The Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) has officially launched the Export Credit Guarantee Facility (ECGF), a new initiative aimed at empowering Rwandan exporters to access finance, scale their operations, and expand into new markets.
According to BRD, the Facility, supported by the German Cooperation through KfW, seeks to reduce collateral constraints for exporters by sharing lending risks with financial institutions. Through this model, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the export sector will find it easier to obtain financing to enhance production quality and meet international standards.
Speaking at the launch, Pitchette Kampeta Sayinzoga, Chief Executive Officer of BRD, highlighted that the Facility will serve as a catalyst for transforming Rwanda’s export potential into bankable success. She emphasized that it gives financial institutions the confidence to invest in exporters and businesses along the value chain, driving growth and competitiveness across sectors.
Antoine Kajangwe, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, commended BRD and KfW for introducing the initiative, noting that the Facility reinforces Rwanda’s ambition to promote export-led industrialization and inclusive growth.
He reiterated the Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for exporters, particularly youth and women-led enterprises, to thrive in regional and global markets.
Representing the German Cooperation, Mr. Nico Geide, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, emphasized that the ECGF marks another milestone in the strong partnership between Rwanda and Germany.
He noted that by de-risking lending to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the Facility will encourage investment, create jobs, and strengthen Rwanda’s export ecosystem, including opportunities for foreign investors and German companies seeking to enter African markets.
The ECGF will initially be implemented in partnership with BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, Umutanguha Finance Plc, and RIM Plc, with more financial institutions expected to join as the program scales nationwide.
