The Agriculture and Livestock Department at Bank of Kigali has announced that, as part of its efforts to expand financial services in the agricultural sector, the bank has disbursed nearly Frw 53 billion in loans over the past two years under a five-year agricultural financing strategy.
ALSO READ: https://agaciropress.com/kamonyi-man-found-dead-in-house-investigation-launched/
Agricultural Financing Highlighted at Regional Conference
The announcement was made during a two-day conference on seed sector development, which has been taking place in Kigali since July 20, 2026.
The event brought together stakeholders from Rwanda and 20 other African countries involved in the agricultural sector.
Bank of Kigali participated as one of the financial institutions supporting agricultural financing, with the aim of boosting food production and promoting commercial agriculture.
ALSO READ: https://agaciropress.com/omans-salamair-launches-flights-to-kigali/
Over 120,000 Farmers Supported
The Head of the Agriculture and Livestock Department at Bank of Kigali, Alexis Bizimana, said the bank’s contribution to agricultural development is centered on expanding access to affordable and tailored financial services for farmers.
He noted that Bank of Kigali currently serves more than 120,000 farmers, of whom around 4,000 have accessed loan facilities, while the rest benefit from a range of financial products, including crop insurance and other agricultural services.
ALSO READ:
Partnership to Strengthen Seed Production
Specifically in the seed sector, Bank of Kigali has signed a five-year partnership agreement with the Rwanda Seed Producers and Traders Association to support the production of high-quality certified seeds capable of competing on international markets. The partnership provides seed producers with loans, insurance, training, and other financial services.
Bizimana said: “This partnership enables them to successfully implement their programs, meet domestic demand, and produce quality seeds that can also be marketed across the region.”
Nearly Frw 53 Billion Disbursed Since 2024
Since the launch of Bank of Kigali’s five-year Agriculture and Livestock Strategy in 2024 through June 2026, the bank has disbursed nearly Frw 53 billion in agricultural loans, including more than Frw 10 billion to seed producers and over Frw 40 billion to farmers.
Bizimana said the bank remains committed to strengthening agricultural and livestock financing and plans to introduce another five-year strategy in 2028.
he said: “We are introducing a digital agricultural financing platform known as Supply Chain Finance, which will connect farmers, seed producers, and seed buyers, enabling us to quickly identify each participant’s financial needs and provide timely support. We are also at an advanced stage of implementing, together with the Rwanda Seed Producers and Traders Association, a program that will provide agricultural loans to three million farmers using technology-driven farming systems. We believe that once this initiative is fully implemented, about 80% of those requiring financial services in the seed sector will have access to them.”
Seed Producers Welcome Affordable Financing
The Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Seed Producers and Traders Association, Innocent Namuhoranye, described Bank of Kigali as a valuable partner that offers affordable financing to seed producers.
he said: “Seed production requires significant investment, and Bank of Kigali provides the financing we need. We particularly appreciate that the loans come with low interest rates, helping ensure that farmers can access quality seeds at affordable prices. Beyond financing, we are also working together to strengthen the agricultural value chain by ensuring that investments are properly tracked and generate returns.”
