Equity bank urges diaspora to invest remittances, build wealth

What the report says

Equity Bank Uganda is encouraging Ugandans living abroad to use part of the money they send home not only for family support, but also for investments that can grow into long-term assets and income sources. The message was delivered during an X Space hosted by the bank on September 30, 2026, under the theme “From Remitting to Investing: Loan Opportunities for Ugandans in the Diaspora,” according to The Observer.

Winfred Warui, Equity Bank’s senior manager for international banking and cross-border payments, said diaspora priorities are shifting toward building wealth and owning assets in Uganda. She said options can include property, agribusiness, government securities and other interest-bearing investments, depending on a person’s goals and resources. Bob Paul Lusembo, Equity’s segment head of micro business, said many remittances are still used for day-to-day needs, but some of that income could be directed toward productive assets that create future earnings.

Lusembo pointed to business areas such as food processing, retail, transport, hospitality and equipment hire, as well as agriculture-related activities beyond farming, including storage, packaging and distribution. He also noted opportunities in property, including land and rental units, while warning would-be investors to carry out careful due diligence, especially when buying land remotely.

The bank said financial literacy and advisory support are key to helping diaspora customers move from consumption to investment. More broadly, the call reflects a wider push to treat remittances as a potential source of wealth creation, rather than only immediate household support. Background on remittances and diaspora investing is general context; the specific remarks above are from The Observer’s report.