Agribusiness entrepreneurs have credited BPR Bank Rwanda Plc for playing a significant role in their growth, citing long-term financing, accessible services, and consistent engagement as key drivers of their success.

At a customer appreciation event held on February 13 in Kigali, clients commended the bank for going beyond transactions to build lasting partnerships that have, among others, helped expand tea plantations, grow export businesses, and strengthen value chains across the country.

The event, hosted by the Bank, aimed at welcoming feedback, engaging employees, and strengthening relationships with clients, particularly those in the agribusiness sector. It brought together BPR staff and business clients, offering a platform to discuss challenges, opportunities, and ways the bank can support growth.

Most of the businesses represented at the event operate in agribusiness, including tea, coffee, rice, maize, and livestock.

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The gathering allowed BPR to interact directly with clients and understand their needs, demonstrating the bank’s commitment to going beyond traditional banking services.

During the event, tea business owner Josiane Mutangana underscored the Bank’s support for her company’s growth over the past decade.

"We started working with BPR in 2014. At the time, they gave us a loan to help us acquire over 700 hectares from the government, when there was a plan to privatise tea plantations. They supported us, and they have been instrumental in the growth of our company over the years,” she said.

Mutangana also indicated that her company has expanded to work directly with farmers since 2023.

"That is a heavy project, and BPR helped us as well,” she said, also commending the Bank’digital services, particularly internet banking.

For Emile Ngaboyisonga, another local agribusiness entrepreneur, his relationship with BPR Bank dates back more than two decades, when the institution was still operating as Banque Populaire du Rwanda in 2003.

"You have played a big role in helping our company grow, we now have a 57 per cent growth rate per year, and that is the pace we are continuing with,” he said.

Ngaboyisonga also commended the bank’s customer engagement and accessibility, noting that BPR supports clients rather than discouraging them.

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However, both entrepreneurs raised concerns about challenges related to accessing foreign currency, particularly the US dollar, which is critical for businesses engaged in international trade.

Mutangana said that foreign currency inflows are not always processed seamlessly, affecting the predictability of export transactions and operational planning. Similarly, Ngaboyisonga pointed out that limited access to foreign exchange remains a constraint for businesses that rely on cross-border trade.

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The issue of foreign currency availability is not unique to BPR but reflects broader pressures within the country’s banking sector, where demand for US dollars—driven largely by imports and international payments—sometimes exceeds supply.

BPR pledges stronger partnerships and responsive solutions

Patience Mutesi, Managing Director of BPR Bank, said the customer appreciation event aimed to recognise clients and strengthen relationships beyond transactions.

"Commercial banking has become all about money, but when you think about the impact we are able to make on individuals and small businesses, and even at a national level, it is very powerful,” she said.

Mutesi emphasised that BPR’s nationwide branch network allows the bank to support customers’ growth journeys.

"Our love language is acts of service. That is why a day like this is important to us, so that we can listen to you, hear what is going well and continue it, and also identify what is not going well so we can correct it,” she said.

She added that the bank plans to introduce focus group discussions with key sector players to gather real-time feedback and improve services.

Shema Mugisha, the Executive Director Commercial Businesses at the Bank explained that its focus on agribusiness stems from its significant role in Rwanda’s economy – considering agriculture’s major contribution.

"Statistics show that agriculture and livestock contribute a strong share to the national output or GDP, nearly 30 per cent. Therefore, we also want to be partners in helping your projects grow and develop.”

Mugisha said BPR works along the value chain to maximise impact, focusing on farmers and businesses in coffee, tea, maize, rice, and livestock.

"One of our key priorities at BPR is improving people’s lives economically. So it must reach every citizen, especially a farmer.”

On operational challenges, Mugisha said: "We are working on the transfer issues. There were some problems before, but we are now working to resolve them. And regarding loans, the discussions have progressed well. For those who want loans, we will begin with them.”