Refugee women in Nakivale are set to scale up their businesses and improve their livelihoods through the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project, a transformative initiative focused on unlocking women’s economic potential.
The project is expanding access to affordable financing, enterprise development services, and business infrastructure, targeting women entrepreneurs who often face limited opportunities due to lack of collateral, skills gaps, and constrained market access.
The launch of the GROW Loan Product on March 28th marked a significant step in this effort. Officiated by World Bank Task Team Lead Serena Cavicchi, the event highlighted the importance of integrated support systems in building sustainable and resilient enterprises.
Implemented in partnership with financial institutions including UGAFODE Microfinance, the loan product provides flexible financing options tailored to women in informal and small-scale businesses, enabling them to invest, grow, and formalize their enterprises.
The launch attracted strong participation from government representatives, development partners, private sector actors, and refugee women entrepreneurs—demonstrating both demand for inclusive financial solutions and confidence in the program.
Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), through GROW Project Coordinator Dr. Ruth Biyinzika Kasolo, commended the Government of Uganda for championing the initiative and encouraged beneficiaries to seize the opportunity to strengthen their businesses and household incomes.
Beyond financing, the GROW Project delivers business training, mentorship, and financial literacy, while also supporting the development of market infrastructure and value addition facilities to improve productivity and competitiveness.
Leaders from the Office of the Prime Minister and the financial sector emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration in advancing economic empowerment among refugees, noting its broader impact on community stability and growth.
With early beneficiaries already demonstrating business expansion and job creation, the GROW Project is positioning refugee women as key drivers of local economic development.
The initiative reinforces the importance of inclusive, women-centered approaches in building resilient economies and advancing shared prosperity in refugee-hosting communities.
 Project, a transformative initiative focused on unlocking women’s economic potential.){kind=link}