer International RwandacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeifer International Rwanda organizes the annual AYuTe Africa Challenge Rwanda competition and has partnered with RYAF to award prizes to top young agri-tech innovators (RWF 65 million in 2026). Heifer International also supports the AYuTe platform connecting young innovators with investors and policy makers.
• Rwanda Polytechnic (RP) - IPRCscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRwanda Polytechnic and its Integrated Polytechnic Regional Colleges (IPRCs) serve as training centers for R-YES project beneficiaries, providing short vocational courses (3-6 months) in agribusiness value chains including dairy, poultry, piggery, potatoes, maize, rice, and vegetables.
• YARAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYARA has partnered with Ampere Vision Rwanda and Heifer International Rwanda to provide farmers with a bundled service model including drone spraying, foliar fertilizer application, and mechanization services at affordable prices.
• Orora WihazemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrora Wihaze partnered with RYAF to map youth in small livestock (pig, fish, poultry, goat, sheep), organize trainings, and award grants of 7-10 million Rwandan francs to 5 youth with viable businesses along with 6 months of technical and business advisory services.
• VitagoramajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVitagora (a French agrifood cluster) implemented the GlobalGro Ignition program with RYAF, providing workshops on business plans and mentorship to microbusiness owners in the agrifood system. Funded by the French Embassy in Rwanda.
• Empower RwandamajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPart of the AGRA-RYAF consortium for the Eastern Province youth employment project. Empower Rwanda works alongside RYAF, Akazi Kanoze Access, Abusol Ltd, YEAN Ltd, and Africa Development Consultancy (ADC) to implement the 3-year project (2024-2027).
• Akazi Kanoze Access (AKA)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPart of the AGRA-RYAF consortium for the Eastern Province youth employment project, working with Empower Rwanda, RYAF, Abusol Ltd, YEAN Ltd, and Africa Development Consultancy (ADC).
• Abusol LtdmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPart of the AGRA-RYAF consortium for the Eastern Province youth employment project, contributing to the 34,038 employment opportunities target across 7 districts.
• YEAN LtdmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPart of the AGRA-RYAF consortium for the Eastern Province youth employment project, working on dignified employment creation for youth in agriculture.
• Africa Development Consultancy (ADC)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPart of the AGRA-RYAF consortium for the Eastern Province youth employment project (2024-2027).
• Rwanda Standards Board (RSB)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRYAF partnered with USAID KWA to organize comprehensive training facilitated by RSB for 58 youth SME owners on quality and safety standards, certification processes, and compliance requirements for agribusiness products.
• Rwanda Dairy Development Project (RDDP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRDDP is an IFAD-funded project. RYAF partners with RDDP to support PYAM youth company in Kayonza District, providing access to 52 hectares of RAB land for professional grass/fodder farming.
• National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAEB partnered with RYAF and Vitagora on the GlobalGro Ignition program supporting agrifood SMEs. NAEB is also involved in youth capacity building and agribusiness development initiatives.
• Private Sector Federation (PSF) RwandaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPSF partnered with RYAF, NAEB, and Vitagora on the GlobalGro Ignition program for agrifood SME development and mentorship.
• National Youth Council (NYC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYC collaborates with RYAF on sharing opportunities for youth in agriculture and advocating for youth interests in the sector. The Executive Secretary of NYC has assured continued cooperation with RYAF.
• China-Africa Business Council / Chinese and African Entrepreneurs PlatformminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRYAF Chairperson SAKINA Usengimana represented RYAF at the 8th Conference of Chinese and African Entrepreneurs in Beijing, exploring collaboration and market potential between China and Africa in agriculture modernization, water resources, infrastructure, and trade.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• One Acre Fund / Tupande: Large-scale agricultural NGO providing inputs, training, and market access to smallholder farmers in East Africa (including Rwanda via Tupande). Comparable in serving smallholders with bundled services and in operating across multiple Rwandan districts.
• AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa): Continental alliance working to transform African agriculture through policy, partnerships, and capacity building. RYAF is a direct implementing partner of AGRA's Eastern Province program; comparable in advancing smallholder productivity and inclusive agriculture policy.
• Self Help Africa: International development NGO working on African agriculture, food systems, and enterprise development. Comparable in operating youth-agriculture and smallholder enterprise programs across multiple African countries with similar donor-funded model.
• Farm Africa: International NGO reducing poverty in eastern Africa by helping farmers grow more, sell more, and sell for more. Comparable in delivering farmer training, market linkage, and value-chain programs targeting youth and smallholders in East Africa.
• Heifer International: Global nonprofit working on smallholder farmer and youth agribusiness capacity building. Direct partner of RYAF through the AYuTe Africa Challenge Rwanda and broader East Africa programs; comparable mission, donor ecosystem, and youth-agriculture focus but at significantly larger global scale.
• TechnoServe: International nonprofit that works with smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs across Africa to build competitive farms, businesses, and industries. Comparable in serving youth-led agribusinesses in East Africa with similar donor-funded program models.

Others

• Mastercard Foundation (Youth Livelihoods): Major philanthropic funder of youth employment programs in Africa, including RYAF's Eastern Province project. Relevant as a funder-of-record and as an ecosystem peer designing parallel youth-agriculture programs that compete for the same donor dollar.

Regional players

• Tanzania Youth in Agribusiness Forum (TYIA): National forum structure analogous to RYAF, mobilizing Tanzanian youth into agribusiness value chains. Closest structural peer — both operate as national youth-agribusiness forums — though RYAF has stronger institutional embedding with its host ministry.

Direct peers

• Kilimo Trust: East African agricultural development NGO that co-leads the R-YES consortium with RYAF and Rwanda Polytechnic. Comparable as a regional agricultural value-chain and capacity-building organization serving smallholder farmers and youth, with overlapping geographies and donor mix.
• Generation Africa: Pan-African partnership supporting youth agripreneurship through catalytic funding, competitions, and ecosystem building. Comparable as a youth-focused agribusiness platform operating across multiple African countries with similar donor backing (Mastercard Foundation, others).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCGwMEOUWr6bsFQzV8lZjd4g
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ryafrwanda

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RYAFRwanda