1st October, 2022 BRAC, one of the largest development organisations of the world, celebrated its 50 year anniversary titled “50 Years of Igniting Hope From Bangladesh to the World” at Kigali Convention Center. BRAC Rwanda Microfinance Company PLC (BRMCP) organised the event, where prominent guests and dignitaries attended from different government institutions, NGOs, microfinance institutions, social enterprises and other notable organisations. Clarisse Mushimirwa, Director of Microfinance Supervision, National Bank of Rwanda, attended as the chief guest in the event and reiterated Rwanda’s target of achieving 90 percent formal financial inclusion by 2024, where BRAC can play a catalytic role. “BRAC Rwanda Microfinance Company has been our partner to promote financial inclusion in Rwanda”, she stated. “The National Bank of Rwanda works hand in hand with other stakeholders to design and implement strategies and policies aiming at advancing financial inclusion in Rwanda”. BRAC was born in a remote village in Bangladesh in 1972 as a relief organisation supporting refugees returning to a war ravaged country to build back their lives. Today, BRAC partners with over 100 million people living with inequality and poverty globally to create sustainable opportunities to realise potential. BRAC’s community-led, holistic approach is reflected in its unique integrated development model, which brings together social development, social enterprises and humanitarian response for lasting, systemic change. BRAC first expanded its operations outside of Bangladesh in 2002 as BRAC International. Today, BRAC International directly implements and provides technical assistance to partner governments and civil society organisations in 14 countries across Asia and Africa. BRAC has been ranked the number one NGO in the world for five times in a row since 2016 by the Geneva-based NGO Advisor, an independent media organisation committed to highlighting innovation, impact and governance. BRAC Rwanda Microfinance Company PLC (BRMCP), BRAC International’s microfinance entity, has been working in Rwanda since 2019. Its mission is to financially empower people living in poverty, particularly focusing on women living in rural and hard-to-reach areas, to create self employment opportunities, build financial resilience, and harness women’s entrepreneurial spirit by empowering them economically. So far, BRMCP has disbursed USD 10.77 million in loans (as of August 31, 2022) through 34 branches spanning across the country, with over 41,000 clients, 99% of whom are women. In a video message, Shameran Abed, Executive Director of BRAC International, said, “As BRAC celebrates its 50thanniversary, it is with a sense of gratitude that I look to our partnership with communities, peers and governments around the world to create sustainable pathways out of poverty”. In his welcome address to the guests, Silent Clement Gonondo, CEO of BRMCP, expressed his gratitude to all of BRAC Rwanda’s stakeholders and partners for their support in helping BRAC reach people, especially women in the most marginalized communities, to realize their potential. The organisation’s 50th anniversary is a celebration of solutions that are born and proven in the Global South, and the strength, ingenuity and courage of people who partner with BRAC to solve some of the world’s toughest challenges. Their stories and resilience inspires BRAC’s work and commitment to build a better world where everyone gets the opportunity to realise their potential.
