Africa-Press – Rwanda. Bank of Kigali Plc has reiterated its commitment to supporting clients across key sectors, including agriculture and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), during a two-day customer engagement tour in the Southern Province.
BK CEO, Diane Karusisi, who led the tour, said the outreach is part of the bank’s ongoing efforts to better understand clients’ needs and strengthen partnerships.
“Our mission is to drive development alongside our clients. This is why we regularly meet them, listen to their concerns, and discuss ways to improve our services,” Karusisi said.
Diane Karusisi, Bank of Kigali CEO, speaks during a customer engagement event in Muhanga District on November 26. Courtesy
Karusisi made the remarks during the two-day customer visit in the Southern Province. On November 26, she met clients in Muhanga District, and on November 27, the visit continued in Huye and Nyaruguru districts.
The team toured the Muhanga Industrial Zone with selected customers, including partners from the Muhanga Branch, Mountain Ceramics Company Ltd, Basil Industries Ltd, and others that work closely with BK in their daily operations.
She engaged with customers who access the Buhanda, Kinazi, Ruhango, and Muhanga branches, bringing them together to discuss the bank’s products, share their concerns, provide feedback, and propose ways to strengthen their partnership as the year comes to an end.
The CEO also visited the Huye and Nyaruguru branches, along with several partners in those areas to mention schools, hospitality, farmers, Browns plantations, a tea plantation and factory located in Kibeho sector, Nyaruguru District. The factory is fully operational, one of BK’s clients, contributing to increased global exports of Rwandan black tea.
In Huye District, the bank also met with its customers, including those from neighboring districts such as Nyaruguru, Nyamagabe, and Gisagara. The discussions focused on adjustments that can reinforce win-win partnerships, strengthen the bank’s commitment to “walking the talk” as the country’s veteran bank, and ensure that everyone feels included in the “Nanjye ni BK” slogan.
“No one can succeed in business without using money wisely. That’s why we even started teaching young people from secondary school how to earn money, save, and invest through the BK Foundation. We don’t want to leave anyone behind,” she said.
“The bank has been operating for 60 years, which means we have seen a lot and grown through many stages,” she added. “We have BK Capital, where everyone is welcome to invest. We share profits afterwards. If you need any financial advice, we have many experts who can help you venture into your business and strengthen it. As Bank of Kigali, we are ready to welcome you all.”
Clients say that since the bank began operating there, it has always been close to them whenever they needed support, helping them progress from one level to another. This experience is shared across its 67 branches nationwide, where more than one million customers access its services.
Basil Industries Ltd, owned by Irene Basil, a Rwandan entrepreneur based in the United States, whose factory produces hygiene products and packaging cartons and was completed in 2023 with a value of over $30 million, said that BK supported him right after construction was finished by providing the running capital that enabled him to release the factory’s first products.
The factory has over 100 permanent employees and more than 80 temporary workers. It can produce up to 200,000 pads in an 8-hour shift and up to 500,000 pads in a 24-hour shift, with ten pads packaged together.
“BK’s contribution is essential to our operations because when someone gives you money, they are giving you strength, they are giving you economic power. Usually, you seek financing because you have encountered a challenge. If BK had not supported us, some things would have moved slowly or might not have happened at all. We thank them for giving us the funds at the moment we needed them,” he said.
Diane Karusisi visits New Light Complex Academy in Huye District, a primary school owned by a Bank of Kigali client. Courtesy
Elias Uzabakiriho is a farmer and livestock breeder from Nyamagabe District, as well as a professional seed multiplier for beans, wheat, potatoes, and maize. He has been in the business for more than 18 years. He says that before he started working with BK in 2007, when he received a loan of Rwf23 million, his farming activities were not at the level they are today.
Through the loans he has received, including one that enabled him to buy a Fuso truck and another for a Howo truck worth Rwf85 million, he was able to grow his business. Today, he qualifies for loans of up to Rwf200 million and earns over Rwf100 million per year across all seasons.
“I bring fertilisers from Musanze District. I transport 35 tons and deliver them to buyers. I have created jobs for more than 200 people. I am moving fast and aiming higher. I want to set up a water processing plant, install irrigation for my vegetables and other crops, and establish an animal feed factory,” he said.
“I don’t do all this alone. BK supports me. I encourage other farmers from different districts to work with BK because the bank is capable. I compare BK to a cow that never runs dry, and to a woman who stands strong in her home, because the bank has supported me as if it were supporting itself,” he added.
Jacqueline Kayitare, Mayor of Muhanga District said that BK is a key pillar in the development of Muhanga, one of Rwanda’s secondary cities, because it makes a contribution to both the district’s and the country’s development agenda.
She noted that as traders are expected to move quickly in line with this vision and make the most of available opportunities, including the fact that 85% of the district’s land contains mining potential, BK’s support is extremely valuable.
“The country’s economy is projected to grow by 9.3% per year. Keeping up with that pace requires all partners to play their part. We appreciate BK for listening to its customers and introducing technology that reduces unnecessary movements and saves time, ensuring efficient service delivery, something that makes us all proud of how far we have come.”
Alex Bizimana, Head of Agribusiness at Bank of Kigali, speaks at the event, noting that the bank is ready to support farmers in a sector employing nearly 70% of the population and contributing significantly to Rwanda’s GDP and exports. Courtesy
Alex Bizimana, the Head of Agribusiness at Bank of Kigali, said that the bank is open to supporting farmers in an agriculture sector that employs nearly 70% of the population, contributes approximately 27% to Rwanda’s GDP, and accounts for over 34% of export revenues. He noted that the bank has set aside Rwf200 billion over five years, and so far Rwf102 billion has been invested in various areas, including training farmers and building win-win partnerships.
“It is impactful. For those we support, we conduct impact assessments through sampling, and they are making progress. About 44% of agricultural loans contribute to food security, while 52% support new job creation. We want everyone to be aware of this. So far, we have over 120,000 farmers, and more than 16,000 of them are using our loans across different agricultural activities. We welcome everyone to be part of the movement,” he said.
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