Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The rescue package that was announced by governments around the world to help Small Scale Enterprises-SMEs to recover from the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic is yet to have a tangible impact on the sector. The pandemic compelled governments to shut down their economies …
Read More »Tony Elumelu Foundation 2021 TEF Entrepreneurship Programme Application Opens
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Africa’s philanthropist, Tony Elumelu Foundation, has opened its applications for a new entrepreneurship training. This year’s intervention prioritises the economic recovery of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) and young African entrepreneurs, following the Covid-19 disruption to economic activities. To address the unique challenges arising …
Read More »UN says private sector key to realize sustainability agenda in Africa
Nairobi, Kenya | Xinhua | African governments should leverage capital, technology and manpower from industry to hasten realization of sustainability agenda and pandemic recovery in the continent, a senior UN official said on Thursday. Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy secretary-general, said that targeted investments from Africa’s indigenous businesses are required to …
Read More »Stanbic Bank and UN launch fund to support SMEs, revive Uganda’s economy
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Stanbic Bank Uganda has partnered with the United Nations and other funding agencies to create an enterprise fund that will provide low-cost financing for informal sector businesses to enable them recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dubbed the Economic Enterprise Restart fund (EERF), it will aim to …
Read More »Covid-19: Absa Bank Uganda, IFC to train 300 Ugandan SMEs
Kampala, Uganda | Julius Businge | Absa Bank Uganda and International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, have partnered to train over 300 Ugandan small and medium-sized enterprises to help them assess business risks, adapt their business models, and navigate the difficult operating environment caused by COVID-19 pandemic. …
Read More »High business collapse trailing Uganda’s economy
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Knowledge gaps and the high costs of doing business remain a major hindrance to Uganda’s economic growth as most business enterprises started in the country do not survive beyond their first birthday. Ronnie Mulongo, manager Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) says that some entrepreneurs lack …
Read More »COVID-19: African Union agency to support SMEs across the continent
Johannesburg, South Africa | XINHUA | The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) on Tuesday launched a program to help Africa’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to adapt business operations in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. AUDA-NEPAD, in partnership with Ecobank Group, launched the MSME Academy which will give …
Read More »SMEs must seize online opportunities to survive COVID-19
John Walugembe is the Executive Director for Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises, an umbrella body for SMEs in Uganda. The Independent’s Julius Businge had an interview him on the impact of COVID-19 on SMEs. What major milestones has the federation recorded since its establishment? The Federation was established in …
Read More »How to boost cross-border financing solutions in Africa
Kampala, Uganda | Isaac Khisa | How can African countries boost cross-border financing solutions on the continent? This was the main issue discussed during the Pan-African e-conference hosted by the United Capital PLC, a Nigerian-based financial and investment Services Company, on Friday. Peter Ashade, the Group CEO at United Capital Plc. …
Read More »Bringing possibility to life during a crisis
Absa has reacted swiftly to the COVID-19 pandemic by designing, offering and implementing smart solutions and offering significant financial respite during these times. COMMENT | Vimal Kumar | When a crisis of the magnitude of Covid-19 strikes, it is our role as a responsible lender to put forward various immediate and …
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