ARDE/KUBAHO was founded in 2002 by students from several national higher learning institutions: KIE, KIST, ISAE/Rubirizi, KHI, and the former National University of Rwanda (NUR/Butare). The founding members aimed to contribute to the development of good environmental practices and research for the betterment of their fellow citizens.

In 2007, during a meeting held in Kigali on December 9th, some members (alumni) and other citizens (including farmers, students, artists, development and social action agents, nurses, etc.) decided to establish the Rwandan Association for Endogenous Development (ARDE/KUBAHO). Their goal was to contribute to the welfare of the most vulnerable Rwandan population.