Search EN menu en EIB GROUP CLIENT PORTAL
Search
Results
Top 5 search results See all results Advanced search
Top searches
Most visited pages

Signature(s)

Amount
€ 100,000,000
Countries
Sector(s)
Uganda : € 100,000,000
Credit lines : € 100,000,000
Signature date(s)
31/07/2025 : € 25,000,000
31/07/2025 : € 75,000,000

Summary sheet

Release date
4 August 2025
Status
Reference
Signed | 31/07/2025
20230768
Project name
Promoter - financial intermediary
SUPPORT RURAL LIVELIHOODS UGANDA-LOAN FOR MSMES
STANBIC BANK UGANDA LTD
Proposed EIB finance (Approximate amount)
Total cost (Approximate amount)
EUR 100 million
not applicable
Location
Sector(s)
Description
Objectives

The credit facility is provided to Stanbic Bank Uganda for on-lending to eligible micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) as well as mid-caps. The facility will focus on the following thematic areas: i) sustainable agriculture and food security ii) women economic empowerment iii) climate action and environmental sustainability on a best effort basis.

With 90% of Uganda's private sector made up of MSMEs, which account for 80% of the manufactured output and 75% of the gross domestic product (GDP), the operation seeks to support this major segment of the economy by providing sub-loans targeted at female micro-clients and agricultural or climate-related SME projects. The operation is part of a joint collaboration with the Gates Foundation under its Woman Economic Empowerment work in East Africa aiming to increase access to finance for female micro-entrepreneurs at reasonable interest rates and lower collateral requirements. Additionally, it contributes to the recently approved "Women for Stronger Communities and Growth" initiative, endorsed by the EIB Management Committee.

Additionality and Impact

The EIB will provide a EUR 100m loan to Stanbic Bank Uganda ("SBUL"), for on-lending to eligible micro, small and medium-sized enterprises ("MSMEs").


The operation is part of a joint collaboration with the Gates Foundation under their Woman Economic Empowerment work in East Africa, and innovative facility fostering women economic empowerment through financial inclusion.


The operation addresses the issues of providing adequate access to finance for MSMEs, a particularly vulnerable segment of Uganda's economy that is active mainly in the agricultural sector and employs 70% of the adult population. SBUL will provide EUR 20m to women borrowers and EUR 80m to eligible projects in the agricultural sector, a priority sector for the EU and Uganda.


Aligned with EU cooperation- and partnership priorities, the operation contributes to the EU`s priority value chains: coffee, cocoa and horticulture and aligns with the on-going priorities towards the "Promotion of sustainable and inclusive Growth and Jobs" and towards the promotion of a "Green and Climate Transition".


The operation will contribute to achieving a number of Sustainable Development Goals. 

Environmental aspects
Procurement

Final beneficiaries will be requested to comply with applicable national and EU legislation, as appropriate.

Final beneficiaries will be requested to comply with applicable national and EU legislation, as appropriate.

Under Global Europe NDICI guarantee

Under EFSD+ Guarantee

Milestone
Under appraisal
Approved
Signed
15 May 2025
31 July 2025

Disclaimer

Before financing approval by the Board of Directors, and before loan signature, projects are under appraisal and negotiation. The information and data provided on this page are therefore indicative.
They are provided for transparency purposes only and cannot be considered to represent official EIB policy (see also the Explanatory notes).

General enquiries and comments

The EIB is committed to open communication and encourages constructive stakeholder input regarding its activities.
Enquiries and comments concerning the EIB’s involvement in a project or the financing facilities, activities, organisation and objectives of the EIB, can be sent to the EIB Infodesk.
Alternatively, the EIB can be contacted through its external offices.
Queries regarding details of a specific project, in particular when it is under appraisal by the EIB, should preferably be addressed directly to project promoters.

Media enquiries

Media-related enquiries can be addressed to the EIB Press Office. Please also visit our Media information section.

Complaints mechanism

Any complaint regarding alleged maladministration can be lodged via the EIB Complaints Mechanism. The European Ombudsman acts as an independent external accountability mechanism of the EIB.

Zero tolerance against fraud and corruption

The EIB has a zero tolerance policy on fraud or corruption. To report allegations of fraud and corruption relating to EIB-financed projects, please contact the Investigations Division. All reports will be treated as strictly confidential and handled in line with EIB investigation procedures and the EIB Group Anti-Fraud Policy.

Related publications