NCBA Bank Rwanda staff joined hands with students of Discovery International School to plant seeds of a greener future on World Environment Day. This initiative aligns with NCBA's ambitious "Change the Story" agenda, reflecting the bank’s commitment to environmental sustainability and empowering communities.

NCBA's "Change the Story" agenda is a comprehensive plan that intertwines several initiatives to achieve environmental and social balance. A key part of this plan is NCBA's commitment to planting 10 million trees by 2030.

"Change the story" recognizes the crucial role trees play in fighting climate change, desertification, and drought, which are relevant to this year's World Environment Day theme of "land restoration, desertification and drought resilience."

In line with the Change the Story agenda, NCBA Group has pledged to mobilize and direct 30 billion Kenyan Shillings (228.5 million US Dollars) towards green and sustainable financing solutions across the group. The initiative fosters the development of eco-friendly projects and businesses, propelling the region towards a more sustainable future.

The "Change the Story" encompasses a range of financial and social commitments designed to create a more sustainable future including green financing for solar energy plants, sustainable farms, or electric vehicle infrastructure. Thus far NCBA Rwanda has already installed two Electric Vehicle Stations at two of it’s branches and intends to extend this network to all ten branches planned for Rwanda this year.

By supporting these initiatives, NCBA aims to accelerate Rwanda's transition towards a greener economy. The agenda also includes initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the bank itself, while also extending support to local communities through providing financial literacy training, mentorship programs for young entrepreneurs, or supporting local environmental conservation efforts.

The collaboration with Discovery International School is part of this wider initiative where regional NCBA Banks in Kenya and Uganda have also partnered with schools to promote tree planting, an initiative that will scale throughout the year.

"By focusing on children and fostering this spirit of collaboration, we are trying to nurture a sense of environmental stewardship among the younger generation, Diane Mukunde, the bank’s Head of Corporate who attended the event said.

"This initiative has brought environmental lessons to life," Celestine Ochieng Awuor a teacher at the school commented, highlighting the transformative power of environmental education. "Our students were able to put their knowledge into action, because many had not had this experience of planting trees."

"This effort is one among many that exemplify our unwavering dedication to building a more resilient future for Rwanda. As part of this World Environment Day celebration we have also provided scholastic materials to needy children currently supported by the school.” Lina Higiro, the bank’s CEO commented.

"Our Change the Story commitments are not just about a greener and better planet, they are really about a healthier, more mindful and more prosperous nation and continent,” she concluded.