By Mulengera Reporters
The Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project has disbursed more than Shs114 billion in loans to women entrepreneurs across Uganda and is preparing to release nearly Shs100 billion more, according to Project Coordinator Dr. Aisha Ruth Kasolo Biyinzika.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement with financial institutions implementing the World Bank-funded initiative, Dr. Kasolo said the project had expanded its reach to more than 130 districts, helping thousands of women access financing and business development support.
She noted that more than Shs114 billion had already been disbursed and that an additional nearly Shs100 billion was being prepared for distribution to women entrepreneurs across the country. She also expressed appreciation to beneficiaries and stakeholders for contributing to the project’s success.
Dr. Kasolo emphasized that GROW offers more than loans, describing it as a comprehensive package designed to help women-owned businesses become sustainable and competitive.
She explained that women who receive loans through participating banks are also eligible for free business registration services, digitalization support, bookkeeping assistance, skills development programs, and apprenticeship opportunities. She encouraged women entrepreneurs to utilize district GROW focal points, Women Entrepreneurship Platform representatives, and Ministry of Gender offices to access information and support services.
According to Dr. Kasolo, the project is promoting digital entrepreneurship and encouraging women to use technology and social media platforms as tools for income generation and business growth.
She further revealed that the Ministry of Gender was rolling out additional free training programs, common-user facilities, infrastructure grants, and cooperative development initiatives aimed at strengthening women-led enterprises.
Dr. Kasolo described GROW as a long-term investment in Uganda’s women entrepreneurs, funded through a World Bank grant intended to support the growth and sustainability of women-owned businesses.
Representatives from partner financial institutions outlined financing options available under the project, including unsecured loans targeted at women entrepreneurs who may lack traditional collateral.
A representative from Stanbic Bank Uganda said the bank offers loans of up to Shs200 million without collateral to women entrepreneurs through products specifically designed to address challenges related to asset ownership. The representative noted that the bank had already established women-focused financial products before joining the GROW initiative and was currently prioritizing outreach in regions including West Nile, Karamoja, Bukedi, Greater Luwero, and Greater Kampala.
Microfinance institutions and Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) participating in the program also highlighted flexible financing arrangements. Representatives from EBO SACCO, which primarily serves western Uganda and refugee-hosting communities, stated that women and refugees could access loans of up to Shs5 million without collateral through group lending mechanisms. The institution noted that the arrangement was particularly beneficial for refugees who may not own property in Uganda.
Pride Bank reported that it provides unsecured loans of up to Shs10 million through both individual and group lending models in several regions, including West Nile, Teso, Busoga except Jinja district, Acholi, and parts of central Uganda.
Meanwhile, Opportunity Bank Uganda indicated that women entrepreneurs could access unsecured financing of up to Shs20 million under its lending programs. The bank also said it was actively targeting refugee-hosting districts and underserved communities.
Several institutions highlighted their efforts to expand financial inclusion in remote and underserved areas, including refugee settlements and rural districts across northern, eastern, western, and central Uganda.
Representatives from Arova SACCO and Kokyigoma SACCO, which operate in the Acholi sub-region, reported that the institution had already utilized 28 percent of its allocated line of credit under the GROW Project. They said plans were underway to expand lending activities to refugee communities and women entrepreneurs throughout the region, with a particular focus on agriculture, trade, construction, and other income-generating sectors.
Project implementers encouraged women entrepreneurs across the country to take advantage of the financing and support services available through the initiative, noting that funds remained available and assessment teams were actively processing applications.
The GROW Project is one of Uganda’s flagship initiatives aimed at increasing access to finance, skills development, and business support services for women-owned enterprises, with the goal of promoting economic empowerment and sustainable business growth.
