Cooperatives have long played a vital role in global socio-economic development, contributing to employment, poverty reduction, and community empowerment. They are recognized as key players in advancing sustainable development by fostering economic growth, reducing inequalities, and promoting social cohesion. Through their collective efforts, cooperatives create employment opportunities and enhance economic stability in various sectors. However, despite their significant contributions, many cooperatives face persistent challenges, including financial constraints, governance inefficiencies, and the need for increased innovation. In Rwanda, the co-operative movement is well-structured and operates across multiple economic sectors such as agriculture, trading, transport, finance, and manufacturing. The government acknowledges cooperatives as essential contributors to national development and has established institutional and legal frameworks, including the recent Law N° 057/2024 of 20/06/2024, to support their growth. Institutions such as Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA), Rwanda Institute of Cooperative Entrepreneurship and Microfinance (RICEM), the National Cooperative Confederation of Rwanda (NCCR) and Association of Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda (AMIR) have been instrumental in promoting capacity building and technical support. Read more