Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE) has launched an awareness campaign to sensitise the public on the investment and saving opportunities presented by the local bourse. The three-month "Access and grow” drive is targeting small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs), according to RSE officials.

Pierre Celestin Rwabukumba said that the outreach is meant to assist SMEs to fully-understand how the capital market can add value to their businesses in terms of raising funds, and enabling them to improve corporate governance, accountability and management best practices.

He added that empowering small businesses, which are the backbone of this country’s development, is a goal worth pursuing.

"Time is money and every coin counts. The best way is to mobilise the resources however small, but collectively, you can secure your financial future or build your dream home,” Rwabukumba said.

He added that pooling money together and letting professionals to manage and invest it "makes dreams a reality.”

Officials are optimistic that, by the end of the campaign, more small-and-medium-sized businesses will have understood the value and opportunities offered by the capital market.

"The truth is that the banking sector cannot alone serve all the people.

"We are coming in to complement the existing system, showing businesses that there are other sources through which they can obtain funds,” Rwabukumba noted.