Stanbic Bank Uganda has officially launched the Stanbic Green Tech Accelerator Program, a landmark two-year initiative in partnership with the Ambassade de France en Ouganda.
This program is designed to be a significant catalyst for Uganda’s transition to an inclusive and sustainable green economy, with a sharp focus on empowering Youth and Women-led enterprises.
Launched at the Protea Marriott Hotel in Kampala under the theme, “Youth and Women Employment in Tomorrow’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship,” the program is a direct expression of Stanbic Bank’s commitment to driving Uganda’s growth by aligning financial resources with the nation’s most pressing environmental and economic challenges.
Investment in the WYF Agenda and Climate Resilience
The Stanbic Green Tech Accelerator Program is a high-impact initiative targeting over 200 youth and women-led green enterprises across two key economic hubs: Kampala and the Albertine region (Hoima).
This intentional focus, according to Catherine Poran, the Stanbic Business Incubator Chief Executive, directly reinforces Stanbic Bank’s overarching Women, Youth, and Farmers (WYF) agenda, viewing these demographics as the primary drivers of sustainable national progress.
The program, Poran noted, specifically targets innovators and entrepreneurs developing solutions across four crucial green sectors, which include:
Renewable Energy, Waste Management, Sustainable Agriculture and the Circular Economy.
As Ms. Poran stated, this partnership “reaffirms our shared commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, job creation, and climate-smart innovation, advancing Uganda’s transition toward a more inclusive and sustainable green economy by 2040.”
Partnership for Sustainable Development
The launch event was presided over by Ms. Poran and H.E. Virginie Leroy, the Ambassador of France to Uganda. The French Embassy’s involvement underscores the program’s alignment with international efforts to support climate-resilient economic growth in Africa.
James Karama, Head Client Coverage CIB, SUHL (Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited), emphasised the bank’s core purpose, which is, “Uganda is our home, we drive her growth.”
He noted that the bank is intentionally directing its financial and non-financial resources towards critical areas, including financial inclusion, enterprise development, and job creation.
He noted that as a tangible expression of this commitment, Stanbic Bank is pledging to mobilise and deploy up to Shs1 billion by 2028 to support these strategic initiatives.
Financial Resources Meet Green Innovation
The program is designed to address the unique challenges faced by green entrepreneurs, particularly those led by women and youth, by providing them with the necessary skills, mentorship, and access to capital to scale their innovative solutions.
By targeting sectors like renewable energy and sustainable agriculture, the accelerator ensures that the financial support channelled is directly fostering climate resilience while simultaneously creating sustainable jobs.
This creates a virtuous cycle where economic empowerment (WYF Agenda) and environmental stewardship (Green Tech) reinforce each other, shaping a greener and more inclusive future for Uganda.