BPR at 50: Bank pledges investment in cooperatives, agricultural value chains

Banque Populaire du Rwanda (BPR) returned to its birthplace in Nkamba Cell, Ruramira Sector, Kayonza District, on August 4, 2025 to mark its 50th anniversary—reaffirming its founding values and announcing renewed investment in local cooperatives and agriculture. The bank traces its origins back to 1967, when Ludovic Nsengiyumva—then a 20-year-old tailor—relied on his craft to earn a living in Nkamba. One year after his marriage, tragedy struck when a house fire destroyed his home and all his savings. Like many in his community, he had no access to formal banking, storing his earnings at home. Determined to recover, Nsengiyumva joined forces with neighbouring coffee farmers to form a small savings group. This grassroots initiative laid the foundation for what would later become one of Rwanda’s largest banks. In 1975, the Government of Rwanda, in collaboration with the Swiss Government, transformed one of the group's rooms into a formal banking branch—naming it Banque Populaire du Rwanda. Nsengiyumva became its first registered customer. Half a century later, the bank returned to the same site in Nkamba to celebrate its golden jubilee. As part of the occasion, BPR announced direct support to the Ruramira Tailors’ Cooperative, which operates at the very location where the bank first opened. “We deliberately chose to make this founding branch a centre for empowering women through tailoring,” said Patience Mutesi, BPR Managing Director. “We’ve not grown to forget our roots. These initiatives remind us that people are the foundation of this bank.” Aurelia Kantarama, mentor to the tailoring group and trainer of over 150 tailors in the area, paid tribute to the bank's lasting contributions: “BPR played a vital role in rebuilding homes for Genocide survivors and also contributed to the renovation of the Ruramira Genocide Memorial. The establishment of the Tailors’ Cooperative shows that BPR’s legacy will live on. They donated 16 sewing machines and 4 design machines. We are committed to using them productively to develop our sector. These machines will significantly reduce the distance we used to travel to access design services.” Beyond tailoring, the bank also held strategic discussions with leaders from Kayonza District and the broader Eastern Province. Mutesi noted a pressing concern: “We recognised that this region—particularly Kayonza—was once a vital food basket for the country. However, over time, agricultural production has significantly declined.” To address this, BPR pledged to intensify investment in farming cooperatives and agricultural value chains. The bank is now working directly with cooperatives by offering tailored financing—including working capital, equipment loans, and infrastructure investment—aimed at building robust value chains that help farmers thrive. “We remain firmly committed to channelling more resources into agriculture. We've already made significant contributions through initiatives like the Gabiro Agri-hub, and we will continue enhancing services in that area. We are ready to support farmers, cooperatives, and agribusinesses in scaling their operations,” said Mutesi. The bank is currently collaborating with cooperatives that supply milk to the Inyange Milk Plant and banana wine producers, providing them with the necessary financing to boost output, reduce waste, and strengthen backward linkages that empower producers and local economies. One of the most symbolic moments of the anniversary was the announcement that anyone who deposited with the bank between 1975 and 2007 is an official shareholder—even if unaware. For the first time, these early savers are receiving dividends. The value of their shares has tripled, and they may now choose to sell or hold them. Governor Pudence Rubingisa, who officiated the ceremony, echoed support for cooperative-based development: “When people work together in cooperatives, they become more responsible. It ensures that bank funds reach more beneficiaries sustainably.” He also identified strategic areas of partnership between BPR and government, including post-harvest handling, cold storage facilities, and direct cooperative support. As part of its jubilee activities, the bank announced a donation of 3,000 iron sheets to support the construction of housing for vulnerable families in Kayonza—the very district where its journey began. Reflecting on his pioneering role, Nsengiyumva, now 78, shared his ongoing passion for nurturing a savings culture: “Being the first member of Banque Populaire inspired me to encourage others to save as well. Until today, I instil a saving culture mainly in the youth. The message I deliver is consistent: an old you is shaped by a younger you.” Managing Director Mutesi acknowledged him with deep appreciation: “I would like to thank Mr Ludovic Nsengiyumva, our very first client, who is present here today, for placing his trust in us by opening an account.” Once a humble savings group, now a nationwide financial institution, BPR’s golden anniversary in Nkamba, Kayonza District, paid tribute to its roots and committed to fuelling Rwanda’s cooperative spirit and bringing back the region's legacy through a range of financial products and services tailored for the agricultural sector.

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BPR at 50: Bank pledges investment in cooperatives, agricultural value chains