Role of Mining Co-operatives in Rwanda: A Case of Federation of Mining Cooperatives of Rwanda

Abstract

The Government of Rwanda supports Co-operative sector. The main concern is to address the growth of country's economy and to increase the income of Rwandans. Among these Rwandans are grouped in cooperatives that operate in mining sector. Therefore, this research intended to assess the role of mining co-operatives and its effects on the memberships' livelihood. The data used in this study were collected from target population using data collection instruments and documentary information. The data was analyzed from the contents of interviews and questionnaires. After data analysis the data was organized and classified according to the research objectives and later presented using tables.The evidences from findings shown that; co-operative members were enabled to satisfy to some basic needs. The basic needs satisfied by the income from mining co-operative include education, health needs, and improvement of quality of food. The members were also able to allocate the income from co-operative in acquiring lands, in livestock especially domestic's animals and purchasing home equipment. However, some co-operative members shown that income from cooperative still low and the mining activities do not lift up them from poverty. Thus, strategies to accelerate the members' development were suggested such as provision education and trainings programmes that cover aspects of entrepreneurship, marketing, project initiation and management as well as business plan; which will indirectly contribute to increasing the members' incomes.