Equity Bank Rwanda has celebrated 32 young people completing the latest phase of its Equity Leaders Programme (ELP), as the initiative continues to combine workplace experience, mentorship and university guidance for high-performing Rwandan students.

The 32 scholars, part of the programme’s fifth cohort, were recognised during an event held on August 14 in Kigali attended by Equity Bank Rwanda Managing Director Hannington Namara, partners and other stakeholders.

ALSO READ: Equity Bank Rwanda welcomes 3rd cohort of scholars to Equity Leaders Program

The fifth ELP cohort comprises 72 top-performing students selected following the publication of the Senior Six national examination results.

The programme gives selected students an opportunity to gain professional experience through internships at Equity Bank while also receiving leadership training, mentorship and support as they prepare for university.

Namara described the event as an "airlifting” of young people, saying the initiative was intended to help scholars pursue their dreams and make an impact beyond Rwanda.

"Even though we are airlifting 32, even one can change life. So, 32 is not a small number,” Namara said.

He urged the scholars to make the most of the opportunities they have received.

"If you take only three things, discipline, focus and hard work, those three will take you places,” he said.

From classrooms to the workplace

The ELP programme is designed to give students who have excelled academically an early introduction to professional life.

Following selection, scholars undergo a one-week induction where they are introduced to Equity’s operations and receive training in areas including financial literacy, career development, leadership and other professional skills.

They then spend between seven and 12 months interning at selected Equity Bank branches, where they are exposed to different departments and work alongside experienced professionals.

ALSO READ: 98 scholars under the Equity Leaders Program (ELP) join top global universities

For William Ishimwe, a 19-year-old from Gatsibo District, the opportunity came at a time when he was uncertain about what to do after completing secondary school.

He said he was thinking about which university to apply to when he received an unexpected call informing him that he had been selected for the programme.

"It was an incredible moment of happiness,” Ishimwe said.

Having just completed high school and with no background in banking, Ishimwe worked in different areas, including operations, credit and reception.

He said the experience helped him understand how banking systems work, how to serve clients and how to operate in a professional environment.

"Everywhere we worked gave us different experiences and helped us become professionals,” he said.

The programme also supported him with university applications through Equity’s college counselling programme.

Ishimwe subsequently secured a Master’s Foundations Scholarship at the University of Rwanda, where he is studying nursing.

Building confidence and professional skills

For other scholars, the internship has also provided an opportunity to develop skills that are difficult to acquire in a classroom.

Pamella Uwisanze, 20, said working at the bank helped her improve her communication and public speaking skills.

"I was one of those people who had a problem with public speaking, but with time working at Equity Bank, you become more comfortable,” she said.

The programme also exposed her to other young people from across the country.

The 72 scholars came from different schools, allowing them to build friendships and a network that extends beyond the internship.

Uwisanze said the experience helped her discover more opportunities.

"I can say that Equity is a big opportunity for students. You discover abilities and opportunities beyond what you thought you had,” she said.

Preparing scholars for university

Beyond workplace experience, ELP provides university counselling to help scholars identify suitable institutions and navigate the application process.

Equity says the programme supports students interested in universities in Rwanda and abroad, including leading global institutions.

ALSO READ: Thirty-two Rwandans get paid internship through Equity Leadership Programme

Samuella Kwizera, an ELP alumna, said the mentorship she received helped her prepare for university beyond the academic requirements.

After completing high school, Kwizera joined the programme during her gap year and began her professional journey as a teller at Equity Bank’s Supreme Branch.

She later supported the Women and Youth Banking Pillar at the Equity Group Foundation.

Kwizera said mentors played an important role in helping her develop confidence and handle responsibilities at a young age.

"They actually trusted me before I got to trust myself,” she said.

The experience eventually helped prepare her for university, where she is now a rising sophomore studying electrical engineering and computer science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

She said one of the most useful experiences was interacting with ELP alumni who shared their university experiences, including the challenges they had encountered.

"That made college feel kind of less unfamiliar to me,” she said.

A network beyond the internship

The ELP programme also seeks to maintain a long-term relationship with scholars after their internships through its alumni network.

Namara encouraged the scholars to remain connected and use the network they have built to support one another and contribute to their communities.

"This network you’ve created, which you belong to, is not a small network. It’s a network that can transform this continent,” he said.

He also reminded them that their opportunities should not be limited by where they live or work.

"You can be based here and impact people in whichever part of the world,” he said.