Business
Displaced women entrepreneurs to gain access to sh582m business funding
Several Ugandan women entrepreneurs are among a new group of refugee and displaced business leaders selected to join the fourth cohort fellowship dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs who have been forced to flee their homes.
(Courtesy)
By: Aloysious Kasoma, Journalist @New Vision
________________
Ugandan women entrepreneurs are set to benefit from funding opportunities of up to $160,000 (about shillings 582 million) after being selected for the fourth cohort of the Amahoro Fellowship Programme.
The pan-African initiative supports refugee and displaced business leaders to expand enterprises, create jobs and access new markets.
Several Ugandan women entrepreneurs are among a new group of refugee and displaced business leaders selected to join the fourth cohort fellowship dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs who have been forced to flee their homes.
(Courtesy)
The latest cohort, unveiled by the Amahoro Coalition on Friday, comprises 41 entrepreneurs and social impact leaders drawn from across Africa and the Middle East.
Women make up the majority of the intake, accounting for 24 fellows, while 17 are men.
The selected entrepreneurs originate from 15 countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, Rwanda and Syria. Many of them are currently operating businesses in African countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, South Africa and Egypt.
The fellowship seeks to empower displaced entrepreneurs by providing them with the tools, networks and financial resources needed to grow their enterprises and contribute to economic development within their host communities.
For Ugandan women entrepreneurs participating in the programme, the fellowship presents an opportunity to strengthen their businesses, access mentorship and connect with investors who can support expansion efforts.
The entrepreneurs operate across a diverse range of sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, education, manufacturing, technology, climate action and creative industries. Through their enterprises, they are creating employment opportunities and addressing social and economic challenges affecting communities across the continent.
Speaking during the announcement of the new cohort, Julia Oduol, the principal strategy custodian of the Amahoro Fellowship Programme, described the fellows as a new generation of business leaders driving transformation through innovation and enterprise.
“Cohort Four represents exceptional leaders who are generating jobs, building ventures and addressing some of Africa’s most pressing challenges from within their communities,” Oduol said.
She noted that the programme continues to challenge traditional perceptions of displaced populations by demonstrating that refugees and displaced persons can become successful entrepreneurs, employers and contributors to economic growth.
The 12-month fellowship combines business development training, leadership coaching, mentorship and peer learning. Participants also gain opportunities to engage with investors, private sector leaders and potential business partners.
A major highlight of the programme is access to investment capital. Fellows can qualify for growth funding of up to $160,000 (Over shillings 582 million) to support business expansion, job creation and entry into new markets.
According to the Amahoro Coalition, the fellowship has supported 88 refugee and displaced entrepreneurs across 15 African countries since its inception. The programme has helped participating businesses scale operations and significantly increase employment.
Data from the coalition shows that enterprises supported through the first three cohorts grew their combined workforce from 428 employees before joining the fellowship to more than 2,240 jobs after receiving support.
In addition, participating businesses have attracted over $2.4 million in direct funding through the programme and leveraged a further $4.1 million from external investors.
The fellowship is supported by development partners including the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Mastercard Foundation. Global logistics firm PSA BDP also contributes mentorship and industry expertise to help entrepreneurs strengthen their enterprises.
As Africa continues to host millions of refugees and displaced persons, initiatives such as the Amahoro Fellowship are increasingly highlighting the role of entrepreneurship in building self-reliance and economic resilience.
For the Ugandan women entrepreneurs selected in the latest cohort, the programme offers not only financial and technical support but also a platform to showcase their potential as business leaders capable of creating jobs, driving innovation and contributing to the continent's economic transformation.
Speaking during the announcement of the new cohort, Julia Oduol, the principal strategy custodian of the Amahoro Fellowship Programme, described the fellows as a new generation of business leaders driving transformation through innovation and enterprise.
“Cohort Four represents exceptional leaders who are generating jobs, building ventures and addressing some of Africa’s most pressing challenges from within their communities,” Oduol said.
She noted that the programme continues to challenge traditional perceptions of displaced populations by demonstrating that refugees and displaced persons can become successful entrepreneurs, employers and contributors to economic growth.
The 12-month fellowship combines business development training, leadership coaching, mentorship and peer learning. Participants also gain opportunities to engage with investors, private sector leaders and potential business partners.
A major highlight of the programme is access to investment capital. Fellows can qualify for growth funding of up to $160,000 (Over shillings 582 million) to support business expansion, job creation and entry into new markets.
According to the Amahoro Coalition, the fellowship has supported 88 refugee and displaced entrepreneurs across 15 African countries since its inception. The programme has helped participating businesses scale operations and significantly increase employment.
Data from the coalition shows that enterprises supported through the first three cohorts grew their combined workforce from 428 employees before joining the fellowship to more than 2,240 jobs after receiving support.
In addition, participating businesses have attracted over $2.4 million in direct funding through the programme and leveraged a further $4.1 million from external investors.
The fellowship is supported by development partners including the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Mastercard Foundation. Global logistics firm PSA BDP also contributes mentorship and industry expertise to help entrepreneurs strengthen their enterprises.
As Africa continues to host millions of refugees and displaced persons, initiatives such as the Amahoro Fellowship are increasingly highlighting the role of entrepreneurship in building self-reliance and economic resilience.
For the Ugandan women entrepreneurs selected in the latest cohort, the programme offers not only financial and technical support but also a platform to showcase their potential as business leaders capable of creating jobs, driving innovation and contributing to the continent's economic transformation.