In an effort to restore degraded land and strengthen climate resilience in Kigali, Equity Bank Rwanda and its partners joined residents of Kacyiru, Gikomero, Ndera and Rusororo sectors in Gasabo District, where they planted 12,000 trees, on Saturday, March 14.

The partners include the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences Rwanda (AIMS Rwanda) and World Vision Rwanda.

Beyond greening the landscape, the initiative is also expected to boost food security and help tackle malnutrition through the planting of thousands of fruit trees.

The activity is part of broader efforts to promote environmental sustainability and community wellbeing.

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Among the trees planted were 4,000 fruit trees, 3,000 trees that will be grown alongside crops, 3,000 designated for forests, and 2,000 intended for fertiliser purposes. The initiative aims to boost biodiversity while supporting green development efforts to protect future generations, according to the bank.

The bank has planted more than 69,000 trees across the country since 2022.

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Speaking in Cyaruzinge Village in Ndera Sector, Eric Rutabana, Commercial Director at Equity Bank Rwanda, said that sustainable development requires a holistic approach and collaborative efforts to promote the wellbeing of citizens and the country.

"This place in particular needed such an initiative in order to recover from landslides and the continuation of rifts because of its nature. We can also see how mining has destroyed the area,” he said.

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According to local residents, the area was once used for mining construction stones, which left cracks, trenches and deformed land surfaces that urgently needed restoration through tree planting to help recover the environment and prevent further damage.

"We need to conserve our soil. We need to live in a friendly environment with fertile soil. It is very important. These trees will support oxygen production and strengthen climate resilience,” Rutabana said.

He also commended partners including AIMS Rwanda, World Vision, SRF and others for supporting the initiative.

Rutabana also used the platform to inform citizens about the various services offered by the bank, noting that they are open to everyone regardless of their profession or activities that require banking services, adding that choosing Equity would be a good decision.

"The bank offers a variety of services. We want you to come on board for the progress of the country,” he said. "If you save, we give you interest, and if you need loans, we can provide them. We support your projects and help create more jobs. Our services are for everyone and we're ready to receive you all.”

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In line with the celebration of International Women’s Month, Marie Médiatrice Umubyeyi, Executive Secretary of National Women’s Council, reminded everyone that the welfare of families requires everyone’s participation. She said gender and family promotion groups should remain active and continue to follow the established guidelines, underscoring the need to ensure environmental protection.

"If we say we are self-reliant, protecting the environment must also be a priority. For families, let us use environmentally friendly tools and adopt renewable energy to protect our environment and improve the welfare of our families,” she said.

Equity Group Holdings has been recognised as Africa’s Best Bank for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in 2023 and 2024, largely through the work of the Equity Group Foundation.

Its CSR efforts focus on financial inclusion, education, health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability, creating significant social impact across East Africa.

The foundation runs key programmes including education and leadership development through the Wings to Fly scholarship initiative, community health support, farmer training and agricultural financing, and environmental protection initiatives, including biodiversity risk assessments and the adoption of the Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures framework.