Establishment of BRD
BRD was established on 5 August 1967 to address Rwanda's shortage of long-term financing for development projects and to mobilize capital for growth, industrialization and job creation.
Rwanda's development finance institution.
BRD is Rwanda's development finance institution, providing affordable loans and guarantees to projects and sectors that create lasting economic and social impact.
1967
Established
Decades of development finance
7
Priority sectors
From agriculture to digital economy
2024–2028
Strategic plan
Board-approved roadmap
National DFI
Institutional role
Mobilising long-term capital
Who we are
Capital with a national mandate.
BRD champions Rwanda's transformation by providing affordable, long-term and tailored financing to the sectors that matter most.
Our mandate
Finance for Rwanda's transformation.
To champion Rwanda's transformation by providing affordable, long-term and tailored financing to the sectors that matter most.
Operational Excellence
We continuously improve credit and risk management, financial performance and customer service.
Strategic Partnerships
We build partnerships that help us deliver our development mandate and create greater impact.
Dynamic Culture
We grow our knowledge and skills to build a competent, capable and future-ready team.
History
Built to finance Rwanda's long-term ambitions.
Established on 5 August 1967, BRD has evolved from a traditional lender into Rwanda's national development finance institution and a strategic catalyst for socio-economic transformation.
1967Established
A broader development platform.
Since its founding, BRD has evolved into a national development platform. The integration of the Business Development Fund (BDF) strengthened the bank's ability to reach smaller enterprises with blended finance and business advisory support, connecting Rwanda's entrepreneurs to the capital they need to grow.
Explore the full timelineBuilding the foundations
BRD financed agriculture, transport, small industries and rural enterprises. It extended RWF 6.6 billion across 501 operations and helped create 8,400 jobs.
Agro-industry and manufacturing
The portfolio expanded into agro-processing, tea, manufacturing, artisans and micro-enterprises, generating RWF 15.7 billion in investment and 9,094 jobs.
Reconstruction and recapitalization
After the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, BRD restructured, rebuilt its operating capacity and supported the recovery of businesses, infrastructure and productive sectors.
Growth and innovation
BRD strengthened rural and export finance and introduced a standalone Microfinance Department in 2002 and a Leasing Unit in 2007.
Institutional expansion
BRD combined BAS and BDF into the Business Development Fund and acquired Banque de l'Habitat du Rwanda, expanding long-term, housing and mortgage-refinancing capacity.
Strategic refocusing
BRD transferred its commercial banking arm and refocused on development lending to priority sectors, communities and SMEs, with measurable development impact.
Expanding development impact
The Bank expanded across agriculture, energy, housing, manufacturing, exports, education, digital economy and social infrastructure, while introducing guarantees, green and blended finance.
Integration of BDF
The Government integrated the Business Development Fund into BRD to combine nationwide MSME support with BRD's financing and sector-development capabilities.
A new strategic plan
BRD aims to grow its funding base from FRW 794 billion to FRW 1.3 trillion by 2028 while scaling resource mobilization, ESG, gender inclusion, data-led execution and impact tracking.
Vision & mission
The beliefs behind the mandate.
Vision
Innovative and sustainable finance.To be an innovative and sustainable provider of long-term development finance for socio-economic impact.
Core values
Values that guide every decision.
01Passionate
We go the extra mile.
02Innovative
We solve it differently.
03Excellent
We continuously learn, unlearn and relearn.
04Integrity
We always aim to do what is right.
05Accountable
We are decisive and responsible.
Mission
A trusted strategic partner.A trusted strategic partner for Rwanda’s development that offers financial solutions for enhanced value to our stakeholders.
Governance
Governed for long-term discipline.
BRD's governance framework provides oversight, accountability and risk discipline for a bank whose work must serve Rwanda's long-term development goals.
Board of Directors
Stewardship for BRD's long-term mandate.
Bobby J. Pittman
Managing Partner at Kupanda Capital and former Vice President of Infrastructure, Private Sector and Regional Integration at the African Development Bank. He holds a Master's degree in Economics from the University of Chicago.
Alice Rwema
Vice President, Legal and Compliance at Ampersand Energy, with 14 years of experience in energy, infrastructure, project finance and e-mobility. She previously served at Ruzizi III Energy, Rwanda Energy Group and Rwanda Airports Company.
