The Central Bank Vice Governor Monique Nsanzabaganwa has been feted for her role in gender and women financial inclusion by the Alliance for Financial Inclusion which empowers policymakers, to increase access to quality financial services for the poorest populations.

Nsanzabaganwa was awarded at a ceremony in Sochi, Russia on Tuesday.

According to the organiser of the awards, the awards are given to members who have consistently contributed to the wealth of financial inclusion knowledge in the network and advanced peer learning.

"The nominees have demonstrated strong leadership, supported peer learning services and stood up in support of AFI’s global advocacy for financial inclusion. We recognise member institutions and individuals who have excelled in enhancing financial inclusion over the past year, both globally and in their respective countries,” a statement by the organisers noted.

The vice-governor has been active in promotion of financial inclusion of women and has been part of multiple initiatives with the ambition.

She is currently the chairperson of ‘New Faces, New Voices’ Rwanda chapter, a Pan-African advocacy group that focuses on expanding the role and influence of women in the financial sector.

She has also been an advocate for SACCOs and cooperatives in rural areas to reach and include more women.

Others feted alongside Nsanzabaganwa include Tukiya Kankasa-Mabula,  Deputy Governor, Bank of Zambia; Lobna Helal, Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Egypt; Mathabo Makenete, Deputy Governo of Central Bank of Lesotho and Serey Chea, the Director General of National Bank of Cambodia.

Others include Evelyn Gracias, the head of Financial System Regulation Department, Banco Central del El Salvador; and Abdul Matin Ghafori, Deputy Director General of Financial Inclusion Department, Da Afghanistan Bank.

According to a 2016, FinScope survey Rwanda had at the time about 89 per cent of adult population financially included. That was against a target by the Government to have achieved 80 per cent by 2017 and up from 72 per cent in 2012.

aThe study showed that 63 per cent of women have access to financial services compared to 36.1 per cent in 2012.

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