I&M Bank Rwanda hosted a Human Resource (HR) masterclass at the Kigali Marriott Hotel. The seminar aimed to help the HR teams of their customers and partners develop strategies for managing their organisations and adapting to the fast-changing workforce environment.

The event, led by industry experts, also focused on equipping HR professionals with tools to tackle technological advancements, evolving workforce demographics, and new leadership strategies.

In his opening remarks, Benjamin Mutimura, CEO of I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc, noted the ongoing shifts in the labour market, driven by rapid technological developments and the influx of new generations into the workforce.

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He said, "By 2025, over 50 per cent of the skills we rely on today will be obsolete. With new technologies emerging, we will soon encounter jobs that don’t even exist yet. The challenge is, how do we prepare for what we cannot yet define?”

Addressing the broader changes in the workforce, Mutimura said that things are transitioning from an industrial to a knowledge-based and now digital workforce.

He posed the question, "How do we navigate these three trends? It’s one of the most pressing challenges of our time.”

In response to these shifts, I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc, is also adjusting its focus, with sustainability now playing a key role alongside profitability.

"As a financial institution, profit is no longer our sole objective. Sustainability has become our second and most significant goal. We are now focused on how we can contribute to the community and support the HR professionals who collaborate with us,” he said.

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Mutimura further stressed the importance of building long-term relationships with clients, saying, "This is just the first step in what we hope will be an ongoing dialogue. We are committed to forming lasting partnerships to help us all navigate this rapidly changing environment.”

Dr. Lanre Olusola (The Catalyst), a leading corporate strategist, and HR coach in Africa, shared insights on how organisations should adapt to today’s unpredictable and complex work environment.

He said that Africa has long faced Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity (VUCA), and emphasised the need for HR professionals to use workforce data to identify skill gaps and promote continuous learning.

He urged companies to focus on skills rather than degrees when recruiting.

The Catalyst introduced the concept of the "neuroscience of leadership”, explaining that leaders’ behaviours deeply influence workplace culture. He stated, "Culture transformation cannot be achieved by altering structures or hiring new personnel. It requires a deep understanding of human behaviour.”

With remote work and flexible schedules becoming more prevalent, Dr. Olusola stressed that HR policies should focus on deliverables rather than physical presence.

He encouraged HR leaders to adopt coaching as a key leadership tool, noting, "By empowering employees to solve their own problems rather than providing immediate solutions, HR can foster a culture of strategic thinking and autonomy.”

He also warned that negative leadership traits could lead to toxic work environments and emphasised the need for HR to serve as the "brain and heart” of the organisation.

He also discussed the importance of organisational agility, stating, "Any organisation that does not communicate clarity, set clear objectives, or become agile is in trouble.” He urged companies to remain flexible and adaptable in response to rapid changes in the marketplace.

Additionally, during the event, I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc, presented various financial products to assist customers in managing their finances. These include the Smart Saver account, which offers up to six per cent interest with free withdrawals twice a month, and the Monthly Smart Saver for disciplined saving.

The bank also provides Young Savers accounts to encourage saving habits in children. Their digital services, such as mobile, online, and WhatsApp banking, facilitate easy transactions, including international transfers.

Furthermore, the bank offers Visa and MasterCard options, with the World Elite MasterCard providing travel-related perks. Loan products include personal loans of up to Rwf50 million without security with a 24 hour response time, Cash Plus salary advances, vehicle loans, and mortgages for home purchases or construction.

Their Home Equity product allows customers to borrow up to 70 per cent of their home’s value, and a partnership with Hotpoint enables customers to finance appliances with zero interest for six months.