Among the graduates, 67 completed the first level (RAF1) designed for entry-level employees, while 70 graduated from the second level (RAF2), targeted at middle management.

The event, which marked a significant milestone, was attended by John Rwangombwa, the Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, who served as the guest of honor. Also present were banking leaders from various institutions, members of the Rwanda Bankers Association (RBA), and other key stakeholders.

The RBA, which established the academy, continues to play a pivotal role in supporting the development of the country’s banking sector.

The training focused on building professionalism across various aspects of banking, including understanding the banking system, asset management, customer service, lending practices, and more.

RAF offers two levels of training: one for employees with general banking knowledge or those seeking to begin a career in banking, and the second for branch managers. A third level of training, set to launch next year, will focus on senior banking executives.

Governor Rwangombwa praised the Rwanda Bankers’ Association for its commitment to improving the knowledge and skills of banking professionals, which he said is essential for building a robust and resilient financial sector.

He emphasized the graduates’ role in applying their new skills to drive the development of the financial sector, particularly in adapting to industry changes and delivering high-quality services to clients. He expressed confidence that the training would empower the graduates to innovate and make informed decisions to contribute to the sector’s growth.

Hannington Namara, Managing Director of Equity Bank PLC Rwanda and Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Rwanda Bankers Association, acknowledged that all the graduates work for financial institutions and that the knowledge gained through the training would enhance productivity and efficiency within their organizations, as well as mitigate financial risks.

Diogène Twizeyimana, Branch Manager of BPR Rwanda Plc in Kayonza and one of the graduates, expressed gratitude for the program. He highlighted that the training would enhance the quality of his work and underscored the importance of continuous learning in improving performance.

He noted that the courses equipped him with critical skills, from customer service to understanding the role of technology in banking, making him better prepared to meet customer needs and provide high-quality service.

Cloritah Naamara Mbabazi, an employee at Bank of Kigali and one of the top performers in the program, shared how the training broadened her knowledge beyond her specific department.

She explained that this newfound expertise would enable her to offer more comprehensive support across the bank, benefitting not just her department, but the entire institution.

Tony Francis Ntore, Chief Executive Officer of RBA, congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to continue demonstrating professionalism in their work, applying the knowledge they had gained to enhance service delivery across the sector.

Graduates with senior sexecutives from the banking sector and Governor Rwangombwa in a group photo at the graduation ceremony.

A total of 137 bank employees have successfully completed a six-month training program aimed at enhancing their skills and improving the quality of services at their respective institutions.

Governor Rwangombwa praised the Rwanda Bankers' Association for its commitment to improving the knowledge and skills of banking professionals.

Hannington Namara, Managing Director of Equity Bank PLC Rwanda and Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Rwanda Bankers Association congratulated graduates.

Tony Francis Ntore, Chief Executive Officer of RBA encouraged graduates to maintain professionalism in their work.