Rwanda, the European Union (EU), and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) have unveiled a major three-year programme designed to help thousands of refugees and host families in Rwanda achieve economic independence and reduce long-term dependence on humanitarian aid.
The initiative titled “Refugee Socio-Economic Graduation and Livelihood Opportunities in Rwanda” will support 3,200 refugee households and 800 Rwandan families living in communities that host refugees. The €10 million (over 16.7 billion Rwandan francs) project is fully funded by the EU and is part of Rwanda’s broader five-year Refugee Sustainable Graduation Strategy, which aims for at least 50% of refugees living in the country to be self-reliant by 2030.
A significant step toward refugee self-reliance
Minister of Emergency Management, Maj Gen (Rtd) Albert Murasira, described the project as an important milestone for both refugees and host communities. “Supporting 4,000 families to become economically independent demonstrates the strength of our partnerships and our commitment to creating lasting, transformative change,” he said.
EU Director-General for International Partnerships, Martin Seychell, applauded the initiative and noted the EU’s sustained support for Rwanda’s refugee response. “We commend this investment and others we have made. Around 20% of refugee families should be able to graduate into economic self-reliance,” he stated.
What the programme will deliver
Beneficiaries will gain access to a range of support services, including:
Start-up capital and cash assistance
Skills training, including vocational and entrepreneurship courses
Inputs for climate-friendly agriculture
Savings and lending group development
Equipment for income-generating activities
The programme aims to help families build sustainable livelihoods, expand access to financial services, and participate more effectively in local markets.
Refugee situation in Rwanda
Rwanda hosts over 136,000 refugees, 54% of whom are women and girls, while men make up 46%. Young people aged 16–30 represent 44% of the total population.
Most refugees live in the camps of Kiziba, Nyabiheke, Kigeme, Mugombwa, and Mahama, while around 10% reside in urban areas.
Rwanda has integrated refugees into several national development policies, including financial inclusion, access to markets, and social services. Findings from FinScope 2024 show that 99% of refugees in Rwanda can access some form of financial service, with 37% holding a bank account and 62% using other regulated financial systems.
EU remains a key partner
The EU continues to be one of Rwanda’s strongest development partners. In October 2025, the bloc provided €95 million to support BioNTech’s vaccine manufacturing activities in Rwanda.
