Equity Group Holdings Plc has reported investing UGX3.10 trillion (approximately US$771 million) in social impact and sustainability initiatives across its regional operations in 2025, highlighting major investments in enterprise development, education, healthcare, financial inclusion and climate action.
The development was revealed in the Group’s 2025 Sustainability Report, unveiled on 5th November 2026, under the theme “A Sustainable World is a Transformed Africa.”
The report highlights the Group’s efforts to promote economic transformation through financial services, business development, environmental protection and social investment across its regional markets, including Uganda.
In sustainable finance, Equity Group deployed more than UGX809.12 billion (approximately US$201 million) to support climate-related initiatives during 2025. The Group also recorded more than 47,000 climate-related transactions, distributed 75,855 clean-energy products and planted 9.1 million trees during the year.
The latest figures bring the Group’s cumulative tree-planting total to 44.6 million, exceeding its target of 35 million trees.
The report further indicates that the Group disbursed UGX12.57 trillion (US$3.11 billion) to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), while 962,924 entrepreneurs received business training to strengthen their enterprises.
Education also featured prominently in the Group’s sustainability programme, with 60,009 scholarships supported, including 29,515 university scholars, 4,039 technical and vocational education and training (TVET) scholars and 1,115 global scholars.
Additionally, the Group facilitated 9,772 paid internships to help young people transition from education into employment.
Through its Equity Group Foundation, the financial institution has also cumulatively trained 2.49 million women and young people in financial education, equipping them with skills to improve financial management and economic opportunities.
Speaking about the performance, Equity Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr James Mwangi said commercial success and sustainable development were mutually reinforcing drivers of long-term prosperity.
He said the Group’s investments were aimed at transforming lives, supporting businesses and strengthening communities while building resilience across the markets in which it operates.
“Commercial success and sustainable development are not competing priorities, but mutually reinforcing drivers of long-term prosperity,” Mwangi said.
He added that the Group would continue directing financing towards economic resilience while protecting natural resources that support sustainable development.
Equity Bank Uganda Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Gift Shoko said the sustainability agenda was most meaningful when it responded to the development needs of communities and businesses in individual markets.
Shoko said the bank’s ambition was to ensure that banking contributes to lasting economic and social progress by supporting business growth, widening access to financial services and working with partners to unlock opportunities for households and communities.
“In Uganda, our ambition is to ensure that banking contributes to lasting economic and social progress,” Shoko said.
He added that the Group’s sustainability framework provides a platform for connecting financial performance with inclusive development.
The report also highlights the Group’s social protection programmes, which reached 5.94 million people in 2025, with UGX5.40 trillion (approximately US$1.34 billion) disbursed through cash transfers.
Among vulnerable communities, the Group extended UGX1.80 billion (approximately US$450,000) in loans to 115 refugees, while another 772 refugees received training to strengthen their livelihoods and economic resilience.
In agriculture, Equity Group reached 622,525 small and medium-sized farmers through climate-smart agricultural financing, capacity building and value-chain development initiatives.
The interventions are intended to improve food security, increase agricultural productivity and reduce risks associated with farming.
Healthcare was another key area of investment, with Equity Afya, the Group’s medical franchise network, expanding to 150 outpatient medical centres across Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The facilities recorded more than 4.62 million cumulative patient visits, providing primary healthcare services to underserved and urban-fringe communities.
The report further shows that local suppliers accounted for 90 per cent of the Group’s procurement spending in 2025, amounting to UGX1.48 trillion (approximately US$369 million).
The Group also continued strengthening its workforce, which grew to 13,370 employees during the year. Employee training reached 989,152 hours, while the number of employees with disabilities increased from 54 in 2024 to 67 in 2025.
Equity Group’s sustainability strategy is implemented across its banking, insurance, technology and foundation operations in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, alongside its representative office in Ethiopia.
The report also highlights the Group’s commitment to responsible business practices through environmental, social and governance considerations in its lending decisions, operations and risk management.
Meanwhile, the Group says it will continue strengthening partnerships with international institutions, development organisations and private-sector players to expand investments in renewable energy, sustainable construction, agriculture and other sectors.
