The 3rd Annual National Microfinance and Savings Groups Conference 2025 concluded with a strong consensus on the need to accelerate digitisation to achieve deeper financial inclusion in Uganda.
At the heart of the dialogue, Stanbic Bank Uganda CEO Kenneth Mumba Kalifungwa reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to strategic partnerships aimed at strengthening Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) and Savings and Credit Co-operative Organisations (SACCOs) through digital access and crucial capacity-building.
The conference, which convened hundreds of stakeholders from MFIs, SACCOs, fintechs, and government agencies, highlighted that microfinance is a proven driver of poverty reduction, with digital channels being the key to scaling its impact.
Digital Access and Capacity Building
Stanbic Bank Uganda’s presence at the high-level event highlights the critical role Tier-1 commercial banks play in supporting the foundational microfinance sector.
Kalifungwa emphasised that, “The bank is actively working to bridge the gap between large-scale financial services and grassroots micro-enterprises.”
He noted that Stanbic Bank’s commitment centers on two core pillars:
Digital Access
Providing the necessary digital infrastructure and channels to allow SACCOs and micro-enterprises to operate more efficiently, securely, and transparently. This is vital, as the conference recognised that digitisation is no longer optional but central to achieving scale and inclusion.
Capacity Building
He noted that Stanbic is committed to offering expertise and training to ensure that SACCO leaders, members, and micro-entrepreneurs can safely and effectively adopt technology, mitigating risks associated with the digital transition.
This approach, Kalifungwa pointed out, aligns Stanbic Bank with the sector as a collaborative partner, using its resources to empower the backbone of Uganda’s economy.
Government and Industry Alignment on Digital Finance
The conference benefited from clear guidance from government leaders, who stressed that robust regulatory frameworks are enabling the digital expansion.
Hon. Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune, the State Minister for Microfinance, highlighted the enabling role of frameworks like the National Payment System Act in scaling secure digital finance.
Ramathan Ggoobi, the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, reiterated that microfinance is a proven driver of poverty reduction and that digital channels like mobile money are key to Uganda’s rising inclusion numbers.
This environment of government commitment provides a stable foundation for partnerships championed by leaders like Kalifungwa, allowing banks to invest in digital solutions for smaller institutions with confidence.
Key Takeaways for the Digital Frontier
The Microfinance Forum concluded with calls for unified action across the sector, all supported by the kind of public-private collaboration that Kalifungwa advocates for, which includes:
Accelerated Digitisation: A push for MFIs and Savings Groups to rapidly adopt technology.
Consumer Protection: Stronger mechanisms are needed to safeguard vulnerable users from predatory digital lending and enhance transparency.
Sustainable Finance: Alignment of financial inclusion efforts with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) priorities and climate resilience, ensuring that microfinance success embeds social and environmental responsibility.
The participation of Stanbic’s CEO Kalifungwa signals that large financial institutions are recognising their obligation to drive sustainable financial inclusion not just through direct lending, but through strategic digital empowerment of the grassroots organisations that serve millions of youth, women and rural clients across Uganda.