Rwandan Bank Gains Access to UN Climate Fund

Why this is here: BRD is only the fourth national development bank in Africa to receive accreditation from the Green Climate Fund, joining institutions in South Africa, Nigeria, and Zambia.

The Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) became the first Rwandan financial institution to earn accreditation from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in Kigali, Rwanda. This accreditation allows BRD to directly access over $20 billion in global climate finance for projects within Rwanda. BRD joins the Ministry of Environment as Rwanda’s only accredited entities with the GCF.

The bank is now the fourth national development bank in Africa—following institutions in South Africa, Nigeria, and Zambia—to achieve this status. Previously, Rwanda channeled climate finance through larger international institutions, losing fees and control over project development. BRD plans to use this access to expand Ireme Invest, a green finance facility, and attract more commercial investment.

BRD reported surpassing one trillion Rwandan francs in total assets in 2025, but faces the ongoing challenge of pricing climate risk into development finance at a scale that transforms the market. The bank will continue working to mobilize funding for Rwanda’s climate goals and build a resilient green economy.