• The new partnership will promote social inclusion and improve economic outcomes and human development as well as contribute to the social economic transformation of Uganda

• The UN-Equity Bank Joint Programme on “Enhancing Social Impact through the SDGs” will focus on Financial Inclusion, Innovation and Shared Prosperity, and Institutional Partnerships, Governance and Shared Leadership.

Kampala, 18th March 2021… The United Nations system in Uganda and Equity Bank Uganda have established new partnerships for acceleration of the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country.

The new partnership will promote social inclusion and improve economic outcomes for human development as well as contribute to the social economic transformation of Uganda. Additionally, the UN-Equity Bank Joint Programme on “Enhancing Social Impact through SDGs” will focus on Financial Inclusion,

Innovation and Shared Prosperity; and Institutional Partnerships, Governance and Shared Leadership.

The collaboration commenced at a meeting between the leadership of the UN system in Uganda led by UN Resident Coordinator and Designated Official for Security H.E. Rosa Malango and the leadership of Equity Group Uganda, Equity Group Foundation, and Equity Group Holdings led by Equity Group MD and CEO Dr. James Mwangi.

Equity Group Holdings Plc whose purpose is to transform lives, give dignity and expand opportunities for wealth creation continues to play a leading role in contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda on the Sustainable Development Goals. Through its regional banking subsidiaries, Equity is already collaborating with UN agencies in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and in other footprint countries and aims to enhance this partnership in new areas to contribute to the acceleration of the achievement of the SDGs.

Commenting during the signing of the partnership, Dr. James Mwangi said, “As Equity Group we are committed to not only grow with our customers but also to empower them socially and economically by availing opportunities and solutions that cater for their diverse needs. As a Pan-African bank whose purpose is to transform lives and livelihoods, we are excited to scale up our initiatives in partnership with the UN by supporting the growth and recovery of MSMEs during and post the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting women and youth entrepreneurs to scale their skills and businesses and by providing financial inclusion for the most vulnerable populations including the refugee communities.”

The United Nations system in Uganda is comprised of 29 entities that are implementing the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF, 2021 – 2025) focusing on transformative and inclusive governance; shared prosperity in a healthy environment; and human well-being and resilience, in support of the third National Development Plan (NDP III), Vision 2040, the East African Vision 2050, African Union Vision 2063 and the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

The SDGs, adopted in 2015 by all United Nations member states of the UN General Assembly, were designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all”. They are intended to be achieved by the year 2030. The SDGs have the ambitious goal to guide the sustainable development of the planet, embracing its economic, social, and environmental dimensions, in a balanced way to spearhead societies towards a sustainable and equitable future.

“While the UN remains steadfast in supporting Uganda’s development aspirations especially during these unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic, the needs are still enormous and call for strengthened partnership with other actors,” said Ms. Malango. “I welcome Equity Uganda’s commitment to join efforts with the United Nations in providing solutions to critical challenges, including inclusive financing for youth and women led Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and unlocking the potential of digital technologies to support Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.”

About United Nations Uganda

The United Nations Uganda Vision 2030 is ‘A Transformed inclusive Ugandan Society where People have Improved Quality of Life and Resilience for Sustainable Development. This vision is attained through implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF 2021-2025). Focusing on three Strategic Priorities: 1) Transformative and Inclusive Governance, 2) Shared Prosperity in a Healthy Environment, and 3) Human Well-being and Resilience.  The Cooperation Framework is implemented by the Heads of UN in entities investing in Uganda supported by over 3,000 UN personnel.

The Cooperation Framework provides a platform for mutual accountability for the implementation of SDGs in Uganda as a pathway to bring the national vision of becoming a prosperous & modern society to life. The UN in Uganda has several joint initiatives to promote innovation, inclusiveness, climate action, creating enabling policy framework and establish strategic partnerships with the people and partners of Uganda. The UN Emergency Appeal for COVID19 and its implications; the UN socio-economic analysis; Fast Track initiative on HIV/AIDS; and the upcoming 1 Million SDG Solutions by Youth in Uganda Innovation Challenge are a few examples. There are over 3000 UN personnel in Uganda in 4 regional hubs, with 25 district presences, nationwide coverage.

Website Links

https://uganda.un.org/

About Equity Bank Uganda

Equity Bank Uganda began its operations in 2008 and is registered as a commercial bank through the Bank of Uganda. The Bank has its Head Office located in Kampala, with a network of 44 branches, 4,277 Equiduuka agents, 5,845 merchants and 46 ATMs spread across the country and serving over one million customers.

Equity Bank Uganda is a wholly owned subsidiary of Equity Group Holdings Plc, a financial services company listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Uganda Securities Exchange, and Rwanda Stock Exchange. In addition to Equity Bank Uganda, the Group has banking subsidiaries in, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, DRC, South Sudan, and a Commercial Representative Office in Ethiopia; with additional non-banking subsidiaries engaged in the provision of investment banking, custodial, insurance agency, philanthropy, consulting, and infrastructure services.

Equity Group Holdings (EGHL) is a Pan-African financial services holding company listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Uganda Securities Exchange, and Rwanda Stock Exchange. The organization is Kenya’s first trillion-shilling balance sheet bank. The Group has banking subsidiaries in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and DRC and a representative office in Ethiopia. It has other subsidiaries in investment banking, insurance, telecom, fintech and social impact investments. Equity Group has an asset base of over USD $10 billion. With over 14.2 million customers, the Group is one of the biggest banks in customer base in the region. Since 2008, the Group’s corporate foundation, Equity Group Foundation (EGF), has delivered humanitarian programs in Education and Leadership, Food and Agriculture, Social Protection, Health, Energy and the Environment, Enterprise Development and Financial Inclusion to millions of Africans. EGF has a networked health care provider, Equity Afia which has been supporting COVID-19 relief efforts.