KAMPALA, Uganda — Absa Bank Uganda has received two accolades at the 2025 Global Banking and Finance Awards, being named “Best CSR Bank Uganda” and honored for the “Best Community Engagement ESG Initiative in Uganda.” The awards were announced Monday.

The recognition highlights Absa Bank Uganda’s ongoing impact through initiatives such as the One Million Trees campaign, which aims to plant one million trees in Uganda by 2025 to combat climate change. Other cited programs include the annual Absa KH3 7 Hills Run, which supports education for girls; the Absa ReadyToWork youth skilling program; and the bank’s response to the Kiteezi landslide disaster. The awards also acknowledged the bank’s work in financial inclusion and literacy.

This marks the third time Absa Bank Uganda has been recognized as “Best CSR Bank,” having previously won in 2022 and 2024. The “Best Community Engagement ESG Initiative” award is the bank’s first in the environmental, social, and governance category for community engagement.

David Wandera, Managing Director at Absa Bank Uganda, stated that the bank’s “business priorities are deeply linked to our responsibility to support inclusive growth, climate resilience, and ethical practices that serve our communities.” He added that the recognition “affirms our commitment to creating long-term, sustainable value for all our stakeholders.”

Wanda Rich, Editor of Global Banking & Finance Review, noted Absa Bank Uganda’s “sustained commitment to long-term impact through education, environmental stewardship, and youth empowerment.” She specifically mentioned the tree planting initiative, support for girls’ education, and the ReadytoWork program as standout achievements.

Absa Bank Uganda’s ESG strategy focuses on financial inclusion, diversity, equity and inclusion, climate action, and community empowerment. In 2024, the bank provided UGX 38 billion in green financing, including affordable loans for electric motorcycles. The 2024 Absa KH3 7 Hills Run raised UGX 300 million, supporting education for over 7,278 girls through funding for sanitation, menstrual hygiene, and bursaries. Additionally, the bank spent UGX 76 billion on local procurement in 2024.

Helen Nangonzi Basuuta, Marketing and Customer Experience Director at Absa Uganda, expressed pride in the team’s efforts, saying, “These awards are a celebration of our people—our staff, our partners, and our communities. We remain committed to deepening our impact because everyone’s story matters.”