We are a female-led organisation
of finance professionals
WIFR is focused on development and empowerment to advance leadership growth of women in finance.
We aim to engage stakeholders to understand the current motivations, concerns and pressures across the sector in delivering gender parity.
Our Founding Partners
Lina Higiro
Regional Head of SME Banking, NCBA Bank
Founding Chair
With over 15 years of experience in finance and banking, she has held senior roles in SME lending, retail banking, strategy, marketing, and change management. Lina has worked across Canada, South Africa, and Kenya and is dedicated to mentoring future financial leaders. In 2021, she was recognized by the Angaza Awards as one of the top 10 Women to Watch in East Africa’s financial sector and co-initiated a mental health Employee Assistance Program for the banking sector.
Belinda Bwiza
MD, Tubura by One Acre Fund
Co-Founder
Belinda Bwiza leads Tubura by One Acre Fund, supporting over 800,000 smallholder farmers across Rwanda. She has experience in financial policy with the Ministry of Education in Canada and has held roles in investor relations, custodian banking, and hedge fund administration in Ontario, Canada. Ms. Bwiza serves on boards including Equity Bank Rwanda, Rwanda National Investment Trust, and Earthenable. She holds an MBA, a CPA, and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance.
Betty Sayinzoga
CEO, Sanlam Insurance Rwanda
Conflict and Resolution Chair
Betty Sayinzoga is a seasoned professional with 22 years in the financial sector and one of the few women CEOs in Rwanda’s insurance industry. As CEO of Sanlam Insurance Rwanda, she drives growth and profitability through innovation and effective management, repositioning the company as a market leader. Betty is passionate about human capital, using her expertise to create opportunities and support community growth.
Raissa Muyango
CEO, COPEDU PLC
General Secretary
Raissa Muyango is a banker with 18 years in the financial sector. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Economic Sciences from ULK and a master’s in Strategic Management from Mount Kenya University. Since December 2019, she has been the CEO of COPEDU PLC, Rwanda’s leading microfinance institution. Raissa has previously worked with Ecobank Rwanda, Coogebank, Atlantis Microfinance, Access Bank Rwanda, and GroFin Rwanda, gaining expertise in risk management, customer relations, portfolio management, and investment strategy.
Christine Baingana
CEO, Urwego Bank Plc
Audit Committee Chair
Christine Baingana leads Urwego Bank Plc, a Christian bank serving underserved communities in Rwanda. She has fostered a culture that supports both staff and clients. As CEO, her key achievement has been designing a turnaround strategy focused on culture change, organizational restructuring, and process revamping. Despite challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, Christine’s leadership improved liquidity, diversified the bank’s portfolio, and enhanced digitization, leading to profitability during difficult times.
Meet our Advisors
Manisha Dookhony
Advisor
As a network builder, she heads the Harvard student group in Rwanda, has been elected on the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Board and loves to bring people together, and is a good mediator in multi-stakeholder dialogue. As a Vital Voices and Women and Public Policy Fellow, TheBoardroom Africa member, she is very keen on the economic empowerment of women and regularly mentors women seeking to develop their business activity and export. She is above all imbibed with an entrepreneurial spirit and is a self-starter.
Specialties: Private sector development; Leadership Development; Investment Advisory; Deal matching.
Peace Uwase
Advisor
Peace is a seasoned finance professional interested in the business-government nexus for inclusive economic growth and development. She has previously served as Rwanda’s financial sector regulator and supervisor, chief financial officer in banking, external auditor, and business advisory consultant. Additionally, she has extensive board experience in the private and public sectors.
Umulinga Karangwa
Advisor
Umulinga Karangwa has 18 years of financial services experience, with a focus on African investments for the past 14 years. She is dedicated to developing local asset managers and creating impactful solutions for African investors. Umulinga holds an MSc in Management, an Executive Master in Tax Management from Solvay Business School, and is a CFA Charterholder. She speaks fluent French, English, and good Mandarin.
Patricia Kobusingye
Advisor
Patricia is a Brand Strategist with 18 years of experience shaping compelling narratives and visual identities. Her expertise spans Advertising and Branding across diverse sectors, including Banking, Government and Immigration, and more recently, in aviation components and operations systems.
Passionate about brand development, Patricia creates cohesive strategies that elevate businesses and resonate with their audiences. From crafting impactful campaigns to designing visual identities, she thrives on bringing brands to life and ensuring their long-term success. She holds a MA in Design and Brand Strategy from Brunel University.
Vivienne Artz OBE FCSI
CEO FTSE Women Leaders Review
Patron
Vivienne is a strategic leader in data and privacy with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion. She advises the Centre for Information Policy Leadership, serves as a Non-executive Director at GLEIF.org, and chairs several key committees, including those at the IAPP and the Global Coalition for the Fight Against Financial Crime. She is also a member of the UK International Data Transfers Expert Council.
She is on several advisory boards, including Women in Banking and Finance, St Mary’s University, and Pembroke College Oxford. She was recognized with an OBE in 2021 and was named in the GDR Women in Data 2022 list for her work in data regulation.
Our History
2021
February
First Founders’ Meeting
In February 2021, Women in Finance Rwanda convened its first founder’s meeting, marking the beginning of a transformative initiative. This gathering brought together visionary leaders united by a mission to champion gender equity and professional development in the financial sector. The meeting set the stage for defining the foundation’s purpose, building a collaborative network, and igniting a movement to empower women across financial services, telecommunications, and fintech.
Outcomes
2021
November
Formulation of the Foundation’s Objectives
In November 2021, Women in Finance Rwanda embarked on a collaborative journey to define the foundation’s objectives, guided by a shared vision to empower women professionals in the financial sector. Bringing together industry leaders, stakeholders, and passionate advocates, the process was driven by a commitment to fostering mentorship, skill development, and leadership opportunities.
These objectives were carefully crafted to address the unique challenges faced by women in financial services, telecommunications, and fintech, ensuring a platform for growth, inclusion, and meaningful impact within these industries. This milestone laid the groundwork for a vibrant network dedicated to advancing women’s careers and influence in the sector.
2023
December
WIFR Brand Indentity Created
The Women in Finance Rwanda brand identity and logo was created and the trademark officially registered