The awards ceremony took place following the conclusion of the nationwide Umuganda, where citizens in every District participated in various community works aimed at promoting development and enhancing social welfare.
Honoring Home-Grown Solutions

These annual awards are designed to identify, celebrate, and scale local initiatives that have significantly contributed to strengthening good governance, stimulating economic productivity, and improving the overall well-being of Rwandans.

Speaking during the award presentation, Ministry officials emphasized that these innovations represent the essence of Rwanda’s home-grown solutions, where local communities take the lead in solving their own challenges through creative and sustainable approaches.

Performance by Province

After a rigorous selection process, 30 innovations were recognized as the top performers for the 2025/2026 period. The distribution of the awardees reflects the vibrant spirit of innovation across all regions of the country:

• Eastern Province: 8 innovations awarded
• Western Province: 8 innovations awarded
• Southern Province: 7 innovations awarded
• Northern Province: 6 innovations awarded
• City of Kigali: 1 innovation awarded

Impact on Governance and Welfare

The recognized innovations cover a wide range of sectors, including digital service delivery at the grassroots level, community-based security initiatives, and local cooperatives that have successfully increased household income.

By celebrating these achievements, MINALOC aims to encourage a culture of excellence and healthy competition among local government entities and citizen groups, ensuring that the fruits of decentralization are felt by every household in Rwanda.

The Ministry extends its heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and encourages all citizens to continue participating actively in community platforms to foster further innovation.

For more information on the winners and their specific projects, visit the MINALOC Innovations Portal.