QFFD and GiveDirectly sign a Grant Agreement of USD 5 Million to Support the Families Living in Extreme Poverty in the Republic of Rwanda

February 7, 2025
Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, New York
On the sidelines of the ECOSOC Partnership Forum, Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and GiveDirectly sign a grant agreement amount of roughly USD 5 Million to support families living in extreme poverty in the Republic of Rwanda, for the period of 1 year. Through the funding provided by QFFD, GiveDirectly, in partnership with the Government of Rwanda will deliver lump sum cash grants of USD 1,100 to 3,979 households in extreme poverty (under the international poverty line) in the Nyagisozi sector in Rwanda.
The project signed falls under the Habwa Wigire (‘Receive and build your own future’) Program which is being implemented by GiveDirectly in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) in Rwanda. This Program aims to drive a significant and accelerated reduction in the national poverty gap in Rwanda and to demonstrate a model of poverty reduction at a scale that can be replicated nationally and then globally.
Upon signing the agreement, Mr. Fahad Al-Sulaiti, Director General of Qatar Fund for Development stated, “It is an honor to be here today to mark this significant partnership between Qatar Fund for Development and GiveDirectly. This agreement embodies our unwavering commitment to supporting vulnerable families in Rwanda, offering them the means to improve their livelihoods and build a more secure future. The State of Qatar has always been at the forefront of humanitarian efforts, extending its support to those affected by poverty and crises around the world.”
Reflecting on the signing ceremony, Mr. Nick Allardice, President and CEO of GiveDirectly stated, “We are grateful to the Qatar Fund for Development for their generous support for this critical program, and to the Government of Rwanda for enabling us to carry out these activities. GiveDirectly will deliver this life-changing cash directly to Rwandans living in extreme poverty. Such unconditional cash transfers have been demonstrated time and again to be profoundly powerful. Cash transfers respect people’s dignity and agency to choose for themselves how best to improve their lives and are backed by rigorous academic evidence that shows them to be amongst the most impactful, efficient and scalable interventions. We are honored to be moving this important mission forward through this highly impactful partnership.”
Furthermore, HE Ambassador Ernest Rwamucyo, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Rwanda to the United Nations added, “The partnership between GiveDirectly and the Qatar Fund for Development represents a vital step toward poverty eradication. We are optimistic about the profound and far-reaching impact this collaboration will have on the lives of many Rwandans. Moreover, we look forward to this initiative paving the way for deeper and even more fruitful bilateral cooperation between Rwanda and Qatar in the years to come.”
Rwanda has consistently maintained an impressive average GDP growth rate of over 7% over the past decade, fuelled by strategic investments in technology, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. Over the last two decades, the country has made remarkable strides in universal healthcare access, comprehensive improvements in education, and the promotion of gender equity across all sectors.
However, Rwanda’s poverty rate remains amongst the highest in East and Southern Africa, with approximately 38.2% of the population living below the International Poverty Line. Furthermore, this project comes at a crucial time when 34% of Rwandan households are food insecure, primarily due to decreasing rainfall and climate shocks which have caused irregular harvests, leading to a turbulent and unstable source of income for many individuals in Rwanda.
This trilateral agreement aims to accelerate progress towards the implementation of the Vision 2050 National Strategic Plan through the eradication of poverty. In particular, the partnership acts in service of bolstering the Rwandan agricultural economy, as more than two-thirds of the population who live in rural areas are dependent on agriculture, and the sector also employs 60% of the Rwandan population.
This agreement represents an important step towards achieving sustainable development in Rwanda and reaffirms the commitment of the Qatar Fund for Development and its partners to support the most vulnerable communities.

• Geography United States
• Timeline 2025
• SDGS Partnerships