{{Bank of Kigali’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr James Gatera has been awarded the East Africa Business Leader of the Year Award 2013. }}
The awards were presented at a colourful ceremony for the All Africa Business Leader Awards at the Kigali Serena Hotel on 9th September 2013.
The category’s other contenders were the Group CEO of Uchumi Supermarkets Limited, Dr Jonathan Ciano and Duncan Kabui, CEO of Chase Bank Kenya.
In deliberating on the nominees and the eventual winner, the panel of judges considered the financial results of the entities represented by the contenders, their shareholder value, sound management, proven corporate governance, and demonstrated innovation, as well as intangible qualities such as integrity and vision.
In his remarks, Bank of Kigali’s Chief Executive Officer thanked the Government of Rwanda for creating a conducive and enabling environment for businesses to flourish in Rwanda.
He thanked Bank of Kigali clients who have been loyal and remained confident in the Bank. He also thanked Bank of Kigali staffs who have worked hard to ensure that Bank of Kigali remains Rwanda’s Bank of choice.
“I am honoured and humbled to receive this award. I would like to thank the President of the Republic of Rwanda who has steered the leadership of this country ensuring that Rwanda is not only one of the safest places to live but also one of the easiest places to do business on the continent.
I thank our clients whose confidence in Bank of Kigali has enabled it remain Rwanda’s Bank of choice and the largest Bank by market share of total assets, loans, deposits and shareholders ‘funds. I also like to thank Bank of Kigali staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make the Bank what is it is today.”
The grand ceremony which took place at the Serena Hotel on the 9th September was attended by among others the Chief Guest of Honour, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Ambassador Claver Gatete, the Honourable Minister of Commerce and Industry, Kanimba Francois, the Governor of the Central Bank, Honourable John Rwangombwa, the British High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, the Mayor of Kigali City and the Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board, Ms Clare Akamanzi.
The late Dr James Mulwana was honoured for his iconic contribution to African businesses Lifetime Achievement Award Category. The AABLA statement released on the 10th September 2013 stated, “Dr James Mulwana was an example of truly enlightened business leadership practice.”
Dr James Gatera gets an opportunity to compete in the AABLA finale which will take place in Durban, South Africa on the 8th of November, 2013.
The All African Business Leader Awards (AABLA) is organized and overseen by ABN Productions. The vision for AABLA is to identify and honor those leaders who are making a difference through innovation and inspiration in their industry sectors.
AABLA was successfully launched in South Africa in 2011 with the first awards ceremony which took place in October that year. As one of the most prominent award ceremonies in Africa, the AABLA ceremony is televised across the African continent annually. The Business Leaders Awards was originally conceived by CNBC Worldwide.
{{ABOUT BANK OF KIGALI’S CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, DR JAMES GATERA}}
Dr James Gatera was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Kigali in 2007. During his tenure, the Bank’s profitability has grown by 176%, total assets 166% and net loans by 280%. This has enabled the Bank to maintain a firm grip on its leading position in the Rwandan banking sector with a 30% market share as of 31 December 2012.
The Bank currently has a distribution network spanning one Representative Office in Nairobi and 65 branches and 61 ATMs compared to 10 branches in 2007 with the branch network having increased by more than 50 branches since 2007.
During his tenure, the Bank has been internationally recognized for four years running as the Best Bank in Rwanda by Emeafinance and Bank of the Year by The Banker.
It has been awarded the Company of the Year by the Kenya Institute of Management, the Best East African Bank Award by the African Banker magazine in 2012 and recently received 2013 Euromoney Award for Excellence as the Best Bank in Rwanda.
The Bank became the first Company and Bank to be rated by a credit rating agency in Rwanda and received a rating of A+/A1/ by Global Credit Rating Company (South Africa).
James received an Honorary Doctorate Degree by the Commonwealth University of Belize in recognition of his exemplary leadership of the Bank and his tremendous achievements in the Banking Sector in Rwanda.
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