Housing Finance Bank (HFB) has earned global recognition with a certificate of acceptance to the Sustainability Standards and Certification Initiative (SSCI) in pushing for affordable Homes.
The bank received the SSCI Certificate during the 10th Global Sustainable Finance Conference recently held in Karlsruhe, Germany.
According to Micheal Mugabi, the HFB Managing Director, this recognition underscores HFB’s steadfast dedication to sustainability, responsible business practices, and alignment with global Sustainable Development Goals and national development agendas (NDP).
“This certification is a testament to our unwavering commitment to building a sustainable future for our customers, employees, and communities in a process that started earlier this year as a driving force behind the Bank’s sustainability initiatives,” he said.
He highlighted that the journey towards becoming a sustainability-certified bank began earlier this year.
“With HFB proactively subjecting its Environmental, Social, and Governance practices to a rigorous benchmarking process and comprehensive evaluation with the overall aim of providing sustainable financing to enable homeownership across all segments of the population, including low-income earners and aspiring first-time owners,” he added.
The Certificate of Acceptance was received by Board Chairperson David G. Opiokello on behalf of the Bank in a delegation he led, which comprised the Managing Director, Micheal Mugabi, and other executive team members.
David G. Opiokello, Board Chairperson, HFB expressed his enthusiasm for the recognition, stating, “At Housing Finance Bank, our vision for a sustainable future goes beyond words; it is a tangible commitment that we have engrained within our new strategic plan to shape our solutions to customers and stakeholder activities at large.
“This recognition solidifies our unwavering commitment to promoting sustainable financial independence and transforming homeownership dreams into reality for our fellow Ugandans while being resolute in ensuring a better future for generations to come,” he said.
The delegation was joined by esteemed dignitaries, including Uganda’s Ambassador to Germany, H.E. Kuteesa, The Lord Mayor of Karlsruhe, Dr. Frank Mentrup, Mr. Arshad Rab, CEO of the European Organization for Sustainable Development, and the Chairman of the InternationalCouncil of Sustainability Standards.
Uganda’s housing deficit is estimated at 2.4 million houses, and growing at a rate of 200,000 housing units per annum.
link