CGAP 116d ago

Uganda is home to 1.1 million nano and micro enterprises — the backbone of its economy. Women lead 55% of these businesses, driving job creation, strengthening households, and powering local markets. But across many developing economies, too many remain “nano by necessity,” constrained by limited collateral, gaps in digital and financial literacy, and systems not designed with them in mind. In this episode, we explore the challenges facing women entrepreneurs in Uganda and what it will take to unlock their growth — not just locally, but across emerging markets globally. Drawing on research from CGAP, we examine why access to finance alone isn’t enough. Sustainable growth requires coordinated action across the financial ecosystem. Tune in to hear from: - Sandra Nakabiri, Senior Economist at Uganda’s Ministry of Finance, Planning and Ecocomic Development - Sumayyah N.S Mutagubya, Managing Director of GnuGrid - Gladys Kwalisima, corn vendor in Uganda Together, we unpack: ✔ Why so many women-led businesses stay small — and how to change that ✔ The role of credit infrastructure and alternative data in expanding access ✔ How policymakers and financial service providers can design tailored, gender-responsive interventions ✔ What an ecosystem-wide response to women’s financial inclusion really looks like If you're interested in financial inclusion, women’s economic empowerment, SME finance, digital finance, or development policy in Sub-Saharan Africa, this conversation offers practical insights and scalable solutions. Uganda holds important lessons for policymakers, donors, financial institutions, and development partners worldwide. Learn more about CGAP’s work: https://www.cgap.org. #FinancialInclusion #WomensEconomicEmpowerment #InclusiveFinance #AfricaDevelopment #uganda #InclusiveFinanceFrontiers