9 corporate firms team up to uplift women-led enterprises

Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | MTN Uganda together with several corporate entities is participating in a new programme – Advancing Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) aimed at supporting formal women-led enterprises to thrive.

The AWE project aspires to usher in a new era of improved business ownership, enriched diversity, and enhanced equality in the supply chain. It seeks to champion women’s participation and commendable contributions to the thriving tech industry.

The other partners include MTN Mobile Money (MOMO), The American Tower Corporation (ATC), UN Women, The Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), dfcu Bank, Innovation Village, NSSF Hi Innovators, and Outbox.

“This initiative underscores MTN Uganda’s unwavering commitment to fostering a more inclusive and connected society, echoing our belief in the power of collaboration and the MTN annual theme of “Together, we are Unstoppable,” said Sylvia Mulinge, MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer.

Mulinge said the telecom firm would increase the local spend on women entrepreneurs participating in the top spend categories in the telecom industry and build an inclusive market-oriented platform that supports and attracts women entrepreneurs.

She referred to the 2019 World Bank study that says, on average, women-owned microenterprises in Uganda generate 30% lower profits than their male counterparts.

Lower levels of innovation, lower use of capital and labor, and sector-based sex segregation are all factors associated with women entrepreneurs’ poorer business outcomes relative to men in Uganda according to the Mulinge, who made one year as MTN Uganda CEO on Oct.2.

In addition, women enterprise owners in Uganda also use 41% fewer hours of labor, have 50% less capital, and are 37% less likely to have introduced a new product over the previous 12 months compared with men.

Mulinge said the goal of the AWE project is ambitious yet achievable.

“Our vision is to have 250 women suppliers by 2025, with the aim of onboarding 50 women by the end of this year,” she said.

Shs15bn opportunity

MTN Uganda will be investing $4 million (Shs15bn) into this project.

“By inviting women entrepreneurs to join our supply chain, we intend to empower them, promote diversity, and fortify the technology sector in Uganda,” Mulinge said, “This initiative serves as a testament to our commitment to a more inclusive and equitable future.”

MTN and MTN Mobile Money (MOMO) will oversee the expression of interest process, ensure women’s participation, and offer comprehensive training and financial support.

American Tower Corporation will provide business opportunities and assist in candidate selection, while UN Women will raise awareness and strengthen partnerships.

The Private Sector Foundation Uganda, dfcu Bank, and Innovation Village will promote entrepreneurship, provide mentorship, and offer financial support.

NSSF Hi Innovators will offer brand support and financing.

“Together, we aim to increase women’s participation in the telecom supply chain, support financial sustenance, and create a more inclusive marketplace, with a goal of onboarding 50 women by the end of the year and 250 women suppliers by 2025,” the entities said in a joint statement dated Oct.2.

Partners comments

Adekemi Ndielli, UN Women Uganda’s deputy country representative said, “Empowering women is our DNA as UN Women Uganda, and our partnership with MTN Uganda is a magic bullet to bridge the gap and contributes to SDG 5, which has targets & indicators for all the other goals.”

Charles Mudiwa, the managing director, dfcu Bank Uganda said, “dfcu embarked on a dedicated journey to support women entrepreneurs since 2007. Over the years, this commitment has yielded exponential growth and we hope to grow it further through the AWE project.”

Alex Rumanyika, head of strategy at NSSF said, “The Fund’s Hi-Innovator Programme aligns with the AWE initiative to support early-stage small and growing businesses with patient capital, technical assistance, and linkages to markets and affordable financing to make them competitive and investment-ready.”

Stephen Asiimwe, chief executive officer of PSFU said, “This is not just a simple beginning; it’s the inception of a movement, a catalyst for change that is gaining momentum with every passing moment.”

He added: “As we take these first steps, let us all remember that revolutions are built on the passion, resilience, and commitment of individuals who dare to dream and act. Together, we can turn the tides and create a brighter future for all.”

Dorothy Kabagambe Ssemanda, chief executive officer of ATC Uganda said, “Currently, more than 90% of our annual high spend on engineering projects is executed by suppliers which are not women-owned or operated. This is a narrative we are here to change, a shift we are dedicated to leading.”

Article Credits: The Independent