The launch event, held at Speke Resort Munyonyo, introduced two innovative programmes: the Green Agrifood System Programme (GRASP) under aBi Development Ltd. and Accelerating Adoption of Green and Inclusive Finance (AAGIF) under aBi Finance Ltd.

Moses Nyabila, CEO of aBi Development Ltd., announced that the five-year programme will invest Ush55.8 billion to support farmers and agribusinesses in building capacity to adapt to climate change and continue productive activities.

“The support for GRASP finds its roots in its direct relevance to ‘The World We Share,’ addressing the climate crisis by empowering farmers to adapt,” said Nyabila.

He also highlighted that from 2019 to 2023, aBi extended support to over 50 private sector entities, reaching 790,000 farmers and creating 12,088 jobs, with a net income exceeding Ush138b.

Mona Muguma-Ssebuliba, CEO of aBi Finance Ltd., emphasised the importance of the new AAGIF programme, which will add Shs11billion in investments to empower youth, women, and refugees. “Despite aBi Finance’s efforts over the last 15 years, the funding gap in the agricultural ecosystem remains high, with only 10% of Ugandan firms accessing loans,” she said.

She noted that aBi Finance’s interventions have already created over 300,000 jobs, generated US$154 million in additional income for beneficiaries, and impacted 2.2 million farmers, 70% of whom are women.

Felix Okoboi, Board Chairperson of aBi Development & Finance, lauded the Government of Uganda, the European Union, and the Royal Danish Embassy for their unwavering support.

The launch also marked the closeout of the successful Uganda Programme for Sustainable and Inclusive Development of the Economy (UPSIDE) programme, which began in 2019 and supported over 200,000 farmers in achieving climate resilience.

Danish Ambassador, Signe Winding Albjerg, and EU Ambassador, Jan Sadek, reiterated their commitment to supporting Uganda’s agriculture through aBi.