The India-Rwanda Innovation Growth Programme (IRIGP) is a first of its' kind initiative between India and Rwanda, launched in February 2017 during the state visit of the former Vice President of India, Shri Hamid Ansari to Kigali. The programme strengthens the bilateral relationship purely based on science, technology and innovation. The programme aims to deliver socio-economic impact development by linking Rwandan industry and/or institutions with Indian technologies & innovations that are leading edge, validated and affordable.

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), on behalf of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India; in partnership with the National Industrial Research and Development Agency (NIRDA), Government of the Republic of Rwanda, are the implementation partners in India and Rwanda.

In the pilot year, IRIGP received an overwhelming response in both countries, with over 230 applications from Indian startups, and over 300 Expression of Interests (EOIs) from the Rwandan enterprises. After a thorough evaluation, Year 1 was concluded with 11 Indian enterprises match-made with 14 Rwandan enterprises - mostly B2B, but also included two-B2G and one-G2G agreements. The technologies matched were in the sectors of Agriculture, Food Processing, Healthcare, IT & ICT, Leather and Renewable Energy.