Impact Assessment of the 2000-2005 WOCCU Project in Rwanda: A Time Series Survey of Rwandan Credit Union Members

This report presents an impact assessment of World Council of Credit Unions' (WOCCU) work with the Rwandan Credit Unions League from 2000 to 2005 to expand services and access to small scale savers in rural areas, with intensive technical assistance focused on 17 pilot credit unions to strengthen their performance and increase their outreach.

The project conducted baseline in 2002 and follow up member surveys in 2004 at seven pilot credit unions to compare and contrast data on the economic situation of credit union members over time to assess the impact of WOCCU's intervention. Results indicate that members:

• Are more satisfied with the credit union now than in the past;
• Have smaller households, with an increase in the number of members whose primary occupation is farming;
• Have doubled their incomes and have a more diversified income stream;
• Have more household goods, though the value of goods have declined;
• Have more trust in the financial system;
• Are mostly risk intolerant.

The impact assessment demonstrates that credit union member households have improved their economic and financial standing from 2002 to 2004.