Equity Bank, Nation Media Group seek convergence for impactful storytelling and growth

July 7, 2025 in Business, Companies by Editor

In a bid to deepen strategic ties and drive impactful storytelling, Equity Bank Uganda Limited and Nation Media Group (NMG) have initiated discussions aimed at creating long-term, mutually beneficial media collaborations that support inclusive economic growth.

The initiative was marked by a courtesy visit on Monday by a delegation from Equity Bank Uganda, led by Managing Director Gift Shoko, to the Nation Media Group head office in Namuwongo, Kampala. The visit is part of a broader engagement effort by the bank to strengthen partnerships with key media stakeholders.

Mr. Shoko was accompanied by Olivia Mugaba, Head of SME Banking, and Clare Tumwebaze, Head of Marketing and Communications. The Equity team was received by NMG Uganda Managing Director Susan Nsibirwa, joined by Hajara Batuka, Head of Marketing; Allan Chekwech, Managing Editor, Daily Monitor; George Kihuria, General Manager, Finance; and Sam Barata, General Manager, Commercial.

During the meeting, Ms. Nsibirwa highlighted NMG’s expansive East African footprint, with platforms such as Daily Monitor, NTV Uganda, KFM, and The East African. She noted that these channels offer a unique opportunity to expand the visibility of Equity Bank’s social and economic development agenda—not only in Uganda but across the region.

“NMG’s platforms are aligned with the kind of stories Equity wants to tell—stories that uplift communities, promote inclusive finance, and showcase the resilience of Uganda’s entrepreneurial sector,” said Ms. Nsibirwa. She also expressed appreciation for Equity Bank’s continued support, notably through its three-year sponsorship of the Top 100 Mid-Sized Companies survey and its role in banking support for various socio-economic initiatives.

Equity Bank MD Gift Shoko reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to enabling economic transformation, citing the bank’s current service base of 2.3 million customers in Uganda. He pointed to agriculture, trade, manufacturing, retail, and SME development as core focus areas.

“Our strategic intent is to create shared prosperity by investing in sectors that drive job creation and sustainable livelihoods,” Mr. Shoko said. “We also recognize the value of strong media partnerships in amplifying this mission—especially in telling the stories of youth, women, and small businesses who are shaping the future of Uganda’s economy.”

Equity Bank is also actively engaged in programs that extend social protection to vulnerable groups, including refugees, and is expanding access to affordable credit for youth, women, and farmers—demographics that align closely with Nation Media Group’s editorial interest in social impact and economic inclusion.

Both parties agreed to explore deeper collaboration through content development, media engagement, and advocacy-driven storytelling. The envisioned partnership will promote real-life narratives of transformation, financial empowerment, and enterprise success, while positioning both institutions as champions of Uganda’s development agenda.

The visit concluded with a shared commitment to continued dialogue and innovation around storytelling as a catalyst for inclusive growth, reinforcing the convergence between financial services and media in advancing national progress.