Agriculture accounts for nearly a quarter of Uganda’s gross domestic product and employs two-thirds of the country’s labour force. But Uganda’s agriculture sector lags behind others in attracting investment.

Together, FAO and the European Union Delegation to Uganda are helping the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) boost its agricultural lending portfolio and offer its clients more innovative products and services. 

AgrInvest uses the latest analysis, tools and digital solutions and supports policy dialogue at value chain level. It leverages FAO’s technical expertise in agriculture, climate and digital innovations to expand and de-risk UDB’s portfolio in agriculture.

At a glance

• Increased investing: The project is strengthening the UDB’s capacity to assess business proposals and their risks – making sure proposals are economically viable and environmentally and socially responsible.
• Green finance: The use of FAO-developed tools like the Ex-Ante Carbon Balance Tool (EX-ACT) and the  Global Livestock Environmental Assessment Model interactive (Gleam-i) enables the Bank to assess the greenhouse gas emissions and carbon balance of agrifood loan applications.
• Digital solutions: The project has teamed up with the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) to roll out innovative digital finance products developed by fintechs, including digital lending, to help UDB increasing its outreach to small-scale farmers in underserved rural areas.
• Impact measurement: AgrInvest in Uganda is partnering with Dalberg Data Insights on a pilot project that uses big data analytics to assess the impact of the Bank’s loans on reducing poverty. 
• Policy dialogue: AgrInvest in Uganda is collaborating with national institutions (e.g. Dairy Development Authority) and FAO’s MAFAP on evidenced-based policy dialogue in the Ugandan dairy and beef value-chains.