Overview:
Absa Bank Uganda partners with Junior Achievement to launch a 2026 business competition for schools, honoring recent continental winners in Kampala.
KAMPALA, Uganda – Absa Bank Uganda has launched a nationwide business initiative targeting more than 200,000 youth as part of its 2026 Company of the Year competition.
The program, held in partnership with Junior Achievement Uganda, was officially announced Tuesday during a ceremony at Aga Khan High School. The initiative seeks to involve more than 55 schools across the country, providing students with hands-on experience in business management, financial literacy, and problem-solving.
This year’s competition, themed AI – Augmenting Innovation, challenges students to use artificial intelligence to address economic hurdles and strengthen business models.
At Absa, we believe that financial literacy and entrepreneurship are the cornerstones of economic freedom, said Helen Basuuta Nangonzi, head of marketing and customer experience at Absa Bank Uganda. Through this partnership with JA, we are equipping students with the tools to build a resilient and prosperous future for themselves and Uganda.
The launch event also served as a celebration of Ugandan excellence on the continental stage. Absa officials presented a $1,000 prize to students from Aga Khan High School, who were recently named Africa Champions at the 2025 Junior Achievement Africa Regional Competition in Abuja, Nigeria.
The students earned the top spot for their climate-focused business solution, Renewablock.
Rachael Mwagale, executive director of Junior Achievement Uganda, said the success of the Aga Khan team demonstrates that Ugandan youth can compete at the highest levels of innovation. She noted that the continued support from Absa allows the organization to expand its reach and instill an entrepreneurial mindset in the next generation.
The 2026 competition is now open for registration to secondary schools across the country. The program will culminate in a national exhibition and finals scheduled for September 2026.
Absa Bank Uganda is part of Absa Group Limited and is regulated by the Bank of Uganda.