Musasa Development Fund

Musasa Development Fund provides interest-free loans to farmer members for farm inputs, small businesses, or emergency needs. For a coffee farming family, income arrives in a single season, followed by nine months of uncertainty, covering meals, school fees, or medical bills becomes a daily struggle. Volatile coffee prices and climate unpredictability only deepen the challenge. To break this cycle, the cooperative launched a member-driven micro-savings scheme in 2017. Modest contributions from members formed a collective, interest-free fund that circulates entirely within the community. What began as a small emergency fund has since evolved into the Musasa Development Fund, a registered financial vehicle now serving over 800 members. Loans range from 50,000 to 300,000 RWF, with repayment aligned to the coffee harvest. To date, over 150 million RWF has been disbursed, with a repayment rate exceeding 99%, and no collaterals required. The impact goes beyond finance. Women, who make up 40% of our membership, now run small businesses, selling vegetables, handcrafts, or raising livestock. These enterprises provide steady, year-round income, reducing pressure on coffee revenue and strengthening household resilience. The fund has become a launchpad, turning farmers into entrepreneurs and proving that capital built on trust grows dignity, opportunity, and a sustainable legacy