Paul Arithi 
Rwanda has been Equity Group’s highest return business whilst generating high growth and sustained efficient operations. The acquisition and amalgamation of Cogebanque will help shore and transform Equity Rwanda’s economies of scale with the resulting 54% growth in balance sheet, positioning it to play a more meaningful role across the economy and the region in line with Equity Group’s Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan (ARRP).{Photo/Equity Group Plc}
- Equity Group Holdings Plc enters into a binding term sheet with the Government of Rwanda, Rwanda Social Security Board, and other investors to acquire 91.93% of the issued share capital of Compagnie Générale de Banque (Cogebanque) PLC Ltd.
- Cogebanque is a public limited company licensed by the central bank of Rwanda (BNR) to provide banking services in Rwanda and ranks as the fifth largest bank in Rwanda.
- Equity Group will pay a cash consideration of USD 48.1 million for the 91.93% stake.
- Equity Group intends to make an offer to the remaining shareholders to own 100% of Cogebanque
- Completion of the Cogebanque acquisition is subject to conditions that are customary to transactions of this nature
Equity Group Holdings Plc, in keeping with its strategic regional expansion, today announced its intention to acquire Compagnie Générale de Banque (Cogebanque) PLC Ltd in Rwanda after signing a binding term sheet that will mean that, upon completion of the transaction, EGH will pay an aggregate cash consideration of RWF 54.68 billion (USD 48.1 million) for a 91.93% controlling equity stake. The acquisition of the fifth largest bank, and subsequent amalgamation of the business with that of Equity Group’s existing banking subsidiary in Rwanda, would position Equity Bank as the 2nd largest bank in Rwanda after the merger with a total combined assets market share of 18% and a deposits market share of 19% based on audited accounts as at 31st December 2022. The transaction would solidify Equity Group’s systemic status in the region with the amalgamated Rwanda subsidiary joining Equity Bank Kenya and EquityBCDC in the Democratic Republic of Congo as banks with the second largest market share in their respective markets.
Equity Group’s investment and capital allocation is guided by the Company’s strong growth history and robust outlook. Dr James Mwangi, Group Managing Director and CEO, Equity Group Holdings Plc said, “Rwanda’s 5-year average GDP growth rate at 6.5% ranks it amongst the 10 fastest growing countries in the world.” He added, “Rwanda’s economic growth is expected to be supported by a continued ease of doing business, recovery of global travel that will underpin its tourism and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) strategy targeting Foreign Direct Investments, regional integration, supporting trade and increasing contribution to its manufacturing sector. An underpenetrated financial services sector, with private sector credit and GDP being below 30% provides a well-defined secular growth opportunity for the financial services Group.”
“Equity Group’s acquisition of Cogebanque reflects the trust and confidence placed in Rwanda’s economic prospects and the resilience of our financial industry. The consolidation of these two institutions will undoubtedly contribute to the growth and stability of Rwanda’s banking sector, enabling us to provide better financial services to our citizens and facilitate economic empowerment,” said Dr Uzziel Ndagijimana, Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning.
Rwanda has been Equity Group’s highest return business whilst generating high growth and sustained efficient operations. The acquisition and amalgamation of Cogebanque will help shore and transform Equity Rwanda’s economies of scale with the resulting 54% growth in balance sheet, positioning it to play a more meaningful role across the economy and the region in line with Equity Group’s Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan (ARRP). The larger balance sheet with an enhanced single lending obligor limit will better support the financing needs and requirements of businesses in the high growth sectors further enhancing capacity for syndicated lending with other large banks in Rwanda to support economic growth of Rwanda as envisioned under Vision 2050 and facilitate growth in key sectors of Tourism, MICE and manufacturing.
Through combining Cogebanque’s existing network of 28 branches with that of Equity Rwanda, the combined bank will achieve countrywide distribution and coverage while acquiring and strengthening its Micro-, Small- and Medium-sized Enterprise (MSME) franchise, which is its core strength. The MSME segment of the Rwanda economy will greatly benefit from Equity’s strong product offering and innovative technology solutions for the segment.
“This acquisition and proposed amalgamation of Cogebanque with Equity Bank Rwanda will result in a strengthened National and Regional Commercial bank in line with, and underpinning Rwanda’s aspirations of being an international financial and business center. Strong Local, National and Regional commercial banks will be the foundation of such a regional and International Financial Services Center status”, said Dr. Mwangi
