ENTEBBE, Uganda – Dfcu Bank and MTN Uganda have celebrated the success of the Advancing Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Accelerator Programme, marking a notable increase in women’s participation within corporate supply chains.
The celebration event, dubbed the ‘HER Power Tee,’ was held at the Entebbe Golf Club and spotlighted the achievements of women entrepreneurs breaking into high-value and technology-driven sectors.
Since its inception in 2023, the AWE Accelerator Programme has driven a dramatic increase in the representation of women-owned businesses in MTN Uganda’s supplier network. The figures have leaped from 7% in 2023 to 15% in 2024, with 118 women-owned enterprises successfully onboarded through the initiative.
The programme is a collaborative effort powered by MTN Uganda, MTN Mobile Money Uganda, dfcu Bank, UN Women, American Tower Corporation (ATC), Innovation Village, and NSSF Hi-Innovators.
Annette Kiconco, Chief Retail Banking Officer at dfcu Bank, used the occasion to reaffirm the bank’s long-standing commitment to women’s economic empowerment.
“For dfcu Bank, AWE perfectly aligns with our purpose of Transforming Lives and Businesses in Uganda,” Kiconco stated. “Our flagship Women in Business (WiB) Programme, launched in 2007, has been a pioneer in supporting women entrepreneurs across the country through tailored financial solutions, training, networking and mentorship.”
Through the AWE partnership, dfcu Bank has created a dedicated support package for participants, which includes subsidised interest rates, relaxed collateral requirements, and crucial business advisory services. This tailored support is designed to help women-owned businesses scale their operations, secure corporate contracts, and improve their profitability.
dfcu’s commitment extends beyond AWE. The bank’s WiB Programme has reached over 80,000 women entrepreneurs since 2007. It has been supplemented by initiatives like the GROW Project (Generating Growth Opportunities for Women Enterprises), a Government of Uganda initiative supported by the World Bank, to further strengthen access to finance and capacity-building.
Despite 38% of Ugandan businesses being owned by women, they remain significantly underrepresented in high-growth sectors and often face barriers in accessing finance and large-scale procurement opportunities.
“When women are given the right tools, capital and networks, they do more than just run businesses; they transform communities,” Kiconco added.
The AWE 1.0 celebration served as both a symbol of progress and a powerful call to action for continued investment in the women entrepreneurs who are poised to drive Uganda’s next phase of economic growth.