The Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), in partnership with Mastercard Foundation and The African Management Institute (AMI), have unveiled a partnership seeking to redefine the landscape for Business Development Services (BDS) in Uganda.

The working relationship started with converging leaders and innovators from the BDS ecosystem with the focus on fortifying the capabilities of BDS providers to catalyze the growth of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the nation.

Speaking during the meeting held at Sheraton Hotel Kampala, Stephen Asiimwe, the CEO of PSFU, emphasised the vital role of MSMEs as the backbone of Uganda’s economy while highlighting the pivotal challenges they face, including limited access to finance and a lack of essential business skills.

“BDS providers play a crucial role in bridging gaps, offering the support MSMEs need to thrive. PSFU and AMI have launched an extensive BDS training program. This initiative has made significant strides in enhancing the capacity and quality of BDS providers across Uganda through a standardized framework,” Asiimwe said.

Rebecca Harrison, the CEO of African Management Institute highlighted that the programme was built from AMI’s proven training methodology - a practical, tools-based learning model equipping BDS providers with the necessary tools and diagnostics to effectively support SMEs.

Over the course of the programme, more than 217 BDS providers received comprehensive training, elevating the standards of business support services nationwide.

The program facilitated the development of two core standards focusing on "Building Organizational Capacity" and "Delivery of Business Development Services” for addressing critical gaps in the BDS sector.

This initiative thrived on a deep understanding of the Ugandan Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) ecosystem, achieved through extensive consultations and the involvement of local standards experts.

The approach embraced a consultative methodology that integrated diverse perspectives from various stakeholders, ensuring widespread acceptance and adoption of the guidelines.