WIFR and Gate Consulting Group turn mentorship into action through cross-sector Mock Interview Experience

The initiative, launched in July 2026 under the LiftHerUp Mentorship Programme, gives women an opportunity to experience a realistic interview environment, receive direct feedback from senior executives and strengthen how they communicate their experience, achievements and career ambitions.

Participants in the first edition came from banking and financial services as well as telecommunications, education, technology, development organisations, communications and other industries.

The initiative is one practical response to evidence emerging from the landmark Women in Financial Services Rwanda 2025 study.

Based on responses from more than 50 financial institutions and over 1,500 professionals, the study found that while Rwanda has made significant progress in women’s participation and representation, the leadership pipeline remains constrained. 

Women’s representation in executive committees and senior management remains below 40 percent, women account for 64 percent of exits at the non-managerial level, and women receive 30 percent fewer promotions overall than men.

The findings reinforce an important message: getting women into organisations is only the beginning. Attention must also be paid to how women progress, gain visibility, prepare for opportunities and move into leadership.

This challenge is not unique to Rwanda or to financial services.

McKinsey’s latest Women in the Workplace research similarly points to the first steps into management as a critical point in the leadership pipeline. Its research has highlighted the importance of career development, mentorship, sponsorship, stretch opportunities and access to senior leaders in supporting women’s progression.

The Gate Consulting Group-WIFR partnership therefore seeks to turn mentorship into practical experience.

Rather than encountering a high-stakes interview for the first time when an important promotion or career opportunity arises, women participating in the Mock Interview Experience are able to practise beforehand. They respond to questions from experienced executives, receive candid feedback, learn how employers evaluate candidates and reflect on how effectively they communicate their own leadership potential.

The July edition directly supported 31 women, many within their first seven years of professional experience. More than 70 additional women participated as observers, meaning over 100 women benefited from the first edition.

Participants represented organisations including I&M Bank, Development Bank of Rwanda, Bank of Kigali, TransAfrica Communications, Equity Bank, Education First, MTN Rwanda, BRALIRWA, Kepler, Urwego Finance, Irembo and NCBA Bank.

The cross-sector character of the programme was also reflected in its interview panels.

Senior leaders and professionals from One Acre Fund, I&M Bank, Ecobank, Bank of Kigali, MTN Rwanda, Mastercard Foundation, ZEP-RE, Airtel, BPR, GanzAfrica Foundation, Ishara Towers, African Management Institute, Equity Bank, iDebate Rwanda and UNICEF volunteered their time and expertise.

Many of these executives form part of the wider LiftHerUp mentorship community, creating an opportunity for mentorship to move beyond advice into exposure, practice and actionable feedback.

For participants, the experience produced immediate lessons.

Nancy Michaelle Gatete of BRALIRWA said the experience strengthened her confidence and helped her become more concise in communicating her experience. She also learnt to improve her CV by focusing more clearly on meaningful achievements and became more comfortable discussing salary expectations.

Olive Murekatete of Equity Bank said interaction with the panel helped her visualise the pathway towards her longer-term career ambition and encouraged her to set more deliberate goals and take intentional steps towards achieving them.

For Brenda Uwera Kayinamura of Education First, an important lesson was that identifying a career destination is not enough; women also need to deliberately build the experiences that will enable them to get there. Following the session, she began volunteering for presentations and other initiatives at work to strengthen her confidence, visibility and leadership experience.

Panelists saw a similar opportunity.

Serge Mukiza, Head of Risk Management at Bank of Kigali, observed that participants demonstrated strong technical knowledge and clear career aspirations, while confidence in presenting themselves remained an area where further development could make a significant difference.

Rose Karugu, an HR expert at Ishara Towers Rwanda, saw the intervention as an opportunity to use her HR and leadership experience to help women better understand what employers look for and prepare more effectively for future opportunities.

Leonard Gahonzi, Head of Premier Banking and Affluent Markets at Ecobank, highlighted the importance of giving young women a safe environment in which to practise, receive candid feedback and strengthen their communication skills.

The participation of senior executives from different sectors highlights that developing women leaders is a shared responsibility, where employers, mentors and institutions all have a role in creating opportunities for women to grow and advance.

For WIFR and Gate Consulting Group, the Mock Interview Experience demonstrates the value of partnership by combining mentorship, leadership development, and professional networks to support women across sectors.

The next edition is planned for November 2026, with the partnership aiming to reach more women and engage more senior leaders across Rwanda’s economy.