A modern tree nursery capable of producing more than one million fruit and forest seedlings annually has been launched in Kigali as part of efforts to expand urban greenery, improve nutrition and strengthen climate resilience.
The facility is a partnership between the Ministry of Environment, One Acre Fund (Tubura), the Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA) and the City of Kigali. Officials say it will improve access to quality seedlings while supporting wider environmental restoration and urban greening programs.
Environment Minister Dr. Bernadette Arakwiye said the project aligns with national environmental priorities.
“This is a major step in the government’s journey to conserve urban ecosystems, address climate change and restore degraded land,” she said.
She added that the nursery will also contribute to improved livelihoods and nutrition in Kigali and surrounding areas.
One Acre Fund Rwanda Country Director Belinda Bwiza said the initiative was conceived more than three years ago as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s seed and seedling systems.
“As we continued building capacity to supply quality seeds and seedlings, we realized it was important to bring these efforts closer to Kigali as well,” she said.
Bwiza noted that although the organization mainly works in rural areas, climate change impacts are increasingly being felt in cities as well. Over the past decade, One Acre Fund has supported more than two million farmers and planted over 145 million trees.
Rwanda Forestry Authority Director General Dr. Concorde Nsengumuremyi said the nursery will help address long-standing shortages of seedlings in the capital.
“This will help us solve the challenge of fruit tree seedlings that were previously difficult to access in Kigali,” he said.
He added that distribution is expected to begin in September during the planting season.
The nursery will produce a range of species, including avocado and mango trees, along with 17 indigenous varieties used for agroforestry and urban landscaping.
Officials say the trees will improve soil stability, reduce erosion in Kigali’s hilly terrain and enhance biodiversity by creating habitats for birds and other wildlife.
Beyond production, the 21-hectare site will also support research and training activities, including study visits focused on forestry management.
Rwanda currently has about 500,000 hectares of tree cover, with plans to double that figure. In 2025, more than 65 million trees were planted nationwide, with a target of over 100 million this year.
