Stanbic lending to SACCOs hits Shs 289bn as inclusion drive deepens

KAMPALA, March 23, 2026 — Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited extended Shs 289 billion in loans to 912 savings groups and community finance institutions in 2025, underscoring a growing push to widen access to affordable credit across the country.

The lending, channelled through Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations [SACCOs], and village savings and loan associations [VSLAs] since 2021, includes concessionary financing at 10 per cent per annum for farming SACCOs, according to the lender’s latest Positive Impact Report.

Stanbic said the funding has reached more than 722,500 SACCO members and indirectly benefited nearly three million Ugandans, highlighting the central role of community finance in driving inclusive economic growth.

Women entrepreneurs were also a major focus, with 9,379 loans worth Shs 84.4 billion disbursed under the Stanbic4Her programme in 2025. Of these, 103 loans valued at Shs 7.5 billion were issued under the GROW initiative, with 99 per cent unsecured, removing traditional collateral barriers that have long constrained women’s access to finance.

Susan Mwogeza, Executive Director and Head of Personal and Private Banking, said strengthening the financial system begins at household level.

“Financial inclusion is not just about opening bank accounts. It is about enabling people to participate fully in the economy—equipping them with the right information to make informed decisions, build savings and investments, and access affordable credit that improves livelihoods,” she said.

2025 financial results

Meanwhile, the lender posted strong financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025, with gross profit rising to about Shs 743.3 billion, up from Shs 651 billion in 2024.

Total assets grew by 10.9 per cent to Shs 11.5 trillion, driven by sustained growth in customer deposits. Loans and advances increased by 16.4 per cent to Shs 5.1 trillion, compared with Shs 4.4 trillion the previous year.

Customer deposits climbed 12.9 per cent to Shs 8 trillion, while cash and balances held with the Bank of Uganda rose to Shs 1.5 trillion from Shs 1.2 trillion.

However, non-performing loans edged up to Shs 89.4 billion in 2025, from Shs 70.1 billion a year earlier, pointing to emerging credit risks despite the lender’s expansion drive.

https://thecooperator.news/ugandas-competitiveness-in-focus-at-2026-stanbic-economic-forum/

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