Rwanda Steps Up Fight Against Lead

The environmental protection organization ARECO Rwanda Nziza has launched a national campaign aimed at reducing the use of lead, a toxic chemical commonly found in paints. The initiative took center stage during the week of October 19–24, 2025, which was dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the elimination of lead-based products in Rwanda.

During this “Lead Awareness Week,” ARECO brought together key stakeholders — including government institutions, paint manufacturers, and environmental advocates — to discuss strategies for minimizing lead contamination in paints and other consumer products.

Vincent Karemera, a representative of ARECO Rwanda Nziza, explained the motivation behind the campaign:

“We organized this week to increase public awareness and help people understand what needs to be done so that we can all work together to fight against this harmful chemical, which is still widely used in paints,” he said.

ARECO during the workshop 

Government and Industry Collaboration

At a consultative meeting held on October 23, 2025, at the Five to Five Hotel in Kigali, the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) reaffirmed its commitment to reducing the amount of lead used in paints sold across the country.

According to RSB representative Clement Uwimana, it is not yet possible to completely eliminate lead from all paint products, as some raw materials used in production contain trace amounts of naturally occurring lead. However, he emphasized that the institution has taken strong measures to reduce exposure levels.

“RSB has invested heavily in building laboratory capacity, enabling us to test and certify paints according to national and international safety standards,” Uwimana explained.

These efforts are part of a broader national strategy to align Rwanda’s paint industry with global health and environmental regulations.

Industry Response

Private companies have also joined the movement. Ameki Color, one of Rwanda’s major paint producers, has already begun replacing materials that contain lead with safer alternatives.

Company representative Kalisa Callixte said:

“We used to rely on some inputs that contained lead. We have since sought new suppliers and switched to safer materials that do not contain this chemical. Our goal is to help protect public health while maintaining the quality of our products.”

Health and Environmental Risks

Lead is a heavy metal that has long been used in various industries — including battery production, ammunition, cable sheathing, and paint manufacturing. In paints, it serves as a drying agent and helps improve color brightness and durability.

However, lead exposure poses serious health risks, particularly to children. Even low levels of lead can damage the brain and nervous system, impair growth, and cause learning difficulties. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that globally, more than 1.5 million people die each year due to complications from lead poisoning.

In adults, chronic exposure can lead to hypertension, kidney damage, and reproductive issues. Because of its persistence in the environment, lead contamination can also affect soil and water sources, posing long-term ecological threats.

Regulatory Progress and Global Standards

To address these dangers, international health and environmental bodies have set strict limits on lead content in paints.

Rwanda is now working to fully adopt and enforce these standards, ensuring that manufacturers comply through routine inspections and product testing.

Towards a Lead-Free Future

Vincent Karemera “Protecting our people from toxic substances like lead means protecting the future of our children and the health of our nation. “

The awareness week concluded with a shared commitment among government agencies, civil society, and private sector actors to continue working towards a “lead-free Rwanda.” Participants agreed that while progress has been made, continued education, strict regulation, and technological innovation are essential to achieving complete elimination.

As Karemera Vincent he globally recommended threshold is 99 milligrams of lead per kilogram of paint, far below the concentrations once commonly used in industrial and decorative paints.

noted, the fight against lead contamination is not only an environmental issue but also a public health priority:

“Protecting our people from toxic substances like lead means protecting the future of our children and the health of our nation.”

Through sustained collaboration and public engagement, Rwanda aims to become a regional model in phasing out hazardous chemicals and promoting safer, more sustainable alternatives in everyday products.

Alphonse Munyankindi