Julius Akais (2nd R), Pearl Bank’s Supervisor for Agriculture and Partnerships, receiving the Agri-SME Lending Champion award in recognition of his leadership in de-risking agribusiness lending and forging strategic partnerships from Aceli Africa CEO, Brian Milder (L), Aceli Africa Country Director, John Robert Okware (2nd L), and Aceli Africa Country Manager, Patrick Muganga(R) during the Aceli Africa Uganda Stakeholder Roundtable held on 11th February 2026 at Four Points by Sheraton in Kampala
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Pearl Bank has been named the Best Agri-SME Lender in Uganda, cementing its position as a leading force in transforming agricultural financing and expanding access to credit for smallholder farmers and agribusinesses.
The recognition was announced at the Aceli Africa Uganda Stakeholder Roundtable held in Kampala on February 11, 2026, an event that also spotlighted the growing impact of Aceli Africa in catalysing investment into Uganda’s agriculture sector.
The award reflects Pearl Bank’s exemplary performance in designing innovative, accessible and inclusive lending solutions tailored to the realities of agricultural production. The bank’s Supervisor for Agriculture and Partnerships, Julius Akais, was also honoured as Agri-SME Lending Champion, recognising his leadership in de-risking agribusiness lending and forging strategic partnerships that have expanded credit access for farmers and agri-entrepreneurs.
The high-level stakeholder engagement brought together about 100 participants, including representatives from the Bank of Uganda, the Uganda Bankers Association, commercial banks, impact investors, technical assistance providers and development partners. The roundtable reflected on five years of advancing agri-SME finance in Uganda since Aceli’s launch in 2020 and outlined priorities for the next phase, dubbed Aceli 2.0 (2026–2030).
350,000 smallholder farmers benefit
Over the past five years, Aceli has partnered with 19 financial institutions in Uganda and mobilised $101 million in capital through more than 1,500 loans. This financing has supported over 350,000 smallholder farmers and workers, contributing to an estimated $514 million in crop purchases and wages.
Notably, more than half of the supported SMEs meet higher standards for women’s and youth economic opportunities, while over 50 percent of the loans reached borrowers accessing finance above $25,000 for the first time — a significant milestone in breaking long-standing barriers to larger-scale agricultural financing.
Within this ecosystem, Pearl Bank has emerged as a flagship partner, driving growth in agricultural lending and demonstrating how structured financial solutions can unlock productivity and resilience in rural communities. Speaking about the bank’s win, Pearl Bank Managing Director Julius Kakeeto said the award highlights the institution’s dedication to bridging the financing gap in Uganda’s agriculture sector, which remains the cornerstone of the national economy.
Agriculture Credit Facility
“The bank’s commitment to sustainable agriculture financing has yielded an approximately 180 percent growth in our agricultural portfolio since 2020,” Kakeeto said. “This has been made possible by innovative lending solutions and tailored products such as seasonal working capital loans, risk-sharing facilities and financing partnerships aligned with government initiatives like the Agriculture Credit Facility.
These have been fundamental in empowering undeserved rural communities to adopt climate-smart practices and scale their operations.”
Kakeeto noted that agriculture employs the majority of Ugandans and is central to food security, export growth and rural incomes, making targeted financing a strategic priority. By aligning credit products with farming cycles and value-chain dynamics, Pearl Bank has enabled farmers and agribusinesses to invest in better inputs, storage, processing and market access.
The highlight of the awards ceremony was the individual accolade given to Julius Akais, whose work has been instrumental in expanding Pearl Bank’s agricultural footprint. Akais was named Agri-SME Lending Champion in recognition of his leadership in de-risking agribusiness lending, strengthening technical partnerships and building confidence among lenders and investors.
His efforts have helped design financing structures that reduce exposure to climate and market risks, encouraging banks to extend credit to segments traditionally viewed as high-risk. Through partnerships with development agencies and impact investors, Akais has played a pivotal role in unlocking new funding streams for farmers and SMEs, thereby deepening financial inclusion across agricultural value chains.
BOU recognition
Pearl Bank’s latest recognition adds to an already impressive list of accolades. In 2025, the bank received the Agricultural Financing and Fintech Partnership Award at the Annual Bankers Awards. It also emerged as the best-performing bank under both the Agriculture Credit Facility and the Small Business Recovery Fund schemes, scooping five awards and 11 certificates from the Bank of Uganda.
These honours reflect the bank’s impactful and inclusive approach to sustainable financing, a critical driver of Uganda’s development goals.
The recognition comes at a transformative period in the bank’s history. Formerly known as PostBank Uganda, the institution rebranded to Pearl Bank as part of a five-year strategic plan launched in 2023. The rebrand represents more than a change of name; it signals a renewed focus on innovation, competitiveness and regional growth, underpinned by the purpose of “Fostering Prosperity for Ugandans.”
As part of this transformation, Pearl Bank has expanded its digital and physical footprint, operating 59 branches and over 8,000 agents nationwide, complemented by mobile banking platforms, online services and smart ATMs. This extensive network has strengthened outreach to rural and underserved populations, ensuring that financial services reach farming communities where they are most needed.
In September last year, the bank also attained a prestigious global sustainability certification from the European Organization for Sustainable Development, underscoring its commitment to environmentally and socially responsible banking. The certification aligns with Pearl Bank’s two high-impact goals: driving sustainable financial inclusion and stimulating entrepreneurship and service.
Policy support required
At the stakeholder roundtable, Aceli Africa outlined its outlook for 2026–2030, focusing on aligning technical assistance with capital supply and deepening long-term market sustainability. Participants emphasised the need for stronger policy support, innovative risk-sharing mechanisms and data-driven lending models to unlock even greater investment into agriculture.
For Pearl Bank, being named Best Agri-SME Lender is both a recognition of past achievements and a mandate for continued leadership. As Uganda intensifies efforts to modernise agriculture, boost productivity and strengthen resilience to climate change, the bank’s role in providing accessible, sustainable and inclusive financing will remain central to shaping the future of the sector.
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