By BigEyeUg Team
Refugee women entrepreneurs in Nakivale Refugee Settlement are set to benefit from improved access to finance, business skills, and infrastructure support under the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project.
The initiative aims to increase access to entrepreneurial services for women, especially in refugee-hosting districts.
It focuses on removing key barriers such as limited financing, lack of business skills, and weak business environments.
The project uses an integrated approach that combines financial services, training, mentorship, and infrastructure development.
The GROW Loan Product was officially launched on March 28 by Serena Cavicchi, Task Team Lead at the World Bank.
She emphasized the importance of linking finance with skills and infrastructure to support sustainable livelihoods for women entrepreneurs.
The loan product is being implemented through participating financial institutions, including UGAFODE Microfinance Limited.
It is designed to support women who lack collateral or formal financial history, enabling them to access credit and expand their businesses.
The launch event brought together government officials, development partners, financial institutions, and refugee women entrepreneurs. Participants noted strong demand for inclusive financial services within refugee settlements.
The Private Sector Foundation Uganda, through GROW Project Coordinator Dr. Ruth Biyinzika Kasolo, praised the Government of Uganda for its leadership.
She encouraged women to fully utilize the program to grow their enterprises and improve household incomes.
The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development highlighted that the project also provides business training, financial literacy, mentorship, and Women Entrepreneur Platforms.
It also supports investments in market infrastructure and value addition facilities.
Stakeholders from the financial sector and the Office of the Prime Minister of Uganda emphasized the importance of inclusive financing and continued cooperation in supporting refugee livelihoods.
Early impact is already visible. Beneficiaries such as Farhiya Ahmed Abdullahi have grown small businesses into thriving enterprises, creating jobs and contributing to the local economy.
The GROW Project continues to demonstrate how integrated support can unlock economic potential among refugee women.
It promotes self-reliance and strengthens resilience in both refugee and host communities.
We will keep you posted