UK–Africa Business, organisers of the 15th UK–Africa Business, Trade & Investment Summit, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Absa Bank Uganda, marking a transformative initiative to support Ugandan small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through global trade, investment, and learning opportunities.

This collaboration will form the cornerstone of the relaunch of the Absa Business Club—a dynamic platform designed to empower Uganda’s entrepreneurs through strategic partnerships, international trade missions, and tailored business solutions that go beyond traditional banking.

At the heart of this relaunch is a bold, partnership-led approach that positions the Absa Business Club as a driver of enterprise growth, providing members not only with finance, but also access to knowledge, markets, and regional and global networks.

A key feature of this transformation is Absa Bank Uganda’s delegation to London, which will participate in the UK–Africa Business, Trade & Investment Summit on Friday, 12 September 2025 at The Royal Horseguards Hotel & One Whitehall Place. The delegation will be led by Ms. Irene Mutyaba Kabiri, Corporate Banking Director at Absa Uganda, who will also address the summit in a featured session titled:

“Driving Institutional Investment and Bankable Growth Across Africa”

This session will explore the role of commercial banks and DFIs in unlocking scalable business opportunities and enabling cross-border enterprise development.

🔍 Highlights of the Absa Business Club Relaunch:

🌐 International Trade Missions

• Participation in the UK–Africa Business Forum
• Discounted travel via Uganda Airlines
• Business lounge access through Absa Business Credit Cards
• Cross-border logistics support in partnership with DHL

📘 Expert Advisory & Capacity Building

• Training led by Enterprise Uganda and Grant Thornton
• Modules on digital transformation, compliance, export readiness, and financial management

🤝 Strategic Networking & Regional Learning

• B2B matchmaking, peer forums, exhibitions, and curated trade tours

💼 Tailored Financial & Non-Financial Services

• Preferential lending, discounted fees, free insurance through Prudential, dedicated support

According to Uganda’s Ministry of Finance, the country’s exports rose by 26% to USD 9.3 billion in the 12 months to March 2025—a testament to growing global trade potential. Through this partnership, UK–Africa Business and Absa Uganda aim to help SMEs take full advantage of this upward trend.

Jennifer Bamuturaki, CEO of Uganda Airlines, welcomed the initiative:

“Our partnership with the Absa Business Club supports our mission to connect Uganda to the world. By enabling entrepreneurs to access global platforms, we are helping them tell their stories, secure partners, and scale their businesses.”

Tetteh Ayitevie, CEO of Prudential Uganda, also noted:

“Insurance remains a critical gap for SMEs. Less than 1% have adequate cover. Through this partnership, we are helping bridge that gap—empowering businesses with the protection they need to thrive.”

🎯 A Platform for Real Impact

The UK–Africa Business Summit 2025 will convene 500+ leaders from government, DFIs, institutional investors, private sector, and capital markets across the UK, Africa, and the Commonwealth. With Absa Bank Uganda’s participation, this partnership reinforces a shared commitment to enterprise resilience, inclusive growth, and cross-border collaboration.

📍 Date: Friday, 12 September 2025
📍 Venue: The Royal Horseguards Hotel & One Whitehall Place, London
🔗 Summit Website: www.ukafricasummit.uk
🎟️ Register: ukafricasummit2025.eventbrite.co.uk

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