BPR Bank, RTC join residents for Umuganda, plant trees across Nyarugenge, Gasabo districts

BPR Bank Rwanda Plc and the Rwanda Trade Company (RTC) on Saturday, November 29, joined residents of Gikomero in Gasabo District and Nyamirambo in Nyarugenge District for a wide-scale Umuganda exercise focused on tree-planting as part of the growing commitment to environmental conservation and community development. In Gikomero, the activity organised by RTC in partnership with BPR saw more than 4,000 agroforestry trees planted along community roads and farms, 100 ornamental trees added to public spaces, and 1,100 coffee seedlings distributed to farmers. The initiative supports ongoing efforts to promote sustainable agriculture in an area where coffee cultivation remains a central economic activity. In Nyamirambo’s Norvège area, another 1,300 trees were planted to restore greenery and protect the hillside community from erosion. The planted 1,300 trees mark an important step towards BPR Bank Rwanda Plc’s ambitious goal of planting 10,000 trees by December 2025. Through this initiative, the Bank aims to boost Kigali’s forest cover, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthen soil protection across the city. BPR’s management emphasised that this initiative reflects the Bank’s long-term sustainability agenda and its commitment to supporting communities across the country. The tree-planting effort also reinforces BPR’s alignment with Rwanda’s updated Climate Action Plan (NDC 3.0), which calls for building climate resilience, reducing emissions, and strengthening national systems to manage climate risks. Through such actions, the Bank seeks to actively contribute to a greener, safer, and more climate-resilient Rwanda. “As a bank that serves countrywide, we believe our responsibility goes beyond providing financial services,” said Godfrey Kamau, BPR Bank COO. “Participating in Umuganda allows us to contribute directly to Rwanda’s environmental goals while strengthening our bond with the communities we serve — a demonstration of our unwavering commitment to the For Planet For Better vision.” Jean-Marc Gakwandi (Head of Retail Banking) added that BPR’s engagement in agriculture financing made it essential for the bank to support environmental protection, noting that sustainable ecosystems directly impact productivity for farmers. “When you protect the environment, you secure better harvests. And when people earn, they can save, invest and build their future. This is why we encourage a culture of saving and responsible financial management, said Gakwandi. He also highlighted the continued expansion of BPR’s community outreach, explaining that many rural communities remain unaware of banking opportunities or believe financial services are out of reach. “The challenge is often awareness, not willingness. By meeting people where they are and promoting agency banking, we are ensuring that no one is left behind,” he noted. Jean-Jacques Ndayisenga, Managing Director of RTC, said the joint tree planting aligns with the company’s broader agenda to support farmers and build a resilient coffee sector. “We work with more than 70,000 coffee-farming households across the country, and sustainability is at the heart of our work,” Ndayisenga said. “The seedlings we distribute, especially the high-yield, disease-resistant RAB C-15 coffee variety, help farmers rejuvenate old farms and increase productivity.” He explained that shade trees such as Leucaena and others alike are crucial for protecting coffee plants from heat stress and improving soil health. “Tree planting reduces erosion, mitigates climate change effects, and strengthens biodiversity. This is why it remains a core part of our operations,” he added. This year alone, RTC has distributed over 105,000 coffee trees in Gikomero and close to six million nationwide in the past five years, alongside 1.5 million regular shade trees. Epiphanie Kavutse, Executive Secretary of Gikomero Sector, thanked BPR and RTC for their commitment to environmental conservation as she addressed residents and participants during the tree-planting activity. She urged the community to take responsibility for protecting the newly planted trees. “We are fortunate to have such an initiative carried out in our area,” she said. “Although the season may not fully support tree growth, we will do everything possible to water and care for them. However, it is also your role to prevent any destruction, ensuring your livestock do not feed on the young trees.” The event also provided an opportunity to sensitise residents on environmental conservation, financial literacy, community hygiene, and the fight against drug abuse and corruption. Under BPR Bank’s annual tree-planting initiative, launched in 2023, thousands of trees have already been planted across multiple districts, contributing to greener landscapes and stronger community resilience. The Bank plans to scale up these efforts even further as it expands its environmental stewardship programmes — a clear demonstration of its commitment to For Planet For Better, and its broader vision of building a healthier, more climate-resilient Rwanda.

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BPR Bank, RTC join residents for Umuganda, plant trees across Nyarugenge, Gasabo districts