Uganda has joined 11 other countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, and South Africa in Standard Chartered’s three-year accelerator program designed to equip women-led, tech-enabled businesses with critical skills, networks, and funding.
The global Futuremakers Women in Tech program by Standard Chartered Foundation has already disbursed over $500,000 in seed funding across Africa. In Uganda, the program will be run in partnership with Standard Chartered Bank, Village Capital, and Innovation Village, and implemented by Future Lab, places women entrepreneurs at the heart of Uganda’s digital and economic transformation.
With women owning over 50 per cent of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Uganda, most of them under 30 years old, the accelerator addresses the persistent gender gaps in formal financing, access to digital tools, and professional networks.
The program launch, held at MoTIV on Thursday, brought together public and private stakeholders committed to fostering inclusive growth through technology.
“The Women in Tech Accelerator Program will open up new opportunities for women entrepreneurs to thrive in today’s digital economy by helping them embrace and leverage technology,” said Roseline Najjuma, head of transaction banking at Standard Chartered Bank Uganda.
The accelerator will support up to 60 women-led businesses over three years, with 20 ventures selected annually for a six-month intensive incubation program. The areas of focus include market validation, digital integration, growth strategy, technology adoption.
Top-performing startups will receive catalytic grants of up to $10,000, access to digital tools, introductions to customers and investors, membership in a vibrant community of practice for peer learning
Japheth Kawanguzi, team lead at Innovation Village, said the strength of the program lies in its strategic partnerships, access to essential business growth tools, and the power of networks that foster impact through a vibrant community of practice.
“Together, we are building a platform where women lead and shape the future of Uganda’s digital economy,” she said.
In her keynote, minister of state for People with Disabilities, Hellen Asamo, emphasized the program’s alignment with national priorities including Vision 2040, National Development Plans III and IV, and the MSME Policy.
“We remain committed to removing systemic barriers and driving inclusive economic growth,” Asamo stated. “Complementary government programs like the Parish Development Model and Emyooga reinforce these efforts.”
Margaret Kigozi, head of corporate affairs, brand & marketing at Standard Chartered Uganda, acknowledged the ongoing hurdles women in tech face from limited access to finance and mentorship, to digital exclusion.
“With a thriving start-up scene, deep internet penetration, and one of the highest rates of women-owned businesses in the region, we believe the Women in Tech Program will plug the gap for female tech-preneurs looking to grow their businesses at scale,” she said.
With the first cohort set to begin in June, women founders across Uganda are encouraged to apply and join the initiative, which aims to build a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient digital economy.
It has been proven that African regions with higher female labor force participation rates are often poorer.
The West itself has not invested heavily in Africa, and the only small amount of funds has become exclusive to women, which is extremely detrimental to long-term economic development. This itself is artificially creating gender inequality