Government of Rwanda, in collaboration with its partners, on September 25, flagged off its first consolidated agricultural product consignment to Ghana as the country seeks to diversify exports under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.

The consignment transported by national carrier RwandAir comprises 400 kilos of tea, 400 kilos of coffee, 100 litres of edible avocado oil, and 50 litres of honey. Tea was sourced from two companies – Rwanda Mountain Tea, and Silverback Tea, with each accounting for 200 kilos of premium organic tea, according to the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB). Coffee was sourced from Pedro’s Coffee, and Igire Coffee, with 200 kilos of specialty Arabica coffee each.

The avocado oil belongs to Avocare Limited, while the honey (described as pure, natural honey and wildflower honey) came from Boukhi Honey,

“This consignment consolidates various agricultural products, including traditional commodities like coffee and tea, alongside emerging high-value products like honey and avocado-based value-added items. The diversity of these products highlights Rwanda’s potential to expand into new markets while fostering competitiveness in high-value sectors,” said NAEB CEO Claude Bizimana.

Agri-products shipment to Ghana.

A single consolidated export license was issued by NAEB to facilitate the process.

Euphrosine Mugeni Niyidukunda, the founder of Avocare Limited, a Huye District-based avocado processing company, said that exporting under the AfCFTA guided trade initiative is expected to help start-ups like hers to expand their operations and market reach for their products.

“It has been observed that as Rwandans, we are capable of making quality products that can compete on the international market,” she said, pointing out that her company produces between 800 and 1,200 litres of avocado oil per month and “we plan to increase production as markets expand.”

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Prudence Sebahizi, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative.

“By consolidating shipments and benefiting from preferential tariffs, Rwandan businesses will be better positioned to compete in the continental market. We commend Igire Continental Trading Company for its commitment to helping local MSMEs expand their reach,” he said.

Under its fifth Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA5), Rwanda targets to increase its annual agricultural export revenues to $1,981 million in 2028/2029, from $857 million (in 2022/2023), which is the baseline, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources.

The strategy is expected to focus on building resilience and sustainable agri-food systems in the country for food and nutrition security as well as boosting exports.

Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/201173372@N02/albums/72177720320597850/