dfcu Bank has renewed its call for deeper linkages between Ugandan agribusinesses and Dutch enterprises, emphasizing the transformative impact of modern farming practices, entrepreneurship, and long-term partnerships. The message was delivered during the Netherlands–Uganda Trade and Investment Platform (NUTIP) entrepreneurship event, whose growing influence was highlighted by Dutch and Ugandan leaders.
According to ChimpReports, NUTIP Board Chair Martijn Harlaar noted that the platform has evolved far beyond a casual networking event into a substantive forum for business growth and knowledge exchange.
“I still recall four years ago when we celebrated our first day of the entrepreneur, that we started with a small group of 20 companies at the residence,” Harlaar told ChimpReports. “Based upon that edition, we felt that we could turn this event into something a bit bigger not only an event where we meet and connect over drinks, but really into an event where we celebrate the power of entrepreneurship.”
Harlaar added that the new structure deliberately creates room for “deep dives” into member stories, an intentional shift designed to spotlight business journeys and lessons.
“We really wanted to make sure that we have time to dive into that and not brush it or integrate it as just a very small prequel to what is a networking event,” he said, as quoted by ChimpReports.
Agriculture Takes Centre Stage
The platform also turned attention to Uganda’s agricultural potential—an area dfcu Bank has been actively supporting through training, financing, and partnerships with Dutch institutions.
Citing ChimpReports, dfcu Bank Executive Director Kate Kizza said longstanding misconceptions about farming had long undervalued its economic importance, despite agriculture contributing 24% of the country’s GDP and employing nearly 70% of Ugandans.
“There was the whole perception created that working at the farm is probably a punishment,” Kizza said in her remarks captured by ChimpReports. “Fast forward, we start to see that farming is actually a very big thing.”
Kizza outlined the impact of dfcu’s collaborations with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, FMO, Rabobank, and the dfcu Foundation, most notably the Best Farmer Competition, now in its 11th year. According to ChimpReports, the programme has generated an estimated USD 22 million in prizes, exposure, and international learning opportunities for Ugandan agribusinesses.
“We have sponsored many of our farmers to actually go to the Netherlands and see what magic has happened there, then come back home and implement it,” she added.
ChimpReports noted that 59% of farmers who have participated in the Best Farmer Competition have since adopted improved farming practices.
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Beyond exposure trips, dfcu is using structured interventions to make rural farmers more bankable. Kizza explained—through statements reported by ChimpReports—that inadequate record keeping is a major barrier to affordable credit.
“Record keeping is not one of our strengths,” she said. “So what we’ve done through the different programs is support them at no cost to register, take them through bookkeeping.”
More than 65% of farmers working with the dfcu Foundation are now formally registered, improving their eligibility for financing.
Kizza also emphasized dfcu’s tiered financing pathway that supports entrepreneurs from informal start-up stages into growing enterprises. Micro and small businesses can access fast-turnaround credit through the bank’s *240# USSD platform.
“As an entrepreneur, you have a business loan. Take it, pay back, take it,” Kizza told ChimpReports. “The more you take it and pay back, you build your credibility and the more we give you.”
Loan turnaround times vary from one day for micro-products to about 14 days for more formal applications.
Deepening Uganda–Netherlands Business Integration
According to ChimpReports, both Ugandan and Dutch representatives agreed that the broader mission is to create stronger collaboration between the two countries’ business communities, particularly in agribusiness, where modern techniques, resilient practices, and exposure to international markets can significantly accelerate growth.
The Dutch–Uganda Trade and Investment Platform continues to position itself as a bridge for joint ventures, innovation exchange, capacity building, and market access—efforts dfcu says it is committed to complementing through financing and farmer-development programmes.