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Tag: Maria Kiwanuka

  • Standard Chartered Uganda hosts Investment Dialogue Event Focused on Cross-Border Trade as a Catalyst for 10X Growth Strategy

    Standard Chartered Uganda hosts Investment Dialogue Event Focused on Cross-Border Trade as a Catalyst for 10X Growth Strategy

    Kampala: Standard Chartered Bank on 22nd May successfully hosted a high-level Uganda Investment Dialogue focused on Cross-Border trade as catalyst for 10X Growth Strategy.

    Held under the theme: “Cross-Border Trade – Connecting Your Ambitions to Global Possibilities,” the dialogue brought together over 100 influential stakeholders including government officials, private sector leaders, policy makers, regulators, development partners and Standard Chartered clients.

    Panel discussion during the Investment Dialogue

    The goal was to facilitate collaborative discussions on the transformative potential of cross-border trade in driving Uganda’s Tenfold (10X) Growth Strategy leveraging sectors like; Agriculture, Trade, Manufacturing and Services (ATMS). It also aimed to identify and discuss the investment opportunities and challenges within the ATMS sectors and facilitate networking and partnership-building between the public and private sectors.

    Maria Kiwanuka Investment

    The event had distinguished speakers who included; Sanjay Rughani the CEO Standard Chartered Uganda, Razia Khan the Head of Research, Africa & Middle East Standard Chartered, Mr. Moses Bekabye the Technical Advisor for Economic Affairs from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Mrs. Maria Kiwanuka – Standard Chartered’s Board Chairperson and Independent Non-Executive Director.

    The Panel discussion was led by Charles Katongole the Standard Chartered Uganda Executive Director & Head of Corporates. It also comprised of Kariuki Ngari the CEO Standard Chartered Kenya and Africa, Stephen Asiimwe – CEO, Private Sector Foundation Uganda, Anna Nambooze – Country Director, Trademark Uganda and Rola Abu Manneh – CEO Standard Chartered UAE, Middle East and Pakistan & Non-Executive Director for Standard Chartered Uganda.

    The panel discussion explored how we can sustainably unlock the 10x growth strategy ambitions through cross border trade investment opportunities, capacity building, and the persistent challenges related to cross-border trade like infrastructure gaps, regulatory harmonisation, digital trade facilitation, and access to finance.

    Sanjay Rughani, CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Uganda welcomed the guests and, highlighted the Bank’s role as a trusted partner in enabling cross-border commerce and investment flows.

    Sanjay speaking at the Investment Dialogue

    “Standard Chartered operates in more than 53 markets across Asia, Africa and the Middle East – regions that are home to some of the world’s fastest-growing trade corridors. Our presence in key global financial hubs allows us to seamlessly connect clients in Uganda to international opportunities. We leverage our deep local knowledge, innovative digital platforms, and dedicated cross-border banking teams to support businesses with trade finance, foreign exchange, cash management, and advisory services tailored for cross-border success.”

    While delivering his remarks, Mr. Moses Bekabye the Technical Advisor for Economic Affairs from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development commended Standard Chartered for its commitment to supporting Uganda’s economic transformation and praised the initiative as a vital platform for bridging the gap between public and private sector priorities.

    He discussed the Tenfold growth strategy and what expanding the size of the economy from USD 50 Billion to USD 500 billion in 15 years means and how cross-border trade can support this agenda and Uganda’s economic future.

    He added: “It is through partnerships such as these that we can create a more connected, competitive and inclusive economy.”

    Moses Bekabye

    Razia Khan the Standard Chartered Head of Research, Africa & Middle East on her part talked about the global and Uganda’s economic outlook highlighting various key issues around the global growth expectations being moderated since the beginning of this year, the trade uncertainty being at a multi-decade high, proving a drag on growth before delving into the outlook for Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) saying;

    “Reform momentum will still play a key role in SSA’s growth outlook. Despite a still-difficult global backdrop, SSA growth is likely to rise in 2025 and an uneven recovery is likely to be driven by SSA’s biggest economies like South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Angola.”

