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Kigali – 5th May 2020: Access to Finance Rwanda has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Private Sector Federation in a new initiative aimed at supporting entrepreneurs in Rwanda to adjust to economic realities of Covid-19.
SMEs Response Clinic, as it’s termed, is a digital platform that will translate new policies and financial advisory services and access to finance related information in a clear and straightforward language both in English and Kinyarwanda with ConsumerCentriX being a leading implementing agency.
ConsumerCentriX is an international strategy consulting firm that works with financial service providers and policymakers on translating consumer insights into market strategies and policies to reach the un/undeserved.
The Parties seek to share their respective strengths, experiences, technologies, including technical assistance to facilitate Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) during this unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic and collectively support businesses in the short, medium and long term.
Access to the right information, training and finance is not easy feat. Even before the crisis, a number of studies, including ConsumerCentrix’s research in May 2019 and Private Sector Federation’s Business and Climate Survey April 2019 respectively, indicate SMEs owners face several critical challenges even at the time of economic growth and stability.
The Rwandan Government and financial sector have taken several significant measures to support SMEs during this challenging period. To ensure that these important measures are communicated to MSMEs in an accessible and timely manner, the website will include content that provides views and insights of relevant stakeholders through content pieces and video interviews. All information gathered will be disseminated through the website and different media channels.
“Being the catalyst of a deeper and inclusive financial sector in Rwanda, Access to Finance Rwanda sees the SMEs Response Clinic as a key tool in addressing information asymmetry between policy makers, Financial Services Providers and the SMEs. It also provides an opportunity to understand real needs of SMEs so as to be able to effectively support them during this unprecedented crisis of Covid-19” said Waringa Kibe, AFR Country Director.
Meanwhile, The Private Sector Federation Chief Executive Officer Mr. Stephen Ruzibiza commended the new partnership adding that it has come at the right time when SMEs needs a strong recovery approaches in terms of various aspects including the right information and access to finance.
“We welcome this partnership as the SMEs Response Clinic will provide and collect needed information that will enable key stakeholders to support resilience of the SMEs Sector in this period of Covid-19” he said.
Mrs. Anna Gincherman, Partner of ConsumerCentriX believes that if well implemented, the new partnership will yield positive results for the Country’s private sector.
“As the leading implementing agency for this project, ConsumerCentriX is well positioned to accomplish the project objectives due to its extensive background in SMEs development in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Rwanda, its expertise in working with financial service providers and regulators, and its in-house capacity to manage digital communication,” she said.
Through a partnership with the African Management Institute (AMI), the SMEs Response Clinic will be promoting a series of webinars and virtual programs to help entrepreneurs adjust to new realities and ensure resiliency for the future.
Please visit this link to learn more about the platform.
More related information:
For more information, please contact.
Eric Kabera
Head of Communications & Marketing
PSF
Email: erick@psf.org.rw
Phone: +250784113224
Emile Ndayambaje
Communications & Market Development Manager
Access to Finance Rwanda
Email:emile@afr.rw
Phone: + 250 788 270 426
Ana Singh
Communication & Media Specialist
ConsumerCentriX
Email: ana.singh@consumercentrix.ch
Phone: +1 (917) 806-9108
Access to Finance Rwanda
KG 5 Avenue, House No.13 Kacyiru
P.O BOX 1599 Kigali
