National Development Banks (NDBs) perform an important role as development actors. Compared to regional or international financial institutions, NDBs are deeply rooted in the national context, embedded in national policy frameworks, and connected to both public and private sector actors. They can therefore play an instrumental role in the domestic economy by supporting the growth of domestic firms, playing a counter-cyclical role in addressing economic shocks and crises and contributing to long-term economic transformation to sustain low-carbon and climate-resilient economies. However, in African countries where institutional weakness and governance challenges are endemic, the perception of these institutions as weak in governance and poor in performance means they may be overlooked by international partners, thereby inhibiting their potential developmental impact.
To assess the overall political influence, operational performance and the enabling environment of the national development banks of Ghana, Rwanda, Tunisia and Cote d’Ivoire, ACET and ODI conducted a series of case studies. This case study explores the governance structures and operations of the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD or the Bank) and shows how the political climate influences the Bank’s performance.
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