UN Rwanda and East African Development Bank sign partnership to expand support for SMEs, youth and women entrepreneurs

The United Nations in Rwanda and the East African Development Bank (EADB) on Thursday, 26th April 2026, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration in support of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), youth entrepreneurship, and women-led businesses -- key drivers of inclusive economic growth in Rwanda. The partnership marks an important step in aligning development finance and technical expertise to accelerate progress toward Rwanda’s national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.

A shared commitment to unlocking opportunity

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Kigali, Dr. Fatmata Lovetta Sesay, UN Resident Coordinator a.i., emphasised the strategic importance of the partnership.

“This is more than a signature; it is a shared commitment to unlocking the potential of Rwanda’s small and medium-sized enterprises, youth, and women entrepreneurs.”

Since August 2024, UN Rwanda and EADB have worked together to explore opportunities to strengthen financing solutions and technical support for entrepreneurs across sectors, including agriculture, commerce, transport, and manufacturing.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding formalises this collaboration and establishes a framework for coordinated delivery.

Combining finance and technical expertise for greater impact

Speaking on behalf of the East African Development Bank, the Acting Director General Bernand Paul Mono, highlighted the complementary strengths that both institutions bring to the partnership.

“This partnership brings together the United Nations’ technical expertise, capacity building, and social development experience with EADB’s role as a development finance institution to create a more holistic support system for SMEs, youth, and women entrepreneurs in Rwanda.” 

Through this collaboration, the two institutions will work together to expand access to tailored financial products, strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems, and support inclusive economic participation.

Supporting entrepreneurship and job creation

The partnership will focus on accelerating SME development, promoting youth entrepreneurship, and strengthening women-led enterprises through a combination of concessional financing, blended finance instruments, guarantees, and equity-based solutions.

In addition to financing, the collaboration will support technical assistance, knowledge exchange, and partnerships across government institutions, the private sector, academia, and innovation hubs to strengthen Rwanda’s enabling environment for enterprise growth.

The initiative is also expected to contribute to the implementation of the Joint Programme on Youth, addressing barriers to finance, skills, and market linkages, particularly for young people and women entrepreneurs.

Delivering results through coordinated partnership

Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, the partnership will be operationalised through a joint implementation roadmap supported by a Steering Committee providing strategic oversight and a Technical Working Group guiding day-to-day delivery.

Through this collaboration, UN Rwanda and EADB aim to mobilise additional financing, strengthen SME sustainability and expand economic opportunities, contributing to job creation and inclusive growth aligned with Rwanda’s development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.