Stanbic Bank, Agriculture Ministry to Fast-Track Uganda’s Agro-Industrialization agenda
On May 13, 2025, Stanbic Bank Uganda and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) co-hosted the inaugural Consumer Convention under the theme “Accelerating the Momentum of Agro-Industrialization.” The high-level forum brought together government officials, agribusiness leaders, financiers, and development partners to discuss strategies for transforming Uganda’s agricultural sector into an engine for economic growth, job creation, and increased exports.
State Minister for Agriculture Bright Rwamirama commended Stanbic Bank’s private-sector leadership in aligning with National Development Plan IV priorities, emphasizing the need to convert discussions into tangible investments. Stanbic Bank Chairman Damoni Kitabire highlighted the bank’s commitment to financial inclusion, particularly for women, youth, and smallholder farmers, through tailored financing, digital tools, and market linkages.
The convention showcased Stanbic’s UGX 450 billion investment in 2024 across Uganda’s agricultural value chain. Paul Muganwa, Stanbic’s Head of Corporate Banking, stressed that agro-industrialization remains an economic imperative, noting that despite agriculture employing 70% of Ugandans and contributing 24% to GDP, only 35% of arable land is productively used. Tunde Thorpe, Acting Head of Commercial Banking, outlined Stanbic’s sector-specific financial solutions to bridge critical gaps in processing, logistics, and export readiness.
The event reinforced the importance of public-private partnerships in driving Uganda’s agricultural transformation. By combining strategic financing, value addition, and sustainable practices, stakeholders aim to unlock the sector’s full potential—turning subsistence farming into a competitive, industrialized agro-economy that benefits all Ugandans.
