Who we are

RWANDA COOPERATIVE AGENCY “RCA” is a regulatory Public Institutions in charge of regulation and promotion economic, social, and other activities of the general interest; with a core mandate of registration, regulation, promotion and capacity of cooperatives.

Phone:
4163

Email:
info@rca.gov.rw

Address:
Muhanga District, Nyamabuye Sector, Catholic University of Kabgayi Building.

Twitter::
@RCARwanda

VISION, MISSION, OBJECTIVES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Vision

“Cooperatives are private oriented enterprises and self-reliant business entities for significant contribution to the national socio-economic transformation through creation of productive jobs and wealth.”

Mission

“To empower the cooperative movement as a viable engine through which cooperative members could create productive jobs, increase income, and maximize the social and financial capitals for socio-economic transformation.”

Objective

“Enable the cooperative movement play its vital role towards the transformation of the national economy”

Specific Objectives:

  1. Revisit the structure of the Rwanda Cooperative Agency to respond to new dynamics in the various sectors of the cooperative development
  2. Redefine the organizational structure of cooperative movement
  3. Improve the current management and accountability system in the overall structure of cooperative movement;
  4. Improve the government and cooperative policy dialogue to enhance cooperative’s contribution in the national development;
  5. Re-align the cooperative policy with the new country’s vision 2050, NST1 2018-2024 and subsequent sector and district development strategies;
  6. Promote the structural transformation of the cooperative movement from low productivity to high productivity sectors for increased production, improved value addition, and increased income; 
  7. Increase the ownership of cooperative movement by cooperative members by avoiding dormant cooperatives and members;
  8. Increase the efficiency of the service delivery by the cooperative movement through automated services using ICT-based models and Cooperative Information Management System (CIMS);
  9. Promote performance based cooperative management through performance contracts “Imihigo”;
  10. Improve the financial sustainability of the cooperative movement through diversified activities;
  11. Improve the coordination mechanism of stakeholders and partners for an integrated and effective support of the cooperative movement;
  12. Promote Research and development to stimulate innovation and support diversification;
  13. Promote self-financing of the cooperative movement and reduce its reliance to government and donor financial support;
  14. Improve the capacity development and entrepreneurship skills of cooperative members;
  15. Clearly define the division of labor amongst government agencies and institutions working with cooperatives;
  16. Promote cooperative membership for special groups of people such as youth, people with disabilities, women, and Rwandans living in the diaspora;
  17. Conduct cooperative research and impact assessment of cooperatives on socio-economic transformation of their members and the entire respective communities.”
  18. Improve livelihoods of cooperative members and the community through cooperatives.

Responsibilities of RCA 

The main responsibilities of RCA are:

  1. Implement government policy in matters relating to cooperative organizations
  2. Register cooperative organizations and grant them legal personality
  3. Regulate and supervise cooperative organizations including the national cooperative unions, federations and confederation
  4. Set standards and formulate professional ethics for prudent management of cooperative organizations
  5. Promote the cooperative organizations sector
  6. Assist cooperative organizations in their capacity building through training and seminars of its members and managers
  7. Promote business entrepreneurship in the cooperative organizations sector
  8. Encourage the cooperative movement to take advantage of investment opportunities at national, regional and international levels
  9. Carry out research and studies on cooperative organizations and ensure their publication
  10. Advise the government on the elaboration of national policies and strategies in relation with cooperative organizations
  11. Ensure the compliance of laws regulations governing cooperative organizations and other laws that cooperative organizations are requested to conform to
  12. Develop relations and collaboration with other regional or international agencies in charge of cooperative organizations

Director General

Francis KAMANZI

Director General

Francis KAMANZI is the Director General of the Rwanda Cooperative Agency since July 16th, 2025. Prior, he served as Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB), a cabinet level appointment from February 2024, where he led National strategies in resource governance and sustainable investment.

With over 15 years of experience spanning public finance, infrastructure development, and institutional leadership, Mr. KAMANZI has held key positions in both public and private sectors. He served as Business Development Partner at Eco-Secure Holdings Ltd, General Manager of QNet East Africa, and project lead at 3MK Consult. His early career was rooted since 2000 at the National Bank of Rwanda, where he advanced through various roles over 12 years, including Head of the Foreign Exchange Market and Manager of Banking Operations.

He has a Master of Arts in Public Administration and Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, a Master of Arts in Economic Policy Management from Makerere University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the former National University of Rwanda.

Head of Units

Joseph NZAKUNDA

Director of Legal Affairs and Registration Unit.

Joseph NZAKUNDA has been working for Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA) since January 2011 as Director of Legal Affairs and Registration Unit.

He worked as one of the Experts of the Task Force on the Promotion of Cooperatives in Rwanda, established by the Government on 29 July 2005. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from the National University of Rwanda.

Christine MUKAKIRAMBA

Director of Cooperative Audit Unit

Christine MUKAKIRAMBA is the Director of Cooperative Audit Unit at the Rwanda Cooperative Agency Since 1st March 2021.

She was the Director of Cooperative Inspection Unit since 2008 at Rwanda Cooperative Agency.

She holds an MBA in Business Management from the University of Baraton, East Africa. A bachelor's degree in Accounting Administration from The Adventist University of Central Africa and also a Diploma in Co-operative Management from the Co-operative University College of Kenya.

Emmanuel USENGIMANA

Director of Financial Services Cooperatives Development and Sustainability Unit

Emmanuel USENGIMANA is the Director of Financial Services Cooperatives Development and Sustainability Unit at the Rwanda Cooperative Agency since 11th November 2022. Prior to that, he has been Internal Auditor of Rwanda Cooperative Agency, Since October 2021. He is a Member of Muhanga District Council as Chairperson of Commission on Finance and Economic Development.

Since 2012, he has worked in various public and private institutions in roles related to business financial management, asset management, financial sector development, financial product design and development, MSME development and entrepreneurship, sustainable finance, inclusive financial services, financial education, digital transformation of financial institutions, and strategic branding and marketing.

He holds a Master of Business Administration in Accounting and Finance, and a Bachelor of Science in Finance, both from the University of Kigali. Additionally, he has earned several international certifications like Procurement & Sourcing Introduction from Rutgers University, Managing the Company of the Future from the University of London, Financial Markets from Yale University, Portfolio and Risk Management and Understanding Financial Markets from Université de Genève, Managing Project Risks and Changes from the University of California, Irvine.

NGOGA BAZIGA Innocent

Director of Cooperative Promotion and Capacity Building Unit

NGOGA BAZIGA Innocent is an economist and Project Manager with 12 years’ experience in international and Rwanda finance and private sector development. He is currently the Director of Cooperative Promotion and Capacity Building Unit in Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA).

He served as lecturer for six years at Kigali Independent University, at the same time heading the Economic Department in the same University.

He is a development consultant where he has led Work and Grow Consultancy Company since its inception in 2011 and has carried several cooperative related consultancies, including development of procedure manuals, strategic plans, market system, access to finance and finance inclusion, market research on small and medium enterprise finance, etc.

Further to that he served as member of the board of directors in CIC to conduct smooth due diligence when advancing loans to SMEs.  

He has a Master’s in Project planning and Management from Kampala International University and a Bachelor’s degree in international economics from the University of Rwanda.