The program, launched in March 2025, brought together 24 professional women from financial institutions, who joined 78 other women from various sectors under the broader LiftHerUp program this year, bringing the total to 102 participants. Through a structured mentorship journey combining group mentorship, optional one-on-one sessions and monthly masterclasses delivered both virtually and in person, participants strengthened their leadership capacity and career direction.
The program concluded on Friday, December 12, 2025, with a colourful and engaging closing ceremony held at Four Points by Sheraton Kigali, themed 'Owning Your Growth,' where participants themselves led the event, shared impact stories and reflected on their nine-month journey.
According to organisers, the program recorded an average satisfaction rating of 4.74 out of 5, with most participants indicating they would recommend it to others.
Beyond satisfaction, the mentorship delivered tangible outcomes. Participants reported increased confidence, improved leadership skills, expanded professional networks and clearer career goals. Several women also shared experiences of promotions and successful career transitions linked to insights and accountability gained through mentorship.
A panel discussion during the closing event brought together senior leaders Dr. Diane Karusisi, CEO of Bank of Kigali; Benjamin Mutimura, CEO of I&M Bank Rwanda; and Florida Kabasinga, Founder and Managing Partner of Certa Law.
Dr. Karusisi said mentorship plays a critical role in helping women see leadership as attainable.
'My objective was to demystify leadership, to show that leaders are just normal human beings and that anyone in this room can aspire to lead,' she said.
Mutimura, who attended the event as a supporter of the program, said intentional growth and continuous learning are essential for long-term success.
'Growth doesn't happen by accident; you must be intentional and consistent,' he told participants, adding that mentorship remains close to his heart.
Kabasinga said she accepted the invitation to support the program because of her passion for empowering women, encouraging participants to take ownership of their journeys and not shy away from ambition.
The 2025 cohort drew women professionals from a wide range of organisations, including Bralirwa, Irembo, Bank of Kigali, Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD), MTN, Ecobank, Canal+, Old Mutual, NCBA, I&M Bank, Sanlam, One Acre Fund, Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC), Umwalimu SACCO, among other leading institutions.
Speaking on the program's impact, Belinda Bwiza, Co-Founder of Women in Finance Rwanda, noted that initiatives like LiftHerUp play a critical role in strengthening women's representation in leadership by addressing both skills and confidence gaps that often hold women back.
'We are building a movement that is much bigger than any of us,' she said, encouraging participants and mentors to continue engaging and paying the impact forward.
Salma Habib-Nkusi, CEO of Gate Consulting Group, said the partnership with Women in Finance Rwanda helped deepen the program's reach within the financial sector, including the full sponsorship of 24 participants.
'This is just the beginning, next year we expect the partnership to grow even stronger,' she said, adding that the collaboration with WIFR has strengthened trust and engagement within the sector and is expected to grow in future cohorts.
She emphasised that mentorship remains one of the most effective tools for growth, noting that while education provides knowledge, mentorship creates space for reflection, practical learning, and intentional decision-making that supports long-term leadership development. For many participants, the program marked a turning point in how they approach their careers and leadership roles.
Umutoneshwa Luminaire Sacrée, an ESMS Lead at Bank of Kigali, said the mentorship helped her move from doubt to decisive action.
'Before LiftHerUp, I doubted whether my decisions were truly taking me forward, even when others believed in me. A turning point was when my mentor encouraged me to follow up on a role I'd been considered for. I pushed through the discomfort, and I got the position,' she said.
Linda Rubanza, a Sales Officer at I&M Bank Rwanda (Cohort 2025), said the program strengthened her confidence and clarified her career direction.
'The program gave me the clarity I needed, strengthened my confidence and shifted my mindset toward continuous growth. Today, I approach challenges with a growth mindset and feel more prepared to seize opportunities,' she said.
Launched in 2023, Women in Finance Rwanda (WIFR) is a foundation dedicated to empowering women to excel in their careers and navigate the evolving finance industry.
The LiftHerUp x WIFR Mentorship Program builds on the wider LiftHerUp initiative, which has supported over 400 women since its inception four years ago. Organisers say they remain committed to expanding mentorship opportunities and strengthening women's leadership pipelines in Rwanda and beyond.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
