LNOB RBF Project Ends on High Note with Over 8400 Households Gaining Access to Solar Energy

Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), in partnership with GIZ Energising Development (EnDev) Uganda, on Thursday 29th January, officially concluded the Leave No One Behind Results-Based Financing (LNOB RBF) Project at the GIZ Offices in Kololo, Kampala.

The PSFU delegation, led by CEO Stephen Asiimwe, alongside LNOB RBF Project Manager Apollo Muyanja Mbaziira and DSRBF Project Manager Francis Kajura, was commended for the successful implementation of the initiative, which has significantly expanded clean energy access among underserved communities.

Working with private solar energy companies, the project enabled 8,407 households to gain access to renewable solar power, achieving 95% of its target - a milestone that underscores the private sector’s critical role in last-mile energy delivery.

Un Young Yong, Head of Project at EnDev Uganda, applauded the partnership and the project’s tangible impact, noting Uganda’s strong performance under the programme.

“The LNOB RBF project demonstrates how results-based financing can effectively unlock private sector potential to reach communities that are often left behind. Uganda’s success story is why the country remains among those selected to continue under the initiative,” he said.

PSFU CEO Stephen Asiimwe emphasized that the next phase of energy access must go beyond lighting to economic transformation.

“Access to solar energy should now move from basic lighting to productive use - powering small businesses, Agro-processing, and other income-generating activities. That is how energy access translates into real household income growth and sustainable livelihoods,” Asiimwe noted.

LNOB RBF Project Manager Apollo Muyanja Mbaziira highlighted the operational success and collaboration behind the results.

“This achievement reflects strong coordination between PSFU, EnDev, and our private sector partners who worked tirelessly to reach last-mile communities. Beyond the numbers, we have seen real changes in households - improved safety, better learning conditions for children, and reduced reliance on unsafe lighting sources,” Mbaziira said.

The LNOB RBF Project has played a pivotal role in expanding clean energy solutions, improving safety, enhancing children’s study conditions, and driving socio-economic progress in hard-to-reach communities - reaffirming the power of strategic partnerships in advancing inclusive development.

PSFU Conducts Impact Assessment Field Visits Under LNOB RBF Project

The Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), in partnership with GIZ EnDev, from Thursday 22nd, January to Sunday 25th January, conducted field visits across the Bugisu and Sebei sub-regions as part of the impact assessment for the Leave No One Behind Results-Based Financing (LNOB RBF) Project, which is nearing its closure.

The visits covered the districts of Namisindwa, Bukwo, Kween, Kapchorwa, Bulambuli and Bududa, focusing on last-mile communities that benefited from subsidised solar energy solutions delivered through the project. To effectively execute the project, PSFU was joined by several participating private sector energy companies, including Ignite Energy Access (ENGIE), d.light Uganda, LUK Solar, Solar First, Papillon Living and Access to Solar.

Led by PSFU CEO, Mr. Stephen Asiimwe, and the Project Manager, LNOB RBF – Apollo Muyanja Mbazzira, the assessment visits aimed to interface directly with beneficiaries to document their experiences, capture lessons learnt, and assess the project’s overall social and economic impact in hard-to-reach communities.

Speaking during the engagements, Asiimwe noted that the LNOB RBF Project was designed to demonstrate that access to clean and affordable energy can be a catalyst for inclusive development.

“What we are seeing in these communities confirms that when energy reaches the last mile, it transforms lives. Children can study at night, households are safer, and families are able to improve their livelihoods. This project shows that no community is too remote to benefit from sustainable energy solutions,” Asiimwe said.

Beneficiaries shared powerful testimonies on how access to solar energy - acquired through a subsidised upfront cost and an affordable daily payment of UGX 1,000 - has significantly improved their quality of life.

One such beneficiary, Ms. Nanyama Eunice from Kaboyi Village in Namisindwa District, described the change as life-altering.

“Before solar, my children could not read at night, and we depended on candles which were risky and expensive. Now, my home has light every evening, my children study without fear, and I no longer worry about fires. Even our security has improved because our house is no longer in darkness,” she said.

