The recent “Financial Access for All: Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategies” dialogue, organized by the Association of Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda (AMIR), proved to be a significant milestone in advancing financial inclusion in Rwanda.
Held on March 14, 2025, at the Kigali Marriott, the event brought together over 100 participants, including development partners, Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), SACCOs, policymakers, insurance companies, and financial regulators.
The dialogue provided an essential platform for discussing the challenges facing financial inclusion and exploring the opportunities available to enhance access to financial services in Rwanda. It emphasized the need for concerted efforts among all stakeholders to overcome existing barriers and create sustainable solutions that ensure financial services are accessible to underserved communities.
In his opening remarks, Damien Gatera, Chairman of AMIR’s Board of Directors and Managing Director of RIM Plc, underscored the importance of collaboration, saying, “Together, we will design strategies to overcome these challenges and seize the opportunities for growth and enhancement within the sector.”
During this dialogue, Cyrille Hategekimana, Director General of the Banking and Non-Banking Sector at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, emphasized the critical role of financial services in national development: “Financial Access for All: Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategies” organized by AMIR. He called for enhanced collaboration to address emerging issues such as digitization, green finance, agriculture finance, and micro-insurance. On behalf of the Ministry, he pledged full commitment to advancing financial inclusion and supporting the sustainability of Rwanda’s financial sector.”
Mr. Kwikiriza Jackson, Executive Director of AMIR, expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the dialogue, stating, “At AMIR, we are already celebrating because the discussions reflect exactly what we hoped to hear. We wanted input from development partners, financial service players, and initiative leaders, and as you can see, there is already a deep, constructive conversation about what has been accomplished and what still needs to be done.”
Clarisse Mushimirwa, Director of Microfinance Institutions Supervision at the National Bank of Rwanda (NBR), concluded the dialogue with a powerful call for renewed commitment to innovation and collaboration. “The challenges are significant, but not insurmountable,” she said. “Together, through innovation and collaboration, we can unlock new opportunities for those who need it most.”
The event successfully fostered a collaborative environment, where stakeholders shared insights and built consensus on strategies to advance financial inclusion. With a shared commitment to improving access to financial services for all, particularly underserved communities, participants agreed on the need for continued innovation, policy support, and the scaling of successful initiatives.
This dialogue further solidified AMIR’s role in shaping the future of Rwanda’s financial inclusion landscape, creating new opportunities for growth and empowerment across the country.
