On Saturday, August 30, 2025, the Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA), in partnership with stakeholders including GIZ Rwanda, RISA, mobile Network Operators, SACCOs and local government entities, officially launched the campaign dubbed “My Phone, My Money.” The campaign aims to help Vision Umurenge Program (VUP) recipients receive their support through mobile phone-based digital payments (VUP Digital Payment).

The campaign started on August 19, beginning in Burera, Nyamagabe, and Rusizi districts. As part of this campaign, VUP recipients are required to link their Umurenge SACCO account numbers with SIM cards registered under their names and national IDs. Each time a transaction is made on their account, they will instantly receive a notification.

This means that when their monthly support payments are transferred, beneficiaries will receive an SMS notification that funds have been deposited into their accounts, and they will be able to access and use the money via their phones through nearby MTN or Airtel agents.

This system will save them from making long trips to SACCOs and reduce the time they used to spend queuing, allowing them to dedicate more time to other productive activities.

During the official launch event held in Mutete Sector, Gicumbi District, the Director General of LODA, Mrs. Nyinawagaga Claudine, stated that this is a significant milestone in supporting VUP recipients in their journey out of poverty.

She said: “Today we have taken an extraordinary step. It means that you no longer need to travel to a SACCO. A VUP recipient, whether a mother receiving direct support, a caregiver, a person working in public works, or a Para-Social Worker, all of them, if they have a phone, can dial *541# and access their VUP support directly”.

“If before you spent an hour going to the SACCO and another coming back, you now save two hours. Sometimes you would withdraw all the money at once to avoid going back soon, and that led to misuse since it wasn’t planned. Now, the money will always be on your phone. You withdraw only what you need, and the rest stays safely until you require it” She added.

The Director General further reminded VUP recipients that although the method of accessing their support has been made easier, they must use the money responsibly in ways that help them graduate from poverty.

She stressed: “This money is not for wasting on drinking local beer. Let us avoid being careless spenders like the characters Mukobwajana, and Pascal from the Urunana drama. The support provided by the Government must be used wisely to help beneficiaries escape poverty. Those who misuse it should even face punishments”.

She continued: “The Government cannot keep giving endlessly. It has given you capacity, advisors, and leaders at all levels to support you, yet you continue to waste opportunities! It cannot continue like that! A good child makes use of what is given; we want you to be that good child”.

The Governor of the Northern Province, Mr. Mugabowagahunde Maurice, who was the guest of honor at the event, commended LODA and its partners, noting that collaboration was key to the success of this initiative. He also reminded beneficiaries to use the support they receive wisely.

He said: “We appreciate the role of LODA in development and in helping citizens out of poverty. But as we have been reminded, the responsibility is also ours. Someone helps you, and you help yourself to escape poverty, and then you should help others too. Remember that support will not last forever”.

This new digital system was also well received by VUP recipients, who said it would greatly ease access to their support without the previous burdens. Musengimana Clementine, one of the recipients, explained that the system would save her both time and resources.

“With SACCOs, I had to set aside specific time to withdraw money, and sometimes I would find long queues and be forced to return another day, which wasted even more time. Now I can just go to a nearby MTN agent, withdraw the amount I need instantly, and continue with my daily activities. I am also grateful that LODA has ensured even vulnerable citizens are not excluded from digital innovations”.

Promoting a technology-driven economy is among Rwanda’s key national priorities, aligned with NST2 objectives to fast-track development and poverty eradication.

So far, all Umurenge SACCOs in the country have been digitized. In 10 districts, Umurenge SACCOs have already been consolidated into District SACCOs.

In those 10 districts, mobile banking services are already operational. What remains is the signing of agreements between district-level SACCOs and telecom companies, which will activate the push-and-pull service, allowing beneficiaries to transfer funds directly from their bank account to their phone, or from their phone back to their account.