OREANDA-NEWS. The European Investment Bank has agreed to support a new lending initiative by Bank of Kigali to back private sector investment across Rwanda. The European Investment Bank will provide EUR 28 million (RWF 24 billion) alongside EUR 28 million being provided by Bank of Kigali for the nationwide programme. 

This represents the first Rwandan operation under the European Investment Bank’s second East and Central Africa Private Finance Facility, a EUR 230 million regional lending scheme that supports private sector investment in Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The European Investment Bank is Europe’s long-term lending institution, owned directly by the 28 European Union member states and the world’s largest international public bank.

“Rwanda’s medium term goal is to build a private sector led economy, support job creation and ultimately transform people’s livelihoods. This, to us is a very important transaction that will back Bank of Kigali’s efforts of expanding access to finance for private investment; we are looking forward to working closely with the European Investment Bank,” said Dr. Diane Karusisi, CEO Bank of Kigali.

“The European Investment Bank supports private sector investment across Africa. We are pleased to build on our strong track record in East Africa through this new initiative that will unlock economic opportunities and create jobs across Rwanda. Bank of Kigali has been recognised for innovation and commitment to financial inclusion and this new partnership reflects our shared desire to support private sector investment essential for economic growth in Rwanda,” said Pim van Ballekom, European Investment Bank Vice President responsible for Rwanda.

“The European Union is committed to working with Rwandan partners to strengthen economic development across the country. I am confident that this new partnership between the European Union’s long-term lending institution, the European Investment Bank, and the Bank of Kigali will unlock similar economic and social benefits that previous private sector lending programmes have delivered in Rwanda and across East Africa,” said Ambassador Michael Ryan, Head of Delegation of the European Union to Rwanda.

Under the new initiative private sector entrepreneurs and companies will be able to use loans in Rwandan francs to invest and expand activities across a range of sectors.

Over the last 5 years the European Investment Bank has provided EUR 22 million to support investment by companies in Rwanda in cooperation with three local banks.