Bank of Kigali (BK) unveiled the winners of its 'Diaspora Challenge,' an initiative aimed at fostering stronger connections with Rwandans living abroad. The campaign finale, announced on Friday, February 16, awarded five lucky Rwandan customers residing overseas with a two-way ticket to return home and experience the beauty of their homeland.
The promotional drive targeting the diaspora community was part of BK's efforts to introduce convenient and innovative banking solutions. It was launched in conjunction with the Rwanda Youth Convention held in Ottawa, Canada, back in November 2023.
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To participate, new and existing BK customers were invited to deposit a minimum of Rwf 2 million, or its equivalent, in foreign currency into their BK accounts. The selection process concluded on January 31, and five participants emerged victorious, each receiving economy-class return tickets valid for a year.
The winners; Fichere Niyorugira, Emmanuel Rugomboka Rwaka, Theophile Biziyaremye, Joana Ntarindwa Munyana, and Zubeda Kalume, were chosen through a raffle draw from a pool of 617 eligible customers.
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During the press briefing, BK&039;s Chief Digital and Retail Officer, Desire Rumanyika, expressed enthusiasm about the campaign's success.
"We collected nearly Rwf10 billion, and it will significantly contribute to the country’s development. The bank channels these funds into productive investments, including loans and infrastructure projects, as part of our commitment to advancing the country's growth. We recognize the role of citizens and the diaspora community in driving this progress.”
"When you open an account with BK, you gain access to a wide range of services, from savings accounts with interest to seamless fund transfers through our banking App. Creating an account is now more convenient than ever, just five minutes from the comfort of your home unlocks numerous benefits. Diaspora members can now send money directly to their loved ones through the App, simplifying transactions. Our priority is to offer affordable banking solutions without compromising on the user experience. With low charges and a host of free services, especially for tech-savvy users, we aim to enhance accessibility and convenience,” Rumanyika said.
According to him, embracing technology allows customers to avoid long queues at branches, making banking services more accessible and cost-effective with increased usage.
Currently serving over 4,000 diaspora clients, BK continues to prioritize initiatives that bridge the gap between Rwandans living abroad and their home country. BK has been recognized as the best bank in Rwanda for three consecutive years, by Global Finance, a reputable international magazine boasting 35 years of financial reporting expertise.
The banking institution is a subsidiary of BK Group which has four other subsidiaries — BK Insurance, BK TecHouse, BK Foundation and BK Capital.