Boosting Sustainable Growth Through Green Finance in Northern Uganda
Small assignment that could yield big development dividend
Greening rural financial services for sustainable growth can be both inexpensive and effective. For Northern Uganda, this is recommended in a well-focused report by FRIENDS Consult Limited (FCL). The report followed a study under a subcontract from GOPA-AFC for the GiZ’s PRUDEV II Project. It analysed MSME finance ecosystem in the region and recommended practical steps towards greening financial services for agribusiness.
Why the report matters
Three good reasons related to sustainable development in rural Uganda:
- It identifies the critical challenges and opportunities in Agri-MSME financing in general and green finance in particular – challenges like limited credit access, digital illiteracy, low commercialization of small scale agricultural production, and inadequate understanding of the need for sustainable farming. Government and development partners can intervene in an informed way.
- The Green Finance recommendations provide practical steps towards climate-smart agribusiness using financial services, thus aligning with global sustainability trends.
- Demonstration effect on empowering Women and Youth for sustainable and inclusive job creation and poverty reduction in rural economies.
Unpacking the Assignment: The 5Ws
What? Delves into the practical realities of Northern Uganda small scale farmers and other agri-business MSMEs to recommend requisite strategies both improved access and greening of agribusiness finance.
Why? Need to enhance financial access, promote green practices, boost livelihoods through increased household incomes, and to support the lingering post-conflict recovery and food security.
Who? Commissioned by GOPA-AFC, conducted by FCL for GIZ’s German-funded PRUDEV II. Targeted at rural women and youth-led MSMEs as beneficiaries.
When? Submitted in May 2025; expected to help the financial access subcomponent of the PRUDEV II project which goes on up to 2026.
Where? Acholi and Lango subregions of Northern Uganda.
Alignment with Development Agenda
Aligns with Uganda’s NDP IV, National Financial Inclusion Strategy II(2023-2028), the MSME Policy and the Green Growth Agenda. Globally, supports SDGs, BMZ 2030, and Green Climate Fund for climate-smart agriculture and inclusive finance.
Our Commitment at FCL
FCL works with governments and development partners to pragmatically drive improvements in MSME and microfinance. Contact us at friendsconsult.co.ug, info@friendsconsult.co.ug, to collaborate on sustainable growth.
Dr. Keren Obara.
Digital Marketing Associate