NCBA rolls out tailored banking services for Ugandan businesses

NCBA Bank Uganda has launched a business banking proposition aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises and corporate clients, offering working capital, trade finance, digital banking, cash management and advisory services.

Announcing the initiative in Kampala, chief executive Mark Muyobo said the bank was positioning itself as a growth partner for entrepreneurs.

“SMEs account for over 70% of Uganda’s private sector activity, yet many continue to face challenges including limited access to finance, cash flow constraints, and the need for digital transformation,” Muyobo said. “Through our new business banking proposition, we are providing businesses with financial solutions, expertise, and partnerships they need to grow with confidence.”

The package combines financing with relationship management, digital banking and sector-specific expertise, with products tailored to businesses at different stages of growth. The bank also plans to draw on its regional network to support cross-border traders through trade finance, foreign exchange and payment services.

Abel Mwesigye, chief executive of the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), welcomed the launch. “The growth of Uganda’s private sector depends on strong partnerships and financial institutions that understand the realities of doing business,” he said. “NCBA’s business banking proposition is a timely intervention that combines accessible financing, digital innovation, and business development support to help SMEs scale sustainably.”

Alongside the proposition, NCBA has partnered with MAT Abacus Business School to offer a free enterprise development programme for SME customers, covering financial management, governance, tax compliance, business planning and succession planning.

The launch comes as Uganda’s private sector contends with rising operating costs and lingering global economic pressures. Commercial banks are increasingly moving beyond traditional lending towards integrated services that combine credit, digital tools and advisory support — a shift driven by demand from enterprises seeking long-term banking partners rather than financing alone.