Rwanda’s rural communities left behind despite economic growth, advocates warn

Paul Mbonyi, executive director of the consumer rights group ADECOR, spoke during a parliamentary committee hearing on the 2024/2025 report of the National Bank of Rwanda. The report shows Rwanda’s gross domestic product rose 6.3% last fiscal year, following a 9.3% increase in 2023/2024, and the financial sector’s total assets grew 22.6% to 14.3 trillion Rwandan francs.

“Even though the economy is growing, some people are being left behind,” Mbonyi said. He called for targeted programs to help marginalized populations access banking services, including opening accounts, applying for loans, and using other financial tools.

Mbonyi said most commercial banks operate in cities or commercial hubs, leaving rural residents with few options. “Financial services have developed, but the goal is to make them accessible to everyone,” he said.

Theoneste Murangira, executive director of the Rwanda Civil Society Platform, said access alone is not enough. “It’s not enough that services exist; people must be able to use them to improve their lives,” he said, stressing the importance of public awareness and support programs.

Advocates emphasized that bridging the gap in rural financial access could help more Rwandans participate in economic growth, ensuring that progress is shared beyond urban centers.