Kampala – Centenary Bank, Uganda’s leading microfinance institution, has announced that it will host the 2025 edition of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) Annual General Meeting.
The event is scheduled to take place from March 10 to 14, 2025, at the prestigious Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
The gathering will bring together a global network of independent banks that leverage finance to drive sustainable economic, social, and environmental development.
GABV, a coalition of over 70 pioneering financial institutions across 45 countries, is committed to using finance as a force for good. This year’s meeting will be held under the theme: Building Resilient Futures: Lessons from Africa and Value-Based Banking.
Centenary Bank’s Role in Financial Inclusion
As the first African host of this prestigious event, Centenary Bank continues to champion financial inclusion and ethical banking practices on the global stage.
The GABV believes that banking should positively impact people and the planet. Its principles focus on sustainability, community-centred financial services, and supporting the real economy.
Values-based banking institutions direct 72% more of their loans towards sustainable economic activities and achieve an average annual growth rate of 10.6%, compared to 3.8% for mainstream banks.
Speaking at the launch of the GABV Annual General Meeting, Fabian Kasi, the Managing Director of Centenary Bank, emphasised the significance of hosting an international forum dedicated to advancing value-based banking practices.
“Centenary Bank is proud to be the first African host of the GABV Annual General Meeting. This event will provide a platform for attendees to showcase innovative approaches that the African banking sector has adopted to navigate challenges in a volatile industry,” Kasi stated.
He further highlighted Centenary Bank’s journey in serving underserved communities: “Our mission has always been to bring financial services to the grassroots, building economic resilience from the ground up. Today, we are Uganda’s largest microfinance bank with over 3 million customers, including smallholder farmers, micro-entrepreneurs, and women in rural communities.”
Strategic Partnerships and Sponsorships
The event will be supported by key sponsors who share GABV’s values, including Platinum Sponsor (Pebbu), Gold Sponsors (Zubacx, NSSF, and CraftSilicon) and Silver Sponsors (Uganda Institute of Bankers (UIB), Micropay, Service Cops, and Fincon).
John Paul Ssemyalo, CEO of Pebbu Africa, shared insights into his company’s affiliation with the event.
He highlighted Pebbu’s role in facilitating electronic payments, mobile money, and financial technology solutions in Africa.
Similarly, Bosco Gateja, Managing Director of Zubacx, emphasised his company’s contribution to providing innovative IT solutions for financial institutions across multiple countries.
Godfrey Joga, Managing Director of CraftSilicon, expressed excitement about supporting Centenary Bank, noting that the partnership spans over a decade and continues to foster innovation in digital banking.
A Milestone for Uganda’s Banking Sector
Centenary Bank has reinforced its position as Uganda’s leading microfinance institution, currently serving 3.26 million customers, including smallholder farmers and micro-entrepreneurs.
The bank has grown its deposit portfolio to UGX 4.81 trillion and extended gross loans worth UGX 3.81 trillion to approximately 320,000 customers. These achievements are driven by a dedicated workforce of 3,379 staff across 81 branches nationwide.
The GABV Annual General Meeting will provide participants with an opportunity to share insights, explore innovative financial solutions, and discuss strategies for addressing global challenges through values-based banking.
Beatrice Lugalambi, General Manager of Corporate Communications and Marketing at Centenary Bank, reiterated the importance of the event, stating, “Finance should serve people and the planet. Our collective goal is to make the banking system more transparent and supportive of economic, social, and environmental sustainability.”
Founded in 2009 by ten pioneering banks, GABV has grown into a global membership organization that includes microfinance banks, credit unions, and sustainable banks financing social, environmental, and cultural initiatives. Every year, the hosting bank invites CEOs of member banks to discuss a theme of global significance, reflecting the evolution of banking towards resilience and sustainability.
