Stanbic Bank and UNICAF partner to offer generous scholarships to Ugandan youth

Stanbic Bank Uganda has announced a groundbreaking partnership with UNICAF, a leading pan-African online education platform, to provide its clients with access to generous scholarships of up to 82% for internationally accredited degree programs and professional development courses.

This strategic alliance aims to break down financial barriers to higher education and empower young Ugandans with the skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a globalized world.

The partnership will enable Stanbic Bank clients, particularly youth and parents of students, to pursue Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral programs, as well as targeted skill-based courses, offered through UNICAF’s esteemed partner universities, primarily located in the UK and Europe.

This initiative comes at a crucial time when the escalating costs of tuition and limited access to quality education continue to hinder the aspirations of many talented Ugandan students.

“Many Ugandan families continue to face real financial barriers to accessing higher education,” stated Israel Arinaitwe, Head of Personal Banking at Stanbic Bank Uganda.

“Through this partnership with UNICAF, we are helping to remove those barriers by offering scholarships of up to 82%. It’s one of the ways we are walking our talk in driving Uganda’s growth — by investing in people and giving our youth the tools to shape a better future.”

This offer is open to Stanbic clients at all levels and aligns with the bank’s commitment to providing meaningful, non-traditional value to its customers beyond traditional banking services.

“At Stanbic, we believe that education is a cornerstone of national development,” Arinaitwe added. “All of us are where we are today because someone invested in our education. As Uganda’s leading financial institution, it is our responsibility to ensure that more young people are able to reach their full potential.”

Beyond traditional degree programs, the partnership also extends to scholarships for professional courses in high-demand areas such as leadership, programming, marketing, and soft skills.

Special packages are even available for students from Senior 2 to Senior 6, offering shorter, focused courses designed to prepare them for the future job market.

Access to these courses requires proof of a Stanbic Bank account held by the student or their parent, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to a wide range of clients.

Moses Turyagumanawe, UNICAF’s Uganda Country Representative, emphasized the critical role of the collaboration in bridging the gap between financial need and academic opportunity.

“UNICAF was established to democratize higher education access in Africa,” Turyagumanawe said. “Partnering with Stanbic Bank allows us to extend this mission further — offering top-quality degrees and professional certifications to more Ugandans at a fraction of the cost, with flexible online learning that fits their lives.”

UNICAF partners with reputable institutions such as the University of Suffolk, Liverpool John Moores University, and University of East London, providing globally recognized qualifications that equip learners with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in competitive global and local markets.

Brenda Namanda, Manager for Youth and Family Banking at Stanbic Bank, highlighted the long-term positive impact of the partnership on Uganda’s future. “Education is the heartbeat of the economy,” Namanda said.

“We are investing in our youth today so that Uganda has the skilled professionals and leaders it will need tomorrow. We have already seen success with similar initiatives among our employees, and now we’re thrilled to offer these opportunities to our broader customer base.”

She added, “Imagine accessing a fully accredited master’s degree at a globally recognized university — with up to 82% of the cost covered. This is not just financial support; it’s a transformational opportunity for thousands of young Ugandans.”

This partnership underscores Stanbic Bank’s long-standing commitment to youth-focused education initiatives, including the Stanbic National Schools Championship, the Graduate Trainee Program, and the Women Elevate Programme (in partnership with WITU), further solidifying its dedication to building a more inclusive, educated, and prosperous Uganda.