Green Amayaga Project and Sustainable Development of Kigoma Sector (2020-2025)

This study assesses the contribution of the Green Amayaga Project to sustainable development in Kigoma Sector, Nyanza District, Rwanda. The project, initiated in 2020 as a six-year Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) initiative, was launched to address persistent environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and rural poverty through a set of integrated interventions including reforestation, agroforestry, soil erosion control, and the distribution of improved cookstoves. The main objective of this study is to assess how the Green Amayaga Project contributes to the sustainable development of Kigoma Sector. The specific objectives are to: (1) examine the socioeconomic benefits of the Green Amayaga Project to local communities; (2) assess the impact of the project on community attitudes toward environmental conservation; and (3) identify the key challenges affecting the project’s implementation and sustainability. A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving structured surveys with 97 beneficiaries, key informant interviews, and field observations. The results indicate that the project has had substantial positive effects on household income, energy efficiency, agricultural productivity, and environmental awareness. Notably, over 75% of participants reported increased income and improved food security, while 77% acknowledged benefits from cleaner cooking technologies. These stoves reduced firewood dependency, improved household air quality, and saved time, especially for women and children. The project also promoted a shift in environmental attitudes through tree planting, soil conservation, and sustainable land use practices. However, implementation challenges such as uneven benefit distribution, limited formal training, and incomplete geographic coverage were noted. The study concludes that while the Green Amayaga Project has significantly advanced environmental and socio-economic outcomes in Kigoma Sector, further investment in local capacity-building, equitable participation, and governance mechanisms is essential to ensure its long-term success and scalability. Keywords: Project, Amayaga, Green Amayaga, Sustainable Development, Beneficiaries.