Stanbic Bank has announced a major investment of UGX 1 trillion over the next three years to support young Ugandans, especially those building careers in the fast-growing digital creator space.
According to the bank’s Head of Marketing and Brand Management, Lois Aber Kwikiriza, this investment is part of the bank’s effort to expand opportunities for youth.
With many young people turning to digital content creation for income, Kwikiriza said Stanbic is stepping in to strengthen their prospects.
The announcement was made during a press conference at Onomo Hotel in Kampala, where Stanbic Bank, in partnership with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Ongea Africa, and the Uganda Digital Society (UDS), launched the Stanbic Ongea Digital Creators Summit 2025.
Kwikiriza explained that the UGX 1 trillion investment falls under the bank’s Women, Youth, and Farmers (WYF) Agenda.
She also unveiled the new Stanbic Digital Content Creator Annual Prize, which will provide five scholarship-based awards, including Creator of the Year – Premium Professional Course, Financial Literacy Creator Award, and Social Impact Creator Award.
“Skills outlive trophies. These scholarships will give creators world-class capabilities to grow, monetize, and professionalize their work. This speaks to our commitment to youth empowerment and digital transformation,” Kwikiriza noted.
She added that the scholarships will be offered through Red & Yellow and accessed via UDS to ensure creators develop the skills required to operate as profitable small businesses.
Kwikiriza also highlighted Stanbic’s youth-friendly banking benefits, including digital account opening with no monthly fees and financial literacy programs.
UCC’s Head of Competition and Consumer Affairs, Kenneth Tweheyo, reaffirmed the regulator’s support for digital innovation and consumer protection.
“We support platforms like the Ongea Summit because they encourage responsible content creation, digital safety, and innovation. Together, we can grow a safe, inclusive, and empowered digital ecosystem,” Tweheyo said.
UDS President John Ssenkeezi emphasized the importance of giving youth the skills and knowledge they need to flourish.
“We believe Uganda is rich with talent, especially within our young population. What matters most is equipping them with the right skills, knowledge to thrive,” Ssenkeezi noted.
He added, “As we build partnerships, it’s not about chasing trending hashtags; it’s about delivering real value in a voice that remains authentic. This forum is the perfect space to advance the conversations we’ve already been driving.”
Joseph Kanyamunyu, Summit Director at Ongea Africa, said the summit is designed to address youth unemployment by building creators’ skills and linking them to business and policy opportunities.
“The Stanbic Ongea Digital Creators Summit is designed to empower creators with skills, business tools, policy awareness, responsible content practices, and commercial opportunities,” he said.
He announced that the 2025 Summit, set for 11th December, will feature the Ongea Skills Lab for digital and business training, as well as roundtable meetings connecting creators with regulators and financial institutions.
Kanyamunyu stressed that this partnership shows how private sector investment combined with regulatory support can drive job creation and advance digital transformation in Uganda.