BK Group Plc investors are set for an early Christmas gift after the board approved an interim dividend payout of Rwf8.44 per share.

The dividend disbursement will be made just five days to Christmas, as per a statement released by the BK Group, and will be payable to investors on the shareholders’ register as at November 29.

"BK Group Plc is happy to announce its first interim dividends approved during a board meeting held on November 7th 2023. The interim dividend will be paid on or about December 20th 2023,” said the BK Group board in the statement.

BK Group is listed on the Rwanda Stock Exchange and cross-listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), meaning Kenyan and Rwandan shareholders as well as international investors holding the stock will earn the dividend.

The Rwf8 billion payment comes just months after BK Group paid out another Rwf30.5 billion (Rwf32.5 per share) for the full year ended December 31 2022.

"In these economic times our commitment is to deliver value to our shareholders, and all our other stakeholders,” said the BK Group CEO Béata U. Habyarimana.

In the half year to June 2023 the Group reported 30.3 percent growth in net profit to Rwf40 billion.

The Group’s businesses, including the banking, insurance and investment units all reported strong growth in the period.

Bank of Kigali CEO, Dr Diane Karusisi, said the bank’s growth strategy is anchored solely on customer satisfaction and convenient service delivery.

"Our unwavering commitment to empower our clients is what has underpinned our growth over the years, we will continue to innovate and keep our customers on the front line all the time,” said Dr Karusisi.