I&M Bank teams up with UTAB to uplift campus life, students and teacher welfare

Students and teachers at the University of Technology and Arts of Byumba (UTAB) stand to gain from I&M Bank Rwanda’s new partnership, which promises upgraded campus facilities, financial support, and new opportunities for learning, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two entities was signed on March 25, in Gicumbi District, during the bank’s customer engagement event, aimed at meeting and interacting with valued clients countrywide, discussing ways to enhance mutually beneficial partnerships, and creating a differentiated banking experience. ALSO READ: I&M Bank, Toyota Rwanda partner to ease access to affordable car financing The agreement is expected to unlock investments in accommodation, green transport, affordable financing, and campus-based business opportunities — positioning the university for its next phase of growth. Key components of the MoU According to Yves Kayihura, Head of Retail Banking at I&M Bank, the MoU has four key components: support for school operations, improvement of teachers’ welfare, student engagement with the bank, and various projects to improve the campus’s capacity and potentially position it as a tourism site. The agreement is expected be adjusted over time, with a focus on collaboration to expand the campus’s capacity and support ambitious developments. Strengthening teachers’ capacity is expected to improve academic outcomes. Support will cover transport, accommodation, access to special loans, and overall service delivery. Students will receive training in financial literacy to enhance their understanding of finance and build long-term relationships with I&M Bank as potential future clients. ALSO READ: I &M Bank presents Rwf130m collateral-free finance facility to leather investors, MSMEs Campus development projects The final component involves supporting projects linked to the campus, including agriculture and livestock farming, tourism initiatives, welfare improvements, and infrastructure upgrades. Father Gilbert Munana, the Vice Chancellor of UTAB, said that many students and teachers still rent accommodation outside the campus. He added that youth empowerment and support for startups are also on the agenda. “We want to build hostels that can accommodate 1,000 to 2,000 students,” he said. “This will be accompanied by a green city (affordable housing) that our staff can acquire and repay over a long period.” “We are also looking for investors who can set up essential services on our campus that are needed by students, such as supermarkets, salons, and more. These will be part of the projects, and we expect additional developments in the pipeline. We believe I&M Bank will move with us, and we are ready to leverage its uniqueness,” he added. Financial solutions including interest-free and mortgage loans During the tour, I&M Bank introduced customers to new products designed to support ventures across all sectors under the slogan “Karame,” which guarantees a response in less than 24 hours. Customers can access collateral-free loans of up to Rwf50 million, mortgage loans of up to 30 years, a strong digital banking system, a multi-currency credit card, the Berwa loan which empowers women with financing of up to Rwf400 million, flexible repayment options, and mentorship support; construction and home equity financing, and sector-specific financing such as tourism, hospitality, and poultry farming loans. ALSO READ: I&M Bank to empower womenpreneurs through Berwa’s business advisory, Rwf400m loans Commitment to local growth and collaboration Benjamin Mutimura, Managing Director of I&M Bank, highlighted the importance of networking and advisory services, particularly in agriculture and tourism, with PSF coordinating training to boost productivity. Emmanuel Nzabonimpa, the Mayor of Gicumbi District, applauded I&M Bank’s commitment to supporting local investors and urged stakeholders to seize opportunities in tourism, transport, commercial buildings, supermarkets, fueling stations, and more. “Let’s build our Gicumbi. In whatever we are planning to do, let’s think big. This is our country. Let’s explore these opportunities and encourage one another,” he said.

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I&M Bank teams up with UTAB to uplift campus life, students and teacher welfare