The Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development extends warm greetings to all distinguished guests present at this important gathering of GROW Loan beneficiaries. Today, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of women entrepreneurs who have accessed financial support through the GROW Project.
This initiative, financed by the World Bank with a budget of US$217 million, aims to empower women-led businesses by addressing key challenges such as limited access to capital, business management skills, and productive infrastructure. Women constitute 51% of Uganda’s population but remain underrepresented in the economic sector. The GROW Project is designed to bridge this gap by supporting the transition of female-owned businesses from micro to small and from small to medium enterprises.
The project is expected to create 295,000 direct jobs and over a million indirect jobs, further strengthening Uganda’s economic landscape. While concerns about collateral requirements and loan limits have been raised, the government remains committed to ensuring responsible lending for sustainability. Women entrepreneurs are encouraged to maximize available resources and continue striving for financial independence. Below is the detailed statement.
