EIB Global, which is part of the European Investment Bank, and the Housing Finance Bank (HFB) of Uganda have announced a partnership to avail €50 million investment to support private sector entities, notably SMEs in Uganda.
The operation has a special gender focus with an aim to enhance women’s access to finance by reserving at least half of the investment funds to be allocated to businesses owned or run run by women, employing and serving women to generate higher developmental impact.
This is considered a significant intervention for the women customers of Housing Finance Bank through financing activities of micro, small and medium enterprises.
Some of the critical sectors include agriculture, health, manufacturing, transport, trade, education, renewable energy, and clean water.
The project is aligned with Ugandan and EU priorities for the region as it aims to enhance inclusive growth and sustainable economic development through supporting women.
Gender inclusion is also at the core of the Uganda Vision for 2040 and availing better opportunities for women is one of the key drivers to reduce gender inequalities and unlock the socio-economic transformation of the country.
The EIB was the first multilateral lender to sign on to the 2X Challenge Criteria.
This criteria requires that the EIB offer at least 30% of its investment support to businesses that are 51% of owned by a woman; a business founder is a woman; 30% of the senior leadership or Board composition is by women; 30-50% of the workforce is women; or the company offers services or products that specifically or disproportionately benefit women.
The EIB and HFB jointly agreed, in line with the recommendation of the European Commission, to raise the 30% threshold of loans allocated to businesses to 50% as a mark of their strong commitment towards the enhancement of the socio-economic conditions of women.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, the EIB Head of the Regional Hub for East Africa, Edward Claessen, said, “Signing this partnership on the eve of International Women’s Day celebrations in Uganda re-emphasises our continued strong support in the way of entrepreneurship and business development for all entrepreneurs, more so women. We are committed to support projects and investments that empower women worldwide and address the systemic gender inequality in accessing capital.”
Housing Finance Bank has previously worked with the EIB having signed an investment partnership of €13 million back in 2012 under the East and Central Africa Private Enterprise Finance Facility project.
HFB ranks as the ninth largest commercial bank in Uganda by asset size out of 25 commercial banks and focuses on consumer banking, business banking and housing finance.
The HFB customers who will be enlisted into the project will also benefit from technical assistance under the African Women Rising Initiative delivered by the EIB.
“Housing Finance Bank is keen on strategic partnerships with likeminded entities and the shared purpose to contribute to the socioeconomic development of Uganda through enabling micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) especially those owned by women is the pillar of this strategic partnership with EIB. The Bank has a wide range of affordable solutions to drive this agenda which continues to form a significant part of our 2023- 2027 strategic plan. The new line of credit to HFB and a technical support grant will be used effectively to improve the capacity of women business and MSMEs in general,” said Michael Mugabi, the Housing Finance Bank CEO.
