(3 Minutes Read)

Ecobank Rwanda and DHL Express Rwanda have officially launched a strategic partnership aimed at boosting the capacity and competitiveness of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country. The joint initiative focuses on equipping entrepreneurs with practical financial management skills and export readiness support to help them scale their businesses locally and internationally.

Unveiled at Ecobank’s headquarters in Kigali, the program introduces a series of targeted capacity-building workshops that address key operational and financial challenges faced by Rwandan MSMEs. These sessions will not only enhance business sustainability but also prepare entrepreneurs for participation in regional and global markets.

Speaking during the launch, Emmanuel Maboneza, Head of Commercial Banking and Branches at Ecobank Rwanda, emphasised that the partnership is about more than just providing access to credit. “This is about more than loans. We want to give our clients the knowledge to manage their finances and grow sustainable businesses,” Maboneza stated.

The initiative is structured around four key pillars:

• Customized Capacity-Building: Interactive training sessions designed to tackle specific business hurdles, including operational inefficiencies, market access limitations, and supply chain constraints.
• Financial Literacy Training: Practical education on budgeting, financial planning, and risk management to foster smarter business decisions and increased financial resilience.
• Digital and Market Intelligence Access: Resources to help MSMEs navigate market trends, utilize digital tools, and capitalize on e-commerce opportunities.
• Export Facilitation and Trade Support: Guidance on cross-border logistics and compliance to enable businesses to expand their reach beyond Rwanda.

By merging Ecobank’s regional banking expertise with DHL’s global logistics infrastructure, the partnership aims to open new growth pathways for MSMEs aspiring to reach broader markets. The initiative also reflects a broader trend among financial institutions in Rwanda—providing holistic, non-financial services to empower the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Read Also;

https://trendsnafrica.com/auda-nepad-launch-msme-initiative-to-accelerate-african-economic-transformation/

This collaboration underscores both organisations’ commitment to inclusive economic development and positions Rwandan entrepreneurs to thrive in an increasingly interconnected global economy.