𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐞𝐲𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐈&𝐌 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤’𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞-𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐬 • Rural entrepreneurs are exploring affordable financing through @imbankrw’s KATAZA and KWIHAZA programmes to expand businesses, boost agricultural production and create jobs. • Asele Furaha, a bar owner in Nyamagabe District, hopes to secure Rwf20 million through KATAZA to establish a beverage depot and address supply challenges affecting businesses in her community. • KATAZA offers eligible businesses in tourism, hospitality and related value chains loans of up to Rwf25 million at an annual interest rate of 9%, without collateral, fees or commissions, subject to programme requirements. • Through KWIHAZA, eligible businesses in selected agricultural value chains can access loans of up to Rwf150 million at an annual interest rate of 8%, generally with collateral requirements. • I&M Bank Rwanda is taking training and outreach to rural communities, helping entrepreneurs improve bookkeeping, financial management and business planning to prepare them to access financing. Read more: newtimes.co.rw/article/39973…

𝐈&𝐌 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬, 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐮𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬 • @imbankrw Plc is expanding access to business training and affordable loans for women and youth entrepreneurs, with a recent outreach in Muhanga aimed at helping small businesses strengthen their operations. • The day-long training, held on Friday, October 16, covered financial management, bookkeeping, customer acquisition and retention, sustainable business development, and identifying growth opportunities. • The initiative is part of the bank’s partnership with the @MastercardFdn through a consortium led by the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) to improve financing for small businesses, particularly those in tourism, hospitality, and food value chains. • Under the KATAZA programme, I&M Bank has reduced the maximum loan size from Rwf130 million to Rwf25 million. Eligible businesses can borrow at 9% interest, with no fees or commissions, for up to five years. • Participants said the training highlighted the importance of documenting sales, income and expenses to demonstrate business performance and improve their chances of qualifying for loans, particularly where they lack collateral. Read more: newtimes.co.rw/article/39793…