Association Rwandaise des Ecologistes

ARECO-RWANDA NZIZA, formally the Association Rwandaise des Ecologistes (Rwandan Association of Ecologists), is a non-profit environmental and development organization based in Rwanda. Founded in 1991 by a group of concerned individuals who witnessed severe environmental challenges in the country, the organization was first incorporated in April 1992 under Ministerial Decree n° 119/05 and re-incorporated in December 2008 under Ministerial Decree n° 180/11 following the Genocide against the Tutsi. It is registered as a National Non-Governmental Organization with the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB). The name "RWANDA NZIZA," meaning "Beautiful Rwanda" in Kinyarwanda, was added to reflect the founders' commitment to enhancing the beauty and environmental health of Rwanda. The organization's mission centers on addressing soil erosion, land degradation, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, pollution, and climate change. Its activities range from environmental advocacy and policy engagement to community-based projects in conservation, agro-ecology, and sustainable resource management. ARECO operates across Rwanda with a special focus on regions particularly vulnerable to environmental degradation, such as mountain areas, natural forests, lakes, and wetlands. Through its programs, it promotes biodiversity conservation, land restoration, pollution reduction, and climate change adaptation. ARECO-RWANDA NZIZA engages with a wide network of environmental experts, community leaders, and stakeholders. It participates in national dialogues and multi-stakeholder initiatives, such as the national validation workshop on Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) held in September 2026 and efforts toward mercury-free gold mining with support from the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN). The organization also takes part in high-profile conservation events like the Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony. Its vision is a healthy environment and viable ecosystems providing ecological, economic, and social benefits to people and nations through enabling policies.

The Association Rwandaise des Ecologistes (ARECO) was established in 1991 by a group of concerned individuals who recognized the severe environmental degradation facing Rwanda, including soil erosion, land degradation, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and climate change, along with rising concerns about pollution. The organization was first incorporated in April 1992 under Ministerial Decree n° 119/05. Following the Genocide against the Tutsi, ARECO was re-incorporated in December 2008 under Ministerial Decree n° 180/11. Today, it is a registered National Non-Governmental Organization with the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), operating across the country with a special focus on regions particularly vulnerable to environmental degradation, such as mountain areas, natural forests, lakes, and wetlands. The words "RWANDA NZIZA," which translate to "Beautiful Rwanda" in Kinyarwanda, were added to the organization's name to reflect the founders' commitment to enhancing the beauty and environmental health of Rwanda. Over the years, ARECO-RWANDA NZIZA has engaged in environmental advocacy, policy engagement, and community-based projects in conservation, agro-ecology, and sustainable resource management. It has participated in national dialogues, such as the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) validation workshop in September 2026, and multi-stakeholder initiatives like efforts toward mercury-free gold mining with support from the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN). The organization also takes part in conservation events such as the Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony.

• 2026

  Joined national validation workshop on Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) on 24 September 2026.

• 2026

  Participated in the 21st Annual Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony on 4 September 2026.

• 2008

  Re-incorporated in December 2008 under Ministerial Decree n° 180/11 following the Genocide against the Tutsi.

• 1992

  First incorporated in April 1992 under Ministerial Decree n° 119/05.

• 1991

  ARECO founded by a group of concerned individuals.

A national non-governmental environmental and development organization focused on community-based conservation, policy advocacy, and sustainable development across Rwanda.

• Environmental advocacy and policy engagement

• Community-based conservation projects

• Agro-ecology programs

• Sustainable resource management

• Biodiversity conservation

• Land restoration

• Pollution reduction

• Climate change adaptation

1. 1ARECO-RWANDA NZIZA Official Websitearecorwandanziza.org
2. 2About Us – ARECO-RWANDA NZIZAarecorwandanziza.org
3. 3ARECO-RWANDA NZIZA Joins National Dialogue on Payment for Ecosystem Servicesarecorwandanziza.org
4. 4Wikidata entry Q135102469wikidata.org