GiveDirectly has provided more than Rwf221 billion in direct cash assistance to over 285,000 households in Rwanda over the past decade, supporting families to improve their living conditions and build livelihoods.
The non-governmental organisation marked 10 years of operations in Rwanda at an event in Kigali on Friday, October 16, 2026, reporting that its programmes had reached communities in 22 districts since it began working in the country in 2016.
The assistance has helped households meet essential needs and invest in assets, according to testimonies shared by beneficiaries during the anniversary event.
Some recipients said the support had enabled them to improve food security, increase household income and keep their children in school. Others reported buying land and livestock to strengthen their livelihoods.
Minister of Local Government Dominique Habimana, who attended the event, urged beneficiaries to use the money responsibly and sustain the progress they had made.
“Those who will receive assistance next should prepare their projects carefully, learn from those who have already improved their lives, and use the money wisely to build stable and self-reliant families,” he said.
Habimana also cautioned recipients against excessive alcohol consumption and other behaviours that could undermine household welfare, urging them to become role models in their communities.
GiveDirectly provides cash directly to people living in poverty, allowing recipients to decide how to spend the money according to their households’ needs and priorities.
Its decade-long presence in Rwanda highlights the role of direct cash transfers in helping vulnerable families address immediate needs while investing in longer-term economic security.
