Dfcu Bank, through its Agribusiness Development Centre (ADC), has partnered with Rabo Foundation and GOPA Worldwide consultants to implement a Business Accelerator Program aimed at strengthening the growth and competitiveness of small and medium enterprises across Uganda.The two-year initiative seeks to support more than 1,000 Ugandan SMEs by improving their business capacity, creating about 3,000 jobs, and enhancing employment opportunities for an estimated 22,000 people.
The program is part of the national effort to improve the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises under the ECOS initiative.The project, funded by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, will focus on helping businesses overcome key challenges through improved access to finance, innovation, market development, and better quality management systems.Charles Elibu from GOPA Worldwide said the program is designed to provide SMEs with the tools needed not only to expand their operations but also to build sustainable businesses capable of generating long-term employment opportunities.The initiative will use a combination of training, mentorship, coaching, and technical support to help participating enterprises become more competitive. According to ADC Executive Director Josephine Mukumbya, the program will also integrate gender inclusion and green growth principles to promote sustainable business practices.
Mukumbya revealed that by the end of 2023, businesses benefiting from the program were expected to create new employment opportunities, including 50 permanent jobs and 100 internship positions, while increasing incomes among supported agribusinesses by at least 10%.dfcu Bank Acting Chief Executive Officer William Sekabembe reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s agricultural sector and empowering especially women-led enterprises through tailored financial solutions and partnerships.He said agriculture and SMEs remain central to Uganda’s economic development, adding that dfcu Bank will continue working with partners to provide opportunities, resources, and solutions that enable businesses to grow, create jobs, and contribute to national transformation.
