Who are you, Jessica?
I can describe myself in different ways. I am a human being, a person with a purpose, one I am committed to fulfilling. I am a mother of three children, a wife, a sister, and a daughter. I am also a leader, and above all, someone who believes in making a difference in everything I do and within the community where I live.
You are also the leading figure of CRDB Bank in Congo. You have been based in Lubumbashi for three years, and CRDB is originally a Tanzanian bank. Why did it choose the DRC, and what is its market positioning?
Thank you. It’s actually a very interesting story. When we were looking at countries to expand into as part of our growth strategy, we considered several options. After conducting our assessments, we decided that the DRC would be the best fit.
One of the main reasons is that Tanzania and the DRC already share strong diplomatic relations. The governments maintain good cooperation, including joint projects. In addition, there is already significant trade between the people of both countries. Many Tanzanian companies operate in the Congo, and likewise, Congolese companies are active in Tanzania. This includes not only large corporations but also small and medium-sized enterprises.
Another important factor is the shared cultural and linguistic aspects. As neighbouring countries, there are natural similarities. For example, Swahili is widely spoken in Tanzania and is also commonly used in parts of the DRC, particularly in the eastern and southern regions.
All these elements made the decision very logical for us. Expanding into the DRC allows us to strengthen the connection between the two countries not only in terms of trade but also by supporting people’s aspirations and contributing to their financial growth.
We are in March, a month dedicated to celebrating women’s values—so we can say it is our month. As a woman and a leader, could you tell us about the bank’s social impact in the region, particularly in the province? And more specifically, does the bank support women within your institution.
Yes, we do. Let me start with our key pillars. We have three main pillars through which we empower and support women.
The first pillar is our employees, our staff. We are committed to gender diversity, and currently, we are working towards achieving a 50–50 gender balance within CRDB Bank here in Congo. We have not yet reached that goal, but it remains a top priority for us.
In terms of supporting women internally, we focus on building their capabilities and preparing them for future opportunities, especially in leadership roles within the bank. We invest in training programs to ensure they are future-ready. This includes leadership development programs, mentorship initiatives, and coaching sessions. These efforts have been ongoing since the establishment of the bank in 2023.
The second pillar focuses on our business and how we serve women as clients.
We pay particular attention to women’s aspirations and the types of financial products that can best meet their needs. We understand that women have different financial needs, whether they are professionals or entrepreneurs and we believe they deserve tailored solutions.
As part of this commitment, we have developed a product called Malkia, which means queen. This is our dedicated brand for women.
The Malkia account allows women to save with no deductions—there are no charges on this account. In addition, clients can earn interest on their savings. Another key benefit is access to financing: women can obtain loans of up to 80% of their savings in their Malkia account.
Beyond this, we also offer various financing solutions tailored to women. These include SME loans for women entrepreneurs, mortgage financing for those who wish to acquire property, and purchase order financing to support business operations.
If we look at the range of products and services we offer to women, we focus on understanding their current needs, their aspirations, and how we can support them not only in growing their businesses but also in achieving financial freedom in their personal lives.
Another important aspect we consider is the community. We operate in a very diverse environment, and as part of our corporate social responsibility, we focus on four main pillars: health, education, the environment, and entrepreneurship.
In terms of community development, we have supported several health-related initiatives, particularly through our flagship brand activity, the CRDB Bank Marathon, which takes place every August. Through this event, we run for a cause and raise funds to support healthcare.
Over the past two years, we have raised funds that benefited two institutions. One was the Jason Sendwe Hospital, specifically its Children’s Ward. The most recent marathon supported the Military Hospital of Garrison. These initiatives are aimed primarily at improving healthcare access, especially for women and children.
However, our support is inclusive, everyone can benefit from better healthcare services regardless of their background.
These are some of the ways we aim to make a meaningful impact in our society in Congo, while also supporting women and the broader community.
I would like to ask you, Jessica, if you have the last words to conclude.
I believe that women empowerment is a journey. Where we are today is not yet where we should be. There is still a long way to go.
In many areas, women do not yet enjoy the same opportunities as men. Therefore, the effort must continue. It must be intentional and consistent. Most importantly, it requires the involvement of all stakeholders, because women empowerment is not just a women’s issue—it is about fairness and about caring for humanity as a whole.
As my final words, I would say that we all have a responsibility to empower and support women, as well as initiatives that promote their development. This is essential if we want to build the kind of society we aspire to see.
I hope that the progress and milestones we are witnessing today will continue to grow, and that we will push even further so that women who currently lack equal opportunities will one day be able to access them.
Entretien recueilli par M&B, 26th March 2026
Exergues
“ Expanding into the DRC allows us to strengthen the connection between the two countries.”
“ Women empowerment is not just a women’s issue, it is about fairness and about caring for humanity as a whole “.