Uganda to host the inaugural Development Finance Summit in September 2025, focusing on green finance, SDGs, and inclusive growth.
Uganda to Host Inaugural Development Finance Summit in 2025
Focus on Green Finance, SDGs, and Inclusive Growth
Uganda is set to host the first-ever Development Finance Summit from September 1–2, 2025, with the spotlight on green finance, sustainable development, and unlocking inclusive economic growth across Africa.
The event, to be held in Kampala, is being organized by the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) and is expected to convene over 400 delegates from across the continent. Attendees will include policymakers, private investors, development finance institutions (DFIs), central banks, and regional economic blocs.
“This summit will provide a platform to co-create bold, practical, and African-led solutions to development finance challenges,” said Dr. Patricia Ojangole, Managing Director of UDB.
“We want to mobilize capital that delivers both financial and developmental returns.”
Key Themes and Targets
The summit will be anchored on three central themes:
- Inclusive and Sustainable Financing
- Green and Climate-Aligned Finance
- Infrastructure Development and Regional Integration
These themes mirror Africa’s growing urgency to close its financing gaps and accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the face of climate change and post-COVID recovery.
According to UDB, Uganda requires over USh 136 trillion (approx. $36 billion) in development financing between 2025 and 2030 to meet its SDG targets. Yet, only a fraction of this is currently accessible from traditional funding sources.
“Public financing alone is not sufficient,” added Dr. Ojangole.
“We need to bring in private sector capital, institutional investors, and innovative financial instruments to bridge the gap.”
Expected Outcomes
Among key deliverables, the summit aims to:
- Launch an Africa-focused Development Finance Compact
- Facilitate $500 million in potential deals across infrastructure, agribusiness, and renewable energy
- Set up a regional blended finance taskforce for East Africa
The summit is being co-hosted with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), Trade and Development Bank, and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).
UDB’s Role in Development Finance
The Uganda Development Bank has increasingly positioned itself as a national development financier, especially in strategic sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture.
In 2024, the bank disbursed USh 1.3 trillion (about $343 million) in long-term loans, with 73% going to projects in rural areas and underdeveloped sectors.
“Our mission is to catalyze Uganda’s transformation by filling the financing void left by commercial banks,” said Dr. Ojangole.
“This summit reinforces that mandate at a continental scale.”
Captions (2 sentences each):
1. Kampala gears up for Africa’s top development finance forum.
Uganda will host the first Development Finance Summit from September 1–2, 2025, bringing over 400 regional delegates together.
2. Uganda Development Bank to spearhead inclusive finance dialogue.
UDB targets new investment models to plug the country’s $36 billion SDG financing gap by 2030.
3. Green finance and infrastructure on the agenda.
Summit aims to facilitate $500 million in climate-resilient and pro-development deals across Africa.