Boosting impact, building futures: Rwanda’s innovators backed by Luxembourg

On Thursday 16 October 2025, Kigali came alive with the spirit of innovation for impact. The Embassy of Luxembourg hosted a high-level ceremony dedicated to the LuxAid Demonstration Fund (LDF), a flagship initiative of Luxembourg’s Development Cooperation, implemented by LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency. Recognising the private sector as a driver of innovative solutions to pressing societal challenges, the LDF provides co-financing of up to EUR 350,000 per project. Its aim: to help enterprises scale their solutions and tackle development challenges head-on — improving livelihoods, boosting economic opportunities and promoting environmental sustainability. This second edition shone a spotlight on digital solutions, as well as innovations in the feed sector.

After a rigorous process of selection, mentoring and due diligence, four Rwandan start-ups and SMEs were awarded co-financing worth EUR 1.1 million (approximately 1.9 billion Rwandan francs):

• EXUUS – Kigali: Financing climate-resilient farming with AI-powered green microloans;
• KAYKO – Kigali: Driving financial inclusion with a smartphone-independent platform;
• MAGGOT FARM PRODUCTION – Musambira: Harnessing insect protein to secure Rwanda’s nutritional future;
• ITEME – Kigali: Reshaping agency banking in Rwanda for a better financial inclusion. 

These enterprises presented their projects to an audience of institutional partners, investors and entrepreneurs in an inspiring pitching session that enhanced both their visibility and their networks. Together, their projects represent an overall investment of EUR 2.25 million (approximately 3.8 billion Rwandan francs).

Building on the success of the first two rounds, the third edition of LDF Rwanda will be launched by the end of 2025. With a projected budget of EUR 1 million (approximately 1.7 billion Rwandan francs), it will co-finance three to four new projects in high-potential sectors yet to be defined.

Distinguished attendees included Mr Georges TERNES, Director General of the Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Ms Charlotte HELMINGER, Chargée d’Affaires a.i. at the Embassy of Luxembourg in Kigali, Mr Manuel TONNAR, Director General of LuxDev, and Mr Olivier HECQUET, Resident Representative of LuxDev in Rwanda.

A dynamic networking session concluded the event, sparking synergies and paving the way for future collaborations.

A heartfelt thank you to all who made this collective effort possible. Together, let’s continue to scale impact through innovation.

The LuxAid Demonstration Fund is financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.