NCBA Bank Rwanda has reaffirmed its commitment to Rubavu’s next phase of growth: strengthening the city’s role as a border marketplace and a connected regional hub for trade, industry, and investment.

NCBA underscored this commitment during a customer engagement forum in Rubavu attended by local government leaders, business owners, cross-border traders, logistics operators, and entrepreneurs. The forum created space for practical discussion on the realities of running businesses in a border economy—working capital pressures, currency flows, digital payments, supply chain delays, and the need for financing that matches the speed of opportunity.

Rubavu’s identity is distinct. Where other cities are built primarily around domestic markets, Rubavu is built around movement of goods, people, and demand. It is Rwanda’s western doorway into the Great Lakes region, and a city whose economic pulse is driven by cross-border trade with the Democratic Republic of Congo. But Rubavu is changing.

“We are excited to collaborate with NCBA as we enter Rubavu’s next chapter of growth which is about shifting from border town to a regional trade hub,” Said Rubavu Mayor Mulindwa Prosper

During the event, NCBA committed to supporting investors and enterprises in the district and held direct talks with manufacturers, processors, warehouse operators, distributors, and SMEs.

In his remarks, NCBA Rwanda’s Managing Director Maurice Toroitich agreed with the Mayor’s sentiments. “With our physical and digital presence across East Africa, NCBA is the right bank to enable entrepreneurs to scale trade beyond the traditional routes. We are present in Kigali, Kampala, Busia, Eldoret, Nairobi and all the way to Mombasa and that’s the same on the Dar-es-Salaam route. So, for cross-border trade, import and export we can provide you with one experience wherever you are. We also have capabilities to connect you across Africa and the world.”

Re-anchoring growth on industry and urban redevelopment

The vice mayor of the district also thanked NCBA for coming in at a critical time and taking initiative to collaborate with the area’s traders and industrialists. “Rubavu is entering a different era,” Nzabonimpa Deogratias said. “Trade will always be our strength, but industry is its multiplier. We are currently developing Rugerero Industrial Park which is a platform for value addition, jobs, and businesses that can scale beyond the district.” he said.

“We thank NCBA for its bold decision to drive multi-sectoral investments in Rubavu and invite our entrepreneurs to take these opportunities seriously. During our next forum, we will be taking stock of the commitments we make today”, he added.

Rubavu is not just growing—it is reorganizing. The city’s urban redesign signals an intent to modernize infrastructure, strengthen city planning, improve commercial order, and attract a new class of investment into hospitality, retail, and real estate development.

NCBA affirmed its commitment to backing this transition by supporting businesses and developers aligned with Rubavu’s masterplan—through financing for property development.

As Rubavu upgrades its physical form, the private sector must upgrade its capacity. That requires capital that is fit for purpose and financial partners like NCBA.

NCBA’s message in Rubavu was clear: this is not a transactional relationship—it is a long-term commitment to a city whose economy is strategic to Rwanda’s growth.

About NCBA Bank Rwanda

NCBA Bank Rwanda is a subsidiary of NCBA Group, a regional banking group providing a broad range of financial products and services to corporate, institutional, SME, and consumer banking customers. NCBA Group operates 115 branches in five countries — Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ivory Coast — serving over 60 million customers and ranking as the largest banking group in Africa by customer numbers.

In Rwanda, NCBA operates branches in Kigali, Musanze, Nyagatare, Rubavu, Kayonza, and Rusizi. Through its partnership with MTN Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd on MoKash, NCBA has attracted over 5 million customers, making it the country’s largest retail digital bank and a central catalyst for financial inclusion.