The idea of establishing CPF Foundation came from CPF INEZA members after identifying the need to strengthen activities focused on their social interests and well-being. The General Assembly of members held in October 2025 resolved to establish the Foundation in order to strengthen this area, which had not received sufficient attention.

The decision led to the establishment of CPF Foundation as an institution that will complement CPF INEZA in building members’ capacity and improving their well-being, with the aim of ensuring that financial activities and social interests develop together.

CPF INEZA officials say that although the cooperative’s financial activities have continued to grow, one of its responsibilities—promoting the social interests and well-being of its members—had not received sufficient attention.

The President of CPF INEZA, Yvonne Mutakwasuku, said this was the reason for establishing CPF Foundation as a complementary institution to CPF INEZA.

“We realized that the financial side was growing well, but the social side, including the benefits members should get from the cooperative and the impact the cooperative should have in the communities where it operates, was not strong enough. That is why we thought of establishing a second institution to complement CPF INEZA, which is what we have established today.”

Mutakwasuku said CPF Foundation will operate as a “nursery” for members, preparing them before they reach a level where they can effectively use financial services provided by CPF INEZA. It will provide training in financial management, job creation and business development, while also helping people make better use of the financial opportunities available to them.

“If we take someone in, train them and accompany them until they receive a loan, we will not only look at whether they were able to repay the loan. We will also look at how it changed their life and how it helped them become more capable.”

She said this approach will help CPF INEZA have members who are better prepared to use financial services, rather than simply receiving loans without follow-up on how those loans contribute to their development.

The Managing Director of CPF INEZA, Uwamariya Chantal, said CPF Foundation will also contribute to achieving the goal of financial inclusion, ensuring that financial services reach more people, including those who have faced barriers to accessing them.

“Some people came hoping to receive support, but when they reached the bank, they were told that the service was only a loan. The Foundation will help develop and assess those ideas. That is why there will be training, study visits and support whenever it is needed.”

She gave an example of a parent who may need financial support to pay school fees for a child but does not have a business that can immediately generate enough income to repay a loan. Through the Foundation, such a person could receive support while being helped to develop a sustainable source of income.

The newly elected President of CPF Foundation, Pastor Mushumba Raphael, said the goal is not simply to increase the number of members or the amount of money circulating within CPF INEZA, but also to ensure that members’ lives improve.

He said CPF Foundation will focus on members’ social well-being, including education, financial literacy and other activities aimed at improving their living conditions.

“If we have more than 21,000 members, at least all of them should benefit. They should not only be members, but should also have the capacity to use these financial opportunities and improve their lives.”

Mushumba said the Foundation’s programmes will take a holistic approach to members’ lives, focusing not only on their economic situation but also on their social well-being, relationships and other aspects of their lives.

CPF INEZA will continue to focus on financial services such as savings, withdrawals and lending, while CPF Foundation will focus on building members’ capacity and improving their well-being through financial management training, counselling, business development support and other programmes aimed at helping members make effective use of financial services. This is why the Foundation is described as a “nursery” for members, where they first receive the knowledge and skills needed to make effective use of financial opportunities.

For CPF Foundation to operate as a legally recognized independent institution, it must complete the required legal and administrative procedures to obtain legal personality. These include preparing and submitting its statutes, internal regulations, strategic vision and other required documents to the competent authority, the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB). The required procedures are expected to be completed by December 31, 2026, allowing CPF Foundation to begin its full operations from January 1, 2027.