Deadline: January 5, 2026
The I&P Acceleration WE4A Programme Uganda is a transformative initiative aimed at supporting women-owned and women-led businesses in Uganda, particularly those driving innovation in the green and transition sectors. This high-impact programme runs from 2025 to 2027, providing tailored support to help women entrepreneurs build sustainable enterprises, access finance, and scale operations effectively.
About the I&P Acceleration WE4A Programme Uganda
The I&P Acceleration WE4A Programme Uganda forms part of the broader Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P) Acceleration Initiative for Women Entrepreneurs for Africa (WE4A), a component of the IYBA WE4A initiative. It is co-financed by the European Union (EU), the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), and GIZ (German Cooperation).
The programme targets 140 women-led and women-owned enterprises across four African countries — Uganda, Cameroon, Senegal, and Togo — with a strong focus on supporting enterprises that contribute to environmental sustainability and economic transformation.
Programme Objectives
The initiative aims to:
- Strengthen the capacity of women entrepreneurs in the green and transition sectors.
- Improve access to finance through debt and capital support mechanisms.
- Enhance business management, financial literacy, and investment readiness.
- Address gender-based barriers that limit women’s participation in business growth and financing opportunities.
Key Components of the Programme
The programme provides holistic support built on three major pillars:
1. Investment Preparation
Participants receive training, mentoring, and business advisory services focused on building robust business models, financial planning, and operational efficiency. This stage ensures that women-led enterprises are investment-ready and equipped to attract funding.
2. Access to Debt
In Uganda, the programme collaborates with Finance Trust Bank to facilitate loans averaging €22,000 to eligible women-led enterprises. This component also includes targeted financial literacy sessions, credit management training, and support in documentation and negotiation processes to help businesses secure debt financing successfully.
3. Access to Capital
High-potential enterprises benefit from repayable advances aimed at strengthening financial structures, scaling operations, and fostering long-term business growth. This catalytic funding model helps women entrepreneurs move beyond micro-scale operations into sustainable and impactful ventures.
Addressing Key Challenges
Despite their growing contributions to the African economy, women entrepreneurs continue to face systemic barriers, including:
- Limited access to financing and credit guarantees.
- Restricted professional and financial networks.
- Gender bias and structural inequality within the financial ecosystem.
- Balancing business growth with family and social responsibilities.
In many African countries, including Uganda, women-led enterprises receive less than 10% of commercial bank loans. The I&P Acceleration WE4A Programme Uganda directly addresses these challenges by offering integrated support, capacity building, and financial inclusion opportunities that empower women to thrive.
Programme Duration and Country Focus
- Programme Duration: 2025–2027
- Target Countries: Uganda, Cameroon, Senegal, and Togo
- Focus Sector: Green and transition sectors (renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, waste management, green technology, and other environmentally sustainable industries)
- Key Partner in Uganda: Finance Trust Bank
Application Details
- Application Opens: November 14, 2025
- Deadline: January 5, 2026 (11:59 p.m. GMT)
- Eligibility: Women-owned or women-led enterprises operating within the green and transition sectors in Uganda.
Why This Programme Matters
The I&P Acceleration WE4A Programme Uganda is not just about funding — it is about empowerment, growth, and sustainability. By focusing on women in green and transition sectors, the programme contributes to environmental preservation, job creation, and inclusive economic transformation.
This initiative ensures that women entrepreneurs gain the financial tools, networks, and confidence to scale their businesses, transform communities, and drive Uganda’s transition toward a more sustainable economy.
Contact us for proposal drafting, refining, and review.
