By Solomon Lubowa
Pearl Bank Uganda has been recognized for its growing impact in supporting smallholder farmers and agribusinesses through innovative, accessible lending solutions, reinforcing its position as a key player in Uganda’s agricultural financing landscape.
Formerly known as PostBank Uganda, the bank was named Best Agri-SME Lender during the Aceli Africa Uganda Stakeholder Roundtable, an honor that highlights its strong contribution to advancing agricultural finance. The recognition comes as stakeholders intensify efforts to close financing gaps that continue to limit productivity and growth in Uganda’s agriculture sector.
The roundtable, convened by Aceli Africa in Kampala, brought together about 100 participants, including representatives from Bank of Uganda, Uganda Bankers Association, commercial banks, investors, and development partners. The meeting reviewed five years of progress in agri-SME financing since Aceli’s 2020 launch in Uganda and explored priorities for the next phase under Aceli 2.0 (2026–2030). Discussions focused on lessons learned, persistent challenges, and opportunities to catalyze sustainable lending to small and medium agricultural enterprises.
According to Aceli Africa, partnerships with 19 Ugandan financial institutions have mobilized about $101 million through 1,500 loans, benefiting more than 350,000 smallholder farmers and workers while contributing an estimated $514 million in crop purchases and wages. The next phase aims to better align technical support with capital flows to strengthen long-term market sustainability.
Speaking after receiving the award, Pearl Bank Managing Director Julius Kakeeto said the recognition underscores the bank’s commitment to bridging the financing gap in agriculture — a sector that employs the majority of Ugandans and is central to food security and export growth. He revealed that Pearl Bank’s agricultural portfolio has grown by roughly 180 percent since 2020, driven by tailored products such as seasonal working capital loans, risk-sharing facilities, and financing partnerships aligned with government initiatives, including the Agriculture Credit Facility. These efforts, he said, are enabling rural communities to adopt climate-smart practices and scale operations.
The ceremony also celebrated Julius Akais, Pearl Bank’s Supervisor for Agriculture and Partnerships, who was named Agri-SME Lending Champion for his leadership in de-risking agribusiness lending and expanding farmer access to credit. The recognition adds to the bank’s earlier honors at the Annual Bankers Awards, reflecting its sustained commitment to inclusive agricultural financing and Uganda’s broader development goals.
