Uganda’s entrepreneurial landscape is set to receive a significant skilling and financial boost following the launch of the Women in Tech Uganda Accelerator Program, an initiative of Standard Chartered Foundation in partnership with Village Capital and Innovation Village, implemented by Future Lab. This three-year initiative is designed to equip women-led, tech-enabled businesses with the tools, networks, and financing necessary to scale sustainably, positioning them at the heart of the country’s entrepreneurial and digital economy transformation.
The program comes at a time when the country is actively pursuing inclusive economic growth through technology and innovation.
With over 50% of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Uganda owned by women, most of whom are under the age of 30, there remains a significant gender gap in access to formal financing, digital tools, and professional networks. This new accelerator program seeks to address these disparities and unlock the potential of women tech-preneurs as key contributors to Uganda’s future economy.
“Empowering businesses founded or led by women is essential to accelerating progress toward Uganda’s Sustainable Development Goals,” said Roseline Najjuma, Head of Transaction Banking at Standard Chartered Bank Uganda, during the launch event, held at MoTIV in Bugolobi. “The program will open up new opportunities for women entrepreneurs to thrive in today’s digital economy by helping them embrace and leverage technology.”
Najjuma remarked that the initiative marks a significant milestone in Standard Chartered’s global Future Makers Women in Tech program, with Uganda joining a network of 12 countries, including Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, South Africa, and others. “With over US$500,000 (approx. UGX1.83 billion) disbursed in seed funding across the region, the program has become a hallmark of inclusive innovation,” she notes.
In Uganda, the inaugural cohort will support up to sixty (60) women-led businesses, twenty (20) annually over a period of three years, through a six-month intensive incubation program focusing on market validation, digital integration, and growth strategy, among others.
These women entrepreneurs and their enterprises will be strengthened towards being strategic partners to industry, collaborating to take transformational technology-enabled innovations to last-mile communities that need them the most. Top-performing ventures will receive catalytic grants of up to US$10,000 (approx. UGX36.6 million), access to various technological tools, introductions to potential customers, and more.
“We are delighted to leverage Innovation Village’s expertise, experience, and networks in supporting entrepreneurs throughout the venture development,” Najjuma noted. “Their expertise and commitment to excellence strongly complement Standard Chartered Bank’s values and our brand promise, ‘Here for good.” We look forward to what will be achieved through this initiative, including a redefinition of what entrepreneurship means in Uganda.”
Hon. Hellen Asamo, Minister of State for People with Disabilities, in her keynote address, reiterated the critical role of women entrepreneurs in Uganda’s economic development. “This initiative aligns well with national development frameworks like Vision 2040, NDP III and IV, and the MSME Policy, all of which prioritize strategic actions to strengthen the private sector,” Asamo said. “These include streamlining business registration and formalization, accelerating technology adoption and digitalization, improving access to finance, fostering entrepreneurial skill development, and enhancing market linkages. Such measures are intended to ensure that women-led enterprises have equitable opportunities to grow and compete effectively.”
She said the government remains committed to creating an enabling environment by tackling systemic barriers and driving inclusive economic growth.
“This partnership emphasizes the transformative potential of collaborative action in building a resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem,” remarks Hon. Asamo. “Complementary government programs such as the Parish Development Model and Emyooga further reinforce these efforts.”
Japheth Kawanguzi, Team Lead at Innovation Village, emphasized that the program will drive inclusive economic growth by harnessing the untapped potential of women within Uganda’s tech-preneurship and innovation landscape. “The strength of this program lies in its strategic partnerships, access to essential business growth tools, and the power of networks that foster impact through a vibrant Community of Practice,” he said.
Kawanguzi said the hub is excited to collaborate with Standard Chartered, which brings vital financial support, a global network, and a strong commitment to its “Here for good” promise.
He added, “Village Capital offers world-class expertise in impact entrepreneurship and program design. Through Future Lab, the Innovation Village ensures localized implementation by leveraging our national footprint to recruit diverse talent and deliver context-specific support. Together, we are building a platform where women lead and shape the future of Uganda’s digital economy.”
Margaret Kigozi, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing at Standard Chartered Uganda, said women in tech continue to face unique challenges from structural inequalities and limited access to finance to difficulty in finding mentors and using digital tools — but with a thriving startup scene, deep internet penetration, and one of the highest rates of women-owned businesses in the region, they believe the program will plug the gap for female tech-preneurs looking to grow their businesses at scale.
Through targeted training, capacity building, and access to digital tools, the program is critical to significantly advancing a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient digital economy in Uganda.
With the first cohort set to begin in June, interested women founders are encouraged to apply and participate in the program.
