Equity Bank Uganda is expanding its capacity to design and deploy green loan products following a specialized training program with the Uganda Green Enterprise Finance Accelerator.
The three-day intensive workshop focused on building internal expertise to better serve the green small-and-medium enterprise sector. Twenty staff members from key departments, including credit, risk, and environmental, social and governance, participated in the sessions at the Golden Tulip Hotel.
The training addressed a critical gap in the Ugandan market. While green SMEs are essential to sustainable development, many struggle to access capital due to limited collateral and the perceived risks associated with emerging green technologies. By strengthening its internal capacity, Equity Bank aims to overcome these hurdles and create financial products specifically tailored for environmentally friendly businesses.
The program provided practical tools for developing loan products that balance commercial viability with environmental impact. Participants studied risk management, pricing models and go-to-market strategies aligned with Uganda’s National Green Taxonomy.
Catherine Psogmen, director of public sector and social investment at Equity Bank Uganda, said the initiative helps the bank navigate a complex regulatory environment.
As a bank we appreciate the partnership that we have with the European Union and adelphi under the UGEFA project, Psogmen said. We learned something on scoping opportunities. This is critical.
Psogmen noted that the training ensures the bank can meet expectations regarding climate risk regulations and demonstrate its status as a sustainable organization. She committed the bank to growing its refinancing numbers based on the new strategies.
Virginia Ssemakula, the bank’s pillar Head for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, said building this expertise allows the bank to confidently structure products that respond to market needs while meeting global climate priorities.
The expansion of green loan capacity positions Equity Bank as a primary catalyst for the growth of sustainable enterprises in Uganda.
The affordable financing facility dubbed Equi Green loan with support from the Uganda Energy Credit Capitalization Company (UECCC),enables poor and middle-income households to access clean energy for lighting, cooking and practicing climate smart agriculture.
Equity customers buy improved cook stoves, solar lighting systems, biomass systems, irrigation systems and water storage tanks through affordable, simplified loan products starting from as low as 200,000 Ugx payable in 6 or 12 months. The clean energy loan is available at all Equity Bank branches and a customer can pick up the product at the nearest Equi Green loan appointed agent.
Specioza Kimera Ndagire, the Managing Director of UECCC said, “The aim of the Product is to enable Ugandans access electricity in off grid areas by addressing the affordability barrier arising from the up-front cost of solar systems. This is in line with the National Development Plan (NDPIII) Sustainable Energy Program objectives of increasing access and utilization of electricity, increasing adoption and use of clean energy and promotion of utilization of energy efficient practices and technologies.”
“Our new partnership with Equity Bank Uganda will enable us reach more people through their countrywide customer network,” she added.