Bank closures cause hiccups

It is not clear whether most Banks in Kigali had underestimated people’s spending capacity or was it just their managerial routine of closing on Christmas that turned into a mishap, whatever the case, Rwandans proved their spending muscle.

On Christmas Eve, people were practically scrambling in banks to withdraw money. This went on for the whole day up to eight o’clock but still, people struggled with bank security to enter and withdraw cash. This was the case in Cogebanque.

Considering the rate at which people withdrew money before Christmas and the amounts involved, it was easy to assume that it will take them through Christmas and some days after, but this was proved wrong when people stormed banks on Christmas only to find most of them closed apart from BCR which was open but also experiencing network problems.

Network failures

It is not clear whether it was due to the stiff congestion in connections that is normally evident during festive seasons or some other technical lapse, but what manifested on the Christmas Eve and Christmas was a Network hiccup.

All services provided through network servers’ ranging from mobile phone, cash power, and bank withdraws came to a standstill.

After many hours of people queuing at cash power transmission points around Kigali, technicians tried to fix the problems for hours with no success.

This culminated into a total blackout in some homes due to cash power transmission failures. However, due to the continuous efforts by Electrogaz to rectify the problem, things normalised on Boxing Day.

Transport good

Motorists and taxi operators were at their best on Christmas, shrewd as never before, they assembled their clean motorcycles and taxis and diligently transported their ‘customers’ to their destinations.

Special hire drivers were also on the alert as they whisked off party goers to their destinations, and ferried tipsy love birds to their homes without any hesitations like it is normally the case on public holidays.

Beverage dealers reap big

Traders dealing in beverages like soft drinks ranging from Sodas, juice, mineral water to alcohol, registered a lot of profits as revellers at various Christmas parties and celebrations consumed drinks in large quantities.

According to Jean Bosco Sekamana, a beverage trader in Remera, the first half of the festive season has so far been profitable.

"This festive season has so far started so well. We have registered considerable profits so far and interestingly all the beverage products seem to be consumed simultaneously. We pray it goes on like this,” he said.

Bars and Restaurants cash in

After lunch in their homes, it was noticed that most families and friends stormed the various Bars and Restaurants to enjoy a ‘loose time out’ as they watered down the food with drinks of different brands.

Movies rentals shot up

Movie libraries in and around Kigali were other businesses that benefited from the Christmas frenzy.

Samuel Rugenera, a movie library attendant in Kicukiro, revealed that the money he has got from this year’s Christmas has surprised him.

"In business there is always a boom at one moment. I think this is my moment because I didn’t expect customers to turn up in these numbers. But now they have taken almost all the movies I had in stock,” said the visibly excited Rugenera.

With the general look of things, one can sum this festive season as having been great for the business community.

Ends