Rabobank Group

The Rwandan economy is largely based on subsistence farming, which employs an estimated 90 percent of the working population. Tea and coffee are the main exported cash crops. Since 1975, Banque Populaire du Rwanda (BPR) has provided basic credit and savings services to the rural population of this central African country.

In 2008, BPR transformed itself from a group of cooperative banks into a one-tier commercial bank. Its 590,000 members became its shareholders, owning a combined 65 percent stake. The remaining 35 percent was acquired by Rabo Development. Today, BPR is by far Rwanda’s biggest retail bank in terms of number of customers and branch network.

Rabobank’s own cooperative roots, and its expertise in agri finance in particular, make it a natural match for BPR. Rabo Development has brought valuable management experience and extensive technical know-how essential for BPR’s metamorphosis into a strong retail bank.

Since 2008, with Rabo Development’s help, BPR has taken huge strides to develop its IT systems and improve its internal organisation. This has
enabled the bank to automate its network, introduce innovative new products such as mobile banking, and expand its ATM network outside the main cities – all vital ingredients for improving access to financial services in both urban and rural areas in Rwanda.

BPR is developing products for specific customer segments, notably Rwandan individuals, SMEs, rural enterprises and agricultural enterprises. Agri finance is a primary growth area, and BPR recently received a grant from the World Bank to support its ambitions in this sector. It is also forging stronger client relationships with agricultural cooperatives who in turn finance their member farmers. In this way, BPR is helping to strengthen its own loan portfolio, reducing the risk, while at the same time facilitating finance for small-scale farmers. BPR aims to become Rwanda’s leading rural bank. Its journey is not only improving banking in Rwanda, but is contributing towards the country’s overall growth ambitions.

Website BPR: www.bpr.rw