NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 1 – Equity Bank has moved to enhance its South Sudan operations marked by the opening of its fourth branch in Juba.
As part of its branch expansion projects, Equity Bank South Sudan has opened a fully-fledged branch in Juba’s Bilpam suburb, which holds commercial strategic significance as the home to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) General headquarters.
The new Equity Bank Bilpam branch was officially opened by the SPLA Deputy Chief of General Staff for Administration and Finance Lt. Gen Pieng Deng Kuol in ceremony witnessed by scores of SPLA officers.
Speaking during the launch the Equity Bank South Sudan Executive Director Paul Gitahi while thanking the South Sudanese Government for its continued support disclosed that the bank is developing tailor made products and services for the South Sudan market.
“We want to thank the government, Central Bank and people of South Sudan for their support and want to assure that we shall continue to research and develop products and services that address the needs and aspirations of our customers and the people of South Sudan,” said Mr Gitahi.
Lt General Kuol who was accompanied by other senior members of the SPLA commended the bank for reaching out to the people and especially the soldiers who will now enjoy banking services closer to their general headquarters.
He asked the SPLA staff to take advantage of Equity Bank services, which are now readily accessible in their locality. He requested the bank to invest in financial literacy targeting soldiers.
The Director of Bank Supervision Central Bank of South Sudan Daniel Gwagwe who represented the Governor informed the guests that Equity is well capitalized to roll out operations in the whole of South Sudan.
“The specialised expertise of International financial institutions like Equity Bank is needed to augment existing efforts in the republic of south Sudan by our government, for this newly born nation to have a stable monetary system capable of supporting economic growth, prosperity and development in all the sectors of the economy” he added.
Mr Gitahi informed the invited guests that Equity would partner with the people of South Sudan on their journey to transform their lives and livelihoods as they also build their new nation. He said that the bank would in the near future start operations in other states like Western Equatorial, Eastern Equatorial, Jonglei and Western Baraghazal among others.
