Germany, through GIZ Rwanda and DSKI, supports Duterimbere IMF Plc in training women to strengthen their financial management skills while also providing them with low-interest loans.
Among the loan products offered is “Aguka Mugore,” which provides up to Rwf 5 million without requiring collateral such as land or property.
Another product, “Kungahara Mugore,” offers up to Rwf 30 million, with only 25% collateral required, while the remaining amount is guaranteed by Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD).
Beneficiaries say these initiatives have significantly transformed their businesses. Uwitonze Jeannette, a trader in auto parts, motorcycles, and milling machines, said she has worked with Duterimbere IMF Plc for 15 years, starting with a loan of Rwf 5 million and gradually expanding her business.
She later secured a Rwf 15 million loan, followed by Rwf 47 million in 2020, which she is close to completing. She now plans to apply for a Rwf 100 million loan at a low interest rate.
“All the progress I have made is thanks to Duterimbere IMF Plc,” she said. “We recently attended training by GIZ, where we were encouraged to improve our businesses and promised access to low-interest loans. That motivated us greatly.”
Another beneficiary, Musabyimana Jeanne, who began working with the institution in 2015 selling clothes, has grown her business into a large shop dealing in a variety of garments and footwear.
She explained that her growth was supported by a series of loans—from Rwf 5 million to Rwf 7 million, then Rwf 9 million, and now Rwf 15 million.
Musabyimana noted that one of the biggest challenges facing women entrepreneurs in Rwanda is access to capital. She credited Duterimbere IMF Plc for bridging that gap, adding that the training and affordable loans have renewed hope among many women.
Ambassador Dettmann praised the institution’s commitment to supporting women, describing it as a strategic investment in families and the country’s future.
“I am very pleased to meet women running profitable businesses, and I am impressed by how Duterimbere IMF Plc works closely with its clients,” she said. “They made the right choice by focusing on women, because empowering women strengthens families, the country, and its future.”
The Managing Director of Duterimbere IMF Plc, Ngabonziza M. Alphonse, welcomed the ambassador’s visit and appreciation of their work.
“We are happy that she was satisfied with what we do, especially in helping women gain confidence to work and generate income, which aligns with Rwanda’s vision of putting citizens at the center of development,” he said.
He added that the positive partnership with German institutions through GIZ could open doors for further collaboration with other organizations to continue advancing women’s economic empowerment.
Established in 2004 and licensed by the National Bank of Rwanda in 2005, Duterimbere IMF Plc has grown into a key player in financial inclusion, particularly for women.
The institution offers a range of savings products, including the “Intego Account,” which provides competitive annual returns paid monthly, with customers allowed up to two withdrawals per month, alongside other tailored accounts.
Currently, Duterimbere IMF Plc operates 19 branches across the country—five in Kigali, four in the Southern Province, two in the Western Province, one in the Northern Province, and six in the Eastern Province—continuing to expand its reach and impact.
Ambassador Heike also visited some of the women-led projects supported by Duterimbere IMF Plc, including a clothing shop owned by Musabyimana Jeanne (right).
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