Kigali, 5^th February,2025 – Energy Private Developers Association (EPD), Rwanda’s leading professional association for energy sector players, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to promote the integration of renewable energy solutions into agri-food value chains. This collaboration aims to transform agricultural practices by boosting productivity, reducing post-harvest losses, and fostering sustainable rural development. Priority interventions include solar-powered irrigation systems, energy-efficient processing technologies, and cold storage solutions to enhance the efficiency, resilience, and sustainability of agricultural operations.

Through this partnership, EPD and IRENA will collaborate to assess energy needs and address challenges in deploying decentralized renewable energy (DRE) technologies across key stages of selected agri-food value chains. “DRE is cost-effective and rapidly scalable, providing the perfect solution to plug the energy access gaps and to power economic activities in rural areas.  IRENA looks forward to jointly stimulating its uptake in the agri-food sector with EPD through this partnership. By promoting the integration of DRE in agricultural activities, we can improve farmers’ productivity, further enhancing their lives and livelihoods sustainably.” said Gurbuz Gonul, Director for Country Engagement and Partnerships (IRENA).

“This partnership marks a significant step forward in our commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions that directly benefit smallholder farmers and agribusinesses,” said, Serge Wilson Muhizi – Chief Executive Officer of EPD. “By partnering with IRENA, we aim to demonstrate how renewable energy can effectively tackle critical issues in agriculture—such as improving productivity and minimizing storage losses—while contributing to Rwanda’s energy transition and economic growth goals.”

IRENA’s global expertise in advancing the energy transition toward a sustainable future, demonstrated through initiatives such as the Empowering Lives and Livelihoods Initiative, complements EPD’s extensive local network of energy companies. This partnership is poised to develop an impactful and scalable model that empowers smallholder farmers, policymakers, small and medium enterprises, and financiers. By prioritizing these efforts, the collaboration aims to enhance livelihoods, lower the carbon footprint of agriculture, and foster the widespread adoption of renewable energy solutions across Rwanda

“Renewable energy is a cornerstone of building resilient and sustainable food systems” said, Serge Wilson Muhizi. “We are excited to lead this transformative initiative alongside IRENA and look forward to delivering meaningful results that can serve to trigger systemic transformation towards the use of DRE in the country.”

This partnership underscores EPD’s mission to drive innovation and growth within Rwanda’s energy sector, while aligning with the nation’s broader development goals. By highlighting the tangible benefits of integrating renewable energy into agriculture, EPD and IRENA aim to inspire further collaborations and investments in sustainable energy solutions across Rwanda and beyond.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Energy Private Developers Association (EPD)
Head of Business Development:
Email: emmanuel@epdrwanda.com
Tel: +250 784 519 506

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
EAccess@irena.org