AWE Programme Launches Second Cohort After First-Phase Success

• AWE​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Programme launches application for its second cohort in Uganda. 
• Through the first cohort, 15% women-led suppliers were grown and UGX 18B in contracts was unlocked. 
• dfcu Bank commits to providing long-term support to women ​‍​‌‍​‍‌entrepreneurs.

dfcu​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Bank, together with MTN Uganda, MTN Mobile Money Uganda, American Tower Corporation (ATC) Uganda, and The Innovation Village, has declared the commencement of application submissions for the second cohort of the Advancing Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Programme.

The program aims to increase the availability of economic resources to women-led businesses in the whole of Uganda through financing, capacity building, and access to high-value ​‍​‌‍​‍‌procurement.

The​‍​‌‍​‍‌ announcement is based on the powerful influence of the first cohort, which has, in the last three years, completely changed the women entrepreneurship ecosystem in Uganda. Over 40 women-led enterprises managed to get procurement contracts with a total value of UGX 18 billion, thus exceeding the target of UGX 15 billion. The percentage of women-led suppliers in MTN Uganda’s ecosystem has increased from 0.3% to 15% during this time, which is a significant milestone in inclusive sourcing.

AWE Programme, a project initiated in 2023 under MTN Uganda’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) umbrella, is geared towards empowering women to become competitive participants in male-dominated sectors such as telecom infrastructure, digital services, and green ​‍​‌‍​‍‌energy.

The​‍​‌‍​‍‌ first phase saw the injection of mentorship, training, and financing into 118 women-led enterprises. More than UGX 1.6 billion in subsidized loans for working capital, procurement readiness, and business expansion was unlocked through dfcu Bank. Participants went through more than 30 technical and business training modules that included procurement, financial management, ESG compliance, and operational excellence.

At the second cohort launch, Annette Kiconco, Chief Retail Banking Officer at dfcu Bank, spoke about the Bank's commitment to advancing women in business ​‍​‌‍​‍‌again, stating, “dfcu Bank remains steadfast in empowering women entrepreneurs through practical financing solutions and business development support. Through programmes like AWE, we are opening doors for women to enter high-value sectors such as technology, infrastructure, and green energy. When women thrive, Uganda’s economy becomes stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient.”