Uganda’s financial sector has taken a significant step toward climate resilience with the launch of the Sustainable Finance Curriculum Handbook, a training framework designed to embed Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into banking and finance.
The initiative comes as climate risks threaten a country where over 72% of the workforce depends on agriculture, with potential GDP losses projected at more than 3.1% by 2050 if unaddressed.
Developed over four months by aBi Finance Ltd in collaboration with the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS), the curriculum equips financial professionals—from frontline staff to senior management—with tools for ethical decision-making, sustainability reporting, and green investment strategies.
Speaking at the launch, David Kalyango, Head of Supervision at the Bank of Uganda, emphasized the urgency of sustainability in finance.
“Sustainable finance is no longer a choice; it’s a fundamental economic necessity and a new bedrock of trust for our sector,” he said, noting that institutions with high financed emissions risk losing access to international capital, while those reducing exposure can access preferential global green financing.
The curriculum builds on previous collaborations between aBi Finance, the Bank of Uganda, and the Uganda Bankers Association to develop a robust ESG framework.
Mona Muguma Ssebuliba, CEO of aBi Finance Ltd, described it as a practical tool for strengthening regulatory efforts and empowering financial institutions to deliver green financing.
Michael Mugabi, Chairperson of the UIBFS Board and CEO of Housing Finance Bank, called it a milestone in aligning Uganda’s financial sector with sustainable development goals, while development partners, including the European Union and Danish Embassy, highlighted its role in channeling finance toward green economic growth.
Goretti Masadde, CEO of UIBFS, noted that the curriculum’s impact will depend on behavior change and institutional adoption.
“Beyond knowledge, we need the ability, opportunity, and motivation to make sustainability a daily practice,” she said, adding that success will be measured by how widely the training is implemented across financial institutions and integrated into client interactions.
With Uganda’s financial sector already showing resilience—non-performing loans at a seven-year low of 3.7% and a core capital ratio of 25%—the curriculum offers a roadmap for sustainable finance, positioning the country to drive its transition to a greener, more inclusive economy.