NCBA, MAT Abacus launch programme to strengthen Ugandan SMEs

Fifty Ugandan small and medium enterprises have been selected for a one-year programme aimed at equipping business owners with practical skills, mentorship and support to strengthen their operations and achieve sustainable growth.

The Enterprise Development Programme, launched at Fairway Hotel in Kampala on August 20, is designed to help participating businesses address gaps in areas such as business planning, financial management and other critical capabilities needed to formalise, scale and become bank-ready.

The programme is being implemented under the Business Banking Customer Value Proposition of NCBA Bank Uganda in partnership with MAT Abacus Business School.

The inaugural cohort brings together 50 SMEs and will undergo a structured year-long journey starting with business gap analysis and diagnosis, followed by selection and onboarding, practical workshops, coaching, business clinics and graduation.

Participants will also receive one-on-one and group coaching to help them translate the knowledge gained into practical actions and measurable improvements in their businesses.

Speaking at the launch, NCBA Bank Uganda chief executive officer Mark Muyobo said supporting SMEs requires more than providing access to finance.

“At NCBA, we believe that supporting SMEs goes beyond providing access to finance. It is about helping business owners build the capabilities, structures and confidence required to grow sustainable enterprises,” Muyobo said.

He said the partnership with MAT Abacus would enable the bank to take a more holistic approach to supporting entrepreneurs throughout their business journey.

“We are excited to welcome the first 50 businesses into the programme and look forward to seeing them translate this experience into stronger, more resilient and bank-ready businesses,” he said.

Isaiah Kizito, MAT Abacus executive programmes coordinator, said the programme would provide practical tools and mentorship tailored to the individual needs of participating businesses.

“We are delighted to partner with NCBA to equip SMEs with practical tools, knowledge and mentorship for real business growth. The programme will be tailored to each business, meeting entrepreneurs at their current stage and supporting them throughout their growth journey,” Kizito said.

He said the initiative would help entrepreneurs build stronger and more sustainable enterprises capable of taking advantage of available growth opportunities.

The programme comes as SMEs continue to play an important role in Uganda’s private sector, while many businesses face challenges related to formalisation, financial management, scaling and access to appropriate financing.

Upon completion, participants will graduate into an alumni network where they will continue to access mentorship and networking opportunities, alongside potential access to NCBA’s financial solutions to support their next phase of growth.

The organisers said the inaugural cohort is the beginning of a broader programme expected to benefit more SMEs over time and create a growing community of entrepreneurs who can share experiences, access mentorship and strengthen their businesses.

The partnership brings together NCBA’s expertise in financial services and business support and MAT Abacus’ experience in enterprise development, creating a platform intended to provide SMEs with practical guidance beyond traditional financial services.

The programme’s organisers said its long-term objective is to contribute to a stronger and more resilient SME ecosystem by helping individual businesses improve their capacity to grow sustainably.