Bank of Kigali (BK) PLC has launched "the digital day” aimed at educating its clients on the convenience of using digital banking products, and recognising the branches of the bank that stood out in terms of assisting more clients to join digital banking.

Inaugurated on Thursday, July 28, the day is part of the bank’s efforts to bring more people onboard its various digital services.

"It's a day that we have put in place to raise more awareness about our digital products, educate our customers, get closer to them and tell them how digital is convenient and safe,” said Diane Karusisi, the Chief Executive Officer of the bank.

A customer and the bank's staff share a moment during the launch

 "We also want to use it to award our own digital champions - banks that are assisting more people to be dedicated to our digital channels,” she added.

She noted that the bank has many digital banking services to offer and the day will be used to make the clients know about them.

 "Our digital channels are only getting better. We are adding new services. You can pay your school fees, your water bills, etcetera, via our digital services,” she noted.

Currently, 70 percent of BK’s clients are using digital channels, but the bank has a target of bringing the number to 90 percent by the end of this year.

"That is why we have these days (digital days) to shout about our digital channels and tell the people that they are safe and can facilitate them to do banking without coming to the branch,” Karusisi said.

Diane Karusisi ,Bank of Kigali CEO speaks to the media on how "the digital day” aimed at educating its clients on the convenience of using digital banking products,

 "Please join our digital channels; they were designed for you, to make things easy for you. They are convenient, the experience is seamless and in case you have any problem you can always call us and talk to us and we will be ready to respond,” she added.

In an interview with media during the digital day launch event, Evariste Sengiyumva, a BK client from Nyarugenge district in Kigali, spoke about how convenient he has found Mobile Banking, a digital service that he is using to send money to loved ones.

"It is a service that assists me to transfer money with my phone without coming to queue at the branch. It has made sending money much easier for me,” he said.

On the day, Huye, Kabuga and Nyagatare branches of BK were awarded for standing out in bringing more clients to the bank’s digital services.

Jean De Dieu Habanintwari, BK’s Regional Branch Manager in the Northern, Southern and Western provinces, said the clients that are using the bank’s digital means have increased in his area since the bank employees have put in place efforts to showcase to them how convenient such services are.

Bank of Kigali staff pose for a group photo during the launch of Digital Day. Inaugurated on Thursday, July 28, the day is part of the bank’s efforts to bring more people onboard its various digital services. Craish Bahizi

He noted that digital means have also improved the services at the branches.

"In the past, we used to have long queues at the branches. But now after many services were made digital, many people can do their banking from home, meaning that there are less clients that need to come to the branch,” he said.

"We need all services to be made digital so that clients can get them wherever they are without a problem,” he added.

Bank of Kigali CEO Diane Karusisi with other staff in group photo as the Bank of Kigali launches "the digital day” aimed at educating its clients on the convenience of using digital banking products on July 28.Craish Bahizi