WE4A Empowers 60,000 Ugandan Women Entrepreneurs

The Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (WE4A) initiative in Uganda has completed its current phase, thanks to a significant investment of sh78 billion from the Tony Elumelu Foundation, the German Embassy, and the EU. The project sought to empower women entrepreneurs and was carried out by the German Development Agency GIZ through Solid Rock Life and Business Services Ltd.

Beneficiaries received training in productivity, project management, and financial literacy across a variety of sectors, including agriculture, consulting, fashion, renewable energy, manufacturing, health, ICT, and general trade, totaling 60,000 female-owned enterprises, including 3,000 refugee-owned businesses and 280,000 women entrepreneurs and their employees.

Aggrey Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development David Kibenge encouraged the beneficiaries to use their new skills to participate in other government projects such as the GROW (Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises) Project, the Women Entrepreneurship Program (UWEP), and the enterprise financing pillar under the Parish Development Model.

Despite the fact that the World Bank-funded GROW initiative is apparently a year behind schedule, Kibenge remains confident about completing its five-year targets. The project seeks to create jobs and expand possibilities for women-led businesses.

Despite obstacles caused by the COVID-19 epidemic, the WE4A program's closing exceeded expectations, with over 10,000 employment generated. GIZ Country Director James Macbeth Forbes praised Uganda's small entrepreneurs and stressed the necessity of recognizing their successes.

Alicia Boom, Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy in Kampala, complimented Ugandan women's business energy, noting that they account for 30% of the country's SMEs. The program's emphasis on improving women's market access and educating them with vital skills demonstrates a commitment to overcome obstacles such as restricted access to cheap finance and bureaucratic red tape.