Rwanda Forensic Laboratory has become the latest addition to Zigama Credit and Saving Society (CSS) family, joining Rwanda Defence Force, Rwanda National Police, Rwanda Correctional Service, as well as Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), which was admitted last year.

The membership was confirmed during the bank’s General Assembly held on Friday at Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) headquarters in Kimihurura.

The forensic lab was until last year operating under Rwanda National Police.

Police handed it over last year after completing construction of a complex worth Rwf7 billion that currently houses the institution.

Members of this independent institution, whose core business is to provide scientific evidence through DNA tests, will now start enjoying the benefits of the cooperative bank.

The bank continues to expand its services.

Last year Zigama CSS posted a net profit of Rwf9.6 billion. The bank had assets worth well above Rwf200 billion during the same period of the financial year.

During a previous bi-annual meeting in November 2018, Zigama CSS had announced that it would start issuing own visa cards this year, allowing thousands of its members to enjoy seamless digital payment services which adds to the already existing mobile application.

Dr James Ndahiro, the Chairman of Zigama Board of Directors, said that the bank projects increasing the use of technology to help members by saving transport that used to cost them while looking for services at different Zigama-CSS branches.

"We’re trying to get the bank services closer to members of Zigama CSS as they can use their cell phones and other means of technology. The aim is to reduce the cost of transport to access services at the bank. The upcoming products will mainly focus on digital technology,” Ndahiro told reporters after the meeting.

Zigama currently has more than 90,000 members and operates 19 branches across the country.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com