Pearl Bank has been named Best Agri-SME Lender at the Aceli Africa Uganda Stakeholder Roundtable, while Julius Akais, the bank’s Supervisor for Agriculture and Partnerships, was awarded Agri-SME Lending Champion.
The recognition highlights the bank’s role in expanding access to finance for smallholder farmers and agribusinesses through tailored and sustainable lending solutions.
The awards were presented during a stakeholder engagement convened by Aceli Africa on 11 February 2026 in Kampala. The meeting brought together about 100 participants, including representatives from the Bank of Uganda, the Uganda Bankers Association, commercial banks, impact investors, development partners, and technical assistance providers.
The roundtable reviewed five years of progress in agri-SME finance since Aceli’s launch in Uganda in 2020 and outlined priorities for the next phase under Aceli 2.0 (2026–2030). Discussions focused on strengthening sustainable agricultural lending, addressing persistent financing gaps, and improving the policy and market environment for agribusiness growth.
According to data shared at the forum, Aceli has partnered with 19 financial institutions in Uganda, mobilizing $101 million through more than 1,500 loans. The initiative has supported over 350,000 smallholder farmers and workers, contributing to $514 million in crop purchases and wages. More than half of supported SMEs meet enhanced standards for women’s and youth economic inclusion.
Speaking after receiving the award, Pearl Bank Managing Director Julius Kakeeto said the recognition affirms the bank’s commitment to bridging the agricultural financing gap in Uganda.
“Our agricultural portfolio has grown by approximately 180 percent since 2020, driven by innovative lending models including seasonal working capital loans, risk-sharing facilities, and partnerships aligned with national programmes such as the Agriculture Credit Facility,” he said.
Pearl Bank recently rebranded from PostBank Uganda as part of a broader strategic repositioning aimed at expanding financial inclusion and enterprise development.
A key highlight of the ceremony was the individual award presented to Julius Akais, who was recognized for his leadership in de-risking agribusiness lending and building partnerships that have expanded credit access for farmers and agri-entrepreneurs.
In 2025, Pearl Bank also received recognition at the Annual Bankers Awards for excellence in agricultural financing and fintech partnerships. The bank further earned multiple accolades under the Agriculture Credit Facility (ACF) and Small Business Recovery Fund (SBRF) schemes administered by the Bank of Uganda.
Additionally, in September 2025, the bank attained sustainability certification from the European Organization for Sustainable Development, underscoring its commitment to responsible and inclusive banking.
The latest recognition reinforces Pearl Bank’s positioning as a leading player in agricultural finance and sustainable development in Uganda.
