The ongoing Tour du Rwanda 2023 has provided an opportune occasion for Cogebanque to meet thousands of its customers across the country and to present its new and existing services.

Cogebanque is the Gold sponsor of the international cycling race which underway from February 19-26.

ALSO READ: Tour du Rwanda: Bonnet claims yellow jersey after stage 4 triumph

At each stage of Tour du Rwanda 2023, Cogebanque awards the best climber.

The bank awarded Marc Olivier Pritzen who emerged Stage Two best climber. The South African, who rides for of EF Education-Nippo, has so far claimed the award on three occasions, the most by any rider so far, after he again became the best climber during stages three and five in Musanze and Rubavu respectively.

ALSO READ: What Cogebanque has in store for customers at Tour du Rwanda 2023

During the race, Cogebanque stepped up its "Tugendane” campaign, which began early in February. In Gisagara, after stage two, residents were facilitated to open bank accounts.

"We thank Gisagara residents on our first arrival in this district during Tour du Rwanda and it has been a great moment,” bank Head of Marketing and Product Development, Antoine Iyamuremye, said.

"Although we don’t have a branch in Gisagara, our agents facilitate our clients to open accounts, to deposits and make transfers at low charges. So, we want them to join us and develop together and everyone realize their dreams,” Iyamuremye added.

ALSO READ: Cogebanque embarks on drive to deepen financial inclusion through "TUGENDANE” Campaign

The campaign focuses encouraging the bank’s customers to make savings and deposit as well as to use its available digital banking services.

After stage three in Musanze, Cogebanque explained to the residents benefits of using digital services, including paying school fees.

"Musanze has many schools, in particular. By using our digital system called SchoolGEAR, parents and school management are able to pay and receive school fees, especially with the schools we work with,” Iyamuremye noted.

He said that with SchoolGEAR, parents shouldn’t be bothered by the possibility of losing a bank slip, because the school management get notified as soon as the payment is made.

ALSO READ: How Cogebanque’s SchoolGEAR system eases school fees payment

To use the system, customers dial *700#, then enter the student’s code, select the preferred option (school fees, school uniform).

SchoolGEAR can also be accessed via Cogebanque website (www.cogebanque.co.rw) and works with nursery, primary, secondary schools and universities.

Iyamuremye also encouraged farmers to apply for Cogebanque loans to increase their production.

Cogebanque has been a key sponsor for Tour du Rwanda during the past 12 years.

The commercial bank has 28 branches across the country, 36 ATM machines and more than 650 agents.

Cogebanque also offers internet banking services, mobile banking as well as debit, credit and prepaid cards powered by MasterCard.

A look at Tour du Rwanda 2023

Belgian rider William Junior Lecerf will don Tour du Rwanda 2023 yellow jersey when the peloton heads to Gicumbi from Rubavu ahead of Friday’s Stage Six.

Lecerf claimed the coveted jersey on Thursday despite losing stage five to Callum Ormiston who put up a stunning solo sprint to clinch the 195.5 kilometre stage to Rubavu.

Ormiston, who rider for Team South Africa, rode his way to the finish line in Rubavu town after using four hours 59 minutes and 51 seconds, opening a six-second gap between him and second-placed Walter Calzoni of Q36.5 PRO Cycling Team and other 13 riders, including Rwandan Eric Muhoza, who were chasing him in the sprint.

Muhoza of Bike Aid again remains the best performing Rwandan rider as he has now closed the gap to the top by just 11 seconds down from 20 seconds on Wednesday.

The yellow jersey remains up in the air with Lecerf, who rides for Soudal Quick-Step, becoming the fourth rider to wear the coveted jersey after Thomas Bonnet Henok Mulueberhane and Ethan Vernon.