Uganda Set for First National ESG Conference as Sustainable Finance Gains Ground

September 22, 2026 in Land & Agriculture by Editor

Uganda will hold its first National ESG Conference and Expo on September 25, focusing on sustainable finance, responsible investment and practical ESG implementation.

 

Uganda will hold its first National Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Conference and Expo this week as businesses, financial institutions, government agencies and development partners confront growing pressure to demonstrate responsible environmental and social practices alongside financial performance.

The conference, scheduled for September 25, is being organised by the Ministry of Water and Environment in partnership with Envirosure Consulting under the theme “Driving Transformation through ESG: From Commitment to Action.”

Briefing the media at the Uganda Media Centre on Tuesday, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, Minister for Water and Environment, said the conference would bring together government agencies, the private sector, civil society, development partners, academia, scientists and policymakers to exchange knowledge and experience on ESG.

Otafiire said ESG principles were increasingly becoming a defining feature of sustainable economic transformation globally, with implications extending beyond environmental protection to investment, financing, risk management and institutional governance.

He said the global business environment was shifting towards a model in which organisations are increasingly assessed not only on their financial performance but also on how they manage environmental impacts, treat communities and uphold governance standards.

According to Otafiire, banks are increasingly incorporating ESG considerations into lending decisions, while insurers are factoring climate risks into underwriting and institutional investors are giving greater attention to sustainable investment portfolios.

He also pointed to growing expectations from development partners, who increasingly link grants and technical assistance to ESG compliance, as well as changing consumer and market preferences for responsible business practices.

“ESG is not merely a compliance obligation but a strategic driver of competitiveness, resilience and institutional credibility,” Otafiire said.

For Ugandan businesses seeking investment, development finance or access to international markets, the shift could make the ability to demonstrate credible environmental, social and governance practices increasingly important.

Otafiire said Uganda was embracing the transition through existing national and international policy frameworks, including the National Development Plan IV, Vision 2040, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Africa Agenda 2063, the National Climate Change Act, Uganda’s Nationally Determined Contributions and the Green Growth Development Strategy.

He said the national conference would provide an interface for stakeholders to examine how ESG principles can be integrated across different sectors of the economy.

The conference is expected to focus on raising ESG awareness across government and the private sector, strengthening institutional capacity for ESG integration and sustainability reporting, and showcasing innovations aimed at supporting climate resilience and sustainable development.

Otafiire said the event would also promote climate finance and responsible investment while strengthening collaboration between government, investors and development partners.

A further objective, he said, was to encourage organisations to move from ESG commitments to practical implementation.

The emphasis on implementation reflects a broader shift in the ESG debate, as sustainability commitments increasingly face scrutiny over whether they translate into measurable changes in business operations, investment decisions and institutional practices.

Otafiire said the conference would also seek to position Uganda as a regional hub for ESG dialogue and sustainable investment.

The September 25 event is expected to bring together stakeholders from across the economy to discuss the environmental, social and governance challenges facing institutions and businesses and the opportunities presented by the transition towards more sustainable economic activity.

The discussion comes as Uganda seeks to mobilise investment for infrastructure, energy, agriculture and other productive sectors while responding to climate-related risks and meeting its commitments under national and international environmental frameworks.

Otafiire said the conference would provide an opportunity for stakeholders to share best practices and explore practical approaches to integrating ESG into institutional decision-making.

The minister thanked stakeholders and partners supporting the organisation of the inaugural conference, which is intended to establish a national platform for continued dialogue on ESG and sustainable investment.