Uganda Development Bank Limited (UDB), the country’s national Development Finance Institution, is the lead sponsor of the Ugandan Pavilion at the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), which will take place from November 10 to 21, 2025, in Belém, Brazil.
The announcement was made today at Silver Springs Hotel in Bugolobi during the pre-COP30 National Forum organised by UDB and the Ministry of Water and Environment in partnership with other stakeholders.
At the event, the Bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise a partnership aimed at promoting Uganda’s investment opportunities. The agreement will highlight bankable, climate-aligned projects in renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, sustainable infrastructure, and green manufacturing.
This marks the third consecutive year that UDB has participated in the annual UN Climate Conference. The Bank seeks to mobilise funding and build partnerships to support green projects in Uganda.
During COP30, UDB will showcase flagship projects in renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable waste management. It will also host side events and panel discussions under themes such as tackling the rising cost of operations in the manufacturing and tourism sectors through energy-efficient technologies, promoting sustainable waste management in cities to reduce carbon emissions, and advancing climate-resilient agriculture to improve food security and reduce poverty. These sessions will encourage constructive discussions and collaborations between UDB and partners in technology, solid waste management, and smart agriculture.
Speaking at the forum, Dr Patricia Ojangole, Managing Director of UDB, said that UDB’s mandate is to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development through finance and to catalyse private sector growth. She noted that COP30 presents a unique opportunity for UDB to amplify this mandate on a global stage.
With government support, the Bank aims to close Uganda’s green financing gap by mobilising funds, expanding access to credit, managing risks, and offering affordable green financial products. Dr Ojangole said that according to Uganda’s Climate Change Policy, the country needs about USD 194.5 million annually over the next 15 years to effectively address climate challenges. She added that UDB is championing the Climate Finance Facility to scale up green investments and create lasting impact.
She further explained that by showcasing viable projects and engaging with multilateral partners, UDB hopes to attract funds essential for project implementation. Another side event themed ‘Financing Energy Efficiency and Electric Mobility to Foster Sustainability’ will promote partnerships between UDB, technology firms, and financiers to support energy-efficient and electric mobility initiatives.
Uganda’s forest cover fell from 24 per cent in 1990 to 9 per cent in 2015, before recovering slightly to 12.4 per cent. Wetland coverage now stands at 8.9 per cent, down from 13 per cent. According to the World Economic Forum Report (2020), such environmental losses are among the top global risks affecting economies.
UDB’s participation at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2024 led to the development of potential projects in energy efficiency, e-bus transport, energy generation, and agriculture resilience. The Bank has since built a funding pipeline exceeding USD 100 million and advanced its accreditation with global climate funds such as the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund.
