Equity Bank Rwanda Plc has urged Nyagatare and Gatsibo residents, particularly farmers, to utilise their collateral-free loan options. Serving 30,000 customers after two years in Nyagatare, the bank engaged with local customers and stakeholders on March 21, 2025, to foster financial growth through improved partnerships. This event was attended by some of the bank’s clients, local leaders, and Equity Bank Rwanda employees. It also served as an opportunity to commend the bank for its role in helping customers improve their livelihoods. The CEO of Equity Bank Rwanda, Hannington Namara, explained that the meeting with customers aimed to listen to their needs and find solutions together for investment and expansion of partnerships. He mentioned that they plan to make loans more accessible by streamlining the process and expanding their branches, making it easier for people to access the bank from all areas. Namara noted that they are now offering loans of up to Rwf 50 million without requiring collateral. He said the loans are based on the farmer’s productivity, to help farmers double their output. He shared that the bank has a unique partnership with Inyange Industries, where farmers can access finance without collateral to help increase their production. “Today is about listening, appreciating, and improving. Equity Bank is the people’s bank—your growth comes first. We are here to hear your needs and explore how we can serve you better. With Nyagatare’s vast land, there’s great potential for economic transformation. By working together strategically, we can unlock new opportunities for prosperity,” he said while addressing customers in Nyagatare District. The Governor of the Eastern Province, Pudence Rubingisa, commended Equity Bank Rwanda for reaching out to its customers across the province and listening to their needs. He said that as the Eastern Province aims to become the national food basket for the country by becoming a hub for agriculture and livestock, finance from banks is needed to support farmers in buying animal feed, water, and dairy cows. “What Equity Bank is doing aligns with the government’s policy of increasing yields per hectare for selected crops and improving production through land consolidation. This is commendable, and we, as local authorities, will support them and help address any challenges in collaboration,” he said. Gaudence Nyirandikubwirama, the Manager of the CODERVAM cooperative that grows rice in Nyagatare, lauded Equity Bank Rwanda for supporting the cooperative, which benefits over 4,000 farmers. She explained that the bank has made it easier for them to access loans. “When rice production used to lack a market, it was a major issue. But Equity Bank gave us a collateral-free loan of Rwf 200 million, enabling us to pay our members without any difficulties. We also thank them for making us agents, which allows us to earn income for the cooperative,” she said. Damien Kabana, a livestock farmer, stated that receiving a Rwf 50 million loan from the bank without collateral will help them increase milk production, buy livestock feed, acquire dairy cows, and store fodder, which will significantly boost their output. Equity Bank Rwanda has also committed to opening a branch in Gatsibo District by the end of this year. The bank also promised to expand further in the province to bring its services closer to more customers.
