On 6 November 2025, women entrepreneurs, financial institutions, policymakers, and ecosystem actors gathered in Kampala for an in-depth dialogue on how improved access to finance and markets can unlock the full potential of women-led enterprises and drive inclusive economic growth.
From Barriers to Opportunities
The workshop opened with a candid discussion on the financial constraints faced by women entrepreneurs. Despite representing a significant share of micro, small, and medium enterprise owners, many women still face hurdles such as limited collateral, high interest rates, and low levels of financial literacy. According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), closing the gender gap in entrepreneurship in Sub-Saharan Africa could increase GDP per capita by up to 10% by 2030—underscoring the transformative potential of women-led enterprises.
“Access to finance and access to markets are two sides of the same coin. Without one, growth is limited; with both, transformation happens,”
emphasised Sofian Dahmani from the European Union Delegation in Uganda.
Expanding Access to Finance
Panel discussions highlighted innovative approaches to financing women entrepreneurs.
Gorreti Serunkuma, Business Development Manager for Women Banking at Stanbic Bank, noted that although women are among the most reliable borrowers, they remain underserved by traditional banking systems. Through initiatives such as Stanbic for Her, the bank offers flexible lending options and capacity-building support to strengthen financial literacy and business confidence.
Alice Muwonge, Chief Finance Officer at Ortus Capital, stressed the importance of pairing finance with mentorship and governance support. “Women are highly innovative, but they need technical guidance to de-risk their ventures and platforms to showcase their ideas. Real empowerment comes when finance meets knowledge and opportunity,” she noted.
Participants also explored opportunities in green finance, impact investment, and equity funding, with institutions expressing increased interest in supporting women-led climate-smart enterprises.
The Green Imperative: Linking Gender and Sustainability
In alignment with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and National Development Plan V, the workshop placed strong emphasis on green and inclusive development.
Sarah Fortunate, Climate and Environment Advisor at the Embassy of Denmark, highlighted the intersection of gender, climate action, and financial inclusion. She shared insights on initiatives such as the aBi Green Taxonomy and Green Finance curriculum, which strengthen institutional capacity and promote women-led climate-smart enterprises.
Her remarks reinforced a key message: supporting women in the green economy is not only a matter of equity—it is a strategic investment in Uganda’s sustainable future.
Strengthening Market Access: Certification, Competitiveness, and Connections
Market access emerged as another major barrier for women-led businesses. While many produce high-quality goods and services, limited certification, inadequate branding, and weak distribution channels hinder their ability to scale.
Certification was identified as a critical asset for market entry and competitiveness. Through GIZ-supported partnerships with Goldstone Consulting, women-led SMEs are receiving tailored support to meet local and international standards. “Certification is the passport to better markets,” said Brian Jjemba, CEO of Goldstone, highlighting the link between quality assurance and market success.
Co-Creation and Ecosystem Collaboration
A participatory co-creation session brought together financial institutions, Entrepreneur Support Organisations, and market actors to design joint solutions that expand affordable finance, strengthen certification and branding, and enhance collaboration across the ecosystem. The session concluded with a shared commitment to translate recommendations into concrete action.
A Shared Vision for the Future
As the discussions drew to a close, one message resonated across the room: empowering women entrepreneurs is both an economic necessity and a pathway to national resilience.
“When businesses thrive, economies thrive. Our collective role is to make the systems work better for them,”
concluded Jeremiah Lwebuga, Country Lead at GIZ Uganda.
The WE4A initiative remains committed to aligning finance, skills, and market opportunities to ensure that when women access economic resources, they do more than participate—they shape the future of Uganda’s inclusive and sustainable growth.