Since 2013, IFC has supported the creation and growth of AB Bank Rwanda Limited through an equity investment and a local currency loan. The bank was established by IFC, AccessHolding, Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), and the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO). Sponsored by AccessHolding, an IFC partner in microfinance, AB Bank Rwanda is a regulated microfinance bank focused on expanding access to finance for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and low-income individuals. The bank began operations in 2014 and provides a range of financial services, including credit, savings, and remittances, primarily to urban and semi-urban entrepreneurs in Rwanda.

In September 2025, CAO received a complaint from an individual who is a client of AB Bank Rwanda. The complaint raised concerns related to predatory and harmful loan structures, unclear fees, and intimidation and harassment by bank staff.

In December 2025, CAO found the complaint eligible and conducted its assessment. As the parties did not agree to resolve the issues raised in the complaint through a CAO-facilitated dialogue process, the case is now being transferred to CAO’s Compliance function for appraisal of IFC’s environmental and social performance related to the project. The Assessment Report is avialable in English and Kinyarwanda. 

On July 06, 2026, the IFC Board of Executive Directors has directed CAO to suspend processing of the ongoing CAO cases relating to Financial Consumer Protection in microfinance. This case is currently suspended pending discussion on policy issues at the time of the IFC Sustainability Framework update.