Bridging the Gap: How Financial Inclusion Transforms Lives

By Benjamin Mukasa, LGT Impact Fellow at 4G Capital (Lightrock), Uganda

Benjamin Mukasa together with 4G Capital Staff at Kajjansi branch

Financial Inclusion That Truly Works!

A few weeks ago, I stood in a small shop in Mityana, a town that is is approximately 70 kilometers (43 miles) west of Kampala, listening to a businesswoman named Maria talk about her entrepreneurial journey. Beaming with excitement and hope, she explained how she started selling produce with just a handful of suppliers. Today, she has tripled her stock, expanded into dry goods, and is now planning to open a second stall. When I asked her what made the difference, her answer was simple: “I got a loan, but I also got the knowledge to use it well.” That’s what financial inclusion should be. Not just access to credit, but access to the right kind of support—practical, hands-on business training that helps entrepreneurs make smart decisions and grow sustainably.

“Financial inclusion is not just about availing financing. It’s about providing tools, training, and trust. It’s about seeing people for who they are and supporting them.”

Over the past few months, I’ve spent a lot of time visiting our branches in Ishaka, Tororo, Mityana, and Kajjansi. These visits are more than just check-ins; they are reminders of why we do what we do. The energy in these branches is unmistakable and inspiring. Teams that are passionate, customers who are hungry for opportunity, and communities that are coming alive with new possibilities.

While visiting the Kajjansi branch, I observed a group of mafundi (craftsmen) in Kajjansi participating in a financial literacy workshop. One of them, a young man who creates handcrafted furniture, talked about how his business operations have altered as a result of his grasp of cash flow. He used to accept orders without keeping accurate cost records. He now confidently sets his product prices since he knows he can grow and reinvest. All from the knowledge that his 4G Capital ‘Musomesa’ (teacher) had taught him. I was amazed!

I met a market vendor in Jinja, a city known for its vibrant trade and as the source of the Nile, who sells fresh produce. With her first loan she was able to buy stock in bulk, scouring better prices and increasing her profit margins. As her daily earnings grew, she began saving consistently—something she had never been able to do before. “I never thought I’d be able to save,” she laughed, “Now I know it’s possible. But let’s not tell my in-laws, or they’ll ask for more money!” Her story is a testament to what financial inclusion should be—more than just access to credit. It’s about creating opportunities, building confidence, and empowering individuals to take control of their financial future.

At 4G Capital, our active customer numbers have grown across communities in Uganda and Kenya, but that’s not the real achievement. The real achievement is seeing customers return—not just for another loan, but for guidance, mentorship, and a partnership that helps them build something lasting.

As an LGT Impact Fellow supported by Lightrock, I’ve been challenged to think beyond what we do in Uganda. To ask deeper questions about how financial services can create real, lasting impact at scale. The Fellowship has given me the space to reflect, learn, and share ideas with global peers who are also working to solve complex challenges.

But at the end of the day, it all comes back to the people we serve. People like Maria, the artisans in Kajjansi, and the market vendor in Jinja. They are the reason we push forward. They are the reason we innovate. They are the reason financial inclusion must always be more than just credit. It must be a bridge to opportunity.

And I am proud to be part of a team that is building that bridge, one business, one entrepreneur, and one branch at a time.