They wanted a framework to discuss their policies and strategies, to professionalize the sector and to establish a sustainable partnership system.
[4] In August 2019, RIM organized a Microfinance Week with the theme "Rural finance and innovation for effective financial inclusion".
RIM members included 17 savings and credit cooperatives, 19 public limited companies and one financial institution.
However, most MFIs were based in Bujumbura or large urban areas where infrastructure such as electricity and internet access was available, and most credits were for housing, trade and small equipment.
The main objective was to improve recovery of loans to clients, since default rates of more than 10% were common in rural areas, and could be much higher after climate disasters.