Equity Bank Rwanda Plc has on July 22, concluded its card usage campaign known as ‘Ikarita Ikora Hose,’ translated in English as "The Card that caters to all Needs,” by rewarding four more winners.

The campaign which started in July 2021 aimed to increase the uptake and usage of the bank’s visa cards. These include USD-denominated Equity Bank Visa Gold Debit Card and Equity Bank Visa Infinite Card.

The three lucky customers and one bank staff won a smart refrigerator, gas cooker, tablet and voucher card for shopping.

Rose-Iribagiza,-Card-Business-Manager-at-Equity-Bank-Rwanda-Plc-awarding-a-gaz-cooker-to-one-of-four-winners.-Dan-Nsengiyumva

According to Rose Iribagiza, Card Business Manager at Equity Bank Rwanda Plc, the campaign accomplished its purpose regarding creating awareness around the bank’s cards and driving their usage.

She said that the number of card users increased over the course of the campaign, adding that 19 winners, including 16 customers and 3 staff, were awarded, let alone the bank’s best performing branches – Kigali and Rubavu.

Talking about why the bank decided to award some staff, she said it portrays a motivation gesture to also encourage them to use the cards.

She added: "This campaign (Ikarita Ikora Hose) is about digital products and how they are used. It aligns with the country’s vision of keeping money in the ecosystem and promoting digital products. Our contribution is to go for digital banking instead of using cash. We want to go with the trending situation as we work towards becoming a cashless economy.”

Alan Nziza, who won a gas cooker through the campaign, stood out as a lucky customer who used the bank’s cards frequently when conducting online transactions.

He said that he started banking with Equity Bank Rwanda Plc in 2014 and has been using internet banking for both his personal and business accounts in transferring money.

"I thank Equity for the gift, for always trying to improve and for digitizing their systems. Equity is a reliable bank,” he said.

Staff of Equity Bank Staff pose for a photo with winners during the awarding ceremony on July 22. Dan Nsengiyumva

Jean Paul Nzamurambaho was rewarded with a gas cooker as a bank’s employee who used an Equity Debit Card more than others when paying for goods and services.

He said that since he works in Merchant Acquiring, an integral part of card payment transactions processing in the bank, he has embraced the benefits of using cards and has decided to also enjoy the service he offers.

"I don’t usually withdraw cash unless I go to any shop and find out they do not have a POS machine. Normally, I use my card to pay for everything I want. With my card, I know that I am secure enough. I know that I am able to pay for anything at the market,” he said.

Other winners include Patrick Muhirwa who won as a customer who reactivated his account, received a card and started using it frequently, Ali Hirwa, who was awarded as a customer who opened an account with Equity and started using the card many times when transacting, as well as Paulin Gahunde who used the card frequently over the month of July 2022. The three winners received a shopping voucher card worth Rwf 150,000, a tablet and a smart refrigerator, respectively.

The four lucky customers and one bank staff won a smart refrigerator, gas cooker, tablet and voucher card for shopping.

Rose Iribagiza, Card Business Manager at Equity Bank Rwanda  speaks at the event . She said that the campaign accomplished its purpose regarding creating awareness around the bank’s cards and driving their usage.