I&M Bank Rwanda: 24% Profit Surge, Assets Top Rwf1.1 Trillion in 2025

I&M Bank Rwanda Reports Stellar 2025 Financial Performance, Surpassing Trillion Franc Asset Milestone

KIGALI, RWANDA – I&M Bank (Rwanda) PLC has announced a landmark financial year for 2025, characterized by robust growth, unwavering resilience, and sustained market momentum. The bank concluded the year with an impressive financial trajectory, underpinned by strong earnings and consistent business expansion.

The full-year financial results, released on March 26, 2026, reveal a significant leap forward for the institution.

Key Financial Highlights for 2025:

• Total Assets: Reached an impressive Rwf1.1 trillion, marking a substantial 33 per cent increase year-on-year. This growth underscores the bank’s resilient business model and its increasing contribution to Rwanda’s economic landscape.
• Profitability: Demonstrated strong returns, with a return on equity of 21.23 per cent and a return on assets of 2.38 per cent. These figures are strong indicators of the bank’s ability to translate balance sheet growth into sustainable shareholder value.
• Profit After Tax: Saw a significant 24 per cent year-on-year increase, reaching Rwf23.1 billion in 2025.
• Net Operating Income: Expanded by 18 per cent to Rwf72.3 billion.

In recognition of this exceptional performance, the Board of Directors has proposed a dividend of Rwf3.44 per share for 2025, an increase from Rwf2.46 in the previous year. This proposal is subject to approval at the Annual Shareholders General Meeting scheduled for May 2026.

Driving Lending Growth and Balance Sheet Expansion

The expansion of I&M Bank Rwanda’s balance sheet was primarily fueled by robust growth across its lending segments. The net loan portfolio experienced a significant surge of 37 per cent, reaching Rwf488 billion. This expansion was supported by strong credit demand and the bank’s strategic focus on financing key productive sectors of the Rwandan economy.

Several factors contributed to this impressive lending performance:

• Enhanced Sales Force Effectiveness: Investments in the sales team led to improved outreach and client engagement.
• Targeted Sector Lending Initiatives: The bank actively pursued lending opportunities within identified growth sectors.
• Increased Branch-Driven Sales: Particularly in areas outside the capital city of Kigali, branches played a crucial role in driving loan origination.
• Innovative Financial Solutions: The rollout of tailored financial products addressed the evolving needs of customers.

Strong Deposit Growth and Funding Strength

On the funding side, I&M Bank Rwanda witnessed strong momentum in deposit growth, with an increase of 36 per cent. This achievement reflects the bank’s continuous emphasis on deepening customer relationships and broadening its customer base.

Operating income continued to strengthen, driven by:

• Higher Business Volumes: Increased transaction activity across various banking services.
• Deeper Customer Engagement: Building stronger, more comprehensive relationships with existing clients.
• Ecosystem Banking Strategy: Steady progress in integrating services and partnerships within key economic ecosystems.

Furthermore, growth in interest-earning assets, coupled with disciplined balance sheet management, resulted in a substantial 38 per cent increase in net interest income, directly reflecting the expansion of the loan book.

Strategic Investments in Operations and Efficiency

While driving growth, I&M Bank Rwanda also made strategic investments to secure its long-term future. Operating expenses saw a 14 per cent increase, primarily driven by intentional investments in talent, technology, and infrastructure. Key priorities included:

• Talent Development: Enhanced staff training and capacity-building programs to foster a skilled workforce.
• Digital Platforms: Increased investment in digital channels to improve service delivery and customer experience.
• Infrastructure Improvements: Upgrades to both physical branch networks and digital service delivery systems.

Despite these forward-looking investments, the bank maintained a strong focus on operational efficiency. The cost-to-income ratio improved to 47.62 per cent, a testament to the bank’s cost discipline, positive operating leverage, and the benefits derived from sustained revenue momentum.

Commitment to Inclusive Growth and Social Impact

Beyond its financial achievements, I&M Bank Rwanda demonstrated a deep commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth and strengthening ecosystem partnerships.

• Ecosystem Financing: During the year, the bank’s ecosystem financing programs disbursed Rwf29.1 billion, providing crucial support to businesses and entrepreneurs across priority economic sectors.
• Community Impact: Through these initiatives and strategic collaborations, the bank positively impacted an estimated 1.1 million people.
• Environmental Sustainability: The bank actively contributed to environmental sustainability by planting 10,000 trees since the commencement of its 2024-2026 strategy.

These programs span critical areas such as financial inclusion, job creation, community welfare, social development, agriculture, and food security. The bank’s management indicated that this dedication to long-term societal impact is on track to achieve its target of improving two million lives by the end of 2026.

Customer Focus and Industry Recognition

Customer engagement remained a cornerstone of the bank’s strategy throughout the year. Significant improvements were observed across key service indicators. Concurrently, the bank continued to bolster its risk governance and control environment, ensuring sustainable growth and operational resilience.

The bank’s performance and unwavering focus on customer-centric innovation garnered international acclaim. I&M Bank Rwanda was honored with prestigious awards at the Global Banking & Finance Review Awards 2025, being named:

• Best SME Bank in Rwanda
• Best Retail Bank in Rwanda

These accolades highlight the bank’s leadership in delivering innovative financial solutions and its vital role in supporting the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises across Rwanda.

Leadership Perspective and Future Outlook

Benjamin Mutimura, Chief Executive Officer of I&M Bank Rwanda Plc, expressed his satisfaction with the year’s results: “2025 has been a defining year for I&M Bank Rwanda as we surpassed the Rwf1 trillion asset milestone and delivered another year of strong and sustainable financial performance. These results reflect the continued confidence our customers place in us, the dedication of our employees, and the disciplined execution of our strategy.”

He further commented on the bank’s strategic positioning: “Our focus on building strong financial ecosystems, deepening customer relationships, and investing in digital capabilities continues to position us for long-term growth. We remain committed to supporting Rwanda’s economic transformation by expanding access to financial services and empowering businesses and individuals across the country. Looking ahead, we are confident that the momentum we have built will enable us to continue delivering sustainable growth while creating long-term value for all our stakeholders.”

Looking forward, the bank plans to maintain its strategic focus on ecosystem partnerships, digital innovation, operational excellence, and customer-centric growth. These priorities are expected to further strengthen the bank’s market position and contribute significantly to the ongoing development of Rwanda’s financial sector and its broader economy.

About I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc

Established in 1963, I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc holds the distinction of being Rwanda’s oldest bank. Over the decades, it has evolved into a prominent player within the financial industry, boasting a robust nationwide presence. The bank offers a comprehensive suite of products and services catering to personal, business, institutional, and corporate clients through its various locations. I&M Bank Rwanda is a subsidiary of I&M Group PLC, a leading regional financial services group operating in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, and a joint venture with CIEL Group (Bank One) in Mauritius. I&M Group has a long-standing history in banking, supported by an extensive network of correspondent banks globally and strong relationships with leading international Development Financial Institutions.