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Cooperatives and Ibimina in Rwanda: the essentials

What a cooperative is, how to register an ikimina, and where to find the official rules. In plain words, with links to RCA and MINECOFIN.

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What is a cooperative?

In Rwanda, cooperatives are registered and supervised by the Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA) and governed by Law N° 057/2024 of 20/06/2024 governing cooperatives in Rwanda.

Source: RCA, About cooperatives(opens in a new tab)

A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise, according to internationally recognized co-operative values and principles.

Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA)

What makes it different from an ordinary business

  • It serves a social or environmental goal, or exists to meet its members' needs.
  • Its members own and control it democratically.
  • It has its own way of working.
  • It has its own legal structure.

The seven cooperative principles

  1. Voluntary and open membership
  2. Democratic member control
  3. Member economic participation
  4. Autonomy and independence
  5. Education, training and information
  6. Cooperation among cooperatives
  7. Concern for community

Five categories

Cooperatives can work in every sector of economic and social life.

  1. Production cooperatives
  2. Commercial and consumer cooperatives
  3. Savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs)
  4. Service cooperatives
  5. Multipurpose cooperatives

Cooperative values

  • Self-responsibility
  • Democracy
  • Equality
  • Equity
  • Solidarity
  • Honesty
  • Openness
  • Social responsibility
  • Caring for others

From a primary cooperative to a confederation

Cooperatives can join together to manage their property better and defend their common interests.

  1. Primary cooperativeMembers pool their ideas, strength and assets for a common purpose.
  2. UnionThree or more primary cooperatives. A cooperative can belong to only one union at a time.
  3. FederationThree or more unions, at national level.
  4. ConfederationThree or more federations: the national APEX organization.

The 12 books of accounts RCA lists

  1. Cash book
  2. Debtors' book
  3. Creditors' book
  4. Register of members' shares
  5. Purchases book
  6. Sales book
  7. Stock records
  8. Intangible documents
  9. Invoices
  10. Delivery notes
  11. Balance sheet
  12. Income statement (revenue and expenditure)

RCA guide to the books of accounts (PDF)(opens in a new tab)

What is an ikimina, and how do you register it?

An ikimina (plural: ibimina), also called a tontine, is a group of people who save together on a regular schedule and often lend to one another. Ibimina register online on IBIMINA, the official platform run under the oversight of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN).

Source: MINECOFIN, IBIMINA platform(opens in a new tab)

What you need before you start

  • At least 5 members.
  • A valid National ID or passport for every member.
  • Your rules, regulations and procedures (the constitution).
  • Signed minutes of your founding meeting.
  • The list of members, with each one's join date and first contribution.

Registration, step by step

  1. Create your accountSign up with your National ID or passport and verify your phone number.
  2. Basic informationName, objective, establishment date, area of operation and number of members.
  3. MembersAdd members one by one, upload them with the Excel template, or register minors with a guardian.
  4. LeadersChoose the President, Vice President and Secretary from among your members.
  5. ContributionsThe amount, how often and how it is paid, and where the money is kept.
  6. DocumentsUpload your constitution, member list and founding meeting minutes.
  7. Submit and get your certificateReview and submit. Once approved, the sector where your ikimina operates issues its Certificate of Registration.

After registration, on the same platform

  • Request amendments to your details; they appear on a new certificate.
  • Transfer the ikimina to a new location.
  • Change representatives, or add and deactivate members, with a supporting document.
  • Check that a certificate is valid, or request its revocation.
Register on IBIMINA(opens in a new tab)

IBIMINA, CMIS and e-Mali: what each one does

Two government platforms register groups with the state. e-Mali is where a group runs its money every day.

IBIMINA platformCMISe-Mali
Run byMINECOFINRwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA)e-Mali, an independent company
ForIbimina (savings groups)CooperativesBoth ibimina and cooperatives
Main jobRegister an ikimina and keep its official record up to date.Register a cooperative, then handle its official requests, inspections and audits.Run the group day to day: members, savings, shares, loans and books.
Who uses itGroup leaders, and the sector that approves.Cooperative applicants, plus RCA, district and sector staff.Group officers, and members checking their own balance.
What you getA Certificate of Registration issued by the sector.A provisional certificate of legal personality, then a definitive one.Records, statements and reports, exported to Excel or PDF.
How oftenAt registration, then for changes.At registration, then for requests, inspections and audits.Every week or month, whenever money moves.
Required?Yes, to register an ikimina.Yes, to register a cooperative.No, it is a tool you choose.

How they fit together

  1. Start on e-MaliKeep your records on e-Mali from day one, registered or not.
  2. Register on the official platformIBIMINA for an ikimina, CMIS for a cooperative. Only your group can do this step.
  3. Report from e-MaliWhen the authorities ask for a member list, a report or audit documents, export them from e-Mali and submit them on the official platform.

Where to find official answers

Registration, rules and supervision are the work of these institutions. Their websites are the reference.

e-Mali is an independent company, not part of RCA, MINECOFIN or any other government institution. This page is a plain-language summary to help you get started. The official sources always take precedence. Last checked against the official sources: October 2026.

Questions groups ask us

What is a cooperative in Rwanda?

An association of people who join voluntarily to meet shared economic, social and cultural needs through a business they own and run democratically. Cooperatives are registered and supervised by the Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA), under Law N° 057/2024.

What is the difference between a cooperative and an ikimina?

A cooperative is a business owned by its members, registered with RCA, and it keeps full books of accounts. An ikimina is a savings group: members contribute on a schedule, often lend to one another and share out at the end of the cycle. Ibimina register with their sector through MINECOFIN's IBIMINA platform. e-Mali works for both.

How do we register our ikimina?

Online, on MINECOFIN's IBIMINA platform (ibimina.minecofin.gov.rw). Create an account with your National ID or passport, enter your ikimina's details, members, leaders and contributions, upload your constitution and founding meeting minutes, then submit. Once approved, the sector where you operate issues the certificate.

How many members do we need to register an ikimina?

At least 5, each with a valid National ID or passport.

Which books of accounts must a cooperative keep?

RCA lists twelve: the cash book, debtors' book, creditors' book, register of members' shares, purchases book, sales book, stock records, intangible documents, invoices, delivery notes, the balance sheet and the income statement. e-Mali keeps the cash and bank books, the share register and the financial statements for you as you work.

What is the difference between IBIMINA, CMIS and e-Mali?

IBIMINA is MINECOFIN's platform to register an ikimina. CMIS is RCA's platform to register a cooperative and handle its official requests. e-Mali is where your group runs its money every day: members, savings, shares, loans and books. You register on IBIMINA or CMIS, and use e-Mali to keep the records those platforms ask for.

Does e-Mali register our group with RCA or MINECOFIN?

No. Only your group can register, on IBIMINA for an ikimina or on CMIS for a cooperative. e-Mali is not connected to either platform. It keeps your member list, contributions and reports ready, so you can export them and submit them yourselves.

Ready to see your group's money clearly?

Set up your cooperative or savings group (ikimina) today. We will help you import your records and get your team started.

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