Pearl Bank has been named Best Agri-SME Lender at the Aceli Africa Uganda Stakeholder Roundtable, with the bank’s Supervisor – Agriculture & Partnerships, Julius Akais, earning the Agri-SME Lending Champion award. The recognition celebrates Pearl Bank’s significant contribution to agricultural financing in Uganda.
The bank, which rebranded from PostBank Uganda to Pearl Bank, was lauded for its innovative lending solutions that support smallholder farmers and agribusinesses across the country.
The event, held on 11 February 2026 in Kampala, brought together over 100 stakeholders—including representatives from the Bank of Uganda, Uganda Bankers Association, commercial banks, impact investors, and development partners—to review five years of advancing agri-SME finance under Aceli Africa and to discuss priorities for the next phase, Aceli 2.0 (2026–2030).
Since 2020, Aceli Africa has partnered with 19 financial institutions in Uganda, mobilized $101 million in capital through over 1,500 loans, and supported 350,000+ smallholder farmers and workers, generating $514 million in crop purchases and wages. More than half of supported SMEs meet higher standards for women’s and youth economic opportunities, with over 50% of loans reaching borrowers accessing finance above $25,000 for the first time.
Speaking about the award, Julius Kakeeto, Pearl Bank Managing Director, said:”This recognition highlights Pearl Bank’s commitment to bridging the financing gap in Uganda’s agriculture sector—a cornerstone of our economy. Since 2020, our agricultural portfolio has grown by 180%, powered by tailored products such as seasonal working capital loans, risk-sharing facilities, and partnerships aligned with government initiatives like the Agriculture Credit Facility. These solutions empower rural communities to adopt climate-smart practices and scale their operations.”
The individual award for Julius Akais recognises his leadership in de-risking agribusiness lending and forging partnerships that expand credit access for farmers and agri-entrepreneurs.
Pearl Bank’s commitment to sustainable agriculture has been further demonstrated through previous accolades, including the Agricultural Financing and Fintech Partnership Award at the 2025 Annual Bankers Awards and multiple recognitions under the Agriculture Credit Facility (ACF) and Small Business Recovery Fund (SBRF).
The bank’s recent rebrand marks the start of a strategic five-year plan, leveraging its expanded services and regional presence to drive financial inclusion and stimulate entrepreneurship. Pearl Bank also achieved a global sustainability certification from the European Organisation for Sustainable Development (EOSD), reflecting its commitment to sustainable initiatives aligned with its purpose of Fostering Prosperity for Ugandans.