aBi Finance, supported by the Embassy of Denmark in Uganda, the European Union, and the Investment Fund for Developing Countries (IFU), proudly participated as the Platinum Sponsor at the 2-day, 6th Annual Fintech Conference hosted by the Financial Technology Service Providers Association (FITSPA) at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel. This event provided a platform to discuss critical advancements and partnerships within the fintech ecosystem and underscored the essential role of collaboration for sector-wide growth and sustainability.

On the first day, Mr. Felix Okoboi, aBi Finance’s Board Chairperson, joined a distinguished panel on “Collaboration for Development.” Speaking to the audience, he outlined aBi Finance’s mission to mobilise development finance for agribusiness by working with a diverse range of financial institutions, including both bank and non-bank entities such as FinTechs. Mr. Okoboi highlighted that a robust and sustainable Tech ecosystem requires strengthened collaboration, particularly between FinTechs, AgriTechs, and InsurTechs, which play essential roles in delivering accessible financial solutions across Uganda.

He underscored the importance of synergy between FinTechs and other key ecosystem players, noting, “True success in FinTech isn’t just about superior technology; it’s about forging connections with regulators, Development Finance Institutions, and commercial banks to ensure effective capacity-building and access to working capital.” He further applauded the FinTech industry’s commitment to innovative financial service delivery, calling for continued partnerships that can advance financial inclusion.

The panel was enriched by insights from Amani M’Bale, Senior Programme Officer for East Africa at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and was moderated by Roselyn Najjuma, Head of Transaction Banking and Trade Finance at Standard Chartered Bank. Together, they explored the integral role of collaboration in driving fintech solutions for Uganda’s economic development.

On the second day, Noah Owomugisha, Head of Green Growth & Business Development Services at aBi, contributed to a panel discussion on “The Role of Fintechs in Enabling Sustainability,” spotlighting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in today’s business landscape. Noah articulated that the foundation of a sustainable business model is built on three core pillars: Environment, Community, and Investors. In his address, he identified key challenges such as the need for greater climate awareness, the complexity of climate-related consulting, and the burden of energy costs for institutions.

Other notable panelists included Jackie Mbabazi, Executive Director of the Association of Microfinance Institutions of Uganda (AMFIU), and Vincent Tumwijukye, CEO of Futurelink Technologies. Together, they discussed how fintech innovations could enhance sustainability practices across sectors, particularly in addressing climate impact and promoting social equity.