{"id":107011,"date":"2025-08-07T16:37:37","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T16:37:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/im-bank-takes-ryosha-iwawe-to-gikondo-expo"},"modified":"2025-08-07T16:43:52","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T16:43:52","slug":"im-bank-takes-ryosha-iwawe-to-gikondo-expo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/economy\/im-bank-takes-ryosha-iwawe-to-gikondo-expo","title":{"rendered":"I&M Bank Takes Ryosha Iwawe to Gikondo Expo"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>I&M Bank Rwanda Plc has taken its customised services, particularly \u2018Ryosha Iwawe\u2019 through \u2018Karame\u2019, to over 25,000 visitors attending the ongoing Rwanda International Trade Fair at the Gikondo Expo Grounds. The Bank\u2019s stand, in its usual blue and white colours, is located on the left side of the main entrance and is staffed by over 15 service providers ready to assist any visitors.<\/p>\n

The stand provides full branch-like services, including ATM access, ATM card issuance, account opening, loan analysis, and more.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve moved I&M Bank to the expo. The whole Bank is here. We\u2019re walking our word \u2018Karame\u2019. We\u2019ve responded to all our esteemed customers who will pass by here at our stand asking for any services,\u201d noted Yves Kayihura, Head of Retail Banking at the I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have over 15 bank service providers who are moving around the expo to interact with customers, explain to them about the products, and show them the value of being the Bank\u2019s customer,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cKarame isn\u2019t just about selling our products. It\u2019s about thinking ahead on behalf of our customers, especially understanding their needs and connecting them with the right partners to ensure they feel valued as I&M Bank customers,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

The 28th edition of the nation\u2019s premier annual business exhibition, organised by the Private Sector Federation (PSF) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, has attracted participants from over 19 countries, up from 17 last year. New participating countries include Cameroon and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s expo features 475 exhibitors, compared to 466 in the previous edition, with 378 of them being local exhibitors. The expo, which kicked off on July 29, was officially opened on August 5 and will run through August 17, according to Jeanne Franc\u0327oise Mubiligi, Chairperson of PSF.<\/p>\n

Kayihura said their participation in the expo aims to make it easier for customers to access various services and get assistance on the spot. These services include \u2018Agiserera na I&M Bank\u2019, designed for transporters or those involved in activities requiring vehicles and machinery, \u2018Ryoshya Iwawe\u2019 for home appliances and furniture, mortgage loans of up to 30 years at affordable rates, \u2018Kataza\u2019 for the hospitality industry, and more.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe just need their presence at our stand. Everything else is taken care of,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

Murli Menon, CEO of Hotpoint Appliances Rwanda Ltd, which is partnering with I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc, to run the \u2018Ryoshya Iwawe\u2019 interest-free loan programme in 6 months, said they are ready to help people improve and modernise their homes with essential household items, including electronics and kitchenware, provided over six months with 0% interest.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve always seen on the market that there are people who want to own electronics such as televisions, kitchen and home appliances, built-in appliances, and audio systems, but they have challenges as far as financing is concerned. That\u2019s how we came in and we thank I&M Bank for subscribing to the initiative,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Hotpoint, a pioneer in retail-finance integration, has brought in a wide range of home appliances, including fridges, air conditioning systems, and more, with warranties of up to six months. Some of the products are classified as premium, and the catalog is there to give access to the buyers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re providing customers with both quality products and quality service, including reliable warranty coverage,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Murli Menon, CEO of Hotpoint Appliances Rwanda Ltd, which is partnering with I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc,<\/p>\n

Clement Umuganwa, the Marketing Manager at Smart Home formerly know as Danube, is also partnering with I&M Bank for the \u2018Ryoshya Iwawe\u2019 campaign. The initiative targets customers who face challenges in making large one-time payments for products. Through this partnership, they are now able to pay in instalments.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor as long as we have an agreement, your product is delivered immediately, and you can pay in instalments afterward. Payments can be made over a period of up to six months, with 0% interest and no collateral required,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Umuganwa added that Smart Home imports world-class standard furniture, including sofas, beds, garden chairs, carpets, dining sets, and a variety of utensils.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re currently providing a 25% discount on all products throughout the expo. We\u2019re also available at our showroom at KABC in Kimihurura, and we provide delivery services both within Kigali and to nearby areas outside the city,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Mubiligi commended the presence of financial institutions at the expo, particularly their contribution to expanding access to finance for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and providing a variety of financial solutions to meet their unique needs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are raising awareness about access to finance for SMEs, encouraging them to adopt digital transactions and providing banking services on the spot. Our partnership with these institutions has helped our members adapt to this shift. We thank them for the conducive environment they\u2019ve created, and feedback indicates that accessing finance is now much easier compared to the past,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Some of the equipments that bank customers can buy through Ryoshya Iwawe<\/p>\n

The stand provides full branch-like services, including ATM access, ATM card issuance, account opening, loan analysis, and more<\/p>\n

Yves Kayihura, Head of Retail Banking at the I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc speaks to clients at Expo<\/p>\n\r\n