Bank of Kigali (BK), through BK Capital, on Friday June 21, awarded five university students, who participated in the 2024 Capital Market University Challenge at the national level.

The Capital Market University Challenge is an annual initiative aimed at educating university students about the capital market industry.

The event promotes a culture of saving and investment through practical engagement and learning experiences.

The challenge introduces university students to the capital market, fostering financial literacy and encouraging investment habits among the youth.

The event features various activities, including educational sessions and an awarding ceremony for outstanding participants.

The Capital Market University Challenge is a competition aimed at exposing university and higher learning institution (HLI) students to the capital market industry while instilling in them the culture of saving and investment through the capital market, and nurturing them as future investors and professionals of the capital market industry.

The 2024 Capital Market University Challenge winners are Jean Pierre Nshimiyimana, Esther Ashimwe, Vainqueur Irasubiza, Alphonse Majyambere, and Joel Rwambibi.

They were awarded Rwf500,000, Rwf450,000, Rwf400,000, Rwf350,000, and Rwf300,000 respectively in the form of shares and bonds listed on the Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE) as a way to instil in students a culture of saving and investing through the capital market RSE.

Each of the winners also received an addition Rwf500,000 from Bank of Kigali.

"We were delighted to participate in the Capital Market University Challenge.We proudly sponsored the top five students with shares worth Rwf 500,000 each, promoting a culture of saving and investment. This aligns perfectly with our 'Nanjye Ni BK&039; campaign, which is dedicated to making banking services accessible to everyone. Congratulations to the winners on their well-deserved success,” stated Siongo Kisoso, Managing Director of BK Capital.

He said the sponsorship aligns perfectly with its new campaign dubbed ‘Nanjye ni BK’ (I am BK) with the aim to achieve financial inclusion and go beyond inclusion in the banking sector.

Bk Capital is the investment banking arm of BK Group offering securities brokerage, investment management and corporate finance advisory services.

"The campaign is dedicated to making banking services accessible to everyone. We are one of the listed companies on the Rwanda Stock Exchange and a leading financial Services group here in Rwanda.

"We are also a proud sponsor of the event, together with Bank of Kigali and Rwanda Stock Exchange. BK Capital was established in 2018 to enhance the financial well-being of Rwandans by providing various investing alternative financing options,” he said.

He said the highest returning investment is an investment in knowledge.

"As one of the best investors out there, I think some of the key things, you know, you can take away is investing in yourself really. We should really think of the capital market as a pathway to building long-term wealth, happy retirement, lifetime income and prosperity.”

Thapelo Tsheole, Chief Executive Officer of Capital Market Authority, encouraged Capital Market University Challenge winners to further invest in the capital market and inspire their peers, family, and friends to participate in future editions of the challenge.

"I urge Rwanda’s capital market industry to continue investing in educational initiatives like this, targeting students, young professionals, the private sector, including all potential and existing investors.

"We thank all of our partners here present, particularly the Bank of Kigali, BK Capital and the Rwanda Stock Exchange, for their dedication to organising yet another successful edition of the Capital Market University Challenge,” he said.

"Our young generation, being our most valuable asset, holds the key to achieving this goal. Therefore, I urge Rwanda’s capital market industry to continue investing in educational initiatives like this, targeting students, young professionals, the private sector, including all potential and existing investors,” he added.

"This award is a motivation to students like me who are still in university so that we start thinking of investment and job creation through saving. I look to create a project related to ICT starting with the cash prize I have received,” said Jean Pierre Nshimiyimana, the overall winner who is student at University of Kigali.

Esther Ashimwe, a student from University of Rwanda who scooped second place, encouraged girls to participate in The Capital Market University Challenge in the next edition.

"The contest raises confidence of girls, and as more women participate in this annual contest, the investment into the capital market will also increase,” she said.

Pierre Celestin Rwabukumba, the CEO of the Rwanda Stock Exchange, highlighted the benefits of investing in the stock market.

He stated that such investments serve as a form of saving, yielding annual returns.

"The value of shares increases, providing additional profits,” he noted.