dfcu Bank, MTN Uganda launch second cohort of advancing women entrepreneurs programme
Second cohort targets women-led businesses in high-value sectors after first phase unlocks UGX 18 billion in procurement and UGX 1.6 billion in financing
Kampala, Uganda – dfcu Bank, in partnership with MTN Uganda, MTN Mobile Money Uganda, American Tower Corporation (ATC) Uganda, and The Innovation Village, has opened applications for the second cohort of the Advancing Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Programme, an initiative aimed at expanding economic opportunities for women-led businesses across the country.
The announcement follows strong outcomes from the first cohort, where over 40 women-led enterprises secured procurement contracts worth UGX 18 billion, surpassing the UGX 15 billion target. The share of women-led suppliers in MTN Uganda’s ecosystem also rose sharply from 0.3% to 15% in three years.
Launched in 2023 under MTN Uganda’s ESG agenda, the programme empowers women to compete in sectors traditionally dominated by men, including telecom infrastructure, digital services, and green energy.
During the first phase, 118 women-led businesses benefited from mentorship, training, and access to finance. dfcu Bank unlocked UGX 1.6 billion in subsidized loans for working capital, procurement readiness, and business expansion. Participants completed more than 30 technical and business modules on procurement, financial management, ESG compliance, and operational excellence.
Speaking at the launch of the second cohort, Annette Kiconco, Chief Retail Banking Officer at dfcu Bank, said the programme is transforming Uganda’s entrepreneurship landscape.
“Through programmes like AWE, we are opening doors for women to enter high-value sectors such as technology, infrastructure, and green energy,” she said. “When women thrive, Uganda’s economy becomes stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient.”
The second phase, which runs until 20 December 2025, is open to women entrepreneurs across all regions of Uganda. Priority sectors include IT, network infrastructure, digital innovation, marketing, solar and green energy, facility management, commercial services, and consulting.
To qualify, businesses must be at least 50% women-owned, operational for at least one year, and earning annual revenues of at least UGX 60 million. Applicants must also present a tax compliance certificate and demonstrate women-led management. SMEs, youth-led enterprises, and businesses owned by women with disabilities will receive priority consideration.
MTN Uganda CEO Sylvia Mulinge said the programme continues to show measurable impact:
“AWE proves that the deliberate inclusion of women entrepreneurs drives both business value and social transformation.”
ATC Uganda CEO Dorothy Kabagambe Ssemanda noted that supporting women is critical to Uganda’s digital growth, while Innovation Village’s FutureLab CEO Arthur Mukembo emphasized women innovators as key drivers of job creation.
Successful applicants will access procurement opportunities, mentorship, ESG training, subsidized financing, free MTN Business Internet, and business incubation support.
Women entrepreneurs meeting the criteria can apply online at the MTN AWE portal before the deadline.
