The government targets to have at least 80 percent of the total population under formal banking system by 2017.

Achieving this, will not only require the presence of financial institutions at the grassroots level, but also ownership by the local leaders, whereby they continuously sensitize the population about the advantages of saving and using the services of financial institutions.

By helping integrate the rural majority into the modern banking sector, local leaders will have done a great service to the economy as the ordinary Rwandan will be able to access credit that will finance their income generating projects.

Indeed, there are signs showing that if the momentum is maintained, the set target of over 80 percent of the entire population can even be surpassed.

The main ingredient to success lies in blending policy making at national level with local inputs, to ensure that there is real ownership by the intended beneficiaries.

The success of the grassroots savings mobilization scheme-Umurenge Saccos, so far demonstrates that the goal to have the majority of the Rwandan people integrated into the modern banking system is easily achievable.

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