Rwanda’s banks and financial institutions have promised to give women-led businesses the same access to finance as businesses run by men. This was formally announced at the Alliance Summit 2025 in Kigali, where the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code (WE Finance Code) was launched.

The event was notably attended by Rwanda’s First Lady, Mrs Jeannette Kagame, whose presence underscored the national importance of this initiative. Her involvement highlights that closing the gender gap in business financing is not merely a financial issue but a priority for the entire country.

What is the WE Finance Code?

The WE Finance Code is a global framework developed by the Financial Alliance for Women, aimed at helping banks, governments, and institutions remove the obstacles that prevent women entrepreneurs from accessing finance.

 Voices from the Summit

Mrs Jeannette Kagame emphasised the importance of investing in women entrepreneurs, stating, “Yes, for us, investing in entrepreneurs, especially women is the right choice.” She praised initiatives like the Alliance Summit 2025 for empowering women and helping them achieve their development goals.

Soraya Hakuziyaremye, Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, described the Code as by stating that: “This is more than a symbolic gesture. It is a blueprint for systemic reform. It brings together leadership, data, and action to transform how financial institutions serve women entrepreneurs.” 

The implementation of the Code in Rwanda involves a national coalition: the Ministry of Trade and Industry leads on policy; the National Bank of Rwanda acts as regulator; commercial banks and financial institutions drive implementation; and Access to Finance Rwanda coordinates stakeholders. 

Governor Soraya remarked, “That gap is not because women entrepreneurs lack potential. It’s because products are not tailored to them, data is missing, and historical biases persist.”

The First Lady’s involvement brought a powerful national spotlight to the launch, signalling that women’s financial inclusion is central to Rwanda’s development agenda. Her support is expected to strengthen collaboration between government, banks, and the private sector.

“This is the beginning of a new chapter for inclusive finance in Rwanda,” Governor Soraya concluded. “We are proud to stand with global partners, but even prouder of the depth of collaboration at home to make this possible.”

With this decisive step, Rwanda not only joins a growing global movement but also sets a shining example for Africa, demonstrating that women in business deserve equal opportunities, equal credit, and equal trust.