After a highly competitive call for applications attracting 593 registrations from across the country, the Uganda Green Enterprise Finance Accelerator (UGEFA) is proud to announce the 73 enterprises selected to join its inaugural Phase II cohorts, a landmark moment for Uganda’s green economy and a testament to the growing appetite for sustainable business. The selected enterprises will now enter UGEFA’s finance-readiness training programme, designed to prepare them for growth and investment. This is followed by access to UGEFA’s unique Funding Facility, which provides affordable debt capital through partner banks, blended with grant funding from UGEFA.
73 enterprises selected. 6 cohorts. One shared vision for a greener Uganda.
Three months to transform: the UGEFA Catalyser
Starting in April 2026, all selected enterprises will enter the UGEFA Catalyser Programme – three months of intensive, targeted support designed to help green businesses develop the business and financial plans they need to access financing and scale their environmental and social impact.
Delivered by experienced Business Advisors using globally tested and proven toolkits, the Catalyser combines group workshops and interactive sessions held in Kampala and Mbarara. Participants will work to refine their business models, build solid growth plans, and produce the key documents that financiers demand – including Business Plans with an Impact Dashboard, Financial Plans, and Investment Plans.
The six cohorts bring together 73 enterprises from across Uganda, spanning sectors from Clean Energy and Sustainable Agriculture to Green Manufacturing, Urban Waste Management and Sustainable Mobility. Among them, 35 are women-led enterprises, supported through the dedicated UGEFA4Her cohort – a newly launched initiative championing inclusive green growth.
This is not UGEFA’s first cohort: the Catalyser Programme has already supported 206 green enterprises in Phase I, and Phase II builds on that proven foundation with renewed ambition and reach.
“Seeing this level of interest and quality from enterprises across Uganda is truly inspiring. Over the coming months, we will work closely with each cohort to sharpen their business and financial plans, prepare them for investment, and set them up for long-term impact. This is where the real work –and the real transformation– begins.” Selina Blum, UGEFA Catalyser Lead.
Beyond the Catalyser: A Path to Investment and Scale
The Catalyser is just the beginning. Once enterprises complete the programme, UGEFA supports a structured process of matching them with banks and financial institutions to access the financing they need to grow.
This is followed by the UGEFA Accelerator Programme, which provides ongoing group and individual support to help enterprises manage their investment projects and business expansion, navigate organisational development, and monitor and scale their impacts. UGEFA’s post-investment support is designed to de-risk investments and help enterprises deliver returns — both financial and in environmental and social terms.
Who Applied and What It Tells Us
The call for applications drew strong interest from across Uganda, with a particularly striking result: the Western Region generated the highest number of applications, slightly surpassing the Central Region. This signals that green entrepreneurship is flourishing well beyond Kampala, a powerful and encouraging trend for the programme.
In terms of sectors, Clean Energy and Sustainable Agriculture led the field –each attracting 73 applications– followed by Green Manufacturing, Urban Waste Management, Sustainable Tourism and Sustainable Mobility & Transport. The breadth of sectors represented reflects the wide-ranging nature of Uganda’s green economy opportunity.
The applicant pool also skewed towards established businesses: the majority of enterprises were between 5 and 10 years old, suggesting that UGEFA Phase II is attracting companies with market traction and the capacity to grow. Applicants spanned a wide range of annual turnovers, from early-growth SMEs to more mature businesses, underlining the programme’s inclusive design.
From the mountains of the West to the plains of the East, Uganda’s green entrepreneurs are stepping forward.
A Rigorous Road to Selection
UGEFA applies a rigorous, multi-staged selection process: Of all 274 applications received and evaluated fitting the first eligibility check, 197 were shortlisted. Following careful review by a second assessment, 140 were forwarded to UGEFA’s Appraisal Committee, which selected 73 promising enterprises. This process ensures that UGEFA’s support reaches enterprises that are both ambitious and ready to deliver results.
“The response to UGEFA Phase II has been outstanding. The diversity of applications –across sectors, regions and enterprise profiles– reflects the enormous potential of Uganda’s green economy. We are excited to walk this journey with our newly selected cohorts.” Christine Meyer, UGEFA Programme Lead.
What Comes Next
With the Catalyser kicking off in April, Uganda’s newest class of green champions is ready to get to work. UGEFA will work closely with each cohort to tailor support, connect businesses with financing opportunities, and build the skills needed to scale sustainably.
Watch this space for updates as Uganda’s newest cohorts of green champions get to work.
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