9th Annual Bankers Conference 2026! Stanbic Bank Reveals How Smarter Financing Can Accelerate Uganda’s Growth

The need for Uganda to rethink how investment projects are financed has taken centre stage at the 9th Annual Bankers Conference 2026, with Stanbic Bank Uganda calling for capital to be provided according to the stage and risk level of each project.Grace Semakula, Chief Executive, said successful project financing should not follow a one-size-fits-all approach. She explained that an investment at the idea or feasibility stage faces different challenges from a project that is already operating, generating income and ready for expansion.

According to Semakula, early-stage projects require dedicated financing because investors often need resources to conduct feasibility studies, develop plans and establish whether an idea can become commercially viable. Such projects may not yet have the financial track record required by conventional lenders.As projects develop and become more established, the source of financing can also change. Semakula said commercial banks and capital markets have a greater role to play once ventures become mature and profitable, including through refinancing that can provide businesses with additional resources for growth.

The approach is aimed at ensuring that promising projects are not held back simply because they are being financed through an unsuitable model. Providing the right capital at the right stage can give businesses room to develop, attract further investment and eventually become stronger contributors to the economy.The conversation is particularly important as Uganda seeks to expand economic activity and achieve higher levels of growth. Financial institutions are expected to support this ambition by helping businesses and investors access the financing required to develop projects, increase production, expand operations and create opportunities.

The 9th Annual Bankers Conference 2026 brought together industry leaders and policymakers under the theme, “The Role of Uganda’s Financial Institutions in Facilitating Tenfold GDP Growth.” The discussions focused attention on how Uganda’s financial sector can support sustainable economic transformation and mobilise the capital needed for development.Stanbic Bank Uganda said its participation reflects its commitment to contributing to Uganda’s economic transformation. The message from Semakula was that a stronger financing system should connect each project with suitable capital throughout its journey, from early feasibility work to commercial success and further expansion.