Youth and women-led agribusinesses emerged among the biggest winners at AgriShow 2026, with the best innovators receiving capital grants of up to Rwf5 million to expand projects driving Rwanda’s agricultural transformation.
The awards were presented at the closing ceremony of the 19th edition of Rwanda’s agriculture and livestock exhibition, which concluded after a 10-day showcase at Mulindi in Kigali.
Held under the theme “Accelerating agricultural transformation through innovation and partnerships,” the exhibition recognized exhibitors whose innovations, collaborations and business models are helping modernize the country’s agriculture and livestock sectors.
Alongside certificates of recognition for outstanding exhibitors, organizers introduced dedicated cash awards for youth and women entrepreneurs to help scale promising agribusiness ventures. The top winners in each category received Rwf5 million in seed capital.
In the livestock category, Kivu Choice Ltd of Nyamasheke District claimed first place for its commercial fish farming enterprise, which employs more than 600 young people and women. Vision Agribusiness Farm from Gicumbi District finished second for its modern pig farming operation.
KOTUARU from Burera District topped the crop production category for promoting cassava farming using the Zai Pit technique, a climate-smart method that restores degraded soils by capturing rainwater and enriching the ground with organic manure.
Among agro-processors, Umwiza Bakery of Kicukiro District was named the best agricultural processing enterprise for producing bread, cakes and pastries made from potatoes and sweet potatoes. Nezerwa Plus Ltd from Muhanga District was recognized for processing pineapple and papaya juice.
In livestock value addition, AGIRAGITEREKA RUBAVU won the top award for dairy processing, while Akagera Beekeepers Union from Kayonza District finished second for its honey and other bee products.
The University of Rwanda dominated the research category, with its College of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Sciences in Musanze taking first place, followed by its School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences in Nyagatare. Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) came third.
Rwanda Fertilizer Company was recognized for excellence in fertilizer production and blending, while KT Hub received an award for developing modern technologies for livestock farming and veterinary services.
In the youth innovation category, Amazing Insects received the top grant of Rwf5 million for producing organic fertilizer using insect-based technology. Youth Huza earned Rwf4 million for developing a mobile platform that links farmers directly to markets, while SBG Ltd was awarded Rwf2 million for producing value-added peanut products.
In the women entrepreneurs’ category, SEKURA Ltd of Kamonyi District won the top prize of Rwf5 million for its commercial rabbit farming project. Another women-led enterprise, SEKURA Ltd, received Rwf4 million for pineapple juice processing, while beekeeper and entrepreneur Nsabimana Chantal was awarded Rwf2 million for her honey and other bee products business.
The awards underscored a growing emphasis on supporting innovation, entrepreneurship and private sector-led solutions as Rwanda seeks to accelerate productivity and value addition across the agriculture and livestock sectors.
