Uganda Development Bank, in partnership with the Resilient Africa Network (RAN Lab), organized an annual innovation program iGrowth Accelerator whose focus is to support the commercialization of local start-ups and to stimulate a culture of innovation in Uganda in a bid to contribute to the country's socio-economic development. Bank at Hause - Factor Xchange innovation of At Hause Limited was among the winning projects whose team identified poor packaging of agricultural produce as one of the major challenges in the agricultural sector. They, therefore, came up with their project- a solution that uses 3 ply bags to keep produce for longer periods and enable the producer to earn better. The team further works to increase incomes by linking farms to wholesalers with increased access to markets in Africa, Dubai, and the Gulf Cooperation Council region.

As part of efforts to promote and showcase youth innovations in enterprise development and business incubation, the World Bank Group in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), and the Korea World Bank Partnership Facility (KWPF) organized a Disruptive Agriculture Technology Challenge Expo in Kampala Uganda last year 2019. A limited number of startups or businesses were required, there is a need to include more businesses with the potential to attract investment in a broad range of focus areas including innovations in Agriculture productivity, Market Linkages, Farmer Financial Inclusion, energy, Data analytics, and intelligence among others. 

Mastercard Foundation also developed a new strategy, Young Africa Works. It builds on the result of extensive consultation with leaders of African governments, private sector organizations, educational institutions, civil society, and, most importantly, young people themselves. Using youth employment as an indicator of progress, this strategy will help millions of Africans find a pathway out of poverty for themselves and their families. 

At Hause presents an excellent digital agriculture use case, the award-winning company behind the inclusive smart value chain that guarantees food security for organic crops at the farm and mitigates loss in business, and home.

At Hause current investors include the Uganda Development Bank, Resilient Africa Network, Makerere Innovation, and Incubation Centre, RUFORUM, the Moroccan Government, and the Qatari Government. Its digital agriculture use case has tremendous potential to upscale.

At Hause is collaborating on its inclusive business model approved by Business Call to Action partners including UNDP among others. I would like to share with you At Hause inclusive business model's press release published by Business Call to Action hosted by UNDP. As well as on its Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Here is the link to the At Hause membership profile with Business Call to Action;  https://www.businesscalltoaction.org/member/hause.

With agriculture employing 70% of Ugandans, a centerpiece of Uganda’s National Development Plan – is critical to reducing poverty, boosting prosperity, and creating jobs, especially for women and youth; there is a need to close the potential performance divide through digital investment to accelerate commercialization, value-addition, and trade. Digital agriculture investment for inclusive growth is fundamental through Impact investing and Islamic finance in the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) 2017-2022 that is Uganda’s holistic strategy for promoting financial inclusion with an emphasis on five pillars: i) Reduce financial exclusion and barriers to access financial services; ii) Develop the credit infrastructure; iii) Build the digital infrastructure; iv) Deepen and broaden formal savings, investment, and insurance usage; and v) Protect and empower individuals with enhanced financial capability.

UNDP highlights that Impact investing and Islamic finance seek positive social impact alongside a financial return. proven itself as an important source of funding for the SDGs. The shared moral and social values, principles, and impact-driven ambitions of Islamic finance and impact investing position Islamic finance as a good example of innovative financing for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/354972

http://www.gifiip.org/blending-islamic-finance-and-impact-investing-to-a...