Pearl Bank has launched a new initiative to strengthen Uganda's agribusiness sector by providing business management training to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The program aims to improve these firms' access to finance, positioning them as viable borrowers for the bank's lending portfolio.
The move reflects a strategic shift toward rural and agricultural credit, a sector often underserved by traditional banking models due to perceived risk and lack of formal business structures among smallholders.
By investing in capacity building, Pearl Bank seeks to de-risk its loan book while expanding its customer base in a key economic segment.
This development aligns with a broader trend across emerging markets where financial institutions are increasingly targeting SMEs to drive inclusive growth.
In Pakistan, for instance, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently directed the State Bank and commercial banks to develop comprehensive strategies to expand SME access to loans.