Bank of Kigali (BK), Rwanda’s leading financial institution, is proud to announce that it has been honored with the prestigious award for High Impact in Agriculture Financing by ACELI Africa. This recognition comes as a testament to BK's unwavering commitment to fostering sustainable development, food security, and the empowerment of women and youth through innovative agriculture financing.

In 2022, Bank of Kigali embarked on a groundbreaking partnership with ACELI Africa, a renowned accelerator of agriculture and climate resilience businesses. This collaboration is aimed at bolstering the agricultural sector, as a vehicle for socio-economic transformation.

Through strategic investments and dedicated services, BK has been at the forefront of addressing the unique challenges faced by the agriculture sector, promoting climate-resilient practices, and driving innovation.

The award by ACELI Africa highlights BK's role as a catalyst for positive change in agriculture financing. It is a recognition of the bank’s efforts to go beyond traditional banking, to support the growth of the agriculture sector, and to ensure the prosperity of Rwandan communities.

"Receiving this award is a great honor and a reflection of our commitment to making a difference in the lives of Rwandans. It underscores our belief in the potential of agriculture to drive economic growth, ensure food security, and foster a resilient environment. We are inspired to continue this journey, leveraging our resources and networks to empower more businesses and contribute to the sustainable development of Rwanda," said Levi Gasangwa, Chief Business and Corporate Solutions at Bank of Kigali.

The partnership between BK and ACELI Africa, initiated in 2023, has so far, led to remarkable achievements in the agricultural finance landscape. Through this collaboration, BK supported 41 Agri-SMEs with loans totaling USD 6.4 million, effectively fostering agricultural entrepreneurship and innovation. This financial support was also instrumental in creating 246 full-time jobs (48% women) and 607 casual jobs (5% women), while indirectly benefiting 31,276 individuals and creating market linkages for 68,174 suppliers. These efforts underscored the broad and inclusive impact of the partnership on Rwanda’s agricultural value chain.

As Bank of Kigali moves forward, it remains dedicated to innovating and expanding its support for the agricultural sector, ensuring that it continues to be a source of growth and stability for Rwanda.

About Bank of Kigali Plc.

Bank of Kigali Plc, the largest commercial bank in Rwanda by total assets, holds a distinctive position in the banking sector. Renowned for its robust financial performance and strong asset quality, it maintains an exceptional domestic franchise value. It is the first Rwandan bank to receive a credit rating, with an AA-/A1 from the Global Credit Rating Co., reflecting its systemic importance and solid capital position.

The Bank’s long-term ratings were upgraded in 2022 to AA+ with a stable outlook, while its short-term rating has been consistently affirmed at A1+. Over the years, Bank of Kigali has consistently received prestigious accolades, including multiple back-to-back international and regional banking awards from esteemed bodies like Euromoney, The Banker, Global Finance Magazine, and EMEA Finance. Most recently, the bank was honored with the "Best Bank in Rwanda 2023” award by Global Finance for the third consecutive year, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to excellence in the banking sector.