Global NGO Opportunity International on Tuesday launched its 2025 Global Agriculture Finance Conference, a three-day gathering of financial institutions, social impact investors, bilateral donors, practitioners, and researchers at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
The event has brought together 26 leading financial institutions and key stakeholders from across Sub-Saharan Africa that are investing in smallholder farming families in low- and middle-income countries. Among the notable attendees are Bank of Uganda Governor Dr Michael Atingi-Ego, Opportunity International CEO Atul Tandon, Oikocredit Global Head of Agriculture Investments Anshul Jindal, and Agricultural Business Initiative Finance Ltd. CEO Mona Muguma Ssebuliba.
Serving as the official launch of Opportunity International’s Agriculture Finance Community of Practice, the conference will provide a platform for a continent-wide network of financial service providers to exchange knowledge, access resources, and explore innovative solutions to shared challenges. Collectively, participating organisations have lent over USD 500 million in agricultural loans, underscoring their commitment to sustainable growth in the sector.
“If you want to go far, go together,” said Opportunity International CEO Atul Tandon. “Over the years, we’ve built a continent-wide network of financial partners that unlocks local capital, delivers local solutions, and enables millions to build sustainable livelihoods on their own terms. Together, we have released over a million loans to smallholder families—creating a lasting framework at the intersection of finance and impact that is rooted in dignity and committed to a rising Africa.”
Through its Agriculture Finance programme, Opportunity International has equipped local financial institutions with training, resources, and technical support to design regionally tailored solutions for smallholder farmers and agribusinesses. This partner network has reached more than 1.4 million households in 12 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Smallholder farmers—often cultivating five acres or less—are vital to global food security, producing up to 80% of the food supply in low- and middle-income nations and about 30% of the world’s total food output. However, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization notes that they remain among the most vulnerable populations, facing high levels of poverty and hunger. The global funding gap for small-scale farming exceeds USD 170 billion annually, with USD 26 billion needed for African farmers alone.
“When farmers thrive, communities thrive—and ending extreme poverty will not be possible without solutions that equip and empower farmers,” said Opportunity International Head of Agriculture Finance Tim Strong. “I continue to be inspired by the strength that we see amongst the farmers and agribusinesses we support, and I’m confident in the collective impact of the leaders joining us at our summit.”
Over the course of the conference, participants will tackle pressing issues affecting smallholder farmers, agricultural SMEs, and the financial institutions serving them. Key themes include regenerative agriculture, adaptation and resilience financing for climate change, microinsurance solutions, and blended capital approaches to extend services to the last mile.
Interactive breakout sessions will enable participants to collaborate in open forums, share best practices, and generate innovative solutions that could significantly expand the reach and impact of agricultural finance for the farmers who need it most.
Tandon also reflected on the organisation’s origins, recalling its first client, Carlos Moreno, who transformed his life with a small loan. He stressed the importance of innovation in financial products tailored to farmers’ needs, highlighting Opportunity International’s growing agricultural finance portfolio, support for refugees, and educational initiatives reaching millions of students.
In his remarks, Bank of Uganda Governor Dr Michael Atingi-Ego called for greater digital financial inclusion, proposing the creation of a “digital financial passport” to improve farmers’ access to formal financial services.
He urged collaboration among academia, research institutions, and the financial sector to address agricultural challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in light of climate change.
Atingi-Ego expressed optimism that sustained partnerships and investment could drive significant agribusiness growth in Uganda, projecting a substantial rise in private sector credit by 2040.
