Osiemo A. Kengere – School of Business and Economics, Mount Kigali University

Email: aminauwase12@gmail.com

Abstract: Access to credit is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of socioeconomic development in Sub-Saharan Africa, yet limited evidence exists on how specific banking institutions translate credit provision into measurable welfare improvements at the customer level. This study assessed the effect of access to credit facilities on the socioeconomic well-being of customers of Banque Populaire du Rwanda (BPR) during the period 2023–2024. Using a descriptive research design with a mixed-methods approach, the study targeted a population of 429 individuals associated with BPR’s Kimironko branch. A stratified random sample of 207 respondents was drawn; 204 questionnaires were successfully returned, yielding a response rate of 98.6%. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, while secondary data were obtained from BPR annual reports and National Bank of Rwanda publications. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS Version 27, employing descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (multiple linear regression). The findings revealed that access to credit facilities positively and significantly influences the socioeconomic well-being of BPR customers (β = 0.368, p < 0.001), with an overall descriptive mean of 4.07 on a five-point Likert scale. Credit accessibility, flexible repayment terms, and SME-targeted loan products were rated most favorably, while interest rate affordability warranted improvement. The study recommends that BPR strengthen loan affordability mechanisms and expand credit follow-up services to maximize socioeconomic impact for its clientele.