dfcu Bank advocates for integrated financial ecosystems to drive East African growth

dfcu Bank is advocating for expanded financial support and integrated ecosystems to drive industrial and economic growth in Uganda and East Africa.

At the annual Regional Industrialisation Conference, dfcu Bank CEO Charles Mudiwa called for a shift beyond traditional commercial debt. He proposed an integrated financial ecosystem that includes market intelligence, technical skills, and human capacity to help Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) compete globally. To support this, the bank has committed 1% of its annual net profits to the dfcu Foundation to create interest-free catalytic funds for MSMEs.

Additionally, the bank is highlighting the importance of supporting women entrepreneurs to meet Uganda’s economic growth ambitions. Through the GROW Project—a Government of Uganda initiative supported by the World Bank—financial institutions like dfcu Bank provide affordable financing and business development support. This initiative aims to help women-led enterprises in sectors such as agriculture, trade, and manufacturing overcome undercapitalization and scale their operations.