Rwanda has established itself as one of Africa’s leading digital economies, underpinned by strong economic growth, widespread mobile money adoption and increasing participation in formal financial services. As the country enters its next phase of development, the challenge is no longer simply extending access but ensuring that inclusion translates into meaningful economic opportunity for households, entrepreneurs and businesses.

New findings from TransUnion’s Q1 2026 Consumer Pulse Study (CPS) indicate that Rwandan consumers remain optimistic about their financial futures while highlighting a growing need for broader access to credit and lending products that can help them move from financial participation to financial empowerment.

Nearly four in five consumers (76%) expect their income to increase over the next 12 months, while a further 16% expect it to remain unchanged. Together, these findings suggest a population that remains confident in Rwanda's economic trajectory while taking a pragmatic approach to managing ongoing financial pressures.

At the same time, household budgets remain under strain. Half of respondents (50%) said they expect to be unable to pay at least one current bill or loan in full, with many planning to manage these challenges through partial payments, savings or temporary additional work. Rather than pointing to declining confidence, these behaviours reflect resilience and disciplined financial decision-making as consumers adapt to changing economic conditions.

More than a third of consumers (34%) also reported reducing discretionary spending in recent months, while others continued to prioritise spending on digital services and selected lifestyle categories. These trends suggest that many households are managing carefully while remaining engaged in Rwanda’s increasingly digital economy.

“Rwanda has made remarkable progress in expanding financial inclusion and digital participation,” said Didier Mutabazi, Chief Executive Officer of TransUnion Rwanda. “Financial inclusion is not a single milestone. It is a journey. The next step is helping more consumers move from basic financial access to the products and opportunities that support entrepreneurship, asset ownership and long-term financial resilience.”

Expanding Access to Credit Can Unlock Greater Economic Opportunity

Access to credit and lending products remain one of the clearest indicators of consumers’ financial aspirations. The CPS data highlights an opportunity to expand access to credit and lending products that support consumer financial goals. While nearly all consumers (98%) say credit is important to achieving their financial goals, only 42% believe they have sufficient access to the products they need. This gap suggests that although demand is strong, barriers such as affordability, eligibility, limited financials visibility and product suitability continue to hinder access.

Personal loans and student loans emerged among the most sought-after products, highlighting demand for solutions that support both immediate needs and long-term advancement.

The findings suggest Rwanda’s financial inclusion journey is entering a new phase. While participation in formal financial services continues to expand, consumers are signalling a need for broader access to the financial products that support long-term economic advancement. Financial inclusion is no longer simply about access to transactional services or short-term credit. Increasingly, it is about enabling consumers and entrepreneurs to access the financing, visibility and trust needed to invest in education, grow businesses, acquire assets and participate more fully in Rwanda’s economic future.

“Our latest report highlights that consumers understand the value of credit and are actively looking for ways to improve their financial futures,” said Mutabazi. “This creates a new agenda for the ecosystem, one focused on improving credit visibility, strengthening digital trust, enabling smarter decision-making and building the partnerships required to scale inclusive growth responsibly.”

Trust Remains Essential to Financial Inclusion

The report highlights the importance of building a trusted financial ecosystem where consumers can engage confidently, access services more easily and participate fully in the opportunities created by Rwanda's digital economy.

“Trust is a fundamental part of a healthy and inclusive financial ecosystem,” said Mutabazi. “As digital participation grows, consumers, businesses and institutions must continue working together to strengthen confidence, reduce friction and ensure people can engage safely in the digital economy.”

The findings reinforce Rwanda’s progress as a leading digital economy while highlighting the next step in its financial inclusion journey. The opportunity is clear but will require the full financial ecosystem to help more consumers advance from access to financial capability and economic participation. By driving broader use of trusted data, responsible lending and the expansion of products that support scalable growth across business and the everyday citizen – the Rwanda financial inclusion trajectory is possible.

The TransUnion Rwanda Consumer Pulse Survey of 259 adults aged 18 years and older was conducted between 10 February and 9 March 2026.

Mutabazi joins TransUnion with over 16 years of leadership experience spanning the fintech, banking, and telecommunications sectors. He most recently served as the Country Manager for Asante Financial Services Group in Rwanda, where he successfully launched local operations from the ground up and scaled digital lending services for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). His extensive background includes serving as the Head of Digital Finance and Innovation at AB Bank Rwanda, where he led a digital transformation strategy that increased electronic transaction volumes from 0% to over 70%.

“We are delighted to welcome Didier to lead our Rwandan business at such a pivotal time for the region,” said Jeannine Naudé, Head of Africa Regions at TransUnion. “His proven track record in driving bank-wide digital transformation and his deep understanding of the regulatory landscape, having worked closely with the National Bank of Rwanda, makes him the ideal leader to accelerate our growth. This appointment highlights our commitment to bringing global solutions to the Rwandan market to support inclusive, data-driven outcomes for our clients and the more than 350 million Africans still outside the formal financial system”.

Mutabazi’s mandate includes driving the adoption of innovative solutions that extend beyond core credit into areas such as fraud, risk, and advanced analytics. His leadership will be instrumental in supporting sustainable growth and expanding access to credit across the country.

“I am honoured to join TransUnion and lead the Rwanda team as we work to empower businesses and consumers through the power of data,” said Mutabazi. “I look forward to leveraging my experience in scaling digital operations and building strategic partnerships to deliver trusted and innovative solutions. My focus will be on advancing financial inclusion and ensuring that TransUnion continues to play a leading role in Rwanda’s evolving financial ecosystem”.

Mutabazi holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Heriot-Watt University and is a Certified Expert in Microfinance Banking from the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management. He is fluent in English, French, and Kinyarwanda.