Beneficiaries were trained on different microfinance service operations including accounting and customer care, loan and credit operations among others.

The program is implemented by the Association of Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda (AMIR) in collaboration with Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Rwanda Institute of Cooperatives, Entrepreneurship, and Microfinance (RICEM) and German Sparkassenstiftung for International Cooperation (DSIK).

The graduates who were certified as Microfinance Professionals on Friday 26th August 2022 include 30 female and 30 apprentices.

45 of them are from 18 MFIs while the remaining 15 are fresh graduates from the RDB data base with a bachelor’s degree relevant fields of studies.

The training is rolled out in Kigali City and Rubavu District with a view to up-skill employees from MFIs, tackle joblessness among the youth and enhance professionalism for existing and future workforce of MFIs.

The theoretical learning takes 20% while the practical session (80%) allows apprentices to spend enough time in the hosting financial institutions for practical application of the theoretical inputs.

Alexis Kabayiza, the Chief Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) said that the program will help clients working with MFIs to receive well managed loans as employees are equipped with skills to assist them.

The Country Director of DSIK German Sparkassenstiftung Eastern African in Rwanda, Ruth Madl urged graduates to put into practice acquired skills and strive for excellence which will encourage more MFIs to participate in the program.

Jean Claude Uzaribara an employee of Sacco Mageragere Icyerekezo who spoke on behalf of colleagues revealed that completing the training is a significant milestone.

“It is a great milestone which adds up to professional development as employees of financial institutions. The training prepared us to carry out our daily duties smoothly,” he said.

Some of trainees were promoted at their respective workplaces as the training was underway.

The Dual Apprenticeship system is expected to be rolled out across the country to increase the number of participating institutions. The next cohort will be comprised of 150 apprentices from 52 MFIs.

Best apprentices were awarded.

The ceremony was attended by managers of different micro financial institutions.

The number of trainees is set to increase.

Graduates were urged to prevent losses in MFIs.

The Country Director of DSIK German Sparkassenstiftung Eastern African in Rwanda, Ruth Madl urged graduates to strive for excellence.

Jean Claude Uzaribara commended the support extended to apprentices throughout the one-year training.

The third cohort graduated on Friday 26th August 2022.

Trainees are from different financial institutions.