The members of the senior management at the Bank of Kigali (BK) on Thursday, February 24 concluded a two-day customer outreach tour in the Northern and Western provinces.

Dr Diane Karusisi, BK's CEO, accompanied by other senior management staff visited customers in Rulindo, Gakenke Musanze and Burera districts in Northern Province. 

In the Western Province they visited Rubavu and Nyabihu districts.

Karusisi said the outreach tour was an opportunity for them to hear from their customers after two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, which affected most businesses.

"Due to Covid, it had been two years without visiting our customers and their activities, and as the pandemic subsides, we decided to go and hear from them. The most important thing is discussing with them to know what they plan to do, what they expect from us, so that we can improve our services," she said.

Karusisi added: "When we get feedback from our customers about what to improve, we take notes. As the number of our customers is growing, we want to use more technology to reach all of them at a low cost and without necessarily opening new branches.

She said outreach visits presented them with another opportunity to sensitize their customers about new products and services they have on offer.

Some customers said the visit by BK's senior staff was an opportunity for them to discuss issues brought about by the pandemic and possible solutions.

"We are thankful to BK for the services they provide, and, for us hotel owners who were severely affected by Covid-19, we also ask them to consider giving us loans to keep our businesses running," Bertin Hamudara, a hotelier in Rubavu District, said.

Florent Nsengiyumva, another customer, said: "We appreciate what BK did to support us the customers during the pandemic, especially business owners who had loans. They also listen to us when we tell them our wishes."

Dancille Nyirarugero, the Governor of Northern Province called upon business operators to utilize all the  opportunities, such as security and financial services available in Rwanda and contribute to the country's development.

"First, we are thankful for our country's leadership for the efforts they have put in maintaining security which enables banking services to operate. Therefore, we ask businessmen and women to go to these banks like BK, ask for loans and invest in different sectors."

Karusisi commended women who have joined banks and are now investors. She also said business owners should start investing in the agriculture sector as BK offers loans in that sector, which is considered key in the national economy.