Luxaid Demonstration Fund: Scaling Innovative Solutions in Rwanda

On Thursday, 16 October 2025, Kigali came alive with the spirit of innovation for impact. The Embassy of Luxembourg hosted an award ceremony dedicated to the LuxAid Demonstration Fund (LDF), a flagship initiative of Luxembourg’s Development Cooperation for supporting the private sector in partner countries, implemented by LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

The timing of the ceremony coincided with the presence in Rwanda of Mr. Georges Ternes, Director for Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, and Mr. Manuel Tonnar, Director General of LuxDev, as part of their official mission. On this occasion, both dignitaries delivered speeches emphasizing the shared commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation between Luxembourg and Rwanda, before proceeding to the presentation of awards to the participating companies.

Recognising the private sector as a driver of innovative solutions to pressing societal challenges, the LuxAid Demonstration Fund (LDF) provides co-financing of up to EUR 350,000 per project. Its aim: to help enterprises scale their solutions and tackle development challenges head-on — improving livelihoods, boosting economic opportunities, and promoting environmental sustainability. This second edition placed the spotlight on digital solutions, as well as innovations in the feed sector.

After a rigorous process of selection, mentoring, and due diligence, four Rwandan startups and SMEs were awarded co-financing worth EUR 1.1 million (approx. 1.9 billion Rwandan francs). Together, their projects represent an overall investment of EUR 2.25 million (approx. 3.8 billions Rwandan francs):

EXUUS – Kigali: Financing climate-resilient farming with AI-powered green microloans.

KAYKO – Kigali: Driving financial inclusion with a smartphone-independent platform.

MAGGOT FARM PRODUCTION – Musambira: Harnessing insect protein to secure Rwanda’s nutritional future.

ITEME – Kigali: Reshaping agency banking in Rwanda for a better financial inclusion.

A dynamic networking session closed the event, sparking synergies and paving the way for future collaborations.

A heartfelt thank you to all who make this collective effort possible. Together, let’s continue scaling impact through innovation.