Across the visited communities, education emerged as one of the most visible benefits, with households reporting improved study habits and performance among school-going children. The PSFU team also noted enhanced household security at night and a significant reduction in fire-related accidents previously caused using candles and paraffin lamps.

Beyond lighting, Mr. Asiimwe encouraged beneficiaries to tap into the wider productive potential of solar energy.

“Solar energy can do much more for these communities. It can be used for solar drying of produce such as grains and cassava, for cooking, and for other income-generating activities that strengthen household incomes and resilience,” he added.

As the LNOB RBF Project draws to a close, PSFU reported strong performance against its targets. In partnership with the participating private energy companies, the project has registered sales of 8,407 solar home kits, translating into a 95 percent achievement against the target of 8,850 units.

PSFU Engages Parliament on Strengthening Standards and UNBS Performance

The Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), on Thursday 6th November, held a high-level engagement with the Parliamentary Committee on Trade, Tourism and Industry, to present key private sector concerns regarding the performance and effectiveness of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS).

The PSFU delegation, led by Dr. Julius Byaruhanga, Director of Policy and Business Development, emphasized the Foundation’s continued partnership with UNBS through several collaborative initiatives designed to promote quality assurance, enhance consumer protection, and curb the proliferation of substandard and counterfeit goods on the market.

Dr. Byaruhanga, however, noted that while progress has been made, persistent challenges particularly delays in product certification and verification processes continue to impede business operations, slow market entry for Ugandan products, and undermine competitiveness both locally and internationally.

He underscored the need for a more efficient and transparent standards regime that supports innovation, exports, and industrial growth in line with Uganda’s Vision 2040 aspirations.

On the issue of standards development, Dr. Byaruhanga noted that UNBS reported a 30.6% increase in standards development between 2018 and 2023. However, the rate of standards development remains significantly slower than the rate at which PSFU’s members particularly traders are expanding their operations.

“PSFU, therefore, recommends concerted efforts to accelerate the process of standards development to keep pace with the evolving needs of the private sector and the market,” Dr. Byaruhanga said

Committee Vice Chairperson Hon. Boniface Henry Okot commended PSFU for its comprehensive and evidence-based submission, describing it as a valuable contribution to the ongoing review of UNBS operations and standards reform.

He assured the PSFU delegation that the Committee will give due consideration to the recommendations presented and integrate them into its forthcoming report to Parliament.

The engagement forms part of PSFU’s broader advocacy efforts to foster a more predictable and business-friendly regulatory environment that promotes competitiveness, compliance, and private sector–led growth.

PSFU Onboards Financial Institutions to New MSME Financing Gateway Platform

On Thursday, 18th September, the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) convened a high-level breakfast meeting at Protea Skyz Hotel to introduce financial institutions to the newly established MSME Financing Gateway Platform — a cutting-edge digital solution designed to revolutionize access to finance for Uganda’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Developed with the support of the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the EU-EAC MARKUP II Programme, the platform seeks to bridge the persistent financing gap that has long hindered MSME growth.

By directly connecting MSMEs with a wide range of financial institutions, it provides a transparent, efficient, and data-driven channel for businesses to access tailored financial products and services.

Speaking during the engagement, PSFU Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Stephen Asiimwe, urged financial institutions to embrace the platform as a transformative tool for digital inclusion and private sector growth.

“Let’s work together to digitally transform MSME financing in Uganda,” Asiimwe said. “Your participation will not only enhance your institution’s visibility and outreach but will also position you as a champion of inclusive growth, innovation, and sustainability.”

The meeting drew participation from key players across Uganda’s financial ecosystem, including commercial banks, microfinance institutions, fintechs, and development partners.

Stakeholders commended the initiative as both timely and strategic — arriving at a moment when MSMEs, which account for more than 90% of Uganda’s private sector and employ millions, are seeking innovative and accessible financing solutions to scale their enterprises.

Ultimately, the MSME Financing Gateway Platform is envisioned as a cornerstone for Uganda’s financial inclusion agenda, fostering stronger partnerships between lenders and entrepreneurs, and driving the country toward a more resilient and digitally empowered economy.