The East African Development Bank (EADB) has announced plans to inject up to $150 million (approximately RWF 195 billion) into Rwanda’s economy in a financing drive expected to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), expand infrastructure, and accelerate inclusive growth across the country and the wider East African region.
The funding will be channelled through Rwandan financial institutions, including BRD, Letshego Bank, Duterimbere, ASA Rwanda and AD Bank, enabling low-income earners and small business owners to access affordable loans in sectors such as infrastructure, health, manufacturing, agriculture, green energy and hospitality.
EADB has operated in Rwanda for several years and has already disbursed more than $33 million, largely targeting SMEs and community-based enterprises. According to the bank, the financing has helped create jobs, support women-led businesses and strengthen local industries.
Speaking to Taarifa, the Acting Director General of EADB reaffirmed the bank’s long-term commitment to Rwanda, saying its 2026 strategy prioritises industrial development, road and power infrastructure, IT and fibre connectivity, hospital construction, agriculture and agro-processing, rural financing, affordable housing, tourism, and social services including health and education.
“We have set a target of implementing projects worth $150 million in Rwanda by 2026, up from the $33 million already disbursed. This is about scaling impact and supporting Rwanda’s long-term vision,” he said.
EADB does not lend directly to individuals or companies, instead working through accredited financial institutions that engage directly with entrepreneurs and project owners.
This partnership model has enabled the bank to finance projects across all East African Community countries, including tourism, housing, renewable energy and agribusiness initiatives, while supporting green and climate-resilient investments.
Speaking on behalf of the Government of Rwanda, Herbert Asiimwe, Head of Financial Sector Development at the Ministry of Finance, described EADB as a credible development partner established in 1967, noting its long-standing role in supporting education, agriculture, tourism and SME growth through local financial institutions.
He said EADB is engaging with business leaders to explore large-scale projects planned for 2026 in energy, hospitality, health, agriculture and education.
Among the beneficiaries is Uwantege Margarita, a woman entrepreneur from Rukomo in Rwanda’s Eastern Province, who started saving RWF 2,000 in a wooden box while raising eight children. With guidance from Duterimbere Bank, she accessed her first loan of RWF 50,000, opened a small shop, and steadily grew her business through successive loans, expanding into car spare parts and real estate.
In 2020, she received a RWF 50 million loan, which she repaid on time, and is now being encouraged to take a RWF 300 million loan to further expand her business.
“No matter how small your business is, you can turn it into an empire,” she said, urging women and low-income earners to take advantage of available financing.
According to EADB, the $33 million (about RWF 48 billion) already disbursed in Rwanda has helped create more than 7,000 jobs, with 40 percent held by women.
One of the beneficiaries is Gorilla Textiles Industries, a manufacturing and exporting company based in Musanze.
Representing the company, Karenzi Didier said financing obtained through BRD, with EADB support, has enabled the company to employ over 1,300 workers—99 percent of them women—operate 13 shops across Rwanda, and export to the United States, with plans to expand into Europe, Israel and Japan.
He said the company plans to establish a local raw materials industry to reduce import costs and strengthen value chains, noting that such expansion would not be possible without financing support from BRD and partners like EADB.
As EADB prepares to scale up its investments to $150 million by 2026, Rwanda is expected to benefit from increased access to finance, job creation, industrial expansion and stronger integration into regional and global markets.
