MTN Uganda, together with its partners MTN Mobile Money Uganda, American Tower Corporation (ATC) Uganda, dfcu Bank, and The Innovation Village, yesterday opened applications for the second cohort of its Advancing Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The announcement comes on the heels of the programme\u2019s first phase, which, over the past three years, has transformed the landscape for women-led businesses in Uganda. The inaugural phase supported more than 40 women-owned enterprises to secure contracts totaling UGX 18 billion, surpassing the UGX 15 billion target. This initiative also dramatically reshaped MTN Uganda\u2019s supplier ecosystem, increasing the share of women-led businesses from a mere 0.3% to 15% in under two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Launched in 2023 as a flagship initiative under MTN Uganda\u2019s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy, AWE aims to foster inclusive economic growth by integrating women entrepreneurs into high-value opportunities across the telecom sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
During its first cohort, 118 enterprises from across Uganda benefited from procurement contracts, mentorship, and practical training. Over UGX 1.6 billion in subsidised loans was unlocked through dfcu Bank, while participants completed more than 30 training modules focused on procurement readiness, financial management, ESG compliance, and technical capacity building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MTN Uganda CEO Sylvia Mulinge emphasized the programme\u2019s impact: “Over the past three years, AWE has proven that deliberate inclusion of women entrepreneurs generates measurable business and social benefits. By integrating women into strategic projects such as solar installations at our sites, we are advancing our sustainability goals while driving inclusive economic growth across Uganda.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Building on this success, the second phase of AWE will run until 20 December 2025 and is open to women entrepreneurs across Northern, Eastern, Western, and Central Uganda. This phase will focus on enterprise development in sectors including information technology, network infrastructure, digital solutions, marketing, green energy and solar technology, facility management, commercial services, and professional consulting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eligible businesses must be at least 50% women-owned or majority women-shareholder, operational for a minimum of one year, with annual revenues of at least UGX 60 million. Companies must provide a valid tax compliance certificate and have active women-led management. Priority will be given to small and medium-sized enterprises, youth-led businesses (ages 23\u201335), and enterprises owned by women with disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dorothy Kabagambe Ssemanda, Chief Executive Officer at ATC Uganda, highlighted the programme\u2019s technical dimension: “Empowering women entrepreneurs is critical to driving innovation and sustainability in the telecom infrastructure sector. Through AWE, we provide not just procurement opportunities but technical mentorship in areas like structural engineering, project management, and health and safety, ensuring women lead Uganda\u2019s digital transformation.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Annette Kiconco, Chief Retail Banking Officer at dfcu Bank, said: “Supporting women entrepreneurs is at the core of dfcu Bank\u2019s Women in Business Programme. Through AWE, we extend affordable financing, financial literacy, and opportunities for women to thrive in high-value sectors such as technology, green energy, and infrastructure. When women succeed, communities and the economy grow stronger.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Arthur Mukembo, CEO of FutureLab at The Innovation Village, added: “Programmes like AWE equip women with the skills, tools, networks, and resources to access capital and markets. Supporting women innovators strengthens entire ecosystems, creates jobs, and drives socio-economic transformation. Women\u2019s participation in technology is not a short-term initiative\u2014it is a strategic priority for national development.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Selected participants will benefit from direct procurement opportunities within MTN Uganda and its partner network, one-on-one mentorship, peer networking, subsidised financing, free MTN Business Internet, and ESG compliance training. MTN Mobile Money Uganda will facilitate digital payments and financial inclusion, ATC Uganda will provide infrastructure project mentorship, dfcu Bank will deliver tailored financial products, and The Innovation Village will lead incubation and entrepreneurship training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n