Uganda Development Bank (UDB) has launched the Reshaping Industries for a Sustainable Economy (RISE) Program, an initiative that is expected to transform the way the Bank deploys its resources within the economy.
The RISE Program delivers a groundbreaking solution to address modern-day challenges, diversify the economy, and establish high-tech, high-value-added, high-income, and truly green businesses and projects.
It focuses on developing a sustainable local industrial base through the power of crowds. It is about creating and funding “Change the World” businesses and projects.
The RISE platform enables financial institutions to create demand for sustainable finance by turning key societal, economic, and environmental challenges into transformational business opportunities.
During the launch held at Kampala Serena Hotel on Thursday, Patricia Ojangole, the Managing Director Uganda Development Bank, revealed that under the RISE Platform, UDB will be able to deploy its loans, advances, and investment portfolio through exploiting science and technology, revolutionizing business models, fueling innovation in the economy and igniting corporate and start-up entrepreneurship to fast-track socio-economic transformation that is environmentally and climate-friendly.
“At a time where countries are not only focusing on development but sustainable development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations, it is critical that the financial sector plays a catalytic role towards making this future possible,” Ojangole said.
“Creating a more sustainable future requires an all-hands-on-deck approach from all actors and financing is a key lever to influence sustainable outcomes. RISE presents a unique opportunity for us as UDB and all the other stakeholders, to incentivize the transition through agreeing to lend to, invest in and insure businesses that manage their nature risks and impacts.”
According to officials, RISE’s aspirations are in line with the Fourth National Development Plans (NDP IV) theme of sustainable industrialization for inclusive growth, employment and sustainable wealth creation.
Government has embarked on an ambitious strategy to grow Uganda’s economy tenfold, from USD50 billion to USD500 billion by the year 2040.
This strategy focuses on agro-industrialization, science, technology, and innovation among others as catalysts for this growth.
At the same time, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to which Uganda is party, advocate for inclusive and sustainable industrialization, supporting developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production, and increasing substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
At the launch of RISE, Arshad Rab, CEO and Chairman, International Council of Sustainability Standards for Value- Driven Financial Institutions noted that while there is consensus to development that is sustainable, nations need to make deliberate efforts to bring these aspirations to fruition.
“The private sector will play an important role in redefining business as usual, helping to support the transition from exploiting nature to restoring nature. RISE will bring together actors from multiple sectors to help drive investment and lending practices that serve the people and the planet,” Rab said.
He noted that the RISE platform will create an ecosystem in which agritech companies, scientists, engineering community, tech startups, investors, financial institutions, energy tech providers, government agencies and policymakers will drive innovative solutions that are environmentally and climate friendly.
“RISE heralds a new dawn where we rise up to the unique challenges of the 21 st century, by capitalizing on emerging technologies and solutions and deploying the power of innovative ideas to change lives for the better.”
In the case of the agricultural sector which employs approximately 72% of Uganda’s population and contributed about 24.1% to the GDP in 2024, RISE will seek to build a technology ecosystem for enabling a shift from unsustainable to sustainable agricultural and food industry.
“This ecosystem will turn the agrifood industry which is characterized by low-tech, low-yield highly labour and resource intensive and increasingly harmful for human health and environment, to a modern industry that is high- yield, high-tech, resource efficient and protects human health and natural environment,” Rab noted.
A Sustainability Standards and Certification (SSCI) certified financial institution, UDB has mainstreamed sustainability through various initiatives.
This has enabled the bank to support the country’s development agenda while at the same time creating positive impact on society, economy, and the environment.
