dfcu Bank and Sawa Energy have entered into a strategic partnership to expand access to affordable, reliable clean energy for Ugandan businesses through dfcu Go Green – Powered by Sawa Energy..
The initiative will connect qualifying dfcu SME and corporate clients with fully financed, on-site solar photovoltaic and battery energy systems developed and operated by Sawa Energy. Through long-term pay-for-consumption or fixed lease agreements of 10 to 25 years, participating businesses can transition to clean energy without upfront capital expenditure, preserving capital for their core operations and growth.
The partnership responds to a persistent challenge for Uganda’s private sector: high energy costs, grid instability and reliance on costly diesel generation. By combining dfcu’s client relationships and market reach with Sawa Energy’s financing, engineering and operating capabilities, the partners aim to make clean, cost-effective and dependable power accessible to more businesses.
Under the partnership model, dfcu will identify businesses that may benefit from the solution and support the joint qualification of opportunities. Following a project-specific assessment and approval process, Sawa Energy will design, finance, build, own, operate, maintain and monitor each system under a definitive agreement with the client.
Speaking at the launch, Margaret Karume, Executive Director and Chief Credit Officer at dfcu Bank, said the solution reflects a new approach to financing that removes barriers to growth while delivering long-term value to clients.
“Good credit is not simply about saying yes or no. It is about structuring solutions that work for customers and remain sustainable over the long term. Energy is a major cost for many businesses, particularly manufacturers, and large capital outlays for infrastructure can place considerable pressure on cash flows. This partnership removes that burden and allows businesses to redirect capital to the areas that drive growth, competitiveness and job creation,” she said.
Kate Kiiza, Executive Director and Chief Corporate and Institutional Banking Officer at dfcu Bank, said the partnership demonstrates the Bank’s commitment to providing solutions that address the real challenges affecting business performance.
“For many businesses, energy is not just a utility expense; it is a strategic business cost that directly impacts profitability and competitiveness. We have consistently heard from our clients, particularly in manufacturing and production, about the need to reduce energy costs and improve operational efficiency. This partnership enables businesses to achieve both while advancing their sustainability ambitions,” Kiiza said.
Solutions may include grid-tied solar, hybrid solar-plus-storage and off-grid systems, depending on each client’s energy profile and operating requirements. Sawa Energy will provide end-to-end project management, including real-time performance monitoring and long-term operations and maintenance.
Clients will also be able to access energy-generation and estimated avoided-emissions data to support sustainability reporting. Projected savings and environmental benefits will be assessed for each site based on its consumption profile, existing energy mix, and the agreed project methodology.
Founded in 2021, Sawa Energy develops, finances, builds, owns and operates solar photovoltaic and energy-storage systems for commercial and industrial clients. The company operates in Uganda, Rwanda and Zambia and has deployed more than 75 solar installations.
Samuel Kaufman, CEO and Co-founder of Sawa Energy, said the partnership creates a stronger route to market for energy infrastructure that supports business growth.
“Across East Africa, businesses need energy solutions that improve cost and reliability without competing with the capital required for equipment, inventory and expansion. dfcu brings trusted client relationships and local market reach, while Sawa brings long-term capital, engineering and operating capability. Together, we can help more Ugandan businesses turn energy from a constraint into infrastructure that supports productivity and resilience,” Kaufman said.
Through dfcu Go Green – Powered by Sawa Energy, the partners intend to build a pipeline of high-quality commercial and industrial projects through joint qualification and project-by-project contracting.
dfcu SME and corporate clients interested in exploring whether dfcu Go Green is suitable for their operations are invited to contact their dfcu Relationship Manager. dfcu and Sawa Energy will jointly assess each business’s energy requirements and, where appropriate, develop a tailored proposal. All projects remain subject to the applicable technical, commercial, credit and financing approvals.
dfcu Bank is a subsidiary of dfcu Limited and a leading banking and financial services company domiciled in Uganda. The Bank provides personal, business, corporate and institutional banking solutions through its nationwide network.
Sawa Energy is a renewable energy group operating in Eastern and Southern Africa, focused on providing fully financed, tailored solar PV and energy storage solutions to commercial and industrial clients, with a mission to drive the transition to clean energy. For more information, visit www.sawaenergy.com.
