Minister of State for Gender and Culture, Hon. Mary Kuteesa Kamuli, has commended Stanbic and the Embassy of France in Uganda for championing women and youth-led green enterprises, describing their collaboration as a practical example of how strategic partnerships can accelerate Uganda’s economic transformation.
Speaking as Guest of Honour at the graduation ceremony of 106 entrepreneurs under the Stanbic GreenTech Accelerator and Incubation Programme in Kampala on Friday, Kuteesa said Uganda’s ambition to achieve tenfold economic growth by 2040 would depend on unlocking barriers that currently limit the full participation of women and young people in production.
“To achieve the growth we aspire to, we must expand economic opportunities for women and youth. I commend Stanbic Uganda and the Embassy of France for moving beyond aspiration and taking concrete action to support entrepreneurs who are creating jobs, solving environmental challenges and building Uganda’s future,” she said.
The graduates, most of them women and youth, completed a year-long business acceleration programme designed to equip entrepreneurs with the skills, networks and support needed to scale climate-smart enterprises and attract investment.
The initiative is funded through a UGX 3 billion partnership between the Embassy of France in Uganda and Stanbic Business Incubator Limited (SBIL), a subsidiary of Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited (SUHL). The programme seeks to strengthen Uganda’s emerging green economy by supporting businesses operating in areas such as sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, waste management and circular economy solutions.
As part of its positive impact agenda for women, youth, and farmers, Stanbic Uganda has pledged to mobilise up to one trillion Uganda shillings by 2028 to drive sustainable livelihood opportunities; it had raised Ushs 440 billion by June 2026.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mark Ocitti Ongom, Chief Executive of SUHL, said the partnership with the French Embassy is one of several, commitment to Uganda’s long-term sustainable growth.
“The Embassy of France is interested in sustainable growth for Uganda. We, on the other hand, call Uganda home and are committed to driving her growth. This programme demonstrates what can be achieved when like-minded partners come together to support entrepreneurs solving real challenges while creating economic opportunities,” he said.
The Ambassador of France to Uganda, H.E. Virginie Leroy, said entrepreneurs would play a critical role in delivering sustainable economic growth while addressing climate-related challenges.
“The solutions being developed by these businesses show that sustainability and economic growth can go hand in hand. Uganda’s green transition will depend on innovators who can translate environmental challenges into practical and commercially viable solutions,” she said.
Launched in November 2025, the programme targets up to 200 enterprises across the Kampala Metropolitan Area and the Albertine Region. More than 60 percent of participating enterprises are led by women and young people.
SBIL Chief Executive Catherine Poran said the programme had focused on helping entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into commercially viable and investment-ready businesses.
“The entrepreneurs graduating today have spent the past year strengthening their business models, validating their solutions and preparing for growth. We are celebrating more than innovation. We are celebrating enterprises that are better positioned to attract capital, create jobs and compete successfully in the market,” she said.
The graduation ceremony also marked the launch of the programme’s second phase, with the Embassy of France in Uganda and SBIL signing an agreement to extend implementation for a second year and open applications for a new cohort of green entrepreneurs.
The renewed commitment signals confidence in the programme’s early results and ensures that more women and youth-led enterprises will have access to business development support, mentorship and investment readiness training.
In a further boost for the graduates, the French Embassy announced that 10 outstanding entrepreneurs from the inaugural cohort will be sponsored on an exposure visit to France, where they will have an opportunity to engage with innovation hubs, green enterprises and potential business partners.
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