Mission
The MoE has the mission to ensure the protection and conservation of the environment, reduce the effects of climate change and ensure optimal and rational utilization of water resources, lands and forests for sustainable national development.
Responsibilities
The MoE has the following responsibilities:
(a) to develop and disseminate the environment and climate change policies, strategies and programs through –
(i) to develop strategies to promote partnership and enhance capacity of private sector to invest in activities of environment and climate change for sustainable economic development;
(ii) to develop laws and regulations to ensure the protection of the environment and conservation of natural ecosystems; and
(iii) to develop institutional and human resources capacities in environment and climate change;
(b) to monitor and evaluate the implementation and mainstreaming of environment and climate change policies, strategies and programs across all sectors, especially productive sectors;
(c) to oversee and evaluate organs under its supervision by providing guidance on the implementation of specific programs to be realized by the institutions under its supervision and local government;
(d) to mobilize necessary resources for the development, protection and conservation of the environment for the climate change adaptation and mitigation.
The Minister
Dr. Bernadette Arakwiye
Minister of Environment
Dr. Bernadette Arakwiye is the Minister of Environment of the Republic of Rwanda since 24th July 2025. Previously, she was Senior Manager for Africa Restoration Programs at the World Resources Institute (WRI), where she mobilized resources for large-scale restoration, led a team of experts across seven African countries, and oversaw a portfolio focused on investing capital and in the capacity of restoration actors, enabling implementation, monitoring progress, and motivating stakeholders to scale restoration. She has served on advisory boards for regional and international restoration initiatives and has trained professionals and graduate students in restoration planning, implementation and monitoring.
Earlier in her career, she led restoration monitoring at WRI, generated and analyzed ecosystem services data at Conservation International in the United States, and conducted biodiversity research at the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International in Rwanda. She holds a Ph.D. in Geography from Clark University in Massachusetts, where she received the NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship, a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies from Antioch University New England, and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Rwanda.