Save and Invest for Economic Resilience
“This theme aligns with our country’s broad national development agenda.”
During Dusangire Ijambo, a talk show aired on Rwanda Television, Director General of Banking and Non-Banking Institutions in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning emphasised that the development of citizens drives the development of the nation. He noted that when people save and invest to improve their lives, the entire country advances.
When individual savings are combined, they create significant resources that enable the nation to implement large-scale projects, enhance citizens’ welfare, and strengthen Rwanda’s capacity to finance its own development without relying on external aid.
Speaking about the role of CARE Rwanda in promoting youth employment through agricultural and livestock value chains, Ms Glycérie Niyibizi, Financial Inclusion Technical Advisor at CARE International Rwanda, highlighted the SERVE Project, an initiative targeting the creation of 80,000 dignified jobs over five years (2023–2027).
The project is implemented in partnership with AMIR, Duhamic Adri, Pro-Femmes Twese Hamwe, and Urwego Finance.
KWIKIRIZA Jackson, Executive Director of the Association of Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda (AMIR), explained that AMIR supports financial institutions in designing financial products that meet citizens’ real needs. These include microfinance services tailored for youth engaged in horticulture and small livestock farming.
Under the SERVE Project, specific financial services have been developed for young people involved in tomato, chilli, and bean, as well as poultry farming. These services help youth access affordable credit, improve their livelihoods, and create employment opportunities for others.
UWINGABIRE Jean Bosco, Managing Director of FISA CO PLC, added that their institution provides affordable loans to youth in agricultural and livestock value chains, with support from the SERVE Project. He encouraged young people to take advantage of these opportunities.
From 03-07 November, 2025, AMIR is leading a nationwide campaign to promote a culture of saving through the SERVE Project. Over 600 people, mainly youth, have already opened accounts in financial institutions, while others with dormant accounts have reactivated them to strengthen their financial resilience.
Currently, national savings account for 12.4% of Rwanda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). By 2029, this figure is expected to rise to 25.9%, as outlined in the Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).
It is therefore vital for every Rwandan to embrace the culture of saving and investment as a foundation for personal and national economic resilience.
