by Opportunity International
We are delighted to announce that Afua Hagan has joined Opportunity International UK as our Ambassador. This partnership marks an exciting step forward in our work to create lasting change in the lives of people experiencing poverty, and we are incredibly grateful to have Afua lending her voice, platform, and passion to our cause. About Afua Afua is a distinguished journalist, broadcaster, royal commentator, and keynote speaker, known for her insightful analysis and authoritative voice on matters…
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by Tamsin Scurfield, Head of Refugee Finance
Tamsin (right) joins a panel event at the UNHCR's 76th Executive Committee. As Head of Refugee Finance and living in Uganda myself, I see firsthand the developing displacement crisis in Africa. War, climate change and political turmoil is forcing people to leave their homes and seek safety hundreds of miles away in neighboring countries. As of mid-2025, only 35% of the 1.9 million refugees in Uganda are receiving humanitarian aid from the World Food Programme and those who are receiving aid are…
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by Opportunity International
Opportunity Bank Uganda Ltd has opened a new branch, their 25th branch overall, in Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement. For the first time, thousands of refugees here will have access to banking services close to home. More than 110,000 refugees live in Rwamwanja (as of June 2025), having fled conflict and hardship. For these refugees, a local bank branch means they can save safely, borrow to start a small business, and take steps to rebuild their lives. The branch was officially opened by Mary Oakes,…
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by Opportunity International
Seeds of Self-Reliance is a two-year programme helping refugees in Southwestern Uganda build stronger, more independent lives. With part-funding from the Isle of Man Government, we’re working in two of Uganda’s largest refugee settlements — Nakivale and Rwamwanja — where thousands of people are based, having fled violence and hardship in neighbouring countries. This project is about more than survival. It’s about what happens next — how people rebuild, how they grow, and how they take…
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by Mary Oakes, CEO Opportunity International UK
As I entered the new role of CEO at Opportunity International UK, I’d heard about the devastating consequences of funding cuts to overseas aid and the changes to global priorities. I thought it was essential I understood the realities on the ground. This led me to a hastily arranged trip to Uganda, somewhere I had never been before. But nothing would prepare me for what I was to experience. Projects that had been shutdown overnight. Teachers let go. Years of experience lost in an instant. Decades…
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by Opportunity International
In March, I visited our work in Rwanda with Programme Manager, Rachel English. This was my first time in Rwanda (indeed my first visit to sub-Saharan Africa), and I quickly came to know it as a truly beautiful country with amazing landscapes, a rich culture and incredibly warm people. I visited for a week of meetings and field visits, keen to see for myself how our agricultural finance programme is transforming the lives of farming families in rural communities. We kicked things off with a visit…
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by Opportunity International
The theme of this year's International Women's Day is #AccelerateAction and this year, we celebrate the incredible women leaders at Opportunity International. From CEOs and Directors to those spearheading our refugee initiatives, we are fortunate to have bold, intelligent, and empathetic women guiding our organisation. Meet Tamsin, Head of Refugee Finance Tamsin has led our refugee strategy since we began our work with refugees in Uganda in 2018. As Head of Refugee Finance, she provides leadership…
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by Opportunity International
The theme of this year's International Women's Day is #AccelerateAction and this year, we celebrate the incredible women leaders at Opportunity International. From CEOs and Directors to those spearheading our refugee initiatives, we are fortunate to have bold, intelligent, and empathetic women guiding our organisation. Sally (left, seated in purple trousers) joins a training group for women in Malawi. Meet Sally, Executive Director of Opportunity International Global. After leading OIUK's…
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by Opportunity International
The theme of this year's International Women's Day is #AccelerateAction and this year, we celebrate the incredible women leaders at Opportunity International. From CEOs and Directors to those spearheading our refugee initiatives, we are fortunate to have bold, intelligent, and empathetic women guiding our organisation. Nana (left) in Ghana celebrating the launch of our Youth Apprenticeship Programme. Meet Nana Francois, CEO of Opportunity Microfinance Investments Ltd (OMIL) Nana is the CEO of Opportunity…
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by Opportunity International
Opportunity International UK have issued the following response to UK overseas aid budget cuts: We are hugely concerned at the recent cuts to the UK government aid budget. At a time when the needs of our disadvantaged and marginalised global neighbours are greatest, overseas aid should be prioritised. Denying them the opportunity to thrive and achieve a life free from poverty goes against the UK’s history of concern and compassion. At Opportunity, we have seen first-hand the incredible impact…
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