The Nile Basin Discourse Forum in Rwanda (NBDF) was launched in June 2003 by the former Minister of State in charge of Water and Mines, Professor MUNYANGANIZI Bikoro, during the workshop-Seminar on the role of the Civil Society in the process of the Nile Basin Initiative. The setting up of the bureau of the Forum took place during the workshop organised in Kigali in September 2003.

Those workshops grouped together various representatives from governmental institutions, UN Agencies, NGOs, Public and private media, researchers and academicians. Their Excellencies Ambassadors of Egypt and Burundi to Rwanda also participated in that seminar as a sign of encouragement and support for the commitment of the Civil Society in the Nile Basin Initiative.

The Forum has a local NGO status, grouping associations that intervene within the fields of environment protection, rural development, gender, human rights, etc.