Since 2007, dfcu Bank has been a trailblazer in championing women’s entrepreneurship in Uganda, with its groundbreaking Women in Business (WiB) program.
Designed to address the unique challenges faced by female entrepreneurs, WiB has empowered over 75,000 women, providing them with tailored financial solutions, essential business training, and valuable networking opportunities.
In line with the 2025 International Women’s Day theme, “Accelerate Action,” dfcu Bank continues to deepen its commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment.
In this exclusive interview, Maryann Wanjiku Michuki, chief business solutions and marketing officer at dfcu Bank, shares insights into how the bank is evolving its support for women entrepreneurs through key initiatives such as GROW (Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises), the Rising Woman Initiative, and the Best Farmers Competition.
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Dfcu Bank has a long-standing commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs. Could you provide an overview of the Women in Business (WiB) program and its impact since inception?
Absolutely. Our Women in Business (WiB) program was launched in 2007 to provide tailored financial products and training for female entrepreneurs who face unique barriers. Over the years, it has evolved into a robust platform, offering favorable financial solutions, capacity-building workshops, and networking opportunities.
Since its launch, the program has directly benefited over 30,000 women, enabling them to grow their businesses, improve their financial literacy, and contribute to Uganda's economy.
Building on WiB's success, dfcu partnered with several stakeholders to roll out the GROW Initiative. How does this program build on your existing efforts?
The GROW Initiative is an extension of our commitment to women’s economic empowerment. It was developed in partnership with the Government of Uganda, World Bank, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, and Private Sector Foundation Uganda.
This initiative is designed to break down the barriers women face—such as limited access to finance and lack of business skills—by providing affordable financing, targeted training, and mentorship. GROW is an essential part of our strategy to accelerate women’s businesses, allowing them to thrive and scale up across the country.
The dfcu Rising Woman Initiative has garnered national attention. What has been its impact?
Launched in 2018 in partnership with Monitor Publications, the Rising Woman Initiative was designed to celebrate and elevate women in business. Over six seasons, we’ve trained thousands of women, organized business proposal competitions, and awarded winners with cash prizes and fully funded study tours.
These initiatives have empowered women to refine their business strategies, expand their networks, and grow their enterprises. For example, in Season 5, the top three winners each received Shs10 million, and the top ten winners went on an all-expenses-paid exposure trip outside Uganda.
How does dfcu’s participation in the Best Farmers Competition support women, particularly in agriculture?
Agriculture is a key economic driver for many women in Uganda, so our involvement in the Best Farmers Competition is pivotal. The competition recognizes excellence in farming, encourages innovation, and empowers women farmers to scale their businesses. For many women, farming is not only their livelihood but also their path to economic independence.
By supporting the competition, we are ensuring that women in agriculture receive the recognition and financial backing they deserve, helping them to take their agribusinesses to new heights.
What’s next? How does dfcu Bank plan to keep the momentum going for women entrepreneurs?
Our work is far from finished. Moving forward, we plan to expand our existing initiatives, introduce new financial products tailored to women’s needs, and form stronger partnerships with like-minded organizations.
The goal is to provide women with sustainable and scalable solutions that empower them in the long run. As the business landscape continues to evolve, dfcu Bank remains committed to offering consistent, adaptable support to women entrepreneurs, ensuring they have every opportunity to succeed.
Through initiatives like WiB, GROW, the Rising Woman Initiative, and the Best Farmers Competition, dfcu Bank is not just providing financial services—it is fuelling a movement.
By investing in women entrepreneurs, dfcu is creating a more inclusive, innovative, and thriving business environment across Uganda.
