ECOBANK Rwanda in partnership with Western Union America, launched its Western Union service in Kigali.

"We are particularly proud of this move to provide our clients with a western union money transfer service,” said Daniel Sackey managing director of Ecobank who officiated the launch on Aug. 1.

"We believe it is fast, efficient and conveniently accessible. Western Union service not only aligns Ecobank Rwanda to the group, but also further leverages our group capabilities to strengthen the service we offer our customers.”

Andrew Atakyi Appiah, Ecobank’s regional head, east and southern Africa for transaction banking, said that the launch, which attracted 60 people from across the country, marks the beginning of the long and exciting journey of providing convenience and accessibility to their customers.

"The champion of this fund transfer business is the world’s most reliable money partner, Western Union. We at Ecobank are proud to associate our business with Western Union.

The Western Union brand is recognized around the world as a symbol of reliability and trust. We are proud to cover this association,” said Appiah.

Sackey said Ecobank continues to find that a fair  number of Western Union customers  live in rural areas and is ready to bring Western Union to their door steps.

"We are forming an aggressive partnership with partners that would give a rural reach by the end of September 2008,” Sackey said, adding that in the course of a few months, the management of Ecobank will roll out more services for the benefit its customers.

"We have made a commitment to Rwanda to bring a global service to a local setting,” said Prossie Kalisa, Ecobank’s head of customer service quality.

Ecobank was voted bank of the year in 2007 by Global Finance Magazine, and is among the top 900 banks in the world.

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