Country Survey Rwanda: Gender Differences in the Usage of Formal Financial Services

This study is part of a series on gender finance in Sub-Saharan Africa, conducted by GIZ and Making Finance Work for Africa (MFW4A). It aims to explain the reasons for differences in the usage of financial products in Rwanda, in order to inform policy makers and stakeholders, and support them with practical recommendations for gender sensitive financial sector development interventions. The full set of countries under study comprises Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia. Primary data sources for the report were the 2008 Finscope survey in Rwanda, and the GIZ/MFW4A 2011 study 'Gender differences in the usage of formal finance' in six Sub-Saharan countries, which provides a gender disaggregated analysis of the Finscope data. Key policy recommendations include:

• Support improved market intelligence;
• Promote the development of better savings products;
• Encourage financial Institutions gender sensitive initiatives, including the creation of dedicated spaces for women clients;
• Promote the regular provision of gender sensitive capacity building for women clients;
• Explore promoting financial literacy courses for girls and young women.