Proparco, with support from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is providing technical assistance for the second phase of a financial inclusion project in Uganda, implemented by the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation in partnership with UGAFODE Microfinance Limited and VisionFund Uganda. The project focuses on expanding access to financial services for refugees and host communities through digital tools, innovative financial products, and training programs, particularly targeting women and youth. This initiative aligns with France’s broader efforts to promote financial inclusion for vulnerable populations in Uganda.
Uganda hosts 1.93 million refugees, primarily from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with over half under the age of 18. The first phase of the project, launched in 2019, enabled nearly 100,000 refugees and local residents to access tailored financial services through branches established in refugee camps including Nakivale, Kyangwali, Moyo, and Yumbe. Building on this foundation, the second phase aims to strengthen the capacity of the microfinance institutions, improve digitalization, and provide training for staff and clients to enhance the accessibility and usability of financial services.
The project is part of the French Development Agency (AFD) Group’s broader ReFine initiative, which seeks to remove structural barriers to financial inclusion for refugees. Since 2022, ReFine has helped over 2,000 refugees in Kampala and West Nile gain financial and digital literacy, entrepreneurial support, and access to affordable capital. The new phase of the Proparco-supported project aims to extend these benefits to nearly 25,000 clients by 2027, highlighting the transformative potential of inclusive finance in fragile contexts.
Leaders from the partner institutions emphasized the importance of this initiative. Jean Guyonnet-Dupérat, Regional Director at Proparco, underscored the social and economic significance of expanding financial access for refugees and host communities. Shafi Nambobi, CEO of UGAFODE, highlighted the empowerment of vulnerable groups and smallholder farmers through savings, loans, and financial literacy programs. Hanadi Tutunji, Head of Technical Assistance at Grameen Crédit Agricole, noted the project’s focus on building sustainable financial market systems and enhancing digital and financial capabilities. Mercy Sande, CEO at VisionFund Uganda, emphasized that financial inclusion aligns with the organization’s goal of positively impacting children and communities, reinforcing their commitment to expanding access to innovative financial products.
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