RUSAGARA MUVUNANKIKO Valens
In Gicumbi District, the use of digital financial services is gradually gaining ground, particularly among traders, cooperatives, transport operators and citizens living in rural areas. The shift aims, among other things, to reduce reliance on keeping cash at home and make everyday transactions easier.
For many years, some residents, particularly in rural sectors, had the habit of keeping their money at home, a practice traditionally known as kubika mu kimuga. According to local authorities, this practice exposed households to various risks, including theft and loss of savings.
It was in this context that the “Twagiye Kashiresi” campaign was held in Gicumbi on August 21, 2026. The initiative encourages citizens to adopt digital payments to improve the security of their money, facilitate transactions and promote the use of financial technologies.
Held for the third time, the campaign targets businesses, cooperatives, schools and the general population. In Gicumbi, it covers an economic landscape comprising 294 cooperatives, 164 schools and approximately 7,594 small businesses, all of which are potential beneficiaries of digital payment services.
Despite the progress made, some citizens still face difficulties in fully using digital financial services. Some know how to make payments using their phones but are not yet familiar with other services, including remote banking, applying for loans or paying school fees.
In some cooperatives and savings groups, leaders are still required to travel to banks to make deposits or withdrawals on behalf of members due to limited knowledge of the digital solutions available.
Participants in the campaign therefore believe that continued awareness and training are necessary to enable more citizens to fully benefit from these tools.
Ayinkamiye Beatrice says digital payments have enabled her to pay her children’s school fees without having to travel.
“Digital payment through e-Cash is a rapid advancement. It helps avoid unnecessary travel and provides greater security. Transactions are recorded on the phone, which also makes it easier to keep track of payments,” she explains.
For Niyonsenga Methode Robert, a public transport driver, receiving payments by phone also saves time and reduces some of the risks associated with travelling to exchange or deposit money.
Gicumbi District Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development, Uwera Parfaite, says local authorities are continuing to raise awareness among residents about the benefits of digital payments.
She says the objective is, among other things, to gradually move away from the traditional practice of keeping money at home and promote safer ways of managing income.
“We continue to explain to citizens the benefits of Kashiresi and e-Cash. These solutions help them save time and improve the security of their money,” says Uwera Parfaite.
Meanwhile, Rwanda ICT Chamber Director Ntare Alex believes that digital solutions can also contribute to modernising private-sector activities.
According to him, using these systems enables traders to better keep records of their transactions and can facilitate access to financial services, particularly when they want to apply for loans.
“This third edition of Twagiye Kashiresi places particular emphasis on traders. We want to encourage them to use the digital systems available through banks and mobile phones in order to accelerate services,” he explains.
He adds that the digitalisation of transactions can reduce the need to travel to send or receive money and enable economic actors to maintain electronic records of their operations.
Kajangwe Maurice, Head of Transformation at the Ministry of Information Communication Technology and Innovation, also encourages citizens to adopt digital payments, particularly for business and personal transactions.
He recalls that users had previously raised concerns about transaction fees and says improvements have since been made.
For him, the use of Kashiresi and e-Cash can help citizens save time, reduce risks associated with carrying cash and minimise disputes through the traceability provided by electronically recorded transactions.
Launched in 2022, the “Twagiye Kashiresi” campaign is implemented with the participation of the Ministry of Information Communication Technology and Innovation, the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), UNCDF, Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR), Better Than Cash Alliance and the Rwanda ICT Chamber.
After Gicumbi, the campaign will continue in the districts of Rutsiro, Rusizi, Ngoma, Rulindo, Gakenke, Ngororero and Nyabihu, with the aim of strengthening the adoption of digital payments across the country.
