This discussion was recorded on 27 April 2022 as part of the UNCTAD eCommerce Week 2022.

Despite being a key pillar of the Ugandan economy, agriculture attracts a small fraction of financing. Lending to smallholder farmers (about 80% of the farming population in Uganda) is perceived as risky, and the majority do not have credit history or collateral. However, most smallholder farmers are members of cooperatives and loans and savings groups that hold data on their savings and credit. This session introduces innovative digital financing models by fintechs Ensibuuko and eMata, who are partnering with UNCDF, FAO, and UDBL to pilot the innovative lending models based on data held by farmer groups to enable access to low-cost credit for smallholder farmers in rural areas of Uganda.

Moderator: Iris Kissiti, Digital Finance Country Specialist, UNCDF

Speakers:
Julien Vallet, Economist, Investment Centre, Africa Service, FAO
Carlo Bravi, Senior Economist, FAO Investment Centre Division, FAO
John Peter Emoi, Investment Manager, Uganda Development Bank Ltd
Davis Agaba, Chief Technical Officer, Emata
Gerald Otim, Founder, Ensibuuko
Closing Remarks:
Chris Lukolyo- Digital Country Lead, UNCDF Uganda

⚠️ Alert ! We are seeking an experienced ICT firm that will develop an integrated women’s application that would provide access to datas and bridge the gap to #financialinclusion in The #Gambia
More info here ➡️ https://t.co/5vJltA2yQr https://t.co/9GwmQB8I4r

Here’s the big reveal for tomorrow’s event co-hosted by the @UNCDF and @CanadaUN!

We have speakers from six development institutions representing ????????, ????????, ????????, ????????, ???????? and @NDFNews.

????️ April 28th, 8:00AM EST
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A picture paints a thousand words. @UNCDF Executive Secretary @PreetiSinha_ and @UNHABITAT Executive Director @MaimunahSharif celebrate agreement to jointly implement SDG Cities initiative. #OneUN ???? in action #localgov #localdev https://t.co/1VfZbYpy8y

IncluCivity Index will be used for the selection and ranking of municipal investment projects based on the potential benefits for the excluded and marginalized groups. #Fin4Dev

During the #FfDForum, @UNCDF took part in the @UNHABITAT Event: "SDG Cities: Women-led businesses for Women-led cities."

The City Scorecard was discussed, which is an important tool that will be used to rank cities on their commitment to and investments in the ‘inclusion’ agenda https://t.co/SOytRfvOYW

Tomorrow @UNCDF and ???????? @CanadaUN will co-host an event with a focus on the need for #BlendedFinance and the role that donors can play to address the needs of the #MissingMiddle.

???? Here’s a sneak peek of our speakers
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Many thanks Joan for your inspiring remarks this morning. Indeed, local government finance is development finance. @UNHabitat and @UNCDF are joining forces to implement SDG Cities for a town and city friendly financial blend. #OneUN #localgov #localdev @ConvergenceBF @UNHABITAT https://t.co/uXtnMmNBuj

Special thanks to Arne Janssen, @lindashi, @geomeg, and Theodore Tine for contributing their expertise to the #IncluCity City Scorecard and IncluCivity Index

We have officially convened the Advisory group for the #IncluCity City Scorecard and IncluCivity Index #WEE https://t.co/UmRDjRnCSd

.@UNCDF uses guarantees to support a portfolio of investments for bond issuance, municipal guarantees for cities to finance resilient infrastructure, and can issue guarantees using its own balance sheet.

#FfDForum: The United Nations Capital Development Fund (@UNCDF) has helped to design guarantee facilities with donors and governments to support #SMEs. #Fin4Dev https://t.co/Uzyme7A8Mt