Uganda is set to take centre stage in Africa’s development finance conversation as it hosts the inaugural Uganda Development Finance Summit from September 1–2, 2025, at the Speke Resort Convention Centre in Kampala.
Organized by the Uganda Development Bank (UDB), the summit will bring together over 400 finance professionals, policy makers, private sector leaders, academics, and development partners from around the world. With the theme “Transforming Africa through National Development Finance Architecture,” the two-day event aims to tackle the continent’s most pressing financial challenges and explore pathways to sustainable economic transformation.
According to Uganda Development Bank {UDB} the summit seeks to spark dialogue and action on innovative financing solutions that can bridge Africa’s development gaps. Discussions will spotlight the critical role of national development banks in driving industrialization, advancing agricultural value chains, supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and scaling up green and blended finance.
“This summit is a vital platform for knowledge sharing, partnership-building, and rethinking how development banks can lead the charge for inclusive and sustainable growth,” said Dr. Patricia Ojangole, Managing Director of UDB, ahead of the event.
She emphasized that the summit comes at a time when traditional funding sources—such as foreign aid and concessional loans are shrinking, forcing African governments to increasingly rely on costly global debt markets.
With many African economies struggling to secure affordable financing, the summit is expected to provide a collaborative space for stakeholders to propose bold, long-term solutions for unlocking capital and accelerating development.
As governments across the continent seek new financial models to fund infrastructure, innovation, and climate resilience, Uganda’s hosting of this summit positions it at the forefront of shaping Africa’s financial future.