    Kariuki Ngari speaking at the Investment Dialogue

    She also delved into the implications of Trump 2.0 for Africa reassured us that the direct impact of US tariffs is likely to be limited to the SSA region however cautioned us to look out for the indirect effect. She highlighted that China’s lending to Africa is rising again and greater, having peaked in 2016 but this time, it is different.

    She also delved into implications of the Trump 2.0 for Africa starting that the direct impact of U.S tariffs is likely to be limited in the SSA region but cautioned us to look out for the indirect effects.

    She applauded Bank of Uganda’s anti-inflation credentials for having anchored price stability saying that the Uganda shilling has outperformed regional peers since 2020.

    She was also optimistic about Uganda’s growth accelerating as spending ramps up with the first oil in 2026. Potentially Uganda will see close to 10.0% growth. She then cautioned against Uganda’s debt and the need to tread cautiously.

    The Uganda Investment Dialogue underscored Standard Chartered’s continued commitment to convening thought leadership platforms that address national development priorities, accelerate sustainable growth, and empower businesses to thrive in the global economy.

  • Standard Chartered Bank Uganda hosts Corporate companies to a Business immersion in a Sustainable Trade Finance Thought leadership event as it unveils Straight2Bank NextGen corporate platform

    Standard Chartered Bank Uganda hosts Corporate companies to a Business immersion in a Sustainable Trade Finance Thought leadership event as it unveils Straight2Bank NextGen corporate platform

    Kampala: Standard Chartered Bank Uganda held a thought leadership event to discuss business immersion in Sustainable Trade Finance for over 100 corporate and SME business leaders at Sheraton Hotel.

    The Sustainable Trade Finance Event and the Straight2Bank Next Gen platform launch were presided over by Hon. David Bahati, the Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Co-operatives and Hon. Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo the State Minister for ICT and National Guidance, respectively.

    Minister Hon David Bahati delivering his keynote address

    The Standard Chartered Bank Business immersion on Sustainable Trade Finance event flagged off the evening by drawing the attention of all stakeholders to the urgency to flatten the curve of greenhouse gas emissions and bring them down to Net zero to avert a climate pandemic.

    To open the event the new CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Uganda, Mr. Sanjay Rughani welcomed the guests and appreciated them for their participation before welcoming the Guest of Honour to deliver his keynote address.

    Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Board Chairperson Mrs Maria Kiwanuka addressing the participants

    While delivering his keynote address, the Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Co-operatives – Hon. David Bahati said; “While all of us at an individual level should play a part to combat the effects of climate change through change of our habits and lifestyle to reduce our personal carbon footprint, this can only go so far. We need system-level solutions through partnerships between government, the private sector and development organisations for effective and permanent change.” He further added; “The banking, finance and investment communities play a critical role in facilitating investments in renewable energy solutions and carbon neutral technologies. We are therefore very happy as the Ministry of Trade Industry and Cooperatives to see Standard Chartered Bank taking the lead on the journey towards Net zero emissions through business awareness symposiums such as this and extending robust sustainable Trade Finance solutions to the Business community in Uganda. Through sustainable Trade Financing solutions, we should see growth in the supply and demand for green investments.” He concluded.

    Straight2Bank Next Gen platform was launched by Hon Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, the State Minister for ICT and National Guidance

    Patrick Makau, the Executive Principal, the Standard Chartered Head of Trade and Working Capital Kenya and East Africa then took the floor and reassured the participants saying; “As Standard Chartered Bank we have taken the responsibility for the progress in our communities and that is why we are advocating for sustainable finance. We also have a proven track record of innovation across Trade Finance and Sustainable Finance with several global awards to reinforce our role in financing major energy, telecoms, mining and infrastructure projects to growing businesses and building communities. With consumers, investors and governments increasingly focusing on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) metrics, there is a growing impact on global supply chain activities. We also understand that Sustainability is increasingly at the forefront of your respective business strategies so by deploying our sustainable financing solutions, you can now complement your sustainable procurement and your own sustainable agenda with our tailor-made sustainable trade finance offering. As a leader in trade and sustainable finance, we are here to help you achieve your sustainability goals.”

