Equity Bank and UN Unite for Women's Empowerment

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Equity Bank and UN Unite for Women's Empowerment

Strategic Partnership Between Equity Bank Rwanda and UN Women

Equity Bank Rwanda and UN Women have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic partnership focused on accelerating women's economic empowerment and addressing gender gaps in finance and technology. This collaboration, signed on Tuesday, September 30, aims to promote gender-responsive financial services, digital innovation, and capacity-building initiatives that align with Rwanda's Vision 2050 and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The agreement marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between a leading financial institution and a United Nations agency committed to gender equality. It highlights Equity Bank's dedication to integrating gender-responsive financial services into its business model while supporting Rwanda's national development priorities and global SDGs.

Expanding Opportunities for Women

By combining UN Women's technical expertise with Equity Bank's financial innovation and outreach, the partnership seeks to create sustainable pathways for women's economic empowerment. This initiative spans from rural cooperatives to digital entrepreneurs, targeting a wide range of women across different sectors.

Specifically, the MoU is expected to benefit over 10,000 women, including entrepreneurs, cross-border traders, cooperatives, and informal groups such as Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). The collaboration will:

  • Strengthen women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives by increasing access to finance and business support, along with enhancing financial and digital literacy, enabling women to participate more fully in Rwanda's economy.
  • Expand economic opportunities for women in underserved rural and informal sectors through inclusive financial services and technology-driven solutions.
  • Promote systemic change by fostering gender-balanced participation in Rwanda's economic transformation.

Comments from Key Stakeholders

Equity Bank Rwanda Managing Director, Hannington Namara, described the agreement as a milestone in promoting financial inclusion for women. He emphasized that the partnership is not just about signing a document but serves as a call to action for all partners to join in creating equitable economic opportunities and sustainable empowerment for women entrepreneurs and communities across Rwanda.

Namara highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, noting that the partnership brings together government, UN agencies, NGOs, and the private sector. He stressed that true impact requires collective efforts and shared goals.

On behalf of UN Women, Rwanda Country Representative Jennet Kem stated that the partnership comes at a timely moment as the UN increasingly engages the private sector to drive sustainable development. She celebrated this historic partnership with Equity Bank Rwanda as a milestone for advancing women's economic empowerment. Kem emphasized that the shared goal is to extend financial services to rural women entrepreneurs, cross-border traders, cooperatives, and informal groups that have historically been underserved.

Roles of Each Partner

Under the agreement, Equity Bank Rwanda will provide tailored financial products and services for women entrepreneurs, cooperatives, and informal sector groups. Through its Social Impact Investment Unit, the bank will deliver training in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and digital skills, while implementing gender-responsive policies aligned with the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs). The bank will also extend services to last-mile communities through community-based financial solutions and integrate gender-lens finance into its digital transformation strategy.

Meanwhile, UN Women will provide strategic and technical support to mainstream gender across the bank's operations. This includes capacity-building on gender equality, fostering partnerships with women-led organizations, co-developing programs that bridge the digital divide, and supporting evidence-based advocacy. The agency will also track impact metrics and promote replication of best practices across the financial sector, both nationally and regionally.


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