dfcu Bank joined MTN Uganda and partners at the Advancing Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Accelerator Programme event; the HER Power Tee — held at Entebbe Golf Club, to celebrate progress in women’s economic empowerment and supplier diversity.
The event marked a major milestone in Uganda’s journey toward inclusive business growth, spotlighting women entrepreneurs making strides in high-value and technology-driven sectors.
Since its launch in 2023, the AWE Accelerator Programme has recorded a leap in women’s participation within MTN Uganda’s supplier network; from 7% in 2023 to 15% in 2024 and, with 118 women-owned enterprises successfully onboarded through the initiative. The programme is powered by a strategic partnership between MTN Uganda, MTN Mobile Money Uganda, dfcu Bank, UN Women, American Tower Corporation (ATC), Innovation Village and NSSF Hi-Innovators.
Speaking at the event, Annette Kiconco, Chief Retail Banking Officer at dfcu Bank, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to advancing women’s participation in business:
“For dfcu Bank, AWE perfectly aligns with our purpose of Transforming Lives and Businesses in Uganda. Our flagship Women in Business (WiB) Programme, launched in 2007, has been a pioneer in supporting women entrepreneurs across the country through tailored financial solutions, training, networking and mentorship.”
Through the AWE partnership, dfcu Bank has developed a dedicated financial and non-financial support package for participating women entrepreneurs. The offer includes subsidised interest rates, relaxed collateral requirements and business advisory services designed to enable women-owned service providers to scale, win corporate contracts, and grow their bottom lines.
The dfcu Women in Business Programme has, since inception, reached over 80,000 women entrepreneurs across Uganda. The programme continues to be a platform for empowerment- equipping women with the knowledge, financial access, and business networks required to thrive in competitive markets.
Complementing these efforts, dfcu Bank also implemented the GROW Project (Generating Growth Opportunities for Women Enterprises); a Government of Uganda initiative supported by the World Bank and coordinated by the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), to further strengthen access to finance and capacity-building for women-led enterprises.
While 38% of Ugandan businesses are owned by women, they remain underrepresented in high-growth sectors and face challenges in accessing finance and large-scale procurement opportunities. Through the power of partnerships such as AWE, dfcu Bank is bridging this gap; creating a stronger, more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem that empowers women to compete and succeed.
“When women are given the right tools, capital and networks, they do more than just run businesses; they transform communities,” Kiconco added.
The AWE 1.0 celebration at Entebbe Golf Club served not only as a symbol of progress, but also as a call to action for continued investment in women entrepreneurs driving Uganda’s next phase of growth.
