Washington D.C, July 11, 2024 – Bank of Kigali, the largest bank in Rwanda by total assets has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation.
“SME Finance Forum proudly welcomes leading bank in Rwanda to our network. It is with great pleasure I welcome Bank of Kigali to SME Finance Forum which is in line with our strategy of onboarding leading bank in emerging markets for impact,” said Qamar Saleem, Head of SME Finance Forum.
Bank of Kigali (www.bk.rw) is the largest bank in Rwanda by total assets, with a 33.6% market share as of 31st March 2015. The Bank currently has 73 branches in Rwanda and provides retail and commercial banking services to over 300,000 individuals and over 24,000 legal entities. In 2011, the Bank became the second domestic company to be listed on the Rwanda Stock Exchange in an Initial Public Offer that was recognized as the Best African Listing by Africa Investor (Al). The Bank was awarded the 2015 African Banker Award for Best Bank in East Africa as well as the 2014 Euromoney Award for Excellence for the second year in a row. Since 2009, the Bank has been recognized for six years running as the Best Bank in Rwanda by Emeafinance and for five years as Bank of the Year by The Banker. The Bank has a short term credit rating of A1+ and a long term rating of AA- with a stable outlook.
“As we embark on this journey with the SME Finance Forum, we enjoy the privileges of being an SME Finance Forum Member with its membership services,” said Mr. Darius Mukunzi, Head of SME at Bank of Kigali.
SME Finance Forum: Innovation & Partnership for MSMEs Growth
The SME Finance Forum, backed by G20 and IFC/World Bank, is the leading global network of 300+ members/affiliates operating in 190 countries. Network comprises of SME focused institutions providing and enabling finance and services- banks, non-banks financial institutions, fintech, payment platforms, development institutions, credit guarantee companies, insurers, investment funds, supply chain linked players, banking and SME associations, policy advocates, regulators, academia, consulting houses, knowledge aggregators.
Our member, affiliates, and associated stakeholders benefit from learning/replicating best practices from across the world, innovating new products for business growth, acquiring risk mitigation tools, establishing partnerships, attracting investors, and being recognized amongst a peer group of global innovators. Our products consist of “members only” solutions (like innovation hubs, solutions clinics, peer group networks, study tours, specialized tools and trainings, member portal repository, partnered initiatives) as well as public good services (200+ publications library, 500+ videos, webinars, newsletters, trainings, annual awards, annual event etc.)
Discover the SME Finance Forum members/affiliates:
https://www.smefinanceforum.org/members/member-list
https://smefinanceforum.org/about/partners
About Bank of Kigali
Bank of Kigali (www.bk.rw) is the largest bank in Rwanda by total assets, with a 33.6% market share as of 31st March 2015. The Bank currently has 73 branches in Rwanda and provides retail and commercial banking services to over 300,000 individuals and over 24,000 legal entities. In 2011, the Bank became the second domestic company to be listed on the Rwanda Stock Exchange in an Initial Public Offer that was recognized as the Best African Listing by Africa Investor (Al). The Bank was awarded the 2015 African Banker Award for Best Bank in East Africa as well as the 2014 Euromoney Award for Excellence for the second year in a row. Since 2009, the Bank has been recognized for six years running as the Best Bank in Rwanda by Emeafinance and for five years as Bank of the Year by The Banker. The Bank has a short term credit rating of A1+ and a long term rating of AA- with a stable outlook.
Learn more:
Website: http://www.bk.rw
