dfcu Bank has officially unveiled the dfcu Foundation, signaling a major strategic shift from its former identity, the Agribusiness Development Centre (ADC). The transition, announced under the theme “A New Name, A Renewed Commitment”, marks the beginning of a broader mission to empower more Ugandans through access to finance, training, and market opportunities.
The rebrand was launched in Mbarara district and reflects dfcu Bank’s overarching goal of “Transforming Lives and Businesses in Uganda.” The dfcu Foundation will now take on a wider role, going beyond agriculture to include financial literacy, mentorship, credit access, and enterprise support across diverse sectors.
Kate K Kiiza, Executive Director at dfcu Bank, spoke at the event, emphasizing the importance of the Foundation’s role in rural and economic development: “The launch of the dfcu Foundation marks a new era of empowerment for Ugandan farmers. Our goal is to ensure that every farmer, agribusiness owner, and rural entrepreneur has the knowledge, resources and financial tools needed to succeed. We believe that by promoting agricultural growth, we strengthen Uganda’s economy and create long-term benefits and prosperity.”
She further noted that while agriculture remains central, the Foundation’s mission now extends to other areas critical for sustainable development: “While agribusiness remains at our core, the dfcu Foundation will also focus on enterprise development, financial literacy training and sustainability initiatives. This rebrand strengthens our purpose and amplifies our impact, aligning with dfcu’s long-term strategy for national transformation. Additionally, through integrating financial empowerment, environmental governance, and enterprise development, we are strengthening our commitment to sustainable growth and economic progress”
Mabel Ndawula, Executive Director of the newly launched dfcu Foundation, highlighted that this move builds on the strong foundation laid by ADC while opening the door to deeper community engagement: “We are excited to launch dfcu Foundation; a strategic move designed to deepen our relationship with farmers and expand our impact. This transition is not a departure from our commitment to agribusiness but rather an opportunity to increase our reach and add to our contribution to national development.”
The Foundation’s ambitions are bold: “At dfcu Foundation, our goal is to double the impact of past initiatives,” Ndawula stated. “Under the Agribusiness Development Centre, we already reached 59,000 beneficiaries, and over the next five years, we aim to impact 100,000 more. Of these, 60% will be women and 40% will be youth, with the focus given to Uganda’s youthful population, where approximately 77-78% are young people with high unemployment rates and limited job market absorption. dfcu sees farming and small business development as viable solutions for economic empowerment and job creation ”
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Uganda’s economy, providing employment for over 70% of the population and contributing 24% to the national GDP. However, access to finance, skill gaps, and market unpredictability continue to hold many farmers back.
The dfcu Foundation aims to address these challenges through tailored programs in credit access, market linkages, digital tools, and training for farmers, youth, and women entrepreneurs. The initiative also aligns with broader goals around environmental stewardship, sustainability, and inclusive economic development.
The Mbarara launch event brought together various stakeholders, including government officials, farmer cooperatives, and experts from the banking and agribusiness sectors, highlighting the collaborative spirit behind the Foundation’s next chapter.
Under the ADC, major milestones had already been achieved. As of the end of 2024, the program had reached 59,000 beneficiaries and supported 1,281 agribusiness enterprises through financing and capacity-building. Additionally, 490 businesses participated in acceleration programs, and 5,000 enterprises gained access to banking services. Notably, women’s participation stood at 52%, a sign of the program’s commitment to gender inclusion.
The center also facilitated $22 million in business linkages, boosting trade and financial growth across the sector.
With the creation of the dfcu Foundation, these efforts are set to scale significantly, with outreach programs planned across Uganda to continue building resilient, self-sustaining communities.
