Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) is the best service provider for 2014. The insurance and pensions body also scooped the best insurance services provider accolade during the awards organised by The ServiceMag, a quarterly publication that carries out the annual customer satisfaction survey.

RwandAir took the best airline prize, Bank of Kigali was the best bank and Kigali Central Teaching Hospital (CHUK) scooped the best health care services provider award at the event held at the Kigali Serena Hotel on Thursday.

Serena Hotels won the hotels category, Fantastic Restaurant was the best restaurant, Tigo Rwanda scooped the best Internet and telephone services provider award, while Rwanda Revenue Authority was the best government agency, and Radio Rwanda (now RBA Radio) taking the best media services honour.

The winners were voted for by customers and other respondents during a two-week survey conducted in January by the magazine, according to Sandra Idossou, the publisher of The ServiceMag.

She said people from around the country voted for their best and worst service providers throughout last year during the survey.

While presiding over the event, Minister for Trade and Industry, Francois Kanimba, commended the five-year old initiative by the magazine, noting that provision of excellent services is key for the growth of the service sector.

"When you welcome and serve customers with courtesy, respect or pay attention to them, this plays an important role in the success of your enterprise.”

"Beyond attracting customers; cordial and generous treatment of guests will provide valuable lessons on positive attitudes and Rwanda’s good values that will create harmony between service providers and customers,” Kanimba counseled.

While receiving the best service provider’s award, John Bosco Sebabi, the deputy director general of RSSB, said the firm would work even harder to ensure all their clients receive satisfactory services at any pensions and insurer’s offices countrywide.

Last year, RZ Manna, a local bread and pastry house, emerged the best service provider, while the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration won in 2012.