Rwanda Biotech Capacity Building Project
About Rwanda BioCap Project
At the heart of Rwanda's agricultural innovation agenda, the Rwanda BioCap Project is establishing a Center of Excellence in Crop Biotechnology to cultivate world-class scientific expertise, foster responsible innovation, and deliver improved and farmer-preferred banana, cassava, and potato varieties that strengthen food security, enhance climate resilience, and create lasting value for farmers and the nation.
Convened at launch with MINAGRI & REMA, implemented by
Click any partner to visit their website
Rwanda Agriculture Board
National Lead & Host Institution
Rwanda's principal government body overseeing agricultural research, development, and the regulation of seeds and plant varieties to drive national food security.
Intl. Institute of Tropical Agriculture
Banana Gene-Editing Lead
A world-class research-for-development organisation supporting RAB’s deployment of CRISPR tools to knock out key susceptibility genes in banana varieties.
International Potato Center
Lead Implementing Partner
A CGIAR research centre dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through scientific innovation in potato and sweetpotato systems across the developing world.
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Cassava Molecular Analysis
An independent, not-for-profit research institute advancing molecular markers, bioinformatics, and sequencing capacity for disease-resistant cassava lines.
Michigan State University
Regulatory Science & Biosafety
A leading land-grant research university providing rigorous biosafety training, regulatory science expertise, and capacity building for African scientists and policymakers.
Alliance for Science Rwanda
Communication & Outreach
A science communication network amplifying evidence-based voices on biotechnology, engaging farmers, media, and policymakers to build public trust in agricultural innovation.
Three Objectives Driving
Rwanda's BioCap Project Crop Innovation
Accelerated Research & Innovation
Rwanda BioCap Project strengthens Rwanda's scientific capacity to develop climate-resilient, farmer-preferred crop varieties through modern biotechnology. The project trains RAB scientists in molecular breeding, genomics, bioinformatics, DNA sequencing, RNA interference, genome editing, and biosafety research. It is building Rwanda's first in-country biotechnology innovation pipeline to support food security, farmer livelihoods, and agricultural competitiveness.
.jpg)
Biosafety, Regulation & Responsible Innovation
Rwanda BioCap Project advances responsible biotechnology by strengthening biosafety governance, regulatory capacity, and transparent stakeholder engagement. In collaboration with RICA, REMA, MINAGRI, and regional and international partners, the project supports an efficient, science-based regulatory pathway. This pathway ensures that biotechnology innovations are developed, assessed, and deployed safely, ethically, and transparently.
Delivering Innovation to Farmers
Rwanda BioCap Project is turning scientific innovation into practical solutions for Rwanda's smallholder farmers. It advances improved farmer-preferred cassava, potato, banana cooking, and sweet banana varieties with stronger resistance to major pests and diseases. It also preserves the traits farmers and consumers value. Through research partnerships, seed systems, extension services, and farmer engagement, the project supports higher productivity, reduced crop losses, lower pesticide use, stronger climate resilience, and more stable harvests.
Three Food-Security Crops. Five Major Disease Challenges.
Rwanda BioCap Project is helping Rwanda's farmers increase productivity, improve profitability, and strengthen climate resilience through responsible biotechnology innovation. By developing disease-resistant, farmer-preferred crop varieties, the project reduces crop losses, lowers pesticide use, and supports more sustainable farming systems.
Potato
3R gene stack · Late blight resistanceLate blight can cause up to 80% yield loss, forcing farmers to apply fungicides 8–15 times per growing season, increasing production costs and environmental impact. BioCap, in collaboration with CIP, is expanding this technology to farmer-preferred potato varieties.
Target: Kinigi & Cyerekezo
Cassava
Molecular breeding · CBSD & CMD resistanceCassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) and Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) are among the most devastating cassava diseases in Africa, causing severe yield losses and threatening food security. BioCap is developing disease-resistant cassava varieties using advanced molecular breeding technologies.
Target: RNAi-resistant cassava lines
Banana
CRISPR gene editing · Resistance to Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW) and Fusarium wiltBXW and Fusarium wilt continue to threaten one of Rwanda's most important staple and cash crops. BioCap is establishing Rwanda's first in-country gene-editing capacity in collaboration with IITA to develop disease-resistant banana varieties.
Target: Injagi & Sukali Ndiizi
To empower Rwanda's scientists to develop responsible biotechnology innovations that enable farmers to grow more profitably, strengthen food security, and build climate-resilient agricultural systems for future generations.
