Rwanda Stock Exchange Rings the Bell for Gender Equality 2026, Calling for Bold Action to Close the Economic Gap
KIGALI, RWANDA – Today, Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE) joined stock exchanges around the world in partnership with the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), the UN Global Compact, UN Women, the Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality 2026.”
Held under the global theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” the event brought together government officials, international partners, and private sector leaders to advocate for increased women’s participation in capital markets.
The ceremony was graced by the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Honorable Consolée Uwimana, who called for a transition from commitments to tangible results. Highlighting that women hold only 32% of decision-making positions in the private sector, she urged a roadmap aligned with Vision 2050.
“We must do better in the private sector. To bridge the gap, we don’t want to pledge, but we will act. Supporting women-led businesses and promoting girls in ICT, energy, and infrastructure is key,” Hon. Uwimana stated.
CEO of Rwanda Stock Exchange, Pierre Celestin Rwabukumba, opened the event by emphasizing the transformative power of inclusion.
“If we educate women, we educate a nation,” Rwabukumba noted. “At the Rwanda Stock Exchange, we strongly believe that inclusive capital markets lead to stronger economies. When companies promote gender diversity in leadership, they perform better.”
The event also featured insights from key regulatory and international partners:
- Mr. Romeo Ngarambe, CEO of the Capital Market Authority (CMA): “When the Rwanda Stock Exchange rings this bell, it is telling every woman in this country: You belong here. Your savings, your ideas, your ambitions – this market was built for you too.”
- Ji Yeon Janice Ryu, IFC Resident Representative: “In financial markets, a bell marks the opening of opportunity. It signals the start of trading, the movement of capital, and the confidence that markets bring to economies.”
- Ms. Tikikel Tadele Alemu, UN Women Representative: “This year the bell rings louder than ever, calling all of us to accelerate gender equality, women’s empowerment, and women’s leadership.”
- Marie Claire Dushimumikiza, UN Global Compact: “Progress requires more than intention; it requires accelerated action, leadership, and accountability. It signals that markets matter in advancing gender equality.”
In a highlight of the ceremony, Hortense Mudenge, CEO of the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC), was honored as the 2026 Women Achiever in Finance. Additionally, students from the Gashora Girls Academy, under the Gashora NexGen Investors Program, were recognized for their efforts in financial literacy, receiving a cash prize of 2 million Rwandan Francs to support their journey as future investors. The ceremony concluded with the official ringing of the bell by the Guest of Honor alongside partners from the IFC, UN Women, and the UN Global Compact, symbolically opening the doors of economic opportunity for all women in Rwanda.
About Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE):
Rwanda Stock Exchange Limited was incorporated on 7th October 2005 with the objective of carrying out stock market operations. The RSE serves as the cornerstone of Rwanda’s capital markets, playing a pivotal role in mobilizing domestic and international investments for sustainable economic growth.
Currently, the RSE has slightly over 100 listed securities, with 10 equity listings, Treasury bonds, and corporate bonds.
For More Information, Please Contact:
Rwanda Stock Exchange Ltd
Tel: +250 788 516 021
Email: info@rse.rw
