Equity Bank deepens commitment to agriculture, disburses sh85b to empower Ugandan farmers
Ssansa said their commitment to supporting agriculture also includes working with the Bank of Uganda to extend the Agriculture Credit Facility to farmers.
Equity Bank staff attending to a client during the Harvest Money expo. (Photo by Richard Sanya)
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Francis Ssansa, the Pillar Head for Food and Agriculture at Equity Bank Uganda Limited, says that at the heart of the bank’s mission lies a strong commitment to food and agriculture, which it considers one of its core pillars.
With a clear focus on empowering Ugandan farmers, the bank has been instrumental in linking them to high-quality input suppliers, enabling them to improve their production standards.
Ssansa, in an interview with New Vision at the Harvest Money Expo in Kampala, said in collaboration with various partners such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and district agricultural officers, Equity Bank has facilitated training programmes that equip farmers with the skills they need to thrive. The efforts extend across the entire agricultural value chain - from farm to fork - ensuring a holistic approach to agricultural development.
One of the bank’s partnerships is in the National Oil Palm Project, which provides crucial financing to oil palm growers in regions such as Greater Masaka, Buvuma, Mayuge, Bugiri and Namayingo. Through this project, farmers receive both financial support and access to relevant technology, driving productivity and sustainability in the sector.
Ssansa said their commitment to supporting agriculture also includes working with the Bank of Uganda to extend the Agriculture Credit Facility to farmers. To date, over sh85b has been disbursed to bolster the agricultural sector and ensure that farmers have access to the financial resources they need for growth.
In addition to financial support, Equity Bank has partnered with aBi Finance to reach farmers in hard-to-reach areas, including refugees and is collaborating with the Agro Consortium of Uganda.
This partnership, which brings together insurance companies, offers agricultural insurance packages that cater specifically to women and marginalised groups, providing a safety net for vulnerable farmers.
The bank’s collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation is another major milestone, aimed at supporting youth and women in agriculture. Through this initiative, Equity Bank helps to provide essential knowledge, technology and financing, empowering these groups to embrace farming as a viable and profitable business.
Ssansa said overall, Equity Bank Uganda’s unwavering support for the agricultural sector has been a game-changer for farmers. By facilitating access to resources, training and technology, the bank is playing a pivotal role in increasing agricultural production and improving the quality of farm outputs, transforming agriculture into a sustainable and profitable business for Ugandans.
The three-day Harvest Money Expo closed on Sunday. The expo was held at the Kololo Grounds in Kampala from February 27 to March 1, 2026, under the theme, Farming as a Business.
The expo was supported by key sponsors including the Kingdom of the Netherlands, ENGSOL, Tunga Nutrition, aBi, Pearl Bank, Pepsi and the Uganda Development Corporation. Other notable sponsors included Heifer International, Roke Telecom, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), and the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).