Equity Bank Rwanda Plc is actively engaging agribusiness actors to address the challenges faced by farmers and exporters while unlocking opportunities to boost Rwanda’s high-value agricultural export chain and economic growth.

The aforementioned agenda was highlighted during the ‘Agri-Export Actors Networking Event’ held on November 21, in collaboration with USAID Kungahara, under the theme "From Field to Global Market: Empowering Rwandan Agriculture”.

The gathering brought together key players in the agriculture sector, including farmers, exporters, and stakeholders. It served as a platform to discuss strategies for expanding Rwanda’s presence in global markets while addressing obstacles like financial access, weak regional trade, and low-value addition.

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Hannington Namara, Managing Director of Equity Bank Rwanda, affirmed that the bank is dedicated to transforming Rwanda’s agricultural export sector.

"Collaboration is key, through strong partnerships and bold ideas, we will redefine Rwanda’s export narrative and drive growth forward,” he said.

Namara expressed concern over Rwanda’s trade imbalance, noting that the country imports more than it exports.

He noted: "This is a challenge we must address head-on. With the right investments, partnerships, and innovation, we can turn this around. Let’s focus on exporting value, creating jobs, and boosting our economy.”

"Agriculture is more than a sector,” he continued, adding that it’s a lifeline for communities. "By investing in Rwanda’s agricultural exports, we create jobs, strengthen foreign exchange, and transform lives. This is our vision for socio-economic growth.”

Namara said: "To our exporters, if you have an idea or a challenge, Equity Bank Rwanda is here to listen. Together, we will find solutions that unlock Rwanda’s potential and propel us to global markets. Let’s make an impact.

"The success of Rwanda’s agri-export sector depends on strong partnerships. With the right collaboration, funding, and determination, we can open a new chapter of growth and opportunity for our nation. Equity Bank Rwanda is fully committed to supporting these efforts and empowering exporters to thrive globally.

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Alice Kirezi, Head of Investments and Social Impact, outlined Equity Bank Rwanda’s strategy to allocate 30 per cent of its loan portfolio to agriculture by 2030.

She outlined products spanning the entire agribusiness value chain, from farmers to exporters.

Kirezi also discussed key challenges such as weak regional trade, low-value addition, and low productivity. However, the bank is addressing these issues with solutions like de-risking and insurance facilities, tailored financial products, technical assistance, and digital tools to drive growth in the agricultural sector.

Darius Nkuriza, Food and Agriculture Manager at Equity Bank Rwanda, introduced new financial products designed to meet the needs of farmers and exporters.

He said: "We offer products that support farmers, from those working in the field to exporters. Some of these products come with interest rates of up to 8 per cent. For women in agriculture, we also provide guarantees to help them. For all farmers, we ensure that their loans are secured within two weeks. This is made possible by our team of officials who understand their needs. We are committed to serving them fully.”

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Renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist Gérard Sina, owner of Urwibutso Enterprises, also known as "Nyirangarama”, shared his success story, encouraging farmers to embrace agribusiness.

Known for his ventures in food processing, pig farming, baking, and spice production, the serial entrepreneur highlighted the potential of agriculture to transform lives.

He said: "Fighting poverty starts with leveraging agriculture and livestock, areas where I’ve achieved economic growth with Equity Bank’s support. I also teach agriculture and livestock farming to equip future generations with the knowledge and expertise for success. To those without collateral, don’t fear, connect with Equity Bank, as it has partnerships that derisk loans.”.

Sina called on more farmers to join the sector, urging them to innovate and invest in high-value crops and products that can thrive in global markets.