UN Women and Equity Bank Uganda Limited have signed a landmark agreement to advance women’s economic empowerment and expand access to inclusive financial services across Uganda.
The agreement, signed at Equity Bank’s boardroom at Church House in Kampala, establishes a two-year strategic partnership running from April 2026 to March 2028.
The initiative will focus on supporting women particularly those in underserved and refugee-hosting communities by improving access to financial services, strengthening business skills, and promoting sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Under the partnership, the two institutions will jointly implement programs aimed at enhancing financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion. The collaboration will also prioritize expanding access to affordable financial products, including savings, credit, and digital banking solutions tailored to women.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Adekemi Ndieli emphasized the importance of private sector partnerships in advancing gender equality.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that women especially those in underserved and vulnerable communities have the tools, resources, and opportunities to thrive economically,” she said. “By working together, we can accelerate progress toward inclusive growth and sustainable development.”
On behalf of Equity Bank Uganda, Managing Director Gift Shoko highlighted the bank’s role in driving inclusive finance.
“Equity Bank Uganda is proud to partner with UN Women to dismantle barriers that prevent women from achieving economic autonomy,” Shoko said. “Our commitment goes beyond financial products; we are offering training, digital literacy, and clean energy solutions to ensure women can compete and succeed in today’s economy.”
He added that inclusive finance remains central to sustainable development, noting that the partnership will empower women to transform both their enterprises and communities.
Key Focus Areas
The collaboration will concentrate on several priority areas, including expanding access to financial services, delivering financial literacy and entrepreneurship training, supporting women-led agribusinesses and cooperatives, and promoting clean energy financing solutions for low-income and rural communities.
The partnership will also work to strengthen social protection and resilience, particularly in refugee-hosting regions.
While UN Women will provide technical expertise, community mobilization, and policy support, Equity Bank Uganda will deliver tailored financial products, training, and advisory services. The initiative will be guided by a jointly developed work plan with clear targets and measurable outcomes.
The partnership is expected to benefit thousands of women across Uganda by enabling greater participation in economic activities and improving access to financial systems. It will also support women entrepreneurs in tapping into regional trade opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area, helping scale women-led enterprises and strengthen their role in driving economic growth.
About UN Women
UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It works globally to develop and uphold standards while creating conditions that enable women and girls to fully realize their rights and potential.
