WEST NILE BASED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS JOIN EFFORTS TO CONSERVE THE ENVIRONEMNT

By Sabir Musa

Arua

Financial Institutions based in West Nile are set to support clients in investments that are aimed at conserving environment with the help of Green Financing Fund from Agricultural Business Initiative Finance Limited (aBi).

150 staffs from different financial institutions including banks, microfinance institutions and SACCOs across the region were trained on this initiative to achieve its objectives.

Investments Manager for Green Growth and Business Development Services at aBi Finance Limited, Moses Bwire is hopeful that this move will greatly contribute in the protection of environment. “We know that currently there is problem of climate change and this is coming as a result of some of clients having investments or projects that destroy the environment” he says.

Launched last year, the program worth 124 billion shillings targets clients of financial institutions who wish to invest in environment friendly agricultural projects.

An Associate Trainer at Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services, Bob Alinda believes that this will contribute in environment conservation. “If we have people who are doing projects intentionally to help us make sure that we conserve environment in the long run, that is how we can sustain this (environment protection programs) and avert the possible catastrophes” Bob explained.

Irene Achan, Post Bank Pakwach Branch Personal Banker

Post Bank Packwach Branch Personal Banker-General, Irene Achan identifies solar powered irrigation schemes as one of the new ideas to introduce for clients of the bank. She says, the bank has previous invested in similar initiatives to protect environment and this will be an addition especially to benefit their clients. “Many of them will be going green, they will not have to lack what to sell all year around. With this, I also believe that most of them will have increased productivity and go into commercial farming” was Irene’s message of hope.

 According to the Head of Loans Department at Nile Microfinance, Stone Willy, this initiative will bring more opportunities for the institution.
He says, “It is going to widen our market. We have been having this product but in a mixed way, for instance clean energy, we sell solar energy up-to Shs. 20,000 so that it is inclusive”.

 
Head of Loans Department at Nile Microfinance, Stone Willy
 
Agricultural Business Initiative Finance Limited (aBi) is traversing the country, conducting trainings for financial institutions in 20 districts on Green Financing Fund aimed at conserving environment.

COVER PHOTO: Associate Trainer at Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services, Bob Alinda speaking during the training held at Le Tsuba Hotel, Arua By Sabir Musa