Voices from 15 December 2025
“The aim of this project is to strengthen our research capacity by enhancing the knowledge and skills of our scientists and increasing their numbers. This will contribute to higher agricultural productivity, reduce the use of chemical inputs, and mitigate losses caused by extreme weather conditions such as excessive heat.”
“We don’t have time,” she said. “We need faster and more effective delivery of solutions to our farmers, and we must establish strong partnership models. This is also the time to communicate science effectively to build trust.””
“The BioCap project is designed to strengthen Rwanda’s biotechnology capacity by building skills, improving research infrastructure, and fostering strong national and international partnerships. The initiative focuses on enabling researchers to safely and efficiently develop and test improved crop varieties that respond to national agricultural priorities.”
“On behalf of the Government of Rwanda, at and RAB we are committed to doing our best to achieve our goals. And I believe that together we will succeed. The Rwanda BioCap Project is here presenting to us an opportunity to leverage on.”
A strategic investment in
farmers and food systems
Rwanda BioCap Project is not only about science it is a strategic investment in Rwanda's economy, built on partnership with MINAGRI, REMA, and Rwanda's growing ecosystem of research institutions and homegrown scientists.
- ✓Higher national yields and reduced pesticide-related expenses for farmers
- ✓Stronger regional market competitiveness for potato, cassava, and banana value chains
- ✓Cleaner soils and waterways, lower emissions, and greater biodiversity from reduced chemical use
- ✓Biosafety and regulatory foundations led by REMA and MINAGRI, built for EAC harmonization
Staple Crops, One National Pipeline
Programme Vision & Goals
Transforming Rwanda's agriculture through safe, strategic deployment of biotechnology building capacity, increasing yields, and securing food for future generations.
A Rwanda where a nationally recognized Centre of Excellence in Crop Biotechnology drives responsible scientific innovation, delivering climate-resilient, farmer-preferred crop varieties that improve food security, farmer prosperity, and environmental sustainability across Africa.
By 2029, Rwanda BioCap Project will have established Rwanda's Centre of Excellence in Crop Biotechnology as a regional hub for research, biosafety, and innovation, with the scientific, regulatory, and institutional capacity to develop, evaluate, and advance the deployment of biotechnology-enhanced potato, cassava, and banana varieties that address Rwanda's most pressing agricultural challenges.
Projects Deriverable
Crop Innovation
Advance the development of climate-smart and disease-resistant crop varieties through modern biotechnology, including genetic engineering and gene-editing technologies. BioCap supports research on farmer-preferred banana, cassava, potato, and other strategic food security crops to improve productivity, resilience, and sustainability while addressing major challenges caused by pests, diseases, and climate change.
Capacity Building
Strengthen Rwanda's scientific and technical capacity in crop biotechnology by training researchers, scientists, regulators, and technical personnel at PhD, Master's, and specialized technical levels. Through partnerships with leading international universities and research institutions, BioCap is building a new generation of African scientists capable of driving innovation and supporting the future growth of Rwanda's food systems.
Food Security
Enhance food security and climate resilience by supporting the development and adoption of biotechnology solutions that reduce crop losses, improve yields, lower production costs, and decrease dependence on chemical pesticides. These innovations help farmers adapt to changing climatic conditions while improving livelihoods and ensuring sustainable agricultural production.
Centre of Excellence in Crop Biotechnology
Develop a world-class Centre of Excellence in Crop Biotechnology at RAB that serves as Rwanda's hub for biotechnology research, scientific training, biosafety communication, and innovation partnerships. Guided by the vision of African crops, developed by African scientists, for African farmers, the Centre will support current and future biotechnology solutions that enhance food security, competitiveness, and agricultural resilience across Africa.
Regulatory Advancement
Support science-based biosafety systems and strengthen Rwanda's regulatory capacity for the safe development, testing, evaluation, and deployment of biotechnology innovations. BioCap promotes transparent, evidence-based decision-making and contributes to efficient regulatory pathways that meet national, regional, and international biosafety standards.
Strategic Partnerships
Foster strong partnerships among national institutions, international research organizations, universities, development partners, regulators, and private sector actors to accelerate biotechnology innovation in Africa. Through collaboration, BioCap supports the development, stewardship, and deployment of climate-smart crop technologies while strengthening the role of local scientists, seed companies, and the Centre of Excellence in Crop Biotechnology as drivers of agricultural transformation.
Ready to Learn More?
Explore our biotechnology initiatives, field research, and the science driving Rwanda's agricultural transformation.
Explore Biotechnology