By signing the WIFR Gender Charter on Thursday, April 17, the agency pledged to champion inclusivity not just within its ranks but across the ecosystem it helps shape.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, attended by Belinda Bwiza, WIFR Co-founder and CEO of One Acre Fund Rwanda, along with KIFC staff, CEO Nick Barigye emphasised that gender inclusivity is not just a moral obligation; it is a strategic imperative.

“Empowering women is not only the right thing to do. It is the smart thing to do for ourselves as a company and for our country,” Barigye said.

“Inclusivity brings innovation and ensures sustainability. If we want finance to be sustainable, it must be inclusive.”

Barigye called on KIFC staff to treat the moment as a launchpad for real action rather than a symbolic gesture.

“Let’s walk the talk,” he urged, reiterating that the partnership must translate into tangible mentorships, capacity building, and growth for all.

The statistics shared during the event painted a vivid picture. While women make up 48.2% of Rwanda’s labour force compared to men’s 65.6%, their presence in high-impact roles remains limited. In the private sector, only 32% of decision-making positions are held by women. Moreover, they are significantly underrepresented in higher-paying technical fields—limiting both their economic empowerment and influence on financial policy and innovation.

“Women are present in the workforce,” said Bwiza, “but they’re not rising in the ranks. In many institutions, they enter in large numbers, but disappear by the time you reach senior management.”

Bwiza highlighted the issue of "support roles" often assigned to women in senior positions, underscoring a weak pipeline that endangers long-term progress.

“You may see a woman CEO, but ask yourself: what’s behind her? If the pipeline is dry, that progress isn’t sustainable.”

Central to WIFR’s mission is evidence-based transformation. A key part of their agenda is bridging the data gap that hinders effective interventions. With support from stakeholders such as Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR), the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), and the Rwanda Bankers Association, Bwiza noted that WIFR will soon conduct an in-depth study to map the current state of women in finance.

“If we understand the state of gender in our institutions,” Bwiza said, “then we can make systematic changes with clear targets. That’s what we’re advocating for.”

So far, 13 institutions have signed the WIFR Gender Charter, committing to transparent policies on diversity, equitable compensation, and inclusive governance structures. KIFC now joins this growing coalition. Some of the members include Bank of Kigali, BRD, NCBA Rwanda, Access to Finance Rwanda, EcoBank, I&M Bank, Umwalimu Sacco, Old Mutual Insurance, Coopedu, Mayfair, Sanlam and Zep-Re.

Among WIFR’s key initiatives is a newly launched mentorship programme promoting peer-to-peer learning. The goal is to create networks where young professionals can grow under the guidance of experienced women leaders. The programme, now in its first cohort, includes over 100 mentees and 30 mentors, with structured group mentoring sessions planned over nine months.

“Even mentors learn from these sessions,” Bwiza noted. “It’s a safe, empowering space where women can talk about workplace challenges, leadership, and personal growth.”

Additionally, WIFR partnered with the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments (UK) to provide 50 scholarships to young women in finance. Notably, 50% of the recipients are under 30, pointing to a clear effort to develop the next generation of technical talent.

Both leaders agreed that signing the charter must be the beginning, not the end, of institutional reflection and transformation.

“Diagnose your institution,” urged Bwiza. “Where are you on this journey? What are your gaps? What commitments can you transparently make, and how can you track progress?”

Barigye echoed the sentiment, stressing that KIFC, as a sector coordinator, must model the very change it hopes to inspire across Rwanda’s financial landscape.

“Let’s be supportive,” he told staff. “This is about us, all of us. If we’re building a financial centre for the future, let’s build one that includes everyone.”

Rwanda Finance Limited CEO, Nick Barigye, receives a Women in Finance Rwanda (WIFR) membership trophy from the foundation's co-founder, Belinda Bwiza, after signing the membership charter on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

By signing the WIFR Gender Charter on Thursday, April 17, KIFC pledged to champion inclusivity not just within its ranks but across the ecosystem it helps shape.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, CEO Nick Barigye emphasised that gender inclusivity is not just a moral obligation; it is a strategic imperative.

WIFR Co-Founder and the CEO of One Acre Fund Rwanda Belinda Bwiza highlighted the issue of "support roles" often assigned to women in senior positions, underscoring a weak pipeline that endangers long-term progress.

Nick Barigye is the CEO of Rwanda Finance Limited (RFL), the institution tasked with positioning Rwanda as a top-tier financial hub through the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC).

Barigye called on KIFC staff to treat the moment as a launchpad for real action rather than a symbolic gesture.

So far, 13 institutions have signed the WIFR Gender Charter, committing to transparent policies on diversity, equitable compensation, and inclusive governance structures. KIFC now joins this growing coalition.

The signing ceremony was attended by Belinda Bwiza, WIFR Co-Founder and CEO of One Acre Fund Rwanda, as well as KIFC staff led by CEO Nick Barigye.