    After the speeches, a panel discussion that was moderated by the Head Transaction Banking Kenya and East Africa Ms. Makabelo Malumane alongside Mr. Sanjay Rughani the CEO of Standard Chartered Bank and the Chief Operating Officer of Private Sector Foundation of Uganda, Ms. Grace Nshemeire Gwaku ensued.

    A panel discussion moderated by the Head Transaction Banking Kenya and EA Ms Makabelo Malumane alongside Mr. Sanjay Rughani the CEO of Stanchart and PSFU Grace Nshemeire

    The panel discussed various aspects and criticality of environmental conservation, appealing to the audience to embrace and own the responsibility of preventing a looming environmental catastrophe.

    Hon. Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo who is the State Minister for ICT and National Guidance then led the participants on a Networking tour of the experiential booths that demonstrated the Straight2Bank NextGen platform capabilities before settling down for the unveiling cocktail event.

    Photo moment during the reveal event

    At the Straight2Bank NextGen launch event, the Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Board Chairperson – Mrs. Maria Kiwanuka addressed the participants first reminding them of the Bank’s strategy and commitment, stating; “One of the Bank’s STANDs of Lifting Participation aims to improve the lives of 1 billion people and their communities globally, by unleashing the full potential of women and lifting participation of Small Businesses in our core markets by providing access to finance, networks, training young people, driving accessible banking at scale and connecting affluent clients to opportunities for making a societal impact. The Straight2Bank Next Gen solution we are unveiling today will enable women and youth led SME’s access the best digital business banking solutions to grow their businesses in a fast, smart and easier way. In addition to this, under another of our STANDS, Resetting Globalisation, we also aim to support 500,000 companies globally to improve working and environmental standards and giving everyone the chance to participate in the world economy, so growth becomes fairer and more balanced.”

    Entertainment during the unveiling of the Straight2Bank Next Gen event

    On his part, Mr. Sanjay Rughani the Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank Uganda appealed to the present business leaders stating that;

    “As Standard Chartered Bank we have kept innovating after taking into account our clients’ feedback which informed an upgrade to our Straight2Bank Corporate platform to the newly unveiled Straight2Bank NextGen platform which mainly focuses on security, convenience and digitizing of Trade Finance and Payments. The Next Gen platform also boasts of superior capabilities and efficiencies that make it; Simpler, faster, offering a better customer experience, Improved convenience, Customizable features, Improved efficiency and Improved TAT for system capability among others.” He added: At Standard Chartered, we have a three-pronged innovation approach to differentiate, disrupt growth and transform the Bank to achieve our goals and these include transforming our core via digitisation, leveraging partnerships to drive scale and extend reach as we build new business models to create value. We are therefore committed to transform banking using technology as the Main Digital Bank in Uganda. Our timely and disruptive digital innovations are aimed at making banking services fully accessible, inclusive, faster, simple and offer unrivalled convenience whenever and wherever our clients are. I am therefore pleased to be part of this ceremony as we unveil our state-of-the-art platform Straight2Bank Nextgen platform that will offer corporate clients, SMEs and other businesses an unrivalled digital experience.”

    Before officially launching the Straight2Ban Next Gen platform, Hon. Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo the State Minister for ICT and National Guidance said that Banks are one of the biggest drivers and consumers of IT as they become increasingly reliant on heavily skilled technologists to instruct IT systems and invest in systems.

    Such usage and investments are inevitably driving improvements in banks’ digital systems and as banks continue to invest smartly in digitization, they are reaping massive rewards. As we celebrate the strides made by banks in the technological space however, we need to stay focused on the negative implications like the inherent risks, fraud and losses in their sector.

    “I therefore call upon Standard Chartered Bank to continue investing in up-skilling their workforce to keep up with new trends and ably support clients navigate the various challenges they face as they adopt to using these platforms. We also need you to be a leader in sharing best practice, reduce the cost of doing business for clients and undertake continuous financial literacy to help the entire sector catch up. One of the other critical digitization challenges is around security. There is need to combine convenience with rigour in the customer verification procedures,” she concluded.