Kampala, 18 September 2025 – The Uganda Green Enterprise Finance Accelerator (UGEFA) is delighted to announce a landmark partnership with seven leading Ugandan banks: Equity Bank, I&M Bank, dfcu Bank, Opportunity Bank, PostBank, NCBA, and Housing Finance Bank. Together, these pioneering institutions are taking bold steps to scale green finance and drive Uganda’s transition to a green and inclusive economy.
As part of this collaboration, UGEFA and its banking partners have jointly set up a dedicated funding facility offering blended finance products—loans are blended with grants—specifically tailored for green Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). This innovative approach is designed to unlock capital for businesses that champion environmental sustainability, empowering them to grow and create a positive impact across Uganda.
Eligible ticket sizes for these subsidised range from 36.7 million UGX to 367 million UGX, ensuring that both emerging and more established green SMEs can access the funding they need. Through this facility, up to 140 green SMEs will be able to benefit, accelerating the adoption of sustainable business models in Uganda.
These seven banks are at the forefront of the Ugandan financial sector, demonstrating strong leadership and commitment to advancing green finance. Their participation underscores a shared vision to foster innovative financial solutions that enable SMEs to thrive while tackling urgent environmental challenges.
This partnership reflects a mutual dedication to building a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive economy by supporting local entrepreneurs and accelerating Uganda’s journey towards sustainable development.
UGEFA is funded by the European Union Delegation to Uganda, whose support has been instrumental in enabling this initiative.
Leadership Perspectives
Bank representatives expressed their enthusiasm for working with UGEFA to deliver financial solutions that address both economic and environmental challenges.
- dfcu Bank emphasised its commitment to fostering responsible business growth and empowering enterprises to grow sustainably.
- Equity Bank highlighted the importance of advancing sustainable finance to create long-term value for businesses and communities.
- Housing Finance Bank pledged to unlock the potential of green SMEs with innovative products and expert guidance.
- I&M Bank underscored the role of finance in driving real environmental and social change.
- NCBA reaffirmed its dedication to catalysing sustainable business growth in Uganda.
- Opportunity Bank stressed its commitment to expanding access to finance for green innovators nationwide.
- PostBank, now transitioning to Pearl Bank, linked the partnership to its broader strategy of repositioning as a sustainable business.
Cristina Bănuţă, Programme Manager, Access to Finance, Agribusiness and Land at the Delegation of the European Union to Uganda, remarked:
“The European Union is proud to support these partnerships, which exemplifies how access to finance can drive inclusive, sustainable growth. By empowering green enterprises, we are unlocking opportunities that build resilience, create jobs, and protect the environment.”
Christine Meyer, Project Lead at UGEFA, added:
“We are thrilled to welcome both long-standing and new partners to the UGEFA community. Together, we can scale the flow of green finance to Uganda’s SMEs, enabling entrepreneurs to deliver sustainable innovations, generate jobs, and contribute to a greener, more inclusive economy. The partnership with these seven banks is instrumental to unlock green finance for SMEs.”
About UGEFA
The Uganda Green Enterprise Finance Accelerator supports the growth of green SMEs through capacity building, technical assistance, and access to finance. By working closely with financial institutions and stakeholders, UGEFA empowers businesses to drive positive environmental and social change.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Paula Cros Marchena, Head of Communications, UGEFA.
Email: info@ugefa.eu
