dfcu Foundation has officially launched the Financial Expansion for Agribusiness Transformation (FEAT) Program, a strategic initiative designed to strengthen Uganda’s agribusiness sector. The program targets smallholder farmers (SHFs) and agribusiness enterprises with the goal of improving productivity, profitability, and access to markets and finance—particularly for women, youth, and vulnerable communities.
Backed by dfcu Foundation and Rabo Foundation, FEAT is set to support 2,280 agribusinesses and impact over 100,000 individuals across value chains in coffee, livestock-dairy, cereals, and oilseeds. The program also plans to train 80,000 learners-50% women and 40% youth-reaching over 400,000 Ugandans based on average household size.
A group photo at Prime Agro Farm in Zirobwe during the launch of Best Farmers 2025.
To drive financial sustainability, FEAT will facilitate UGX 100 billion in financial linkages while introducing a Catalytic (Revolving) Fund Facility to support early-stage enterprises that are not yet ready for commercial credit. Complementing finance, participants will access capacity building in leadership, governance, financial literacy, marketing, price risk management, and climate-smart agriculture through Management Business Advisors, AgriTech experts, and digital platforms such as dfcu Foundation SOMA e-learning platform and the Bean Book tool for coffee exporters.
Mabel Ndawula, Executive Director of dfcu Foundation, said:
“At its heart, FEAT is a collaborative effort to unlock real opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs through access to finance, markets, and skills. The combined strength of Rabo Foundation’s global expertise and dfcu’s deep local commitment ensures that smallholder farmers and SMEs can move from subsistence to prosperity, driving inclusive growth and resilient rural economies.”
Charles Mudiwa, dfcu Bank Chief Executive Officer.
Charles Mudiwa, CEO of dfcu Bank, added:
“Agriculture remains the backbone of Uganda’s economy, and supporting its transformation is central to dfcu’s purpose of building better lives and businesses. Through FEAT, we are not only expanding access to finance but also investing in the skills, technologies, and partnerships that make agribusiness more competitive, resilient, and inclusive. This program reflects our long-term commitment to empowering Uganda’s farmers and positioning agriculture as a driver of sustainable national growth.”
Sonja Timmer, Lead Impact Finance, Africa at Rabo Foundation, noted:
“The FEAT program builds on our longstanding partnership with dfcu Foundation, whose team brings deep local expertise in Uganda’s agribusiness sector. It reflects our shared belief that entrepreneurship in smallholder value chains is key to sustainable growth. FEAT is more than a program: it aims to be a catalyst for change, equipping agri-entrepreneurs and farmers with training, tools, and financial solutions to scale their businesses sustainably and improve livelihoods.”
Why FEAT Matters
- Agriculture employs 73% of Uganda’s workforce but continues to face barriers in finance, markets, and business skills.
- FEAT combines capacity building, blended finance, and digital innovation to address these gaps.
- By prioritizing women, youth, and climate-smart practices, FEAT strengthens competitiveness, resilience, and inclusivity in the agribusiness sector.
Source: The CEO – https://www.ceo.co.ug/dfcu-foundation-launches-the-feat-program-to-empower-agribusinesses-and-drive-inclusive-economic-growth-in-uganda/
