BPR Bank Rwanda officially launched 'Ikamba', a comprehensive financial and business support solution tailored to the needs of women-led and women-owned Small and Medium Enterprises (WSMEs). Introduced on May 23 at the bank’s MIC Branch in Kigali, the initiative marks a significant step towards advancing economic inclusion, and strengthening the role of women in Rwanda’s entrepreneurial landscape. 'Ikamba' offers flexible, cash-flow-based loans of up to Rwf 100 million, reduced transaction fees, smart savings options, and access to dedicated WSME service points with personalised support. Beyond financing, women entrepreneurs also benefit from capacity-building programmes, business insights, and discounted membership to the BPR Biashara Club—creating a one-stop solution that empowers women to grow and sustain competitive businesses. ALSO READ: BPR Bank posts Rwf29.7 billion profit after tax in 2024 Managing Director of BPR Bank Patience Mutesi explained that the 'Ikamba' branch was developed after extensive research into the challenges women face when accessing finances, such as time constraints, and lack of collateral, among other things. “Women told us what they want, and how they want it, and they didn’t just want a loan, they also wanted a relationship. As a result, BPR is investing in training relationship managers to better engage and support women-owned businesses with empathy and tailored solutions,” she said. She also outlined several key commitments under 'Ikamba' using gender-disaggregated data, increasing lending to women from under 20 per cent to at least 30 per cent, improving internal gender balance in leadership and customer-facing roles, and expanding digital access. “We are not entirely there yet, but we’ve covered a lot of ground and as a bank we want see more money in the hands of women, that is why we are here. Rwandan women in business deserve more than just access to finance; they deserve a partner that understands their unique journeys,” she stated. Developed in partnership with Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR), 'Ikamba' is part of BPR Bank’s broader strategy to promote inclusive finance and resilient livelihoods across the country. ALSO READ: BPR Bank Rwanda marks 50th anniversary with logo unveiling, platinum branch launch Jean-Bosco Iyacu, CEO of Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR), emphasised that this kind of intentional move enables innovation, allowing women to give feedback and co-create solutions that truly serve them. “This is what we call affirmative action in women’s financial inclusion, dedicating a branch and a team to address women's specific needs. I am pleased to see not just a product launch but an entire dedicated branch for women,” he said. He also highlighted that while Rwanda boasts 96 per cent financial inclusion, based on the 2024 Finscope survey, certain groups, particularly women, youth, smallholder farmers, and refugees, remain underserved. Iyacu reaffirmed AFR’s support for 'Ikamba' and broader inclusion efforts, stressing the importance of partnerships to address persistent barriers such as collateral requirements and limited business skills among women entrepreneurs. “We’re supporting MSME training to ensure women are well-prepared for financing, but we need to continue engaging policymakers and regulators to maintain an enabling environment for inclusive finance,” he added. ALSO READ: BPR Bank deepens community ties through customer engagement The head of retail banking at BPR, Jean-Marc Gakwandi, underlined that 'Ikamba' is more than just a product but a strategic commitment to inclusive growth, noting that the initiative provides women-led MSMEs with improved access to finance, training, and dedicated support, all designed to accelerate their business success. “This is a proposal designed to increase financial inclusion for women, and it will offer not only financial services but also coaching, access to markets, and relationship-based support across the country,” he said. Gakwandi emphasised that the programme is structured to meet women where they are offering better service, simplified requirements, and faster turnaround. Collette Mukantayomba, a longtime BPR client, commended BPR’s leadership and growth, encouraging fellow women to take ownership of the new branch. She also thanked the bank not only for financing but also for offering training and meaningful support. “Ikamba is set to change the game for us women entrepreneurs, and to all women here, I want us to take care of it because it is ours, and with this type of support, I believe you can achieve anything,” she said.
