Africa-Press – Rwanda. Kigali, Rwanda – May 23, 2025 — Bank of Kigali has kicked off 2025 on a strong note, reporting a 12.2% year-on-year increase in profit after tax for the first quarter. This performance reflects the Bank’s strategic focus on key growth sectors and its continued commitment to driving positive impact across communities in Rwanda.
At the core of this performance is a solid deposit base. Corporate deposits rose to RWF 775.7 billion, while Agriculture and Institutional Banking grew to RWF 239.7 billion. Deposits from retail and SME clients also showed healthy growth, reaching RWF 443 billion and RWF 233 billion respectively. BK’s total loan book climbed to RWF 1,622 billion, including over RWF 100 billion in new disbursements in Q1 alone, underscoring the Bank’s role as a key enabler of Rwanda’s development goals.
Strategic Sector Financing
• SMEs: Lending to small and medium enterprises increased to RWF 219 billion, up 6% from the end of 2024, supporting cash flow, business growth, and import activities.
• Agribusiness: RWF 60 billion was channeled into agriculture, strengthening farmer cooperatives, food systems, and rural industrialization.
• Retail: The retail loan book rose to RWF 298 billion, up 8% year-on-year, facilitating homeownership, education financing, and salary advances.
• Corporate and Institutional Banking: Lending reached RWF 1,043 billion, financing growth in health, education, tourism, infrastructure, and more. A new Institutional Banking unit was also introduced to serve NGOs and faith-based organizations.
BK continued its momentum in digital transformation in Q1 2025— where it launched BK Quick+, the first of its kind digital loan, which disburses loans of up to RWF 50 million in under 15 hours, without collateral. Available on BK Mobile App and Internet Banking, this product makes financial access faster and more inclusive than ever before.
BK also remains committed to social impact, investing 1% of its profit before tax in transformative community programs through the BK Foundation. In Q1 2025:
• 517 scholarships have been awarded to date, with 43 students graduating and new students joining.
• 200 TVET students are gaining practical experience through internships.
• 1,500 students are targeted for financial literacy training, with 300 already participating.
• 147 MSMEs were selected from 423 applicants for the 8th edition of the Urumuri entrepreneurship program.
These initiatives are designed to build resilience at the grassroots level and unlock economic potential across the country.
Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana, CEO of BK Group Plc, remarked:
“We are pleased with the momentum carried into the first quarter of 2025 across all our subsidiaries. This reflects our continued focus on growing core revenues, strengthening asset quality, and delivering sustainable returns. Despite macroeconomic challenges, our disciplined execution and innovation have enabled us to remain resilient and forward-looking.”
Dr. Diane Karusisi, CEO of Bank of Kigali, added:
“Our start to 2025 reflects Bank of Kigali’s continued commitment to powering Rwanda’s growth through targeted lending in key sectors like agriculture, SMEs, retail, and infrastructure. Beyond financial performance, we are investing in communities. Our efforts are rooted in the belief that meaningful progress begins with uplifting those at the core of our economy.”
In Q1, Bank of Kigali notably launched the Bigereho na BK reflecting the Bank’s goal to meet diverse client needs with flexible, inclusive products:
• BK Quick+: Up to RWF 50 million for salaried workers, disbursed within 15 hours, collateral-free on BK APP, Internet Banking.
• Kataza na BK: Up to RWF 15 million collateral free, for women-led businesses.
• Tuza na BK: Three-month school fee loans of up to RWF 500,000.
• 100% Mortgage Financing: Helping more Rwandans achieve homeownership.
With these offerings, the Bank reinforces its mission to use finance as a force to support aspirations, and shape lasting progress.
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