Absa Bank Uganda has been recognised as the Green Financial Institution of the Year at the third edition of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Sustainability Awards,
The accolade recognises the bank’s contributions to sustainable financing and environmental stewardship.
The award was presented by NEMA Executive Director Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, who commended institutions pushing the boundaries of environmental compliance and championing economic initiatives that actively protect Uganda’s ecosystems.
Accepting the award, Pamela Turyatunga, Absa Uganda’s Sustainability Manager, said the recognition affirms the bank’s institutional purpose to be an active force for good.
“This award validates our deliberate journey toward anchoring sustainability at the core of our business operations,” Turyatunga said. “At Absa, we believe that financial growth must never come at the expense of our planet. This milestone inspires us to scale up our green lending portfolios, empower local communities with climate-resilient capacity, and continue financing solutions that secure a sustainable, low-carbon future for Uganda.”
Absa Bank Uganda’s environmental contributions include USD 50 million in renewable energy financing for smart grid technologies that improve energy efficiency, as well as the installation of energy storage systems that help stabilise renewable power. The bank also provided UGX 82 billion in sustainable financing, including affordable loans to commercial riders for the acquisition of electric motorcycles, supporting both green mobility and women’s economic empowerment through income generation.
The bank has also made significant strides in reforestation, planting over 1.28 million trees since 2023 — surpassing its three-year target of one million trees well ahead of schedule. These efforts form part of a broader strategy to build community resilience while mitigating the impact of climate change.
The NEMA Sustainability Awards celebrate individuals, organisations, and communities that demonstrate strong adherence to environmental laws while innovating for climate adaptation. Absa Bank’s win underscores its standing in sustainable finance, reflecting the broader role the financial sector can play in environmental protection.
Absa has invested heavily in sustainability through sustainable finance exceeding its initial target to mobilize R100 billion. The group now targets $300 billion in sustainable finance by 2030, funding renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, green buildings, and electric mobility to achieve Net Zero operational emissions by 2040 and financed emissions by 2050
:Absa has directed tens of billions into the energy transition, including $50 million in smart-grid and energy-storage solutions and a landmark joint venture with African Rainbow Energy to scale up independent power asset
