165 Women-Led Green Enterprises Graduate as Stanbic, GIZ Advance Uganda’s Green Economy Agenda

What the report says

KAMPALA — Watchdog Uganda reports that 165 women-led enterprises have graduated from the Green Businesses and Jobs for the Green Transformation Project, a programme aimed at boosting women’s entrepreneurship, green job creation and Uganda’s shift toward a more sustainable economy. The ceremony was organised by Stanbic Business Incubator Limited (SBIL) with GIZ, the German development agency, and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.

According to the report, the project began in 2024 under the wider Women for the Green Transformation in Africa (WE4D) initiative, which also operates in Kenya and Tanzania. It supports businesses in areas such as renewable energy, circular economy, waste management, sustainable agriculture, the blue economy and ecotourism. The graduating firms completed months of training, coaching, workshops and investment-readiness support across four cohorts.

Government and partner officials said the programme fits Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Strategy and broader industrialisation and job-creation goals. Stanbic Business Incubator said more than 400 enterprises applied, 200 were shortlisted and 165 completed the programme, an 82% completion rate. The partners also said the initiative is meant to help women-led firms become more competitive, access finance and expand into new markets.

The report adds that participants used the training to strengthen operations, formalisation and certification, while officials urged them to maintain quality and customer service. More broadly, the graduation is presented as part of ongoing efforts to link women’s economic empowerment with climate resilience and inclusive growth in Uganda.