UDB champions cross-border collaboration for stronger sustainable dev't impact

The Uganda Development Bank (UDB) convened a high-level meeting with prominent stakeholders on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Spring Meetings.

The purpose of the engagement was to foster partnerships, exchange insights on the empowerment of national development banks in Africa to address the economic, social, and environmental priorities of the continent, and chart a course for UDB’s transformative journey.

UDB has more than increased its balance sheet ten-fold in the last decade while retaining its profitability and aims at mobilizing further international sustainable funding to achieve its strategic objectives.

Led by Felix Okoboi, the chairman of the Board of Directors, and Patricia Ojangole, the Managing Director, UDB engaged in productive discussions with key players.

Ojangole emphasized the delicate balance that national development banks must strike between financial performance and development impact.

She noted that, while UDB has consistently improved its profitability in recent years, the Bank’s core mission remains centered on driving positive change in Uganda.

“Our key focus as UDB is on development impact; profitability is a means to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Bank. We commit to supporting underserved sectors such as SMEs. This is crucial as SMEs play a very critical role in the economy and constitute the largest percentage of our private sector,” said Ojangole.

State Minister for Finance, Henry Musasizi noted that national development banks are crucial to Africa’s development, offering complementary funding solutions to commercial banks and private lenders and providing patient, long-term capital to overlooked sectors at more competitive interest rates.

He reiterated the government’s steadfast support for UDB’s strategic and financial initiatives, commending the lender’s role in driving innovation and promoting green financing in Uganda’s private sector amid the growing risk of climate change.

Minister Musasizi further called for African governments to step up financial support for national development banks, noting that Uganda’s government was leading the charge in this regard.

“Capitalisation of national development banks should be at least 10% of GDP. Uganda has demonstrated this by capitalizing UDB to the extent that it is the most capitalized national development bank in the African continent. We pledge our continued support to help them achieve their purpose to transform the quality of life of Ugandans,” said Musasizi.

Felix Okoboi, the chairman of the Board of Directors for UDB welcomed the support of Uganda’s government and called on other stakeholders present to join forces with UDB in its efforts to grow its balance sheet.

“We want to beef up our interventions in infrastructure and large-scale syndication. This requires a sizable balance sheet, and as our balance sheet grows, we will be able to do this much easier,” he noted.

Admassu Tadesse, Group President and Managing Director for  Trade and Development Bank (TDB) pointed out that national development banks that build credibility will succeed in attracting regional and global partners to co-finance projects.

“To build credibility takes time but once you build it and gain trust then you discover that people are willing to participate. The capital is there, and everyone wants to step up,” he elaborated.

Ousmane Fall, the Director of Non-Sovereign Operations and Private Sector, African Development Bank (AfDB) stressed the need for national development banks to build robust risk management systems to strengthen their appeal to regional and global financial institutions, including the AfDB.

He reaffirmed AfDB’s commitment to leverage its triple A credit rating to avail capital to national development banks through innovative instruments, including guarantees.

Sander Glas, Program Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation argued that philanthropic entities like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation play a unique role because of their long-term focus.

“The kind of capital we have, which is grants, is very risk tolerant and patient, so is well suited for development banks.”

The rapid pace of digitization in finance was a central theme in the discussions.

Speakers emphasized how technology is reshaping financial services, with the UDB’s leadership noting that the Bank was focused on continued innovation in this area.

Climate mitigation and sustainability also took center stage, with speakers agreeing that, with the necessary support, national development banks can play a greater role in financing green projects in Africa and participate to bridging the funding gap for climate at sustainable terms.