Value proposition

We work to develop a deeper and more inclusive financial sector that supports the livelihood of low-income people

Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR) is a Rwandan not for Profit organization, established in March 2010 by the governments of the United Kingdom (UK) and Rwanda to promote financial inclusion and financial sector development. Existing funders of AFR include the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO ), the MasterCard Foundation, Sweden, and Jersey Overseas Aid (JoA).

AFR’s strategic focus is stimulating the financial sector development by partnering with financial institutions and other stakeholders to increase access to and use of quality financial services. We identify and address constraints that prevent the financial market from reaching Rwanda’s low-income population and support Rwanda’s economic growth and promote innovations and learning that result in sustainable change in the financial sector. Improving access to financial services for the rural poor, women, youth, refugees, Persons with Disabilities and SMEs is a particular focus.

AFR is guided by the Market System’s Development (MSD) approach recognising that efforts to increase financial inclusion and financial sector development have to be market-led and profitable for sustainability. We supports the Government of Rwanda’s development objectives by aligning all its interventions to the national policy frameworks including the Financial Sector Development Strategic Plan 2018-2024, and the National Strategy for Transformation (NST) 2017-2024.


Financial Sector Development, Research, Financial Inclusion, Rural and Agriculture Farming, Digital Financial Services, Monitoring,Evaluation and Learning Research, and Development Finance