)
)
Uganda’s Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project has disbursed nearly Shs19 billion to women entrepreneurs as part of its broader goal to support female-owned businesses across the country.
The ambitious USD 217 million (approximately Shs795 billion) initiative aims to boost entrepreneurial services for women, including those in refugee-hosting districts, while addressing systemic challenges hindering their growth.
Empowering thousands of women entrepreneurs with finance and skills
Launched to benefit over 60,000 female-owned enterprises—including 3,000 refugee businesses—the GROW Project is designed to enhance access to finance, gender-inclusive infrastructure, business skills, and community mobilisation.
)
)
)
Official figures released in October 2024 show that Shs18.987 billion had been disbursed to 1,193 women entrepreneurs by that time.
The disbursement breakdown reveals that 995 women accessed loans ranging between Shs4 billion and Shs20 billion, collectively receiving Shs9.03 billion. Another 132 women borrowed between Shs20 million and Shs40 million, amounting to Shs3.97 billion.
Furthermore, 66 beneficiaries obtained loans ranging from Shs40 million to Shs200 million, totalling Shs5.987 billion.
Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Mrs Betty Amongi, emphasised the government’s strategic partnerships with commercial banks, including Centenary, PostBank, Finance Trust Bank, Dfcu, and Equity Bank, noting that agreements worth Shs98.55 billion had been signed to facilitate credit access.
“Of this amount, Shs26.052 billion was advanced to the participating financial institutions in August 2024,” she stated.
A catalyst for economic transformation and women’s empowerment
“We have partnered with women-led Non-Government Organisations that are experienced in mitigating negative social norms that affect women’s participation in business.
She also underlined the mobilisation and mentoring efforts at sub-county and district levels, adding that 522 women entrepreneur platforms had been mapped and assessed to serve as foundational hubs for the project.
Partnerships with Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) organisations further provide information and networking opportunities for beneficiaries.
“The GROW Project will serve as a catalyst for economic transformation, empowering women to contribute meaningfully to national development,” Minister Amongi concluded, reaffirming the government’s commitment to addressing gender disparities and reducing poverty through targeted support for women entrepreneurs.
With continued financial disbursements, training, and institutional support, the GROW Project is poised to transform Uganda’s entrepreneurial landscape and create lasting economic opportunities for women nationwide.