Celebrating 10 years of dynamic banking, serving the community with integrity, KCB Bank Rwanda a commercial and a subsidiary of Kenyan KCB Group is one of the banks licensed by the National Bank of Rwanda, the countrys banking regulator. The Managing Director, George Odhiambo spoke to the New Times and noted that KCB bank Rwanda entered the picture 2008 when Rwanda and Burundi entered the East African Community. “Though we started operations in 2008, its major, Kenya commercial bank group has been in existence for over 120 years but started opening subsidiaries in the East African Region in 1997 with Tanzania and later on to all other East African countries” explained Odhiambo. According to the MD, the bank started aggressively from scratch but due to the aggressive nature, in just 3 months more than 7 branches had been opened country wide in areas like Kigali, Huye,Rusizi, Rubavu, Musanze districts. KCB –Rwanda is now a local bank despite the roots in Kenya because it’s a full-fledged bank with a range of products. The bank soon after its establishment focused mostly on the industry sector, the fastest growing sector by the time earning 15% of the Growth National Product (GDP) In manufacturing the bank has supported local factories by providing funding and many more projects that have employed thousands. The service sector has also been supported and the bank has also been part of the reason that companies like Rwandair, MTN have grown big and many buildings that have sprouted in Kigali in recent years. “The impact on the economy there is what we are mostly proud of. We have provided employment and proving goods and services. We are supporting Manasteel in the area of steel manufacturing, cement production at Cimerwa, processing at Bralirwa and African Improved Seeds and also supported the construction of Marriot and Lemigo hotels, Kigali Heights, Century park, Ubumwe hotel and Park Inn Radisson Blue in kiyovu making our footprint key infrastructure landmarks undeniable” says Odhiambo. In response to the growing demand hospitality sector the bank has been at a fore front in playing a big role in supporting big projects like Kigali Heights, century park, Raddison parkinn, Ubumwe hotel, Marriot and many more, as Rwanda has been growing to become the biggest regional conference and tourism hub. While in the agricultural sector, the bank has put a lot of support in the Agri- business sector, especially pioneering support of small scale farming to commercialization at the point of production level. “All this has created over 2000 jobs to Rwandans both directly and indirectly through employment, entrepreneurship, skills development especially through KCB -Igire where the bank has supported technical vocational skills development to Rwandan youth” he said The bank has keen interest in giving back to the community especially through three key aspects of education through capacity building of the youth, health by providing equipment and mutuelle, maternity equipment and optical surgeries to Rwandans. Support in periods of disaster and protecting the environment through different activities like tree planting KCBR has played a big part. The bank has also played a big role in capacity building in three key levels based on up scaling that has a long time effect on employees and customers. “We keep on having continuous staff trainings and we offer in house and off site plus other various consultations with key service providers all over the country and outside the country. The second level is entrepreneurship for the customers that we support in SMS’s through a program that we call the periodically and offer them capacity building on how to run their business. The third level is where we pick young people and take them technical vocational schools where they train in various skills to join the job market. In this 10 year milestone KCB Rwanda wishes to celebrate with its customers, the government, stake holders, staff for being with us all the way from the period of infancy to maturity. According to Odhiambo, the company always strives for excellence to offer service models that are tailor-made to clients’ specific needs and thanked everyone who contributed to the growth of KCB bank in Rwanda. “We thank Rwandans for the support that they have given us and appreciate the partnerships that we have forged. As we evolve, we will always maintain the highest standard of service and commitment to our customers, partners, associates,” he concluded.
