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Africa’s green economy has a Rwanda problem

Should you receive big green grants while funding a war destroying a neighbouring country that’s key to the planet’s future?

February 27, 2025

Welcome to Green Rising – Rwanda’s president Kagame (seen above in uniform) has long been a supporter of Africa’s green economy. He is also a warrior.  

Those two roles are now in conflict. 

The Rwandan president is a key supporter of climate-oriented business at home AND increasingly an instigator of violence towards carbon sinks and cleantech solutions in neighbouring DR Congo.

Will green donors simply stand by and watch as their Rwandan darling tears down the Congolese projects in which they also have an interest?

Rwanda has a rare role in Africa’s green economy. Many regard it as a safe space where new ideas can prosper (not just gorilla babies). 

The domestic market is small but well regulated. Government seems to get it and opens doors quickly. 

This in turn has opened the money spigots from western donors. Here some recent cheques:

  • In December 2024, the German government supported a project for "green and gender-sensitive public spaces" with $20 million.

  • In October, the Green Climate Fund approved a $28 million grant for the Green City Kigali Project. 

  • The previous year, Rwanda collected more than $600 million including from the IMF to enhance “green resilience”. 

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The evidence that shows Rwanda is backing rebels in DR Congo (BBC)

A heavily armed group called M23 has overrun significant parts of eastern DR Congo in recent months. Thousands have been killed. Mass rapes are common. 

Rwanda is no longer denying that it funds and directs the rebels. Though President Kagame is coy about the details. 

His DR Congo counterpart Felix Tshisekedi (in a suit in the first image above) is far away in the capital Kinshasa at the other end of the massive country, and powerless.

Among the reasons for the fighting is a minerals grab. The red circle on the map marks both a high minerals concentration and the current conflict. 

President Trump is not the only statesman who sees an opportunity in war to grab minerals critical to modern energy tech. (His administration just forced Ukraine to trade minerals for protection.) No electric vehicle or renewables system can be built without them.

In DR Congo, the loot is funnelled across the borders of Rwanda, which has seen an unexplained spike in exports.

The loss of thousands of lives may be the worst aspect of the Congolese civil war. But Africa’s green economy is also a victim. 

(1) New investments in critical minerals are threatened.

(2) Some of the world’s largest carbon sinks are endangered.

(3) New biodiversity financing schemes are undermined 

(4) Local off-grid solar pioneer Nuru will struggle to build mini-grids

(5) Existing renewables projects are being destroyed by M23.

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Much of the fighting has taken place in regions of northeastern and eastern Congo that are rich in minerals such as gold, diamonds, tin and coltan, which is used in manufacturing electronics (Howard French)

History’s omens: The quote above from an old book describes a war in the same region two decades ago. More than 10 million people died. Not much has changed. 

Control of eastern Congolese lands means control of natural resources. Except that now the planet’s climate depends on them.

And now as then, a big conflict driver is neighbouring Rwanda. It’s understandably security conscious given its genocide past and blames hostile Congolese forces. Western governments have generally been supportive. 

Meet General Paul & Mr Kagame.

Key question: How to deal with a green darling gone rogue? 

Indeed there are no easy answers. Often the same funders are behind green projects in both countries. 

Should Kagame be defunded? The UK government started doing so. It suspended some bilateral aid and defence training, limited trade promotion and is discussing sanctions. 

What about private organisations? Many have invested years in Rwandese projects. Folding them overnight is hard. That could hamper other funding. 

But the ecosystem should take action by agreeing a joint, limited yet public budget cut across all projects. Call it a warning shot. Everyone’s credibility is on the line here.

The lesson: A green transition will take more than just happy talk and money. Major interests are at play. Hard power backup is needed: Not military, but flexing diplomatic & financial muscles. It can’t be all handshakes at summits, as important as they are. 

You have to be able to call out your friends. There are bigger things at stake. Kagame is breaking something valuable.

EVENTS UPDATE | Thursday 27 February

📆 South Africa hosts Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Conference (April 7)

📆 Renewables Mozambique to be held in Mozambique (April 23)

📆 Uganda to host East Africa Carbon Markets Forum (May 8)

ALSO PLEASE SEE OUR JOB BOARD BELOW

Number of the week 

…is the additional land Africa will need by 2050 to feed its population, according to the FAO. Or the equivalent of Angola’s landmass. Expanding agriculture could encroach on forests and wildlife habitats, limit conservation land, block migration routes, and heighten human-wildlife conflict.

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Network corner

👉 The British taxpayer commits $100 million to KCB Bank Kenya for climate-focused projects and women-led businesses

What we’re reading

  • AI hunger: Climate-driven drought in the Horn of Africa has left 36 million food insecure, with Somalia’s famine claiming 260,000 lives since 2020. Human-induced climate change doubled low rainfall risks, crippling rain-fed farming. AI is called to help. Tools like Penn State’s PlantVillage app diagnose crop diseases via smartphone photos, boosting yields by 30% in Burkina Faso. Opportunity International’s Ulangizi chatbot in Malawi delivers farming advice in Chichewa, cutting wait times for aid. (GRC Global)

  • AI again: Africa’s market for data centre construction is projected to grow to $3 billion by 2030, driven by AI, 5G and renewable energy. Governments are accelerating expansion through tax incentives, partnerships and special economic zones, such as a Kenyan $1 billion initiative with Microsoft and G42. AI adoption is fueling demand for high-performance computing with South Africa leading AI-focused investments. (Business Wire)

  • Agri-alternative: Ghana’s farmers are adopting Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming to tackle rising feed costs and soil degradation. BSF larvae, containing 40-45% protein, offer a sustainable alternative to costly fishmeal and soy-based feeds, slashing costs for poultry and livestock farmers. Their waste byproduct, frass, serves as nutrient-rich organic fertiliser, improving soil health and water retention. (Modern Ghana)

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