Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Green and Transition Sectors
The I&P Acceleration WE4A Programme – Uganda is a high-impact initiative dedicated to supporting women-led enterprises operating in the green economy, climate transition sectors, and other environmentally sustainable value chains. This program is designed to equip Ugandan women entrepreneurs with the tools, skills, and financial backing needed to grow their businesses, strengthen their operational capacity, and prepare them for long-term investment.
Developed in partnership with Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P), development partners, and local financial institutions, this programme aims to bridge the persistent barriers that women entrepreneurs face—particularly limited access to credit, business development services, and investor networks. Through a combination of structured acceleration, hands-on technical support, and guaranteed financial products, the WE4A Programme empowers participants to build resilient, impactful, and fundable enterprises.
About the Programme
The WE4A (Women Entrepreneurship for Africa) initiative focuses on enabling women entrepreneurs to scale their businesses by providing access to tailored business acceleration, technical assistance, and much-needed finance. In Uganda, the programme concentrates especially on sectors that contribute to sustainable development and environmental protection—such as renewable energy, waste management, eco-friendly manufacturing, sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation services, and circular economy innovations.
The programme recognizes that women-led businesses often face systemic constraints such as limited collateral, restrictive lending policies, and unequal access to investment readiness support. To address these gaps, I&P and its partners have structured a comprehensive, multi-stage program that supports entrepreneurs from capacity building all the way to access to capital.
Key Benefits of the Programme
Selected participants will gain access to an extensive suite of support tools designed to deepen business skills, strengthen financial capacity, and expand market presence:
Tailored Acceleration & Business Development Support
Entrepreneurs will undergo a structured acceleration journey designed specifically for women-led enterprises in green and transition sectors. This includes diagnostics, business growth planning, and targeted support solutions.
Hybrid Learning Experience
The program uses a combination of self-paced online learning modules and expert-led live sessions, ensuring flexibility while maintaining high-quality engagement. Participants receive practical, actionable training aligned with their business needs.
One-on-One Mentoring With Investors
Each participant will be paired with seasoned investors or business growth practitioners who will provide personalized guidance on strategy, operations, scaling, and readiness for external financing.
Financial Modelling & Investment Preparation
Participants will receive expert support to build or refine their financial models, strengthen their business plans, and become investment-ready. This component helps entrepreneurs understand valuation, financial forecasting, and investor expectations.
Access to Guaranteed Loans (~€22,000)
Through a special financing arrangement with Finance Trust Bank, eligible businesses will gain access to guaranteed loans of approximately €22,000, enabling them to expand operations, acquire essential equipment, or strengthen working capital. The loan guarantee significantly reduces the collateral burden normally required from women entrepreneurs.
Technical Assistance on Credit Evaluation & Loan Applications
Participants will receive in-depth assistance to navigate the lending process—understanding credit requirements, preparing documentation, managing risk, and ensuring compliance.
Opportunities for Capital Advances
For high-growth and scalable enterprises, the programme offers opportunities to access capital advances or blended finance solutions—supporting expansion into new markets or product lines.
This support structure is intentionally designed to unlock the full business potential of Ugandan women entrepreneurs.
Who Should Apply?
The programme welcomes applications from:
- Women founders or women-led SMEs operating in green or climate-related sectors
- Businesses contributing to environmental sustainability, circular economy, clean energy, or climate adaptation
- Enterprises seeking technical and financial support to scale
- Entrepreneurs committed to strengthening their management, financial systems, and long-term competitiveness
Whether early-stage or growth-stage, qualified businesses will benefit from the programme’s in-depth support ecosystem. Click Here to start up your Application
Application Timeline
Applications are open from:
🗓️ November 14, 2025 – January 5, 2026 (11:59 p.m. GMT)
Interested entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply early to ensure adequate time for review and evaluation.
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