Launched in March 2023 by His Excellency Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project is a transformative government initiative aimed at empowering female entrepreneurs across the country.
Funded through a USD 217 million grant from the International Development Association of the World Bank, the project is being implemented by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD) in partnership with the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU).
Addressing Barriers to Women’s Economic Participation
The GROW Project was established to tackle the critical challenges that hinder the growth of women-owned businesses. These include limited access to affordable financing, inadequate business management skills, insufficient infrastructure, and entrenched social norms that restrict women’s economic involvement.
By offering a comprehensive package of support services, GROW aims to provide the tools and opportunities necessary for women—especially those in refugee communities and host districts—to scale their businesses from micro to small and from small to medium enterprises.
Key Services Offered by the GROW Project
The GROW Project delivers a wide range of services designed to promote entrepreneurship and build capacity among women-led enterprises:
- Mentorship and Networking: Support through district-level Women Entrepreneurship Platforms (WEPs) that promote information sharing and peer learning.
- Community Engagement: Dialogue sessions with women entrepreneurs, male counterparts, and community leaders to address social and cultural barriers.
- Skills-Based Training: A free ten-module course covering entrepreneurial mindset, digital marketing, business and financial management, personal development, and more.
- Sector-Specific Training: Specialized programs in climate-smart agribusiness, e-commerce, tourism, and hotel management for women seeking to expand in these industries.
- Trade Facilitation: Support services such as product certification, business registration, and export promotion.
- Work Placement and Apprenticeships: Practical skill-building through mentorship by industry experts.
- Competitive Business Grants: Funding for innovative business ideas, awarded through transparent and competitive processes.
- Infrastructure Grants: Support for establishing common user production facilities and early learning centers for children of women entrepreneurs.
- Access to Finance: GROW Loans offered through partner financial institutions, including commercial banks, microfinance organizations, and SACCOs.
Nationwide Reach and Inclusivity
The GROW Project operates in all districts, cities, and municipalities of Uganda, ensuring that its benefits are accessible countrywide. Its primary beneficiaries are existing women-owned micro and small-scale enterprises with strong potential for growth.
To qualify, a business must be at least 51% owned by a woman. Definitions for eligible enterprises are as follows:
- Micro-enterprises: Fewer than 5 workers and annual turnover under UGX 10 million.
- Small enterprises: 5–49 workers with annual turnover between UGX 10–100 million.
Importantly, GROW supports both registered and unregistered businesses. While business registration is not a requirement for accessing training, mentoring, and some grants, it may be necessary to qualify for loans and infrastructure support.
A Step Toward Gender-Inclusive Economic Development
By addressing structural barriers and offering tailored support to women entrepreneurs, the GROW Project is a landmark initiative in Uganda’s journey toward inclusive economic growth. With its wide-reaching scope and multi-dimensional support system, GROW is not only empowering individual women but also transforming communities and contributing to national development.