Paula Ingabire, Rwanda’s Minister of Information Communication Technology and Innovation, said that Abu Dhabi’s launch of the AI Ecosystem for Global Agricultural Development underscores the value of cross-border and cross-sector collaboration.
She noted that the climate-related difficulties faced by farmers in Rwanda, such as irregular rainfall are similar to those in the region caused by heat stress and scarce water resources. These shared challenges, she emphasized, highlight the universal need for accurate data, resilient agricultural practices and timely support.
Speaking at the launch event, Ingabire reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to using artificial intelligence as a central tool for transforming agriculture and advancing market-oriented, environmentally sustainable food systems. She added that Rwanda has made significant progress in creating an enabling environment for large-scale technological deployment.
Ingabire explained that in recent years Rwanda has consolidated farmland, expanded irrigation systems, developed terracing and bolstered research, agricultural extension services and investment in post-harvest management and agro-processing. These efforts, she said, have created a well-organised, data-rich foundation that enables AI systems to operate effectively at scale.
The minister further noted that Rwanda continues to invest in an ecosystem that supports the transition of AI from early-stage concepts and pilot projects to practical, measurable results. She highlighted the creation of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, part of the World Economic Forum network, observing that the UAE hosts a similar centre.
According to Ingabire, the centre serves as a platform for testing and expanding responsible AI applications, including the AI Scaling Centre financed by the Gates Foundation. It also develops data-governance models, regulatory sandboxes and capacity-building programmes that link policymakers, researchers and farmers in a common innovation pathway.
She added that Rwanda is establishing the Food Innovation Centre, a specialised hub designed to strengthen the country’s position as a food-systems innovation leader by 2035. The centre will help coordinate policies, regulations and investments when successful solutions emerge, ensuring they can be scaled nationally.
(Inputs from WAM)
