KAMPALA, Uganda —Centenary Bank, in partnership with the African Guarantee Fund (AGF), on Friday hosted the inauguralEnterprise Finance Summitat Mestil Hotel Kampala, under the theme“Empowering Enterprise Growth Through Smart Financing Solutions.”
The landmark event follows an agreement signed in December 2023 between Centenary Bank and AGF, a specialized guarantee provider whose mission is to stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty across Africa. The partnership is expected to boost financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), enabling them to expand and strengthen their role in Uganda’s economy.
The summit drew more than 100 participants, including SME clients, women entrepreneurs, policymakers, industry experts, youth, and development partners. It forms part of Centenary Bank’s wider SME empowerment program aimed at increasing access to finance, building entrepreneurial capacity, and promoting inclusive growth.
SMEs at the heart of Uganda’s economy
In his keynote address, Dr. Fabian Kasi, Managing Director of Centenary Bank, underlined the central role SMEs play in Uganda’s development. “SMEs are part of Centenary Bank’s mission-critical portfolio, where the bank finances over 150,000 businesses, so the attention we give to them is immense, and we are not about to stop,” Dr. Kasi said. He stressed that SMEs are highly labor-intensive, generating jobs for women and youth, and contributing significantly to poverty reduction and economic stability.
According to the 2023/2024 Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS) by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, 31 percent of households in Uganda are headed by women. Dr. Kasi noted that this statistic underscores the need for gender-sensitive financing solutions that enable women-led households to thrive.
Despite their potential, SMEs continue to grapple with challenges such as limited access to affordable credit. Women entrepreneurs, in particular, face greater obstacles, ranging from lack of capital to systemic and cultural barriers. “Through this summit, we hope to foster inclusion by showcasing enterprising financing solutions available at the bank, creating a platform for networking and business linkages, and most importantly, driving collaboration that supports sustainable enterprise growth,” Dr. Kasi added.
Partnership for growth
Representing AGF, Mr. Alvin Ocheng, Capacity Development Officer, commended the partnership with Centenary Bank, saying the turnout reflected the urgency of SME financing in Uganda. “By enhancing access to finance for SMEs, particularly those led by women, we are not only fostering entrepreneurship but also contributing to sustainable economic development in Uganda,” he said.
Centenary Bank has rolled out several initiatives tailored to SMEs, including theCente Supawoman program, designed to empower women business owners, and theGROW loan, which provides working capital for businesses to expand from micro to small, and from small to medium size. The bank also conducts regular financial literacy trainings to help entrepreneurs manage and grow their enterprises sustainably.
Thought leadership and collaboration
The summit featured a presentation byMr. Charles Ocici, CEO of Enterprise Uganda, as well as panel discussions with experts includingDr. Theopista Ntale, Country Lead at Nshuti Financial Advisory Services and Director at New Faces New Voices, andDr. John Walugembe, CEO of the Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises.
Discussions centered on financing opportunities, risk mitigation strategies, and how smart financing can improve SME competitiveness in Uganda’s fast-evolving business landscape. Centenary Bank used the summit to reaffirm its commitment to building a collaborative ecosystem that supports SMEs as engines of growth, innovation, and job creation.
About Centenary Bank
Centenary Bank is Uganda’s largest commercial microfinance bank, serving more than 3 million customers through 82 branches, 209 ATMs, and over 8,000 Cente Agents nationwide. The bank also offers digital platforms such asCenteMobile, CenteAgent, CenteOnline, andCenteVisa debit and prepaid cards.Its mission is“To provide appropriate financial services, especially microfinance to all people, in a sustainable manner and in accordance with the law.”
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