To promote small and medium-sized enterprises, the Development Bank of Rwanda (BDF) has launched a three-month campaign aimed at supporting at least 1,000 projects, providing loans amounting to 2.5 billion Rwandan francs.\
In a press briefing held on November 1, 2024, BDF’s Director General, Vincent Munyeshyaka, spoke about the goals of this campaign, stating, “We aim to raise awareness about BDF and the financial resources it offers, with the goal of encouraging Rwandans to implement development projects.”
This campaign will help citizens understand how to access funding and will focus primarily on the areas along the Kivu Belt road, which presents numerous business opportunities.
Munyeshyaka further stated that in the agricultural sector, 20 projects are set to receive funding totaling 200 million Rwandan francs. “We believe that agriculture will advance our country, and we are pleased to see investors presenting viable projects,” he emphasized.
BDF aims to secure 1.5 billion Rwandan francs over the three-month period through a project designed to promote commercial agriculture and address agricultural challenges (CDAT).
To support collaboration, funding will be channeled through the SACCO cooperatives, with an allocation of 600 million Rwandan francs.
Semigabo Rosalie, Deputy Director General of BDF, noted that every Rwandan is eligible to apply for support from BDF. “We especially encourage youth, women, people with disabilities, and war veterans, as we believe they will provide fruitful projects,” she said.
The Rwandan government’s objective is to achieve an annual economic growth rate of 9.3%, aiming to enhance agriculture, industry, and trade. The government anticipates that within the next five years, local production will increase by 13% annually.
This BDF campaign represents a significant opportunity for investors and highlights a sustainable approach to fostering the country’s economic development.
