Overview
AMIR is the only umbrella body for microfinance institutions in Rwanda that seeks to build a flourishing microfinance sector in Rwanda through different areas of Advocacy and Information, Research and Development, Responsible Finance, Performance Monitoring and Capacity Building.
Currently, AMIR has 450 active members, serving poor and middle class families throughout the country.
Although self-help/ saving groups called IBIMINA have long existed; the Microfinance sector in Rwanda is relatively young. The first microfinance has begun to exist since 1975 with the establishment of the First Banque Populaire at NKAMBA (formal KABARONDO district).
After the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda, the microfinance sector has known a dramatic progress through the support of relevant international and non-government organizations especially for humanitarians. These NGOs helped people by support of daily use of equipment, foods but had also the microcredit teaching program. During the emergency period, in some cases the loans do not differ to grants or donations and sowed confusion among the population. Thus has developed the culture of not paying normal bank loans which caused non-performing loans primarily in the Banque Populaires, at a rate of around 45%. When the Government embarked on a development phase, many NGOs have turned and became microfinance institutions without too much professionalism.
Creation of AMIR in 2007 was a new era for microfinance sector in Rwanda
AMIR is the only professional umbrella organization of MFIs operating in Rwanda with the core mission of supporting its members to become professional and sustainable. It was created in 2007 with 32 founding members and currently its membership has reached 450 licensed MFIs/SACCOs: among them Microfinance PLCs, credit and savings cooperatives. Its membership represents more than 90% of the microfinance sector in Rwanda with an aim of integrating all MFIs/SACCOs operating in Rwanda so that to serve them under one umbrella.
Vision
To become a strong and efficient organization that contributes to the development of the microfinance industry through the promotion of transparent management systems in MFIs, innovative and market led financial services and products.
Mission
The mission of AMIR is to offer diversified services to microfinance institutions to enable them to work professionally and contribute to poverty reduction in a sustainable manner.
Core values
Professionalism
Transparency
Unity
Integrity.
Sustainability
Strategic goals
- Becoming a change agent for the growth of the microfinance sector in Rwanda by building practitioner capacity, including the capacity to develop adapted products and provide innovative services;
- Being a center for high quality information, research and development in Rwanda by providing up-to-date and accurate information on MFI performance as well as on the current state of the industry in the country and promoting learning and a more transparent business environment;
- Strengthening AMIR’s advocacy for and representation of the Microfinance sector;
- Promoting responsible finance through self-regulation and by creating a more transparent business environment, and promoting consumer protection and financial education in the microfinance sector;
- Increasing AMIR’s organizational and financial sustainability
Areas of interventions
1.Programs:
Advocacy and information sharing
Research and development
Responsible finance including consumer protection and education
Performance monitoring
Capacity building – institutional promotion
2. AMIR Consult/ Shared services:
IT shared services
Legal shared services
Insurance services
Recovery services
Audit services
Addresses
Association of Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda
Gasabo – Kacyiru – Kibaza
KG 513st-13
P.O.Box: 6526Kigali – Rwanda