Equity Bank Rwanda PLC hosted an engaging customer event in Muhanga District, as part of its ongoing series of external activities aimed at building closer relationships with its valued clients, who the bank affectionately calls "members of the Equity Bank family”.

The event held on November 22, highlighted the bank's dedication to understanding the challenges faced by its customers and collaborating to meet their financial needs.

It also provided an opportunity to present its community-driven initiatives and demonstrate the tangible impact the bank is making in the lives of local residents.

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During the event, Jean Havugimana, the Head of SME at Equity Bank Rwanda, discussed the bank’s diverse offerings across Retail, SME, and Corporate Banking.

He reassured attendees that tailored financial solutions were available to meet individual needs and encouraged customers not to let collateral challenges prevent them from accessing financial services.

"Engage with Equity Bank, we are here to help you grow economically. Our commitment to developing new products ensures we meet your evolving financial needs,” he said.

Hannington Namara, the Managing Director of Equity Bank Rwanda, said that the event was not about selling, but rather about engaging, listening, and sharing ideas with the bank’s customers.

He noted: "With over Rwf1 trillion in assets since 2012, we are committed to investing in your great ideas to drive economic growth together. We want to support your economic development, your success is our success.”

Namara announced plans to reduce interest rates and emphasised the bank’s commitment to allocate 30 per cent of loan portfolio to agriculture, empowering Rwanda’s farmers and agribusinesses to combat poverty, create jobs, and build wealth.

He added: "Equity Bank will only thrive when the people of Rwanda thrive. Our mission is clear, it is to work with you, find solutions, and support your ideas financially to build a prosperous future. Together, we will combat poverty and drive national economic development.”

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The event also featured testimonies from loyal customers. They shared their gratitude and suggestions, thanking the bank for its continued support and its commitment to helping them succeed.

Among the loyal customers Jean Marie, commended Equity Bank’s innovative "Ecosystem Strategy”, underlining how it creates value for customers.

He commended the convenience of its digital channels, the customer-centric initiative of eliminating account maintenance fees, and the trust the bank places in customers through unsecured loans.

"I urge my customers to uphold this trust and not abuse it,” he said .

He also called on Equity Bank to increase its presence nationwide by opening more branches, ensuring even more Rwandans can access our services conveniently.

Catherine Mukangwabije, an agent and one of the bank's first clients in Muhanga District, commended the institution's consistency. She noted that she has expanded her business ventures beyond Rwanda to successfully manage her affiliations.

Mukangwabije particularly appreciated the bank's commitment to prioritising women, despite social challenges.

"When you empower a woman, you empower the whole family. A stable woman means a stable family,” she said.

Eric Bizimana, the Vice Mayor of Muhanga District expressed his gratitude to Equity Bank Rwanda for being a key stakeholder in the community.

He praised the bank for its significant contribution in advancing financial inclusion, highlighting that in 2017, only 27 per cent of people were banked, and now that figure has risen to 90 per cent .

Bizimana also lauded Equity’s digital services, which support the national cashless economy initiative, making banking more accessible to citizens.

He also thanked Equity Bank’s strong strategy to reach the unbanked, particularly in rural areas, where the majority of citizens now bank with Bank.