Angelique Karekezi
Managing Director of RWASHOSCCO Ltd, leading the marketing, roasting and export of Rwanda's specialty coffee. She formerly chaired the International Women's Coffee Alliance Rwanda Chapter.
Joseph M. Mudenge
Vice President, Monitoring, Evidence and Learning at Village Enterprise, with more than 15 years in strategy, analytics and evidence-based decision-making. He holds degrees in Statistics and Actuarial Science.
Dr. Emmanuel Habineza
Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Printery Company. He holds a Doctor of Business Administration and has held executive and board positions in Rwanda's public and private sectors.
Callixte Nyilindekwe
SME Banking Expert at IPC, Chairman of ML Corporate Services and Founder of Orgmatt Advisors. He brings more than 30 years of experience in banking, SME finance, strategy, governance and business advisory.
Ghislain Nkeramugaba
Director, IXP Development at the Internet Society, leading global work on internet exchange points and digital infrastructure. He previously led GVA Rwanda, Revolution'Air and RICTA.
Executive Management
Leadership translating strategy into execution.
Chief Executive Officer
Stella Rusine Nteziryayo
Joined BRD as Chief Executive Officer in December 2025 after serving on its Board since 2020. She brings more than 15 years in public finance, sovereign debt and development finance.
Chief Finance Officer
Parfait Irakoze
Joined BRD in August 2025 with more than a decade of finance, audit, accounting and corporate leadership experience. He oversees financial strategy, reporting, financial risk, planning and internal controls.
Chief Risk Officer
Juliet Ingabire
Joined BRD in 2011 and became Chief Risk Officer in 2021. She designed and implemented the Bank's credit and enterprise risk frameworks.
Director, Strategy and Resource Mobilization
Fernand Kamanzi
Leads corporate strategy, resource mobilization, monitoring and evaluation, research, analytics and institutional partnerships.
Director, Legal Affairs
Gloria Tengera
Advises the Board and Executive Management on governance, banking law and regulatory compliance, with more than 16 years of legal experience.
Director, Information Technology and Digital Innovation
Ngabe Rutagarama
Leads BRD's technology strategy, enterprise architecture, cybersecurity and digital lending platforms.
Director, Business Development
Jean Claude Iliboneye
Leads investment strategy, product development, equity appraisal and advisory services across priority sectors.
Director, Credit Guarantee
Esperance Masengesho
Leads guarantee solutions that de-risk lending and expand access to finance, including the Export Credit Guarantee Facility.
Director, People, Culture and Corporate Services
Nadine Teta Mbabazi
Leads people strategy, organizational transformation, talent, performance, culture and corporate services.
Director of Credit
Eric Shema Rwishema
Leads credit policy, portfolio limits, analysis, disbursement, monitoring, recovery and credit operations.
Director, Strategic Projects Implementation
Innocent Gatete
Provides strategic and financial oversight for development-partner programmes exceeding US$500 million.
Director, Education Portfolio Management
Wilson Rurangwa
Leads administration of Rwanda's higher-education financing scheme with national education partners.
Director, Internal Audit
Martin Ndagijimana
Leads internal audit and advises the Board, Audit Committee and Executive Management on governance, risk and controls.
Strategic plan
Betting on Rwanda's future: sustainable prosperity.
BRD's 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, approved by the Board on 10 November 2023, sets the operating direction for growth, resilience, scale, innovation and measurable national impact.
Transformational
High-impact initiatives, structuring large projects, syndication and advisory services that reshape sectors.
Resilient & green
First-loss cover for green projects, carbon credit trading and weather insurance for climate-smart growth.
Scalable
On-lending through PFIs and SACCOs to widen footprint and reach MSMEs across Rwanda.
Innovation
Data-driven products, fintech partnerships and support for startups and incubators.
2028 targets
Development you can measure.
FRW 1.3T
Balance sheet by 2028
100,000
Off-farm jobs created
30%
Green portfolio
74% in loans
75% ESG-compliant loan book
30% women-led projects financed
40% direct lending / 60% on-lending
Finance shaped by safeguards and climate ambition.
Sustainability is central to BRD's mandate and strategy. Environmental, social and governance considerations are embedded across the lending cycle to advance responsible finance, inclusive growth, resilience and lasting development impact.
Work with BRD
Ready to finance Rwanda's next chapter?
Whether you are an entrepreneur, investor, or development partner, BRD offers the financing instruments and strategic programs to turn ambition into impact.