Centenary Bank, in partnership with the African Guarantee Fund (AGF), has launched a major initiative aimed at enhancing access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Uganda.
The announcement was made during the inaugural Enterprise Finance Summit, held at Mestil Hotel, Kampala, under the theme: “Empowering Enterprise Growth Through Smart Financing Solutions.”
The summit follows a financing agreement signed between Centenary Bank and AGF in December 2023, which empowers the bank to expand credit facilities for SMEs — a critical driver of Uganda’s economy.
The event attracted over 100 participants, including SME clients, women entrepreneurs, youth, policymakers, industry experts, and development partners. It served as a platform to present smart financing solutions, encourage business networking, and explore ways to overcome financing challenges for Uganda’s SME sector.
The summit forms part of Centenary Bank’s broader SME mobilization and empowerment strategy, aimed at improving access to finance, boosting entrepreneurial skills, and accelerating inclusive economic growth.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Fabian Kasi, Managing Director of Centenary Bank, emphasized the strategic importance of SMEs in job creation, especially for women and youth.
“SMEs are part of Centenary Bank’s mission-critical portfolio. We finance over 150,000 businesses and remain fully committed to their success,” Dr. Kasi said.
Referencing the Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS) 2023/2024, which reports that 31% of households are headed by women, Dr. Kasi highlighted the need for gender-responsive financing solutions.
“We must open more doors of opportunity for women-led households. Despite their potential, they face greater barriers such as limited capital and systemic biases,” he added.
Mr. Alvin Ocheng, Capacity Development Officer at the African Guarantee Fund, commended the partnership and the strong engagement seen at the summit.
“By increasing access to finance for SMEs — especially women-led enterprises — we are not only boosting entrepreneurship but also laying the foundation for sustainable economic development in Uganda,” Ocheng noted.
Centenary Bank’s existing SME-focused offerings — including the Cente Supawoman program for women entrepreneurs and the GROW loan facility for scaling micro and small businesses — were showcased during the event. The bank also reiterated its ongoing commitment to financial literacy training and inclusive financing, especially in underserved rural areas.