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Four Rwandan agri-food enterprises have been selected for the third edition of the LuxAid Demonstration Fund (LDF), and each will receive co-financing of up to $400,000. With the companies’ own investments added, total investment comes to about $2.46 million.
The fund is financed by Luxembourg and run by LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency. It backs local businesses that scale up solutions to problems in Rwanda’s agri-food sector. Earlier editions supported clean cooking, alternative proteins, hydroponic production and digital financial services.
The 2026 call focuses on two main themes: improving digital and service innovations to enhance connectivity, efficiency, and compliance in agri-food value chains, and developing infrastructure to boost value through processing, logistics, and food systems.
According to the agency, the interest was high. Sixteen ecosystem partners recommended businesses, 120 enterprises were invited to apply and 80 eligible applications came in.
Out of that, ten companies reached the final stage and pitched to an evaluation committee, and then to an award committee. That committee included representatives from Luxembourg’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, the Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, and LuxDev.
The chosen companies were highlighted for their innovative and practical solutions to issues like quality inputs, food safety, post-harvest losses, and market access. They are:
Hand in hand for sustainable agriculture (HIHSA)
Selected for: Scaling up the production of certified seed potatoes
HIHSA was chosen to expand its production of certified seed potatoes using quick multiplication methods. The goal is to provide farmers with more high-quality, disease-free seeds, helping them improve yields and boost productivity in Rwanda’s potato industry.
Eza Neza
Selected for: Tackling post-harvest losses through freeze-drying
Eza Neza is bringing freeze-drying technology to Rwanda’s horticulture sector. This method helps keep fruits and vegetables fresh for a long time, preserves their nutrition, reduces waste, and opens new market opportunities for farmers.
DAVET
Selected for: building inclusive agri-food hubs
DAVET is setting up agri-food hubs near the Mugombwa and Nyabiheke refugee camps. These hubs provide financial support, technical help, storage, and connections to buyers. They bring together refugee and local farmers to work in organized poultry and mushroom value chains. This helps farmers grow more, reduce losses after harvest, and find stable markets for their products.
Aflakiosk
Selected for: bringing food-safety services closer to producers
Aflakiosk runs mobile laboratories that let farmers, cooperatives and agro-processors test their products near where they are grown, with results in 24 hours. It estimates that 65% of maize in Rwanda is affected by aflatoxin contamination. The company also offers certification, advisory services and traceability tools.
“Together, the four selected projects demonstrate how locally developed solutions can address critical bottlenecks across Rwanda’s agri-food value chains. Whether improving access to quality seeds, reducing food losses, strengthening market linkages or enhancing food safety, the innovations supported under this third edition of the LuxAid Demonstration Fund have the potential to generate lasting benefits for farmers, agribusinesses and consumers alike,” said Luxdev.
