This statement was made on June 27, 2025, during a retreat to discuss ways in which loans provided to Rwanda could be converted into grants to support environmental protection activities.
This is seen as one way of helping Rwanda and other African nations tackle the climate-related challenges largely caused by wealthy nations.
ActionAid highlighted that while Africa contributes only 4% to the global climate crisis, it continues to bear the brunt of the challenges, forcing many African nations to take on loans to combat these issues.
Thadée Twagirimana, the Director General of Environment and Climate Change at the Ministry of Environment, explained that the 11 billion Rwandan Francs needed by 2030 to achieve Rwanda's environmental protection and emission reduction goals cannot be raised without international financial assistance.
He further clarified that this is why the government has established mechanisms to facilitate private sector investment in environmental projects and explore how some of Rwanda's debt can be converted into investments for climate protectio.
'We are looking for ways to convert the debt we owe into funding for environmental protection projects. Instead of paying the debt in cash, we aim to use it to finance climate-friendly initiatives,' said Twagirimana.
Lauretta Uwase, Program Manager at ActionAid, noted that converting some of the debt into grants for climate projects could reduce the burden of debt repayment and allow funds to be redirected into community development projects.
'If the debt is forgiven, the funds that would have been spent on debt repayment can be invested in initiatives that directly benefit the citizens, such as in healthcare, education, women's empowerment, poverty reduction, and other essential services,' Uwase explained.
ActionAid has called on both government and private sector institutions to explore ways in which Rwanda can reduce its reliance on loans for environmental protection projects, instead prioritizing projects that do not require borrowing.
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