Scaling up Responsible Digital Payments in Rwanda

Read our report with the UN-based Better Than Cash Alliance.

Tea is the third-largest employer in Rwanda. The sector employs over 100,000 people, including 50,000 farmers, and contributes to the livelihoods of close to 1 million Rwandans.

Released in March 2023, our study with the UN-based Better Than Cash Alliance explores how responsible digital payments can improve the livelihoods and incomes of Rwanda’s tea farmers.

The impacts and benefits of going cashless are extensive. An estimated $8 million could be saved over 10 years by paying farmers digitally – funds that could be invested in addressing critical issues impacting the tea sector, such as climate change.

“We are committed to working closely with all stakeholders in the Rwandan tea sector to address the gaps that remain for scaling responsible digital initiatives. In particular we see our engagement with the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) as critical for exploring sustainable and scalable solutions for the tea sector.”

Jenny Costelloe, Executive Director, Ethical Tea Partnership.

Read our report to learn the other potential gains from digitising payments.