By Publicist East Africa Editorial Team
As Uganda accelerates its journey toward middle-income status, one undeniable truth that stands out is that agriculture remains the backbone of the economy.
Yet, the full potential of this sector lies not in subsistence farming but in agro-industrialisation, a transformative approach that turns raw agricultural produce into high-value products, boosts exports, and creates jobs.
It is against this backdrop that Stanbic Bank Uganda, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), will host the Stanbic Consumer Thought Leadership Conference on May 13, 2025, at the Kampala Serena Conference Centre.
Themed “Accelerating the Momentum of Agro-Industrialisation,” the event promises to be a strategic confluence of ideas, action, and alignment among government, private sector, financiers, and development partners.
Why Agro-Industrialisation, Why Now?
The agriculture sector employs over 70% of Uganda’s population, but contributes only a fraction of the GDP.
This mismatch is a symptom of a deeper challenge: low productivity, limited value addition, and weak access to markets.
Agro-industrialisation thus aims to change this by strengthening the entire value chain from farm to factory, to export. For Stanbic Bank Uganda, this is not just a national agenda; it is a strategic imperative.
As Uganda’s largest commercial bank, Stanbic is uniquely positioned to be a key enabler of inclusive agricultural transformation through finance, infrastructure support, digital solutions, and policy advocacy.
Enter the WYF Agenda: Women, Youth, and Farmers in Focus
The cornerstone of Stanbic’s agricultural vision is the WYF Agenda, a Shs1 trillion investment commitment targeting Women, Youth, and Farmers.
This initiative aligns perfectly with the government’s socioeconomic transformation goals and national programs such as Operation Wealth Creation and the Parish Development Model (PDM).
“WYF is about giving urgency to the real drivers of Uganda’s agriculture who are our women, our youth, and our farmers,” says Kenneth Mumba Kalifungwa, the Chief Executive, Stanbic Bank Uganda.
“Through access to affordable credit, digital tools, training, and markets, we are building a new economy from the ground up,” he adds.
At the heart of WYF is the belief that agriculture is not just about food security but also about wealth creation, employment, and national identity.
What to Expect at the Conference
The conference will gather over 200 top-level stakeholders, including ministers, regulators, CEOs, exporters, agri-innovators, and development partners.
The Opening Plenary will feature leaders such as:
• Mr. Mumba Kalifungwa (CEO, Stanbic Bank Uganda)
• Ms. Linda Manda (Standard Bank EVP, Agribusiness)
• Hon. Frank Tumwebaze (Minister, MAAIF)
• Hon. Francis Mwebesa (Minister, MTIC)
• Maj. Gen. David Kasura (PS, MAAIF)
Key sessions will explore:
• Value addition in agro-value chains (sugar, dairy, cocoa, fish)
• Agro-export strategy and promotion
• The role of institutional finance, fintech, and policy support
• WYF-aligned financing models through SACCOs, incubators, and digital platforms.
The Panels of discussion will feature leaders from the Bank of Uganda, AGRA, the National Planning Authority, the Insurance Regulatory Authority, and private sector titans like the Madhvani Group and Clarke Group.
Spotlight: Financing the Future of Farming
One of the most anticipated discussions will be the Panel on Financing Agro-Industrialisation, to be moderated by Stanbic’s EVP Sovereign, Mr. John Tumwine.
This panel will address the cost of credit, de-risking agri-loans, public-private capital partnerships, and inclusion of rural and youth-led enterprises.
The presence of NSSF’s Strategy Head, Mr. Alex Rumanyika underscores the growing institutional appetite to fund long-term agri-projects that align with social security and sustainable development goals.
WYF in Action: More Than a Conference
Stanbic is going beyond boardroom dialogue. Through its Business Incubator, community SACCO support, and women/youth-focused agri-business mentorship programs, the bank is already seeding the ground for Uganda’s next generation of agripreneurs.
“The WYF agenda is not abstract, it’s live across Uganda,” notes Catherine Poran, Chief Executive of the Stanbic Business Incubator.
“From Gulu to Mbarara, we’re seeing women-led poultry farms, youth-run coffee enterprises, and smart fish farming operations take off,” she adds.
Conclusion: The Moment is now
This is not just another event. The Stanbic Consumer Thought Leadership Conference is a national moment; a convening that will shape policy, financing, and perception of agriculture for years to come.
This is because Agro-industrialisation is not optional. It is the only path to a competitive, inclusive, and resilient Ugandan economy.
And, Stanbic Bank Uganda, through its WYF commitment and ecosystem partnerships, is leading from the front.
For stakeholders across government, industry, and development, May 13, 2025, is the day to show up, step up, and sow the seeds of transformation.
To register for the Conference, click the link: