Equi-Green loans power Uganda’s journey to sustainable energy

July 11, 2025 in Companies, Energy by Editor

Allan-Mwesigwa-a-green-enterprise-business-owner-supported-by-Equity-Bank-Uganda-LimitedEBU

As the world marks Global Energy Independence Day under the theme “Empower Local, Power the Planet,” Uganda is making steady strides toward a more sustainable energy future—thanks in large part to a pioneering private sector initiative. Equity Bank Uganda’s Equi-Green credit facility is proving to be a game-changer in the drive for clean, affordable, and accessible energy.

Launched in 2022, the Equi-Green program has already disbursed over UGX 22 billion in loans, enabling more than 51,000 clean energy products to reach homes, schools, businesses, and health centres across Uganda. These include solar lighting systems, improved cookstoves, solar-powered irrigation pumps, and water storage tanks. In communities long reliant on charcoal, firewood, and kerosene, these technologies are replacing harmful fuels with clean, renewable alternatives.

The impact is both environmental and social. In rural health centres and schools, solar systems have enhanced safety, extended working hours, and improved learning environments. Households now experience fewer cases of smoke-related illnesses, thanks to the adoption of clean cookstoves. In farming communities, solar irrigation is helping stabilize crop production and reduce vulnerability to rainfall fluctuations—boosting food security and income.

At the core of the Equi-Green model is inclusive financing. Loans start as low as UGX 200,000, making clean energy technologies accessible to even low-income households. Equity Bank partners with over 18 certified clean energy providers to ensure that recipients not only receive financing but also benefit from high-quality, durable products and technical support.

This grassroots energy revolution supports Uganda’s national agenda. The government’s Energy Transition Plan (2023) and National Development Plan IV (2025–2030) prioritize energy access, affordability, and sustainability, recognizing the dual role of renewable energy and oil and gas in achieving energy independence. Equity Bank’s investment in clean energy directly complements these public strategies, demonstrating how financial institutions can become powerful engines for development.

Uganda’s clean energy landscape still faces challenges—including policy gaps, infrastructure deficits, and market barriers. But Equi-Green shows what is possible when finance is leveraged as a tool for empowerment, not just profit.

This Global Energy Independence Day, Uganda’s progress offers a clear lesson: energy sovereignty doesn’t have to start with megawatts and power grids—it can begin with a solar lamp, a water tank, or a clean stove in a village home. And when finance meets innovation, even the most remote communities can light the way toward national transformation.