Bank of Kigali (BK) Plc, on Tuesday, July 12, hosted a group of young Rwandans living in diaspora and engaged them on some of its products that they can take advantage of to advance themselves.

The youths are currently in Rwanda for a tour aimed at learning more about the history and current state of the country and what role they can play in its continued development.

They come from various countries, especially from Europe and North America.

Their meeting with BK officials was aimed at among other things, introducing to them some of the services that the bank can offer for example internet banking, mortgage services, and so on.

Nathalie Dusine, Senior Relationship Officer Diaspora Banking at Bank of Kigali, speaks to the youths.

"We wanted them to know that we not only bank for older people, but we bank for the younger ones as well because they are the future of Rwanda,” said Nicole Kamanzi, the Regional Manager of Kigali-based branches of BK, during an interview with media.

"Today, we talked to them about the products that we can offer, especially an account which is the entrance. We also wanted to assure them that you can access your BK account wherever you are because we have internet banking and a website via which we trade,” she added.

She also highlighted at the importance of investing in mortgage for the Rwandans in diaspora, since they may need a house in the country for vacation, for example.

She noted that she hopes the youngsters will be good ambassadors for the bank as it aims to extend its footprint outside of Rwanda.

In an interview with the media, the diaspora-based Rwandans spoke about the importance of accessing banking services in Rwanda.

Sonia Mushikiwabo, a Belgium-based Rwandan, for example, said she needs such services so that she can easily withdraw money for personal use when she comes to visit in Rwanda.

"In Europe we always pay using cards, and so, when you come here and you don’t have a local bank, it is hard to withdraw money,” she said.

The youths are currently in Rwanda for a tour to learn more about the history and current state of the country and what role they can play in its continued development.

Her counterpart Stephen Rutaisire, 21, from The Netherlands said local banking services can be important for him in his dreams of investing in the country.

"I am the second generation, my parents were born here and I am the only one who was born in the Netherlands. And now I am working. I hope I can earn a lot of money and invest maybe in a house or hospital here, and I might need a bank for that,” he said.

For Belgium-based Julian Hedder, a bank account in Rwanda can save him extra costs when withdrawing money while in the country.

"I don’t like paying extra costs when withdrawing money from the machines. If I get a bank account here then I don’t have to pay the same costs,” he said.

Regional Branch Business Manager at BK, Nicole Kamanzi addresses  young Rwandans living in diaspora who are in Rwanda for a tour on July 12. All Photos by Craish Bahizi

Bank of Kigali  hosted a group of young Rwandans living in diaspora , on Tuesday, July 12. All Photos by Craish Bahizi.