By David Mwanje
Uganda has launched a new Sustainable Finance Curriculum to guide banks and financial institutions in supporting environmentally friendly and inclusive development. The program was unveiled at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel.
The curriculum was developed by aBi Finance Limited and the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS), with support from the Royal Danish Embassy, Impact Fund Denmark, and the European Union Delegation to Uganda. It is the first of its kind in the country and aims to equip bankers and financial professionals with practical skills to apply environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles in their work.
It seeks to make finance a tool for change by turning loans into support for green farms, women-led enterprises, and refugee-owned businesses that promote sustainability and resilience. The curriculum targets banks, microfinance institutions, and training institutions, and includes modules on green lending, risk management, and transparent reporting.
Mona Muguma Ssebuliba, CEO of aBi Finance Limited, said the program will help channel funding toward inclusive enterprises. “Through this curriculum, we are mobilising capital for green and inclusive businesses, especially those led by women, youth, and refugees,” she said.
Christine Banuta, from the European Union Delegation to Uganda, said the curriculum complements national and international green initiatives, including Uganda’s National Green Taxonomy developed with the Ministry of Finance and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). The taxonomy provides a guide for classifying green investments across sectors.
Banuta also revealed that Uganda is developing its first Green Bond Framework in partnership with the Bank of Uganda, to attract more investment into sustainable projects. “The biggest barrier to financing green enterprises is knowledge,” she said. “This curriculum bridges that gap by building competence and confidence in sustainable finance.”
Adam Sparre Spliid, Deputy Head of Mission at the Danish Embassy, said the project will help redirect financial flows “from black to green,” reaffirming Denmark’s support for Uganda’s green transition.
Felix Okoboi, Board Chair of aBi Finance, said the future of finance lies in sustainability. “Profit alone is not enough true success lies in creating value for people, communities, and the planet,” he said.
Goretti Masadde, CEO of UIBFS, said the initiative strengthens the institute’s role as a center of excellence for financial services training. “This curriculum comes at the right time. It will enhance the skills of finance professionals to address the realities of a changing economy,” she noted.
Closing the event, Michael Mugabi, Managing Director of Housing Finance Bank and Chair of the UIBFS Board, said sustainable finance is no longer optional. “It is essential. This program will empower financial professionals to lead Uganda’s transition toward a green and inclusive economy,” he said.
