Uganda Launches Shs107m Grant for Women Entrepreneurs Excluded from GROW Loans

The Ugandan government is set to disburse non-repayable business grants, with a maximum ceiling of Shs107.07 million, specifically targeting women entrepreneurs who did not qualify for the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) loan program. This new initiative, dubbed the Business Plan Competition Grant, aims to provide crucial financial backing to around 2,626 women-led businesses across the country.

Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Henry Tumukunde, announced that the grants offer a debt-free avenue for business expansion, particularly for those who faced obstacles like financial constraints or strict banking criteria in accessing the GROW loans. Micro enterprises could receive between Shs3.5 million and Shs35.69 million, while small enterprises are eligible for amounts ranging from Shs39.259 million to Shs107.07 million.

The grants are intended to support various business needs, including expansion, formalization, equipment procurement, and working capital. Special emphasis will be placed on innovative businesses, especially those integrating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as enterprises in green industries and climate-resilient sectors such as solar energy, waste management, and agricultural processing.

Women who have already received GROW loans are ineligible for this grant. The government plans to assist applicants through business clinics and urges local leaders to widely publicize the program. Applicants are cautioned against any fraudulent individuals demanding fees, as the application process is entirely free. The GROW Business Plan Competition Grants are a component of the broader GROW Project, supported by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in collaboration with the Private Sector Foundation Uganda.

Source: Nile Post