Last week’s graduation of 106 entrepreneurs from the GreenTech Accelerator and Incubation Programme represents far more than a ceremonial milestone.
It offers a practical route through which Uganda can transform its economy by turning climate challenges into commercial opportunities, creating jobs, and expanding participation in production among women and young people.
If sustained and scaled, this model of supporting green enterprises could become a significant driver of inclusive growth and long-term economic resilience. Mary Kuteesa Kamuli, the state minister for Gender and Culture and chief guest at the ceremony on September 18, commended various stakeholders for championing women and youth-led green enterprises.
She described their collaboration as a practical example of how strategic partnerships can accelerate Uganda’s economic transformation. She 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 Shs 3 billion partnership between the French embassy in Uganda and Stanbic Business Incubator Limited (SBIL). 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 Shs 1 trillion by 2028 to drive sustainable livelihood opportunities.
It had raised Shs 440 billion by June, 2026. Speaking at the ceremony, Virginie Leroy, the ambassador of France to Uganda, 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 per cent of participating enterprises are led by women and young people.
Catherine Poran, the SBIL chief executive, 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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