Equity Bank Uganda Backs Green Hotels 20 Oct
Equity Bank Uganda and the energy ministry launched a green hospitality plan on 20 October, with loans for solar power and efficient cooling in hotels. The post Equity Bank Uganda Backs Green Hotels 20 Oct appeared first on The Rio Times .
Uganda's Equity Bank is supporting a government plan to help hotels and other hospitality venues adopt solar power and clean energy equipment under the National Green Hospitality Initiative. The energy ministry and the bank launched the initiative at Serena Hotel Kampala on Tuesday, 20 October.
Equity Bank, part of Equity Group Holdings, operates across East and Central Africa. The plan aims to transform hotels, lodges, resorts and conference centers from major energy consumers to cost-saving enterprises. Phiona Nyamutoro, Uganda’s Minister of State for Energy, highlighted the potential savings from solar power, storage, efficient equipment and clean cooking, which could be reinvested in staff training, facilities and visitor experiences.
Equity Bank's Catherine Psomgen stressed the importance of viewing renewable energy and efficiency as investments rather than mere environmental expenses. The bank plans to provide green loans, equipment financing, leasing and blended finance solutions, catering to the seasonal nature of the tourism trade. Catherine emphasized that repayment terms should adapt to the seasonality of hotel occupancy to prevent financial strain during quieter months.
The initiative proposes identifying 4-5 hospitality properties for pilot energy assessments and retrofit support, aiming to be completed before the next Renewable Energy Conference. Additional priorities include a national green hotel certification, Uganda Green Hotel Standards and awards for firms demonstrating measurable results. A specialized financing window combining green loans, concessional credit and pay-as-you-save models run by energy service companies will be established.
Since 2022, Equity Bank has disbursed over UGX22 billion (approximately US$5.4 million) through its Equi-Green credit facility, financing solar systems, clean cookstoves, water tanks and solar-powered irrigation for households and farms. This new hotel-focused lending represents a small but strategic step for the group in Uganda's growing tourism sector.
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