KAMPALA, Uganda — The Bank of Uganda has recognised Pearl Bank for its outstanding partnership and responsiveness in implementing the Agricultural Credit Facility (ACF) and Small Business Fund schemes, which have supported growth in Uganda’s agriculture and business sectors.
The recognition was announced during a workshop held on April 22, 2026, at Hotel Africana. The initiatives are aligned with the country’s National Development Plan IV and the Tenfold Growth Strategy.
Jointly implemented by the central bank and participating financial institutions, the ACF was established to expand access to medium- and long-term financing for the agriculture sector at competitive interest rates. Under the programme, Pearl Bank stood out for strong loan portfolio growth, prudent risk management, and broad outreach to both commercial and smallholder farmers.
The bank reports an approximate 180% growth in its agricultural portfolio since 2020, driven by tailored financial products such as seasonal working capital loans, risk-sharing facilities, and partnerships aligned with government initiatives like the ACF. These efforts have supported rural communities in adopting climate-smart agricultural practices and scaling their operations.
Pearl Bank’s Supervisor for Agriculture and Partnerships, Julius Akais, emphasised the bank’s commitment to inclusive financing. “The bank is committed to creating an enabling environment for Ugandans to gain access to affordable financing solutions to bridge the financing gap in Uganda’s agriculture sector, which remains a cornerstone of the national economy, employing the majority of the population and driving food security as well as export growth,” he said.
“By tailoring financial products to agricultural value chains such as coffee, dairy, grains, poultry, and horticulture, the bank has continued to support farmers in investing in modern equipment, irrigation, storage facilities, and value addition,” Akais added.
The central bank also recognised individuals and teams involved in processing applications under the schemes, with Akais receiving an individual accolade for his contribution to the Agricultural Credit Facility and its role in supporting the growth of Uganda’s agriculture and business sectors.
Pearl Bank has continued to receive industry recognition, including accolades from Aceli Africa earlier this year and multiple awards under the ACF and Small Business Recovery Fund in 2025, where it was named among the best-performing banks. The institution also earned the Best Bank in Agriculture and Agro-processing award at the inaugural Annual Bankers Awards.
The recognitions highlight Pearl Bank’s role in advancing sustainable agricultural financing, a key pillar in Uganda’s broader development agenda, as it continues to promote financial inclusion and entrepreneurship.