The East African Development Bank (EADB) has announced the establishment of a USD 13 million fund dedicated to supporting youth and women-led enterprises across the East African region, as it moves to move deepen inclusive financing. Unveiled during the EADB’s Governing Council meeting held in Kampala, Uganda, the fund is anchored on the 2024–2028 Strategic Plan and the bank’s mandate to promote sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development among its member states.
The announcement comes as the East African Development Bank reported strong financial results, posting a 51% increase in profitability. Profit before tax rose to USD 16.93 million for the year ended December 2025, up from USD 11.20 million in the previous financial year. EADB also recorded significant growth in its lending operations, with disbursements increasing by 140% and outstanding loans at the end of the year increasing by 52%, underscoring improved loan portfolio performance and operational efficiency.
Speaking after the meeting, the outgoing Governing Council Chairperson, Mr Matia Kasaija, attributed the strong performance to enhanced capacity to mobilize capital and deploy innovative financing solutions across diverse sectors. “This strong performance is a testament to EADB’s enhanced capacity to mobilize resources and deploy innovative financing solutions,” said Kasaija. “In the past year, we supported a more diverse range of projects across key sectors in our member states.”
The Council meeting was attended by Mr Kasaija, the Uganda Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Chairman of the EADB Governing Council, Mr Yusuf Murangwa, Rwanda Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, FCPA John Mbadi Ng’ongo, Kenya Cabinet Secretary National Treasury and Economic Planning and Amb. Khamis Mussa Omar, United Republic of Tanzania Minister of Finance as well as members of the EADB Board of Directors.
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In line with the Bank Charter, the meeting marked key leadership changes, where Yusuf Murangwa from Rwanda was confirmed as the new Chairperson of the Governing Council, succeeding Matia Kasaija from Uganda.
Uganda’s Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Ramathan Ggoobi, was appointed Chairperson of the Board of Directors for a two-year term, taking over from Tanzania’s Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary Dr Natu Mwamba.
Elaborating further on the fund, Mr Kasaija noted that the initiative to establish a dedicated fund to support youth and women-led enterprises reflects the Bank’s recognition of the critical role youth and women play in driving the region’s socio-economic transformation.
“We recognise that youth and women are critical drivers of economic growth and innovation across East Africa,” said Mr Kasaija. “The establishment of this Fund is a strategic step towards scaling enterprises led by these groups through prudent and targeted financing that will be channeled through EADB’s partner financial institutions.”
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