Access to financial services for smallholder farmers is set to expand under a new partnership between Equity Bank Rwanda and One Acre Fund, aimed at strengthening agricultural value chains and improving inclusion in rural areas. Signed on April 24, the partnership is designed to widen access to credit, savings, digital payments, and capacity-building support for farmers, cooperatives, and agri-SMEs across Rwanda. It underscores Equity Bank Rwanda’s commitment to driving financial inclusion and unlocking the potential of the agriculture sector as a key engine for growth. Agriculture contributes at least 20 per cent to Rwanda’s economy, as measured by annual gross domestic product (GDP), according to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda. The sector also plays a critical role in supporting other areas of the economy, including services such as through food trade, and industry through agro-processing. ALSO READ: Equity Bank commits 30% of loan book to agriculture, sets new benchmark for Rwanda’s financial sector The partnership is expected to play a key role in supporting agricultural transformation by linking financial services more effectively with grassroots farming activities, while also promoting productivity and resilience among rural communities. Bridging the financial access gap Hannington Namara, Equity Bank Rwanda Managing Director, said the partnership is meant to close the long-standing gap in financial access for smallholder farmers. “We are rolling out digital financial services that will allow farmers to access banking directly from their phones, wherever they are, including in their fields, without having to leave their work to visit a financial institution,” he stated. He added that improving access is a key priority, as many farmers are forced to interrupt their work to seek financial services. Through the digital platform, the bank plans to provide a range of services tailored to farmers’ needs, including access to information, payments, and credit. “Farmers will be able to access weather updates, climate-related information, and guidance on inputs such as seeds and fertilisers, depending on the crops they grow,” he explained. ALSO READ: How Equity Bank is unlocking Rwanda’s agri-export potential Namara also noted that digital payments will enable farmers to receive money for their produce directly, supporting a shift towards a cashless economy. “Another key issue this partnership seeks to address is the lack of sufficient capital among many farmers, which limits their ability to invest and ultimately reduces their yields. Our goal is to provide loan products tailored to agriculture, livestock, and agribusiness.” The bank has already committed to allocate at least 30 per cent of its loan portfolio to agriculture, underscoring its broader effort to support the sector. Namara observed that the partnership will ensure financial solutions are aligned with farmers’ real needs. “Ultimately, our aim is to support farmers where they are and help them grow and improve their livelihoods.” Boosting productivity and farmer incomes The partnership is expected to benefit thousands of smallholder farmers and agri-SMEs across the country. ALSO READ: Equity Bank Rwanda deepens ties with Gicumbi farmers One Acre Fund Chief Executive Officer, Belinda Biza, said the partnership will help farmers improve productivity by increasing both their knowledge and access to resources. “Currently, many farmers apply fertiliser to only about 50 per cent of their land rather than the entire farm. This partnership will help provide them with the necessary knowledge and encourage them to invest more in their land,” she said. Biza stated that the organisation is also working to strengthen farmers’ access to markets, enabling them to benefit more from increased production. “Through this partnership, farmers will be able to access both financing and training, helping them understand that increasing investment in their farms can lead to higher yields and improved income.” Beyond financing, the initiative is expected to strengthen Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), encourage a stronger savings culture, and support rural entrepreneurship. Practical farmer empowerment, entire agricultural value chain financing Under the partnership, One Acre Fund will, among other interventions, provide technical and field-level training, while Equity Bank complements this with tailored financial solutions that enable farmers to apply what they learn and scale productivity. One Acre Fund will support outreach, capacity building, and data-driven insights to strengthen value chains and enable effective program delivery. In line with capacity building, the partnership goes beyond financial services to include financial literacy training, entrepreneurship development, and agribusiness skills support for smallholder farmers and cooperatives. Value chain financing is also a focus of the initiative. Under this component, Equity Bank Rwanda will support financing across the agricultural value chain from production inputs (seeds, fertilisers, livestock) to aggregation, processing, and market access.
