Cities today are navigating climate, environmental, and social pressures that demand solutions both innovative and practical. Nature‑based Solutions (NbS) offer an opportunity to integrate natural systems into the way we design, plan, and invest in urban infrastructure.

Organized by MININFRA, in collaboration with the World Resources Institue, Enabel, the German Agency For International Cooperation (GIZ), the World Bank, Global Green Growth Institute, and International Institute for Sustainable Development, the Forum on Urban and Peri‑Urban Nature‑Based Solutions will spotlight practical pathways for integrating NbS into national and municipal planning processes.

Bringing together government leaders, technical experts, financiers, researchers, and practitioners the forum will provide a platform for showcasing how NbS can strengthen infrastructure performance, reduce climate and disaster risks, and create more livable and resilient urban environments.

With a core focus on financing readiness, the forum will feature expert insights on emerging funding models, from public‑private partnerships to climate finance instruments, and will equip participants with tools to structure credible, investment‑ready NbS proposals.

Opening Ceremony

Event Date: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | March 2, 2026
Location: Kilimanjaro Hall

Led by the MINNINFRA, this session will feature a high-level panel exploring how Rwanda is positioning Nature-based Solutions as a cornerstone of its emerging urban development paradigm.

Speakers

  • Eric Ruzigamanzi, Country Representative for Rwanda, WRI Africa
  • Hellen Wanjohi-Opil, Climate & Engagement Lead, Cities, WRI Africa

Urban Nature-based Solutions across Africa – Success Stories & Best Practices

Location: Kilimanjaro Hall
Event Date: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | March 2, 2026

This session provides a comparative exploration of national and international NbS implementation experiences, aimed at equipping participants with replicable insights for Rwanda’s urban context. WRI will be sharing insights from its multi-country SUNCASA Project, highlighting key differences in implementation approaches between Rwanda and regional contexts.

Speakers

  • Alemakef Tassew, Climate Resilient Cities - Ethiopia Lead, WRI Africa

Enabling Strong Regulatory Environments for Nature‑Based Solutions

Location: Room A - Kilimanjaro Hall
Event Date: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | March 2, 2026

This session will map the governance and regulatory gaps around Nature-based solutions in urban environments. Featuring a panel of expert inputs and policy roundtable, the session will invite collective analysis from participants in propose adjustments needed to embed NbS into urban strategies, including land use, development control, and environmental regulation.

Inclusive Community Engagement for NbS Projects

Location: Room B - Kilimanjaro Hall
Event Date: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | March 2, 2026

This session will explore practical tools and mechanisms for inclusive, gender‑responsive, and youth‑empowering NbS governance, highlighting community‑centered planning approaches, GESI‑responsive engagement models, as well as strategies that elevate women and youth as decision‑makers - particulrly in informal settlements and vulnerable populations.

Speakers

  • Eden Takele, Engagement & Communications Specialist, Cities, WRI Africa
  • Hellen Wanjohi-Opil, Climate & Engagement Lead, Cities, WRI Africa (moderator)

Financing Nature‑Based Solutions in Urban Settings

Location: Room B - Kilimanjaro Hall
Event Date: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | March 2, 2026

Through key insights from the report “Growing Resilience: Unlocking the Potential of NbS for Climate Resilience in Sub‑Saharan Africa” this session aims to position Rwanda’s cities for bankable, funder‑aligned NbS investment. Through expert-facilitated dialogues, participants will explore critical financing models, policy enablers, and institutional requirements relevant to Rwanda.  

Speakers

  • Obadiah Mungai, Environmental Finance Lead, Cities, WRI Africa

Integrating NbS into Urban Planning for Climate Resilient Cities

Location: Room A - Kilimanjaro Hall
Event Date: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM | March 2, 2026

This session will highlight the role of NbS in urban planning by showcasing its practical application in zoning and neighbourhood planning processes. WRI will showcase its Strategic Nature-Based Solutions Framework, priorities identified for the City of Kigali – and how other Rwandan cities to adopt the framework.

Cover photo by City of Kigali