Rwanda’s Nadege Uwamahoro named among FAO’s 100 women honoured for agriculture

Rwandan agribusiness entrepreneur Nadege Uwamahoro has been named among 100 women recognised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for their contributions to agriculture, food systems and rural development.

Uwamahoro, founder and chief executive officer of Braimpire Ltd, received the recognition during a ceremony at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, on October 15, as part of the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026.

She was among the inaugural recipients selected from 609 nominations submitted across 131 FAO member countries.

Founded in 2016, Braimpire focuses on strengthening agricultural value chains, improving market access and creating business opportunities for smallholder farmers. Uwamahoro said the company has worked with more than 15,000 farmers, most of whom are women, young people and persons with disabilities.

The company deals in agricultural products including coffee, tea, chilli and horticultural produce, linking farmers to regional and international markets. It also promotes value addition and helps reduce post-harvest losses, enabling farmers to retain more value from their produce.

Beyond its work in agricultural trade, Uwamahoro has championed cross-border commerce under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to expand trade among African countries. She is described as the first Rwandan woman to register a company under the continental trade framework.

Speaking to The New Times, Uwamahoro dedicated the recognition to women farmers whose contributions to food production and rural livelihoods often receive limited public attention.

“This recognition is deeply personal to me, but I do not see it as mine alone. I dedicate it to the thousands of women farmers in Rwanda and across Africa who wake up every day to cultivate our land, feed our communities, sustain their families and build a better future, often with little recognition,” she said.

She also acknowledged the Government of Rwanda for supporting women's leadership and entrepreneurship, saying the opportunities created through such support had contributed to her professional growth.

The FAO initiative recognises women making significant contributions across agriculture, entrepreneurship, research, education and community leadership. It highlights their roles in strengthening food security, improving market access, protecting the environment and preserving traditional knowledge.

Rwandan agribusiness entrepreneur Nadege Uwamahoro has been named among 100 women recognised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO)

Uwamahoro said she hoped the recognition would encourage more women, particularly those in rural communities, to pursue their ambitions and recognise the importance of their work.

“May this recognition remind every rural woman that her work matters, her contribution is valued and her dreams are possible,” she said.

Her recognition highlights the role of women-led agribusinesses in connecting smallholder farmers to markets, expanding economic opportunities and supporting the development of more inclusive agricultural value chains in Rwanda and across Africa.